The Story Show

”Clean Plate Club”

Jeff Zoller is a man who sees life through the lens of food. Prepare yourself for laughter as you listen to this story from our January 2020 Story Show.

”My Uncle Luke”

Often the difference between a young person "making it" or not is having a relationship with a mentor, a special adult who invests time and attention into that child's life. "My Uncle Luke" is a story about such a relationship. Pam Johnson performed her story live at our January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show. 

”Familiar Strangers”

While language and cultural barriers can make connecting with strangers challenging, sharing food often helps bring us together. Angie, Shane, and Jeremy chat about the power of shared meals before introducing world traveler Ross Pirsig's story about globe trotting and sharing food with new friends. Ross's story was recorded at the January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show, 

”The Anatomy of Giving”

Our long-delayed second episode for season 6 comes from our January 11, 2020 Story Show recorded at the Marion Ross Performing Art Center in Albert Lea, MN.  In "The Anatomy of Giving,"  Jane Bute shares memories of her stepson, Derek and asks us to reflect on legacies, on what we leave behind.

Pandemic Stories 1

So much has happened since our last release. Season 5 ended in early January, and now we're looking at distance learning, mass work stoppages, social distancing, and quarantining across the globe. While we adjust to all of this new stuff, The Story Show Podcast is asking listeners to submit audio recordings sharing how they're dealing with things. Angie, Shane, and Jeremy chat about this and share details on how to submit your pandemic stories in this first episode of season 6

"Become a Number"

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. 

"A Warm Drink of Water"

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 philosophers and divines," he said. The trouble is that it takes a great deal of self-awareness, humility, and courage to publicly own our inconsistencies. This episode's story comes from a teen who did just that in her story from our July 2019 Story Show.

"What a Difference She Made"

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. 

"The Dancing Flame"

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. 

2 Poems by Paul Heyl

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.