The Apple Seed

Latest Episodes:

Stories That Heal - Stories for the Whole Family by Alton Takiyama-Chung and Dovie Thomason Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

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

Pulling Your Leg - Stories for the Whole Family by Geraldine Buckley and Tim Lowry Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about practical jokes, misunderstandings, and mishaps that turn into lasting family memories. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:20) "Damien's Limp" by Geraldine Buckley. 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) "Siblings Never Change" by Sam Payne. 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" by Tim Lowry. 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.

Sow Today, Reap Tomorrow - Stories for the Whole Family by Mara Menzies and Kim Weitkamp Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about small acts, choices, and habits can make a big impact on individuals and communities. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:39) "Mzee Chomba" by Mara Menzies. A powerful folktale about an elderly man who tries to stop people from fighting, only to be ignored as the conflict escalates, illustrating how the absence of small acts of peace can lead to great harm. (13:41) "Practice or No Practice?" by Sam Payne. A story about how his piano lessons, and how either practicing consistently or ignoring practicing daily, affected both his musical abilities and those of his piano teacher. (17:15) "Work Then Play" by Kim Weitkamp. A playful and instructive story about a hardworking ant named Zia and a lazy grasshopper named Yohoppy, offering a lesson about effort, responsibility, and long-term rewards. 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.

New Stories for a New Year - Stories for the Whole Family by Bill Harley and Lyn Ford Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the unexpected moments that arise when we begin new adventures, and the surprises that often come with trying something new. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:20) "Bear's Party" by Bill Harley. A playful and imaginative story about Bear, who plans a party on the night of a full moon, while his friends worry that no one will show up. (12:39) "Unexpected Birthday Wishes" by Sam Payne. A story about his brother's third birthday, when his family attempted a ranger-guided tour of Timpanogos Cave, and discovered how unpredictable adventures can be. (17:50) "How Some Stories Came to Be" by Lyn Ford. A traditional story from the Zulu storytelling tradition about a mother named Manzendaba, who sets out on a journey to find stories for her children. 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.

Christmas Memories - Stories for the Whole Family by Donald Davis and Bill Lepp Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Gather your family for heartwarming Christmas stories from great storytellers sharing memories, traditions, and moments that capture the magic of the holiday season. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (1:22) "The Time It Snowed" by Donald Davis. A memorable Christmas story from his father’s childhood involving pneumonia, a bear, and, of course, Santa Claus. (15:22) "Christmas Shopping with Dad" by Sam Payne. A story about a Christmas from his own childhood when his father took him to the store to pick out some unusual gifts for his siblings. (19:43) "Christmas Candles" by Bill Lepp. A story about the candles he received at every Christmas Eve church service and how he turned them into a game of patience that he now plays with his children. 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.

Light the World - Christmas Time Acts of Service Stories from Our Appleseed Storytellers Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

In this special Christmas episode, we are celebrating the spirit of the season through stories of service, generosity, and light. The Appleseed is brought to you by BYUradio which is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each year The Church sponsors a worldwide initiative called Light the World, focused on spreading kindness and serving others during the holidays. For this episode, we reached out to the storytellers you know and love from The Apple Seed, inviting them to share acts of service that have had a lasting impact on their lives. Featured storytellers include: (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:40) Kim Weitkamp (05:45) Tim Lowry (09:44) Antonio Sacre (11:45) Sam Payne (17:23) Bil Lepp (19:27) Sheila Arnold We hope these inspiring Christmas stories encourage you think of the ways you can reach out and serve others during the holiday season and spark memories of Christmas time service that you can share with the people you love. To find ideas and opportunities to serve, visit lighttheworld.org and discover ways to experience the joy of helping others at Christmastime. 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.

Walking with my Sister - Stories for the Whole Family by Kevin Kling and Charlotte Blake Alston Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about sisters whose courage, care, and example create life-changing moments. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:06) "Walking to School with my Sister" by Kevin Kling. A tender personal story about what he observed when his siblings walked him to and from school, revealing the power of sibling support and shared experiences. (09:16) "Dream or Reality?" by Sam Payne. A story about an unusual memory of his sister, possibly a dream, that captures her personality and shows how she continues to inspire him to be brave. (13:12) "Thakane the Brave" by Charlotte Blake Alston. A story about an orphan girl who must face a fearsome beast to help her brothers prove themselves and become men. 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.

BONUS: The Christmas Jars Podcast Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Enjoy another podcast from the Apple Seed team: The Christmas Jars Podcast. New York Times bestselling author Jason Wright shares a true story of an act of service that made a big difference for a family in real need. You can find to the full season of The Christmas Jars Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or at byuradio.org/christmas-jars. You can even watch the movie based on the Christmas Jars book right there on byuradio.org! If you're looking for more ways to serve this Christmas season, then the annual Light the World campaign can give you a lot of ideas. Visit lighttheworld.org to learn more.

Forbidden Holiday Fun - Stories for the Whole Family by Kim Weitkamp Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about some winter adventures, forbidden fun, and stretching of tales to preposterous proportions. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:21) "The Forbidden Souped-up Sled Ride" by Kim Weitkamp. A hilarious tall tale about the time her Uncle Norm fixed her broken sled by adding a jet-propulsion engine, resulting in an unexpected and unforgettable flight over her small town. (19:07) "Off to the Races" by Sam Payne. A story about a Klondike Derby, where his Boy Scout troop built sleds to race against other troops during a cold-weather campout (22:47) "Let's Go Sledding" by Kim Weitkamp and Sam Payne. Sam accompanies Kim as she sings a playful song about sledding. 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.

Race for Your Life - Stories for the Whole Family by Bil Lepp and Lyn Ford Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the moments in life that teach us courage and bravery, even in the face of risk or danger, and how those early acts of courage can benefit us throughout our lives. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:22) "Fire Bike" by Bil Lepp. A humorous and high-energy childhood story about a time when his friend Elmore set out to impress a girl by attempting the daring and ill-advised feat of setting his bike chain on fire. (16:07) "A Childhood Crush" by Sam Payne. A personal story and reflection on the things we do to impress someone we like, and how those moments of bravery help us develop confidence and courage that serve us later in life. (18:31) "Rabbit and Old Man" by Lyn Ford. A traditional folktale about featuring the rabbit from many children’s stories, who sneaks into an old man’s garden to steal vegetables when the old man finally catches him, testing Rabbit’s cleverness and courage. 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.

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