In this Story Mischief Short, we explore the difference between logic and myth-logic so that we can seek balance between the two and craft our lives to reflect who we truly are. To do this, Michael shares a personal story about his love of fly-fishing and the trouble with doing things the "right way." With some good advice from a master fisherman, he begins to untangle from the advice of... master fisherman in order to find his own personal myth and way of fishing.

A novel or a prophecy? That's what many are left wondering after reading George Orwell's 1949 dystopian social science novel, 1984. Centered around the dangers of totalitarianism and mass surveillance, Orwell managed to get more than a few things frighteningly correct. This weeks guest, Allyson Scammell, share's not only her connection to the story and a near death experience that cause her to completely transform her life, but throws down her theory about this classic novel and where it really came from.

Some biblical stories just make you say WTF? I think this is one of them. But hold up! On this episode of Story Mischief, Michael is joined by guest Dave Lederman and together, they begin to unravel one of the more mischievous of biblical stories, The Binding of Isaac. Together they explore questions like - What kind of God would ask you to kill your only child? Or any child for that matter? Is this story really as simple as showing one's faith and allegiance or is there more at play here? And what happens when you tell children stories about a god you want them to love and respect when that god does things that you would never want the child to do themselves.

What if it's all just an illusion? The things we think we can't do. What if our limitations are nothing more than a lack of imagination? In this weeks episode, I meet up with Terri Hofstetter to discuss her pick, Illusions: Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, by Richard Bach. Together we discuss our long and winding relationship with this 1977 novel the seems to sit in a class of its own.

In this Story Mischief Short Michael takes a look at the potential harm caused when myths and fairytales are altered and leave out incredible important aspects of the story and characters development. One shining example of this is illustrated with Grimm's Brothers Little Red Riding Hood - Simple over sight or intended manipulation?

Where do our limitations come from? Are they real or are they just stories we tell ourselves? In this week's episode Michael explores these and related topics with guest Ivan Polic, of the Systemic Approach Institute. Together they take a deeper look at Ivan's story pick, discussing everything form the the books interesting sub-title- "A Book That Changes Lives," to the importance of having mentors in our lives.

In this weeks episode, I am joined by the lovely and talented Lynn Trotta! Yes, my wife and partner whose insights into story never cease to impress and teach me. Lynn chose a story that I share under the title "An African Tale" which comes from the Zulu nation and was printed in The Way of Woman, by Jungian analysts Helen M Luke. This is a beautiful story about a girls initiation in to womanhood - a rare thing to find indeed, and I share in its entirety before we completely take it apart.

The Right Stuff... For just about any 12 year old boy in the early 80's the astronauts of the Mercury Seven space mission were catapulted back into hero status some 20 years after their original mission - or is that true? Joined by neurosurgeon, Michael Webb, the two Michael's reflect on the power and impact this movie, based on a book by Tom Wolfe, had on them while growing up. After a trip down memory lane, they begin to question if their experience was shared by all or... where the men of the mission heroes to all?

So what's your personal legend? Or as Michael would ask, "What's your Original Medicine?"

Michael is joined by freelance creative producer Rocco Campanelli and together they discuss how this story and its' themes of personal transformation and destiny have been woven throughout their lives and connection to one another while inviting listeners to consider the same. Additionally they explore how the writing and selling of the book is selective of the protagonists story - getting rather "meta" in the scheme of it all.

This week on Story Mischief... I'm joined by therapist and equine coach Theresa Moore. Together we discuss the in's and out's of the biblical tale, The Good Samaritan. Theresa shares the influence this story has had on her time and again, while Michael reflects on how the telling or the story (more so than the story itself) had a major influence on his own desire to to be a storyteller.