Good Stories Podcast

In this episode of Good Stories , we meet Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester—literary rockstars at the heart of one of the greatest love stories ever told. But it’s more than just a romance. Jane Eyre is woven with mystery, faith, and fortitude, all unfolding through quiet drawing-room conversations, some analytical internal dialogue, and the reflective voice of a narrator looking back on her life with c...

Join us as we follow the cool and calculating Phileas Fogg around the world with his manservant and carpetbag full of money to win a wildly expensive wager. They travel by all means of conveyance, including steamers, coaches, trains and even an elephant! It's a fun mix of precision, humor, and heart set at a time when the world was becoming smaller than it had ever been before. Whether you’re new...

We had such a fun time chatting about stories and books and podcasting in this interview with Mr David Bates -- one of the hosts from Pints with Jack -- an excellent podcast that celebrates all things CS Lewis. You can find all their episodes and resources here: https://www.pintswithjack.com/

You're invited to join our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast Today we dive into The Magician’s Nephew -- the creation story in C.S. Lewis’s wonderful Chronicles of Narnia series. This story has a little bit of everything relating to the good, the true, and the beautiful. And best of all, it describes amazing concepts like the wood between the worlds and the great lion si...

Come join our Patreon family: https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast Murder mystery meets the Holy Grail - - and it's sitting quietly in a box in a little English parish church. In this episode, we dive into War in Heaven , Charles Williams’s haunting and brilliant novel about the struggle between good and evil over the most sacred relic of Christendom: the Holy Grail. First published in 1930,...

Meet Our Executive Producer -- David Gabrielson, EP In this special episode, while Stevie's out of town, I sit down with my favorite David -- who helps make this podcast happen. He may not be a big reader himself, but his support for books, history, and storytelling helps shape this show. Learn a little bit about his love of jiu jitsu, his memories of the The Velveteen Rabbit , and why he believes...

I’ve said before that Stephen is the kind of guy you can prompt at random — for instance, “Tell me everything you know about the First Crusade. Go!” — and somehow, he can actually do it. I (Jody) really envy his memory and his knack for retaining details. In these bonus episodes, I want to showcase Stephen’s gift for diving deep into complex historical events, weaving the stories together, and sha...

Check out our Patreon and join us for free: https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast Today's story is a journey deep into the mountains of George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin , a beautiful fairytale full of good lessons and good humor for us all. This story has enchanted readers for generations — and it’s easy to see why. The Princess Irene lives in her lonely castle, perched halfway...

Join our Patreon to find all episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodStoriesPodcast In this episode, we journey through the unexpected "world building" epic of Watership Down , where rabbits aren’t just rabbits—they’re leaders, prophets, storytellers, and survivors. At the heart of the tale is Hazel, an unlikely leader whose strength lies not in brute force, but in empathy, trust...

Want to support us? Join our Patreon today: patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast We're talking about the Bard today -- the one and only Shakespeare -- and his exciting drama The Tempest -- a story of shipwreck, sorcery, and second chances. We also talk a bit about Shakespeare’s genius overall—his impressive body of work, the characters that still breathe on stage and page, and the words and phrases he i...

Come check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodStoriesPodcast In today's episode we visit a curious little island where words and language are more important to the people than technology and modern conveniences. But strange consequences follow when the revered alphabet starts falling to the ground, one tile at a time. We follow Ella, her family, and her neighbors on a playful yet...

In this dive into the epic poem Beowulf , we explore the clash of monsters and men. With the translated combination of prose and poetry, this poem tells of the strongest of warriors - who grapples bare-handed with man-eating monsters - and wins! And follows it up with a fire-breathing dragon! There's a wonderful history to this poem from the middle ages and we talk through some of the literary too...

This episode is on Rudyard Kipling’s Captains Courageous . When spoiled rich boy Harvey Cheyne falls overboard from a luxury liner, he's saved by chance and hauled onto a fishing schooner. He is then plunged into a world that doesn't care about his wealth—only his willingness to work and learn. As we follow Harvey’s journey, we talk about what it takes to grow from a boy into a man—not through lec...

This one is for Vanessa and Heidi!! In this episode, we journey through the cosmic pages of A Wrinkle in Time , where a brilliant but awkward teen named Meg Murry teams up with her younger brother Charles Wallace and new friend Calvin O'Keefe to search for their missing father across space and time. With the help of some eccentric celestial beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Who—they discov...

Step into the medieval imagination with us as we explore C.S. Lewis’s final academic work, The Discarded Image . In this episode, we gently guide you through the layered, harmonious worldview of the Middle Ages—not as a dark, primitive time, but as a rich and ordered vision of the universe. Lewis doesn’t ask us to agree with the medieval model of the cosmos—he invites us to understand it. And in d...

Step into the intriguing plot of The Scarlet Pimpernel . Set during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution, it's an exciting tale of daring disguises, secret identities, and quiet heroism. But beyond the adventure and suspense lies a deeper story—of a marriage strained by silence, of love tested by secrets, and an ache of not knowing how to speak the truth. In this episode, we explore not ju...

This story – At the Back of the North Wind -- is full of strange beauty and wonder. It’s both a novel and fairytale by the great storyteller, George MacDonald. We get to learn from a little boy named Diamond and a kind but mysterious lady named North Wind. Through their experiences as they get to know one another, we too can find new layers of meaning about our world and how goodness and grief ble...

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are hired to keep a man safe from a legendary family curse on the bleak moors of southwest England. They investigate a chilling tale -- a monstrous hound said to haunt the Baskerville family across the centuries. In this episode, Watson keeps a wary eye on Sir Henry, the last Baskerville heir, while Holmes uncovers unsettling clues in the shadows. The hound only ever...

In this episode we talk about the unforgettable stories of Walter Mitty -- in all its forms. We take a look at James Thurber’s original short story that's full of sharp humor; Danny Kaye’s imaginative 1947 adventure; then Ben Stiller’s visually beautiful and emotionally layered 2013 movie. Each one tells a different kind of story about a daydreaming-man named Walter Mitty, but they all circle arou...

Meet Ender Wiggin – born to save humanity. In this episode, we talk about the compelling, high-stakes world of Ender’s Game . Written in the 1980s but looking ahead to Earth's future, this is a story of war games, manipulation, strategy, leadership, and love. Come learn about Battle School and the blurred line between games and reality. Join us as we unpack the manipulation and moral dilemmas at t...

Step into the charming world of James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small ! In this episode, we explore the heartwarming tales of a country vet in the 1930s Yorkshire Dales. This book is full of humor, compassion, and unforgettable characters—both human and animal. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Herriot for the first time, join us as we share some of our favorite moments! We’ll t...

Any history lovers out there? In this episode, we dive into the wild life of Alcibiades—Ancient Athens' most charming troublemaker. From his privileged childhood under the guidance of Socrates to his bold (and sometimes reckless) moves in the Peloponnesian War, Alcibiades flipped loyalties more than once and helped shape the fate of empires like Athens, Sparta and Persia, along the way. Was he a g...

Tolkien reading day is tomorrow -- March 25th!! And to celebrate the author as well as our 10th episode, we are walking through Middle Earth side-by-side with Bilbo Baggins -- in the wonderful adventure of The Hobbit . It's a classic hero's journey with a flavor all its own! Bilbo encounters a wizard, dwarves, trolls, elves, goblins, a shape-shifter along with a dragon! He riddles his way through...

Join us as we explore the Mary Poppins books , which differ quite a bit from the movies, as Jane and Michael experience even wilder adventures. There are some of the same magical nanny vibes but turns out Mary has a whole lot in common with Dr Who! She blows in on the East wind to help the Banks family, bringing both magic and some strict rules to the household. Our favorite chapters include stori...

Join us as we dive into The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. A heartwarming and deeply moving story about an ordinary man who embarks on an extraordinary journey -- not for himself but to save an old friend. What starts as a simple walk to the mailbox turns into a life-changing trek across England, filled with memories, unexpected friendships, and the quiet power of hope. In this...