Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode!  It’s the busiest travel day of the year and you’ve come to the right place!  Here at Once There Was a Podcast, we have the perfect audio media for your plane, train, or automobile ride as you cross the country.  In honor of the holiday, we even have a holiday bonus episode to start up your holiday spirit!  Enjoy your Thanksgiving!  We’re thankful for all of you!  

Special Thanks to:

Our Listeners

Turkey Trot Race Directors Everywhere

My Brother for starting my love of running

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter 

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Back in June when I was interviewing Shawn Peterson, he suggested I do a talkback episode at some point where we flip the script and someone else interviews me about the podcast.  Well, here it is.  Please welcome back guests and friends of the podcast, Shawn Peterson and Isaiah Stansbery.  In this special episode, they pick my brain about what I learned and discovered recording the first season of Once There Was a Podcast.  

Storytime: 3 Dads and a Podcast

Special Thanks to:

Shawn Peterson

Isaiah Stansbery

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode!  Today 11th day of the 11th month.  Here in the U.S., we observe Veteran’s Day.  Today is a special day of gratitude and thankfulness.  Find a veteran today and thank them for their service.  

Special Thanks to:

All of our Veteran’s

My Father

My Uncles

My Granpa

My former students

Isaiah Stansbery

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter (CJ herself) 

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to the Season 1 finale!  We end the first season with a storytime episode.  This week’s storytime is a two-parter.  We begin with a press conference from an extra-terrestrial invader.  Their message is not one of peace but one that forces reflection by the people of Earth.  Then, you’ll hear the brief story of the origins of the podcast’s sign-off “Everyone has an important story to tell” and how the two are linked.  

It’s been an absolutely fantastic first season!  Here at Once There Was a Podcast we cannot express our thanks and our gratitude enough.  Your support has been truly wonderful and fantastic.  We look forward to sharing more stories and introducing you to more storytellers next year!  In the time being, stay tuned for a few bonus stories around the holidays!  

Special Thanks to:

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Out To the World/A Journalist’s Dream/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Jon Bjork/Turn of the Tide/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Additional Sound Effects/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

The final interview of Season 1 is upon us! Our guests (PLURAL?!?) this week, are my college buddies and gaming friends: Mike Barkse, Joe Murphree, and Jordan Zumberge!  We discuss the joys of tabletop roleplaying games (aka TTRPGs such as Dungeons and Dragons), designing characters, telling stories collectively, and Joe’s notoriously bad dice rolls!  TTRPGs are a fantastic way to spend time with your friends and can be shaped into whatever story you want to tell!  

Storytime: Let’s Roll! 

Special Thanks to:

Mike Barske

Joe Murphree

Jordan Zumberge

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Additional Sound Effects/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to our next 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.  It’s also cold and flu season in school districts so please forgive my voice as I fought through congestion this past week!  This week I share a story about a man and local legend I had the honor of knowing.  We bonded over our love of running and teaching.  He was well-loved by many and is missed by just as many. 

Special Thanks to:

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

We recorded on location this week so please forgive our audio quality at times!  Our guest this week is Rob Rogers the owner of Limited Edition Comics/Salon!  Join us as we discuss how he became the owner of the world’s first comics/salon shop, sharing his collection with the world, and the important stories we find in comics.  If you’re looking for a good comic book, check out Limited Edition Comics and Collectibles on College Hill in Cedar Falls, IA! 

Storytime: An Unattended Child at a Convention

Special Thanks to:

Rob Rogers

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

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Rob’s Unboxing Youtube Series

That's What's In the Box?!?

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to our next 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 share a comedic piece I wrote for a student to perform for their acting category in Speech.  It’s one of the most off-the-wall, Month Python-esque things I’ve ever written.  I hope it brings a smile to your face.  Enjoy!

Special Thanks to:

James Halverson

My Brother for his well-timed, blurry picture of the moon that he sent me two days before this episode published.  

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Stationary Sign/Hope They Don’t See Us/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Stolen & Concealed/T. Morri/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

It’s National Suicide Prevention Month. Our guest this week is Alyssa Cobie-Nuss!  Join us as we discuss how she became a passionate advocate for suicide prevention, her work as a 988 crisis counselor, mental health counseling, and how someone can support suicide prevention organizations.  Please, if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, reach out to 988.  Check out the links below for more information:  

988 Chat Lifeline Link

211

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

National Alliance on Mental Illness

QPR 

Alive and Running Iowa

Storytime: Your Story is Not Over

Special Thanks to:

Alyssa Cobie-Nuss

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Welcome to our next 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 share a letter that is very near and dear to my heart.  A letter of wise words and other wisdom that brings a smile to my face any time I read it.  

Special Thanks to:

My Cousin Joyce

Alex (my sound guru)

My Wife and Daughter

You

Instagram: 

oncetherewasapod

Facebook:

Once There Was a Podcast

Additional Audio and Music:

Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound