Once There Was a Podcast
Telling the stories behind the everyday storytellers and the stories they tell. Join us every other week as you get introduced to another storyteller and the stories they are sharing with the world. Hold on! We aren’t just introducing you to your typical storytellers and authors, we want you to be inspired by the people who are telling stories everyday to connect, educate, and inspire their audience. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to share your story with a new audience of your choosing.
Listen on:
Episodes
11 hours ago
11 hours ago
Our next guest is the performer/influencer/roleplayer, Betty Kay Merkle! Join us as we discuss her love of theater and performing, vocal coaching, the joys of playing roleplaying games and using them to tell stories, as well as playing those games for performance on the internet. No matter what the role, she follows the philosophy of creating more than you consume.
Storytime: PAX, Rats, and Spenser Starke
Special Thanks to:
Betty Kay Merkle
Alex (my sound guru)
Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music
My Wife and Daughter
You
Betty’s Socials, Vocal Coaching, and Shows
@bettythebeholder
Paragon Studios
Breathe Bravely/sINgSPIRE
The Stranger’s Guild
Haunted Halls Podcast
Cast Party
Instagram:
Oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Podcast Email:
oncetherewasapod@gmail.com
Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod
Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):
https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9
Additional Audio and Music:
Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Welcome to our first Storytime Episode of Season 2. On the off weeks from interviews, there are shorter, storytime episodes. These episodes will share one or two stories and the story behind them. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking time to share stories of those teachers who have inspired us the most!
Special Thanks to:
Mr. Young
Mrs. Rau
Teachers Everywhere!
Alex (my sound guru)
Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music
My Wife and Daughter
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Email:
oncetherewasapod@gmail.com
Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod
Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):
https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9
Additional Audio and Music:
Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Our first guest of Season 2 is WHO TV13 Sports Director, Keith Murphy! Join us as we discuss his path from athlete to sports reporter, covering the Gainesville Ripper, making the move to the great state of Iowa, and what makes a great sports story.
Storytime: The Gate Crashing El Camino
*After recording, Keith corrected himself and let me know the El Camino shirts were a gift for his father’s 80th birthday.
Special Thanks to:
Keith Murphy
Alex (my sound guru)
Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music
My Wife and Daughter
You
Murph and Andy- Iowa Everywhere
WHOTV13- SOUNDOff
Instagram:
Oncetherewasapod
Keith Murphy's Instagram
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Keith Murphy's Facebook
Podcast Email:
oncetherewasapod@gmail.com
Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod
Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):
https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9
Additional Audio and Music:
Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Welcome to Once There Was a Podcast! It’s almost time for Season 2! Episode 1 will be released on April 28th! We have some exciting guests this season who are looking to share their stories with you. We’re also looking to hear some of your stories! Check the Storytime Submission Link below to find out more information! Otherwise, check us out on Instagram and Facebook for more information!
Special Thanks to:
Alex (my sound guru)
Helena and Weston Fantz (of the band Not Jupiter) for the music
My Wife and Daughter
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Email:
oncetherewasapod@gmail.com
Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/oncetherewasapod
Storytime Submission Link (requires a sign-in for security reasons):
https://forms.gle/Qd4XCkrBxtBnJeRp9
Additional Audio and Music:
Music by Helena and Weston Fantz (Not Jupiter)
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! It’s the start of the longest, short month of the year. The days are finally getting longer. We’ve all gone a little stir-crazy from being inside and not getting enough sunlight. In the school systems, we have someone who can help with that: the school counselor. This week is National School Counselor’s Week! We dedicate this episode to those unsung heroes of school who help ALL of us navigate dealing with stressors and their associated emotions while helping guide us into the world after K-12 schooling.
This will be the last episode before we return this spring with Season 2 of Once There Was a Podcast! Stay tuned for more information in the upcoming months!
Special Thanks to:
School Counselors Everywhere!
Alex (my sound guru)
My Wife and Daughter
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Additional Audio and Music:
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! ‘Twas the day before Christmas and you’ve come for a tale. Sit right there because here’s one I will regale. This week we have one of my favorite memories from Christmas past. This story includes food, family, neighbors, and a “friendly” game of hearts.
Special Thanks to:
Alex (my sound guru)
My Wife and Daughter
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Additional Audio and Music:
David Lindberg/Jingle Bells (Dixieland Version)/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! It’s the busiest travel day of the year and you’ve come to the right place! Here at Once There Was a Podcast, we have the perfect audio media for your plane, train, or automobile ride as you cross the country. In honor of the holiday, we even have a holiday bonus episode to start up your holiday spirit! Enjoy your Thanksgiving! We’re thankful for all of you!
Special Thanks to:
Our Listeners
Turkey Trot Race Directors Everywhere
My Brother for starting my love of running
Alex (my sound guru)
My Wife and Daughter
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Additional Audio and Music:
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Back in June when I was interviewing Shawn Peterson, he suggested I do a talkback episode at some point where we flip the script and someone else interviews me about the podcast. Well, here it is. Please welcome back guests and friends of the podcast, Shawn Peterson and Isaiah Stansbery. In this special episode, they pick my brain about what I learned and discovered recording the first season of Once There Was a Podcast.
Storytime: 3 Dads and a Podcast
Special Thanks to:
Shawn Peterson
Isaiah Stansbery
Alex (my sound guru)
My Wife and Daughter
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Additional Audio and Music:
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
High School Crowd 1/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Welcome to a Bonus Storytime episode! Today 11th day of the 11th month. Here in the U.S., we observe Veteran’s Day. Today is a special day of gratitude and thankfulness. Find a veteran today and thank them for their service.
Special Thanks to:
All of our Veteran’s
My Father
My Uncles
My Granpa
My former students
Isaiah Stansbery
Alex (my sound guru)
My Wife and Daughter (CJ herself)
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Additional Audio and Music:
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Welcome to the Season 1 finale! We end the first season with a storytime episode. This week’s storytime is a two-parter. We begin with a press conference from an extra-terrestrial invader. Their message is not one of peace but one that forces reflection by the people of Earth. Then, you’ll hear the brief story of the origins of the podcast’s sign-off “Everyone has an important story to tell” and how the two are linked.
It’s been an absolutely fantastic first season! Here at Once There Was a Podcast we cannot express our thanks and our gratitude enough. Your support has been truly wonderful and fantastic. We look forward to sharing more stories and introducing you to more storytellers next year! In the time being, stay tuned for a few bonus stories around the holidays!
Special Thanks to:
Alex (my sound guru)
My Wife and Daughter
You
Instagram:
oncetherewasapod
Facebook:
Once There Was a Podcast
Additional Audio and Music:
Franz Gordon/Morning Blues/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Out To the World/A Journalist’s Dream/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Jon Bjork/Turn of the Tide/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Additional Sound Effects/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound