Once There Was a Podcast

Welcome to the Season 1 finale!  We end the first season with a storytime episode.  This week’s storytime is a two-parter.  We begin with a press conference from an extra-terrestrial invader.  Their message is not one of peace but one that forces reflection by the people of Earth.  Then, you’ll hear the brief story of the origins of the podcast’s sign-off “Everyone has an important story to tell”...

The final interview of Season 1 is upon us! Our guests (PLURAL?!?) this week, are my college buddies and gaming friends: Mike Barkse, Joe Murphree, and Jordan Zumberge!  We discuss the joys of tabletop roleplaying games (aka TTRPGs such as Dungeons and Dragons), designing characters, telling stories collectively, and Joe’s notoriously bad dice rolls!  TTRPGs are a fantastic way to spend time with...

Welcome to our next Storytime episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them.  It’s also cold and flu season in school districts so please forgive my voice as I fought through congestion this past week!  This week I share a story about a man and local legend I had the honor of knowing.  We b...

We recorded on location this week so please forgive our audio quality at times!  Our guest this week is Rob Rogers the owner of Limited Edition Comics/Salon!  Join us as we discuss how he became the owner of the world’s first comics/salon shop, sharing his collection with the world, and the important stories we find in comics.  If you’re looking for a good comic book, check out Limited Edition Com...

Welcome to our next Storytime episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a comedic piece I wrote for a student to perform for their acting category in Speech.  It’s one of the most off-the-wall, Month Python-esque things I’ve ever written.  I hope it brings a smile to...

It’s National Suicide Prevention Month. Our guest this week is Alyssa Cobie-Nuss!  Join us as we discuss how she became a passionate advocate for suicide prevention, her work as a 988 crisis counselor, mental health counseling, and how someone can support suicide prevention organizations.  Please, if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, reach out to 988.  Check out the links below...

Welcome to our next Storytime episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a letter that is very near and dear to my heart.  A letter of wise words and other wisdom that brings a smile to my face any time I read it.     Special Thanks to: My Cousin Joyce Alex (my sound g...

Ep17: There Was a Fellow Podcaster Our guest this week is Jon Francois!  Join us as we discuss how he got into radio, shifted into podcasting, and now helps people reminisce about one of their favorite 90s sitcoms.  After listening to this episode, check out the Delicious Recap: a Family Matters Rewatch Podcast!   Storytime: Making the Best of a Bad Situation   Special Thanks to: Jon Francois Alex...

Welcome to our next Storytime episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a story that is an homage to teachers everywhere.  I love teaching and all those who give their time to teach.  This is my shoutout to teachers to let them know that their efforts do not go unseen...

Hello Listeners!  I have a quick but exciting announcement!  Once There Was a Podcast was nominated for an honors award from the Iowa Podcast Awards!  Once There Was a Podcast is eligible for the Emerging Podcast Award among other awards!  The Honors Awards will be voted upon by a panel of Iowa Podcasters.  In addition to that, any and all nominees for any of the Iowa Podcast Awards are eligible f...

Our guest this week is Mariya Yasinovska!  Join us as we discuss how she discovered her love of writing, shifting from Law to English, writing and editing for a paper, and finding stories to tell. Also, as we’ve been discussing for the past month, there might be a little speech talk involved as well.    Storytime: A Creation Story   Special Thanks to: Mariya Yasinovska Alex (my sound guru) My Wife...

What’s this listeners?!? It’s a storytime week but it sounds like an interview?!? Welcome to the first-ever “Storyview” episode.  It was meant to be an interview episode but in hindsight, it’s definitely a story.  It is a story of two people developing an enduring friendship (one might even say a bromance) over a shared passion. So, this week we welcome Shawn Peterson back as he and I swap stories...

Buckle in Listeners!  We’ve got a long one! Our guest this week is Shawn Peterson and he’s got stories to tell!  Join us as we discuss how he discovered his love of professional wrestling, found his way into the business, and learned how to tell a story in the ring!  If you’ve never watched professional wrestling before, you might just have a new understanding and appreciation for it!     Storytim...

See the Author's Note Below for some extra information: Welcome to our next Storytime episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I have Claire Britt coming back to narrate two stories that are very personal to me: CJ’s Day Gets Ruined and CJ and her Blanket.  These stories wer...

Ep11: There Was a Speech Kid Our guest this week is Claire Britt.  Join us as we discuss how she discovered her love of speech, is now studying leadership with a side of leadership, is training in the ROTC, and has found a way to transfer her speech skills to her new pursuits.  Over the next month, several interviews will showcase the skills learned in Speech and Debate programs and how they trans...

Welcome to our next Storytime episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a story about my memories of our family cabin.  The cabin has been in my mom’s family for decades.  It’s been the place of most of my family vacations and a source of many stories.  Please enjoy a...

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  It’s the little things in life that make you smile and Once There Was a Podcast just hit 1000 downloads!   So today I say thank you and give you a little preview of what to expect for the rest of SEASON 1! Special Thanks to: ALL OF YOU!  ALL OF MY GUESTS! Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You   Instagram:  oncetherewasapod Facebook: Once There Was a Podcas...

Ep9: There Was a Filmmaker Our guest this week is Dave Riemer.  Join us as we discuss how he discovered his love of film, got into the business, learned the difference between topic and story, found the power of story, and gained an appreciation for the human spirit.    Storytime: Human Perseverance    Special Thanks to: Dave Riemer Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You   Instagram:  oncet...

Content warning below.   Welcome to our next Storytime episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week we brought back our guest from last week, Mady Ney.  This week, we share the piece I wrote for her senior year Acting performance, I’m Sorry for Your Loss.     CONTENT WARNING: Th...

Our guest this week is Mady Ney.  Join us as we discuss how she discovered her love of theater, Taylor Swift, three-act structure, her theater and speech career, and where she plans to go from there.     Storytime: Shoeless Mady Ney   Special Thanks to: Mady Ney Geri Ney Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You   Instagram:  oncetherewasapod Facebook: Once There Was a Podcast   Additional Aud...

Surprise! A Bonus Episode!  I had a backup story this week, just in case Alyssa and I couldn’t find time to record.  Instead of sitting on it, I decided to release the story anyway.  For your bonus listening pleasure, I present the story of a bunch of people with questionable sensibilities doing something very questionable for a good cause. Special Thanks to: Relay Iowa TYRU Alex (my sound guru) M...

Ep6: Storytime- The Proposal Welcome to our third Storytime Episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week we have a special guest, my wife Alyssa.  It’s our anniversary this month and she joins me this week as we tell the story about how I proposed to her.  Spoilers: She said yes...

Ep5: There Was a Change Agent Our guest this week is Laura Williams. Join us as we discuss her passion for education, her shift to becoming a change agent, the Jabberwocky, her new book, and which butt cheek you lift when… We’ll leave it at that.     Storytime: A Birthday for Brennan    Special Thanks to: Laura Williams Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You   Instagram:  oncetherewasapod m...

Welcome to our second Storytime Episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week is a story pulled from Tracy’s childhood and a morning spent with his father.  We will also spend a little time discussing vulnerability.      Special Thanks to: Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughte...

Ep3: There Was a Visual Artist Our Guest this week is Sarah Pisney.  Join us as we discuss her love of art, teaching art, communicating emotions and experiences through art, and now using art to heal. Check our the Instagram links below to see the artwork we discussed and more of Sarah’s work.     Storytime: Marching in D.C.    Special Thanks to: Sarah Pisney Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daugh...