With Rachael

Short Stories With Rachael
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Listen to short stories With Rachael as you wind down at the end of the day or try to fall asleep. It's story time for grown ups, with thoughtful tales, rich voices and a moment to stop the mindless scroll. withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 26: “According to Their Lights” by O. Henry

    The only reason I’m posting this episode is because it might be the most mellow I’ve ever been recording the podcast, and it shows. If you like this type of monotone, low energy delivery, let me know by leaving a comment. Now that that’s out of the way. I have to say something. If you can’t tell by my podcast cover, I’m a minority. I walk through this world as a black woman with a vast ethnic background. O. Henry would be rolling in his putrid little hidey hole if he knew that someone like me decided to read his work, and modify his story to remove the slurs against other groups he was not a part of. Let him roll. I think it’s important to learn about history. We need to know where we came from, what life was like, who were the people in charge, what were the general beliefs of the people at that time, what morales reigned supreme, and what advancements were made. That way we can take history and grow, we can understand what works and what doesn’t work in society. That’s why although this story was riddled with slurs and ideology I didn’t agree with, I found it important to read this story. I needed to get to know O. Henry and subsequently diss him for his stilted and bigoted view. This story was about two men who had assets, and status in their communities but left them behind and were living at rock bottom. They then try to determine what they would do to regain some status or money to elevate themselves back up. They then come to realize that they come from two separate parts of New York and their values are different. We get to tune in. Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this podcast was provided by Miles Agean. Check out his album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Episode 26: “According to Their Lights” by O. Henry

  2. Aug 14

    Episode 25: "The Big Trip Up Yonder" by Kurt Vonnegut

    It’s hard to talk about the greats without hearing the name Kurt Vonnegut, and that’s what made me terrified to read this short story. Everyone talks about how great he was in science fiction or his dark humor that was infused in every piece he created. His name speaks for itself, and as someone who can never watch or listen to things during the hype (it’s never as good as people say) I really wanted to make sure I could read this without the expectations that come with reading his work. This short story is about a massive family living in 2185 AD, from Gramps, to kids, to grandkids, to great grands, and their families and beyond. They all live in one apartment with only three rooms. Gramps has the only bedroom, obviously, and the other bed is only for his favorites of the family at that moment. The others sleep in cots and sleeping bags in the long hallway that was supposed to be used as a dining room. Gramps is temperamental and the only way the family has hopes to get their inheritance is to stay on his good side. We explore what life is like living in that home. It’s an entertaining story, and I love the Gramps character. He’s so dramatic and it’s really fun to read. I understand why everyone likes Kurt Vonnegut, because if his novels are anything like this short story, they’re fun to read and provide a unique twist on a somewhat tangible idea. I’m excited to pick up Slaughterhouse-Five. Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this podcast was provided by Miles Agean. Check out his album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Episode 25: "The Big Trip Up Yonder" by Kurt Vonnegut

  3. Aug 7

    Episode 24: "B24" by Arthur Conan Doyle

    The only thing I knew about Arthur Conan Doyle before launching this podcast was that he’s the creator of Sherlock Holmes. That detective we had to read about in high school. My first story was “The Hounds of Baskerville”, and it was pretty good. While searching for the next short story I saw there was a title that was unlike the others, “B24”. The title alone intrigued me, and I wanted to learn more about it. Now that I’ve read the story, I have two thoughts. * There is no place in the short story where B24 is mentioned. I don’t know where this title came from or why he decided to name it this. I also refuse to search to find out why it’s titled a such. * Arthur Conan Doyle seems as though he refused to use a thesaurus when writing this short story. Queer was used multiple times to describe something strange. He wanted to make sure we knew that Lady Mannering was white and pale. Regardless of these two thoughts, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. This one did not explicitly tell us what exactly happened. We have to use our brains to understand the character and determine for ourselves if he was the one who did the crime, or if the story he tells is 100 percent true, as he says it is. And if it is true, we have to figure out why we think he went to jail or if the lawyer he writes to can get him out. After listening, what do you think happened? Leave me a comment to let me know and subscribe for free to be updated when new episodes are released. Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this podcast was provided by Miles Agean. Check out his album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Episode 24: "B24" by Arthur Conan Doyle

  4. Jul 31

    Episode 23: "And All The Earth a Grave" by C.C. MacApp

    This one is on the favorites list! It feels morbid if you take it at face value. Yeah, everyone’s buying a casket. It’s the new most exciting purchase. It takes over the airwaves, tv screens and department stores all over the country, even worldwide! It’s a farfetched idea that most would never put together, let alone expect from a short story. If you look at this story through the 2026 lens, influencer culture, the marketing budgets of big companies, there’s a glaring theme. The more you inundate a person with an item through ads on different platforms, the more they’re going to want to buy or use that item. If someone hears the ad on multiple channels and then sees their neighbor buying that item, they’re going to run to it too. We see it all the time. You can’t count the “I’m obsesssssedddd”s in each TikTok or YouTube on your hands and feet. It might take multiples sets of extremities. These items get sold out frequently! Hailey Bieber Jeans anyone? I’m not here to diss Hailey Bieber or the influencer economy. The comparison was just too close that I couldn’t help but to draw it, and there are many other examples. Stanley Cups, Starbuck Bear Cups, Parke at Target. It’s crazy how this story is an exaggeration of the effect of marketing, but it’s actually happening in a similar capacity right now. What do you think about this story or the themes it presents? Do you disagree with my thoughts? Have you bought the Hailey Bieber jeans? Let me know! Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this podcast was provided by Miles Agean. Check out his album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Episode 23: "And All The Earth a Grave" by C.C. MacApp

  5. Jul 24

    Episode 22: "Sssssssssshhhh!” by Richard Connell

    Richard Connell is a repeat author on the With Rachael Podcast, and like the first episode featuring his work (episode 12) this short story has to do with a Prince.. kinda. Today’s story features a man who leaves New York City on the railroad without a destination in mind. When the train stops and he sees someone strange, he gets off of the train to investigate a city in which it seems the residents are speaking a new, potentially made up language. This episode, and story, is so short and lacks depth, but it was nice. Personally, I would prefer to listen to the other Richard Connell stories. What are your thoughts on this episode? Let me know in the comments! I hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this podcast was provided by Miles Agean. Check out his album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Episode 22: "Sssssssssshhhh!” by Richard Connell

  6. Jul 16

    Season 2: Episode 1 "A Tale of Negative Gravity" by Frank Stockton

    Welcome back to The With Rachael Podcast! The first episode this season is actually one of my favorites. This story follows our narrator that invents a “negative gravity” device that lives inside of a knapsack he can carry around with him. Because of the attention that may come with inventing something of this caliber, he and his wife decide to keep it a secret until they die and to allow their son, Herbert, to make a decision on what to do with the machine. Until then, they use it and a replica, to explore, take longer walks, jump over things, and enjoy what life could be like carrying less weight. The decision to not patent this machine and to use it in private causes a few side eyes and becomes harder to navigate. What would you do if you invented something the world has never seen before? Would you keep it to yourself to maintain your privacy or would you patent and try to make money off of it? Me, personally? I’m going straight to the PTO (Patent & Trademark Office) to file that paperwork. I’ll camp out in a lawn chair if I have to. I’m not one for fame or recognition, but it would be so nice to be able to afford more experiments or make sure my family is taken care of. Let me know what you would do in that situation in the comments! I hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this episode was provided by Miles Agean. Check out the album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Season 2: Episode 1 "A Tale of Negative Gravity" by Frank Stockton

  7. May 27

    Episode 20: "If I Were a Man" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

    Charlotte Perkins Gilman gave us “The Yellow Wallpaper”, and now she’s back with a different story. Mollie Mathewson wishes she were a man. Almost immediately after she makes that wish, she gets transported into her husband’s mind. In that mind he quickly forgets why they had a little argument, and runs to catch the train. As the men on the train are chatting, the train is moving, and she finds that a mans thoughts are a lot different than she’s always believed - not in a bad way, but a different way. As she lives further in further in her husband’s head she realizes how much she doesn’t know and continues to learn about him and his way of thinking. We don’t get to know if she eventually finds herself back in her own head, but we don’t need that to be satisfied with this story. Tell me, would you like to spend a few minutes in your partner’s head? I hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this podcast was provided by Miles Agean. Check out his album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Episode 20: "If I Were a Man" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

  8. May 13

    Episode 19: "The Silver Key" by H.P. Lovecraft

    I put a few authors we hadn’t read before on a random wheel and spun it. Unfortunately this is the story the wheel chose for us and I’m not really convinced the author or the story is actually something I’ll ever want to read again. The story isn’t bad, it just doesn’t fit what I would consider to be intriguing. The sentence structure is very long, and almost feels like the story is composed of run on sentences strung together with paperclips and hope. If you’re like me, and listen to podcasts to fall asleep to, this one might be the one you repeat over and over again. This story can be summed up quickly. The main character has been conditioned by the world to hide his true thoughts about the world and the world that lives in his dreams. He becomes bothered with the perspectives of people living in the “real” world, calling them and their aspirations shallow and fickle. He lives in this world so much that the one he built in his dreams becomes inaccessible, and the longing to visit grows. Everything changes when he finds this silver key hidden by generations and generations of his family. I hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to Like, Comment, or Share this episode with your friends! Goodnight, Rachael The music for this podcast was provided by Miles Agean. Check out his album, Alpenglow, on Apple Music & Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

    Episode 19: "The Silver Key" by H.P. Lovecraft
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Listen to short stories With Rachael as you wind down at the end of the day or try to fall asleep. It's story time for grown ups, with thoughtful tales, rich voices and a moment to stop the mindless scroll. withrachaelpodcast.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Short Stories With Rachael
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rachael Wood
  • Show Website
    With Rachael