Story-maker, writer, radio personality, woodworker and Brattleboro treasure Tom Bodett invites us into the story of his life in words -- and near death -- in the utterly straightforward and completely captivating way only he can. Tom's 'way with words' has fueled a fascinating life and career that has led him lately to open a woodworking school and gallery in the heart of Brattleboro, Vermont. The podcast begins with Tom's framing of the piece to follow through the lens of 'Words' for the Brattleboro Words Project. From growing up in a large family in Michigan a bit of a rebellious youth, to his hilarious seventh-grade efforts at poetry and a school assembly where becoming the object of hilarity opens new doors in his mind. A catastrophic accident leads him to hit the road to settle in wild-wild 1970s Alaska where he builds buildings and his writing career with a first piece in the Anchorage Daily News. He moves on to radio KBBI in Alaska where a chance piece on his dog's castration gains quick notice for its style and humor and starts submitting personal essays on a regular basis. Within four months he's a contributor on National Public Radio. In 10 months he has a book contract. He describes signing with Motel 6 and how his mother's adage and seven little words 'We'll leave the light on for you," ignited his 30+ year relationship as spokesperson for that company. He talks about how various genres of writing and spoken words have impacted him in different ways and how he has struggled with the identity of 'writer.' Being a panelist on NPR’s 'Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!' builds confidence in his ability to go 'out without a net.' He says it wasn’t until he was invited to appear on The Moth in front of a live audience at the Flynn Theater in Burlington, Vermont, that he found his a true calling with storytelling. In stark and moving terms, he reflects on the importance of honesty and courage in any art form, and offers advice to those seeking to 'make it.' He shares how facing his relationship with his father through that first moth story (link shared below in Notes) broke through his own limitations toward a more deeply transparent storytelling and vocal art. He reflects on the human need for narrative, and his ultimate identity as 'story maker.'