The Story Show

A talented and dynamic speaker, Hannah Bergstrom de Leon closes the October 2023 Blaze Your Trail show with her story about the fruits of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Angie, Jeremy, and Shane chat about anti-imposter syndrom, curling, and the nature of time in this final episode of Season 7.

Story Show veteran Jen Vogt-Erickson returns to the show with a story about multiple generations of her family. Many of Jen's ancestors came to the US during the latter half of the 19th century and settled on land in Minnesota and the Dakota Territory due to the Homestead Act of 1862. These are the people she thought of when she first heard the theme “Blaze Your Trail.” At the time she was also reading a book on climate change called The Parrot and the Igloo and noticed how it intersected with this period and her family's history in the U.S. 

It's the early '70s, and four bright high school boys with a passion for chess are faced with a challenge: How to compete for a Minnesota state high school chess championship when you have no coach. In another story from our 2023 "Blaze Your Trail" Story Show, Kelly Callahan shares how he and his friends did just that when students had a little more freedom than they perhaps do today. 

In this episode from our October 2023 Blaze Your Trail show, a college student shares a tale of reckless adventure that quite literally sent him over the edge. Looking back, he discusses how the adrenaline rush of that moment has since given way to a valuable life lesson: there are more important--and less physically dangerous--risks to take in life. Be ready to laugh as you listen to this story about growing up, learning from mistakes, and finding balance between thrill-seeking and wisdom.

In the fourth story from our October 2023 Blaze Your Trail Story Show, educator Monica Ocampo shares her story about navigating through the public education system, college, and graduate school as a Latina and the first in her family to attend college in the U.S.

This episode features another story from our October 2023 "Blaze Your Trail" show. Burke Egner moved to Austin, Minnesota 11 years ago with his wife and two sons, and he's a career and tech education teacher for nearby Albert Lea Area Schools. Burke encourages everyone to embrace their inner unicorns and "be the one" with this children's story about the power of overcoming fear and self acceptance.

Innocent mistakes from our youth sometimes remain with us decades later, inspiring us to re-evaluate both our past and present actions. In this episode, Scott Pirsig returns to Story Show for Season 7 with another wilderness story, this time exploring the tension between our healthy engageent in nature and the inevitable impacts we make upon it. Jeremy, Angie, and Shane chat about the story first and remind listerners of the upcoming December 15, 2024 submission deadline for the February 8, 2025 show.

In the opening story from the October 2023 "Blaze Your Trail" Story Show, a retired teacher reflects on the routines that shape our lives and her post retirement efforts to seek and blaze new trails for herself. 

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.