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 our first-ever listener-submitted stories.  These two follow a similar theme to last week’s episode: people helping people.  The first story is from Nolan Bakke and is about his organization, the Patch Program.  The second story is about Dr. Rebecca Bushbaum and her experience with a memorable and formative appointment.  Enjoy this week’s stories from listeners just like you! 

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

Special Thanks to:

Nolan Bakke

The Patch Program

Dr. Rebecca Bushbaum

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter

You

The Patch Program Instagram

Patch Program Facebook

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)

Content Warning: While I strongly encourage you to listen to this episode, we discuss miscarriage and infant loss, which can be tough topics for many people.  Take your time and pause the episode as needed.  If you have had a miscarriage and are still struggling with the trauma, please reach out to the Friends of Ollie or a support group near you. 

Our next guests are the co-founders and administrators of the Friends of Ollie Miscarriage and Infant Loss Support Group, Nicole Havenstrite and Lindsey Sorenson!  Join us as we discuss personal experiences with miscarriage, finding support, the miscarriage map, how to help others, and how to contribute to the Friends of Ollie.  If you or someone you love has had a miscarriage, the story of the Friends of Ollie might be the story of hope you’re looking for.    

Storytime: There is Hope and Support

Special Thanks to:

Nicole Havenstrite

Lindsey Sorenson

Bethany Hanson

One Block Over 

Emplify Health/Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Friends of Ollie Support Group Facebook Link

Euphoria Coffee (Where you can typically find Nicole)

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 and the story behind them. This week I’m joined by a special guest, Jayla Cowley!  Jayla was one of my senior speech students this past year, an All-Stater, and the first ever performer of the piece called “We Had Chemistry!”  This week, we are once again showcasing the future of storytelling as Jayla Cowley performs another comedic piece, The Breakup! 

Special Thanks to:

Jayla Cowley

Claire Koester (Honorary Assistant Speech Coach, specifically assigned to Jayla)

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter

You

Speech Script: We Had Chemistry is available to purchase!

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)

Trabant 33/At the Sicilian Marketl/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Trabant 33/Espresso Bar Italia/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Our next guest is the Twin Cities-based stand-up comedian, MJ Matheson!  Join us as we discuss his multiple hero’s journeys, finding theater because of good teachers, his love of improvisation and stand-up, and the joy of just being on stage and doing what you love.  You’re sure to be inspired (and have a few laughs along the way) by MJ’s incredible story.    

Storytime: The Lucky Zippo

Special Thanks to:

MJ Matheson

MJ’s Mom

MJ’s Teachers

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

MJ Matheson’s Socials and Shows

MJ's Instagram

Easy Speak 

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 StoryVIEW Episode.  That’s right!  It’s storytime AND an interview!  Even better yet, as a special Father’s Day-themed episode, I’m joined by Isaiah Stansbery and Shawn Peterson for the pilot episode of the Once There Was a Podcast spinoff, 3 Dads and a Podcast! All three of us are dads in three differing fatherhood situations.  Join us as we ask and discuss what fatherhood means to each of us! Happy (day after) Father’s Day! 

Special Thanks to:

My father

Isaiah Stansbery

Shawn Peterson

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 Co-founder of Alive and Running Iowa, Ryan Nesbit!  Join us as we discuss how suicide can affect a small town, the importance of suicide prevention and mental health, and what we can do about it.  Plus, we talk about the organization’s upcoming 5K and how your participation can support Alive and Running Iowa and their work across the state.  

Storytime: The Community of Cross-Country

Special Thanks to:

Ryan Nesbit

Alive and Running Iowa

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Alive and Running Iowa’s Website

https://www.aliveandrunningiowa.com/

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. This past week, I was blindsided by a small relic that triggered so many memories.  Those memories became the basis for this week’s storytime.  Where and how we are brought up lays the foundation for who we are today.  

Special Thanks to:

My Parents

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 founder of the Learning Lab, Trevor Ragan!  Join us as we discuss how he went from trying out for Duke basketball to making sushi to helping people become better learners.  Even more important than all of that, we discuss the role that storytelling has in that process.  Join us as we have the most comprehensive discussion about the power of storytelling that Once There Was a Podcast has had yet!    

Storytime: Quarter Catching

Special Thanks to:

Trevor Ragan

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Trevor’s Media

LearnerLab Instagram

Learner Lab Website

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 and the story behind them. This week I’m joined by a special guest, Malachi Rothlisberger!  Malachi was one of my senior speech students this year and was a 3-time individual All-Stater (the highest honor you can receive in the IHSSA) during his career!  This week, we are showcasing the future of storytelling as the accent extraordinaire himself performs and tells “The Tale of Slim Pickens.”  Enjoy! 

Special Thanks to:

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)

Binkley/Pork Chop Special/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Binkley/Mildred’s Waltz/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Our next guest is the performer/influencer/roleplayer, Betty Kay Merkle!  Join us as we discuss her love of theater and performing, vocal coaching, the joys of playing roleplaying games and using them to tell stories, as well as playing those games for performance on the internet.  No matter what the role, she follows the philosophy of creating more than you consume.   

Storytime: PAX, Rats, and Spenser Starke

Special Thanks to:

Betty Kay Merkle

Alex (my sound guru)

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

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Betty’s Socials, Vocal Coaching, and Shows

@bettythebeholder

Paragon Studios

Breathe Bravely/sINgSPIRE

The Stranger’s Guild

Haunted Halls Podcast

Cast Party

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)

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound