Good Stories Podcast

Part II of the Neverending Story by Michael Ende Bastian enters Fantastica, where every wish he makes comes true and rebuilds the whole world - and himself. As he gets everything he could wish for, he slowly loses something even more precious. We explore the unforgettable characters, the deeper symbolism, and the absolutely beautiful and profound characters and lessons from this story and what it...

Book Discussed: The Neverending Story Author: Michael Ende In this episode, we journey into Michael Ende's beloved fantasy novel, The Neverending Story . We explore the world of Fantastica, the mystery of the Auryn, and the story's deeper themes of imagination, courage, identity, and the power of stories themselves. Perfect for fans of fantasy, fairy tales, and stories about the transformative pow...

A brilliant mind begins to lose its grip on memory, but not on love, dignity, or identity. This week, we discuss Still Alice by Lisa Genova, a moving and thought-provoking novel that tells a story of what it could be like to live out the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's. A hard but beautiful story that asks what remains when memory fades and helps us each think about the things we truly want i...

T-Shirt Giveaway - complete the form to enter to win. We'll announce our winners at the end of July 2026. Here's the link: https://forms.gle/vhdywDCABQuCn4jK6 What if fairy stories are not an escape from reality, but a way of seeing it more clearly? In this episode, we explore On Fairy-Stories , where imagination, wonder, and truth meet. We discuss how stories can awaken enchantment, offer consola...

This week we're back to the Yorkshire Dales with All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot. This is a wonderful mix of connected stories full of the heartwarming and everyday humor and kindness that makes Herriot's books favorites around the world.

We talk with podcaster and author L.B. Graham about a few of the stories that have shaped his life and imagination. We discuss his work as a hospital chaplain, the mission of his podcast, the experience of world-building in writing fantasy, and the enduring value of great stories, including a quick tour through a few of the best, with Descent into Hell, The Martian Chronicles, and Idylls of the Ki...

The Táin Bó Cúailnge is a journey into the fierce, strange, and unforgettable world of ancient Ireland. What begins as pillow talk between a husband and wife sparks a kingdom-wide conflict over a prized bull. Armies march, heroes clash, and the legendary deeds of Cú Chulainn take center stage. Ancient Ireland comes alive in one of the oldest, strangest, and wildest epics in European storytelling....

It all starts with a treasure map. Let's set sail with Treasure Island - where there's pirates and mutineers and maroons and adventures to be had! Interested in getting your own copy? Use our affiliate link and get 10% off. Thank you for supporting the Good Stories Podcast and independent booksellers! https://bookshop.org/shop/goodstoriespodcast

Born on the edge of the American frontier, Crockett grew up hunting, working, and surviving in a rugged, rapidly expanding nation. With little formal education, he still rose to prominence in Congress, through grit, storytelling, and powerful reputation. We trace his journey from backwoods hunter to congressman, where he clashed with then current political policies, standing on principle even when...

We enter the sinister world of Macbeth - a tragedy of ambition, prophecy, guilt, and conscience. With one of the greatest lady villains of all time, this play shows the terrible cost of taking fate into your own hands, whatever it takes. While this one is dark it also does a masterful job of displaying the contrast of the light. Interested in getting your own copy? Use our affiliate link and get 1...

A boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb (yes, really!) gets dragged into a world he doesn’t believe in....and it doesn’t go well at first. Alongside his cousins, Lucy and Edmund, as well as the valiant Reepicheep, and King Caspian of Narnia, the Dawn Treader sails east into unknown waters, looking for lost friends and perhaps, the very end of the world. And no one is the same by the end of the voyage....

In the wonderful book, The Giver by Lois Lowry, a young male named Jonas is Eleven, about to become a Twelve. And all seems well. There's structure, there's system, and he knows the rules. But when he's chosen to be the Receiver of Memory, he learns the wonder and the cost of things that extend beyond the safety of his upbringing. This is a powerful story about what it means to remember, to feel,...

A strange and charming fairy tale about a giant who keeps his heart hidden outside his body. This tale has all the classic fairytale elements along with the bigger question of why would someone even want to keep their heart elsewhere?

What makes a man “great”—his victories or his character? In this episode, we step into Plutarch’s account of Alexander the Great. And not just the conqueror of the known world at the time, but the complex, driven, and often contradictory actions of the man himself. From taming the wild horse Bucephalus as a boy to win after win after win in conquering tribes and nations, Alexander’s life is a stor...

Yes, it's a book! AND one of the best movies of all time. If you're familiar with the 1987 movie, the book has everything you love about the film but add in back story for several of the characters, including both the Spanish swordsman Inigo and the rhyming giant, Fezzik. This one has something for everyone with true love, adventure, sword play, intrigue, pirates, revenge, a wedding, and even some...

Unexpected and wonderful characters with immense impact on the lives of those around them. We're happy to be celebrating Tolkien Reading Day, discussing some of the best unlikely heroes in the work of JRR Tolkien. If you're already a Tolkien fan or want to learn more about why so many people love the works of Tolkien so deeply, join us!

In this episode, we trace the extraordinary true story of St. Patrick — from Roman Britain to slavery in Ireland, from lonely shepherd to bold missionary bishop. Captured at sixteen, Patrick spent six years tending sheep, where his hardship became the backdrop for deep faith in a loving God. Years later and after a miraculous escape, he could have stayed safely at home. He didn’t. Instead, he retu...

This one's for the parents out there, trying to their best to raise good kids. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lives in an upside-down house, smells faintly of sugar cookies, and has an earnest love of children. When parents are at their wits’ end, she offers up creative (and often hilarious) cures for kid problems like "I thought you said"ers or "won't go to bed" or "won't take a bath." This warm and sweet ch...

Continuing the stories of the Norse gods and mythology from the Younger Edda by Snorri Sturluson. In this episode, we meet Bragi — the Mead-Tongued Bard, the word-smith of Valhalla, the keeper of the poetry-mead’s flame. Here we learn the story behind the kennings — why gold is “Ægir’s fire,” why the sea is the “whale-road,” why poetry itself is “Odin’s stolen mead.” This is more than a list of cl...

Step into the world of the Norse gods as we explore the Younger Edda by Snorri Sturluson. Written between 1200 and 1300 AD, these stories trace the mythic beginnings of creation—from the Frost Giants to the world shaped from Ymir’s body. Meet Odin, Frigg, Thor, and Loki, and uncover the origins of Norse beliefs, legendary tales, and the prophecies of their ultimate fate at Ragnarok. Want all our s...

Visual Storytelling — In this episode of Good Stories Podcast, we sit down with Gary Hopf, co-founder of Tigatu, to explore modern storytelling through video, photography, and branded clothing. Gary’s work spans extreme sports, elite athletes, and visual storytelling, capturing moments beyond words—things like grit, athleticism, laughter, and the love of family. This episode demonstrates how moder...

In this episode, we jump into the bizarre yet insightful thinking of G.K. Chesterton with The Napoleon of Notting Hill . This one is sharp, funny, and even prophetic as it was published in 1904 but tells the story of 1984 London. Chesterton turns a local London neighborhood into a stage for heraldry, courage, and a clash between modernity and old ideals.

A village with traditions, a Master Cook who makes a great cake, and the gift of Faery This story watches decades go by in a small town that appreciates good food and traditions. And then on a day of days, one boy unwittingly receives a great gift - a fay star. This is the last complete written story from the brilliant JRR Tolkien, and goes a long way in describing the indescribable.

An old tale centered around King Arthur and Camelot in its prime. Chivalry, chastity, honor, purity, courage, magic - this one has it all.

This episode is the original adventure to the Neverland—a place where make believe becomes real. And while everyone else eventually grows up, Peter Pan never does. This book was a delightful surprise as it's like the Peter Pan you've probably seen or heard about before but with so much more that adds so much to the story. Interested in our short stories or prelease episodes? Check out our Patreon:...