Women can be legends too. Today we're diving into two "American Demigoddesses," Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley, two fascinating characters that represent the American spirit in their own unique way. This is the third and final part of our American Demigods miniseries, a collaboration with students from Brigham Young University where we explore tall tale and real life characters who embody The United States of America as a country in honor of America's 250th anniversary this year.

Meet Calamity Jane, a woman built for the wild west who could hang with the toughest outlaws and cowboys. And get ready for Annie Oakley's origin story as she goes up against her future husband Frank Butler in a shooting competition.

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In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are continuing our deep dive into the mythic figures who define the American spirit. This miniseries, American Demigods, is a special collaboration with students from Brigham Young University, exploring the folk heroes who bridge the gap between history and legend.

In Part Two, we spotlight two iconic "Johns" whose legacies are woven into the very fabric of the American landscape: Johnny Appleseed and John Henry.

• Johnny Appleseed (The Gentle Prophet): Meet John Chapman, the real-life frontiersman and Swedenborgian missionary who became an American saint. Eclipsing his historical roots as a savvy businessman, the legend presents a barefoot wanderer with a tin pot for a hat, planting hope in the soil. Discover how he became our "American Dionysus," bringing the gift of cider to the frontier while living in perfect harmony with nature.
• John Henry (The Steel-Driving Titan): Shift from the orchards to the railroads to hear the rhythmic, powerful ballad of the African American folk hero who took on the industrial age. As a man of superhuman strength, John Henry’s race against the steam-powered drill is more than a tall tale—it is a poignant symbol of human dignity, sacrifice, and the fear of a mechanized future.

From the quiet bloom of an apple orchard to the thunderous hammer-strikes in a mountain tunnel, these stories remind us of the persistence and vision that built a nation. One sowed the seeds of peace; the other drove the steel of progress. Both represent the uniquely American struggle to define our place in a rapidly changing world.

Join us as we explore why, 250 years later, we still tell the stories of the man who talked to bears and the man who beat the machine.

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In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are setting sail on a brand-new miniseries: The Story Ark Presents: American Demigods.

In a special collaboration with students from Brigham Young University, we explore the larger-than-life figures who define the American spirit. These are the folk heroes and tall-tale legends that ride the line between the human and the divine, embodying the rugged individualism and untamed imagination of a growing nation.

In Part One, we dive into the legends of the Southwest and the Great Northwoods:

• Pecos Bill: The rootin’-tootin’ cowboy raised by coyotes. Discover how he invented the lasso, used a rattlesnake as a whip, and famously rode a Kansas tornado until it rained itself out—creating the Grand Canyon and Death Valley in the process.
• Paul Bunyan: The colossal lumberjack whose first breath rattled church windows and whose appetite required a grain silo for a milk bottle. Hear the mythic account of Paul and his loyal companion, Babe the Blue Ox, as they take on a 200-foot-high logjam on the Wisconsin River.

These aren't just stories; they are "etiological legends" that explain how our landscape was shaped and how our frontier identity was forged. Whether you're looking for a laugh or a deeper look into the American mythology that has endured for nearly two and a half centuries, this episode is a "Texas-sized" treat.

Saddle up, partner—it’s time to meet the demigods who made America wild.

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A very special voyage as we celebrate the best stories of 2025! This episode is a curated collection of eight stories that captured the hearts and funny bones of our listeners—and our crew—throughout our very first year.

We’ve designed this journey to take you through the full spectrum of human emotion, alternating between hilarious antics and deeply heartwarming personal narratives, before closing with two legendary spooky tales for the brave at heart.

What’s in the Hold for Today’s Voyage:

• Funny & Whimsical: Hear David Farnsworth’s "If a Feller Could Get Himself a Bear Cub," a comedic look at "animal magnetism" gone wrong, and Randall McGee’s vibrant portrayal of Hans Christian Andersen in "Silly Hans."
• Heartwarming & Personal: Stephanie Rollhaser shares a beautiful story of young love and dance in "He Pulled Out a Rather Large Envelope," and Elizabeth Gibson brings us "The Cat and the Camellias," a moving family history story about signs from loved ones beyond the veil.
• Classic Folk Tales: Revisit the cozy Ukrainian legend of "The Mitten" told by Laurie Allen, and the hilarious sibling chaos of "The Most Expensive Baby Blanket Ever Bought" by Madeline Rollins.
• Spooky Finale: For the fans of the supernatural, we conclude with the haunting Western legend "The Lady in White" and the terrifying Appalachian "booger tale," Taily Po.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the Ark, this "Best of" special is the perfect way to experience the magic of storytelling as we prepare to set sail for 2026.

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Saddle up for a holiday special like no other as Captain Kenny Mears welcomes Harvest Home, also known as Annie and Dan Eastmond, to the studio for the first time.

In this festive episode, we’re blending the spirit of the season with the grit and humor of the Old West through the art of Cowboy Christmas Poetry. Annie Eastmond, president of the Salt Lake Valley’s Olympus Chapter of the Utah Storytelling Guild, delivers a hilarious and family-friendly rendition of Jeff Carson’s "The Year the Reindeer Ran Amok." Ever wondered what Santa does when Rudolph mashes his nose and the rest of the team comes down with the flu? He heads to a Texas bunkhouse, of course! Discover how a string of flying mules—led by the formidable Jezebel—saved Christmas with a bit of magic dust and a whole lot of forward thrust.

The celebration continues as Dan Eastmond shares a beloved family tradition: Eugene Field’s 1885 classic, "Jest 'Fore Christmas." It’s a timeless, wink-and-a-nod look at a young boy’s sudden transformation into an "angel child" just in time to stay on Santa’s "Nice" list.

From rooftop-hopping mules to the struggle of being a "good boy" for just one month a year, this episode is packed with Christmas cheer, storytelling magic, and Western charm.

Check out Harvest Home! https://harvesthomemusic.com/

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Celebrate the Christmas season with a powerful true story that embodies the spirit of service, love, and light.

Storyteller Elizabeth Gibson shares the deeply moving personal narrative of "Finding Christmas On Candy Cane Lane" detailing her years-long friendship with Mary Ann and Corrine in Los Angeles. She paints a picture of devotion, as she and her roommate sought to bring happiness to the mother-daughter duo who had spent much of their lives homeless and struggled with severe personal challenges.

The most profound moment occurs on Christmas Eve, when Elizabeth takes Mary Ann, a "much sinned against person" confined to a wheelchair by a devastating attack, on a drive to Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills. As they slowly roll past magnificent synchronized light displays, a truly miraculous moment unfolds:

• Mary Ann's eyes light up with the joy of a six-year-old seeing Christmas for the first time.
• As the car pauses before a stunning nativity scene, the radio serendipitously begins playing "Silent Night."
• Elizabeth and Mary Ann sing the carol together, generating a "wonderful, warmth, peaceful, dynamic, incredible feeling of joy"—a joy Elizabeth describes as profound as witnessing the original Christmas star.

Though tragedy later robs Mary Ann of the memory of that evening, Elizabeth carries the flame of that experience, using it as the gold standard against which she measures all Christmases.

Tune in for this beautiful story that offers the golden key to having a truly magical Christmas: sharing the experience with those who need it most.

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/

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Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears officially kicks off the Christmas season with a creative and humorous take on a classic holiday character: Jack Frost!

This episode features an original story by our friend, veteran storyteller Ginger Parkinson, titled "Jack Frost Caught a Summer." Have you ever wondered how Santa depends on the winter sprite? Find out what happens when Jack Frost catches the worst ailment a winter being can contract: a "summer"!

Listen in as a sunburned Jack, clad in board shorts and sweating flowers, threatens to derail Santa's Christmas Eve flight (because the colder the air, the faster the reindeer fly!). Discover Mrs. Frost's strange "frostbite soup" diet and Santa's ingenious solution: a dry ice-fueled pool party at the North Pole!

The adventure climaxes in a 572-foot drop waterslide race between a cured Jack Frost and Santa, explaining exactly why Christmas Eve nights are so wonderfully crisp and cold.

This delightful story is a magical, family-friendly listen, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit and enjoying some creative folklore!

Connect with Ginger Parkinson:

• Utah Storytelling Guild Profile: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/ginger-parkinson/
• Email for bookings: gingerparkinson@gmail.com (Available for festivals, schools, libraries; performs as a witch for Halloween and Mrs. Claus for Christmas.)

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Welcome aboard the Story Ark! Captain Kenny Mears kicks off this special episode by debuting the podcast's brand new studio setup (be sure to check out the video on YouTube!). To celebrate, he's joined by his incredible cousins, Arielle, Kylee, and Analesha, who share a fun rendition of a timeless classic.

Join this energetic trio as they bring new life to "The Three Little Pigs." Hear the familiar tale of the three siblings who venture out to build homes—one of sticks, one of straw, and one of sturdy bricks—and the inevitable arrival of the Big Bad Wolf.

But this version has a hilarious and wholesome modern twist! Find out what happens when the wolf's traditional huffing and puffing fails to conquer the brick house, leading to an unexpected career change for the hungry predator.

This episode is a delightful, family-friendly listen, perfect for introducing kids to classic stories and enjoying a good laugh!

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• Podcast platforms: Available wherever you listen to podcasts!