All aboard The Story Ark! In this enchanting episode, Captain Kenny Mears invites listeners to set sail on a heartwarming journey of love, compromise, and family with the story "Ratonita," brought to life by storyteller Wayne Kartchner.

Travel to the vibrant streets of Cobán, Guatemala, where Mita, a beautiful little mouse, and Vajo, a shy house finch, find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance. Against the odds-and across species-their love blossoms, leading to a wedding that becomes the talk of the animal kingdom. But as Mita and Vajo soon discover, building a life together is more challenging than falling in love, especially when their worlds are so different.

Through creative storytelling and rich cultural detail, "Ratonita" explores:

• The magic of unexpected connections and cross-boundary love
• The importance of understanding, compromise, and perseverance in relationships
• The joys and trials of building a home and raising a family-no matter how unique

Listeners will be charmed by the colorful cast of animal characters, the playful use of Spanish language, and the universal themes of devotion and belonging. This episode is a celebration of love’s power to bridge divides and create lasting legacies.

Featuring special thanks to Wayne Karchner of the Utah Storytelling Guild, this episode promises laughter, warmth, and a touch of magic. Tune in for a story that will leave you smiling and believing in the extraordinary possibilities of love. For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

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Welcome aboard The Story Ark! In today’s episode, Captain Kenny Mears takes us on a journey that challenges how we see heroes and villains. Featuring master storyteller Laurie Allen, we hear the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood—but this time, it's from the wolf’s perspective.

What if the "Big Bad Wolf" wasn’t so bad after all? Laurie’s humorous and heartfelt retelling reveals a misunderstood mother just looking for a little adult conversation on a rough day. Join us for a fresh, funny, and surprisingly touching look at what happens when we only hear one side of the story.

Plus, stick around for a special announcement about our brand-new show, Uplift Uganda: The Power of One Step Forward. To follow the new show, go to rss.com/podcasts/upliftuganda/ or look it up wherever you listen.

The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more information, be sure to check out our website: https://foodforthoughtaudio.com/

Special thanks to storyteller Laurie Allen, a proud member of the Utah Storytelling Guild and Story Tours. You can find more information on her profiles on both sites.

Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/laurie-allen/

Story Tours: https://www.storytours.com/story-guides

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Is there life after death? Can love transcend the divide between the living and the dead? These are the questions Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson seeks to ask us with her story "The Cat and The Camellias."

Some stories are full of magic and whimsy, with talking animals and a little adventure. This is one of those stories children tell that their parents simply won't believe. Join friend of the show and masterful storyteller Wayne Kartchner as he shares the story of George Bunny.

For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

Love requires effort and sacrifice, a giving of one's self to their partner. Beyond that, love requires courage, especially at the start to talk to that one special someone. This is the story of how one brave young man asked the love of his life to a dance, was rejected, and tried again.

For more information on the Utah Storytelling Guild, check out their website: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website

For more information on Stephanie, check out her page with USG: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/stephanie-rollheiser/

For more information on Stephanie, check out her page with McCarty Talent Agency: https://www.mccartytalentagency.com/portfolio/talent-actors-female/women/2082470/stephanie-rollheiser

The Appalachian Mountains are ancient and full of spooks, from ghosts and conjuring women to "boogers," creatures of a supernatural nature permeate the region. Join storyteller Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson as she shares a classic Appalachian spook story, Taily Po. This story is bound to entertain, terrify, and delight even the bravest of listeners!

Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson is a member of the Utah Storytelling Guild, for more information on the guild, check out their website at https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/

Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson is a professional storyteller, to find out more about her work, check out her website at https://www.thetellerist.com/

Families can be complicated, and the stories we tell about them often reflect that. Join storyteller John Harrison as he shares about the complexities of his parentage and discovering more about his long lost father.

Some fairy tales are instantly recognizable, and that's a connecting point for many of us. Join storyteller Wayne Kartchner as he spins us a tale of giant pumpkins and fiddling cats from Hubbard County, the fantastical county founded by Old Mother Hubbard.

For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/