The Apple Seed

Storyteller, music-maker, folklorist, and author Joseph Daniel Sobol is an artist and scholar of wide-ranging accomplishments. An artist-in-residence for many years in North and South Carolina, he received a Masters in Folklore from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. in Performance Studies from Northwestern University. During his eleven years in Chicago, where he performed regularly with some of America’s top Irish traditional musicians, Joseph developed a ground-breaking four-finger technique for playing the driving rhythms and intricate ornamentation of traditional Irish and Celtic music on cittern, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. He toured the country from 1994 through 1999 with his award-winning musical theatre piece In the Deep Heart’s Core: A Mystic Cabaret, based on over 30 stunningly evocative musical settings of lyric poems by William Butler Yeats. In 2000, he was appointed Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Storytelling at East Tennessee State University, where he is a tenured Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He tours internationally as a storyteller, lecturer, teacher, composer, and virtuoso musician on cittern, guitar, and various fretted instruments. In this episode, Joseph Sobol chats with Sam Payne about his extensive career. To learn more about Joseph Sobol and find more of his stories and songs visit www.josephsobol.com

Stories from classic English literature featuring:

Beowulf

A master of story and the recepient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Storytelling Network, the late Syd Lieberman will always be remembered as an artist who could transport us across countries, seas, and stars. Beowulf is one of the oldest stories in English literature and Syd Lieberman takes us for an exciting adventure in his version of this epic poem. To learn more about the late Syd Lieberman visit www.sydlieberman.com

Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell

The Miami Herald has referred to Ed Stivender as "the Robin Williams of storytelling." In this version of a popular 15th-century English poem and story, Ed shares some astute insight into this nod to Arthurian legend. To learn more about Ed Stivender visit edstivender.com

The Tell-Tale Heart

Oregon-based storyteller, Christopher Leebrick shares stories that take his audience from the hills of Appalachia to the cowboy country of the Oregon desert, from Edgar Allan Poe to Dr. Seuss, from ancient America to Africa. Edgar Allan Poe was one of the first American writers to make his living solely from his writing and The Tell-Tale Heart may be the author's most famous short story. To learn more about Christopher Leebrick visit allgoodstories.com

Excerpt from The Secret Garden

In this passage from Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden", our protagonist, Mary Lennox, asks permission to work a bit of earth and bring new life to to the Misselthwaite Manor. Performed live in front of a studio audience by Sam Payne and members of the Acting Company. To learn more about The Acting Company visit www.facebook.com/TACactingcompany

One part of a mini-series dedicated to stories rooted in all areas of the world. Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific and includes such countries and areas as Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Enjoy stories in this episode from the mythology of Oceania! Stories included in this episode:

How Pele Came to Hawaii

Alton Chung is utilizes the power of story to bridge cultures and promote healing. Mixing together the traditions of the Hawaiian Islands, Korea, and Japan, Alton breathes life and magic into supersititions, folk tales, and historical narratives that bridge gaps between cultures and generations.  www.altonchung.com

Interview with Palikiko Chandler

Palakiko Chandler, an assistant producer on The Matt Townsend show and part of our BYUradio family, was born and raised one the beautiful island of 'O'ahu. During his childhood, Palakiko attended a Hawaiian language and cultural immersion school where he cultivated an appreciation for the storytelling traditions of his heritage.

Mo'o Tales

Lopaka Kapnui is a native Hawaiian storyteller and cultural practitioner who has made a business of sharing his knowledge of the history and legends of Hawai'i, and leading guests to some of the spookiest places on the island of 'O'ahu. Mo'o a species of mythic shapeshifters and guardians, often appearing as beautiful maidens or dragons.mysteries-of-hawaii.com

Cannibal Woman of Micronesia

Dan Kelin has served as the Honolulu Theatre of Youth Director of Drama Education since 1987. A Master Teaching Artist, he is on the roster of the John F. Kennedy Center for hte Performing Arts and has served as a consultant and trainer for many arts and social services nationally and internationally. Dan Kelin, the storyteller, shares the rich stories of Hawai'i's multi-cultural landscape. www.danielakelin.com

Didgeridoo & Dreamtime

Paul Taylor, acclaimed Aussie performing artist, delights in celebrating the culture of his homeland through story, song, dance, painting, and didgjeridoo. This story highlights the Aboriginal cultural tradition native to Australia and is set in "the dreamtime": the golden age when the first ancestors were created. 

Kondili the Whale

This origin story from Jenni Cargill-Strong is an Ramindjeri Aboriginal tale set before people had fire. From Kondili, the whale man, sparks of flames would shoot from his feet as he danced.www.storytree.com.au

Tales from Europe that are little off the beaten path featuring Judith Heineman and Dan Marcotte, Norah Dooley, and more. Stories featured in this episode: 

Briar Rose

You may be familiar with the story of Sleeping Beauty, but have you ever wondered what reall happens in "happily ever after?" Judith Heineman and Dan Marcotte present an epilogue that is daring, thrilling, and shows that the chapter may close, but some stories never end. Learn more about Judith and Dan's work by visiting www.www.judithanddan.com

Caterina the Wise

From an album cleverly titled "Italian Folktales: Stories Nobody Told Me", Norah Dooley shares a wisdom tale that is one of many stories in her repertoire inspired by her heritage and community. Many of us have folktales we know very well, though their origins can be rooted in many different places-- just like this one about a wise farmer's daughter. To learn more about Norah Dooley's work visit www.norahdooley.com

The Story of Arachne

The husband-and-wife team of Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton have been using their storytelling experience to teach, educate, and entertain throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia since 1980. Specializing ins stories that are appealing to all ages, many of their folktales can be told by the young or the young-at-heart much like this Greek myth. Learn more about Mitch and Marth by visiting beautyandthebeaststorytellers.com

The Lass of Loch Royal

Paddy Tutty is a singer of traditional music: ancient ballads, songs of wit and mirth, and the songs of working people and seasonal pageants. This traditional ballad, and its many variants, is a melancholy story about lovers and the sea. To learn more about Paddy Tutty visit www.prairiedruid.net

Vassalissa and the Babba Yagga

Informed by her experiences traveling the world as the child of a military parent, Donna Washington has collected many fairy and folk tales over time. Adapted from the Russian fairy tale, "Vasilisa the Beautiful", Donna Washington brings to life this Cinderella-type story about a cunning forest witch and a pure-hearted merchant's daughter. Find more of Donna's work at www.dlwstoryteller.com

Stories included in this episode: 

The Tale of Twelve Animals

Influenced by her grandmother, and inspired by the story of the Chinese Zodiac, Motoko shares her version of one of the most popular stories in Asian folklore. Have you ever worried about your age? This folktale will help you look at the years in a new light. motoko.folktales.net

The Spider Weaver

Weavers are popular figures in folktale traditions across the globe. History, human relationships, and stories themselves are often depicted as the result of a weaver spinning cloth or a web. Inspired by his Asian-American heritage, Alton Chung shares the story of a weaver that echoes other stories you may have heard before. www.altonchung.com

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Recorded live at Eth-No-Tec's first performance at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, this origin story is all about talking the right talk and walking the right walk. Specializing in stories from the Asian continent, and inspired by their own Asian-American heritage, Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo and Nancy Wang bring folk tales and fairy tales to life with their energetic synchronized performing style. www.ethnohtec.org

Trouble Talk

Storyeller and balloon artist, David Claunch, holds the official title of Clowns of America International Ambassador to the country of Bhutan. Inspired by his travels and his relationships with his international clowning and storytelling audiences, David Claunch shares narratives that highlight many different cultural traditions including this wisdom tale. www.davidclaunch.com

Golden Crane

A classic folktale from Japan. Whether it is with a thoughtful story for adults, a folktale for children, or the inspiring history of her Japanese American family’s experience in the incarceration camps during World War II, Anne Shimojima reminds us that to be human is to travel the most fascinating journey of all. www.anneshimojima.com

Stories from cultural traditions all over North and South America.

Wolf (A Blackfoot Indian Tale)

Accompanied by The Real Myth Ensemble, Laura Simms shares a Blackfoot Indian tale about loyalty and friendship. To learn more about Laura Simms visit www.laurasimms.com

Party in the Sky

Recorded before a live audience, Antonio Rocha shares a story that his mother told him during his childhood in Brazil. Listen closely to all the animal impressions, and it's easy to imagine how Antonio's storytelling performances are heavily influenced by his energetic mime work. To learn more about Antonio Rocha visit www.storyinmotion.com

The Devil and the Farmer's Wife

It takes a certain kind of woman to stand up to the Devil in this traditional Appalachian tale. To learn more about Tim Lowry visit www.storytellertimlowry.com

Opossum and Coyote

Captivated by stories her Mexican grandmother and father would tell, Olga Loya has absorbed the secrets of memory, family, and tradition to create stories that connect audiences to each other and to Latino culture. To learn more about Olga Loya visit www.olgaloya.com

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Cherokee storyteller and educator Joseph Stands With Many utilizes the lessons from his Native American heritage to share lessons and values through folktales like this one. To learn more about Joseph Stands With Many visit www.standswithmany.com

Uncle Rabbit and Uncle Tiger

To ends this episode, we have one last tale from Olga Loya from Nicaragua. Notice how Rabbit is a common trickster figure in traditions all over the Americas.

Stories about being bugged, ticked, annoyed, irritated, and bugging other people.

The Evil Prince & Sleeping Beauty

Judith's compelling and riveting stories are "sculpted both from her own observed life and created to augment the missions of educational, historic, and governmental organizations." Those who grew up with siblings running around the house might relate to this story and the need for some peace and quiet. To learn more about Judith Black visit storiesalive.com

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Doug Elliott takes stories out of the backwoods and from the trails to extol the virtues of catfish, groundhogs, bees, and more from nature. To learn more about Doug Elliott visit dougelliott.com

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If there's one person who knows how to express both sides of being bugged, its the inimitable Bill Harley. To learn more about Bill Harley visit www.billharley.com

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Sticks and stones may break my bones but words... are powerful tools. Storyteller, guitarist, songwriter, poet, teacher, and adventurer knows this lesson very well. To learn more about Ted Fink visit tedfink.com

Do you remember how you met your best friend? Was it by happy accident or does it seem like you two were always meant to know each other? Well, on today’s episode, we’ve got stories for you about ready-made friendships: the kinds of friends you make because you’ve been thrown together for one reason or another.

Froko & Lettuce

Jenni Cargill-Strong is from the beautiful continent of Australia, and the flora & fauna of her home often make appearances in her stories. In this story, Jenni shows us that friendship can be just a matter of opening the right window. To learn more about Jenni Cargill-Strong visit www.storytree.com.au

The New Neighbors

Born in Havana, Cuba, Carmen came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1964, settling in Decatur, Georgia where she lives today. Her pithy collection of stories about her vibrant life, and her exciting children's books, and connections with audiences of all ages make Carmen a truly dynamic performer who we think you'll love. This story is about Carmen's childhood best friend, Dill. To learn more about Carmen Agra Deedy visit carmenagradeedy.com

Water Torture

When did you first become friends with your brother or sister? Antonio Sacre, whose heritage is half Irish-American and half Cuban-American, shares this great growing up tale which is one of many in his extensive repertoire. Blood is thicker than water, but a water fight with your brother can still be a great time. To learn more about Antonio Sacre visit www.antoniosacre.com

We met Rosie Cutrer at the National Storytelling Network conference a few years ago, and have been enjoying her career ever since. Based in Topeka, Kansas, Rosie works with people of all ages-- from excited elementary school students to senior citizens-- and uses things such as her banjo and puppetry to to share her versions of stories based on folktales and literature. We're sure you'll love her take on familiar folktales, and perhaps even find a new favorite you might not have heard quite like this before. Throughout the hour, enjoy snippets of a conversation between Rosie Cutrer and Sam Payne. Stories included in this episode:

The Wonderful Wrestler An African wisdom tale.

Mr. Bun A familiar trickster tale.

Library Chicken A story and song based on a funny joke-- for lovers of books.

The Blackthorn Walking Stick A grim, grisly, and delightfully spooky tale from Ireland.

In these stories, our main characters find themselves on epic journeys to learn universal truths.

The Bird of Happiness

Dynamic duo Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo and Nancy Wang brought this Tibetan tale to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival where this live recording was made. Eth-No-Tec specializes in stunning and energetic synchronized performances that highlight story traditions all over the world, particularly Asia. This story is about a unique pursuit of happiness. www.facebook.com/ethnohtec

The Poor Gaiteiro

A “gaiteiro” can refer to one who plays the bagpipes or, in South Brazil, one who plays the accordion. A fitting subject for Kevin Carr, a piper who often brings his story to life with a great command of instrumentation. The gaiteiro in this story finds himself on some interesting adventures that start with a case of wishful thinking. www.kevincarr.org

Issun Boshi

A well-known and well-loved Japanese folk tale similar to the tradition of Tom Thumb. “Issun Boshi” is translated into English as “One Inch-Boy” or sometimes the “The Inch-High Samurai.” This story is given the standard Bob Reiser treatment and is equal parts humorous and exciting. www.bobtales.com

Looking for His Luck

On the album, "Once in A Blue Moon", Dolores Hydock shares stories of discovery and destiny. In this tale, about the unluckiest man in the world, we get a different take on the classic quest story and are all invited to see the big picture through life's details.www.storypower.org