Pioneer stories are a valuable part of Utah heritage, and they are full of stories of miracles in the tough environment in the mid 1800's. Today we get to take a special look at three stories of miracles and pioneers. First we have What A Dinner We Had, by storyteller Rachel Macdonald, a true story of her pioneer ancestors who had dinner provided through a subtle miracle. We then have the story of the Bodily family, who traveled from South Africa to Utah and experienced a miraculous blessing for their generosity. And then finally, learn why the California Gull is the state bird of Utah in the story of the Crickets and the Seagulls.

Want Rachel to tell a story at your event? Check her out at the Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/rachel-macdonald/

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What do you think of when you think of the United States of America? Do you think of rough riding cowboys rolling across the West? Or do you imaging the strong military men and women who have defended freedom since the Revolutionary War? Perhaps you think of monstrous cryptids like Bigfoot, Mothman, and UFO's hiding out in the vast wilderness of America. Whatever you imagine, America is all of these and more. Join us as we explore three classic aspects of the American identity through story, our brave military men, the wild west and cowboys, and the Eastern U.S. and Appalachia with their litany of cryptids and monsters.

Visit the Utah Storytelling Guild at www.utahstorytellingguild.website

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The Western United States has long been home to gold, silver, and other mines, so it's no surprise that legends of lost mines have emerged over the last several centuries. Join us as we explore several of these legends based in Utah, as well as a delightful "lost mine" story by friend of the show, Jeff Driggs. This is one set of Western legends you won't want to miss!

Visit Jeff with the Utah Storytelling Guild at www.utahstorytellingguild.website

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Love can be a complicated, messy thing, and nobody knows that more than Mary Louise Hughes. Her early courtship and marriage with her husband was full of hilarious and often embarrassing events, and she shares it all in her original story, The Proof is in the Skillet.

Stay tuned as we also share a couple of older stories of messy love, the ancient Chinese story of The Red Cord and the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche's messy love story.

Want to hire Mary to come tell a story? Contact Mary Louise Hughes via email: hughes.marylouise@gmail.com

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The U.S. Government has been tracking UFO reports since the 1940's, and on May 8th, 2026, many of those reports were released to the public. Join your captain Kenny Mears as he takes you on a trip through a sampling of stories found in these new files. Whether you believe in aliens or not, today is sure to be a fun trip through the bizarre and sometimes dangerous world of the UFO sightings the government takes seriously.

Want to read the reports yourself? Check out the sources at https://www.war.gov/UFO/

Connect with The Story Ark, available wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Cowboys are the iconic figure of America, with their grit, determination, and wild ways. Today we have the stories of three cowboys who held true to principles, whether they were (or weren't) on the right side of the law.

Hear storyteller Rachel MacDonald as she shares the true story of her ancestor, Art Lee, also known as "One Stubborn Cuss," a cowboy from the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century who used his grit and determination to learn to walk after tragedy, quit drinking, and keep his word.

Stay tuned as we hear the story of the West's most principled outlaw, Butch Cassidy, America's very own Robin Hood figure. After Butch, listen in for the story of Bass Reeves, one of the first African American deputies in the West, and how he held true to his principles, even when there was a conflict of interest.

Want Rachel to tell a story at your event? Check her out at the Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/rachel-macdonald/

Connect with The Story Ark, available wherever you listen to podcasts!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570119045635

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryArkPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyark.pod/

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Kidnapped princesses and princesses in exile are incredibly common in world folklore, you can't throw a stone without hitting one. Today we have three stories lined up for you, the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, told by Analesha Mann (with some backup from her sisters Arielle and Kylee,) The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a Japanese folklore classic, and the birth of Perseus, the classic Greek hero and slayer of the gorgon Medusa. Join us for an explorative journey through the fascinating world of exiled princesses.

Connect with The Story Ark, available wherever you listen to podcasts!

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The Grimms have a lot of classic fairy tales, but you haven't heard this one before! Join us as we hear Godfather Death, a lost classic of a Grimm Fairy Tale all about death and the consequences of trying to cheat it. Told by long time friend of the show Laurie Allen, this story is sure to become a new favorite fairy tale!

Find Laurie Allen:

Utah Storytelling Guild: utahstorytellingguild.website

Storytours: storytours.com

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