The Story Ark Podcast

The Story Ark Podcast

All aboard the Story Ark! Join Captain Kenny Mears as he takes you on a curated voyage through stories told by storytellers from all over the world. From river rafting misadventures to praying bears and unknown fairy tales, these stories are bound to delight and leave you laughing, crying, or just plain inspired! The Story Ark releases every Monday. The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more content and information on this and other shows, be sure to follow us on social media and check out our website, foodforthoughtaudio.com.

Episodes

July 7, 2025 16 mins

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears invites you on a voyage that explores themes of uniqueness, self-esteem, and embracing our differences. In a world where feeling "out of place" can lead to bullying, it's crucial to remember that our individuality makes us beautiful.

This episode features a powerful rendition of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, "The Ugly Duckling," as told by our friend, professional storytel...

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Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears sets sail on a journey into the incredibly sentimental world of cherished objects. We all have those items that hold a special place in our hearts, and for many, it's a beloved childhood blanket or "blankie."

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, acclaimed storyteller Ginger Parkinson shares a true-life tale from her family's past: "The Blankie Tale." Join Ginger and her four s...

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Join Captain Kenny Mears on the Story Ark for an unforgettable episode featuring Wayne Kartchner, a masterful storyteller and member of the Utah Storytelling Guild. This isn't your typical folk tale; it's a darkly comedic monologue delivered by a demon named Timmy, who informs all listeners they've unexpectedly perished due to a bizarre, virus-laden Furby app.

In this unique audio experience, Timmy, a reluctant arbiter between heave...

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June 16, 2025 9 mins

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Join Captain Kenny Mears on a delightful voyage into the heart of Ukrainian folklore. In this episode, we're honored to feature Laurie Allen, a seasoned storyteller and friend of the show, as she shares arguably Ukraine's most famous folktale: "The Mitten."

Folk tales offer a unique window into different cultures, and this timeless story is no exception. Follow young Yvon as he ventures out into the sno...

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June 9, 2025 12 mins

Welcome aboard the Story Ark! This week, Captain Kenny Mears navigates the currents of influence and impression. We all encounter people who leave their mark, for better or worse, and today's storyteller, Jeff Driggs, shares a humorous and insightful true story about a particularly memorable sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Morris.

Join Jeff, President of the Utah Storytelling Guild, as he recounts the perplexing and sometimes exasperating...

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June 2, 2025 13 mins

Ahoy, story lovers! Captain Kenny Mears welcomes you aboard the Story Ark for a journey into the ever-evolving world of folklore. This episode features the enchanting voice of Lora Schmidt, a seasoned storyteller with over 30 years of experience, as she shares her delightful British rendition of the classic tale, "Mollie Whuppie."

Join us as Lora weaves a spellbinding tale of a clever young girl named Mollie Whuppie who, along with ...

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May 26, 2025 7 mins

On this special Memorial Day episode of The Story Ark, Captain Kenny Mears invites listeners on a poignant voyage into family history and wartime sacrifice. Guest storyteller Wayne Kartchner shares the remarkable and heartbreaking story of his Uncle Yelmer, a young Navy tail gunner during World War II.

At just 17, Yelmer and his brother Irvin joined the Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor. While Irvin served as a cook on a bat...

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Step aboard the Story Ark for a special episode hosted by Kenny Mears, where we spotlight the heartfelt storytelling of Wayne Kartchner. This episode features two moving pieces from Wayne: a poignant poem, "Davis County Jail," and a touching family story, "My Best Buy."

In "Davis County Jail," Wayne offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of those seeking solace and redemption within the chapel of a county jail. Through vivid imag...

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Step aboard the Story Ark with your host, Kenny Mears, as we set sail on a journey through one of humanity’s oldest traditions: storytelling. In this episode, we explore the enduring appeal of the "wise fool" tale with a special performance of “Silly Hans,” a classic story by Hans Christian Andersen.

Renowned storyteller and ventriloquist Randel McGee joins us, channeling Andersen himself to bring this whimsical Danish folktale to l...

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May 5, 2025 7 mins

All aboard The Story Ark! In this enchanting episode, Captain Kenny Mears invites listeners to set sail on a heartwarming journey of love, compromise, and family with the story "Ratonita," brought to life by storyteller Wayne Kartchner.

Travel to the vibrant streets of Cobán, Guatemala, where Mita, a beautiful little mouse, and Vajo, a shy house finch, find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance. Against the odds-and across spec...

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Welcome aboard The Story Ark! In today’s episode, Captain Kenny Mears takes us on a journey that challenges how we see heroes and villains. Featuring master storyteller Laurie Allen, we hear the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood—but this time, it's from the wolf’s perspective.

What if the "Big Bad Wolf" wasn’t so bad after all? Laurie’s humorous and heartfelt retelling reveals a misunderstood mother just looking for a little ad...

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April 21, 2025 13 mins

Is there life after death? Can love transcend the divide between the living and the dead? These are the questions Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson seeks to ask us with her story "The Cat and The Camellias."

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 fi...

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April 14, 2025 7 mins

Some stories are full of magic and whimsy, with talking animals and a little adventure. This is one of those stories children tell that their parents simply won't believe. Join friend of the show and masterful storyteller Wayne Kartchner as he shares the story of George Bunny.

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

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Love requires effort and sacrifice, a giving of one's self to their partner. Beyond that, love requires courage, especially at the start to talk to that one special someone. This is the story of how one brave young man asked the love of his life to a dance, was rejected, and tried again.

For more information on the Utah Storytelling Guild, check out their website: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website

For more information on Step...

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March 31, 2025 13 mins

The Appalachian Mountains are ancient and full of spooks, from ghosts and conjuring women to "boogers," creatures of a supernatural nature permeate the region. Join storyteller Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson as she shares a classic Appalachian spook story, Taily Po. This story is bound to entertain, terrify, and delight even the bravest of listeners!

Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson is a member of the Utah Storytelling Guild, for more informati...

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March 24, 2025 17 mins

Families can be complicated, and the stories we tell about them often reflect that. Join storyteller John Harrison as he shares about the complexities of his parentage and discovering more about his long lost father.

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Some fairy tales are instantly recognizable, and that's a connecting point for many of us. Join storyteller Wayne Kartchner as he spins us a tale of giant pumpkins and fiddling cats from Hubbard County, the fantastical county founded by Old Mother Hubbard.

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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Life is hard, especially if you're constantly on the move, or have rough relationships. It can often feel like you are adrift, without an anchor to hold you in place. That is what life was like for Kaitlynn as she dealt with loneliness, bullying, and abuse, until she found the power of belief and faith in God.

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Sometimes we find ourselves in hard situations that may seem impossible to get out of. That's exactly the kind of situation Mahonri found himself in. In too deep and wanting desperately to serve God through a mission, this is the story of how he took a step of faith and had miracles happen.

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Life is hard, we all know it. Many of us put our faith in something greater to help us through the hardship. Join us for part 1 of Mahonri's story as he shares the trials and faith-building that happened in his journey to finishing high school.

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