The Apple Seed

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers that explore healing from grief and trauma through storytelling, showing how stories can restore, connect, and bring meaning long after painful experiences. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:38) "The Twice Saved Life" by Alton Takiyama-Chung. A powerful true story from history. Alton recounts the life of Solly Gaynor, a young J...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about practical jokes, misunderstandings, and mishaps that turn into lasting family memories. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:20) "Damien's Limp" by Geraldine Buckley. A funny and surprising childhood story about her jokester brother who loved to torment her, until one day he began limping and a doctor feared he might have pol...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about small acts, choices, and habits can make a big impact on individuals and communities. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:39) "Mzee Chomba" by Mara Menzies. A powerful folktale about an elderly man who tries to stop people from fighting, only to be ignored as the conflict escalates, illustrating how the absence of small acts...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the unexpected moments that arise when we begin new adventures, and the surprises that often come with trying something new. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:20) "Bear's Party" by Bill Harley. A playful and imaginative story about Bear, who plans a party on the night of a full moon, while his friends worry that no one wil...

Gather your family for heartwarming Christmas stories from great storytellers sharing memories, traditions, and moments that capture the magic of the holiday season. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (1:22) "The Time It Snowed" by Donald Davis. A memorable Christmas story from his father’s childhood involving pneumonia, a bear, and, of course, Santa Claus. (15:22) "Christmas Shopping with Dad...

In this special Christmas episode, we are celebrating the spirit of the season through stories of service, generosity, and light. The Appleseed is brought to you by BYUradio which is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each year The Church sponsors a worldwide initiative called Light the World, focused on spreading kindness and serving others during the holidays. For this...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about sisters whose courage, care, and example create life-changing moments. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:06) "Walking to School with my Sister" by Kevin Kling. A tender personal story about what he observed when his siblings walked him to and from school, revealing the power of sibling support and shared experiences. (09:1...

Enjoy another podcast from the Apple Seed team: The Christmas Jars Podcast. New York Times bestselling author Jason Wright shares a true story of an act of service that made a big difference for a family in real need. You can find to the full season of The Christmas Jars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or at byuradio.org/christmas-jars. You can even watch the movie based on the Christmas Ja...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about some winter adventures, forbidden fun, and stretching of tales to preposterous proportions. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:21) "The Forbidden Souped-up Sled Ride" by Kim Weitkamp. A hilarious tall tale about the time her Uncle Norm fixed her broken sled by adding a jet-propulsion engine, resulting in an unexpected and u...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the moments in life that teach us courage and bravery, even in the face of risk or danger, and how those early acts of courage can benefit us throughout our lives. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:22) "Fire Bike" by Bil Lepp. A humorous and high-energy childhood story about a time when his friend Elmore set out to impress...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about children who try to do the right thing, even in difficult, awkward, or embarrassing situations. And how, as adults, acknowledging those efforts can mean the world to a child. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (1:14) "Teacher's Lounge" by Bill Harley. A story about how, as an elementary student, he and his classmate Emily broke...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about peacemakers and reflections on forgiveness, reconciliation, and understanding. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (1:44) "It Takes Two" by Motoko. A deeply personal story about meeting a man who carries painful war stories connected to her culture, and her efforts to build a bridge of understanding and peace across historical w...

Gather your family for spooky stories from great storytellers featuring folklore, personal memories, and eerie tales perfect for the Halloween season. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (1:20) "Halloween" by Kevin Kling. A nostalgic Halloween memory about trick-or-treating in farm country during his youth. (8:13) "Halloween Birthday Stories" by Sam Payne. A personal story about his wife's birt...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about people who were deceived by appearances, hidden identities, and unexpected transformations. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (1:20) "The Changeling" by Mara Menzies. A traditional folktale about a young couple with a new baby who suddenly changes one day. (16:02) "Being Authentic" by Sam Payne. Our host shares a story about l...

Starting Season 12, you can now WATCH The Apple Seed podcast with LIVE storytellers. Find the video podcast on Spotify, YouTube, or on the BYUradio App! Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers. Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is...

Don't miss this special recording of Emmy-award winning David Holt and Josh Goforth sharing some of their favorite Appalachian tunes and stories. Recorded by the International Storytelling Center and used with their gracious permission. PLAYLIST: (2:12) The Clouds Gonna Roll Away. (4:31) The Cotton-eyed Joe. (8:35) The Drovers. (12:13) Jesus Said Go. (16:35) Darkness on the Delta. (23:40) The Magi...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about fathers who created lasting memories with their sons. (1:27) "Pinewood Derby" - Bil Lepp tells a story about his father who helped him build a pinewood derby car. (7:28) Sam Payne tells a story about sailing with his dad. (12:43) "Lightning in Church" - Kevin Kling tells a story about how he was struck by lightning just like his fa...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about cats and their humorous and heartwarming adventures. (1:11) "Cats and Dogs" - Charlotte Blake Alston tells a story about how cats and dogs began their rivalry. (10:04) Sam Payne tells a story about adopting an orphaned kitten. (16:16) "That Cat" - Lyn Ford tells a story about a cat who became an unexpected roommate in her new home....

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about unlikely heroes coming to the rescue. (1:32) "The Seven Kids" - Tim Lowry tells a story about a mother goat who saves her children from being eaten by a ravenous wolf. (7:30) Sam Payne tells a story about how his mother saved him from drowning. (12:10) "Straighten Up and Fly Right" - Bobby Norfolk tells a story about a monkey who p...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about young people becoming courageous heroes, yet silent protectors like ninjas. (1:26) "3 Ninjas" - Motoko tells a story about her ninja-loving son who saved a neighbor during a house fire. (17:07) Sam Payne remembers a young girl who made a simple difference in his life. (21:12) "13-year-old Olav, Freedom Fighter" - Pippa White tells...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about people finding their place in the world. (1:49) "Kite Fighting" - Antonio Rocha tells a story about finding connections between Indian and Brazilian cultures through "kite fighting". (15:55) Sam tells a story about his first time experiencing Shabbat in a traditional Israeli household. (21:12) "The Little Girl Made of Salt" - Debs...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about people trying to achieve their dreams only to learn that some dreams aren't all that they hoped for. (1:15) "Turtle Wants to Fly" - Lyn Ford tells a story about a turtle who wants to fly like the birds. (8:41) Sam tells a story about the responsibilities of a father, learning when to speak up and when to listen. (13:02) "Pedro's So...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about teenagers getting in and out of trouble during their high school adventures. (1:16) "Braswell the Bassoon Player" - Andy Offutt Irwin tells another one of his tall-tales about his high school friend in band practice. (17:30) Sam tells a story about his time in the junior high band room which taught him how to try new things. (21:56...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about classic fairytales with new unique twists. (1:30) "Uncle False's Rapunzel" - Paul Strickland tells the story of Rapunzel but with a trailer park twist. (14:12) Sam recalls the Bible story of Jacob and Esau and connects their story of reconciliation to his own relationship with his brother. (18:12) "Cinderella" - Ed Stivender tells...

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about school days and the many challenges that come from teachers, classmates, and growing up. (1:13)"Recess" - Kim Weitkamp tells a story where she comforts her bullied grandson by sharing a memory of her own school bully. (16:58) Sam tells a story about a friend of his who gave a struggling friend a haircut that meant more to that frie...