The Apple Seed

Sheila Arnold and Donald Davis from live recordings in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:04) "Brer Rabbit and the Turkeys" - Sheila Arnold tells one of the many entertaining stories about this popular trickster, and about the strength found in thinking outside the box. (13:20) "Stuffed Rat" - Donald Davis tells a personal story about his father's pranks and a childhood memory of when Davis' father met his...

In time for the holidays, The Apple Seed brings shares a Christmas tradition of sharing The Christmas Chronicles. Listen to the first episode on the road or around the fire, and find the rest of the series on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at byuradio.org/the-christmas-chronicles.

Diane Ferlatte and Kim Weitkamp from live recordings in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:22) "The Hired Hand" - Diane Ferlatte tells a story about an extra set of hands that saves a father and son in more ways than one. (21:02) "Rolling Stone" - Kim Weitkamp tells a story from a young man about the changes in his journey and dreams, and the realization that he is more like his father than he thought. Gre...

Noa Baum and Pippa White from live recordings in the Apple Seed studio. (1:00) "Top Secret" - Noa Baum tells a story from her childhood in Israel where she learns the ins and outs of what it means to grow up through trading books and keeping secrets. (21:07) "What Did You Do in the War, Mommy?" - Pippa White tells a story from Julia Parsons, who reflects on her time and commitment as a codebreaker...

Shonaleigh and Geraldine Buckley from live recordings in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:15) "The Precious Pearl" - Shonaleigh tells a story about a queen who loves presents and how her desire and sacrifice transform her kingdom. (13:12) "The Lord of the Dance" - Geraldine Buckley tells a personal story about boarding school, dancing nuns, and finding her way back to an old love. Great stories can chang...

The Apple Seed is back with a new season on November 2! Season 5 will feature live recordings made in the Apple Seed Studio from favorite storytellers like Bil Lepp, Donald Davis, and Kim Weitkamp, as well as Apple Seed Live debuts from terrific storytellers like Shonaleigh, Diane Ferlatte, and Paul Strickland. And we've got another treat in store for you: our spinoff podcast Kaboom has returned f...

Enjoy stories of homecoming from professional storytellers and BYUradio podcast hosts on this special "BYU Homecoming” episode of The Apple Seed: A Storytelling Podcast. Whether you’re driving into Provo for the big game or celebrating from afar, these stories are perfect for your homecoming gathering. (00:53) Alma Mater Memories (03:35) Sam's High School Memories (04:16) Homecoming Memories with...

In the season finale of season 4, Antonio Sacre and Dolores Hydock share stories recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (2:01) "Nina's Rainbow" by Antonio Sacre about struggling as a parent with fighting children and stopping to create a little magic. (10:08) "Becoming Mrs. Nash" by Dolores Hydock about a generous neighbor and about aging beautifully. Great stories can change your world. Subscrib...

Two great tellers and musicians recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:49) Reverend Robert B. Jones tells "BB King" a personal story about why he wanted to start learning to play the guitar and the power Blues had in his life. (20:11) Andy Offutt Irwin tells and sings "Polyphemus", musical take on the classic Greek story of The Odyssey, featuring the episode where Odysseus faces off with the c...

Stories of wisdom and fools, recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:35) Kim Weitkamp tells "Gold Coins" about the wise women she meets in her yard shop. (16:44) Kevin Kling tells "Ashen Peter" about a fool, or is he? Great stories can change your world. Join The Apple Seed for tall tales, fairy tales, folk tales, personal tales, historical tales, and more! Hosted by storyteller Sam Payne. A pr...

Donald Davis and Adam Booth from live recordings in the Apple Seed Studio. (2:18) Donald Davis tells "The Swimming Hole" a story about his dad and uncles where they were young and about the trouble that happens when they try to take a shortcut. (19:15) Adam Booth tells "The Most Beautiful Heart" his version of a modern tale that is popular in ministries, social media, motivational speaking, etc. G...

A wacky version of a traditional tale "Jack and the Magic Boat" or sometimes called "Ship of Fools" by storyteller Ed Stivender, recorded live in the Apple Seed studios. (1:47) Hapless Jack tries to accomplish the impossible with a misfit group of unusual, but talented friends. Great stories can change your world. Hosted by storyteller Sam Payne. A production of BYUradio. 00:00:00 - Introduction 0...

Two stories about endurance, both recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (2:40) Nebraska storyteller Pippa White shares a series of real-life stories of people who sailed to Ellis Island, many of them over a hundred years ago, in the hope of immigrating to the United States. (21:44) North Carolina musician and storyteller Josh Goforth shares a story of appreciation for the "stubborn" (as Josh aff...

A European dragon legend and a traditional Chinese story told in song, both recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (2:14) An ancient tale of a princess who is transformed into a dragon called “The Laidly Worm,” told by storyteller Simon Brooks. (22:53) Storytelling partners Motoko & Eshu Bumpus perform “The Song of Farmer Chan,” a story from China where good fortune can lead to catastrophe, and c...

Two stories that are zany fun, but both connect to storytelling traditions the world over. Both stories were recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (2:32) Bill Harley shares the traditional Irish story "The Cow That Ate the Piper," about a piper looking for a little hospitality that is at turns funny, scary, silly, and yes, even a little gross. (15:14) Lyn Ford shares a story about the wild tales...

Stories from Antonio Sacre and Donna Washington, recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (2:02) Los Angeles-based storyteller Antonio Sacre takes his toddler on the hunt for a real live snow in the mountains in "Pancakes for Dinner." (14:29) Storyteller Donna Washington shares one of Aesop's Fables about wanting to be something you’re not in "The Exploding Frog." 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:10 -...

Storyteller Adam Booth shares a his take on the classic fairy tale, recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (2:04) "The Fisherman's Wife" is a story that has appeared in many different forms in many different parts of the world, including a famous version from The Brothers Grimm, but Adam Booth puts a new spin on the familiar tale. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:10 - "The Fisherman's Wife" retold b...

Stories from Mara Menzies and Kevin Kling, both recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:33) Mara Menzies tells a traditional story from Kenya about how one man became a god through giving a truly beautiful and simple gift in "Ochosi, the Orisha of the Hunt. (22:43) Kevin Kling shares a tiny story, an anecdote really, about recognizing what you have to share with others in "Sunflowers." 00:00:00...

Stories from Bil Lepp and Donald Davis, both recorded live in The Apple Seed Studio. (1:17) West Virginia tall tale teller Bil Lepp is a camp counselor who runs into a big, smelly problem in "Skunks." (16:26) North Carolina storyteller Donald Davis shares a memory about a faceoff between grandma and a very picky eater in "Doobies." 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:22 - "Skunks" by Bil Lepp 00:16:37 -...

South Carolina storyteller Tim Lowry shares a two-part story about an important figure from his childhood. Miss Gimm is the wise woman with great influence in Putney Bible Baptist church in the wilds of Kentucky where Tim Lowry’s father pastored. She had unfulfilled hopes of serving missions abroad, but instead instead of letting that disappointment haunt her she funneled her energies into buildin...

Stories from Donald Davis and Andy Offut Irwin, both recorded live in The Apple Seed Studio. (1:27) North Carolina storyteller Donald Davis remembers his first day of school and all the new adults he met in a story he calls "The Principal." (13:34) Georgia storyteller Andy Offut Irwin shares a story about the types of shenanigans that you can get up to at church before you have your own relationsh...

Stories about mothers and mother figures, both recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:36) Ohio storyteller Lyn Ford brings us a story called "Monkey Loves Trouble" from her Aunt Queenie, a Caribbean storyteller who had a formative influence on Lyn. (19:45) Minnesota storyteller Kevin Kling ponders a mythical artifact found in most of our homes that dispenses resources great and small in a stor...

A King Arthur tale and a tall tale, both recorded live in the Apple Seed studio. (2:00) Philadelphia storyteller Ed Stivender shares "The Legend of Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell," a tale from the time of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. (16:22) West Virginia storyteller Bil Lepp shares a tall tale about a tense encounter on the hiking trail in “The Ojai Mountain Lion.” 00:00:00 - Intr...

A pair of folk tales, both recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:55) English storyteller Simon Brooks shares an ancient story from Scandanavia about a young man who goes on a quest that takes him to the end of the world in "In Search of Luck." (14:23) Kenyan/Scottish storyteller Mara Menzies shares a tale from the Gikuyu people in Kenya about a curious woman who butts up against the village's...

A pair of musical stories, both recorded live in the Apple Seed Studio. (1:48) North Carolina storyteller and musician Josh Goforth unfurls the hidden story behind the well-known folk song “Tom Dooley.” The journey to that song’s meaning all begins with a performance of another song, “A Locket and a Curl.” (20:56) Philadelphia-area storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston shares a rhythmic tribute to th...