The Story Show: Recent Episodes
The Story Show
Bev Cotter Jackson returns at our January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show with a story about growing up in Albert Lea in a time when much of what appeared on the supper table was a little wild (squirrel anyone?) and certainly not purchased at the grocery store. Bev has carried with her many of the lessons she learned from her parents approach to food during those early years.
In this season's final episode, Shane talks about the creation of the Food for Backpacks Program (the beneficiary organization for the Pass the Plate Story Show) as an introduction to the show's closing story by Janece Jeffrey. "Nothing on the Plate" was inspired by a real student of Janece's shrugging with food insecurity. Check it out here.
Only twice have we featured poets on the Story Show. This episode features the playful poetry of 11 year old Zachary Heiken.
In this story from our January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show, chef and musician Bob Tewes shares this piece of fiction about need, service, and shared meals.
Jeff Zoller is a man who sees life through the lens of food. Prepare yourself for laughter as you listen to this story from our January 2020 Story Show.
Often the difference between a young person "making it" or not is having a relationship with a mentor, a special adult who invests time and attention into that child's life. "My Uncle Luke" is a story about such a relationship. Pam Johnson performed her story live at our January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show.
While language and cultural barriers can make connecting with strangers challenging, sharing food often helps bring us together. Angie, Shane, and Jeremy chat about the power of shared meals before introducing world traveler Ross Pirsig's story about globe trotting and sharing food with new friends. Ross's story was recorded at the January 2020 Pass the Plate Story Show,
Our long-delayed second episode for season 6 comes from our January 11, 2020 Story Show recorded at the Marion Ross Performing Art Center in Albert Lea, MN. In "The Anatomy of Giving," Jane Bute shares memories of her stepson, Derek and asks us to reflect on legacies, on what we leave behind.
So much has happened since our last release. Season 5 ended in early January, and now we're looking at distance learning, mass work stoppages, social distancing, and quarantining across the globe. While we adjust to all of this new stuff, The Story Show Podcast is asking listeners to submit audio recordings sharing how they're dealing with things. Angie, Shane, and Jeremy chat about this and share details on how to submit your pandemic stories in this first episode of season 6
Jeremy and Angie chat with Janece Jeffrey, a storyteller from the summer 2019 Light My Fire Story Show. Check out the interview and her story here.
Ralph Waldo Emerson famously suggested that we should say what we mean today, and if we change our minds tomorrow, say it again just as passionately even if we sound like hypocrites. In other words, have an open mind because you might learn a thing or two and change a few major opinions over the years."A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines," he said. The trouble is that it takes a great deal of self-awareness, humility, and courage to publicly own our inconsistencies. This episode's story comes from a teen who did just that in her story from our July 2019 Story Show.
Most of could easily name four or five people who have given our lives shape, either as children or somewhere along our journey as adults. In this episode, veteran storyteller Bev Jackson Cotter shares a series of vignettes highlighting influential women in her life.
All children become obsessed with something at one time or another. Most of these obsessions are harmless, but sometimes they can lead to danger, especially when outside the view and protection of parents. "The Dancing Flame" is Christopher Welter's tale of childhood obsession. Check out this poignant--and funny--story from our July 2019 "Light My Fire" Story Show.
Poems are a rarity at The Story Show, but we had two great ones in August 2019. Check out Paul Heyl's "A Kestrel and Salamanders" and "The Johnson Barn at Midnight." These long-form narrative poems are filled with wonderful imagery and humor too.
"Fire is powerful, as a tool, a metaphor, an enemy," so Brad Kramer opens his story from the January 2019 Light My Fire Story Show. Check out Brad's story here.
Scott Pirsig takes us on another journey into the Canadian wilderness in his return to the Story Show, encountering challenges he'd never faced before in all his previous ventures. Scott's story is a testament to the power of writing as a form of self discovery. The episode starts with Shane, Angie, and Jeremy interviewing Scott. His performance at the August 2019 Story Show follows.
What would you do if stranded in Cherbourg, France late at night with little money and no place to stay? Jenny Corey-Gruenes shares what her 20 year-old self did back in the day. Would she do it again? Well . . . Check out this hilarious story in the latest episode of The Story Show Podcast.
Admitting defeat can be incredibly difficult, especially when it comes to commitments we've made that touch on our core values, the ideals and principles we hold most sacred. In "Dear Dudley" Mariah Maras shares how a shelter cat once brought her to her knees and led her to do something she never thought she'd do.
"What are the odds that a 3-pound newborn girl whose mother is dying of tuberculosis will survive?" Jen Vogt-Erickson returns with the story of the young immigrant woman who quietly stepped up, giving that baby girl shelter, and leaving an indelible mark on Jen's family.
In this hilarious story from the January 2019 "Give Me Shelter" show, Jim Haney reflects on different roles his pets have played in his life. Before the story, Angie, Jeremy, and Shane discuss pressing topics such as '80s sitcoms.
As we age we need to find new ways to do old things, to accommodate our changing needs to the world around us. That's true for our pets too. Jim Wichmann returns to The Story Show this season with a heartfelt story full of wit and gravity.
A candidate for political office is asked in a live radio debate what his position on "sanctuary cities" is, which causes him to reflect on his early experiences with diversity and acceptance.
Being stranded in a ditch on a cold winter day presents a number of challenges when one is neither mechanically inclined nor in possession of a cell phone. David Behling tells his story while questioning how and why we choose to give shelter to those in need today.
The Story Show’s 4th season kicks off with our first children’s story. This season’s stories share the common theme of Give Me Shelter. Check out Edith Haenel’s “There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.”
Growing up, we don't often see our parents as men and women with their own identities beyond "Mom" and "Dad," real people with their own joys, challenges, and sorrows. But the first time we do can leave an indelible mark. Shane Koepke shares one of these moments in his return to The Story Show with "First Roller Coaster Ride."
In high school she hid an essential part of herself because of fear and intimidation before finally taking full ownership of her true identify. Check out Luz Ruiz's story of letting her light shine.
Great things can happen when ordinary people get engaged, come together, and work to solve problems on the local level. Check out this story from Jerry Gabrielatos.
When someone says, "You're so talented," do they really understand what that means to the one they're complimenting? College student Solveig Lange delves beyond the surface of such comments in this story from last summer's Let Your Light Shine show.
How do those early social conflicts and attempts at fitting in shape us? In this episode 15 year-old Ava recalls a playground conflict that led her to question social norms and how much we should bend for acceptance.
A young woman struggles with a life-threatening disease and reaches some life-changing conclusions in this inspiring story by college student Alexa Drescher.
A broke college student runs into a rather unexpected Good Samaritan at a Boston Bar in this story from Nate Peterson. You'll laugh. We promise.
Jeremy & Angie discuss the January 2019 "Give Me Shelter" story show and introduce Episode 2's story, "The Doer & The Dreamer" by Holly Karsjens
Jeremy and Angie announce the next Story Show date and do a call for submissions for stories with the theme of "Give Me Shelter." The episode ends with the opening story from the Season 3 "Let your Light Shine" Story Show, Lindsay Kramer's "The Butterfly Effect."
What's your grandmother hiding? In this hilarious recording from the January 2018 Story Show, Shane Koepke shares a story about being "out of the loop" with family secret.
An innocent comment from a child sends a woman into a whirlwind of self doubt in this powerful story, "Pregnant Pause" from the January 2018 Invisibility Story Show.
Prior to playing Ella Zelenak's story "No Man's Land," Jeremy, Amanda, and Riley announce the names of the eight storytellers for the July show, and Angie makes two startling confessions about her past.
Jeremy & Riley chat at The Interchange coffee bar in Albert Lea before introducing Thomas Delano's story "Inheritance" from the January 2018 Invisibility Story Show.
Jeremy announces an extension of the submission deadline for July's show and reflects on gun violence in America. Olivia Brown shares the story of her brother Spencer's tragic death and the comfort she finds in nature.
Jeremy urges listeners to submit stories for the July show by June 14th and reflects on Anthony Bourdain's passing. "Go Bless Yourself" by Tony Johanson addresses invisibile conditions.
First-year college student Maddie Willey reflects on the challenges of advocating for oneself and for one's thoughts.
Exciting stuff is happening with The Story Show--a new podcast, a new website, and a new show! This episode includes an official call for submissons for our July 26th show with the theme "Let Your Light Shine." The episode concludes with a teaser for Season 2 with Neal Skaar's opening story from January's "Invisibility" show.
Mina shares the challenges of growing up as one of the few African Americans in her predominantly white hometown and her subsequent journey toward authoring her own identity.
Mai shares encounters with sexism and discrimination through anecdotes of her childhood in Vietnam and her teens in Minnesota.
A psychologist for 37 years, David Larson reflects on his own journey to peace and the wisdom he has gained from those he's counseled over the years.
Jen Zoller reflects on the necessity of choosing peace in the face of tragedy and unexpected change.
The story of Auschwitz survivor Kazimierz Piechowski and Ross Pirsig's quest to meet him.
Freelance writer and activist Jennifer Vogt-Erickson reflects on responses to violence . . . and Ted Nugent.
Ann Austin's philosophical reflection on seeking peace, from childhood experiences with death to responding to national tragedy.
Four writers with local ties share original stories on a common theme in Act 2 of the Seeking Peace Story Show.
Recorded live at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in Albert Lea, MN on August 10, 2017, five writers with local ties share original stories on a common theme in Act 1 of the Seeking Peace Story Show.