We’re a little bit obsessed with stories. We love to read stories, share stories, experience stories, watch stories, listen to stories—we’re pretty much all about a good story. Our mission is to help you find, collect, and experience stories that are worthy of a place in your story reservoir. Stories that you can love and believe in.
Against that sweeping backdrop of the New World emerges one of America's most beloved storytellers, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who, on the eve of the Civil War, looked back to the humble settlement at Plymouth in search of the virtues that could heal a divided nation. In this episode, we explore the remarkable story behind The Courtship of Miles Standish before experiencing Longfellow's unforgettable poem in his own words. Journey into the fragile pilgrim colony where friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and love are tested in the wilderness, and discover why this timeless tale still speaks to the questions we face today: How do we remain true to ourselves while honoring those around us? And how do the stories of the past help us become better people in the present?
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Wherever possible we used original illustrations by Mathew B. Brady (1823-1896) from an 1859 printing of the poem.
22:23 "Miles Standish"
41:55 "Lover's Errand"
59:47 "John Alden"
1:03:14 "The March of Miles Standish"
1:09:07 "The Mayflower"
1:20:27 "Priscilla"
1:39:30 " Wedding Day"
1:43:59 "Wedding Procession"
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THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS, Part 1 & 2
Season One, Episodes 17 & 18
https://storybounders.com/pages/podcast
(these episodes can also be found on Spotify, Apple, and Youtube)
To help deepen your understanding and gain more context for this episode and future episodes, please listen to the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims.
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DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY: "How to Build Your Story Reservoir"
https://storybounders.com/pages/join-guide
Discover why the stories you love and believe in significantly shape your life—and how to choose them intentionally.
-Learn what a story reservoir is
-How stories shape your character and choices
-How to recognize meaningful stories
-Where to begin building your own story reservoir
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TRAVELING is another way to gather stories into your reservoir. We suggest experiencing the following sites to enrich and deepen your connection with the story of the pilgrims.
OUR TRAVEL DESTINATION SUGGESTION:
-Plimoth Patuxet Museum (https://plimoth.org)
-Mayflower II (part of the Plimoth Patuxet Museum experience)
-Plymouth Rock (79 Water Street, Plymouth, MA, FREE)
On the opposite side of Boston, just a few blocks away from Harvard Campus, is the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which is open for daily tours. Learn more about one of America's most celebrated authors by visiting:
-Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters (https://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm)
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VISIT OUR BOOKSHOP
We believe that everyone should have a private library—a visual and tactile representation of your story reservoir. Our bookshop curates beautiful editions (old and new) of beloved, classic stories that will surely be treasured keepsakes and aesthetic additions to your library.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Storybounders
8 May 2026
Ep 02 The New World
Season 2: The Stories That Built America
In this episode, we explore the extraordinary story of Christopher Columbus—a determined visionary who dared to sail on a journey most believed would lead to death and disaster. Rejected, mocked, and surrounded by doubt and fear, Columbus clung to the conviction that he knew where to point the boat. But this story is about far more than discovery. It’sabout courage, faith, opposition, and the difficult reality of human nature. Through triumph and trials, we examine the man who made the impossible a reality and changed the course of history.
CREDITS:
Quote explaining "presentism": huge thank you to Tom Fitzgerald on Instagram @tomfitzgerald_ (https://www.instagram.com/tomfitzgerald._/) "Helping you get into history properly without overthinking it"
Music: premiumbeat.com
SUGGESTED READING:
A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, Washington Irving (1828)
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DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDE (https://storybounders.com/pages/join-guide): "How to Build Your Story Reservoir"
Discover why the stories you love and believe in significantly shape your life—and how to choose them intentionally.
What a story reservoir is
How stories shape your character and choices
How to recognize meaningful stories
Where to begin building your own
Download your free guide now! (https://storybounders.com/pages/join-guide)
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Visit our bookshop and find carefully curated books in beautiful bindings. Stories that will help you build a cherished and enduring private library—a tactile and visual reminder of your own story reservoir. https://www.etsy.com/shop/Storybounders
14 Apr 2026
Ep 01 The Magna Carta
2026 Season: Stories That Built America
In this episode, we witness a medieval kingdom unraveling under the rule of a desperate and distrustful King John, whose cruelty and abuse of power push his people to the breaking point. A band of barons rises—not in revolution, but to reclaim an ancient truth: that even a king must answer to the law. Their clash leads them to the quiet meadows of Runnymede, where a powerful document is forged, placing limits on authority. This remarkable moment in history becomes one of the earliest chapters in America’s origin story—an enduring legacy that continues to shape who we are today.
CREDITS:
Quote explaining “presentism”: Huge thank you to Tom Fitzgerald on Instagram @tomfitzgerald._ “Helping you get into history properly, without overthinking it”
Music: "Stories and Fables", "About a Bird", "Scarlet Acrobat" (premiumbeat.com)
SUGGESTIONS:
If you’re new to the podcast, start with EPISODE 1: BUILDINGYOUR STORY RESERVOIR (from Season One). We introduce the idea of a story reservoir—a personal collection of stories that you might not know you even had. We talk about why it’s so important to have a story reservoir and why we should be intentionally collecting stories. It’s a great foundation for understanding what it means to love and believe in a story.
Season One can be found on apple, spotify, or youtube, oron our website: https://storybounders.com/pages/podcast
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
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