The Apple Seed

Latest Episodes:

Lessons from Our Neighbors - Stories for the Whole Family by Donald Davis and Josh Goforth Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about neighbors and how they can be a great influence our lives and the lives of our children. (00:00) Intro by host, Sam Payne. (1:30) "Corporal Smith" by Donald Davis. A story about a time in elementary school, when Donald interviewed the neighborhood highway patrolman and got a little first hand experience about what the job is like. (14:29) "Back to the Neighborhood," by Sam Payne. A story about when him and his brother had a run in with the law and how later in life he did a bit more investigation on the officer that ended their trouble, allowing him to connect back to the people of his childhood neighborhood. (18:18) "Guitar Medley" by Josh Goforth. A story about how Josh learned some of the classic music of Madison County, North Carolina. He accompanies the story with songs that include "The Wildwood Flower" and "Under the Double Eagle." 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

Bridging Two Worlds - Stories for the Whole Family by Jasmin Cardenas and Motoko Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about bridging the gap between different parts of ourselves and our lives. (0:00) Intro by host Sam Payne. (01:48) "How I Became a Bilingual Teacher" by Jasmin Cardenas. A story about when Jasmin was Story Bus Educator, meaning she drove around in what she calls a museum on wheels and visited elementary schools. At one particular school, she had an opportunity to connect to her roots and help a little boy named Elmer engage in the classroom. (09:39) "My Character Traits" by Sam Payne. A story about the introverted parts of Sam that he desires to retain even when they conflict with the more out-loud pieces of his life. (12:55) "Golden Eye of the Fighting Cricket" by Motoko. An ancient Chinese folktale about cricket fighting and how a struggling family must find the superior cricket champion in order for the father to keep his job. 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

Stumbling Into Adventure - Stories for the Whole Family by Bil Lepp and Geraldine Buckley Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about finding unexpected adventures. (00:00) Intro by host Sam Payne (01:30) "Lessons from East Berlin" by Bil Lepp. Bil's story about visiting East Berlin on a high school exchange program and being cornered by a huge guard. (13:50) "My Trip to Japan" by Sam Payne. A story about a trip to Japan where good guides led Sam through unfamiliar circumstances. (16:54) "Tatton Hall" by Geraldine Buckley. Always wanting to find a secret passageway, Geraldine was thrilled when, as a young girl, she visited an neo-classical mansion with her class. 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

Heroic Rodents - Stories for the Whole Family by Dovie Thomason and Alton Takiyama-Chung Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about rodents, and uncommonly heroic ones at that. These mice and this gerbil may have a lesson or two to teach you about the consequences of the choices we make. (00:00) Introduction by host, Sam Payne. (01:25) "Mice Make Peace" by Dovie Thomason. A story about the mice that live among Haudenosaunee. The mice live a peaceful life until the men secretly plan to go to war with their neighbors. (13:49) "Befriending the Cat Family" by Sam Payne. A heartwarming story about the thought and care Sam's family put in to take care of a group of wild cats. (18:24) "Model Rocketry" by Alton Takiyama-Chung. A thrilling story about how Alton and a few of his friends from his middle-school science club decide to make rockets from Oreo creme. They bring along their class pet, Fred, an animated, adventurous gerbil. What could go wrong? 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 - James Call and Kiplin Merril

Know the Code - Stories for the Whole Family by Lyn Ford and Mara Menzies Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the rules the we both grow up with and the ones we learn that guide us through life. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:24) "Opossum and Snake" by Lyn Ford. A story about a sneaky snake trying to trick a gullible possum into ignoring what his parents had taught him. (13:34) "My Code of Life" by Sam Payne. A story about growing up with a code of conduct created by his mom and how certain circumstances can challenge those codes for better or worse. (16:38) "Nyamgondho" - Mara Menzies tells a story about a fisherman who pulls a blessing, in the form of a girl, from the sea. In order to keep his blessing, he must keep his promises to her. Will he be able to keep his promises as the years roll by? 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

Fractured Magic - Stories for the Whole Family by Kim Weitkamp and Willy Clafin Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers. Both of today's stories are based on classic tales such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk. Our storytellers have taken their own spin and fractured these classic tales to give us something new. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:45) "So What and Drop Dead" by Willy Clafin. This is told by Maynard Moose, Willy's puppet friend. This fractured tale is about a time when Snow White and Rose Red have a run in with a nastified dwarfy bearded man. (10:55) "Careful With Your Words" by Sam Payne. A story about a time when Sam and his wife reflect on the words they said during a heated conversation and gain perspective on how we should use our words with the people we love. (14:01) "Jack and the Jellybean Stalk" by Kim Weitkamp. A story about a boy named Jack who moves to a new village and learns how to make new friends, one of whom is a giant. 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 - James Call and Kiplin Merril

Learning to Serve - Stories for the Whole Family by Bil Lepp and Antonio Sacre Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the act of giving and the act of being given to in times of need. Those acts can be some of the best moments for reflection and growth. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:32) "Canned Beets and Peas" by Bil Lepp. A heartfelt story about how Bil first learned who the poor were and how his donations to his local canned food drives were forever changed. (14:10) "The Cheneys" by Sam Payne. A story about a time when Sam was asked to sing at the funeral of his former English professor. And how the stories told by other students during that funeral helped Sam remembered how this English professor opened his home to help struggling, far from home college students, including himself. (18:21) "A Mango in the Hand" by Antonio Sacre. A fictional story based on the real "dichos," or saying that Antonio's father would tell him, as well as the neighborhood where his grandmother lived and the mango tree in her backyard. 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

Epic Ballads - Stories for the Whole Family by Charlotte Blake Alston and Josh Goforth Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

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

Bonus - National Youth Storytellers Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

Family Drama - Stories for the Whole Family by Donna Washington and Bill Harley Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

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

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