The Story Show

”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.  

”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.

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. 

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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. 

"A Tale of Two Trails"

Story Show veteran Jen Vogt-Erickson returns to the show with a story about multiple generations of her family. Many of Jen’s ancestors came to the US during the latter half of the 19th century and settled on land in Minnesota and the Dakota Territory due to the Homestead Act of 1862. These are the people she thought of when she first heard the theme “Blaze Your Trail.” At the time she was also reading a book on climate change called The Parrot and the Igloo and noticed how it intersected with this period and her family’s history in the U.S. 

"The Slow Burn of Discomfort"

A talented and dynamic speaker, Hannah Bergstrom de Leon closes the October 2023 Blaze Your Trail show with her story about the fruits of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Angie, Jeremy, and Shane chat about anti-imposter syndrom, curling, and the nature of time in this final episode of Season 7.