The Apple Seed

Strawberries in Winter

This Slovakian folk tale is "a wonderful Cinderella story." "Strawberries in Winter" comes from an album of the same name by storyteller Dan Keding, a collection of stories from Dan's grandmother that reflect the traditional hero or heroine journey. To learn more about Dan Keding visit www.dankeding.com

The Wounded Selkie

Richard Martin tells folk tales which have been told for hundreds, indeed thousands, of years with origins everywhere from Europe to India to Hong Kong. The story of the selkie has been passed down for generations and told in various ways, and Richard's traditional telling upholds a great tradition. www.tellatale.eu

The One I Feed

The healing process is not limited to physical ailments, and storytelling can be an important tool to promote healing that is spiritual and emotional. This story from Jenni Cargill-Strong helps show us how perspective can help cultivate healing. To learn more about Jenni Cargill-Strong visit www.storytree.com.au

The Healing Sticks

Regina Ress believes that "storytelling connects us to each other & to the deepest parts of ourselves." Using original and traditional stories about the "deep deliciousness of life" to enthrall audiences of all ages, Regina draws her listeners in with heartwarming stories of healing. To learn more about Regina Ress visit reginaress.com

Broken Glass

Lani Peterson tells stories that highlight connection, insight, and change. Her easygoing and insightful style puts audiences at ease, and allows audiences to navigate their own stories and experiences. To learn more about Lani Peterson visit lanipeterson.com

Heaven and Hell

Motoko often shares insights through her knowledge and command of traditional Japanese folktales. Healing is a process not easily done on one's own. This well-known folktale is about what can happen when people work together. To learn more about Motoko visit motoko.folktales.net

Do you believe that some people make their own luck? Do you believe in dumb luck? Enjoy these stories of characters making their own dumb luck as they prove that foolishness can sometimes be the most foolproof way to get out of a sticky situation.

Malawian Hippo Love Story

A woman well-acquainted with stories, Ms. Sheila also incorporates great story moments from her own personal life within her repertoire. This story, taken from a memorable missions trip to Africa, will be sure to have you laughing by the end. To learn more about Sheila Arnold visit www.mssheila.org

Sody Saluradus

A Donna Washington variation on a classic Appalachian tale. Saleratus appeared on the market in 1840, replacing pearlash as a baking ingredient to produce rising in dough. By the start of the 1860s baking soda in turn replaced it. For a short time some people called the new baking soda ‘saleratus.’ This story, then, probably dates from that period when both terms were used simultaneously: “soda/saleratus.” To learn more about Donna Washington visit www.dlwstoryteller.com

Clever Counting

This Liberian story from Pam Faro comes from a collection of stories entitled "Why Didn't I Think of That?: Seeking Solutions- Some Sassy, Some Silly, Some Smart." You'll find that the animals in this story are indeed sassy, silly, and smart. To learn more about Pam Faro visit storycrossings.com

Silly Hans

Randel McGee tells all sorts of Hans Christian Andersen stories, often using paper cutting on stage. This Hans Christian Andersen tale is all about a silly brother who is smart in some unexpected ways. To learn more about Randel McGee visit mcgeeproductions.com

Some of our favorite folk tales from all around the world. Travel to South America, Africa, Asia and Europe on today's cultural tour of folklore and fairy tales! Stories included in this episode include:

These Will Carry You Far

A live recording of a West African folktale about a girl who keeps her mother's lessons close to her heart. To learn more about Charlotte Blake Alston visit www.charlotteblakealston.com

Sambalele

This story, adapted from a Brazilian folktale and told with the help of an audience of children, will be sure to be stuck in your head for some time to come. Monkeys often get into a lot of trouble in the folktale world, and this one is no exception. To learn more about Rosie Cutrer visit www.rosiecutrer.com

The Man Who Could Make the Trees Blossom

Alton Chung is known for his great command of character, among other things. Often drawing from the different parts of his cultural heritage, Alton shares many ancient stories from Japan just like this one. To learn more about Alton Chung visit www.altonchung.com

The Fairy Flag

Milbre Burch is one of the great stage storytellers and academics of our time. For many years, Milbre had a great working relationship with Jane Yolen and often brought to life many of Jane's fabulous stories such as this one. To learn more about Milbre Burch visit www.kindcrone.com

Stories and songs inspired by exploration, discovery, and wanderlust. Stories and songs included in this episode:

Travel Urge and the Magic Token

Doug Elliott is a naturalist, herbalist, and storyteller whose collections of stories will take you on an unforgettable cultural tour of North America. In the 1970s, a young Doug Elliott embarked on an epic road trip across the continent and this story, taken from the album "Looking for America: A 20th Century Hero's Journey" inspired by the trip, is about the urge to go. To learn more about Doug Elliott visit www.dougelliott.com

The Story Behind the Story

Humorist and folklorist Donna Ingham takes the art of storytelling and gives it a Texas twist. Her tall tales, folktales, historical and personal stories are told only as a true Texan could: bigger and better and unbelievably fun. Fans of Lonesome Dove will enjoy this historical tale. To learn more about Donna Ingham visit www.donnaingham.com

Ol' Jim Bridger (song)

This song, from a compilation of cowboy poetry and songs entitled "Another Jubilee: Old Time Country & Cowboy Singing", is about the infamous explore Jim Bridger. The Sons of San Joaquin immortalize him with this catchy tune that highlights the historic figure's achievements in hunting, trapping, trading, fighting, mountain guiding, and beard growing. To learn more about The Sons of San Joaquin visit www.thesons.com

Moses of the Mountain

Adam Booth highlights the love of the story-rich area of West Virginia in all of his stories and songs. This story is a retelling of a familiar Biblical story with a fresh and contemporary setting. You'll be sure to love this modern-day exodus. To learn more about Adam Booth visit www.adam-booth.com

Travelin' Con

You've heard of The Hobbit, but this is another "there-and-back-again" tale that people of all ages will be sure to enjoy as their bedtime story. Highlighting her Irish heritage and family history, Yvonne Healy shares the story of an eccentric ancestor named. To learn more about Yvonne Healy visit www.yhealy.com

Stories included in this episode: 

The Beggar King

A classic King Solomon tale about trying to look at and understand life from a different view. To learn more about Heather Forest visit www.heatherforest.com

Coyote Goes to the Sky

Coyote is a classic figure in Native American and Southwestern folktales. Sometimes a trickster, Coyote always learns his lesson. To learn more about Susan Strauss visit www.straussstoryteller.com

How Beetle Got Her Colors

A story from South America about a beautiful beetle and the lessons she learns. To learn more about Glenda Bonin visit www.storyworksgroup.com

The Invisible Boy

A Mic-Mac legend about seeing and being seen in the right light. To learn more about Stephanie Beneteau visi twww.stephaniebeneteau.com

In the Face of Evil

In April 1995, a domestic terrorist attack was carried out in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In spite of the loss and tragedy, the residents of OKC found ways to support each other through a difficult time. To learn more about Kate Dudding visit www.katedudding.com

Sam Payne lets us tag along with him during one of his favorite seasonal events: the rodeo. Full of wit, grit, fun and cowboy shenanigans the rodeo embodies all that we love about the Wild West. Bucking broncos, loyal steeds, lassos, spurs, and a good pair of Wrangler jeans are sprinkled throughout the episode to help you prepare for your local rodeo. Much of the material you will hear in this episode can be found on cowboy poetry compilations published by the Western Jubilee Recording Company, as well as original stories and songs from Donna Ingham Sam Payne.

Stories, songs, and poems included in this jam-packed episode (in order from first to last):

Bronc Ridin' Shuffle by Paul Bliss

An Old Rodeo Clown by Donna Ingham

Equus Caballus by Joel Nelson

Tell a Cowboy by The P.C. Cowboys

Big Bad Bill by Rick Crowder (aka Sourdough Slim)

Evening Chat by Waddie Mitchell

I'm a Cowhand in My Heart by Miss'lette

Roll on Owyhee by Brenn Hill with Gord Matthews & Gord Maxwells

Slant of Light by JV Brummels

All This Way for the Short Ride by Tom Russell with Paul Zarzyski & Andrew Hardin

Hooves, Hide and Mane by Sam Payne with Ryan Schupe

The Hooves of the Horses by Randy Rieman

Stories included in this episode: 

The Fisherman's Baby

Liz Weir masterful imbibes classic folktales and myths with a vibrant energy appealing to listeners of all ages. This classic tale is no different. A fisherman with a unique relationship with the sea and its inhabitants does what he can for his family, with a little magic involved.To learn more about Liz Weir visit timpfest.org

Nho Lobo

A Cape Verdean folktale about a cunning and lazy trickster, a colorful cast of characters, hard work, and gladness. To learn more about Len Cabral visit www.lencabral.com

Turtle Learns to Fly

An ambitious little turtle is eager to learn how to fly and go where it's summer all the time. To learn more about Dovie Thomason visit doviethomason.com

Kansakura (Sacred Cherry Tree)

From a collection of tree myths, folktales, and songs from around the world, Diane Edgecomb, accompanied by Margot Chamberlain, breathes life into one of the prettiest trees. To learn more about Diane Edgecomb visit livingmyth.com

The Troll's House

Jeri Burns, PhD, one half of the the dynamite storytelling duo The Storycrafters, shares this fairy tale with a twist about a troll and some meddlesome goats. You might have heard it before but maybe not like this... To learn more about Jeri Burns, PhD visit www.storycrafters.com

Stories included in this episode: 

Flat Tire

Recorded and given to us by storyteller Jeff Gere, this short story from Makia Malo shows just how much fun driving is no matter the state of your vehicle.

Stay Outta Them Old Cars/Living in the Country

A story and song from Michael Reno Harrell about the fun and imagination of two young boys living in the country. After discovering that an busted car can be a treasure trove for imaginative adventures, Michael and his childhood friend fill their afternoons with music, games, and Jerry Lee Lewis. To learn more about Michael Reno Harrell visit www.michaelrenoharrell.com

Thinking Behind

Hindsight is always 20/20. The consequences of our actions sometimes become clear right in the middle of our actions and there's no way to go but forward. Anyone who has ever dabbled in mechanics will understand the wild ride that Bil Lepp takes us on in this hilarious story. To learn more about Bil Lepp visit www.leppstorytelling.com

Burma Shave

Have you ever driven 3,000 miles at 30 miles-per-hour? David Holt has. Traveling slowly and steadily with his grandmother from one home to the next, David shares all the sights and sounds of a memorable road trip. To learn more about David Holt visit www.davidholt.com

A hodge-podge of some of our favorite stories we've been listening to lately including fond family memories, spooky nighttime tales, and an hilarious run-in with some smelly mammals.

The Lap

Known for the sweet and spirited tone of her narratives that builds bridges between memories of the past and emotions of the present, Kim is masterful performer who guides her audiences through stories with great aplomb. A beloved story within Kim's repertoire, this thoughtful performance is an ode to that first throne of kings and rulers throughout history: a loving matriach's lap. To learn more about Kim Weitkamp visit www.kimweitkamp.com

Eya the Camp Swallower

Thomason’s journey as a storyteller and artist began with the childhood influence of her Kiowa Apache grandmother Dovie, whose name Thomason proudly carries. With a tremendous background in the arts, Native Studies, and the oral traditions of the First Nations across North America, Thomason has utilized her talent and graces to share invaluable lessons about human nature and indigenous worldviews. This story, shared before a lived audience, is about that time of day when the sun is fading and our bones are ready to be chilled... To learn more about Dovie Thomason visit doviethomason.com

Skunks

Want to know a recipe for a good story? Start with the great outdoors, mix in a little mischief, and throw in a strange and smelly creature or two. Just ask Bil Lepp. To learn more about Bil Lepp visit www.leppstorytelling.com

On this episode, enjoy stories about building bridges and breaking down barriers. Storytelling is a powerful tool in conflict resolution and can be used to make connections in unexpected ways. 

(2:20) Dad's Story

Susan uses story to cross the lines that divide people and break down the barriers of communication. Susan recognizes that even the most culturally-sensitive peoeple might be doing things unintentionally that cause disrespect, in situations where one might be attempting to do the opposite. Growing up in during the Civil Rights movement, Susan would hear the racist worldviews of her community in conjunction with her father's attempt to quell those voices of hate informed by his time teaching at an all-black high school. To learn more about Susan O' Halloran visit susanohalloran.com

(28:43) The Night That Everything Changed

With her trademark wit, warmth and humor, Geradline shares an account of the night where her life would make a delightfully unexpected change. After being invited to share a workshop at a men's prison, Geraldine finds herself becoming the prison's chaplain where she used her knowledge and skills as a storyteller to cultivate connection, empathy, and hope. To learn more about Geraldine Buckley www.geraldinebuckley.com

(37:54) The Twice Saved Life

Mixing together the magic and histories of the Hawaiian Islands to Japan and Korea, Alton Chung shares tradition folktales and legends, and personal histories with utmost passion and respect. In this story, Alton shares stories of World War II from the perspective of someone with a unique lens. www.altonchung.com

(48:54) Bobo & the Baseballs

Sometimes, world peace starts in one's own neighborhood. In this story, Dan and his friends learn about being a good neighbor and a good member of the community through a series of events including the neighborhood baseball team, a mysterious neighbor, and a gigantic dog. www.dankeding.com 

Looking for more stories about diversity, multi-culturalism, and conflict resolution?

Visit racebridgesstudio.com to listen to bridge building stories from some of your favorite tellers, including some of those featured in this episode.