Wrapping up our Halloween series with a Monster MASHup (Yes, a nod to the song.) This episode dives into the backstories of some of the most famous monsters - like Frankenstein, Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, the Headless Horseman and back even further to monsters like Medusa and the Norse wolf Fenrir along with Shelob and Ungoliant. They're not just creatures of the night, but characters born from imagination and myth and revealing something true about humanity's flaws.

Join us as we walk through some Halloween Tales to celebrate this season of mystery and imagination. In this Halloween special, we tell three seasonal stories that have shaped the spirit of October itself:

The Masque of the Red Death — Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling allegory of fate and folly, where no locked door can keep out the inevitable.

The Halloween Tree — Ray Bradbury’s glowing tribute to friendship, time, and the origins of Halloween across the ages.

The Raven — Poe’s famous poem of loss and longing, echoing through the midnight dark.

Each story reveals a different side of Halloween — the spookiness, the tension, and the joy and pain of remembering those we love who have passed on.

Ten guests. One island.

Agatha Christie’s most famous mystery unfolds in chilling perfection. Join us as we talk through the best selling mystery ever written — And Then There Were None.

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This week’s story takes us into the world of The Wind in the Willows—where the seasons keep shifting, and both new and old friends are never far away. Through it all, the river moves steadily on, carrying its stories down to the sea. It’s a tale full of charm, touched with the longing that comes with growing up, and the search for home, comfort, and peace. At its heart, it’s about finding joy in friendship and contentment in the place where you are.

Join us today for The Light Princess—a beautiful fairy tale by the great George MacDonald. It's playful and sweet, combing creativity and wit and profound truths with a charming story that's accessible to everyone.

This is a richly layered novel that moves between past and present and across generations. It's a mysterious blend of secrets, family history, and beautifully drawn characters, Join us as we talk through a story of memory, and mystery, and a deep love of family.

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Merlin—the wizard, prophet and so much more! In this sampler, we talk about some of his most memorable tales: from wild beginnings to wise counsellor. He was part of court intrigue and legendary adventure, culminating with the reign of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. It’s a taste of the many sides of Merlin; a man who continues to fascinate across centuries of story.

We're joined by singer-songwriter and “literary musician” Matt Wheeler for a great conversation that ties together stories and music and faith. Matt shares why The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis has been such a meaningful book to him personally, and how his songs reflect a great love for literature and the truth that can be found in stories.

We’ll also get to hear some of Matt’s personal story—including how he became a musician and some of the artists and authors who inspire him.

To close, Matt treats us to a live acoustic performance of two songs: Aravis and I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon.

Enjoy!

http://www.mattwheeleronline.com/

Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a thought problem that considers how easily we can drift through life—avoiding pain, chasing comfort, and clinging to what looks respectable. Yet in the face of death, the story presses us to ask deeper questions: What are we truly here for? What does it mean to live rightly?

As Ivan approaches his own death, he is forced to see beyond appearances and consider what truly matters. His story invites us to reflect on our own lives -- to let go of self and to look honestly at our choices and how we live.

In this episode, we step into the very first Discworld adventure: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett.

We meet A'tuin - the giant turtle who carries the disc on his back, along with the inept wizard Rincewind and the ever-optimistic tourist, Twoflower. Then there's the tourist's walking, many-legged piece of luggage that steals the show. Come explore the wild humor, wordplay, and fantastical beginnings of a world that went on to capture millions of readers’ imaginations.

You can find more from us at patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast and now on Substack. Thank you for listening!