Telling the stories behind the everyday storytellers and the stories they tell. Join us every other week as you get introduced to another storyteller and the stories they are sharing with the world. Hold on! We aren’t just introducing you to your typical storytellers and authors, we want you to be inspired by the people who are telling stories everyday to connect, educate, and inspire their audience. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to share your story with a new audience of your choosing.
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Our next guest is the performer/influencer/roleplayer, Betty Kay Merkle! Join us as we discuss her love of theater and performing, vocal coaching, the joys of playing roleplaying games and using them to tell stories, as well as playing those games for performance on the internet. No matter what the role, she follows the philosophy of creating more …
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S2Ep2: Storytime- Teacher Appreciation Week
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13:18Welcome to our first Storytime Episode of Season 2. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking time to share stories of those teachers who have inspired us the most! Special Thanks to: Mr. Yo…
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Our first guest of Season 2 is WHO TV13 Sports Director, Keith Murphy! Join us as we discuss his path from athlete to sports reporter, covering the Gainesville Ripper, making the move to the great state of Iowa, and what makes a great sports story. Storytime: The Gate Crashing El Camino *After recording, Keith corrected himself and let me know the …
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Welcome to Once There Was a Podcast! It’s almost time for Season 2! Episode 1 will be released on April 28th! We have some exciting guests this season who are looking to share their stories with you. We’re also looking to hear some of your stories! Check the Storytime Submission Link below to find out more information! Otherwise, check us out on In…
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Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! It’s the start of the longest, short month of the year. The days are finally getting longer. We’ve all gone a little stir-crazy from being inside and not getting enough sunlight. In the school systems, we have someone who can help with that: the school counselor. This week is National School Counselor’s Week! W…
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Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! ‘Twas the day before Christmas and you’ve come for a tale. Sit right there because here’s one I will regale. This week we have one of my favorite memories from Christmas past. This story includes food, family, neighbors, and a “friendly” game of hearts. Special Thanks to: Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daught…
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Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! It’s the busiest travel day of the year and you’ve come to the right place! Here at Once There Was a Podcast, we have the perfect audio media for your plane, train, or automobile ride as you cross the country. In honor of the holiday, we even have a holiday bonus episode to start up your holiday spirit! Enjoy y…
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Bonus Interview: There Was a Season 1 Recap
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56:30Back in June when I was interviewing Shawn Peterson, he suggested I do a talkback episode at some point where we flip the script and someone else interviews me about the podcast. Well, here it is. Please welcome back guests and friends of the podcast, Shawn Peterson and Isaiah Stansbery. In this special episode, they pick my brain about what I lear…
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Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! Today 11th day of the 11th month. Here in the U.S., we observe Veteran’s Day. Today is a special day of gratitude and thankfulness. Find a veteran today and thank them for their service. Special Thanks to: All of our Veteran’s My Father My Uncles My Granpa My former students Isaiah Stansbery Alex (my sound guru…
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Ep24: Storytime- The Invader/People Are Important
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16:52Welcome to the Season 1 finale! We end the first season with a storytime episode. This week’s storytime is a two-parter. We begin with a press conference from an extra-terrestrial invader. Their message is not one of peace but one that forces reflection by the people of Earth. Then, you’ll hear the brief story of the origins of the podcast’s sign-o…
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Ep23: There Was a Table of Friends Rolling Dice
1:14:14
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1:14:14The final interview of Season 1 is upon us! Our guests (PLURAL?!?) this week, are my college buddies and gaming friends: Mike Barkse, Joe Murphree, and Jordan Zumberge! We discuss the joys of tabletop roleplaying games (aka TTRPGs such as Dungeons and Dragons), designing characters, telling stories collectively, and Joe’s notoriously bad dice rolls…
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Welcome to our next Storytime episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. It’s also cold and flu season in school districts so please forgive my voice as I fought through congestion this past week! This week I share a story about a man and …
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Ep21: There Was a Curator of All Things Nerdy
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53:42We recorded on location this week so please forgive our audio quality at times! Our guest this week is Rob Rogers the owner of Limited Edition Comics/Salon! Join us as we discuss how he became the owner of the world’s first comics/salon shop, sharing his collection with the world, and the important stories we find in comics. If you’re looking for a…
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Ep20: To Destroy the Moon! (A Villain's Monologue)
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9:45Welcome to our next Storytime episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a comedic piece I wrote for a student to perform for their acting category in Speech. It’s one of the most off-the-wall, Month Python-esque things I…
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Ep19: There Was a Reminder That Your Story Is Not Over
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32:07It’s National Suicide Prevention Month. Our guest this week is Alyssa Cobie-Nuss! Join us as we discuss how she became a passionate advocate for suicide prevention, her work as a 988 crisis counselor, mental health counseling, and how someone can support suicide prevention organizations. Please, if you or someone you know is having suicidal thought…
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Welcome to our next Storytime episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a letter that is very near and dear to my heart. A letter of wise words and other wisdom that brings a smile to my face any time I read it. Special …
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Ep17: There Was a Fellow Podcaster Our guest this week is Jon Francois! Join us as we discuss how he got into radio, shifted into podcasting, and now helps people reminisce about one of their favorite 90s sitcoms. After listening to this episode, check out the Delicious Recap: a Family Matters Rewatch Podcast! Storytime: Making the Best of a Bad Si…
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Welcome to our next Storytime episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a story that is an homage to teachers everywhere. I love teaching and all those who give their time to teach. This is my shoutout to teachers to let…
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Hello Listeners! I have a quick but exciting announcement! Once There Was a Podcast was nominated for an honors award from the Iowa Podcast Awards! Once There Was a Podcast is eligible for the Emerging Podcast Award among other awards! The Honors Awards will be voted upon by a panel of Iowa Podcasters. In addition to that, any and all nominees for …
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Our guest this week is Mariya Yasinovska! Join us as we discuss how she discovered her love of writing, shifting from Law to English, writing and editing for a paper, and finding stories to tell. Also, as we’ve been discussing for the past month, there might be a little speech talk involved as well. Storytime: A Creation Story Special Thanks to: Ma…
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Ep14: Storyview- For the Love of Speech (A Bromance Story)
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50:05What’s this listeners?!? It’s a storytime week but it sounds like an interview?!? Welcome to the first-ever “Storyview” episode. It was meant to be an interview episode but in hindsight, it’s definitely a story. It is a story of two people developing an enduring friendship (one might even say a bromance) over a shared passion. So, this week we welc…
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Ep13: There Was a Former Professional Wrestler
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1:17:29
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1:17:29Buckle in Listeners! We’ve got a long one! Our guest this week is Shawn Peterson and he’s got stories to tell! Join us as we discuss how he discovered his love of professional wrestling, found his way into the business, and learned how to tell a story in the ring! If you’ve never watched professional wrestling before, you might just have a new unde…
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See the Author's Note Below for some extra information: Welcome to our next Storytime episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I have Claire Britt coming back to narrate two stories that are very personal to me: CJ’s Day Gets R…
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Ep11: There Was a Speech Kid Our guest this week is Claire Britt. Join us as we discuss how she discovered her love of speech, is now studying leadership with a side of leadership, is training in the ROTC, and has found a way to transfer her speech skills to her new pursuits. Over the next month, several interviews will showcase the skills learned …
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Welcome to our next Storytime episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week I share a story about my memories of our family cabin. The cabin has been in my mom’s family for decades. It’s been the place of most of my family vacations…
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It’s the little things in life that make you smile and Once There Was a Podcast just hit 1000 downloads! So today I say thank you and give you a little preview of what to expect for the rest of SEASON 1! Special Thanks to: ALL OF YOU! ALL OF MY GUESTS! Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You Instagram: oncethe…
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Ep9: There Was a Filmmaker Our guest this week is Dave Riemer. Join us as we discuss how he discovered his love of film, got into the business, learned the difference between topic and story, found the power of story, and gained an appreciation for the human spirit. Storytime: Human Perseverance Special Thanks to: Dave Riemer Alex (my sound guru) M…
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Content warning below. Welcome to our next Storytime episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week we brought back our guest from last week, Mady Ney. This week, we share the piece I wrote for her senior year Acting performance, I’m…
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Ep7: There Was a Future Professional Storyteller
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41:53Our guest this week is Mady Ney. Join us as we discuss how she discovered her love of theater, Taylor Swift, three-act structure, her theater and speech career, and where she plans to go from there. Storytime: Shoeless Mady Ney Special Thanks to: Mady Ney Geri Ney Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You Instagram: oncetherewasapod Facebook: O…
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Surprise! A Bonus Episode! I had a backup story this week, just in case Alyssa and I couldn’t find time to record. Instead of sitting on it, I decided to release the story anyway. For your bonus listening pleasure, I present the story of a bunch of people with questionable sensibilities doing something very questionable for a good cause. Special Th…
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Ep6: Storytime- The Proposal Welcome to our third Storytime Episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week we have a special guest, my wife Alyssa. It’s our anniversary this month and she joins me this week as we tell the story about…
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Ep5: There Was a Change Agent Our guest this week is Laura Williams. Join us as we discuss her passion for education, her shift to becoming a change agent, the Jabberwocky, her new book, and which butt cheek you lift when… We’ll leave it at that. Storytime: A Birthday for Brennan Special Thanks to: Laura Williams Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Da…
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Welcome to our second Storytime Episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week is a story pulled from Tracy’s childhood and a morning spent with his father. We will also spend a little time discussing vulnerability. Special Thanks to…
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Ep3: There Was a Visual Artist Our Guest this week is Sarah Pisney. Join us as we discuss her love of art, teaching art, communicating emotions and experiences through art, and now using art to heal. Check our the Instagram links below to see the artwork we discussed and more of Sarah’s work. Storytime: Marching in D.C. Special Thanks to: Sarah Pis…
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Welcome to our first Storytime Episode. On the off weeks from interviews, there will be shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week is a story inspired by last week’s guest, Isaiah Stansbery. We will also spend a little time discussing inspiration. Special Thanks to: Alex (my sound …
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Our guest this week is Isaiah Stansbery. Join us as we discuss his numerous life experiences, his grandfather, his love of the fantasy genre, and why we collect stories. Storytime: A Kinder, Gentler Army Special Thanks to: Isaiah Stansbery Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You Instagram: oncetherewasapod Additional Audio and Music: Franz Go…
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One final preview before we officially begin. Consider it a prologue to the greater story at hand. Today’s episode is about… me? I suppose we could also call this episode, “There Was a Quest”! A short, little episode about who I am and why I’m starting the show. Episode 1 will officially drop next week! Check us out on Instagram for more informatio…
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Welcome to Once There Was a Podcast! It’s time to find out what the show is all about and what to expect in the upcoming weeks! Check us out on Instagram for more information and release dates! Special Thanks to: Alex (my sound guru) My Wife and Daughter You Instagram: oncetherewasapod Additional Audio and Music: Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy…
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