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stories of reddit.

stories of reddit.

Written by: simple stories project.
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About this listen

 Stories of Reddit is a short-form storytelling podcast drawn from real, anonymous posts shared online. Each episode adapts a single story; personal moments, relationship tensions, moral dilemmas, or quiet confessions; told plainly and without commentary. These are not reactions, debates, or judgement pieces. They are first-person accounts of ordinary people trying to make sense of what happened to them. The focus is not on spectacle, but on experience. On how people explain their lives when no one knows who they are. Episodes are brief and self-contained. One story. One perspective. Left for the listener to consider. New stories released daily. Explore all shows: https://www.simplestoriesproject.com Support and get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SimpleStoriesprojectCopyright 2026 simple stories project. Drama & Plays Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • They Extended the Trip Without Asking

    They Extended the Trip Without Asking
    Mar 3 2026

    The babysitting favour that didn’t end on time...

    Rachel agreed to watch a relative’s children for the weekend.

    Just two nights.

    Nothing unusual.

    Sunday morning came, and no one arrived to collect them.

    They had decided to extend their trip.

    They assumed it wouldn’t be a problem.

    New stories released daily.

    Explore all shows: https://www.simplestoriesproject.com

    Support and get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SimpleStoriesproject

    Overview

    A seemingly innocuous request for a weekend babysitting favor quickly devolves into a protracted ordeal characterized by misunderstanding and a lack of communication. Rachel, the protagonist of this narrative, initially agrees to watch her relatives' children, believing it to be a simple task that would only require her attention for two nights. However, as the weekend progresses, what was once manageable transforms into a significant burden, particularly when the parents unilaterally decide to extend their trip without informing Rachel. This lack of consideration not only strains her patience but also complicates her own plans, as she finds herself scrambling to adjust to the unexpected situation. By the time the parents finally return, Rachel is left exhausted and frustrated, a sentiment compounded by their flippant attitude towards her plight. The essence of the episode revolves around the themes of communication and the assumptions that often accompany familial relationships. The parents' decision to extend their trip without prior discussion exemplifies a profound disregard for the commitments and boundaries of others. Rachel's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of clear dialogue and mutual respect in any form of caregiving. Her ultimate decision to decline future babysitting requests illustrates a pivotal moment of self-advocacy, highlighting the necessity for individuals to assert their boundaries in relationships that may take advantage of their goodwill. This narrative serves not only as an exploration of familial dynamics but also as a broader commentary on the need for open communication and respect for personal limits. Furthermore, the response to Rachel's story upon sharing it online underscores the public's fascination with interpersonal conflicts, particularly those involving family. The focus of the online discourse shifted from the children—who were ostensibly the reason for Rachel's favor—to the ethical implications of the parents' actions. This reaction reflects societal values surrounding personal boundaries and the complexities of informal agreements within familial structures. Rachel's resolution to cease future babysitting illustrates a reclaiming of her time and energy, emphasizing that such narratives resonate widely due to their relatability and the universal struggle for respect in personal relationships.

    Takeaways:

    1. The initial babysitting arrangement seemed straightforward, yet it escalated into a significant inconvenience for Rachel.
    2. Communication was severely lacking as the parents failed to inform Rachel about their extended trip.
    3. As the situation unfolded, Rachel found herself grappling with unexpected responsibilities and exhaustion.
    4. The parents' return was marked by a complete disregard for Rachel's efforts and well-being.
    5. The online response to Rachel's story highlighted a societal tendency to overlook the importance of consent.
    6. Ultimately, Rachel decided against future babysitting engagements due to this unsatisfactory experience.
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    1 min
  • She Covered a Shift — and Was Never Paid

    She Covered a Shift — and Was Never Paid
    Mar 2 2026
    The rota still had her coworker’s name on it.Maya agreed to cover one evening shift. Nothing complicated. Just helping out.When Maya checked the rota, her name wasn't on it.She had worked the evening, but the system showed someone else.Payroll refused to adjust the hours.New stories released daily.Explore all shows: https://www.simplestoriesproject.comSupport and get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SimpleStoriesprojectOverviewThe primary focus of this podcast episode revolves around the complexities and potential pitfalls associated with informal workplace arrangements, as exemplified by Maya's experience covering a shift for a colleague, only to discover that her name was not officially recorded on the schedule. Maya's willingness to assist led her to work an evening shift without proper acknowledgment, resulting in her hours remaining unlogged and unpaid. The subsequent interactions with her coworker and management highlighted a troubling lack of communication and accountability within the workplace. Ultimately, Maya's ordeal culminated in her decision to refrain from accommodating such informal requests in the future, underscoring the critical importance of clarity and formal agreements in professional environments. Through this narrative, we reflect on the broader implications of workplace dynamics and the necessity of safeguarding one's labor and time.Takeaways:Maya was initially asked to cover a shift at work, which she agreed to do.Later that evening, she received a message inquiring about her coworker's absence.Upon reviewing the schedule, Maya discovered that her name was not listed for the shift.Despite her efforts, Maya was unable to receive payment for the hours worked.The coworker who requested the favor ceased communication when confronted about the issue.As a result of this experience, Maya decided to refrain from agreeing to future work favors.Show Notes:The narrative unfolds with a seemingly innocuous request for assistance, as Maya, a diligent employee, finds herself asked to cover a shift at her workplace. Initially, she agrees to this favor, believing it to be a straightforward transaction among colleagues. However, the situation quickly devolves into a convoluted ordeal when she receives a message that raises questions regarding her coworker's whereabouts. Confusion ensues as Maya discovers that her name has been inexplicably omitted from the duty roster, yet she has been working a shift that was ostensibly assigned to another colleague. This revelation leads to an unsettling realization: she has contributed her efforts unremunerated, a fact that raises significant concerns regarding workplace communication and management practices. As Maya confronts the issue the following day, she is met with a dismissive attitude from her coworker, who casually acknowledges the oversight but fails to rectify the situation in a timely manner. Despite assurances that the shift swap would be corrected, Maya's efforts to resolve the payroll discrepancies are met with resistance. The manager's refusal to amend the hours without official documentation underscores the bureaucratic barriers that often complicate simple requests for fairness in the workplace. The narrative takes a poignant turn as Maya's online sharing of her experience garners attention; however, the focus shifts away from the core issue of unpaid labor to the procedural oversight regarding the shift schedule. The episode thus elucidates the precarious nature of informal workplace arrangements and the potential pitfalls that can arise when colleagues assume a level of trust that is not reciprocated. Ultimately, the culmination of Maya's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with volunteering for favors in professional settings. The narrative poignantly illustrates the importance of clear communication and the necessity of formalizing agreements to ensure that all parties are duly compensated for their contributions. It is a reminder of the vital role that transparency and accountability play in fostering a harmonious work environment, and it highlights the often-overlooked emotional toll that such experiences can inflict on employees who seek only to support their colleagues. As Maya resolves to refrain from future favors, the story encapsulates the broader themes of trust, responsibility, and the complexities of workplace dynamics.
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    1 min
  • The Package Was Opened Before It Was Returned

    The Package Was Opened Before It Was Returned
    Mar 1 2026

    The neighbour thought he could steal and get away with it...

    Ben ordered something expensive online. Later that day, he received confirmation it had arrived.

    But the doorstep was empty.

    That evening, a neighbour knocked — holding the box. Already opened.

    Some items were missing.

    The next day, Ben saw something familiar listed for sale online — same brand, same model, same colour.

    The seller wasn’t anonymous.

    New stories released daily.

    Explore all shows: https://www.simplestoriesproject.com

    Support and get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SimpleStoriesproject

    Overview

    A compelling narrative unfolds with the initial notification of a delivery that Ben had eagerly anticipated. Upon receipt of a message indicating the package's delivery, he is met with disillusionment when no parcel is found at his doorstep. His quest for the missing item leads him to engage with his neighbors, yet his inquiries yield no fruitful results. The seller, upon being contacted, affirms that the package was indeed delivered to the correct address, substantiating this claim with photographic evidence that depicts the package resting on Ben's doorstep. However, the package has inexplicably vanished. Later that evening, a neighbor arrives, presenting the package in an opened state, claiming it was delivered mistakenly to their residence. This seemingly benign act of returning the package soon escalates into an unsettling realization when Ben discovers that certain items within the package are conspicuously absent. The neighbor, upon being questioned, feigns ignorance regarding the contents, suggesting that perhaps the package was incomplete from the outset. As the plot thickens, Ben encounters an online listing that bears an uncanny resemblance to the items he ordered. The identical brand, model, and color are unmistakable, and the account is traced back to none other than the very neighbor who returned the package to him. In a decisive moment, Ben shares his experience on social media, where the audience is captivated not by the missing items, but rather by the implication that the package was opened prior to its return. This pivotal detail shifts the narrative, sparking intrigue and speculation. The situation reaches a climax when the online listing abruptly disappears, and the neighbor ceases all communication. In response to the unfolding drama, Ben proactively installs a doorbell camera, highlighting his desire for security and accountability in the wake of the incident.

    Takeaways:

    1. The delivery notification prompted an investigation into a missing package that was expected.
    2. Upon arrival, the package was missing, leading to inquiries with neighbors for information.
    3. The neighbor returned the package, albeit with certain items conspicuously absent from it.
    4. A subsequent online search revealed that the neighbor was selling items identical to those missing.
    5. The situation escalated when the neighbor ceased communication following public scrutiny online.
    6. The installation of a doorbell camera was a preventive measure taken after the incident.
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    1 min
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