The U.S. Government has been tracking UFO reports since the 1940's, and on May 8th, 2026, many of those reports were released to the public. Join your captain Kenny Mears as he takes you on a trip through a sampling of stories found in these new files. Whether you believe in aliens or not, today is sure to be a fun trip through the bizarre and sometimes dangerous world of the UFO sightings the government takes seriously.

Want to read the reports yourself? Check out the sources at https://www.war.gov/UFO/

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Cowboys are the iconic figure of America, with their grit, determination, and wild ways. Today we have the stories of three cowboys who held true to principles, whether they were (or weren't) on the right side of the law.

Hear storyteller Rachel MacDonald as she shares the true story of her ancestor, Art Lee, also known as "One Stubborn Cuss," a cowboy from the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century who used his grit and determination to learn to walk after tragedy, quit drinking, and keep his word.

Stay tuned as we hear the story of the West's most principled outlaw, Butch Cassidy, America's very own Robin Hood figure. After Butch, listen in for the story of Bass Reeves, one of the first African American deputies in the West, and how he held true to his principles, even when there was a conflict of interest.

Want Rachel to tell a story at your event? Check her out at the Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/rachel-macdonald/

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Kidnapped princesses and princesses in exile are incredibly common in world folklore, you can't throw a stone without hitting one. Today we have three stories lined up for you, the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, told by Analesha Mann (with some backup from her sisters Arielle and Kylee,) The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a Japanese folklore classic, and the birth of Perseus, the classic Greek hero and slayer of the gorgon Medusa. Join us for an explorative journey through the fascinating world of exiled princesses.

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The Story Ark Podcast will be on break for the rest of March 2026. Things have been crazy over here at Food For Thought Audio, and even we need a break every now and then. Our host Kenny Mears is double majoring in school and has been dealing with a lot of personal trials lately, so even our dear captain needs a break.

The Story Ark Podcast will return April 13th, so stay tuned, listen back to our old episodes, and get ready for some new and exciting stories and storytellers!

The Grimms have a lot of classic fairy tales, but you haven't heard this one before! Join us as we hear Godfather Death, a lost classic of a Grimm Fairy Tale all about death and the consequences of trying to cheat it. Told by long time friend of the show Laurie Allen, this story is sure to become a new favorite fairy tale!

Find Laurie Allen:

Utah Storytelling Guild: utahstorytellingguild.website

Storytours: storytours.com

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Cowboy Poetry is a delightful storytelling tradition, and today's sample is no exception. Join the talented Annie Eastmond as she shared a hilarious cowboy poem about a cowboy cook's revenge on the cowboys who always grumble about their meals...

Check out Harvest Home! https://harvesthomemusic.com/

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Few stories have captured the vision of America's future and need for unity than the story of George Washington's vision at Valley Forge. This story, written originally in 1861, almost a century AFTER the Revolutionary War, quickly became a part of the stories told about the war and the divine promise of America. Here enjoy our very own Kenny Mears as he shares a dramatic reading of this beloved story, which reminds us now as well as when it was first published, of the need to be unified as a country, regardless of our differences.

Read Washington's Vision: https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/vision.html?srsltid=AfmBOorm_3Z32iSAZYLejXm0F-NbSNvBTKd5OxXOWPdezUB39EHorqcU

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Everyone knows the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood, but have you ever heard the original version, Little Red Cap? Join young storytellers Kylee, Arielle, and Analesha as they work together to tell the original Grimm fairy tale, right from the source! This classic story and these adorable storytellers are bound to touch your heart and remind you why you fell in love with stories in the first place. Enjoy!

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Could your artistic talents save your life? That's just what we're exploring in today's episode of The Story Ark as we dive into the story of The Boy Who Drew Cats, a classic Japanese folk tale. Join long-time friend of the show Laurie Allen as she spins us this Japanese myth. Trust us, you won't want to miss it. And if you want to see this story performed, head on over to YouTube where we have a YouTube exclusive video version! We hope you enjoy!

Find Laurie Allen:

Utah Storytelling Guild: utahstorytellingguild.website

Storytours: storytours.com

Connect with The Story Ark, available wherever you listen to podcasts!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570119045635

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryArkPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyark.pod/

Is EPIC: The Musical a faithful retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey, or does it stray too far from the source material? In today’s video, we’re diving deep into the world of Jorge Rivera-Herrans’ viral musical phenomenon to determine if it’s truly a "good" adaptation.

As a fan of the series since the Underworld Saga, I’m exploring the intersection of Greek mythology, musical theater, and storytelling. We break down the adaptation through three specific lenses:

- Uniqueness vs. Fidelity: How do the plot changes (like Poseidon's role and the Scylla/Charybdis split) impact the themes of ruthlessness vs. mercy?

- The Medium: Why the episodic nature of a musical is the perfect fit for an ancient epic.

- The Audience: How EPIC is introducing a 3,000-year-old story to a whole new generation of theater nerds and myth-lovers.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the "Saga" format or a mythology purist, let’s discuss how Jorge has transformed one of history's greatest stories into a modern masterpiece. What do you think? Does the musical's "inspired by" approach work, or do you prefer a 1-to-1 adaptation? Let me know in the comments!

About The Story Ark: Welcome to The Story Ark! We explore the world of folklore, mythology, and storytelling across film, television, oral storytelling. If you love diving into the "why" behind your favorite stories, make sure to subscribe! Subscribe for more folklore, stories and adaptation analysis! #EPICTheMusical #TheOdyssey #JorgeRiveraHerrans #GreekMythology #MusicalTheater #TheStoryArk #Mythology #BookTube #EpicMusicalAnalysis