Story With A Message

Happy Father's Day!  Today's pod is going to be fun.   We'll be looking at question and answers from actual school exams.  You'll find some of them quite hilarious, but, hopefully, they'll yield more than just a good laugh.  If we look closely, we may discover they closely resemble the questions we are faced with every day.  And even if we fail to address those questions correctly, there's always...

Just last Thursday we watched events surrounding the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.  I couldn't help but think of the movie Saving Private Ryan starring Tom Hanks released back in 1998.  Many veterans extol the movie for its accurate depiction of the storming of Omaha Beach.  It wasn't pretty. As terrible as the battle was, there is an endearing story that came out of its aftermath...

Sometimes truth comes to us in the most simple settings.  Joseph Mazzella simply got up one morning to find truth.  He had no idea he would have an epiphany that would rescue his day from a bad start. It will take you less than 4 minutes to listen to today's podcast.  Perhaps it will lead to an epiphany of your own.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro...

How many people with the first name "Kyle" can you get in one place at the same time?  Just ask the folks in friendly city of Kyle, TX!  Last weekend they had the "Gathering of the Kyles." Today's pod tells the whole story.  And it's a story with a twist.  Who knew the name "Kyle" is loaded with so much baggage?  Curious?  Take a listen.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@ou...

The cicadas are here!  In the Southeast, Brood XIX is crawling out of the ground after living underground for 13 years.  Incidentally, Brood XIII is also emerging in the Midwest after 17 years!.  That means trillions, yes, trillions of cicadas are invading America.  No wonder someone called the phenomenon "Cicada-geddon!" What if one of those little red-eyed winged insects could talk?  Listen to t...

I realize there are some bad mothers out there, and this day evokes anything but happiness for some.  But I had a different experience.  I was blessed with a Mom who is the equivalent of an angel.  I get what author Mitch Albom says in his book For One More Day :  "I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know." A decade ago, I wrote an email to my...

I may have messed up.  I've already revealed the subject of today's message:  an obituary.  I know.  I know.  You like an obituary like you enjoy a root canal.  But before you pass on today's pod, give it a chance. It's not just any obit.  If you give it half a chance, you might discover it's "an obit to remember."   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro a...

A young woman burdened with troubles finds inspiration and wisdom from nature. Sometimes insight to our problems is as close as the backyard. Curious? Listen to today's pod   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 . Clink  HERE  for a direct link to the music. The beaut...

I'll never forget President Ronald Reagan standing before the Brandenburg Gate of the Berlin Wall, and saying, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"  What an iconic statement!  Truth is, we have a few walls of our own that need dismantaling.   Listen to today's podcast, and we'll talk about it.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was ada...

How do sworn enemies become friends?  Listen to this week's podcast as we explore the unlikely bond between two rivals who by surprise discover common ground and forge an unexpected friendship.   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 . Clink  HERE  for a direct link to...

Wayne Dyer was an incredible human being. His inspirational books and motivational speeches helped us understand the power of our thoughts and beliefs to shape our reality. He also helped us understand the potential for personal transformation through spiritual growth. Dyer experienced quite the transformation himself while standing at a gravesite in Mississippi. Listen to today's podcast to hear...

Someone said, "Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life."  Today's podcast tells a story that illustrates this truth.   I hope you'll give it a listen.   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 . Clink  HERE  for a direct link to the music. The beautiful sunset...

At first, I thought about making a few comments on the message of today's podcast here in the show notes, but I don't want to give it away.  As a matter of fact, the message comes as somewhat of a surprise in the story.   So, listen to the podcast, and get ready for a twist in a narrative that is already too cute.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro an...

"What's in a name" is a famous line from English literature.  No doubt, that's an important question, but perhaps there's an even more important inquiry. Listen to today's podcast and we'll talk about it.   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 . Clink  HERE  for a dir...

Someone just turned 70 years old! And on the anniversary of his seven decade on earth, he made a determined resolution. Curious? Listen to today's podcast to learn "The Resolve of a 70 Year-Old."   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 . Clink  HERE  for a direct link...

There are moments from our past that are permanently etched in our tapestry of thoughts. They are cherished memories that leave deep impressions. Today I'll be sharing one such moment I'll never forget.   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 . Clink  HERE  for a direc...

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  Are you ready for the game?  Will you be having friends over?  Do you have your food lined up?  Are you anticipating the halftime show?  Are you looking forward to some better-than-average commercials?  Are you ready for all the cut-away shots of Taylor Swift? Listen to today's podcast as we address the "Swift Effect."  And we'll let her song titles weave a narrative that...

The reign of an aging king is coming to an end, and he has no son as an heir.  What will he do?  More importantly, what credentials are required in finding a new successor?  Can anyone measure up?  In today's podcast, we find the answers to those questions.       Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provi...

I enjoy photography. I'm no professional, but I have a collection of photos that are very special to me. They all have a story behind them, and trigger good thoughts and memories. In today's podcast I tell a fictitious story about a girl who is determined to become a professional photographer. She learns some valuable life lessons along the way.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithame...

You may have heard of the Peter Principle or even the Pareto Principle. What about the Pony Principle? No? That one doesn't ring a bell?  Well, listen to today's podcast and pony up!   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 . Clink  HERE  for a direct link to the music....

This week I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.  Of all the historical heirlooms on display from country greats like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and a myriad of others, my favorite featured an artist who at one time was considered bad for country music.  You may have heard of him.  His name is Elvis. Listen to today's podcast and I'll explain.   Want to...

Several years ago I ended up in a crowd on New's Year Eve.  Rather than singing the traditional tune, "Auld Lang Syne," someone got rather creative.  It ended up being just the right song.   Listen to today's podcast and learn "the rest of the story."   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by Zak...

We all love a Cinderella story. What better time to discover a new one than during Christmas season? Listen to today's podcast and get ready for your heart to be warmed and your spirit to be lifted. The magic of Christmas never disappoints!   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  ...

One of my favorite Christmas stories is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  This classic has endured the times as it was first published in London back in 1843.  I've read the book and watched most of the movie versions that tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.  I never tire of the story nor its message. As you listen to today's podcast, you may be reminded of that vintage story.  I hope you enj...

Wouldn't it be interesting if nature could talk? After eons of silence, I'm sure it would air a few grievances, but more importantly, I believe it would offer sage advice for those of us who live in its ecosystem. Why don't we give nature an opportunity to do just that? Today I'll be interviewing a rock.   Want to contact me? Send an email to  storywithamessage@outlook.com . The intro and outro tu...