The Apple Seed

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers. This weeks' stories features traditional and modern ballads, one of the world’s oldest storytelling forms, used for centuries to preserve epic events, big emotions, and pivotal moments in human history.

(00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne.

(01:26) "Barbara Allen" by Josh Goforth. A traditional ballad, "Barbara Allen," which is more than 300 years old and reflects the enduring storytelling culture of the Appalachian region.

(10:29) "Building a Doorway to Story," by Sam Payne. A story about when Sam and his siblings helped his dad build a special bookshelf, that held a record player. And how that record player helped him find the doorway to some of the great works of famous poets and musicians.

(14:52) "Hammers of Steel - The Ballad of John Henry" by Charlotte Blake Alston. A powerful spoken ballad about the legendary American folk hero John Henry, who famously challenged a steam-powered machine in a battle of human strength versus modern technology.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner.

Assistant Producers - Madie Clasby, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson
Post-Production Supervisor - Trent Reimschussel
Editor - Madie Clasby
Audiovisual Technician - Kiplin Merrill
Post-Production Audio Engineers - Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril

Today we bring you a special bonus episode featuring some of the National Youth Storytellers.

(00:00) Sam's Intro
(1:22) June Elyse Willingham tells a traditional folk tale, "Lazy Jack."
(9:29) Tessa Taggart tells an original story based on one of her ancestors called "Tessa's Mostly True Story."
(15:44) Ender Rasmussen shares an original folktale called "How Sparrow Earned Its Wings."
(19:50) Annabelle Larson tells a spooky story, "The Camping Trip."
(24:18) Ariana Watts tells an original folk tale, "The Red Dragon."

If you want to learn more about the National Youth Storytelling program go to: nationalyouthstorytelling.org.

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers. Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about how catastrophizing everyday problems can turn simple disagreements into lasting conflicts and how self-awareness can be the solution.

(00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne.

(01:14) "Bastianello" by Donna Washington. A humorous story in which a newly married couple and their in-laws become consumed by a problem that hasn’t yet occurred. As conflict escalate, the story reveals how catastrophic thinking can complicate situations that might otherwise be easily resolved.

(15:28) "Calls with Mom" by Sam Payne. A story about the conversations Sam's wife has with their daughter when she is paralyzed with worry, and the questions that help his daughter become proactive with her fears.

(19:13) "Is Not Is Too" - Bill Harley tells a a witty a song about siblings locked in a cycle of constant disagreement. Each is convinced the other is the problem, and the ongoing conflict illustrates how an unwillingness to share responsibility can prevent even simple disputes from being resolved.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner.

Assistant Producers - Madie Clasby, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson
Post-Production Supervisor - Trent Reimschussel
Editor - Madie Clasby
Audiovisual Technician - Kiplin Merrill
Post-Production Audio Engineers - Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers that explore healing from grief and trauma through storytelling, showing how stories can restore, connect, and bring meaning long after painful experiences.

(00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne.

(01:38) "The Twice Saved Life" by Alton Takiyama-Chung. A powerful true story from history. Alton recounts the life of Solly Gaynor, a young Jewish boy who survived the Holocaust and later found healing from the trauma decades after the horrific events by meeting the Japanese man who saved him and by sharing his story.

(10:43) "Years Later," by Sam Payne. A heartfelt tale about about how a story can ripple forward through the years. While moving 50 miles away on his own, Sam experienced a moment that later returned unexpectedly, blessing his life and reminding him of the enduring impact of kindness.

(16:23) "The Story Stone" by Dovie Thomason. An ancient Haudenosaunee story about a grieving young boy. Through learning, carrying, and sharing stories, the boy begins to heal, illustrating how traditional storytelling has long been a pathway to emotional healing and wisdom.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner.

Assistant Producers - Madie Clasby, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson
Post-Production Supervisor - Trent Reimschussel
Editor - Madie Clasby
Audiovisual Technician - DJ Cromarty
Post-Production Audio Engineers - Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about practical jokes, misunderstandings, and mishaps that turn into lasting family memories.

(01:20) "Damien's Limp" - Geraldine Buckley tells a funny and surprising childhood story about her jokester brother who loved to torment her, until one day he began limping and a doctor feared he might have polio, leading to an unexpected turn.

(17:57) Sam tells a story about his siblings and how they never stop teasing and poking fun at one another, no matter how old they get.

(21:29) "Three Cowboys" - Tim Lowry tells a humorous campfire story about three cowboys reminiscing about the comforts of home, which leads them into a lively conversation about ridiculous and unforgettable pets.

Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers Madie Clasby, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.