The Story Ark Podcast

Step aboard the Story Ark with your host, Kenny Mears, as we set sail on a journey through one of humanity’s oldest traditions: storytelling. In this episode, we explore the enduring appeal of the "wise fool" tale with a special performance of “Silly Hans,” a classic story by Hans Christian Andersen. Renowned storyteller and ventriloquist Randel McGee joins us, channeling Andersen himself to bring...

All aboard The Story Ark! In this enchanting episode, Captain Kenny Mears invites listeners to set sail on a heartwarming journey of love, compromise, and family with the story "Ratonita," brought to life by storyteller Wayne Kartchner. Travel to the vibrant streets of Cobán, Guatemala, where Mita, a beautiful little mouse, and Vajo, a shy house finch, find themselves swept up in a whirlwind roman...

Welcome aboard The Story Ark ! In today’s episode, Captain Kenny Mears takes us on a journey that challenges how we see heroes and villains. Featuring master storyteller Laurie Allen, we hear the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood —but this time, it's from the wolf’s perspective. What if the "Big Bad Wolf" wasn’t so bad after all? Laurie’s humorous and heartfelt retelling reveals a misundersto...

Is there life after death? Can love transcend the divide between the living and the dead? These are the questions Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson seeks to ask us with her story "The Cat and The Camellias." Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson is a member of the Utah Storytelling Guild, for more information on the guild, check out their website at https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/ Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson...

Some stories are full of magic and whimsy, with talking animals and a little adventure. This is one of those stories children tell that their parents simply won't believe. Join friend of the show and masterful storyteller Wayne Kartchner as he shares the story of George Bunny. For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytel...

Love requires effort and sacrifice, a giving of one's self to their partner. Beyond that, love requires courage, especially at the start to talk to that one special someone. This is the story of how one brave young man asked the love of his life to a dance, was rejected, and tried again. For more information on the Utah Storytelling Guild, check out their website: https://www.utahstorytellingguild...

The Appalachian Mountains are ancient and full of spooks, from ghosts and conjuring women to "boogers," creatures of a supernatural nature permeate the region. Join storyteller Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson as she shares a classic Appalachian spook story, Taily Po. This story is bound to entertain, terrify, and delight even the bravest of listeners! Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson is a member of the Utah St...

Families can be complicated, and the stories we tell about them often reflect that. Join storyteller John Harrison as he shares about the complexities of his parentage and discovering more about his long lost father.

Some fairy tales are instantly recognizable, and that's a connecting point for many of us. Join storyteller Wayne Kartchner as he spins us a tale of giant pumpkins and fiddling cats from Hubbard County, the fantastical county founded by Old Mother Hubbard. For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/pro...

Life is hard, especially if you're constantly on the move, or have rough relationships. It can often feel like you are adrift, without an anchor to hold you in place. That is what life was like for Kaitlynn as she dealt with loneliness, bullying, and abuse, until she found the power of belief and faith in God.

Sometimes we find ourselves in hard situations that may seem impossible to get out of. That's exactly the kind of situation Mahonri found himself in. In too deep and wanting desperately to serve God through a mission, this is the story of how he took a step of faith and had miracles happen.

Life is hard, we all know it. Many of us put our faith in something greater to help us through the hardship. Join us for part 1 of Mahonri's story as he shares the trials and faith-building that happened in his journey to finishing high school.

What starts as an impromptu winter hike in Palermo, Italy turns into an unforgettable tale of danger, faith, and unexpected humor. In this episode of The Story Ark , our storyteller Sal takes us on a wild ride through foggy cliffs, near-death moments, and a spiritual experience that changed his life. Joined by his friend Alex, the pair face harsh weather, poor planning, and a mountain that won’t f...

In this Valentine's Day episode of The Story Ark , your captain Kenny Mears takes you on a heartfelt—and hilariously awkward—voyage through a real-life tale of unexpected romance... at the most inconvenient time. While serving as a missionary in southern Italy, Kenny was committed to a life of service, spirituality, and strictly no romance . But what happens when someone else doesn’t get that memo...

Welcome aboard The Story Ark —your vessel for adventure and storytelling. In this episode, Captain Kenny Mears introduces us to Dave Farnsworth, a seasoned outdoorsman from Sandy, Utah, who shares bear safety tips every hiker should know. But it doesn’t stop there. Dave dives into wild (and wildly entertaining) tales of his eccentric relatives and their unforgettable and hilarious bear encounters...

In this deeply moving episode of The Story Ark , host Kenny Mears welcomes storyteller Becky from Utah, who shares a powerful memory passed down from her father—a WWII veteran. Tune in for a brief but unforgettable story of war, survival, and the miracles we often don't recognize until long after they pass. The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. Be sure to check out our website a...

A river trip is all fun and games—until your dad flies out of the raft mid-rapid and your best friend takes an oar to the forehead. In this episode of The Story Ark , storyteller Deanna recounts a legendary family rafting trip through Utah’s Westwater Canyon. With record-high water levels, massive waves, and a surprise plunge, this coming-of-age tale blends adrenaline, chaos, and comedy. Join Kenn...

What would you do if a blood-curdling scream and a flash of blue light tore through a peaceful summer night? In this episode, Spencer from Utah recounts a surreal and spine-tingling experience from his teenage years—an encounter that left him questioning what lurks in the quiet shadows of suburbia. Was it a ghost? A banshee? Or something else entirely? Join host Kenny Mears as The Story Ark explor...

Join us for the very first voyage on The Story Ark with your captain, Kenny Mears. In this episode, we follow the journey of a young man who believes he has no luck. Determined to find out why, he sets off on a quest to the edge of the world to ask God himself. Along the way, he meets a scrawny wolf, a lonely woman, and a struggling tree—each with their own questions for the divine. This classic E...

Come aboard The Story Ark and take a listen as we journey through stories told by storytellers from all over! The Story Ark releases weekly on Mondays, starting January 2025!