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Ron’s Amazing Stories is a weekly podcast. We play classic short stories, old-time radio and much more. Do you have a story that you want to tell? Ron will read it on the show or you can tell it for yourself! Also, we do interviews with authors, radio personalities, actors and even an NBA all-star. 

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RAS #692 - The Incredible World Of the Short Story

Jun 12, 2025

In this episode, "The Incredible World of the Short Story," we explore a diverse collection of captivating tales that will ignite your imagination, provoke thought, and perhaps even send a shiver down your spine. From chilling brevity to eerie cosmic twists, these stories showcase the power of concise storytelling.

Stories Featured:

  • Knock by Fredric Brown - A legendary two-sentence horror story that encapsulates fear and suspense in its simplest form.
  • The Ultimate Experiment by Thornton DeK - Originally published in Comet (July 1941), this story delves into the legacy humanity might leave behind—artificial intelligence.
  • Untechnological Employment by Ed M. Clinton - From Analog Science Fact · Science Fiction (November 1962), this tale examines a quirky, speculative scenario rooted in the space race era.
  • Beyond Pandora by Robert J. Martin - Published in Analog (September 1962), this story explores how seemingly dangerous elements can have hidden benefits, much like snake venom’s role in medicine.
  • Quiet, Please by Kevin Scott - A humorous yet cautionary tale from Worlds of If (November 1961), emphasizing the subjective nature of value and peace.
  • The Untouchable by Stephen A. Kallis, Jr. - From Analog Magazine (December 1960), this tragicomic tale deals with frustration and desire, with a nod to Greek mythology’s King Tantalus.
  • An Incident On Route 12 by James H. Schmitz - A creepy, justice-driven story from Worlds of If (January 1952), where a thief unknowingly becomes the prize.

Thank you for joining this journey through the incredible world of short stories. Whether contemplating AI’s legacy, the silver lining in medical breakthroughs, or existential dilemmas, each tale offers a unique lens on the human condition.

Stay curious, keep your mind open, and maybe—just maybe—leave the door open a crack. You never know what might come knocking.

Thank you for listening to Ron’s Amazing Stories!

Ron’s Amazing Stories Is Sponsored by: Audible - You can get a free audiobook and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/ronsamazingstories.

Your Stories: Do you have a story that you would like to share on the podcast or the blog? Head to the main website, click on Story Submission, leave your story, give it a title, and please tell me where you're from. I will read it if I can. Links are below.

Music Used In This Podcast: Most of the music you hear on Ron’s Amazing Stories has been composed by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. Other pieces are in the public domain. You can find great free music at FreePd.com which is a site owned by Kevin.

Program Info: Ron’s Amazing Stories is published each Thursday. You can download it from Apple Podcasts, stream it on Stitcher Radio or on the mobile version of Spotify. Do you prefer the radio? We are heard every Thursday at 10:00 pm and Sunday Night at 11:00 PM (EST) on AMFM247.COM. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

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