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Two Minute Stories

Justin Hastingstwominutestories.xyz
Brief tales of fiction in less than two minutes by Justin Hastings.
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Episodes

Married to the System

A story about the end of the world. Inspiration: Life in quarantine seems to repeat the same day, over and over. How would that repetitiveness feel... permanently? I was interested to explore a married couple and how they'd survive – both mentally and physically – in a world where every day must be the same. Learn more: Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . You can also listen on Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Aug 17, 20203 minEp. 136

Burying the Lead

A story about future journalists. Inspiration We rely on journalists to deliver the truth... but what if we also relied on them for justice? In this story, I explore the idea of journalists playing the role of judge, jury, and... well, you know the other one. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . You can also listen on Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Aug 10, 20203 minEp. 135

Three's a Crowd

A story about cancel culture. Inspiration How do we feel about litigating past actions with today's social norms? In this story, I explore an extreme version involving two married couples and how one wrong thought or sentence can change everything. Is it fair? Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . You can also listen on Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Aug 06, 20204 minEp. 134

Shipped

A story without a home. Inspiration What's the opposite of having a home? In this story, I explore the idea of folks living in shipping containers, consistently waking up to a new world across the oceans. No property tax, no problem. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . You can also listen on Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Aug 03, 20203 minEp. 133

Backups and Blackouts

A story about delivering the past. Inspiration What happens to our digital libraries when power is no more? I'm a paying customer for an online backup service and I was curious to know – what does a company like that look like when we're no longer connected to the grid? Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . You can also listen on Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Jul 30, 20204 minEp. 132

Arresting

A story about life at home. Inspiration In our current climate, it's expected that some folks might find quarantine life to equate to paranoia. This story explores life under house arrest and how the unknown is our greatest fear. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . You can also listen on Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Jul 27, 20204 minEp. 131

Author JB Lion (Part 4 of 4)

Guest storyteller! JB Lion joins the show for a fourth time to discuss “The Seventh Spark,” his new fantasy book series. JB talks about who inspires him and also gives listeners another glimpse of his work through an excerpt from the story. Learn more about JB and “The Seventh Spark” at jblion.com . Listen to more stories on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Jul 23, 20209 minEp. 130

Author JB Lion (Part 3 of 4)

Guest storyteller! JB Lion joins the show for a third time to discuss “The Seventh Spark,” his new fantasy book series. JB talks about the challenges and obstacles he faces as a black fantasy author and also peels back the curtain on his work through another excerpt from the story. He'll join future episodes to talk more about his project. Learn more about JB and “The Seventh Spark” at jblion.com . Listen to more stories on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Jul 09, 20207 minEp. 129

Author JB Lion (Part 2 of 4)

Guest storyteller! JB Lion joins the show for a second time to discuss “The Seventh Spark,” his new fantasy book series. JB discusses his creative process for the project and also gifts us with another excerpt from the story. He'll join future episodes to talk more about his project. Learn more about JB and “The Seventh Spark” at jblion.com . Listen to more stories on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Jun 25, 20207 minEp. 128

Author JB Lion (Part 1 of 4)

Guest storyteller! JB Lion joins the show to discuss “The Seventh Spark,” his new fantasy book series. JB shares how he got started on the idea and also reads an excerpt from the story. He'll join future episodes to talk more about his project. Learn more about JB and “The Seventh Spark” at jblion.com . Listen to more stories on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

Jun 11, 20207 minEp. 127

Seaworthy

A story about one-way communication. Inspiration Great communication is required for any strong relationship. I wanted to explore how one couple uses one half of communication – listening – to entertain themselves. I liked the idea of a couple using gossip to cover up their own communication issues. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . You can also listen on Spotify and follow Two Minute Stories on Twitter ....

May 21, 20204 minEp. 126

Damn Family

A story about the reputation of the dead. Inspiration ”We owe everything to Dad! Especially whatever is in that safe.” In this story, I explore what happens to siblings when their father passes away. With specific last wishes, how do the siblings handle the requests of someone no longer with them? I'm intrigued by the inherent risk taken on by survivors when it comes to their views on the deceased. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Tw...

May 14, 20204 minEp. 125

Innocuous

A story about good intentions gone bad. Inspiration Would it be like meeting his grandfather in real life? The idea of one generation leaving something to a future generation is one of love and appreciation... but what happens in between isn't reliable. I explored the idea of a grandfather's good intentions going bad with an unknowing family member on the wrong end of a gift. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on App...

Apr 20, 20204 minEp. 124

Brothers

A story about sibling support. Inspiration Like a drum beat. Like a steady rain. Like breathing. “It’s okay.” After watching Pixar's "Onward," a story about two brothers, I reflected on the relationship with my own brother – a great one! I wanted to juxtapose the feelings that occur towards the end of life and how our support systems can help make the transition a calm one. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple...

Apr 16, 20203 minEp. 123

Reproduction

A story about a friend's changing life. Inspiration "Talk to me about what you mean by ‘losing’ this friend.” Typically we welcome the news of a pregnancy with joy, excitement, and support. Our main character feels quite the opposite. This story explores how parenthood effects friendship and how one new life changes those beyond the parents. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify . Follow Tw...

Apr 13, 20203 minEp. 122

Absolutely Nothing, Episode 6: Blake

Blake joins basic training. This is episode 6 of 6 of "Absolutely Nothing," a Two Minute Stories anthology series. The story follows six former servicewomen navigating a world where war is outlawed. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Feb 17, 20205 minEp. 121

Absolutely Nothing, Episode 5: Caitlin

Caitlin pilots a jet. This is episode 5 of 6 of "Absolutely Nothing," a Two Minute Stories anthology series. The story follows six former servicewomen navigating a world where war is outlawed. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Feb 17, 20203 minEp. 120

Absolutely Nothing, Episode 4: Georgia

Georgia works in tech. This is episode 4 of 6 of "Absolutely Nothing," a Two Minute Stories anthology series. The story follows six former servicewomen navigating a world where war is outlawed. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Feb 17, 20203 minEp. 119

Absolutely Nothing, Episode 3: Sarah

Sarah makes clothes. This is episode 3 of 6 of "Absolutely Nothing," a Two Minute Stories anthology series. The story follows six former servicewomen navigating a world where war is outlawed. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Feb 17, 20203 minEp. 118

Absolutely Nothing, Episode 2: Adele

Adele shows houses. This is episode 2 of 6 of "Absolutely Nothing," a Two Minute Stories anthology series. The story follows six former servicewomen navigating a world where war is outlawed. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Feb 17, 20203 minEp. 117

Absolutely Nothing, Episode 1: Charlene

Charlene plays video games. This is episode 1 of 6 of "Absolutely Nothing," a Two Minute Stories anthology series. The story follows six former servicewomen navigating a world where war is outlawed. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Feb 17, 20204 minEp. 116

Reflections

A story about hiding behind your words. Inspiration The voices both snickered behind the glass. Much of the negativity across our digital world comes from those leaving their opinions while hiding behind a keyboard of anonymity. This inspired me to look at this issue in a much different environment – one where spirits hide not behind a keyboard, but a mirror. How do their interactions with humans differ when the mirror no longer exists? Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a ...

Dec 23, 20194 minEp. 115

Decisions

A story about the voice inside your head. Inspiration But there was another voice inside me. Not one that was programmed solely from an algorithm... no, this voice was me. As we rely more and more on data, analysis, and algorithms to make decisions, when will have to stick up for our immeasurable desires? I've always been fascinated by subjects that have an art-versus-science debate. Here, I explore that debate in a world where most of life's decisions are made for you. Is that what you hear? Le...

Dec 19, 20194 minEp. 114

No Kids

A story about responsibility. Inspiration "You know I don’t want to be a father. I want nothing to do with going home at 6:30.” This story looks at a world in which very few males are capable of reproducing. How do the circumstances of the world affect current parents, aspiring parents, and those wholly uninterested in being parents? Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! F...

Dec 16, 20193 minEp. 113

The Only Child, Chapter 11

Why can't you let me go? This is chapter 11 of 11 of "The Only Child," a Two Minute Stories miniseries. The story follows a family of three negotiating the day-to-day life of parenting, childhood, and the unknown. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Dec 09, 20196 minEp. 112

The Only Child, Chapter 10

Can't I just be me? This is chapter 10 of 11 of "The Only Child," a Two Minute Stories miniseries. The story follows a family of three negotiating the day-to-day life of parenting, childhood, and the unknown. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Dec 09, 20193 minEp. 111

The Only Child, Chapter 9

Why is everyone against me? This is chapter 9 of 11 of "The Only Child," a Two Minute Stories miniseries. The story follows a family of three negotiating the day-to-day life of parenting, childhood, and the unknown. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Dec 09, 20193 minEp. 110

The Only Child, Chapter 8

How do I figure this out? This is chapter 8 of 11 of "The Only Child," a Two Minute Stories miniseries. The story follows a family of three negotiating the day-to-day life of parenting, childhood, and the unknown. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Dec 09, 20193 minEp. 109

The Only Child, Chapter 7

Is it time for a vacation? This is chapter 7 of 11 of "The Only Child," a Two Minute Stories miniseries. The story follows a family of three negotiating the day-to-day life of parenting, childhood, and the unknown. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Dec 09, 20193 minEp. 108

The Only Child, Chapter 6

Can I just go back to sleep? This is chapter 6 of 11 of "The Only Child," a Two Minute Stories miniseries. The story follows a family of three negotiating the day-to-day life of parenting, childhood, and the unknown. Learn more Enjoyed this story? I would really appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts . Listen to Two Minute Stories on Apple Podcasts , Anchor , and now, Spotify ! Follow Two Minute Stories and Justin on Twitter ....

Dec 09, 20193 minEp. 107
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