The Apple Seed

In this episode: Odysseus may have escaped from the cave of the fearsome Cyclops, but storms, cannibals and the enchantress Circe are waiting in the wings, prepared to stop our hero from returning home to Ithaca. Find more Odds Bodkin, Odysseus, and “The Odyssey” here.

In this episode: Odysseus and his men are trapped in the cave of the terrifying Cyclops, Polyphemus. Will our brave hero best the Cyclops and make it home to Ithaca? Follow Odysseus’s journey in this installment of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” retold by master storyteller Odds Bodkin, and check out the next chapter here.

Listen as Odysseus meets the Cyclops Polyphemus, the witch Circe and the deadly Sirens in this episode featuring one of the greatest epic stories of all time: Homer’s “The Odyssey.” For thousands of years, the exploits of Odysseus were told by the best bards and storytellers across the land. We think it’s appropriate, then, that this version of “The Odyssey” was written and performed by a modern Orpheus: the fantastically gifted Odds Bodkin. So tune in, and make sure to check out part II here.

To find more of Odds’ work visit his website – www.oddsbodkin.net.

Stories included in this episode:

Bruce Walker

Story 1: Calamitous Christmas

Teller: Bruce Walker

Site: www.brucestoryteller.com

Notes: A traditional Christmas story full of distant relatives, moonshine, and prison sentences.

Jane Stenson

Story 2: One Christmas

Teller: Jane Stenson

Site: www.janestenson.com

Notes: Jane’s memories of a Christmas that was almost wrecked by a blizzard.

Donald Davis

Story 3: The Red Coat

Teller: Donald Davis

Site: www.ddavisstoryteller.com

Notes: Donald's uncle plays a prank on the family and nearly ruins Donald's Christmas in the process.

Jess Smith

Story 4: Tullimet

Teller: Jess Smith

Site: www.jesssmith.co.uk

Notes: A poem about the excitement of Christmas Eve and the wonder of Santa Claus.

Odds Bodkin

Story 5: The Christmas Spiders

Teller: Odds Bodkin

Site: www.oddsbodkin.net

Notes: A European folktale about the Spirit of Christmas.

Odds Bodkin

Story 6: The Takeover Before Christmas

Teller: Odds Bodkin

Site: www.oddsbodkin.net

Notes: A carol about a corporate plot to takeover Christmas.

Stories and songs included in this episode:

Lyn Ford

Story 1: Moon Cookies, Martin & Me

Teller: Lyn Ford

Site: www.storytellerlynford.com

Notes: A story about the power of words and actions.

David Holt

Song 1: Bound to Ride

Teller: David Holt

Site: www.davidholt.com

Notes: David’s version of the classic bluegrass tune.

Judy Lubin

Story 2: Lu Helps a Dragon

Teller: Judy Lubin

Site: www.storytellermagic.com

Notes: A young man fears disappointing his family, so instead of going home he heads out on an adventure to find the great dragon king.

Dolores Hydock

Story 3: Different Versions

Teller: Dolores Hydock

Site: www.storypower.org

Notes: A story about a mother who is prone to exaggeration.

Glenda Bonin

Story 4: Cold Feet

Teller: Glenda Bonin

Site: www.storyworksgroup.com

Notes: A man plays a ghostly prank on his unsuspecting hosts.

Mustard's Retreat

Story 5: Jake and Ten Ton Molly

Teller: Mustard's Retreat

Site: www.mustardsretreat.com

Notes: A hilarious poem about taking a tank for a joy ride.

Stories included in this episode:

Bonnie Greenberg

Story 1: The Wonder Child

Teller: Bonnie Greenberg

Site: www.bonniegreenberg.net

Notes: A couple wishes for a baby on the eve of Shavuot, and the child they are blessed with is beautiful, talented and cursed.

Richard and Judy Dockery Young

Story 2:The Golem

Teller: Richard and Judy Dockery Young

Site: www.yawp.com

Notes: A tale about wisdom, and a monster made of clay.

Laura Pershin Raynor

Story 3: Cholent

Teller: Laura Pershin Raynor

Site: www.lpraynor.com

Notes: The history of a traditional Jewish dish Laura remembers from her childhood.

Jordan Hill

Story 4: The Magic Mirror of Rabbi Adam

Teller: Jordan Hill

Site: www.jordanhillstoryteller.wordpress.com

Notes: A man is cursed by a sorcerer and saved by a mystical rabbi.

This episode includes audio from The 2014 Bay Area Storytelling Festival held at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, CA. In this episode you’ll find Sam Payne’s interview with storyteller and musician Reverend Robert B. Jones, Sr., a live performance by Japanese storyteller Motoko, and an interview with festival organizer Linda Yemoto.

For more info on the Bay Area Storytelling Festival check out their website - http://www.bayareastorytelling.org/

Andy Bay and Sam Payne traveled to the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, CA were they met with a few of the 2014 Bay Area Storytelling Festival’s featured tellers: Ed Stivender and Carol Birch! This episode includes Ed’s live performance of “The Giant Who Was More Than a Match,” a harmonica performance from Berkeley musician Ed Silberman, live poetry from Ivori Holson, a member of the Bay Area Slam Team, and a portion of our interview with Carol.

For more info on the Bay Area Storytelling Festival check out their website.

On July 4th, 1939, baseball star Lou Gehrig delivered a retirement speech that is now considered “one of the most touching scenes ever witnessed on a ball field.”

Gehrig had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) earlier that year, bringing his record-setting career as a first baseman for the New York Yankees to a halt. On that day in 1939 Gehrig delivered a farewell address that set the standard for sportsmanship, and to honor the 75th anniversary of Lou’s “Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth” address, this episode features his life-story as told by nationally recognized storyteller Carol Burch.

Find more of Carol's work's on her web site.

photo © www.kevincordi.com

This episode of The Apple Seed features the stories of Kevin Cordi, who in addition to telling stories around the world, also teaches storytelling and self-confidence to children at schools from Ohio to Qatar. This episode also includes our interview with Kevin in which he and Sam Payne discuss the details of his storytelling and teaching initiatives.

To find more of Kevin's work visit his website: www.kevincordi.com.