The Story Ark Podcast

What do you think of when you think of the United States of America? Do you think of rough riding cowboys rolling across the West? Or do you imaging the strong military men and women who have defended freedom since the Revolutionary War? Perhaps you think of monstrous cryptids like Bigfoot, Mothman, and UFO's hiding out in the vast wilderness of America. Whatever you imagine, America is all of the...

The Western United States has long been home to gold, silver, and other mines, so it's no surprise that legends of lost mines have emerged over the last several centuries. Join us as we explore several of these legends based in Utah, as well as a delightful "lost mine" story by friend of the show, Jeff Driggs. This is one set of Western legends you won't want to miss! Visit the Jeff with the Utah...

Love can be a complicated, messy thing, and nobody knows that more than Mary Louise Hughes. Her early courtship and marriage with her husband was full of hilarious and often embarrassing events, and she shares it all in her original story, The Proof is in the Skillet. Stay tuned as we also share a couple of older stories of messy love, the ancient Chinese story of The Red Cord and the Greek myth o...

The U.S. Government has been tracking UFO reports since the 1940's, and on May 8th, 2026, many of those reports were released to the public. Join your captain Kenny Mears as he takes you on a trip through a sampling of stories found in these new files. Whether you believe in aliens or not, today is sure to be a fun trip through the bizarre and sometimes dangerous world of the UFO sightings the gov...

Cowboys are the iconic figure of America, with their grit, determination, and wild ways. Today we have the stories of three cowboys who held true to principles, whether they were (or weren't) on the right side of the law. Hear storyteller Rachel MacDonald as she shares the true story of her ancestor, Art Lee, also known as "One Stubborn Cuss," a cowboy from the end of the 19th century and start of...

Kidnapped princesses and princesses in exile are incredibly common in world folklore, you can't throw a stone without hitting one. Today we have three stories lined up for you, the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, told by Analesha Mann (with some backup from her sisters Arielle and Kylee,) The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a Japanese folklore classic, and the birth of Perseus, the classic Greek hero and...

The Story Ark Podcast will be on break for the rest of March 2026. Things have been crazy over here at Food For Thought Audio, and even we need a break every now and then. Our host Kenny Mears is double majoring in school and has been dealing with a lot of personal trials lately, so even our dear captain needs a break. The Story Ark Podcast will return April 13th, so stay tuned, listen back to our...

The Grimms have a lot of classic fairy tales, but you haven't heard this one before! Join us as we hear Godfather Death, a lost classic of a Grimm Fairy Tale all about death and the consequences of trying to cheat it. Told by long time friend of the show Laurie Allen, this story is sure to become a new favorite fairy tale! Find Laurie Allen: Utah Storytelling Guild: utahstorytellingguild.website S...

Cowboy Poetry is a delightful storytelling tradition, and today's sample is no exception. Join the talented Annie Eastmond as she shared a hilarious cowboy poem about a cowboy cook's revenge on the cowboys who always grumble about their meals... Check out Harvest Home! https://harvesthomemusic.com/ Connect with The Story Ark, available wherever you listen to podcasts! Facebook: https://www.faceboo...

Few stories have captured the vision of America's future and need for unity than the story of George Washington's vision at Valley Forge. This story, written originally in 1861, almost a century AFTER the Revolutionary War, quickly became a part of the stories told about the war and the divine promise of America. Here enjoy our very own Kenny Mears as he shares a dramatic reading of this beloved s...

Everyone knows the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood, but have you ever heard the original version, Little Red Cap? Join young storytellers Kylee, Arielle, and Analesha as they work together to tell the original Grimm fairy tale, right from the source! This classic story and these adorable storytellers are bound to touch your heart and remind you why you fell in love with stories in the firs...

Could your artistic talents save your life? That's just what we're exploring in today's episode of The Story Ark as we dive into the story of The Boy Who Drew Cats, a classic Japanese folk tale. Join long-time friend of the show Laurie Allen as she spins us this Japanese myth. Trust us, you won't want to miss it. And if you want to see this story performed, head on over to YouTube where we have a...

Is EPIC: The Musical a faithful retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey, or does it stray too far from the source material? In today’s video, we’re diving deep into the world of Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ viral musical phenomenon to determine if it’s truly a "good" adaptation. As a fan of the series since the Underworld Saga, I’m exploring the intersection of Greek mythology, musical theater, and storytelling...

Women can be legends too. Today we're diving into two "American Demigoddesses," Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley, two fascinating characters that represent the American spirit in their own unique way. This is the third and final part of our American Demigods miniseries, a collaboration with students from Brigham Young University where we explore tall tale and real life characters who embody The Unit...

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are continuing our deep dive into the mythic figures who define the American spirit. This miniseries, American Demigods, is a special collaboration with students from Brigham Young University, exploring the folk heroes who bridge the gap between history and legend. In Part Two, we spotlight two iconic "Johns" whose legacies are woven...

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are setting sail on a brand-new miniseries: The Story Ark Presents: American Demigods . In a special collaboration with students from Brigham Young University, we explore the larger-than-life figures who define the American spirit. These are the folk heroes and tall-tale legends that ride the line between the human and the divine, embodyin...

A very special voyage as we celebrate the best stories of 2025! This episode is a curated collection of eight stories that captured the hearts and funny bones of our listeners—and our crew—throughout our very first year. We’ve designed this journey to take you through the full spectrum of human emotion, alternating between hilarious antics and deeply heartwarming personal narratives, before closin...

Saddle up for a holiday special like no other as Captain Kenny Mears welcomes Harvest Home, also known as Annie and Dan Eastmond, to the studio for the first time. In this festive episode, we’re blending the spirit of the season with the grit and humor of the Old West through the art of Cowboy Christmas Poetry. Annie Eastmond, president of the Salt Lake Valley’s Olympus Chapter of the Utah Storyte...

Celebrate the Christmas season with a powerful true story that embodies the spirit of service, love, and light. Storyteller Elizabeth Gibson shares the deeply moving personal narrative of "Finding Christmas On Candy Cane Lane" detailing her years-long friendship with Mary Ann and Corrine in Los Angeles. She paints a picture of devotion, as she and her roommate sought to bring happiness to the moth...

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears officially kicks off the Christmas season with a creative and humorous take on a classic holiday character: Jack Frost! This episode features an original story by our friend, veteran storyteller Ginger Parkinson, titled "Jack Frost Caught a Summer." Have you ever wondered how Santa depends on the winter sprite? Find out what happens when Jack Frost...

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears kicks off this special episode by debuting the podcast's brand new studio setup (be sure to check out the video on YouTube!). To celebrate, he's joined by his incredible cousins, Arielle, Kylee, and Analesha, who share a fun rendition of a timeless classic. Join this energetic trio as they bring new life to "The Three Little Pigs." Hear the familia...

Captain Kenny Mears sets the perfect tone for Thanksgiving week with a dose of hilarious, unsolicited advice from the older generation. Friend of the show, Wayne Kartchner, joins us once more to share his ingenious (and completely absurd) methods for saving time and solving the world's biggest problems—all before he's due for a nap! In this episode, Wayne tackles issues from the personal to the gl...

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears takes you on an unprecedented journey to the Italian island of Sardegna (Sardinia), a land steeped in ancient myth and mysterious ruins. The landscape is dotted with thousands of prehistoric tower structures known as Nuraghi, inspiring countless local legends—most of which have never been translated into English. In a special world premiere perform...

Captain Kenny Mears sets a course for one of the most enduring stories in literature: Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes." This classic tale offers a timeless lesson about pride, self-deception, and the courage to speak the truth. Join storyteller Laurie Allen as she shares this beloved narrative. The Emperor is a good ruler but is obsessed with his wardrobe. When two cunning tai...

Set a course for the delightful, and often chaotic, world of children's spontaneity. As parents and siblings know, kids bring a random flair to every social situation, leading to endless, entertaining stories! In this hilarious personal narrative, professional storyteller Madeline Rollins shares a tale about her older sister, Elise. Madeline opens by joking that older siblings exist to provide mat...