What makes a great story? Spend time with legendary storyteller Joe Hayes, who has been telling stories for more than fifty years, sharing tales passed down through families, cultures, and communities of the American Southwest. Joined by the Kids Crew at the Outpost Performance Space, Joe explains why stories matter, how listeners help shape every story, and why imagination is such an important part of listening.
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Storytelling comes alive in this special episode of The Children’s Hour with legendary storyteller Joe Hayes. Joe has spent more than fifty years sharing stories with children and families, and his stories are loved across the American Southwest and around the world. Sitting with the Kids Crew at the Outpost Performance Space, Joe explains that stories are created not just by the storyteller, but also by the listeners, who picture each story in their own unique way.
We hear three of Joe’s unforgettable stories during this episode. In The Gum Chewing Rattler, listeners hear a funny and thrilling tale about a boy, a rattlesnake, and a piece of bubble gum that saves the day. A Spoon For Every Bite is a traditional folk tale about wealth, pride, and learning what truly matters. In The Day It Rained Tortillas, listeners enjoy a classic Southwestern story filled with suspense, tortillas, and a very clever wife who outsmarts a group of robbers.
The Kids Crew learn from Joe about why storytelling is his passion, how children use imagination while listening, and why stories do not need to tell you exactly what to think. He explains that stories help people understand life, solve problems, and find hope, even during hard times. With music, laughter, and timeless tales, this episode celebrates the joy of listening and reminds us that everyone has a story to tell.
The Children’s Hour is written and produced by Katie Stone and was recorded at Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico with live engineering by Chad Scheer. Production help for this episode came from Sarah Gabrielli, McKenzie Graunke and Thaniel Lentz. Our learning guides are written by Amber Shiel.
The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network and is a production of The Children’s Hour Inc.
© 2026 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Playlist: Storytime With Joe Hayes
| title | artist | album |
|---|---|---|
| Be Fearless and Play | Wookiefoot | Be Fearless and Play |
| I Listen (feat. Morley) | The Bruces | Story of the Sky |
| Choo'n Gum | Michael & The Rockness Monsters | Seeing Life in 2020 |
| Gemaini | Blue Dot Sessions | Idle Valley |
| Arrividerci - Little Dog Song | Wagogo | Single |
| No Tortillas | Cielito Lindo | Single |
| Baby Burrito | The Tallest Kid in the Room | I See a Playground |
| Sweet and Clean | Podington Bear | Tender |
| What's the Story? (feat. Rachel Trudel) | Tara Trudel | Fractured: Fairy Tales Remixed |
| The Happy Happy Whistling Song | Billy Kelly | The Family Garden |
| Yoda | 'Weird Al' Yankovic | Dare to Be Stupid |
Not all of the songs heard on The Children’s Hour can be found on Spotify
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