Story Pirates Podcast Summary

Episode: The Ghost That Launched a Business/Julius Caesar: The Guinea Pig
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Host/Author: Story Pirates

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of the award-winning Story Pirates podcast, listeners are taken on a whimsical journey where children's imaginative stories come to life through sketch comedy, original songs, and engaging narratives. Hosted by Lee Overtree and featuring a dynamic ensemble of characters, the episode introduces two captivating stories: "The Ghost That Launched a Business" by Jessie from England and "Julius Caesar: The Guinea Pig" by Scotty from Illinois.

Eric's Discovery and Captain's Diary

The adventure begins with Eric, one of the Story Pirates, uncovering a mysterious and wet diary deep within the ship's forgotten chambers.

• Eric: "Look what I found. Is that a wet book?" (00:40)
• Lee: "It's a diary belonging to an old captain of this very ship from a long time ago." (01:10)

As Eric opens the diary, the ship's crew encounters entries that hint at hidden treasures and past adventures, setting the stage for the ensuing tales.

• Captain's Diary Entry (Nov 24th): "I’ve put a spell on the book so that it speaks me words aloud. I believe that this will be helpful..." (03:15)

Story 1: "The Ghost That Launched a Business" by Jessie

Introduced by Jessie, a nine-year-old from England, this story intertwines spooky elements with entrepreneurial spirit.

• Narrator (Jessie): "There were two children who lived in a haunted house. Nothing really scared them anymore." (05:30)

As the story unfolds, siblings November and December are repeatedly confronted by a ghost urging them to "launch your business."

• Ghost: "Ready to launch your business?" (10:45)
• November: "No, it's too scary." (10:50)

After multiple encounters, the children decide to embrace the ghost's challenge, leading to the creation of a successful squid sanctuary.

• December: "I think there's only one thing we can do. We say yes." (16:30)
• Grand Opening: "Here we are at the grand opening of November and December's sanctuary for squids." (21:15)

The story culminates with a heartfelt revelation from the Captain's Diary, revealing that the true treasure was the friendships formed along the way.

• Captain's Diary Entry (July 49): "The treasure was friendship all along." (35:00)
• Eric: "Friendship is the best treasure of all." (35:20)

Captain's Diary Insights

Throughout the episode, interludes from Captain Mac Ericsson's diary entries provide historical context and humorous insights, blending seamlessly with the fictional narratives.

• Captain's Diary Entry (March 3rd): "It's a beautiful morning on the high seas. I love sailing the ocean with my first mates." (30:10)
• Lee: "Treasure? Like a real treasure. Where do you think it's hidden?" (32:50)

These entries not only enrich the storytelling but also engage listeners with playful mysteries to solve alongside the crew.

Story 2: "Julius Caesar: The Guinea Pig" by Scotty

Scotty’s creative take on the classic historical figure transforms his class pet guinea pig into an ambitious mastermind.

• Julius Caesar (Guinea Pig): "I, Julius Caesar, claim this school as my own." (40:00)
• Teacher: "Good morning, Julius Caesar." (40:10)

As Julius Caesar rallies his fellow class pets to build an army and conquer the school, the narrative explores themes of leadership, friendship, and self-discovery.

• Julius Caesar: "I am invincible. If you stay in your cage, we'll sneak you some pizza every day." (47:30)
• Brutus (Squirrel): "Sorry, Julius, but I think you were meant to be a class pet." (51:00)

The story concludes with Julius Caesar learning the importance of friendship and belonging, echoing the earlier themes from the first story.

• Brutus: "Brutus betrayed the real Julius Caesar, but I don't think he knows that." (52:15)
• Julius Caesar: "I will escape." (53:00)

Conversations with the Authors

Post-story segments feature insightful and humorous dialogues between Lee and the young authors, Jessie and Scotty.

• Lee: "Are there any other names for class pets that we should probably avoid?" (55:20)
• Scotty: "Maybe naming a gecko Napoleon could lead to some interesting adventures." (56:05)

These discussions not only highlight the creativity of the young storytellers but also foster a connection between the audience and the authors.

Roll Call: Celebrating Young Stories

The Roll Call segment showcases additional stories submitted by young listeners, providing a platform for diverse narratives.

1. "Savory Pie" by Julian (9, Washington D.C.)

   • Summary: Tom, the only savory pie in the fridge, faces the prospect of being discarded amidst toxic goo.
   • Notable Quote: "There is toxic goo in there. But we don't know what that is." (60:30)

2. "The Unscary Haunted House" by Samara (6, Pennsylvania)

   • Summary: A haunted house strives to be unscary, challenging traditional notions of what it means to haunt.
   • Notable Quote: "It was the most comfortable house to sleep in." (63:45)

3. "Snake on a Plate" by Carter (8, Washington State)

   • Summary: A snake's adventurous journey to find its plate, encountering obstacles and self-discovery along the way.
   • Notable Quote: "He traveled all around the world. And finally, he saw his plate." (68:10)

The hosts engage in lively discussions, exploring the depths and humorous aspects of each story, highlighting the creativity and imagination of young writers.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the episode, Lee encourages listeners to submit their own stories, fostering a community of creativity and storytelling.

• Lee: "Remember, we respond to every single story we receive." (75:00)
• Closing Remark: "Stay creative and stay kind. Bye." (76:30)

The episode concludes with acknowledgments to the production team and participants, leaving listeners inspired and eager for the next adventure.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Lee Overtree: "Hey, Story Pirates podcast listeners. Lee here." (00:01)
• Eric: "Check out what it says on the COVID. It says, captain's the Olden Days." (02:00)
• Rachel: "Nothing sense makes do with the treasure." (34:50)
• Julius Caesar: "I, Julius Caesar, claim this school as my own." (40:00)
• Captain Mac Ericsson: "The treasure was friendship all along." (35:00)

This episode of Story Pirates masterfully blends humor, adventure, and heartfelt messages, celebrating the boundless creativity of children’s storytelling. Through engaging narratives and interactive dialogues, listeners of all ages are entertained and inspired to embark on their own creative journeys.