River Reads
Canadian Radio Awards 2023 Winner Best Podcast-Small Market. River Reads is a program for all ages to escape into creative commons fairy tales and stories, as narrated by host River Wilde. Enjoy tales, both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words; or those classic stories that have aged poorly. Featuring ‘River Rambles’, ‘Gender Blender’, and ‘River Reads’ Rating System’. The River Reads show is "not a kids show but not not a kids show." Listener discretion advised. Originally airs on CICK 93.9 FM Smit...
Ep 48 - Tarnished Gold
This week on River Reads Episode 48- Tarnished Gold featuring two longer tales from the collection The Blue Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang, called, The Story of Pretty Goldilocks and The Water-Lily. The Gold-Spinner.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and then there’s those stories whose premises have pe...
Ep 47 - Your Own Worst Enemy
This week on River Reads Episode 47- Your Own Worst Enemy featuring two longer tales from the collection The Blue Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang, called Prince Darling and The Forty Thieves.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and then there’s those stories whose premises have perhaps not ag...
Ep 46 - The Yellow Dwarf
This week on River Reads Episode 46 - The Yellow Dwarf featuring one tale from the collection The Blue Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang, The Yellow Dwarf.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and then there’s those stories whose premises have perhaps not aged as well over the years. Let’s face...
Ep 45 - Skin Deep
This week on River Reads Episode 45 - Skin Deep featuring three tales from the collection Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called The Goose Girl, The Emperor's New Clothes, and Thumbelina.
Our three tales today highlight the importance of inner truth and virtue over superficial appearances.
All three stories explore how appearances can be deceiving, or how superficiality (pride, status, beauty) is challenged by a deeper, often ignored, truth.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and o...
Ep 44 - Be Wary in the Woods
Forests stand as mysterious sanctuaries where ghostly and sinister creatures thrive in shadowed secrecy, whispering stories of forgotten time and awakening a deep, primal sense of awe, and fear.
It is here, at the edge of the forest, that the light fades as you enter the trees, turning into a strange dark and quiet place, where sounds all but vanish–absorbed into the dark and here you feel the creeping in of the wild surrounding you.
This week on River Reads Episode 44- Be Wary in the Forest, featuring four tales from the col...
Ep 43 - What's a Wise Age?
This week on River Reads Episode 43 - What’s a Wise Age? Features three tales. Two tales from Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called, The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy Kills the Witch and The Red Shoes. Plus, one tale from the collection Fairy Tales by Hans Andersen, called, What the Old Man Does is Always Right.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or...
Ep 42 - Stranger Danger
This week on River Reads Episode 42- Stranger Danger features one longer tale from the collection The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, called, A Voyage to Lilliput.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and then there’s those stories whose premises have perhaps not aged as well over the years. Let’s fa...
Ep 41 - Flesh & Bones
This week on River Reads Episode 41- Flesh & Bones, featuring four tales from the collection Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called Jack the Giant-Killer, The Firebird, Cinderella, and Blackbeard.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and then there’s those stories whose premises have perhaps not aged as well over the years. Le...
Ep 40 - They Change
This week on River Reads we enter Season Five with Episode 40- They Change, featuring five tales from the collection Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Princess & the Pea, and The Swan Maiden.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old...
Ep 39 - The Pain of Envy
This week on River Reads, Episode 39- The Pain of Envy, features two longer tales from the collection Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and then there’s those stories whose premises ha...
Ep 38 - Magic & Pancakes
This week on River Reads, Episode 38- Magic & Pancakes, features five tales from the collection Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called The Three Little Pigs, Aladdin & His Lamp, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Aniello & His Little Speckled Hen, and The Thick, Fat Pancake.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and t...
Ep 37 - Rosemary & Gold
This week on River Reads, Episode 37- Rosemary & Gold, features four tales from the collection Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called Beauty & the Beast, Foolish Jim & Clever James, The Pied Piper of Hamelin and The Sprig of Rosemary.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strange stories; both new and old, but mostly old and at times macabre, or silly, or even perhaps a little confusing as written in old english and the host fumbles words, and then there’s those stories whose premises hav...
Ep 36 - Snakes, Bear, Fish, & a Gingerbread Man
We're back!! This week on River Reads, Episode 36- Snakes, Bear, Fish, & a Gingerbread Man, features five tale from the collection Fairy Tales as retold by Bridget Hadaway, called The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks & the Three Bears, The Snake Prince, The Knights of the Fish and Cannetella & the Wizard.
Remember to Tune in weekly for our Gender Blender segment, where we flip and play with traditional gender roles, reimagining classic fairy tales. Only revealing which tale is our Gender Blender tale at the end of each episode.
River Reads is not a kids show but not n...
Ep 35 - A Cat, Fairies Be Disturbed
This week on River Reads, Episode 35- A Cat, Fairies Be Disturbed, features two longer tale from the collection The Blue Fairy Book from Andrew Lang, called The History of Whittington and The Terrible Head
Remember to Tune in weekly for our Gender Blender segment, where we flip and play with traditional gender roles, reimagining classic fairy tales. Only revealing which tale is our Gender Blender tale at the end of each episode.
River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show and may cont...
Ep 34 - Wonderful Sheep
Remembering Alice Maitland, a special River Rambles.
This week on River Reads, Episode 34- Wonderful Sheep, features a single longer tale from the collection The Blue Fairy Book from Andrew Lang, The Wonderful Sheep. Plus a special River Rambles as the host discusses the passing of and the legacy that was Alice Maitland. Remember to Tune in weekly for our Gender Blender segment, where we flip and play with traditional gender roles, reimagining classic fairy tales. Only revealing which tale is our Gender Blender tale at the end of eac...
Ep 33 - Bits of Flesh
This week on River Reads, Episode 33- Bits of Flesh , features two gruesome tales from the collection Grimm’s Fairy tales: Cinderella and The King of Golden Mountain. Please note: River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show and may contain content suitable for a mature audience; listener discretion is advised.
Remember to Tune in weekly for our Gender Blender segment, where we flip and play with traditional gender roles, reimagining classic fairy tales. Only revealing which tale is our Gender Blender tale at the end each episode. The Suspense!
...
Ep 32 - Proposing Opposites Beware
Back from a long break River Reads returns with Episode 32 - Proposing Opposites Beware, with themes of greed, love and karma. Of warnings of wanting too much of others and other things. This episode features, in no particular order, four tales from the collection Grimm’s Fairy tales: 1) The Fisherman and His Wife, 2) The Robber Bridegroom, 3) Jorinda and Joringel and 4) The Clever Gretel. Be sure to listen ‘til the end for the reveal of the episode's Gender Blender tale.
Please note: River Reads is n...
Ep 31 - Bears, Thieves & Trickery
This week on River Reads, Episode 31- Bears, Thieves & Trickery, featuring two tales from the collection Grimm’s Fairy Tales, "Snow-White and Rose-Red" and "The Table, the Ass, and the Stick."
Be sure to listen ‘til the end for the reveal of the episode's Gender Blender tale. Please note: River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show and may contain content suitable for a mature audience; listener discretion is advised.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape into fairy tales and strang...
Ep 30 - Fire, Ash & Death
This week, River Reads will launch Season 4 with Episode 30, titled "Fire, Ash & Death.” This episode includes two stories: a brief narrative titled "The Shepherdess and the Chimney-Sweep" from Hans Christian Andersen's collection Fairy Tales, and the longer, gruesome tale, "The Master-Maid," from Andrew Lang’s "The Blue Fairy Book." Be sure to listen ‘til the end for the reveal of the episode's Gender Blender tale. Please note: River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show and may contain content suitable for a mature audience; listener discretion is advised.
River Reads is...
Ep 29 - Love To Death
This week on River Reads, Episode 29 - Love To Death, will be featuring the stories, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Elder-Tree Mother, from the collection FairyTales by Hans Anderson. As well as the tale, How Six Traveled Through the World, by the Brothers Grimm’s. Stick around til the end, for this episode's Gender Blender tale reveal! The suspense! Plus a longer and more intimate River Rambles, as the host recounts a recent personal story. *Content warning: homo...
3rd Annual Pride Special
This week we’re excited to be hosting River Reads’ 3rd Annual Pride Special! It has been quite the year for host River Wilde, following their DragStory Time Performance in 2023. Join them, as they share their words of hope and tales of goblins, porridge and pots of pink. This episode features the fairy tales, Fundevogal, by Brothers Grimms, The Goblin and the Provisions-Dealer by Hans Anderson, and Felicia & the Pot of Pinks by Andrew Lang.
River Reads is Not a Kids Show But Not Not a Kids Show. Listener discretion advised.
River R...
Ep 27 - Tales of Curiosity
Get ready for Episode 27 - Tales of Curiosity! Curiosity drives us to thrive by uncovering the unknown and seeking understanding. Stay curious and watch as your life transforms, heals and fosters love for others. This week will feature a longer story, ‘Soup from a Sausage-peg,’ from the collection, Fairy Tales, by Hans Andersen. As well as the shorter tale, ‘Karl Katz’, by the Brothers Grimm’s.
River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show. Listener discretion advised.
River Reads is a program where those of all ages can escape...
Ep 26 - Smoke and Mirrors Deceive Thee
This week on River Reads, Episode 26 - Smoke and Mirrors Deceive Thee, will be featuring a longer tale, The White Cat, from collection, "the Blue fairy book”, by Andrew Lang. As well as a shorter tale, The Turnip, by the Brothers Grimm’s.
What was our Gender Blender tale this week? Stay tuned to the end, for reveal!
River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show. Listener discretion advised.
River Reads won 2023 Best Podcast in the Small Market category at Broadcas...
Ep 25 - Creatures of Small
This week, Episode 25, Creatures of Small, and as a small creature themselves, host, River Wilde, can attest to the fabulousness of such a small size. Today's tales involve a bunch of small things, from beetles to little men, though all have some pretty big personalities, or one might say, egos. Nothing wrong with that, confidence. It’s when confidence bleeds onto others, and separates you from others, does it become a problem. Our heroes in these tales definitely could use a lesson in humble pie. Okay, is anyone else thinking about pie now?
What was our Ge...
Ep 24 - Transformations
River Reads, Episode 24 - Transformations, is all about, you guessed it, transformations. Specifically, of self, of character, of circumstance, and of fate. Showcasing a selection of stories from the collection, ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales,' by Brother’s Grimms. The lineup includes beloved classics like, 'The Raven’, ‘The Gallant Tailor’, and ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker.’ As well as, featuring the debut reading of an original narrative by River Wilde and their cousin, with a hint of AI, titled, 'The Other Jack and Beans.’
Stay tuned until the end for our Gender Blender series reveal. This we...
Ep 23 - Tales of 23
River Reads, Episode 23 - Tales of 23, is all about the number twenty-three! With our 23rd episode falling on March 23 we thought this called for a celebration of this numerical cosmic alignment! Showcasing a selection of stories from the renowned collection "Fairy Tales and Stories" by Hans Christian Andersen. The lineup includes beloved classics such as 'Tin-Soldier,' located on page 23 of the anthology, and 'This Old House,' which is the 23rd story listed in page two of the index. Additionally, we will be featuring the debut o...
Ep 22 - Things From a Trunk
In this weeks, Episode 22 - Things From a Trunk, fairy tales involve things one might find in, you guessed it, a trunk! Featuring stories from collection, Fairy Tales and Stories, by Hans Christian Andersen, including, 'The Shirt Collar', 'The Red Shoes', 'The Flying Trunk', and 'The Puppet Showman'.
Remember to tune till the end of the show for Episode 21 - Fatal Flowers' Gender Blender tale(s) are revealed.
River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show. Listener discretion advised.
River Reads is the recipient of...
Ep 21 - Fatal Flowers
This week on River Reads, Episode 21 - Fatal Flowers, (airing on Smither Community Radio, CICK 93.9FM, February 24th, 2024 at 10AM PST) we delve into more melancholy tales around flowers.
In River Rambles, the host reflects on their initial hesitation to engage with these narratives, fearing they may evoke feelings of sadness and distress in our listeners. However, a well crafted storytelling's purpose is to have the ability to elicit feelings, stimulate thoughts, and shape our beliefs. Taking this into consideration, we respectfully part ways with a number of our pre...
Ep 20 - Into the Dark Woods
This week marks the start of Season 3 for River Reads. Kicking off the season is Episode 20 - Into the Dark Woods, which explores some darker and melancholy themes. With this in mind, we would like to advise listeners that the content of this episode may be unsettling, as we delve into narratives that recount unfortunate events and intriguing encounters involving enchanting and mysterious dark woods. Episode originally airing on Smithers Community Radio, CICK 93.9FM, February 10th, 2024 at 10 AM PST.
River Reads, Episode 20 - Into The Dark Woods, we will be featuring rea...
A Special River Reads - One Year Anniversary!
This week, we have a special episode of River Reads to celebrate our one-year anniversary! This episode will have a unique format that includes more originally written tales, along with a replay of one of our audience's favorite past tales called, "The Tiny Giant" by Wilde. In addition, one from the vault (1991) original work by Wilde titled, “The Land of My Dead”. We are also excited to debut Wilde's two (2) latest parody fairy tale creations. A fractured fairy tale (or parody) of a classic story titled "A Billy Goat Called Bluff," which is hot off...
Ep 19 - Masters of Life
This week on River Reads, Episode 19 - Masters of Life, we will be featuring readings from "The Blue Fairy Book," including "The Master Cat; or; Puss In Boots," as well as selections from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, such as "Water of Life" and "Frederick and Catherine and a new author to River Reads, Anderson Sherwood’s, “The Dumb Man’. Episode originally air January 27, 2024 at 10 AM PST on Smithers Community Radio, CICK 93.9FM.
River Reads is not a kids show but not not a kids show. Listener discretion advised.
Join us again, for Gender Blender, to delve fu...
Ep 18 - 70 And Counting
We’ve read over 70 fairytales together on River Reads, since debuting in spring 2023!
This week (Originally airing on Smithers Community Radio, January 10th, 2024 at 10AM) on River Reads, Episode 18 - 70 and Counting, we are excited to share this milestone with our audience. In this special episode, we delve into thought-provoking topics such as misogyny, patriarchy, and the constraints of traditional gender norms in storytelling. We discuss how these norms limit everyone’s curiosity and exploration, such as within the realm of heroes, which historically have predominantly been male protagonists. We highlight the value of gender neutr...
Ep 17 - And The Award Goes To
River Reads has been recognized as the recipient of a national award, the 2023 Broadcast Dialogue’s Canadian Radio Awards: Winning- Best Podcast in the Small Market category. This award is granted to the producer, on-air personality, or team who demonstrate creativity, originality and excellence in podcasting! We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone at River Reads for this exceptional achievement.
River Reads is Not a kids show but not not a kids show. Listener discretion advised.
This week on River Reads, Episode 17 - And the Award Go...
Ep16 - Tales of Judgement
This week on River Reads, Episode 16 -Tales of Judgement. Host narrator, River Wilde, is reading the Grimm’s Fairy Tales: SweetHeart Roland; The Bremen Town Musicians AND; The Lady and The Lion
Also this week, some GBT Ai and River Wilde adaptation originals of the Brothers Grimm’s, Frog Prince, and Hans Christain Anderson’s, the Princes and the Pea, titled: The Princesses and a Piece of Rice; AND A Frog and a Prince.
River Read...
Ep 15 - A Sweetheart, Tiny Giants & A White Snake
River Reads is BACK with advengence, gore and stories with Episode 15 - A Sweetheart, Tiny Giants & A White Snake.
River Reads Fairytales & Stories is back with a bang! After a long break over the summer, Wilde is back with charm and more stories and music and of course a good River Rambles. This episode, enjoy the special treat as we debut "The Tiny Giant," an original fairytale written by ours truly, host narrator, River Wilde.
River Reads is a program for all ages to escape into creative commons bedtime stori...
Ep 14 - A Member'ishTale
Ep 14 - A Member'ishTale
Host: River WIlde
This week (June 24th, 2023 @ 10am) on River Reads, Episode 14 - A Membership Tale, a CICK Membership Drive Special Broadcast LIVE in Studio. This week Wilde's out from under their stairs and is LIVE in studio with guest host Meghan Brady (aka sibling). Reading 'East of the Sun and West of the Moon' by Asbjørnsen and Moe and a replay of a reply of, 'The Pink' by Brothers Grimm.
This week on River Reads, Wilde narrates:
East of the Sun and...Ep 13 - A Nordic Tale or Two
This week we start Season 2 of River Reads with a shorter show, Episode 13- A Nordic Tale or Two. Reading from the Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark, in no particular order:
The Magician’s Pupil. Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark. Illustrations by Ulla Thynell. Chronicle Books LLC. San Francisco, California, 2019.Death & the Doctor. Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark. Illustrations by Ulla Thynell. Chronicle Books LLC. San Francisco, California, 2019.The Way of the...A Special - Drag StoryTime
A Special: River Reads Does Drag StoryTime
Arrrgh Matey, this is your host narrator River Wilde, coming to live from under my stairs and out of the closet. Happy Smithers Pride everyone! In celebration of Smithers Prides’ 6th Annual pride celebrations-United in Pride, this week's a special River Reads show, River Reads Does Drag StoryTime (originally aired, May 27th, 2023, on Smithers Community Radio @ smitherradio.com). The first half, along with original musical composition's, Wilde empassionantly discusses their experience being queer in a small tow...
Ep 12- Numbers 2
This week on River Reads’ (originally airing, May 13th, 2023, on Smithers Community Radio @ smitherradio.com), Episode 12 - Numbers 2. Host narrator River Wilde reads even more fairy tales with numbers in their titles. Pretty straight forward. Reading once again from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, most of this week’s tales have received a rating of GGD (aka may contain gross gore and or death), so listener discretion is advised. The River Reads show is “not a kids show but not not a kids show”.
On this week, Episode 12 - Numbers 2, in no particular o...
Ep 11- Let’s Do It Again
This week on River Reads’ (originally aired, May 6th, 2023, on Smithers Community Radio @ smitherradio.com), Episode 11 - Let’s Do It Again. Host narrator River Wilde revisits different versions of stories previously read on other River Reads episodes. Reading predominantly from, Nordic Tales, which comprises a collection of 16 traditional tales from the enchanting world of Nordic folklore. Reading in no particular order: ‘The Lad Who Did Not Know What Fear Was’; ‘The Giant Who Had No Heart’; and ‘THE FROG PRINCE’.
And of course will be concluding the...
