The Apple Seed

On this episode of The Apple Seed, we're joined in conversation by David Novak. Storyteller David Novak was recently a featured teller at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, where he delighted audiences with his wild creativity, intelligence, and wit. Highly energetic, David uses his voice, facial expressions and body to bring ancient tales, classic myths, and original stories to life. Smithsonian Magazine describes him as "a gifted teller who enhances his stories with a bag of tricks," and has shared these tricks with schoolchildren, workshops, coaching sessions, and audiences on stage at the National Storytelling Festival. David is a recipeient of the Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network, and as Master Storyteller for the Disney Institute Novak his a master of many genres. After listening or seeing him perform, one quickly realizes that his love for story is a driving force in all aspects of his life. Featured in this episode are interview excerpts from David's conversation with Sam Payne, as well as the stories Little Yellow Fellow and Sterling.

Today on The Apple Seed, we're featuring stories from and an interview with Washington-based storyteller Ingrid Nixon.

Ingrid Nixon is an award-winning, world-traveling storyteller whose repertoire of stories include "nail-biters, lies, tall tales, traditional and personal stories" that take audiences everywhere from the coldest polar regions to the warmest jungles. Her performances have been featured in workshops, special events, schools, and festivals including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennesee. Originally from Minnesota, Ingrid grew up on the trails of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. Later, she would make her home in Alaska as a ranger with the National Park Service.

Her audio recordings include "Grimm's with a Twist" which offers deliciously dark stories spiced with humor, and "Operation Bouncy Chair," featuring personal stories about the important things in life. Ingrid is the proud champion of several liars contests & a winner at the Seattle Moth StorySLAM. Ingrid has also written, hosted and narrated for Discovery Chanel and the National Park Service, and has worked as a public radio RJ and print journalist. Learn more at www.ingridnixon.com

Stories about working hard and examples of hard workers. Anything worthwhile takes a lot of work. Stories included in this episode:

The Grasshopper and the Ants

Hard work sucks sometimes. But by doing what we enjoy, we not only make it better for ourselves, but for others around us as well. Learn more about Donna Washington by visiting www.dlwstoryteller.com

The Wooden Maiden

Working hard pays off, but so does taking a break. Find more Stephanie Beneteau stories and recordings by visiting www.stephaniebeneteau.com

Mother Holle

The go-to story about how avoiding hard work means missing out on rewards always seems to be the Little Red Hen. Here’s another story that hits the same message, but in the Grimm tradition. Find more of Beatrice Bowles' work by visiting www.beatricebowles.com

John Henry

Making a mark on the world takes a lot of strength, from folk heroes to grade school students and teachers. Find more of John McCutcheon's work by visiting www.folkmusic.com

Do you ever wonder about the people who were the very first at something? The very first person to look at corn and decide it would best be eaten popped? The first person to look at the ocean and say, “I’m going to cross it,” or the first person to settle your hometown? Do you wonder what it was like in the very beginning? If these are questions you’ve asked yourself or of others, then this episode is dedicated to you and to the following characters who could proudly put “self-starter” down on their resumes. We have many kinds of beginnings for you today, new and old. Stories included in this episode:

The First Story

Dan Keding shares a story that highlights how humans have been intrigued by narratives since day one. Find more of Dan Keding's work by visiting www.dankeding.com

Daniel Morden Live at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival

The Sun and the Moon learn to live with the First Humans recorded live at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. Learn more about the talented Daniel Morden by visiting timpfest.org

Manjiro

A story about the first Japanese person to come to the United States who was integral in the opening of Japan after the end of the Edo period. Find more of Joan Stockbridge's work by visiting www.joanstockbridge.com

The Legend of Strawberry

An origin story from the Native American tradition about one of nature's greatest treats. Learn more about Jenni Cargill-Strong by visiting www.storytree.com.au

Sourdough Starter

A tender story about the origins and (unexpected endings) of traditions. Learn more about Madeline Pots by visiting www.madelinelpots.com

Donald Davis was born in a Southern Appalachian mountain world rich in stories. While he heard many traditional stories about Jack and other heroic characters, he was most attracted to the stories of his own family and places of origin.  Davis begin retelling the stories he heard and then adding his own new stories to them until he was repeatedly asked to "tell it again, on purpose." Donald's homegrown approach to storytelling and personal history has entertained and delighted audiences of all ages, but today we focus on his interactions with some of his youngest fans. In this episode, we follow Donald during a day of storytelling at local elementary schools where he teaches and tells enthusiastic assembly audiences about the importance of story. Learn more about Donald Davis by visiting www.ddavisstoryteller.com

New stories and recent favorites from some of The Apple Seed's longest-running friendships. Stories included in this episode:

The Call of Death

Joe Herrington is known for his Western Tradition storytelling, cowboy poetry, and adventure writing. Audiences love Joe for his homespun Campfire Stories that highlight honor, courage, and rugged characters and for his poetry that touches the heart and tickles the soul. A long time contributor and friend of The Apple Seed, Joe shared some great new material, including this story, with us after we saw him at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. To learn more about Joe's work visit www.joeherrington.com

Damien's Limp

The effervescent Geraldine Buckley was one of the first storytellers we interviewed on our program. A long time friend, contributor and supporter, Geraldine is always happy to share her stories and her friendship with us. This story is from a collection of new recordings given to us during her visit at Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. This story about Geraldine's brother, Damien, highlights the hooliganism of older brothers. To find more of Geraldine's work visit www.geraldinebuckley.com

An Amateur Professional Wrestler

With a voice like silly putty, stories full of heart and humor, Andy Offutt Irwin is a one-person show that is anyone can enjoy from the young to the young at heart. Mischievous, insightful, and energetic-- Andy is a long-time contributor to the Apple Seed and has become a familiar face at festivals, workshops, and conferences for us. To find more of Andy's work visit andyirwin.com

Ugly Music

Willy Claflin has been described as a "one-man festival." His energy and repertoire span many exciting sagas, yarns, misadventures and tales. Willy Claflin's enjoyable presence and attitude makes him seem like an old friend and kindred spirit to audiences all over the world. Find more of his work at www.willyclaflin.com

We listen to a lot of folk tales and fairy tales in our line of work, and some of them become as familiar as old friends. Getting to know the world of fable the way that we have, there are some conventions that tend to stick out. So today, we’ve got some stories for you that surround some very strange, eccentric, and unforgettable characters. Stories included in this episode:

Jack and Auntie Ugly

In this story by Octavia Sexton, our favorite hero, Jack, comes up against one of his strangest opponents-- a gnarly mountain woman who is reported to have gone without a bath for 200 years. Learn more about Octavia Sexton by visiting www.octaviasexton.com

The Beaming Maiden

An Alaskan folk tale about a “dazzling” maiden and an “ice hearted” chief told by the talented Beatrice Bowles. Learn more about Beatrice by visiting www.beatricebowles.com

The Standing Stones

An Arthurian tale with echoes of Merlin, and a legendary curse, a life-long mystery, and the strangeness of certain storytellers. To learn more about Dan Keding visit www.dankeding.com

Mermaid's Revenge

This story just has a lot of good mysteries in it, some allusions to Creole folklore, and a town full of enigmatic people. Find more of Brian "Fox" Ellis' work by visiting www.foxtalesint.com

Today, we’re exploring one of the greatest traditions of storytelling: Bedtime Stories. There are few things that take us back to the comfort of our childhood homes in the way that a familiar story does. The stories we hear as children tie us to our own personal pasts, and to the pasts of our cultures and heritage. We often first hear traditional tales as we lie in bed while a loved one sits by and tells us the stories they heard, and their parents hear, and their parent’s parents heard when they were young. Stories and songs included in this episode:

Red Riding Hood

From her album "Grimm Tales Retold," Laura Bobrow shares her vision of the story about a young girl with a red riding hood who rode her way into the classic bedtime literary canon. Learn more about Laura J. Bobrow by visiting www.laurajbobrow.com

Come On Out and Play (Bear's All-Night Party)

An original bedtime story for those of us who like to stay up past our bedtime. Find more of Bill's work at www.billharley.com

Apple Seed Team Roundtable: Bedtime Stories

Assistant producers Makena Bauss and Deidrene Crisanto, and audio engineer Andre Marques join Sam Payne in the studio to talk about their favorite bedtime stories and the impact of bedtime stories in their own lives.

Tales for an October Night

Looking for a bedtime story with a twist? Do you want to stir up some fun dreams? Look no further than this Lyn Ford tale. Learn more about Lyn by visiting www.storytellerlynford.com

Sweet Dreams (song)

A lullaby from the Yellow Room Gang to wrap up today's episode. Learn more about the musicians on the Yellow Room Gang compilation album by visiting yellowroomgang.com

On today's episode of the Apple Seed, hear a performance of the Second Shepherd's Play, one of the Wakefield cycle of Mystery plays performed in the middle ages. The membes of the Acting Company are joined by professor of medieval literature Zina Petersen, and by the early music ensemble Musica Antiqua.

Tellers and stories on BYUradio.