Merlin—the wizard, prophet and so much more! In this sampler, we talk about some of his most memorable tales: from wild beginnings to wise counsellor. He was part of court intrigue and legendary adventure, culminating with the reign of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. It’s a taste of the many sides of Merlin; a man who continues to fascinate across centuries of story.

We're joined by singer-songwriter and “literary musician” Matt Wheeler for a great conversation that ties together stories and music and faith. Matt shares why The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis has been such a meaningful book to him personally, and how his songs reflect a great love for literature and the truth that can be found in stories.

We’ll also get to hear some of Matt’s personal story—including how he became a musician and some of the artists and authors who inspire him.

To close, Matt treats us to a live acoustic performance of two songs: Aravis and I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon.

Enjoy!

http://www.mattwheeleronline.com/

Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a thought problem that considers how easily we can drift through life—avoiding pain, chasing comfort, and clinging to what looks respectable. Yet in the face of death, the story presses us to ask deeper questions: What are we truly here for? What does it mean to live rightly?

As Ivan approaches his own death, he is forced to see beyond appearances and consider what truly matters. His story invites us to reflect on our own lives -- to let go of self and to look honestly at our choices and how we live.

In this episode, we step into the very first Discworld adventure: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett.

We meet A'tuin - the giant turtle who carries the disc on his back, along with the inept wizard Rincewind and the ever-optimistic tourist, Twoflower. Then there's the tourist's walking, many-legged piece of luggage that steals the show. Come explore the wild humor, wordplay, and fantastical beginnings of a world that went on to capture millions of readers’ imaginations.

You can find more from us at patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast and now on Substack. Thank you for listening!

A BIG thank you to Vanessa for sharing! Everyone has a story worth sharing!

In this episode, our guest shares a piece of her own story along with the unforgettable and true story of The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. It’s a testimony of faith, forgiveness, and light shining in the darkest of times.

Corrie reminds us: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Through suffering and loss, she discovered that “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” Hers is a story of courage, hope, and the faithfulness of God.

Tolkien goes delightfully small-scale in Farmer Giles of Ham -- that tells the story of a steady farmer with a vocal dog, an old blunderbuss, and a dislike for trespassers. Names abound with clever meanings and a lot of history all tucked into a simple story.

And as Tolkien said, "give me a story with a dragon in it and I'm happy." This one ticks all the boxes!

Join our Patreon family for all our content, including short stories and extras: www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast

In the whirlwind GK Chesterton story of Manalive, we discover a man named Innocent Smith -- and how he truly is a man alive! He is colorful and full of adventure and unorthodox ideas. He approaches life in a BIG way as he happily breaks conventions.

Come find out what makes him a man truly awake -- truly alive.

Join our Patreon family: https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast

In this episode of Good Stories, we meet Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester—literary rockstars at the heart of one of the greatest love stories ever told. But it’s more than just a romance. Jane Eyre is woven with mystery, faith, and fortitude, all unfolding through quiet drawing-room conversations, some analytical internal dialogue, and the reflective voice of a narrator looking back on her life with clarity and strength.

Join our Patreon family for more: https://www.patreon.com/GoodStoriesPodcast