Stories From Graceland Pond

Four storytelling writers collaborate with Host Gregg Fraley to tell original stories around themes like "Summer Jobs," "Big Lies I've Told," or "Absurdities I Ponder." Musical selections surround the stories, all related to the theme of the episode. The crazy cast of colorful characters includes: Doug Stevenson, former Second City player Mark Maguire, roustabout, taxi driver and biographer Joanna Trotter, memoirist, and, Marijo O'Connell, master teacher and radio exec. Guests occasionally drop in to tell a story. Folks like Fred Rubin, a Hollywood TV writer, or, Gene Baldwin, a playwright, and columnist.

My Cherie Amour, Episode #77, Guest Sheri Flanders 02/27/2024

Reflections on Upcoming 2024, with Guest Author Robert Hudson, Episode #75 02/20/2024

Irish Stories, Episode #6 09/07/2023

Hardest Lesson Ever Learned, Episode #57, Guests: Ada Cheng, Holly Link 09/01/2023

Hardest Lesson Ever Learned, Episode #57, Guests: Ada Cheng, Holly Link This is the 57th Edition of Stories From Graceland Pond Recorded LIVE on Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, at lower powered stations, WRHC-LP 107.6 FM Three Oaks, Michigan and WRHZ 93.5 Sawyer, Michigan. The show theme is HARDEST LESSON I'VE LEARNED. Special guests Ada Cheng and Holly Link join the regular cast. We have a five-story two-hour journey, with music. It's a cliche, but it's true: The hardest lessons make the most incredible stories, so please don't let those experiences be in vain, listen to a very cool show. Host Gregg Fraley is joined in-studio by Nina Alexandra and Phil Thorton for the introduction and commentary throughout. Ada Cheng kicks us off at 6:19 -- she's a speaker with the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau who has a fascinating story about defining success. A life lesson story about how to be happy -- doing what you love, and the courage that often requires. Holly Link tells a story about how to let people go -- she starts at 32:58. Holly also backfills with another big story, her being hit by a car and a two year journey of recovery. Mark Maguire follows at 1:03:35 and relates not only a hard lesson learned story, but an easy lesson learned as well. Regular cast member Doug Stevenson was scheduled for this show but called in sick at the last minute. He's in every podcast we do with this rare exception. Marijo O'Connell closes the show with a story about the ,, and, how to deal with being ghosted by a good life long friend. She starts at 1:34:45. Related to theme musical interludes by: Avicii, Sia, Fleetwood Mac, Donny Hathaway, The O'Jays, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and John Prine. Stories From Graceland Pond is a long-running storytelling radio show. It airs on a low-powered FM station in southwest Michigan and then is podcasted. Check out our themes and related stories and music. It's great for times when you have the peace for a listen. /episode/index/show/3f9b5ae0-06b1-4a1a-a4bc-95263e0d3a43/id/27895746

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Episode #63 Janna Sobel Guest on Stories From Graceland Pond 08/28/2023

Tipping Into Darkness, Episode #60 Westley Heine & Debra Sawyer guests 08/18/2023

Robert Swan interviewed by Gregg Fraley, episode of 5 9 2017 Michiana Story Hour 08/09/2023

Joanna Trotter Tribute Show, Episode #55 03/08/2023

Joanna Trotter Tribute Show, Episode #55 This special show departs from the standard format of Stories From Graceland Pond. We're honoring our fellow cast member who died suddenly in January 2023. Joanna Trotter was and will remain a treasured colleague in storytelling and a dear friend. We treasure her memory and the fine art she created with her writing and performances. This show features 11 storytellers who each provide a remembrance of Joanna. These are touching and deeply felt stories coming directly from the heart. And, it's celebratory, funny, sweet, and creative. Joanna appears,-- we took a clip from a previous show where she talks about the various "new beginnings" in her life. Gregg Fraley and Nina Alexandra host these writers, Improv people, and other creatives who knew her well. Following the two-hour storytelling/remembrances part of this recording is a 30-minute musical tribute. These are mostly songs that Joanna liked or that were suggested as songs she might have liked. It includes Michael Feinstein, Mike Nesmith, Bruce Springsteen, The Waterboys, a song from the sounds track to The Commitments movie, Pheobe Snow, The Cranberries, Bob Dylan, and The Corrs. Guest storytellers and where they show up: Gregg Fraley and Nina Alexandra Introduction 00:00 -- which includes a letter from her family. Mary Dean Cason 6:30 -- reading of a funny Irish sketch MD and Jo performed Fred Rubin 16:40 -- a poem Joanna Trotter 27:30 -- her story for the New Beginning themed show on SFGP Kate Ryan 46:05 -- positive memories and remarks about the blessings of a peaceful death Kathy Postilion 55:47 -- a story of a solid friendship Marijo O'Connell 1:07:10 -- a view from someone who "hardly knew ye" Sam Rath 1:15 -- back in the Improv days Mark Maguire 1:27:57 -- "an urchin, a waif, and a sprite" Doug Stevenson 1:39:30 -- invisible connections SFGP story-tellers share Cindy Caponera 1:51:15 -- from Springsteen parties to "she'll be a ghost" Music Segment starts at 2:08 /episode/index/show/3f9b5ae0-06b1-4a1a-a4bc-95263e0d3a43/id/26165625