7 episodes

Some Story is a podcast about short stories. In the spirit of George Saunders’ A Swim In a Pond in the Rain, friends and writers Russell Hehn and Brian Blickenstaff try to discover what makes good stories work.

Russell Hehn is a father, writer, and lawn care professional living in Birmingham, Alabama. He has work published in McSeeeney’s, the Barcelona Review, and the Museum of America.

Brian Blickenstaff is an American writer and journalist based in Heidelberg, Germany. He is a former VICE staff writer.

Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer

Some Story Some Story Productions

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 7 Ratings

Some Story is a podcast about short stories. In the spirit of George Saunders’ A Swim In a Pond in the Rain, friends and writers Russell Hehn and Brian Blickenstaff try to discover what makes good stories work.

Russell Hehn is a father, writer, and lawn care professional living in Birmingham, Alabama. He has work published in McSeeeney’s, the Barcelona Review, and the Museum of America.

Brian Blickenstaff is an American writer and journalist based in Heidelberg, Germany. He is a former VICE staff writer.

Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer

    Ponies

    Ponies

    Brian and Russell discuss the short story "Ponies" by Kij Johnson and observe the therapeutic role of community pools... applaud Russell for his latest publication... remember My Little Pony... canonize a new Saint of Late Bloomers... consider positive cliches... wonder about the patriarchy and "girl stuff"... and  much more!

    This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

    Read Ponies here.

    Read Russell's newest publication, "Queen of Wrath," here.

    Follow us on Twitter @SomeStoryShow

    Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity,  reading, writer, books, Kij Johnson

    • 41 min
    Water Liars

    Water Liars

    Brian and Russell discuss the short story "Water Liars" by Barry Hannah and do a Historians of History (TM) on Russell's papaw... discuss other sightings of water liars... consider some old Barry Hannah advice... laugh at about an old guy saying "intercourse" ...wonder why writers don't just say what they mean more often... and much more!

    This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions.

    Follow us on Twitter @SomeStoryShow  

    Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity,  reading, writer, books

    • 38 min
    The Littoral Zone

    The Littoral Zone

    Brian and Russell discuss Andrea Barrett's short story "The Littoral Zone" and talk Shorties... congratulate Russell on his new job... remember when Brian (almost) passed out on a school trip... consider the pros and cons of putting constraints on artistic work... talk about memory... discuss a lesson writers might take from drawing comics... learn about how Russell met and wooed his wife... and much more! This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

    Tags: writing,  fiction, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books, Andrea Barrett, the National Book Award, the ocean.

    • 49 min
    Peach Cobbler

    Peach Cobbler

    Brian and Russell discuss Deesha Philyaw's short story "Peach Cobbler" and talk pencils... remember Austin Powers... discuss what makes a good cobbler... consider the sexiest dessert... avoid cliches... argue about good endings... and much more! This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions. Tags: writing,  fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books, Deesha Philyaw, the National Book Award, dessert. 

    • 55 min
    The Stone Boy

    The Stone Boy

    Brian and Russell discuss the short story "The Stone Boy" by Gina Berriault and do a Historians of History (TM) about how Dick Chaney once shot a man... discuss shame and the adolescent mind... learn writerly things about detail and mixing description and action... remember Sea Monkeys and Brian's failed business... talk about the secret language of adults... and get a sneak preview of an exciting collection of poetry Russell is working on. 
    This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions.
    Follow us on Twitter @SomeStoryShow

    Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books

    • 54 min
    Some Story Short - Bowling with Bumpers

    Some Story Short - Bowling with Bumpers

    In this first episode of Some Story Short, Russell brings you an exercise that will help you learn from your favorite writers and work on your own creativity without getting bogged down in story structure. It's a great way to build confidence, explore technique, and get inside the head of the writers you most admire. When it comes time write your next story, you'll have an expanded toolkit to work with. 

    Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books

    • 6 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
7 Ratings

7 Ratings

The Gams ,

Great for aspiring writers!

I’m learning about lots of great stories I may not have run into as someone who gets most of their reading done via audiobook nowadays… and on top of that, I feel like I come away from every episode learning a new trick to make my own writing better. I count the days to a new episode every week. Five stars isn’t enough!

Griffin William ,

A Heartwarming and Thoughtful Reflection

I thoroughly enjoyed both the story curation and the honest commentary, serving as a helpful guide to investigate the many layers of these stories. The hosts easily weave between personal anecdotes and universal themes to make you cry and laugh in the same moment… like a good short story.

Drakesax ,

Making short story’s fun and accessible

I’m not really a short story lover at this point in my life. No clue why not. Stumbled upon this show via twitter. It’s so accessible and it’s helped me get excited about reading a short story again. Production is clean and the the audio quality is spot on too.

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