The Story Show

Jeremy and Angie chat with Janece Jeffrey, a storyteller from the summer 2019 Light My Fire Story Show. Check out the interview and her story here. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson famously suggested that we should say what we mean today, and if we change our minds tomorrow, say it again just as passionately even if we sound like hypocrites. In other words, have an open mind because you might learn a thing or two and change a few major opinions over the years."A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosoph...

Most of could easily name four or five people who have given our lives shape, either as children or somewhere along our journey as adults. In this episode, veteran storyteller Bev Jackson Cotter shares a series of vignettes highlighting influential women in her life. 

All children become obsessed with something at one time or another. Most of these obsessions are harmless, but sometimes they can lead to danger, especially when outside the view and protection of parents. "The Dancing Flame" is Christopher Welter's tale of childhood obsession. Check out this poignant--and funny--story from our July 2019 "Light My Fire" Story Show. 

Poems are a rarity at The Story Show, but we had two great ones in August 2019. Check out Paul Heyl's "A Kestrel and Salamanders" and "The Johnson Barn at Midnight." These long-form narrative poems are filled with wonderful imagery and humor too.

"Fire is powerful, as a tool, a metaphor, an enemy," so Brad Kramer opens his story from the January 2019 Light My Fire Story Show. Check out Brad's story here. 

Scott Pirsig takes us on another journey into the Canadian wilderness in his return to the Story Show, encountering challenges he'd never faced before in all his previous ventures. Scott's story is a testament to the power of writing as a form of self discovery. The episode starts with Shane, Angie, and Jeremy interviewing Scott. His performance at the August 2019 Story Show follows.

What would you do if stranded in Cherbourg, France late at night with little money and no place to stay? Jenny Corey-Gruenes shares what her 20 year-old self did back in the day. Would she do it again? Well . . .   Check out this hilarious story in the latest episode of The Story Show Podcast. 

Admitting defeat can be incredibly difficult, especially when it comes to commitments we've made that touch on our core values, the ideals and principles we hold most sacred. In "Dear Dudley" Mariah Maras shares how a shelter cat once brought her to her knees and led her to do something she never thought she'd do. 

"What are the odds that a 3-pound newborn girl whose mother is dying of tuberculosis will survive?" Jen Vogt-Erickson returns with the story of the young immigrant woman who quietly stepped up, giving that baby girl shelter, and leaving an indelible mark on Jen's family.  

In this hilarious story from the January 2019 "Give Me Shelter" show, Jim Haney reflects on different roles his pets have played in his life. Before the story, Angie, Jeremy, and Shane discuss pressing topics such as '80s sitcoms. 

As we age we need to find new ways to do old things, to accommodate our changing needs to the world around us. That's true for our pets too. Jim Wichmann returns to The Story Show this season with a heartfelt story full of wit and gravity. 

A candidate for political office is asked in a live radio debate what his position on "sanctuary cities" is, which causes him to reflect on his early experiences with diversity and acceptance. 

Being stranded in a ditch on a cold winter day presents a number of challenges when one is neither mechanically inclined nor in possession of a cell phone. David Behling tells his story while questioning how and why we choose to give shelter to those in need today.

The Story Show’s 4th season kicks off with our first children’s story. This season’s stories share the common theme of Give Me Shelter. Check out Edith Haenel’s “There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.”

Growing up, we don't often see our parents as men and women with their own identities beyond "Mom" and "Dad," real people with their own joys, challenges, and sorrows. But the first time we do can leave an indelible mark. Shane Koepke shares one of these moments in his return to The Story Show with "First Roller Coaster Ride." 

In high school she hid an essential part of herself because of fear and intimidation before finally taking full ownership of her true identify. Check out Luz Ruiz's story of letting her light shine.

Great things can happen when ordinary people get engaged, come together, and work to solve problems on the local level. Check out this story from Jerry Gabrielatos.

When someone says, "You're so talented," do they really understand what that means to the one they're complimenting? College student Solveig Lange delves beyond the surface of such comments in this story from last summer's Let Your Light Shine show.

How do those early social conflicts and attempts at fitting in shape us? In this episode 15 year-old Ava recalls a playground conflict that led her to question social norms and how much we should bend for acceptance. 

A young woman struggles with a life-threatening disease and reaches some life-changing conclusions in this inspiring story by college student Alexa Drescher.

A broke college student runs into a rather unexpected Good Samaritan at a Boston Bar in this story from Nate Peterson. You'll laugh. We promise. 

Jeremy & Angie discuss the January 2019 "Give Me Shelter" story show and introduce Episode 2's story, "The Doer & The Dreamer" by Holly Karsjens

Jeremy and Angie announce the next Story Show date and do a call for submissions for stories with the theme of "Give Me Shelter." The episode ends with the opening story from the Season 3 "Let your Light Shine" Story Show, Lindsay Kramer's "The Butterfly Effect." 

What's your grandmother hiding? In this hilarious recording from the January 2018 Story Show, Shane Koepke shares a story about being "out of the loop" with family secret.