PODCAST · fiction
Not About Lumberjacks
by Christopher Gronlund
A multi-genre short story podcast written and narrated by Christopher Gronlund.
Episodes
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August 2026 Update
A quick update about the next [big] Not About Lumberjacks story, "Strange Days in Mûn Dell."
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It’s Never Too Late
When Stanley Gladstone takes his time machine for a test run, he gets more than he bargained for when it breaks down, leaving him stranded in 1983. Content Advisory: “It’s Never Too Late” deals with regret, death (including a decayed body), personal loss, and the sound of someone vomiting. Also…
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Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 7
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about why I do an annual Christmas episode [even though I’m a life-long atheist] and the importance of committing to a bit. * * * Also, don’t forget that I’m doing a Not About Lumberjacks t-shirt giveaway in honor of...
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Christmas Miscellany 7
This year’s Christmas episode consists of three stories — one of them a Christmas tale. Content Advisory: “The World Beneath Her Brush” and “The King of French Fries” barely merit content advisories. At most, they are about personal struggle in the hope of having a better life. “Suburban Home”...
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Behind the Cut – Old Growth
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about what it was like to write my first story in second-person point of view. * * * Also, don’t forget that I’m doing a Not About Lumberjacks t-shirt giveaway in honor of November’s 50th full story episode. All you...
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Old Growth
You are a lumberjack alone on the side of a mountain with whomever—or whatever—killed your fellow loggers. (Yep! This one’s in second person…) Content Advisory: “Old Growth” deals with death, gore, anguish, being lost in a forest, being alone in the dark, and…creatures. But hey, at least there’s…
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Behind the Cut – Lakeview Estates
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about little Easter Eggs in the story…as well as the time-honored tradition of writers sneaking references into their tales. Listen, and you’ll hear a few inside things about past Not About Lumberjacks stories as…
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Lakeview Estates
The residents of Lakeview Estates Mobile Home Community battle the city and developers in an attempt to save their homes from demolition to make way for a golf course. Content Advisory: “Lakeview Estates” deals with loss of homes, corruption, mention of drug and alcohol addiction (including teen...
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Behind the Cut – Firing the Muse
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about the things I wanted to be when I grew up (before deciding the become a writer). I share stories about writing rejection, the friend who convinced me to begin recording and releasing fiction, and how a different...
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Firing the Muse
When Warren Quinn trades his existing workaday muse for a more literary muse, he gets much more than he bargained for. Content Advisory: “Firing the Muse” deals with stresses and job loss around creative work. There’s casual alcohol consumption and smoking—and a very brief allusion to combat…
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Behind the Cut – The Song of the Stone
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about the audiences I imagine when I write — and how the struggle to live a life true to oneself is not a new concept. Episode Transcript >>
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The Song of the Stone
Zander Pierson’s dissatisfaction with living the life others expected from him leads to a stone in a Swedish forest that also called to Einvaldr Brúnn at a turning point in his life in the early 860s. Content Advisory: “The Song of the Stone” deals with lack of job and life satisfaction, pressure...
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Behind the Cut – Rockbiters
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about how I’m normally not the biggest fan of worldbuilding in fiction, but recognize when it’s necessary. (And not just because “Rockbiters” required some up-front worldbuilding!) Episode Transcript >>
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Rockbiters
Find out what happens when the Forgefire brothers, while mining in an asteroid belt called The Delve, discover something that changes the lives of an entire solar system. (Yep, it’s Dwarves in Space!!!) Content Advisory: “Rockbiters” deals with loss of life, brief mention of enslavement, and war....
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Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 6
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about new years and my motivations to acknowledge several specific dates in each calendar year. Episode Transcript >>
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Christmas Miscellany 6
This year’s Christmas episode consists of four stories wrapped inside a bigger story. Content Advisory: “When Anders Came Home for Christmas” deals with family drama, cartoon violence, crude humor, monsters, loss of loved ones, and alcohol consumption. Unless you consider “asshole” swearing, this...
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Behind the Cut – Tin-Hearted Man
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about why almost half of all tales, here, feature violence to some degree… Episode Transcript >>
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Tin-Hearted Man
When Big Nick Champeau is taken by the Thunder River, his lumber camp speculates what his life might have been like before becoming a lumberjack. Content Advisory: “Tin-Hearted Man” deals with loss of life, child abuse, alcoholism, physical fighting/violence against others, Korean War combat,...
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Behind the Cut – In the Margins
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I answer a listener question about the narrators I choose to sometimes work with. After that, I talk about how I have never been much of a fan of puzzles and riddles, but why I chose to write a short story featuring both....
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In the Margins
When Kenna Baynes discovers a strange book in her college library, she finds something in the margins that changes her life forever… Content Advisory: “In the Margins” almost doesn’t merit a content advisory. There are a couple moments of light suspense and mention of college debt. There’s no...
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Behind the Cut – Godspeed, Crazy Mike
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I get personal and talk about why a character in “Godspeed, Crazy Mike” has Tourette syndrome…and how I approach writing about people with disorders and disabilities… Episode Transcript >>
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Godspeed, Crazy Mike
Crazy Mike is dead behind the maintenance barn and the quaking bog man is missing. It’s up to detectives Gary Vandiver and Beatrice Mule to figure out what happened in this mystery set in a bog in northern Illinois. Content Advisory: “Godspeed, Crazy Mike” deals with murder, speculation of…
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Behind the Cut – Gerald’s Grail
At 10,308 words, “Gerald’s Grail” is the longest Not About Lumberjacks story to date! (And will likely hold the record, ’cause DANG…that was quite a thing to edit!) I’ll let you in on a little secret: “Gerald’s Grail” could easily be a novel. (And trust me, I’ve given it some thought.) But…it’s…
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Gerald’s Grail
While knocking around an antique shop with his grandmother, a teenage geek finds something that changes his life in a most curious way… Content Advisory: Bullying, violence (including passing mention of the Cambodian genocide of the 70s), teen tobacco and alcohol use, and — of course — swearing....
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Behind the Cut – Revisions
It’s not uncommon for people to assume stories are a reflection of the author — especially stories in which an author features a writer as a protagonist. “Revisions” is about a writer who was raised by a single mother. Some people who know me mentioned they felt it was heavily influenced by my...
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Revisions
An author tries to finish construction on her recently-deceased mother’s home while writing her second novel — the follow up to a New York Times Best Seller. Content Advisory: Death of a parent and struggles with self doubt. (For once, no swearing!) And if you’re so inclined to pitch in and help...
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Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 5
It was a strange year, but also a productive year for Not About Lumberjacks. As we close out 2021, some thoughts on the year that was…and some hopes for the year ahead… Episode Transcript >>
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Christmas Miscellany 5
Four stories, most of which take place during the holiday season...
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Behind the Cut – In Cypress Slough
“In Cypress Slough” includes two gay characters, but it’s not a story about being gay in East Texas. In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about representation, the stories I’d never write (and why), and how I approach writing disenfranchised characters...
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In Cypress Slough
Two deadhead loggers find something remarkable in the Piney Woods of East Texas, putting them at odds with a large timber company.
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Behind the Cut – Milkboy
While “Milkboy” is based on a true story, it definitely ends up a work of fiction. When I started the story, I had no idea where to take it. Discovering what to do with the story led to a ridiculous and heartfelt tale of friendship that is one of my favorite stories on the site. […]
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Milkboy
When two friends use a bulletin board system to create an online persona to tease their best friend, they get more than they have coming to them for their deception.
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Behind the Cut – Calling Out of Time
Ideas aren't so hard to come by when you know the one simple test I talk about in this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story...
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Calling Out of Time
What would you do if you could call back in time and leave a message to your younger self? When Amir discovers a phone booth that seems to magically appear on the corner in his neighborhood, he does everything he can to change the worst thing that ever happened to him and his family… Also, […]
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Behind the Cut – A Deathly Mistake
“A Deathly Mistake” ended up becoming one of my favorite episodes of Not About Lumberjacks. In this behind-the-scenes look, I discuss how it was a bit of a departure from other stories I’ve written for the show. I also talk about fears faced in recording “A Deathly Mistake”…and close with a…
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A Deathly Mistake
When Death mistakenly harvests the soul of the wrong John Smith, John's life -- and After Life -- are forever changed.
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An Update
In this long overdue update, I talk about the next Not About Lumberjacks story, a change in the way I look at commercial intent with writing, and mulling over Patreon options… Episode Transcript >>
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New Year’s Eve 2020
At 6:45 on this New Year’s Eve, I thought, “Well, Cynthia has shuffled off to bed, and I want to stay up a little longer, so…I should go sit down in front of the microphone and record some thoughts with no idea about what to say…” (Yes, we go to bed early…even on New Year’s […]
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Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 4
This year’s annual Christmas episode was anchored by a story based on real life. But what is “real life” when it comes to stories — even those claiming to be true? I discuss how fiction and truth have a way of coming together to create even greater truths in the process of their mingling. Also, […]
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Christmas Miscellany 4
Four pieces of micro-fiction and a short Christmas story round out the last Not About Lumberjacks episode of 2020!
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Behind the Cut – Geocached
In honor of five years of Not About Lumberjacks, I skip the usual behind-the-scenes look at the latest episode and answer listener questions.
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Geocached
When Wayne finds strange items in geocaches, he becomes obsessed with discovering who’s leaving them behind. What he finds changes his life forever…
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Behind the Cut – The Cold of Summer
In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest episode, I discuss what was wrong, how I fixed things, and what I realized along the way…
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The Cold of Summer
Four strangers come together when they contract a mysterious illness from an old woman in line at a pharmacy. Content Advisory: This story deals with illness, including mentions of COVID-19. It’s also not without moments of anxiety, regret, abandonment, nightmares, and even death. I know that…
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Behind the Cut – Pepper
This time, I share a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into an episode of Not About Lumberjacks...and why some episodes take longer than others.
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Pepper
A father returns as a reincarnated, talking dog in an attempt to make amends with his estranged son.
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Behind the Cut – Under the Big Top
In this behind-the-scenes look at "Under the Big Top," I talk about what I like (and dislike about mysteries) -- and why I tend to not write them...
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Under the Big Top
An FBI agent nearing forced retirement races to solve the case that’s haunted him for years. Will he find the break he needs at a traveling circus? Content Advisory: Swearing, mention of child abduction, mention of sexual assault, mention of child murders, eating disorders, and violence (fighting...
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Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany III
A bit about how the annual Christmas episode came to be…and what is in store for Not About Lumberjacks in the year ahead… * * * Episode Transcript >>
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Christmas Miscellany III
For the third year in a row, it’s a handful of stories — instead of just one — all to make your holidays merry and bright! This year’s lineup: My Grandmother Wrestled Bears – A drifter returns home to her grandmother’s house for the holidays. The Beast in the Back – The truth behind the […]
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Not About Lumberjacks have?
Not About Lumberjacks currently has 131 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Not About Lumberjacks about?
A multi-genre short story podcast written and narrated by Christopher Gronlund.
How often does Not About Lumberjacks release new episodes?
Not About Lumberjacks publishes regularly with 131 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Not About Lumberjacks?
You can listen to Not About Lumberjacks on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Not About Lumberjacks?
Not About Lumberjacks is created and hosted by Christopher Gronlund.
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