Soundings

The town of Rhinelander Wisconsin has a curious obsession: the Hodag, a fearsome green beast that a lumberjack allegedly discovered there in 1893. Entranced by the legend, Isabella and Sam travel to Rhinelander to uncover what’s behind the Hodag— and to decide if they should believe, too.

Music in this story is provided by Blue Dot Sessions (An Unknown Visitor, Vernouillet, Color Country, Darn that Weasel, Still Nite, Gamboler, and The Bus at Dawn) as well as Hodag Hunters by Ben Burnell and Andrew Egan. Sound provided by freesound.org.

After months apart, a mother and daughter pick an unlikely reunion activity: a pilgrimage. Follow them as they take a journey up coastal Scotland and deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationship.

This is the story of a mother fighting grief after the loss of her daughter, and navigating what it means to be Indigenous within a criminal justice system that tries to take away her voice. These are her words. To learn more about Skye, visit: https://justiceforskyejim.com/ and for resources on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women visit: https://theskyewomanproject.com/ .

Come on a journey to understand our fascination with sea monsters and what they inspire in humans. In particular, hear about the Icelandic Lagarfljótsormur, the water monster that sparked a 13 person commission of the Icelandic government to investigate its existence.

What does it mean to protest and are there ways to do so that bring creativity to the forefront along with the issues? Listen to how those who were on the front lines of the WTO protests in Seattle used puppetry to get their ideas and demands across to those in power.

A story about people experiencing homelessness and their path to reconnection with their loved ones. Listen to learn why no matter where you are and what your journey in life has been, you will always be someone’s somebody.

Every year, a small group of Stanford Students are awarded grants to complete audio stories under the teaching, training, and mentorship of the Stanford Storytelling Project. These are the stories that came out of that process from 2020 to 2021.

What are you supposed to do after a noose is found on your campus? Stanford’s answer to that question was, in part, to invite The Experience Sankofa Project, a living museum on black history to campus. This story details what the Project can teach us about racism, activism, and (maybe most importantly), community.

Producer: Adesuwa Agbonile

Featuring: Venus Morris, Dereca Blackmon, Mizan Alkebulan-Abakah, Sizwe Andrews-Abakah, Frank Omowale Satterwhite, Jeanette Smith-Laws, Persis Drell

Music: “Multiple Crystal Bowl Rhythm - Freesound.org - Geerose

“All the Answers” - Lee Rosevere

“It’s a Mystery” - Lee Rosevere

“You’re Enough Version C” - Lee Rosevere

Producer: Ethan Lo

What’s the point of all of this? It’s a question we've all asked ourselves. For child-refugees who’ve come to America (and their descendants), attempting to answer this question is inevitably tied with wondering why fate, God, or whatever higher power they believe in has given them opportunities that those who came before them did not have.If you’ve ever asked yourself what it is that you need to be doing in life, this story is for you. You don’t have to come from a refugee background to relate. It’s simply the story of a young man who’s beginning to seriously question his lot in life, intertwining it with his family background, and coming to terms with the nature of it all. By exploring the three lives of a now-reintegrated middle-aged man who was sentenced to prison at 15, a college student who once couldn’t dream, and a high school student balancing what she owes to her mother and to herself; Ethan hopes to answer one question: what am I here for, if anything?

Featured voices: Ethan Lo, Choy, Paw, Neesha

Music:

Opening Credits, Johnny Ripper

Rain, Aaron Ximm

Night Caves, Lee Rosevere

Ominous Beat, Setuniman freesound.org/people/Setuniman/

Harmonious Ending, Setuniman freesound.org/people/Setuniman/

Producer: Daniel Helena Alexander

In the summer of 2019, I fly to Israel with a single goal in mind. I want to play a song. But not just any song. I want to play a Klezmer song. This podcast follows my journey meeting Jewish musicians and dealing with family tragedy to compose a personal song. “Music doesn’t lie.” You'll agree when you hear how beautiful, haunting, and inspiring Klezmer music can be.

Music:

“Miter Der Lerrer” by Di Gasn Trio

“Schwartz Doina and Al’s Dances” by Daniel Hoffman

“San Diego” by Blink-182

“Bagopolier Freylekhs” by Klezmer Israel

“Hora de Concert” by Emil Aybinder

“In Your Arms” by Forestt

“Music for Bows and Feet” by Daniel Hoffman

“Festival Excerpts” by HaBalkania

“Hora Mittsibeles” by Alicia Svigels

“Excerpts” by HaBalkania

“Niggun” by Gal Klein