The Moth GrandSLAM Winner: Matthew Dicks “Whisper the Name”

At a McDonald's PlayPlace, Matthew Dicks finds himself facing a dilemma—his toddler son is stuck high in a plastic tube and his anxious daughter refuses to help. But what happens next changes everything. In this powerful story told live at The Moth Grandslam Championship at The Wilbur Theatre in Boston, Matthew shares a moment of unexpected bravery, sibling love, and a line spoken by his daughter that he will never forget. Four years later, a diagnosis of autism reframes that moment and offers insight into the strength and brilliance of a child who sees the world a little differently. ✨ Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply someone who loves unforgettable stories, this one will stay with you. _______ Story Highlights: 0:00 - The petri dish play place (How to establish a narrative physical setting) 0:28 - Clara’s precarious predicament (Character development & internal stakes in storytelling) 1:02 - The cartoon cake crisis (The Backpack strategy & mapping psychological tension) 2:08 - Trapped in the cargo net (Creating narrative stakes & escalating tension) 3:34 - The impossible climb (Navigating the turning point of a story) 4:34 - Spanning the distance (The climax of a story & physical resolution) 4:54 - "Whisper the name" (The 5-second moment of transformation) 5:51 - Unlocking an extraordinary mind (The narrative resolution & payoff) _______ 👇 Subscribe ‪@MatthewDicksStoryworthy‬ for more real, heartfelt stories from bestselling author and master storyteller Matthew Dicks. 📘 Learn how storytelling can transform your brand or business: www.storyworthymd.com 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share if this story moved you! #MatthewDicks #storytelling #storyteller #Autism #ParentingStories #InspiringStories #TrueStory #Siblings #Storyworthy #Courage