Episodes

Welcome!

Join us as we discuss the world of George MacDonald -- who C.S. Lewis called 'the Teacher'. We jump into his fairytales with Photogen and Nycteris - the day boy and the night girl. We talk about their lives and growth -- And the mad witch who imprisoned them.

In this episode, we’re diving into J.R.R. Tolkien’s Leaf by Niggle; a short but beautiful story that describes our friend Niggle as he strives to create his perfect tree, leaf by leaf. Initially he fails but in collaboration with his neighbor Parish, he builds something far greater.If Tolkien meant for the names of Niggle and Parish to have deeper meaning or just "picked at random from the first name I came to in the phone directory" (from the letters of JRR Tolkien), he uses both characters t...

Dedicated to David. This episode was a labor of love as the story of Arthur spans centuries and countless books. Combine that with regional and oral stories passed down over time AND academic and archaeological research, there's always more to go!Most people know 'a little bit' about King Arthur. We hope this sampling of history and stories about the Once and Future King helps you better understand how much more there is to his tale and gives you a glimpse of the wonderful expanse of stories a...

In this episode, we invite you to look at heaven and hell through the eyes of C.S. Lewis. The Great Divorce presents a somewhat bizarre but deeply insightful “imaginary supposal,” where Lewis imagines what it might look like for a person to choose hell over heaven.The story shows personal examples of how a person’s thoughts and choices can shape their eternity—and the tension between the self-centered nature of hell and the liberating joy of heaven.But The Great Divorce isn’t just a reflecti...

This episode we walk through an anthology of children's stories designed to make children laugh -- and bonus that it is an integral piece of our childhood memories.These stories are full of adventure and wonder! And we love sharing these stories with others and we hope they warm your heart, make you laugh a bit, and hopefully remind us all that a little magic is always within reach.Join us as we meet some unforgettable characters, and discover that the best stories aren’t just told—they’re f...

We're glad you're here! This episode dives into GK Chesterton and his book, The Ball and the Cross. In a rollercoaster plot, two sworn enemies demand a duel to the death—only to find themselves paired together on a wild adventure, dodging the police, confronting their own beliefs, and maybe even becoming friends along the way.We also explore some amazing paradoxes from Chesterton—who was also known as the Prince of Paradox! Listen in to discover his favorite party concept and the fascinating i...

Join us as we dive into The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.A heartwarming and deeply moving story about an ordinary man who embarks on an extraordinary journey -- not for himself but to save an old friend. What starts as a simple walk to the mailbox turns into a life-changing trek across England, filled with memories, unexpected friendships, and the quiet power of hope.In this episode, we explore Harold’s transformation, the emotional weight of his journey, and the beautif...

Join us as we explore the Mary Poppins books, which differ quite a bit from the movies, as Jane and Michael experience even wilder adventures. There are some of the same magical nanny vibes but turns out Mary has a whole lot in common with Dr Who!She blows in on the East wind to help the Banks family, bringing both magic and some strict rules to the household. Our favorite chapters include stories about delicious gingerbread and painting the skies with stars as well as a red cow who can dance ...

Tolkien reading day is tomorrow -- March 25th!!And to celebrate the author as well as our 10th episode, we are walking through Middle Earth side-by-side with Bilbo Baggins -- in the wonderful adventure of The Hobbit. It's a classic hero's journey with a flavor all its own!Bilbo encounters a wizard, dwarves, trolls, elves, goblins, a shape-shifter along with a dragon! He riddles his way through danger and learns his own skills as a rather trustworthy thief.Whether you've read it before or y...

Any history lovers out there? In this episode, we dive into the wild life of Alcibiades—Ancient Athens' most charming troublemaker. From his privileged childhood under the guidance of Socrates to his bold (and sometimes reckless) moves in the Peloponnesian War, Alcibiades flipped loyalties more than once and helped shape the fate of empires like Athens, Sparta and Persia, along the way. Was he a genius, a traitor, or both? It’s a good story from history—full of glory, scandal, and strategy.

Step into the charming world of James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small! In this episode, we explore the heartwarming tales of a country vet in the 1930s Yorkshire Dales. This book is full of humor, compassion, and unforgettable characters—both human and animal.Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Herriot for the first time, join us as we share some of our favorite moments! We’ll talk about Siegfried Farnon, James’ eccentric but brilliant boss; Arthur, a large and expressive cat ...

Meet Ender Wiggin – born to save humanity. In this episode, we talk about the compelling, high-stakes world of Ender’s Game.Written in the 1980s but looking ahead to Earth's future, this is a story of war games, manipulation, strategy, leadership, and love.Come learn about Battle School and the blurred line between games and reality. Join us as we unpack the manipulation and moral dilemmas at the heart of Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi classic.Want to learn more about the Good Stories Podcast? ...

In this episode we talk about the unforgettable stories of Walter Mitty -- in all its forms. We take a look at James Thurber’s original short story that's full of sharp humor; Danny Kaye’s imaginative 1947 adventure; then Ben Stiller’s visually beautiful and emotionally layered 2013 movie.Each one tells a different kind of story about a daydreaming-man named Walter Mitty, but they all circle around the same question: what happens when imagination bumps up against real life?All kinds of fun n...

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are hired to keep a man safe from a legendary family curse on the bleak moors of southwest England. They investigate a chilling tale -- a monstrous hound said to haunt the Baskerville family across the centuries. In this episode, Watson keeps a wary eye on Sir Henry, the last Baskerville heir, while Holmes uncovers unsettling clues in the shadows. The hound only ever leaves footprints but its howls echo through the fog, and a silent figure watches from afar. A compe...

This story – At the Back of the North Wind -- is full of strange beauty and wonder. It’s both a novel and fairytale by the great storyteller, George MacDonald. We get to learn from a little boy named Diamond and a kind but mysterious lady named North Wind. Through their experiences as they get to know one another, we too can find new layers of meaning about our world and how goodness and grief blend together. This is a quiet book but deep with layers of meaning that go beyond mere words.

Step into the intriguing plot ofThe Scarlet Pimpernel. Set during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution, it's an exciting tale of daring disguises, secret identities, and quiet heroism. But beyond the adventure and suspense lies a deeper story—of a marriage strained by silence, of love tested by secrets, and an ache of not knowing how to speak the truth. In this episode, we explore not just the disguised rescuer at the heart of the tale, but also the quiet tensions between husband and...

Step into the medieval imagination with us as we explore C.S. Lewis’s final academic work,The Discarded Image. In this episode, we gently guide you through the layered, harmonious worldview of the Middle Ages—not as a dark, primitive time, but as a rich and ordered vision of the universe.Lewis doesn’t ask us toagreewith the medieval model of the cosmos—he invites us tounderstandit. And in doing so, he offers a beautiful shift in perspective: that the past, with all its differences,...

This one is for Vanessa and Heidi!!In this episode, we journey through the cosmic pages ofA Wrinkle in Time, where a brilliant but awkward teen named Meg Murry teams up with her younger brother Charles Wallace and new friend Calvin O'Keefe to search for their missing father across space and time. With the help of some eccentric celestial beings—Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Who—they discover the wonders of the tesseract, a wrinkle in time that lets them leap across the universe. As th...

This episode is on Rudyard Kipling’sCaptains Courageous. When spoiled rich boy Harvey Cheyne falls overboard from a luxury liner, he's saved by chance and hauled onto a fishing schooner. He is then plunged into a world that doesn't care about his wealth—only his willingness to work and learn.As we follow Harvey’s journey, we talk about what it takes to grow from a boy into a man—not through lectures or privileges, but through hard physical work, learning from those around you, and the quie...

In this dive into the epic poemBeowulf, we explore the clash of monsters and men. With the translated combination of prose and poetry, this poem tells of the strongest of warriors - who grapples bare-handed with man-eating monsters - and wins! And follows it up with a fire-breathing dragon!There's a wonderful history to this poem from the middle ages and we talk through some of the literary tools used (ever heard of a kenning?!) and some key Old English themes; like the impermanence of lif...

Come check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodStoriesPodcastIn today's episode we visit a curious little island where words and language are more important to the people than technology and modern conveniences. But strange consequences follow when the revered alphabet starts falling to the ground, one tile at a time.We follow Ella, her family, and her neighbors on a playful yet poignant word-picture through censorship, creativity, and the power of expression. Expect wit, wor...

We're talking about the Bard today -- the one and only Shakespeare -- and his exciting drama The Tempest -- a story of shipwreck, sorcery, and second chances. We also talk a bit about Shakespeare’s genius overall—his impressive body of work, the characters that still breathe on stage and page, and the words and phrases he invented that we still use today.Whether you’ve read every play or just met Prospero today, we hope you enjoy it!

Join our Patreon to find all episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodStoriesPodcastIn this episode, we journey through the unexpected "world building" epic of Watership Down, where rabbits aren’t just rabbits—they’re leaders, prophets, storytellers, and survivors.At the heart of the tale is Hazel, an unlikely leader whose strength lies not in brute force, but in empathy, trust, and quiet courage. Along the way, we explore the deep importance of storytelling in the rabbits’ ...