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.

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 compelling mystery where logic and reason go head-to-head with fear and fog in the night.

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 names and topics come up this episode like the famous face and voice of Boris Karloff and find out what a macguffin is according to George Lucas and Alfred Hitchcock!

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? Check out our patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodStoriesPodcast.

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 who communicates a lot with just one paw; and Tricki Woo, a hilariously pampered pup with an overly dramatic owner. And that’s just to start!

But more than anything these stories are about a people and a bygone time. Listen to find out more.

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.

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 you're just setting off on your first adventure, this episode is an invitation to learn about hobbits and hear why this little book holds such a big place in our hearts.

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 the Highland Fling.