You're invited to join our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast

Today we dive into The Magician’s Nephew -- the creation story in C.S. Lewis’s wonderful Chronicles of Narnia series. This story has a little bit of everything relating to the good, the true, and the beautiful. And best of all, it describes amazing concepts like the wood between the worlds and the great lion singing a new world into existence. It's hard to beat this one!

Come join our Patreon family: https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast

Murder mystery meets the Holy Grail -- and it's sitting quietly in a box in a little English parish church.

In this episode, we dive into War in Heaven, Charles Williams’s haunting and brilliant novel about the struggle between good and evil over the most sacred relic of Christendom: the Holy Grail. First published in 1930, this story weaves together theology, suspense, literature, faith, metaphysics and a murder mystery on the side.

Meet Our Executive Producer -- David Gabrielson, EP

In this special episode, while Stevie's out of town, I sit down with my favorite David -- who helps make this podcast happen. He may not be a big reader himself, but his support for books, history, and storytelling helps shape this show.

Learn a little bit about his love of jiu jitsu, his memories of the The Velveteen Rabbit, and why he believes stories—whether from history or childhood classics—matter more than ever.

I’ve said before that Stephen is the kind of guy you can prompt at random — for instance, “Tell me everything you know about the First Crusade. Go!” — and somehow, he can actually do it. I (Jody) really envy his memory and his knack for retaining details.

In these bonus episodes, I want to showcase Stephen’s gift for diving deep into complex historical events, weaving the stories together, and sharing them in a way that helps all of us learn something new.

Here’s a bite-sized introduction to the Crusades -- what they were, why they happened, when they ended — and why this volatile chapter of history deserves to be remembered.

Interested in more? Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast

Check out our Patreon and join us for free: https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast

Today's story is a journey deep into the mountains of George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin, a beautiful fairytale full of good lessons and good humor for us all. This story has enchanted readers for generations — and it’s easy to see why.

The Princess Irene lives in her lonely castle, perched halfway up a mountain. In the story, she meets a miner boy named Curdie as well as sneaky goblins, who live deep inside the mountain -- and they hatch a plan to take revenge on the people who live above them.

At the heart of the tale is something precious: a beautiful picture of faith and peace in the midst of fear and darkness. There’s the mysterious great-great-grandmother, who spins her shining thread and teaches Irene to follow it with trust.

We talk about how MacDonald masterfully tells a story that still speaks today — inviting us to laugh, hope, and walk in faith.

Join our Patreon to find all episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodStoriesPodcast

In this episode, we journey through the unexpected "world building" epic of Watership Down, where rabbits aren’t just rabbits—they’re leaders, prophets, storytellers, and survivors.

At the heart of the tale is Hazel, an unlikely leader whose strength lies not in brute force, but in empathy, trust, and quiet courage. Along the way, we explore the deep importance of storytelling in the rabbits’ world—and how the clever tales of El-ahrairah shape their culture and lives. Whether you’ve read the book before or are new to the down, this episode is for anyone who loves good stories and big characters who rise to the moment, even if they’re only a foot tall and covered in fur.

Want to support us? Join our Patreon today: patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast

We're talking about the Bard today -- the one and only Shakespeare -- and his exciting drama The Tempest -- a story of shipwreck, sorcery, and second chances. We also talk a bit about Shakespeare’s genius overall—his impressive body of work, the characters that still breathe on stage and page, and the words and phrases he invented that we still use today.

Whether you’ve read every play or just met Prospero today, we hope you enjoy it!

Come check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodStoriesPodcast

In today's episode we visit a curious little island where words and language are more important to the people than technology and modern conveniences. But strange consequences follow when the revered alphabet starts falling to the ground, one tile at a time.

We follow Ella, her family, and her neighbors on a playful yet poignant word-picture through censorship, creativity, and the power of expression. Expect wit, wordplay, and a surprising amount of heart in this tale where every letter counts. Join us as we celebrate the resilience of language and communication—and the freedom to use it.