Once There Was a Podcast

Welcome to the last regularly released episode of not only season 3 but of Once There Was a Podcast.  In a bittersweet announcement, it’s time to let you know that Once There Was a Podcast is coming to an end.  We’ve had three amazing seasons, and I’ve loved nearly everything about it, but I now need to use that time for other things in my life.  So this week, I reflect, reminisce, and extend gratitude to everyone who followed me on this journey.

There is a chance for a few extra “Bonus” episodes before the end of the year.  There will not be any more regular releases, and there will not be any more episodes after Dec. 31st, 2026… At least, for quite a few years. 

Special Thanks to:

All of my guests and guest storytellers! 

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter

Most importantly: You! This podcast wouldn’t have been anything if it wasn’t for you! 

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Email:

[email protected]

Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod 

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 feature two listener-submitted stories! Our first story comes from Korbin Yauk and is a tale of self-reflection.  How does one develop and grow from a young man in Northeast Iowa to finding themselves admitted to Harvard Law?  Our second story comes from a friend of the show and previous guest, Mady Ney.   She recently did a stint at the Brownville Theater in Nebraska.  She shares about the lessons she learned and, more importantly, the connections she made.

Special Thanks to:

Korbin Yauk

Mady Ney

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 

Additional Audio and Music:

Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)

Our next guest is Caryn Stewart!.  She’s a singer-songwriter who pulls from a deep well of personal experiences to perform songs of all kinds. She’s survived a plane crash and cancer.  Now she’s working hard to write and perform her own music, including one of her most recent releases, “Quarter Life Crisis,” which you can hear at the end of the episode.   Join us as we talk about learning to play guitar to honor her sister, an influential trip to Nashville, and recording your own music.   

Storytime: Gretchen Wilson at 3% 

Special Thanks to:

Caryn Stewart (for also letting us use her music!)

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Caryn's Instagram

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Music By Crayon Facebook Page

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 and the story behind them. This week, we have a listener-submitted story. This week’s story comes from Leah Butikofer.  She recently became a mother this past year.  She shares the trials, tribulations, and all the associated emotions and feelings that come with being a young, new mom.  Leah hopes her story starts a conversation about some of the experiences mothers have that don’t always get talked about.  

Special Thanks to:

Leah Butikofer

Mothers 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

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 Tehya Tournier.  She’s the founder of Let’s Start Talking Iowa.  Let’s Start is an organization that promotes conversations around mental health and suicide prevention across the state of Iowa.  Tehya’s work helps organize speakers, raises money, and supports students across the state by providing scholarships. I hope you can find a way to support Tehya and her work this upcoming year.  

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

Storytime: Not Defined by a Single Page 

Special Thanks to:

Tehya Tournier

Let’s Start Talking Iowa

Mental Health Providers and Crisis Call Counselors everywhere! 

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Let’s Start Talking Iowa Website

Other Resources

Alive and Running Iowa

AFSP-Iowa Instagram

afsp.org (National Website)

AFSP- Iowa Chapter Website

988lifeline.org 

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Let’s Start Talking Iowa Instagram

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

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 have a listener-submitted story. This week’s story comes from Johnny and Adelle.  These two tell their story of what it was like to go through nine months of their lives separately while Johnny was deployed overseas.  

You, too, can also be one of Once There Was a Pod’s guest storytellers! If you have a story, check out the links below to find out how you can submit a story as well!  

Special Thanks to:

Johnny and Adelle 

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 Chris Rodriguez.  He’s one of the Co-Founders of Very Good Improv.  VGI is dedicated to performing and teaching improvisation in the greater Twin Cities area.  They teach improv to more than just entertainers because it has something for everyone.  Also, they’ve got big things in the works for the future of the Twin Cities Improv Scene.  Join us as we talk about the joy of teaching improv, the importance of being in the moment, and what else is coming down the pipeline.   

Storytime: Go on a Journey With Me

Special Thanks to:

Chris Rodriguez

Very Good Improv

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

The Very Good Improv Website

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Very Good Improv Insta

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)

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

We’re back after the hiatus! 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, I'll tell you about what I did on my summer vacation.  It’s also one of the main reasons why we went on a short mid-season hiatus! This summer was certainly one to remember, filled with new skills and more connections to great people!   

Special Thanks to:

Everyone at the Hatchery who made this experience absolutely fantastic! 

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Chuck Gipp Decorah Hatchery

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)

Once There Was a Podcast is going on a mid-season hiatus!  But don't worry, we'll be back soon.  We love our listeners and want to make sure we're providing the best for your listening pleasure!  Be patient, and we'll be back with more great stories to share!

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 have a listener-submitted story. This week’s story comes from improviser, dungeon master, and dancer, Allen Voigt! He shares the lessons he’s learned in improv that seem to cross all contexts, even into dancing! There’s a joy in taking a risk! 

You can also be one of Once There Was a Pod’s guest storytellers! If you have a story, check out the links below to find out how you can submit a story as well!  

Special Thanks to:

Allen Voigt

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

Oncetherewasapod

Allen's Instagram

Minneapolis Salsa Bachata Dance | MSBD

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)