HeyJaredWith Rachael
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
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 9
- Latest publication
- Sep 11, 2026
- Audience
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 16, 2026
Latest episodes
Episode 29: “The Cold Equation” by Tom Godwin (opens the original)
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Let me start by saying that I think this is the best short story I’ve read so far on this podcast. Maybe ever. Not because it’s about space, which typically gives us a phenomenal look into a new landscape we don’t quite understand and makes it easier for us to imagine the possibilities. It’s so good because it takes a simple action, that I’m sure many of us have done albeit not to this extent, and it shows the very real consequences. An 18 year old girl is caught as a stowaway on an EDS ship tra
Episode 28: “Briar Rose” by Brothers Grimm (opens the original)
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I’m sure we all know that Disney took inspiration from Brothers Grimm for some of their Princess movies! Today, we explore that by reading Briar Rose, and I challenge you (loosely because reading is fun) to find some movies that could have been based on this story. I had always heard that the original stories had dark twists so when I read this before recording the episode, I was patiently awaiting it. Fortunately, I was wrong and this was delightful read for all ages. Briar Rose was born a prin
Episode 27: “The Black Bull of Norroway” by Flora Annie Steel (opens the original)
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I miss children’s stories that teach morals and values like this one! Three sisters start chatting with each other about the husbands they’re going to have. When it’s time to pay up the youngest girl realizes that she has to actually marry the scary Black Bull of Norroway. Luckily he treats her well and she falls in love! I was so excited to see a woman on the list of short stories, and she didn’t disappoint! This story is cute, has a great theme, and best of all on this pod, no slurs! I hope yo
Episode 26: “According to Their Lights” by O. Henry (opens the original)
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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 de
Episode 25: "The Big Trip Up Yonder" by Kurt Vonnegut (opens the original)
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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 sh
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