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Show overview

The Apple Seed has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 150 episodes, alongside 14 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 75 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence, with the show now in its 13th season.

Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 27 min and 31 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Kids & Family show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 53 episodes published. Published by BYUradio.

Episodes
150
Running
2022–2026 · 4y
Median length
29 min
Cadence
Fortnightly

From the publisher

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.

Latest Episodes

View all 150 episodes

The Will to Change the World - Stories for the Whole Family by Bil Lepp and Dovie Thomason

May 7, 202631 min

Lost in the Light - Stories for the Whole Family by Andy Offutt Irwin

Apr 30, 202629 min

Poetic Justice - Stories for the Whole Family by Donald Davis and Mara Menzies

Apr 23, 202627 min

Riddle Me This - Stories for the Whole Family by Debs Newbold and Alton Takiyama-Chung

Apr 16, 202623 min

Generosity & Greed - Stories for the Whole Family by Antonio Sacre and Geraldine Buckley

Apr 9, 202627 min

S13 Ep 11Musical Showdown - Stories for the Whole Family by Bill Harley and Willy Claflin

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about music tastes over generational gaps. (00:00) Intro by host, Sam Payne. (01:04) "Mom and the Radio" by Bill Harley. A story and a song about kids that don't enjoy their parents old school music tastes. (12:10) "Charlie Brown the Musicals" by Sam Payne. A story about three musical renditions of the Charlie Brown stories. One with all grown up actors. One with all teenage actors. And one with all child actors. (15:50) "The Talent Show" by Willy Claflin. A story about generational music gaps that is unlike any other. 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

Apr 2, 202633 min

S13 Ep 10Lessons from Our Neighbors - Stories for the Whole Family by Donald Davis and Josh Goforth

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about neighbors and how they can be a great influence our lives and the lives of our children. (00:00) Intro by host, Sam Payne. (1:30) "Corporal Smith" by Donald Davis. A story about a time in elementary school, when Donald interviewed the neighborhood highway patrolman and got a little first hand experience about what the job is like. (14:29) "Back to the Neighborhood," by Sam Payne. A story about when him and his brother had a run in with the law and how later in life he did a bit more investigation on the officer that ended their trouble, allowing him to connect back to the people of his childhood neighborhood. (18:18) "Guitar Medley" by Josh Goforth. A story about how Josh learned some of the classic music of Madison County, North Carolina. He accompanies the story with songs that include "The Wildwood Flower" and "Under the Double Eagle." 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

Mar 26, 202625 min

S13 Ep 9Bridging Two Worlds - Stories for the Whole Family by Jasmin Cardenas and Motoko

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about bridging the gap between different parts of ourselves and our lives. (0:00) Intro by host Sam Payne. (01:48) "How I Became a Bilingual Teacher" by Jasmin Cardenas. A story about when Jasmin was Story Bus Educator, meaning she drove around in what she calls a museum on wheels and visited elementary schools. At one particular school, she had an opportunity to connect to her roots and help a little boy named Elmer engage in the classroom. (09:39) "My Character Traits" by Sam Payne. A story about the introverted parts of Sam that he desires to retain even when they conflict with the more out-loud pieces of his life. (12:55) "Golden Eye of the Fighting Cricket" by Motoko. An ancient Chinese folktale about cricket fighting and how a struggling family must find the superior cricket champion in order for the father to keep his job. 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

Mar 19, 202630 min

S13 Ep 8Stumbling Into Adventure - Stories for the Whole Family by Bil Lepp and Geraldine Buckley

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about finding unexpected adventures. (00:00) Intro by host Sam Payne (01:30) "Lessons from East Berlin" by Bil Lepp. Bil's story about visiting East Berlin on a high school exchange program and being cornered by a huge guard. (13:50) "My Trip to Japan" by Sam Payne. A story about a trip to Japan where good guides led Sam through unfamiliar circumstances. (16:54) "Tatton Hall" by Geraldine Buckley. Always wanting to find a secret passageway, Geraldine was thrilled when, as a young girl, she visited an neo-classical mansion with her class. 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

Mar 12, 202629 min

S13 Ep 7Heroic Rodents - Stories for the Whole Family by Dovie Thomason and Alton Takiyama-Chung

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about rodents, and uncommonly heroic ones at that. These mice and this gerbil may have a lesson or two to teach you about the consequences of the choices we make. (00:00) Introduction by host, Sam Payne. (01:25) "Mice Make Peace" by Dovie Thomason. A story about the mice that live among Haudenosaunee. The mice live a peaceful life until the men secretly plan to go to war with their neighbors. (13:49) "Befriending the Cat Family" by Sam Payne. A heartwarming story about the thought and care Sam's family put in to take care of a group of wild cats. (18:24) "Model Rocketry" by Alton Takiyama-Chung. A thrilling story about how Alton and a few of his friends from his middle-school science club decide to make rockets from Oreo creme. They bring along their class pet, Fred, an animated, adventurous gerbil. What could go wrong? 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 - James Call and Kiplin Merril

Mar 5, 202633 min

S13 Ep 6Know the Code - Stories for the Whole Family by Lyn Ford and Mara Menzies

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the rules the we both grow up with and the ones we learn that guide us through life. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:24) "Opossum and Snake" by Lyn Ford. A story about a sneaky snake trying to trick a gullible possum into ignoring what his parents had taught him. (13:34) "My Code of Life" by Sam Payne. A story about growing up with a code of conduct created by his mom and how certain circumstances can challenge those codes for better or worse. (16:38) "Nyamgondho" - Mara Menzies tells a story about a fisherman who pulls a blessing, in the form of a girl, from the sea. In order to keep his blessing, he must keep his promises to her. Will he be able to keep his promises as the years roll by? 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

Feb 26, 202634 min

S13 Ep 5Fractured Magic - Stories for the Whole Family by Kim Weitkamp and Willy Clafin

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers. Both of today's stories are based on classic tales such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk. Our storytellers have taken their own spin and fractured these classic tales to give us something new. (00:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:45) "So What and Drop Dead" by Willy Clafin. This is told by Maynard Moose, Willy's puppet friend. This fractured tale is about a time when Snow White and Rose Red have a run in with a nastified dwarfy bearded man. (10:55) "Careful With Your Words" by Sam Payne. A story about a time when Sam and his wife reflect on the words they said during a heated conversation and gain perspective on how we should use our words with the people we love. (14:01) "Jack and the Jellybean Stalk" by Kim Weitkamp. A story about a boy named Jack who moves to a new village and learns how to make new friends, one of whom is a giant. 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 - James Call and Kiplin Merril

Feb 19, 202632 min

S13 Ep 4Learning to Serve - Stories for the Whole Family by Bil Lepp and Antonio Sacre

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the act of giving and the act of being given to in times of need. Those acts can be some of the best moments for reflection and growth. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:32) "Canned Beets and Peas" by Bil Lepp. A heartfelt story about how Bil first learned who the poor were and how his donations to his local canned food drives were forever changed. (14:10) "The Cheneys" by Sam Payne. A story about a time when Sam was asked to sing at the funeral of his former English professor. And how the stories told by other students during that funeral helped Sam remembered how this English professor opened his home to help struggling, far from home college students, including himself. (18:21) "A Mango in the Hand" by Antonio Sacre. A fictional story based on the real "dichos," or saying that Antonio's father would tell him, as well as the neighborhood where his grandmother lived and the mango tree in her backyard. 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

Feb 12, 202623 min

S13 Ep 3Epic 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

Feb 5, 202628 min

Bonus - National Youth Storytellers

bonus

Today we bring you a special bonus episode featuring some of the National Youth Storytellers. (00:00) Sam's Intro (1:22) June Elyse Willingham tells a traditional folk tale, "Lazy Jack." (9:29) Tessa Taggart tells an original story based on one of her ancestors called "Tessa's Mostly True Story." (15:44) Ender Rasmussen shares an original folktale called "How Sparrow Earned Its Wings." (19:50) Annabelle Larson tells a spooky story, "The Camping Trip." (24:18) Ariana Watts tells an original folk tale, "The Red Dragon." If you want to learn more about the National Youth Storytelling program go to: nationalyouthstorytelling.org. 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.

Feb 3, 202631 min

S13 Ep 2Family 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

Jan 29, 202624 min

S13 Ep 1Stories 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

Jan 22, 202634 min

S12 Ep 12Pulling Your Leg - Stories for the Whole Family by Geraldine Buckley and Tim Lowry

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about practical jokes, misunderstandings, and mishaps that turn into lasting family memories. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:20) "Damien's Limp" by Geraldine Buckley. A funny and surprising childhood story about her jokester brother who loved to torment her, until one day he began limping and a doctor feared he might have polio, leading to an unexpected turn. (17:57) "Siblings Never Change" by Sam Payne. A story about his siblings and how they never stop teasing and poking fun at one another, no matter how old they get. (21:29) "Three Cowboys" by Tim Lowry. A humorous campfire story about three cowboys reminiscing about the comforts of home, which leads them into a lively conversation about ridiculous and unforgettable pets. 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, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Jan 15, 202629 min

S12 Ep 11Sow Today, Reap Tomorrow - Stories for the Whole Family by Mara Menzies and Kim Weitkamp

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about small acts, choices, and habits can make a big impact on individuals and communities. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:39) "Mzee Chomba" by Mara Menzies. A powerful folktale about an elderly man who tries to stop people from fighting, only to be ignored as the conflict escalates, illustrating how the absence of small acts of peace can lead to great harm. (13:41) "Practice or No Practice?" by Sam Payne. A story about how his piano lessons, and how either practicing consistently or ignoring practicing daily, affected both his musical abilities and those of his piano teacher. (17:15) "Work Then Play" by Kim Weitkamp. A playful and instructive story about a hardworking ant named Zia and a lazy grasshopper named Yohoppy, offering a lesson about effort, responsibility, and long-term rewards. 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, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Jan 8, 202628 min

S12 Ep 10New Stories for a New Year - Stories for the Whole Family by Bill Harley and Lyn Ford

Gather your family for great stories from great storytellers about the unexpected moments that arise when we begin new adventures, and the surprises that often come with trying something new. (0:00) Introduction by host Sam Payne. (01:20) "Bear's Party" by Bill Harley. A playful and imaginative story about Bear, who plans a party on the night of a full moon, while his friends worry that no one will show up. (12:39) "Unexpected Birthday Wishes" by Sam Payne. A story about his brother's third birthday, when his family attempted a ranger-guided tour of Timpanogos Cave, and discovered how unpredictable adventures can be. (17:50) "How Some Stories Came to Be" by Lyn Ford. A traditional story from the Zulu storytelling tradition about a mother named Manzendaba, who sets out on a journey to find stories for her children. 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, Garrett Gunnell, Keri Griggs, Paige Jensen-Rutter, and Kay Hendrickson. Post-Production Supervisor Trent Reimschussel. Editor Madie Clasby. Production Audiovisual Technician DJ Cromarty. Post-Production Audio Engineers Taehyeon Ted Kim and Kiplin Merril.

Jan 1, 202628 min
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