The Moth Radio Hour includes stories from StorySLAMs (open mic storytelling events), GrandSLAMs (the winners of the StorySLAMs) and Moth Mainstages which of course take place in NYC and LA. Houston is one of two Gulf Coast cities — the other being New Orleans — to start StorySLAMs this season.

Hosted by David Crabb, the theme of this StorySLAM is "Firsts." Guests are encouraged to prepare a five-minute story about their maiden voyage into un-chartered territory. Perhaps your first standing ovation, miserable failure, kiss, child, crisis of conscience, job, pet, toupee, trip overseas, exorcism, internet date, grandchild or fist fight?

The host will pick the first name and the show will begin. Each teller will have five minutes to tell his or her tale. After each story, the judges confer. The teller with the highest score becomes the StorySLAM winner. The winner will compete with the year's other winners in the next GrandSLAM Championship.