Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about small acts, choices, and habits can make a big impact on individuals and communities.

(01:39) "Mzee Chomba" - Mara Menzies tells a powerful folktale about an elderly man who tries to stop people from fighting, only to be ignored as the conflict escalates, illustrating how the absence of small acts of peace can lead to great harm.

(13:41) Sam tells a story about how his piano lessons, and how either practicing consistently or ignoring practicing daily, affected both his musical abilities and those of his piano teacher.

(17:15) "Work Then Play" - Kim Weitkamp tells a playful and instructive story about a hardworking ant named Zia and a lazy grasshopper named Yohoppy, offering a lesson about effort, responsibility, and long-term rewards.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the unexpected moments that arise when we begin new adventures, and the surprises that often come with trying something new.

(01:20) "Bear's Party" - Bill Harley tells a playful and imaginative story about Bear, who plans a party on the night of a full moon, while his friends worry that no one will show up.

(12:39) Sam tells a story about his brother's third birthday, when his family attempted a ranger-guided tour of Timpanogos Cave, and discovered how unpredictable adventures can be.

(17:50) "How Some Stories Came to Be" - Lyn Ford tells a traditional story from the Zulu storytelling tradition about a mother named Manzendaba, who sets out on a journey to find stories for her children.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Merry Christmas from The Apple Seed. We're on a holiday break this week! The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

Gather your family for heartwarming Christmas stories from great storytellers sharing memories, traditions, and moments that capture the magic of the holiday season.

(1:22) "The Time It Snowed" - Donald Davis tells a memorable Christmas story from his father’s childhood involving pneumonia, a bear, and, of course, Santa Claus.

(15:22) Sam tells a story about a Christmas from his own childhood when his father took him to the store to pick out some unusual gifts for his siblings.

(19:43) "Christmas Candles" - Bill Lepp tells a story about the candles he received at every Christmas Eve church service and how he turned them into a game of patience that he now plays with his children.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

In this special Christmas episode, we are celebrating the spirit of the season through stories of service, generosity, and light. The Appleseed is brought to you by BYUradio which is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each year The Church sponsors a worldwide initiative called Light the World, focused on spreading kindness and serving others during the holidays.

For this episode, we reached out to the storytellers you know and love from The Apple Seed, inviting them to share acts of service that have had a lasting impact on their lives. Featured storytellers include:

(00:00) Intro

(01:40) Kim Weitkamp

(05:45) Tim Lowry

(09:44) Antonio Sacre

(11:45) Sam Payne

(17:23) Bil Lepp

(19:27) Sheila Arnold

We hope these inspiring Christmas stories encourage you think of the ways you can reach out and serve others during the holiday season and spark memories of Christmas time service that you can share with the people you love.

To find ideas and opportunities to serve, visit lighttheworld.org and discover ways to experience the joy of helping others at Christmastime.

The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about sisters whose courage, care, and example create life-changing moments.

(01:06) "Walking to School with my Sister" - Kevin Kling tells a tender personal story about what he observed when his siblings walked him to and from school, revealing the power of sibling support and shared experiences.

(09:16) Sam tells a story about an unusual memory of his sister, possibly a dream, that captures her personality and shows how she continues to inspire him to be brave.

(13:12) "Thakane the Brave" - Charlotte Blake Alston tells a story about an orphan girl who must face a fearsome beast to help her brothers prove themselves and become men.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Enjoy another podcast from the Apple Seed team: The Christmas Jars Podcast. New York Times bestselling author Jason Wright shares a true story of an act of service that made a big difference for a family in real need.

You can find to the full season of The Christmas Jars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or at byuradio.org/christmas-jars. You can even watch the movie based on the Christmas Jars book right there on byuradio.org!

If you're looking for more ways to serve this Christmas season, then the annual Light the World campaign can give you a lot of ideas. Visit lighttheworld.org to learn more.

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about some winter adventures, forbidden fun, and stretching of tales to preposterous proportions.

(01:21) "The Forbidden Souped-up Sled Ride" - Kim Weitkamp shares a hilarious tall tale about the time her Uncle Norm fixed her broken sled by adding a jet-propulsion engine, resulting in an unexpected and unforgettable flight over her small town.

(19:07) Sam tells a story about a Klondike Derby, where his Boy Scout troop built sleds to race against other troops during a cold-weather campout

(22:47) "Let's Go Sledding" - Sam Payne accompanies Kim Weitkamp as she sings a playful song about sledding.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the moments in life that teach us courage and bravery, even in the face of risk or danger, and how those early acts of courage can benefit us throughout our lives.

(01:22) "Fire Bike" - Bil Lepp tells a humorous and high-energy childhood story about a time when his friend Elmore set out to impress a girl by attempting the daring and ill-advised feat of setting his bike chain on fire.

(16:07) Sam tells a personal story and reflection on the things we do to impress someone we like, and how those moments of bravery help us develop confidence and courage that serve us later in life.

(18:31) "Rabbit and Old Man" - Lyn Ford tells a traditional folktale about featuring the rabbit from many children’s stories, who sneaks into an old man’s garden to steal vegetables when the old man finally catches him, testing Rabbit’s cleverness and courage.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about children who try to do the right thing, even in difficult, awkward, or embarrassing situations. And how, as adults, acknowledging those efforts can mean the world to a child.

(1:14) "Teacher's Lounge" - Bill Harley tells a story about how, as an elementary student, he and his classmate Emily broke a few rules to help a fellow student and uncovered the mystery behind the Teacher’s Lounge.

(18:07) Sam tells a story about when he was asked to be the ring bearer at his aunt's wedding.

(21:00) "New Pastor" - Tim Lowry tells a story about the day his father delivered a model sermon at Putney Bible Baptist Church in hopes of becoming the new pastor, only to have events complicated when Tim’s sister faces a potty emergency directly beneath the pulpit.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.