It's THE TED Radio Hour from NPR.

I'm Manoush Zomorodi.

And on the show today, So Awkward.

Whether you identify as an awkward person or not, we have all had embarrassing moments.

Few of us would choose to share them publicly, but our next guest says that maybe we should.

It completely surprised me, actually.

Back in 2017, journalist and author Melissa Dahl decided to stand on stage... Hi.

... In an auditorium full of strangers to read from her seventh grade diary.

April 14, 1998.

It was for a stage show and podcast called "Mortified." I hate my life.