The Apple Seed
The Apple Seed

The Apple Seed

BYUradio

Overview
Episodes

Details

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers. Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne.

Recent Episodes

Epic Ballads - Stories for the Whole Family by Charlotte Blake Alston and Josh Goforth
FEB 5, 2026
Epic Ballads - Stories for the Whole Family by Charlotte Blake Alston and Josh Goforth
Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers. This weeks' stories features traditional and modern ballads, one of the world’s oldest storytelling forms, used for centuries to preserve epic events, big emotions, and pivotal moments in human history. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:26) "Barbara Allen" by Josh Goforth. A traditional ballad, "Barbara Allen," which is more than 300 years old and reflects the enduring storytelling culture of the Appalachian region. (10:29) "Building a Doorway to Story," by Sam Payne. A story about when Sam and his siblings helped his dad build a special bookshelf, that held a record player. And how that record player helped him find the doorway to some of the great works of famous poets and musicians. (14:52) "Hammers of Steel - The Ballad of John Henry" by Charlotte Blake Alston. A powerful spoken ballad about the legendary American folk hero John Henry, who famously challenged a steam-powered machine in a battle of human strength versus modern technology. Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne. The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers - Madie Clasby, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson Post-Production Supervisor - Trent Reimschussel Editor - Madie Clasby Audiovisual Technician - Kiplin Merrill Post-Production Audio Engineers - Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril
play-circle icon
28 MIN
Family Drama - Stories for the Whole Family by Donna Washington and Bill Harley
JAN 29, 2026
Family Drama - Stories for the Whole Family by Donna Washington and Bill Harley
Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about how catastrophizing everyday problems can turn simple disagreements into lasting conflicts and how self-awareness can be the solution. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:14) "Bastianello" by Donna Washington. A humorous story in which a newly married couple and their in-laws become consumed by a problem that hasn’t yet occurred. As conflict escalate, the story reveals how catastrophic thinking can complicate situations that might otherwise be easily resolved. (15:28) "Calls with Mom" by Sam Payne. A story about the conversations Sam's wife has with their daughter when she is paralyzed with worry, and the questions that help his daughter become proactive with her fears. (19:13) "Is Not Is Too" - Bill Harley tells a a witty a song about siblings locked in a cycle of constant disagreement. Each is convinced the other is the problem, and the ongoing conflict illustrates how an unwillingness to share responsibility can prevent even simple disputes from being resolved. Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne. The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers - Madie Clasby, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson Post-Production Supervisor - Trent Reimschussel Editor - Madie Clasby Audiovisual Technician - Kiplin Merrill Post-Production Audio Engineers - Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril
play-circle icon
24 MIN
Stories That Heal - Stories for the Whole Family by Alton Takiyama-Chung and Dovie Thomason
JAN 22, 2026
Stories That Heal - Stories for the Whole Family by Alton Takiyama-Chung and Dovie Thomason
Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers that explore healing from grief and trauma through storytelling, showing how stories can restore, connect, and bring meaning long after painful experiences. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:38) "The Twice Saved Life" by Alton Takiyama-Chung. A powerful true story from history. Alton recounts the life of Solly Gaynor, a young Jewish boy who survived the Holocaust and later found healing from the trauma decades after the horrific events by meeting the Japanese man who saved him and by sharing his story. (10:43) "Years Later," by Sam Payne. A heartfelt tale about about how a story can ripple forward through the years. While moving 50 miles away on his own, Sam experienced a moment that later returned unexpectedly, blessing his life and reminding him of the enduring impact of kindness. (16:23) "The Story Stone" by Dovie Thomason. An ancient Haudenosaunee story about a grieving young boy. Through learning, carrying, and sharing stories, the boy begins to heal, illustrating how traditional storytelling has long been a pathway to emotional healing and wisdom. Stories bring us together and the stories on The Apple Seed will spark memories that you can share with the people you love. The Apple Seed is a storytelling podcast by BYUradio and is hosted by Sam Payne. The Apple Seed is produced by Sam Payne, Wendy Folsom, and Brian Tanner. Assistant Producers - Madie Clasby, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson Post-Production Supervisor - Trent Reimschussel Editor - Madie Clasby Audiovisual Technician - DJ Cromarty Post-Production Audio Engineers - Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril
play-circle icon
34 MIN