Story With A Message

A quiet New Year's Eve. A familiar porch. A lantern that's been part of Valley Road longer than most folks can remember. This week, a simple act of kindness sparks a story that glows brighter than anyone expected.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by ZakharValaha  on  Pixabay .

Christmas can sometimes be a time of crisis, especially when a family is grieving and trying to hold on to what matters most. Even the smallest thing can stir up unexpected big feelings. What begins as a simple moment of sorting through memories turns into a full-blown Christmas keepsake crisis. Listen to find out what happened. Note: The original story can be found in Chicken Soup for the Soul: I...

A missing gift. A desperate late-night post. A stranger who did the unthinkable. This true holiday story proves that sometimes the real magic isn't under the tree—it shows up when people choose kindness. Read the original story by Caroline Fanning in the latest edition of Reader's Digest (December 2025/January 2026).   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro...

You know the type—every December, someone goes over the top and turns their yard into a glowing holiday carnival. Maplewood Lane had Earl, whose dazzling display lit up the block. But one neighbor proved that Christmas spirit doesn't need a thousand bulbs to shine. Sometimes the truest light is found on a porch, not a roof. Today's pod features an original Christmas story. I hope you enjoy it!   W...

From my brother's game nights to the idea of a global table, this episode uncovers how play builds connection, sparks laughter, and reminds us of our shared humanity. Join me as we imagine what the world could learn from the shuffle of cards and the roll of the dice.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music...

It started with a simple text message sent to the wrong person. This small mistake led to years of shared stories, laughter and a bond no one saw coming. Today's podcast is a Thankgiving story that reminds us a family isn't always inherited—sometimes it's discovered.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music...

This week's episode is about a recipe—though not the kind you'll find in Grandma's cookbook. It's a recipe that will promote something we all need: a seat at the same table once again.  Pull up a chair.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by ZakharValaha  on  Pixabay .

What if a simple wooden box on a front lawn could change someone's day—or even their week? In this episode, we explore a quiet movement taking root in neighborhoods across the country. It's small, it's personal, and it's feeding more than just hunger. Tune in for a story about unexpected generosity in unexpected places.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The in...

Join us for a trip to an antique shop in 1949 where the dust holds secrets and the relics whisper "what if." A man is suddenly faced with a strange photograph that shows the life he almost missed. This is a story about living in the present, the power of a single moment, and the reminder that the greatest treasures are the chances we choose to grab.    Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywi...

What happens when a single mom hits her breaking point, and finds healing in an unexpected way? This episode explores the quiet courage of reclaiming identity, one dinner at a time. A heartfelt reminder that self-care isn't selfish—it's essential.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by ZakharV...

A championship game ends in triumph—but what happens when a coach rewatches the tape and realizes something is wrong? This is the true story of a high school team that made a courageous decision that would affect them for the rest of their lives. Curious? Then join us in today's podcast.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted fr...

In a holler so remote even GPS throws up its hands, one country church finds a creative way to boost baptism numbers—with help from a trash-loving marsupial named Travis. What follows is a chaotic blend of waders, creek water, and spiritual confusion that leaves the congregation changed forever.  Join us for a laugh and a lesson.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.co...

This week's story takes us to a small Michigan town where Halloween took an unexpected turn—one that left a porch full of candy and a community full of heart. It's a tale of kids, kindness, and a doorbell camera that captured something extraordinary. If you think you've seen it all on Halloween, think again.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outr...

A young sparrow clings to safety while the winds of change stir around her. When the storm comes, she must decide whether to fall—or finally trust what she's carried all along. This episode explores the quiet courage it takes to let go and rise.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by ZakharVal...

The most profound parts of childhood often aren't found in milestones or photo albums—they live in the quiet, everyday moments and things we barely notice. This week's story centers on one such tagalong and the boy who carried it through the years. It's a gentle reflection on growing up, holding close what matters, and knowing when to let go.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessa...

This week's episode begins with a forgotten sermon and ends with a moment of unexpected resolve. It's a story about exams, expectations, and what happens when life rewrites the question. Sometimes the best answers aren't the ones we studied for—they're the ones we write anyway.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty...

When two lifelong friends face off in Willow Bend's fiercest cake bake-off, the town splits into frosting-fueled factions. But beneath the smack talk and sprinkles lies a shared recipe—and a bond too sweet to crumble. The Great Cake-Off is a tale of rivalry, reconciliation, and the kind of friendship that always rises to the occasion.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlo...

Ever feel like the world's full of tiny irritants just waiting to test your patience? In this episode, we explore the everyday quirks and pet peeves that unite us in eye-rolls and quiet rebellion. It's funny, it's relatable—and it just might help you laugh your way back to sanity.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from roya...

In every town there's that one neighbor people whisper about but never really know. This is the story of a man who kept to himself his whole life—until one final request revealed something no one expected. What he left behind changed the meaning of kindness in his community forever.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from ro...

A coach walks to the mound with the bases loaded. With pressure mounting, the team is tense, and needs a strong word from their leader. What follows is a masterclass in surprise, fun, and the art of letting kids be kids. This Little League story is unforgettable for all the right reasons.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted f...

In a quiet drawer, an old pencil shares five timeless truths with a newcomer just beginning its journey. What follows is a tale of purpose, resilience, and the marks we leave behind. The Pencil Parable invites us to reflect on our own story—one stroke at a time. Today's podcast was adapted from an original YouTube story entitled "The Pencil's Tale - a story that everyone should hear," on the Dare...

In Greenville, South Carolina, a park has become a symbol of something much bigger than playgrounds and green space. Its story stretches back a century and carries the weight of a community's long struggle for justice and recognition. In this episode, we explore how a forgotten past paved the way for a powerful present. And, of course, it serves as a lesson for us all.   Want to contact me? Send a...

This week's episode turns up the heat—and humor—as we visit a little country church where the sermon's just as sweaty as those sitting in the pews. Rev. Henry Hot-n-Bothered cranks it up to deliver a message that's equal parts fan-waving and faith-affirming. So grab an ice-water, settle in, and get ready to laugh your way through the forecast as we celebrate the fine art of finding joy in discomfo...

Not every hero speaks loudly or stands in the spotlight. This episode tells the story of a quiet worker who notices what others ignore—and decides to take a stand. Discover how integrity and data, in the right hands, can become the most powerful voice in the room.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music pr...

When a legendary closer challenges a hitter he has dominated on baseball's biggest stage, the result becomes one of the most unforgettable moments in World Series history. This episode revisits a clash of wills, guts, and grit that defines champions. In the face of pressure, stepping up to the plate and facing the voices within may be the greatest thing we can do.   Want to contact me? Send an ema...