Welcome to this week’s Storytime Episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories, along with the stories behind them.  I don’t have much more to say beyond what’s said in the episode, other than listen responsibly and be kind.  988, AFSP, and others are there to help.  

This episode is dedicated to my Uncle Rod. 

Special Thanks to:

Bethany

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

It’s National Suicide Prevention Month, and our next guests are representatives from the Iowa Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Amara Huffine and Andrea Vignovich!  Join us as we discuss the role of ASFP in Iowa, organizing community and campus walks to raise awareness, suicide prevention trainings, and remembering that hope prevails. If you’re looking for an organization and a cause to support, look no further than AFSP.

*Quick Note: In the show, I misspoke.  I said QPR was Question, Persuade, and Respond.  The “R” stands for Refer.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call 988.  Your story is not over.  

Storytime: Hope Prevails

Special Thanks to:

Amara Huffine

Andrea Vignovich

AFSP- Iowa

Everyone who is working or has worked a 988 hotline

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter 

You

AFSP-Iowa Instagram

afsp.org (National Website)

AFSP- Iowa Chapter Website

988lifeline.org 

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Podcast Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to this week’s Storytime Episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories, along with the stories behind them. It’s that time of year again when schools across the country are starting up their fall semesters.  This time of year brings all sorts of emotions for students and teachers alike.  Excitement, anxiety, and/or more will be felt by many.  This storytime is an ode to everyone starting the school year.  This is “First day.”

Special Thanks to:

Claire Koester

Jayla Cowley

Ryker Cooksley

Malachi Rothlisberger 

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

Additional Sound Effects/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

It’s back-to-school week, part 2!  This week, we have released two episodes featuring educator storytellers as they begin another year, helping our students grow. Our second set of guests includes a high school teacher, a college biology professor, and a science consultant for the local Area Education Agency.  Welcome to Sierra Bullerman, Dr. Paul Skrade, and Jason Martin-Hiner!  Join us as we discuss how science teachers use stories to create context from facts, how science can be a social endeavor, and how to increase understanding of the science process, as well as encourage more people to pursue careers in the realm of science. We hope you enjoy our peek behind the curtain into some classrooms this week as many schools everywhere start up their fall semester.  

Storytime: Because of Science

Special Thanks to:

Sierra Bullerman

Dr. Paul Skrade

Jason Martin-Hiner

Science Teachers Everywhere

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Upper Iowa University Noyce Grant Information

Goats on the Go (Paul’s Grazing and Plant Control Business) 

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Podcast Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

It’s back-to-school week!  This week, we will be releasing two episodes featuring educator storytellers as they begin another year, helping our students grow.  Our first set of guests is a couple of good friends and fellow teachers in the state of Iowa, Kari Straube and Nicole Lenius!  Join us as we discuss how we build the next generation of storytellers, how we help students become vulnerable and open to improvement, and how we build their confidence through feedback. We hope you enjoy our peek behind the curtain into some classrooms this week as many schools everywhere start up their fall semester.  

Storytime: The Puppy Barfing Story

*As a small side note, Charlie, the star of Kari’s story, crossed the rainbow bridge between the time of recording and the time of this episode’s release.  We’re sorry for Kari’s loss, and we hope Charlie is now somewhere where his food bowl is always full.  

Special Thanks to:

Kari Straube

Nicole Lenius

English Teachers Everywhere

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Podcast Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to this week’s Storytime Episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories, along with the stories behind them. A few weeks ago, I had a very minor inconvenience that I mentioned to a few friends.  One of them so kindly pointed out that it sounded like a storytime episode.  I then did what every good author does: I blew it way out of proportion.  Enjoy “The Lord of Aisle Five.”

Special Thanks to:

Pauline Clark for the inspiration

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

Additional Sound Effects/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Our next guest is the Minneapolis-based Improv group, The Bearded Company!  Join us as we discuss what improv is, taking over the library to put the group together, creating genre shows, and sharing joy.  If you’re looking for a great night of improvisational storytelling and you’re going to be in the greater Twin Cities area, see if The Bearded Company is performing!    

Storytime: 4 Pigs in a Trenchcoat Spreading Joy

Special Thanks to:

The Bearded Company MPLS

Joe Rapp

Tyler Mills

Maria Bartholdi

MJ Matheson

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter 

You

The Bearded Co. Website

The Bearded Company MPLS Instagram 

Break the Dice Podcast (Listener Discretion Advised) 

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Podcast Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

I just wanted to pop in and give some quick announcements in regards to the remaining season and ways you can help! We’re about ⅔ of the way through the season.  If all goes to plan, season 2 will end in early October.  Don’t worry, we still have a lot of stories yet to tell.  In the off-season, we’ll be back on an irregular schedule, highlighting episodes around the holidays.  With that being said, if you have a holiday-themed story, we want to hear it.  You can check below for links and information regarding the submission of stories.  Finally, a call to action!  Help Once There Was a Podcast to grow!  Tell a friend.  Share your favorite episodes on social media.  Engage with our social media pages!  We have stories to tell, and we need people to hear them! 

Otherwise, thank you for your support!  Season 2 has been amazing so far, and I can’t wait for you to hear the rest of it!  

Special Thanks to:

YOU! 

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

Welcome to this week’s Storytime Episode.  On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes.  These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week, we are headed back to one of my favorite sources for stories.  It’s back to the family cabin in Wisconsin. Today, I share a memory that I get to relive year after year after year because… well, the title kind of tells you what you need to know.  Enjoy this week’s storytime episode.  

If you have a story, check out the links below to find out how you can submit a story as well!  

Special Thanks to:

My Cousins and the rest of my Family

Northern D’Lites for amazing ice cream cones

Alex (my sound guru)

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

Our next guest is the founder of Iowa’s first black-owned comic book publisher, Sensi’il Studios, Basi Affia!  Join us as we discuss growing up telling stories, discovering sci-fi, writing what you know, and representation in comics.  If you love comics, sci-fi, or want to support a veteran-owned company, check out Sensi’il Studios!    

Storytime: Blessed and Highly Favored 

Special Thanks to:

Basi Affia

Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Sensi'il Studios

Sensi'il Studios Instagram

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Podcast Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):

https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound