Story Secrets - The Boy Who Cried Dragon

Story Secrets - The Boy Who Cried Dragon

Author: Fr. Roderick Vonhögen May 19, 2025 Duration: 1:00:27

He Feared the Worst. The Worst Listened.

What if your imagination had power?
Not metaphorical power—the real kind. The kind that calls lightning when you expect rain. That conjures monsters when you picture danger. That makes the world tremble at the sound of your worst-case scenarios.

That’s the idea behind today’s short story: The Boy Who Cried Dragons.

It’s a tale I told in one go—no script, no editing, just my imagination and a microphone. And yet, it may be one of the most personal stories I’ve ever told.

Why?

Because Glenn, the main character, isn’t just a scared kid on a bad day.
He’s every one of us on a bad day.

You know that feeling. When anxiety spirals. When you overthink something into the ground. When your mind runs simulations of everything that could go wrong—and it starts to feel real.
That’s Glenn. Except in his world, the more he fears something… the more likely it is to show up.

It starts small: a storm, a little rejection, a shadow on the horizon.
But as his fear grows, so do the consequences. Until one day, he whispers the word “dragon”—and the sky hears him.

The Real Twist

What I love about this story isn’t just the dragons, or the monastery drama, or the mysterious island (though all of that’s in there).
It’s the twist.
Not the twist in the plot—but the twist in the soul.

The realization that maybe what’s haunting us isn’t fate or punishment… but our own voice, echoing louder than we thought.

And the cure?
Well, I won’t spoil it. But it might involve butterflies.


Ever notice how a great film or television show can linger in your mind long after the credits roll? There’s often something more happening beneath the surface, a resonance that feels almost spiritual. Story Secrets is where we pull on those threads. Hosted by Fr. Roderick Vonhögen, this podcast sits at a unique crossroads, weaving together discussions on faith, popular culture, and pure entertainment. Each episode takes a familiar story-whether from a beloved movie, a gripping TV series, or even a timeless tale-and gently uncovers the themes of meaning, purpose, and humanity hidden within. You won’t find dry lectures here; instead, Fr. Roderick brings a conversational and insightful perspective, revealing how narratives we enjoy in our leisure time can unexpectedly illuminate deeper questions about life, virtue, and connection. It’s for anyone who loves a good story and has ever wondered why it sticks with them. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a thoughtful friend for a coffee after seeing a fantastic film, where the conversation naturally drifts from plot points to the profound. You’ll come away with a richer appreciation for the craft of storytelling and, perhaps, a new lens through which to view your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Story Secrets
Podcast Episodes
Story Secrets - Walking With Dragons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Ever wonder what happens when you follow a calling you barely understand, armed with nothing but faith, ink, and a slightly trembling hand? In this episode, I tell a story I made up on the spot—no script, no notes, just…
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The conclave begins tomorrow. In just a few days, a name will echo from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The white smoke will rise. The world will hold its breath. And we’ll meet a new pope. But what if—just for a mo…
Story Secrets - The Power of Daily Storytelling: A New Experiment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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I've always believed in the transformative power of stories. Whether it's through Star Wars, the dozens of novels I read each year, or the countless podcasts and TV programs I’ve made, stories shape who I am. But recentl…
Story Secrets - The Story Magic Behind My Book [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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At the start of this year, I took a crazy leap: I began writing my first fantasy novel. I was scared — but some friendly fantasy writers encouraged me to just start writing, no matter how imperfect it would be. And wow,…
Story Secrets - Did Twisters Blow Me Away? (Spoiler: Nope) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:01
I finally watched Twisters, the sequel to one of my guilty pleasures: the 90s classic Twister. And honestly? It left me feeling... underwhelmed. Just like the original, Twisters is a popcorn blockbuster full of tornado c…
Story Secrets - What The Predator Gets Wrong About Autism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:28
The other day I watched The Predator—not the classic one with Schwarzenegger, but the confusing 2018 sequel that somehow ended up in my Netflix queue. The film tries to tackle neurodiversity, with a young autistic boy at…
Story Secrets - Why I'm Publishing My Book One Chapter at a Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:42
At the end of the first quarter of 2025, I'm ready to take the next step in my creative journey. For the past three months, I’ve been working hard on writing a fantasy novel – a project I’ve dreamed about for years but n…