Captain Kenny Mears sets the perfect tone for Thanksgiving week with a dose of hilarious, unsolicited advice from the older generation.

Friend of the show, Wayne Kartchner, joins us once more to share his ingenious (and completely absurd) methods for saving time and solving the world's biggest problems—all before he's due for a nap!

In this episode, Wayne tackles issues from the personal to the global with his signature dry wit:

• Time Management Secrets: Discover how avoiding vanity (and hair care!) can add precious minutes to your day, and learn Wayne's groundbreaking concept of saving time by "not learning Armenian" and Turkish.
• Instant Global Cooling: Wayne shares his simple, scientific trick for ending global warming instantly by switching temperature scales. (Sorry, Canada!)
• Achieving Middle East Peace: Find out Wayne's radical solution to international conflict involving mirrors and marshmallow roasting.

This episode is a comedic monologue perfect for distracting yourself from holiday stress and laughing at the wisdom of the elders.

For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

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Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears takes you on an unprecedented journey to the Italian island of Sardegna (Sardinia), a land steeped in ancient myth and mysterious ruins. The landscape is dotted with thousands of prehistoric tower structures known as Nuraghi, inspiring countless local legends—most of which have never been translated into English.

In a special world premiere performance, Captain Kenny Mears shares his own translation of a Sardinian folk tale: "The Devil's Nuraghe."

Journey to the tiny hamlet of Siligo, resting beneath the dark, forest-covered hill of su Runaghe—said to be the hill of the devil, and rumored to hide sa ucca 'e s'Inferru, the very mouth of hell! Hear the dramatic tale of a poor blacksmith forced to trade his courageous daughter in marriage to the terrifying master of the forest, su éstiu (the Beast/Devil).

The daughter is swept away to a magnificent Nuraghe palace but is given one dire command: never open the hundredth room. Her curiosity, however, leads her to discover the horrifying truth about her husband and his hidden chamber. Her only hope lies with her wandering brother, Iscurrimundu, who must use his magical launeddas (ancient Sardinian pipes) to save her.

Tune in for this thrilling, never-before-heard story of courage, curiosity, and confrontation with the devil himself, culminating in the destruction of the ancient tower.

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

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Captain Kenny Mears sets a course for one of the most enduring stories in literature: Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes." This classic tale offers a timeless lesson about pride, self-deception, and the courage to speak the truth.

Join storyteller Laurie Allen as she shares this beloved narrative. The Emperor is a good ruler but is obsessed with his wardrobe. When two cunning tailors arrive, claiming they can weave a fabric visible only to the truly wise and noble, the Emperor is instantly hooked—and so is everyone in his kingdom!

Listen in to discover:

• How the Emperor, his noble attendants, and all his subjects deceive themselves and each other, pretending to see the magnificent, nonexistent clothes.
• The moment of truth, delivered by a small, brave five-year-old boy, that exposes the absurdity of the situation.
• How this hilarious public humiliation actually transforms the Emperor, leading him to appreciate what truly matters: his people, not his garments.

This episode is a wonderful reminder that inner worth is far more important than outward appearance and that sharing a good laugh can bring a community closer. Perfect for fans of classic fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen, moral stories, and timeless lessons for all ages.

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/

Set a course for the delightful, and often chaotic, world of children's spontaneity. As parents and siblings know, kids bring a random flair to every social situation, leading to endless, entertaining stories!

In this hilarious personal narrative, professional storyteller Madeline Rollins shares a tale about her older sister, Elise. Madeline opens by joking that older siblings exist to provide material for the wise, and Elise—a notoriously curious child with a flair for the "what if"—is prime material.

The story climaxes during a quiet, professional charity auction when Madeline's parents, desperately seeking a night out, bring their three young, potentially disruptive children along. Despite their best efforts to keep the kids silent (fearing an accidental bid), the mischievous three-year-old Elise stands up on her chair and places a staggeringly high bid on a seemingly ordinary set of baby blankets!

Listen as Madeline recounts her parents' panic, the room's shock, and the legacy of the most expensive baby blankets ever bought, which became a physical symbol of Elise's curious, brilliant, and sometimes chaotic spirit.

Check out Madeline with the Utah Storytelling Guild!: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/madeline-rolllins/

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

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

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

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of violent animal deaths and may be disturbing to listeners sensitive to stories involving the death of dogs and livestock. Listener discretion is advised. ⚠️

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears continues our spooky season journey by diving into the world of cryptids and unexplained animal slaughters. For decades, legends of bizarre killings—animals drained entirely of blood or violently ripped apart—have sparked theories ranging from aliens to the Chupacabra.

This week, storyteller Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson shares a haunting booger tale from her native Southern US—the terrifying true-life panic caused by The Beast of Bladen County!

Travel to the farmlands of North Carolina in the winter of 1953/1954, where a mysterious, inky black, feline-like creature as tall as a man began a violent rampage. Hear the chilling accounts of:

• The sudden slaughter of hunting dogs, whose crushed skulls and bloodless bodies left experts baffled.
• The peculiar presence of great globs of saliva at the scene of the attacks.
• The moment a young woman was stalked by the beast at her clothesline, leading to mass community panic.

Elizabeth, a professional storyteller specializing in Southern tales, explores whether this was the mythological Devil Cat or Wampus, a vampire beast, or something far more mundane. You'll hear how the community's desperate search ended with a weak explanation and how the mysterious killings suddenly ceased—only to resurface nearby.

For those brave enough, join us for this terrifying slice of Southern folklore! If you’re a fan of cryptid legends, spooky historical mysteries, unexplained animal attacks, or Southern booger tales, this story will leave you wondering: What really was the Beast of Bladen County?

Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson is a member of the Utah Storytelling Guild, for more information on the guild, check out their website at https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/

Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson is a professional storyteller, to find out more about her work, check out her website at https://www.thetellerist.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/

Captain Kenny Mears continues spooky season with a journey back to the Old West, a time of great hardship that birthed legends and ghost stories alike.

This episode features storyteller Laurie Allen as she shares a chilling and heartwarming Western legend: "The Lady in White."

Set against the backdrop of pioneer trails and barter-based trading posts, the story follows an honest post owner named Hank. His routine is disrupted when a silent, distressed woman in a long white dress appears for three consecutive nights, trading valuable jewelry (a garnet ring, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace) for a simple tin of milk.

Hank's quest to understand the mysterious woman leads him to a surprising and somber encounter with a wagon master who recognizes the jewelry. Their investigation culminates in a shocking discovery at a newly dug grave that is a testament to a mother's enduring love, even beyond the veil.

Tune in for this captivating tale that blends ghost story suspense with the harsh realities of the pioneer trek and the enduring power of life.

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/

Captain Kenny Mears sets a course for the paranormal, exploring the universal desire to be remembered fondly—even by those beyond the veil.

Join storyteller L. Aloysia Adkins as she recounts her fascinating experiences with the Downtown Logan Ghost Tours in Utah, a town with a rich history of underground tunnels and polygamist lore. Aloysia shares the eerie tale of a haunted old bank building, where a ghostly caretaker of the burnt-down Thatcher Opera House still lingers, and vault doors mysteriously close.

The excitement peaks when a paranormal investigation group confirms that Aloysia has a friendly ghost with her! Through a series of questions, she discovers the spirit is the very caretaker whose tragic story she has been sharing, who came to thank her for telling his story well.

But the most stunning moment comes as the investigation winds down: Aloysia shares the unbelievable, 30-witness confirmed story of being kissed by a ghost!

Tune in for a captivating personal narrative that bridges history, hauntings, and the unexpected appreciation from the spirit world. This episode is perfect for fans of ghost stories, paranormal investigations, Utah history, and real-life strange encounters.

Connect with L. Aloysia Adkins on her Utah Storytelling Guild Profile: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/leah-adkins/

Connect with The Story Ark:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570119045635
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryArkPodcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyark.pod/
• Podcast platforms: Available wherever you listen to podcasts!

Captain Kenny Mears kicks off spooky season with a journey into one of the oldest and creepiest figures in history: dolls. These uncanny approximations of humanity have been the subject of chilling stories for millennia, and today, they're getting the spotlight!

Join storyteller Julie Barnson for a deep dive into her personal phobia of dolls. Julie shares the childhood fears instilled by classic TV like The Twilight Zone ("Talking Tina") and The Midnight Gallery. You'll hear about her mother's ingenious (but terrifying) solution to clutter: hanging stuffed animals by their necks all around her room!

The heart of the episode features the chilling true story of "Michael the Doll." Julie recounts reading the tale of a flea market doll that simply refused to stay put, creeping her out so much she had to throw her own three-foot Barbie doll outside into the stormy night!

Get ready for shivers as Julie shares hilarious and genuinely creepy encounters, culminating in the ultimate prank her co-workers played on her. If you love true ghost stories, creepy dolls, and spooky season fun, this is the episode for you!

Connect with Julie Barnson:

• Website: TalesByJulie.com
• Utah Storytelling Guild Profile: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/julie-barnson/

Connect with The Story Ark:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570119045635
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryArkPodcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyark.pod/
• Podcast platforms: Available wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears dives into the world of unconventional pets. We've talked about dogs, cats, and even chickens, but this episode introduces a different kind of companion: the snake! 🐍

Friend of the show L. Aloysia Adkins is back to share her extraordinary journey from being terrified of snakes as a child to embracing them as beloved pets and even emotional support animals. Kenny recounts his surprise when Aloysia arrived at the studio with Leopard, her ball python, draped around her neck!

Listen as Aloysia details the defining moments that overcame her childhood phobia, from an encounter with a rosy boa to owning a massive Burmese python named Miranda. You'll be captivated by the antics of Charlie, her hognose snake, who was the "clown of the snake world" and famous for dramatically playing dead (complete with a "musky" stench!).

The heart of the story lies with Leopard, her emotional support animal, who demonstrates a profound connection by recognizing and responding to Aloysia's distress. Hear the touching moment Leopard "wipes away her tears" during a therapy session.

This episode is a heartwarming and fascinating look at the deep bonds that can form with any creature, challenging stereotypes about snakes, and proving that the best companion is often the one you least expect.

Connect with L. Aloysia Adkins on her Utah Storytelling Guild Profile: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/leah-adkins/

Connect with The Story Ark:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570119045635
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryArkPodcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyark.pod/
• Podcast platforms: Available wherever you listen to podcasts!

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears sets a course for a uniquely creative and humorous take on a modern issue. In this episode, storyteller Wayne Kartchner uses classic fairy tales to pitch a solution to the affordable housing crisis: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Wayne, a self-proclaimed expert, presents a series of "slides" (which you'll have to imagine) showing how iconic fairy tale homes can be brilliant ADU models. From a shoe apartment rented to a widow with many children (from the man who owned it, Mr. Bunyan) to the three little pigs' homes built with varying degrees of durability, Wayne offers unconventional but entertaining business advice.

He humorously navigates potential pitfalls, including zoning regulations for a house that was "too big" or "too small" and the legal risks of building a home out of gingerbread. This witty presentation is filled with pop culture references and a surprising amount of practical advice, all wrapped in a delightful narrative style.

Join us for a magical journey through real estate with Wayne's imaginative examples, including Peter Peter's pumpkin shell dwelling, an elf-occupied hollow tree, and even a hobbit hole. This episode is perfect for anyone who loves fairy tale retellings, humorous storytelling, and a fresh, fun take on real-world problems.

For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

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The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more information, be sure to check out our website: https://foodforthoughtaudio.com/