Story with a Message

We love stories. Many stories have a message. Some inspire us, teach us, challenge us and motivate us. Some make us think. Some make us laugh. Some lead to personal reflection. Others simply have a seed of wisdom. It's my hope you'll be able to identify with the stories told in this podcast and the connection will open windows of spiritual inspiration.

Three Steps Toward Kindness 03/22/2026

Three Steps Toward Kindness It starts with a routine DoorDash delivery and a moment caught on camera. It leads to a question and a story that has a ripple effect that no one saw coming. By the end, it’s a reminder of how quickly the ordinary can turn into something extraordinary when someone chooses to truly see another person. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/40570135

A New Twist On An Old Story 03/15/2026

A New Twist On An Old Story An ancient parable. A modern retelling. And a truth that hits home in a delightfully uncomfortable kind of way. It just might change the lens through which you see others. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/40485235

Full Circle 03/08/2026

Full Circle Sometimes the past circles back in ways that feel almost scripted. This week's podcast follows a story that begins simply, unfolds slowly, and lands somewhere that can only be described as surprise. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/40354370

Eating Crow 03/01/2026

Eating Crow Ever met someone who’s absolutely certain they’re the best—no questions asked? In a quiet little town, one proud rooster is about to learn that boastfulness and truth aren’t always the same thing. This story has humor, heart, and a lesson that might hit closer to home than we’d like. Sometimes, the hardest thing to swallow… isn’t defeat—it’s humility Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/40266130

A Roadtrip Through Quirky America 02/22/2026

A Roadtrip Through Quirky America America is full of towns with names so quirky you’d think the mapmaker was a stand up comic — but behind every oddball name is a real community with a real story. Join me for a road trip through Quirky America, where the humor is the front porch and the message waits inside. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/40179375

Lindsey Vonn's Last Run 02/15/2026

Lindsey Vonn's Last Run “Lindsey Vonn’s Last Run” revisits the day a legend stepped onto the mountain knowing it would be her final run. It’s a story about grit meeting acceptance, and the strange peace that comes when you give everything you have left. Her last descent wasn’t about winning—it was about honoring the fire that carried her this far. This episode captures the beauty of finishing on your own terms. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/40112515

Ruthie's Race 02/08/2026

Ruthie's Race Everyone expected the fox, the bear, or the wolf to dominate the big cross-country skiing race at the Animal Winter Olympics. No one paid much attention to a small rabbit adjusting her goggles at the starting line. But sometimes the athlete you overlook is the one who changes everything. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/40031695

Episode 200: One Tale at a Time 02/01/2026

Episode 200: One Tale at a Time WooHoo! This is Episode #200. I can hardly believe it myself. Four years of telling stories — some borrowed, some lived, some stumbled upon by accident — and along the way I’ve picked up a few lessons worth passing on. So today, I'll be sharing them with you. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39949100

The Canned Goods Catastrophe 01/25/2026

The Canned Goods Catastrophe A winter storm sends everyone scrambling for supplies, turning a simple grocery run into something closer to a survival mission. In the middle of the chaos, one small disaster brings the entire store to a standstill. What happens next isn’t about the weather at all, but about the surprising way people can shift from frantic to generous in a single magical moment. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39865465

The Student Who Solved the Unsolvable 01/18/2026

The Student Who Solved the Unsolvable A late arrival to class. Two problems on a chalkboard. A misunderstanding that changes everything. This episode invites us to rethink what’s possible when doubt isn’t part of the equation. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39770475

Counting Change, Changing Hearts 01/11/2026

Counting Change, Changing Hearts In a crowded checkout line, a man in a hurry meets a delay he didn’t see coming. What starts as irritation turns into something far more human—and it just might change the way you look at the people standing in front of you. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39686190

The New Year's Lantern 01/04/2026

The New Year's Lantern A quiet New Year’s Eve. A familiar porch. A lantern that’s been part of Valley Road longer than most folks can remember. This week, a simple act of kindness sparks a story that glows brighter than anyone expected. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39603020

The Christmas Keepsake Crisis 12/21/2025

The Christmas Keepsake Crisis Christmas can sometimes be a time of crisis, especially when a family is grieving and trying to hold on to what matters most. Even the smallest thing can stir up unexpected big feelings. What begins as a simple moment of sorting through memories turns into a full-blown Christmas keepsake crisis. Listen to find out what happened. Note: The original story can be found in Chicken Soup for the Soul: It's Christmas! Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39485140

Facebook Santa 12/14/2025

Facebook Santa A missing gift. A desperate late-night post. A stranger who did the unthinkable. This true holiday story proves that sometimes the real magic isn’t under the tree—it shows up when people choose kindness. Read the original story by Caroline Fanning in the latest edition of Reader's Digest (December 2025/January 2026). Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39398210

When Santa Fainted on Maplewood Lane 12/07/2025

When Santa Fainted on Maplewood Lane You know the type—every December, someone goes over the top and turns their yard into a glowing holiday carnival. Maplewood Lane had Earl, whose dazzling display lit up the block. But one neighbor proved that Christmas spirit doesn’t need a thousand bulbs to shine. Sometimes the truest light is found on a porch, not a roof. Today's pod features an original Christmas story. I hope you enjoy it! Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39310345

Global Game Night 11/30/2025

Global Game Night From my brother’s game nights to the idea of a global table, this episode uncovers how play builds connection, sparks laughter, and reminds us of our shared humanity. Join me as we imagine what the world could learn from the shuffle of cards and the roll of the dice. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39209520

Wrong Number, Right Heart 11/23/2025

Wrong Number, Right Heart It started with a simple text message sent to the wrong person. This small mistake led to years of shared stories, laughter and a bond no one saw coming. Today's podcast is a Thankgiving story that reminds us a family isn't always inherited—sometimes it's discovered. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39138155

A Recipe for Harmony Pie 11/16/2025

A Recipe for Harmony Pie This week's episode is about a recipe—though not the kind you'll find in Grandma's cookbook. It's a recipe that will promote something we all need: a seat at the same table once again. Pull up a chair. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/39049080

From Books to Beans 11/09/2025

From Books to Beans What if a simple wooden box on a front lawn could change someone’s day—or even their week? In this episode, we explore a quiet movement taking root in neighborhoods across the country. It’s small, it’s personal, and it’s feeding more than just hunger. Tune in for a story about unexpected generosity in unexpected places. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38966700

The Photograph 11/02/2025

The Photograph Join us for a trip to an antique shop in 1949 where the dust holds secrets and the relics whisper "what if." A man is suddenly faced with a strange photograph that shows the life he almost missed. This is a story about living in the present, the power of a single moment, and the reminder that the greatest treasures are the chances we choose to grab. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38877995

Dinner For One 10/26/2025

Dinner For One What happens when a single mom hits her breaking point, and finds healing in an unexpected way? This episode explores the quiet courage of reclaiming identity, one dinner at a time. A heartfelt reminder that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38781085

The Game That Wasn't Over 10/19/2025

The Game That Wasn't Over A championship game ends in triumph—but what happens when a coach rewatches the tape and realizes something is wrong? This is the true story of a high school team that made a courageous decision that would affect them for the rest of their lives. Curious? Then join us in today's podcast. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38633230

The Possum Baptism 10/12/2025

The Possum Baptism In a holler so remote even GPS throws up its hands, one country church finds a creative way to boost baptism numbers—with help from a trash-loving marsupial named Travis. What follows is a chaotic blend of waders, creek water, and spiritual confusion that leaves the congregation changed forever. Join us for a laugh and a lesson. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38552730

The Halloween That Gave Back 10/05/2025

The Halloween That Gave Back This week’s story takes us to a small Michigan town where Halloween took an unexpected turn—one that left a porch full of candy and a community full of heart. It’s a tale of kids, kindness, and a doorbell camera that captured something extraordinary. If you think you’ve seen it all on Halloween, think again. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38467940

Sprig and the Storm 09/28/2025

Sprig and the Storm A young sparrow clings to safety while the winds of change stir around her. When the storm comes, she must decide whether to fall—or finally trust what she’s carried all along. This episode explores the quiet courage it takes to let go and rise. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38380405

The Tale of a Backpack 09/21/2025

The Tale of a Backpack The most profound parts of childhood often aren’t found in milestones or photo albums—they live in the quiet, everyday moments and things we barely notice. This week’s story centers on one such tagalong and the boy who carried it through the years. It’s a gentle reflection on growing up, holding close what matters, and knowing when to let go. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38294515

When Life Changes the Question 09/14/2025

When Life Changes the Question This week’s episode begins with a forgotten sermon and ends with a moment of unexpected resolve. It’s a story about exams, expectations, and what happens when life rewrites the question. Sometimes the best answers aren’t the ones we studied for—they’re the ones we write anyway. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38211095

The Great Cake-Off 09/07/2025

The Great Cake-Off When two lifelong friends face off in Willow Bend’s fiercest cake bake-off, the town splits into frosting-fueled factions. But beneath the smack talk and sprinkles lies a shared recipe—and a bond too sweet to crumble. The Great Cake-Off is a tale of rivalry, reconciliation, and the kind of friendship that always rises to the occasion. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38116110

What Drives You Crazy? 08/31/2025

What Drives You Crazy? Ever feel like the world’s full of tiny irritants just waiting to test your patience? In this episode, we explore the everyday quirks and pet peeves that unite us in eye-rolls and quiet rebellion. It’s funny, it’s relatable—and it just might help you laugh your way back to sanity. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/38033130

The Final Will of Elmer Griggs 08/24/2025

The Final Will of Elmer Griggs In every town there’s that one neighbor people whisper about but never really know. This is the story of a man who kept to himself his whole life—until one final request revealed something no one expected. What he left behind changed the meaning of kindness in his community forever. Want to contact me? Send an email to . The intro and outro tune was adapted from royalty-free music provided by on . /episode/index/show/storywithamessage/id/37933595

Story with a Message

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