Host Sam Payne and producer Elizabeth Elieson uncover the story of Forrest Fenn, a millionaire who's legacy includes burring a 14th century bronze treasure chest somewhere in the western United States. To learn more about Forrest's life and treasure Sam Payne interviews Dal Neitzel, a treasure hunter whose website, http://dalneitzel.com/, is dedicated to Forrest’s treasure and chronicling the adventures being undertaken to find it. This episode also includes comments from geologist Paul Ramsey regarding the location of the treasure and a poem that is said to contain clues regarding the treasure’s whereabouts.

Stories included in this episode:

The Apple Seed

Story 1: Boys' Band

Teller: Makia Malo

Notes: Makia share's a story from his time in the Hawaiian village of Kalaupapa, a leper colony.

Bil Lepp

Story 2: Making it Mine

Teller: Bil Lepp

Site: http://leppstorytelling.com/

Notes: When he was five years-old Bil learned how to mark his territory the traditional way.

David Holt

Story 3: Titanic Premonition

Teller: David Holt

Site: http://www.davidholt.com/

Notes: A woman is reluctant to board the famous "unsinkable ship."

Liz Weir

Story 4: The Pedlar of Ballaghaderreen

Teller: Liz Weir

Site: http://www.lizweir.net/

Notes: A peddler inspires a town to be kind to one another.

Jenni Cargill-Strong

Story 5: The Difference Between Heaven and Hell

Teller:Jenni Cargill-Strong

Site: http://www.storytree.com.au/

Notes: A women is shown both heaven and hell, and what she learns surprises her.

Bill Harley

Story 6: Why I Bought a Sailboat

Teller: Bill Harley

Site: http://www.billharley.com/

Notes: Bill Harley put it best when he said, "the things that we need to do to live, not just survive, might not be rational."

Stories included in this episode:

Alton Chung

Story 1: Punia and Kaialeale

Teller: Alton Chung

Site: http://www.altonchung.com/

Notes: The story of a young boy who defeats the deadliest shark in the bay.

Richard and Judy Dockery Young

Story 2: Spirit of Fire

Teller: Richard and Judy Dockery Young

Site: http://www.yawp.com/

Notes: The legend of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire.

Jeff Gere

Story 3: Panui Stone

Teller: Jeff Gere

Site: http://www.jeffgere.com/

Notes: A mystical shape-shifting stone prevents a murder.

Willy Claflin

Story 4: Ka-ulu the Strong

Teller: Willy Claflin

Site: http://www.willyclaflin.com/

Notes: A story about brothers and responsibility.

The Apple Seed

Story 5: Mo’o Tales

Teller: Lopaka Kapanui

Site: http://www.jeffgere.com/talk-story-festival

Notes: Lopaka shares his experiences with the mysterious Mo'o spirits of Hawaii. These stories were recorded for Hawaii's Talk Story Festival.

This episode of The Apple Seed is all about storyteller Willy Claflin! Willy often tells stories with the help of his antlered accomplice, Maynard Moose. This hilarious duo have entertained audiences all over the United States, and we're excited to be bringing you an interview with Willy and an hour of their stories.

photo © Lucas Foglia & storyarts.org

For more Willy and Maynard visit their website: http://www.willyclaflin.com/.

Stories included in this episode:

Brian

Story 1: The Ghost with Red Hair

Teller: Brian "Fox" Ellis

Site: http://www.foxtalesint.com/

Notes: A shop owner is visited by a strange woman looking for milk for her baby. When she won't speak and is unable to pay, the shop owner begins to suspect that she's more than just a mother in need.

Megan Hicks

Story 2: The Shoemaker and the Elves

Teller: Megan Hicks

Site: http://www.meganhicks.com/

Notes: An unsuccessful shoemaker is given a little supernatural help.

Jenni Cargill-Strong

Story 3: The Luckless One

Teller: Jenni Cargill-Strong

Site: http://www.storytree.com.au/

Notes: A luckless man seeks happiness by soliciting the advice of the old man at the end of the world.  

David Holt

Story 4: "Trouble" or How the Alligator Got Its Hide

Teller: David Holt & Bill Mooney

Site: https://www.davidholt.com/

Notes: Rabbit tricks a group of gators into checking out some "big trouble." 

Syd Lieberman

Story 5: The Grass is Always Greener

Teller: Syd Lieberman

Site: http://www.sydlieberman.com/

Notes: Syd talks about his experience serving with the Peace Corps in 1969.

Christopher Leebrick

Story 6: Old One Eye

Teller: Christopher Leebrick

Site: http://www.allgoodstories.com/

Notes: A couple of rogues attempt to rob a little old lady with mixed results.

Milbre Burch is an incredibly talented storyteller, Grammy Award nominee, actor, playwright and scholar. Her storytelling style is vivid and exciting, and she is known for her ability to transport her audiences into the world of her stories. In this episode you'll hear a conversation between Milbre and Sam Payne along with her stories "Little Burnt Face," "Loyal Tiger Son," and "Billy Beg and His Bull."

Milbre Burch via kindcrone.com

For more information on Milbre and to find her CDs visit her website: http://www.kindcrone.com/.

This episode focuses on the work of Jeff Gere, a talented painter, puppeteer, mime, teacher, and director whose wild performance style has electrified audiences of every age throughout Hawaii for two decades. During their conversation Sam and Jeff discuss collecting stories about contemporary Hawaiian living, organizing the "Talk Story" storytelling festival, and Jeff's many adventures around the world. 

photo © Lucas Foglia & storyarts.org

To find more of Jeff's work visit his website: http://www.jeffgere.com/.

Every now and then, we are delighted to host live storytelling events in the studio. We invited the "Introduction to Folklore" class from the Brigham Young University English Department into Studio 6 to share stories of pranks they've taken part in or have fallen prey to. We'll hear some great stories from the class, as well as conversation from the Apple Seed Team and some other folks at BYU Radio.

This episode features audio from our most recent live recording in Studio 6. For this event Dr. Jill Rudy of the BYU English Department brought in a group of her folklore students to share personal stories about the weirdest things they've done. The night included hilarious stories about awkward dates, "frenemies", middle school and so much more, so check it out!

2014 Intro to Folklore Class

Pictured above: The Brigham Young University "Intro to Folklore" class with Sam Payne, the host of The Apple Seed.

This episode of The Apple Seed includes an interview with Alton Chung. As a native Hawaiian with Japanese and Korean roots, Alton is able to tap into the fire of the Hawaiian legends, and he tells traditional stories from Asian with an inspiring sense of reverence and respect. Alton also just finished serving as the chair of the National Storytelling Network's board of directors, an organization we appreciate and admire. This episode also includes Alton's stories "How Pele Came to Hawaii," "Mujina" and "The Holua Sled Race."

Alton Chung

For more information and to find more of Alton's work you can visit his website: http://www.altonchung.com/.