The Story Show

"Check and Mate"

It's the early '70s, and four bright high school boys with a passion for chess are faced with a challenge: How to compete for a Minnesota state high school chess championship when you have no coach. In another story from our 2023 "Blaze Your Trail" Story Show, Kelly Callahan shares how he and his friends did just that when students had a little more freedom than they perhaps do today. 

"Where Did My Chunk Go?"

In this episode from our October 2023 Blaze Your Trail show, a college student shares a tale of reckless adventure that quite literally sent him over the edge. Looking back, he discusses how the adrenaline rush of that moment has since given way to a valuable life lesson: there are more important--and less physically dangerous--risks to take in life. Be ready to laugh as you listen to this story about growing up, learning from mistakes, and finding balance between thrill-seeking and wisdom.

"A Latina Maestra in Minnesota"

In the fourth story from our October 2023 Blaze Your Trail Story Show, educator Monica Ocampo shares her story about navigating the public education system, college, and graduate school as a Latina and the first in her family to attend college in the U.S.

"Be the One"

This episode features another story from our October 2023 "Blaze Your Trail" show. Burke Egner moved to Austin, Minnesota 11 years ago with his wife and two sons, and he's a career and tech education teacher for nearby Albert Lea Area Schools. Burke encourages everyone to embrace their inner unicorns and "be the one" with this children's story about the power of overcoming fear and self acceptance.

"Whispers of the Heart"

Innocent mistakes from our youth sometimes remain with us decades later, inspiring us to re-evaluate both our past and present actions. In this episode, Scott Pirsig returns to Story Show for Season 7 with another wilderness story, this time exploring the tension between our healthy engageent in nature and the inevitable impacts we make upon it. Jeremy, Angie, and Shane chat about the story first and remind listerners of the upcoming December 15, 2024 submission deadline for the February 8, 2025 show.

Did I Blaze Any Trails?

In the opening story from the October 2023 "Blaze Your Trail" Story Show, a retired teacher reflects on the routines that shape our lives and her post retirement efforts to seek and blaze new trails for herself. 

”Peanut Butter and Dill Pickle Sandwiches”

Bev Cotter Jackson returns at our January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show with a story about growing up in Albert Lea in a time when much of what appeared on the supper table was a little wild (squirrel anyone?) and certainly not purchased at the grocery store. Bev has carried with her many of the lessons she learned from her parents approach to food during those early years.

”Nothing on the Plate”

In this season's final episode, Shane talks about the creation of the Food for Backpacks Program (the beneficiary organization for the Pass the Plate Story Show) as an introduction to the show's closing story by Janece Jeffrey. "Nothing on the Plate" was inspired by a real student of Janece's shrugging with food insecurity. Check it out here.  

Poems by Zachary Heiken

Only twice have we featured poets on the Story Show. This episode features the playful poetry of 11 year old Zachary Heiken. 

The Intersections of Faith, Family, and Food

In this story from our January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show, chef and musician Bob Tewes shares this piece of fiction about need, service, and shared meals.