Deep In Bear Country – A Berenstain Bearcast – Let's talk about every single Berenstain Bears book, shall we?

Episode 483 – The Berenstain Bears’ The Bike Lesson!

Riding a bike? Never learned. Feeling like an outsider? Always.

In this episode of Deep in Bear Country, I get personal — and a little philosophical — about why bike riding has always baffled me, and how The Berenstain Bears’ Bike Lesson accidentally became a warning about life, failure, and stubborn optimism.

Plus: a weird history of bicycles you didn’t know you needed. Volcanoes? Hobby horses? Middle-class German inventors? Oh yes.

Let’s dive back into one of the earliest Berenstain Bears books!

Episode 482 – REWIND The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet (1994)

Gossip, Journalism, and Junior High Justice! This week on Deep In Bear Country, I am joined once again by the first-ever guest of the show, Mitzi — now a fully fledged junior high student with opinions and receipts. Together, we dive headfirst into one of the most wild Big Chapter Books in Berenstain history: “The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet” (1994).

THRILL as we spiral into debates over gossip, freedom of the press, teacher-student dynamics, too-tall’s surprising Dally energy, and why you probably shouldn’t let children run a newspaper. Also: The Outsiders vs The Berenstain Bears, printers: who has them?, and a lot of editing around my stupid mic!

Available wherever you get your bear-based media.

Episode 481 – Tax-Wise: A Pictorial Romp Through the Tax Form by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Before they created the beloved Berenstain Bears, Stan and Jan Berenstain were drawing… THIS?! Tax-Wise: A Pictorial Romp Through the Tax Form (1952) is a bizarre, hyper-specific IRS humor book filled with visual gags, surreal scenarios, and more gendered 1950s weirdness than you can shake a W-2 at. In this episode, I (Phil Gonzales) walk you through the entire book — panel by panel — and try to make sense of its wild humor, historical context, and what it tells us about the Berenstains before they became family-friendly legends.

This was a personal request from Mike Berenstain himself, and honestly, it’s the perfect unhinged way to celebrate tax season.

Episode 480 – The Berenstain Bears Meet the Easter Bunny!

In this egg-cellent Easter episode, we’re cracking open The Berenstain Bears Meet the Easter Bunny (2022), a delightful early reader book that reimagines the 1980s classic Easter Surprise — but with updated illustrations, a softer tone, and the return of everyone’s favorite grumpy hare!

But that’s not all! We dive DEEP into the strange, fascinating, and often completely made-up history of the Easter Bunny, from 16th-century German folklore to Victorian-era mythology to modern mall mascots. Is the Easter Bunny a magical hare? A burned-out holiday manager? A myth created by marketing? Let’s find out together. 🥚🐇🌸 🎨

PLUS: Why Mike Berenstain’s illustrations in this version might be the best Easter art we’ve ever seen in Bear Country.

Episode 479 – The Berenstain Bears: Here Come The Bears!

The Berenstain Bears finally meet real bears—and everything we thought we knew about Bear Country changes.

This week, I break down “The Berenstain Bears: Here Come the Bears!”, a brand-new Level 1 reader that seems simple… but hides big implications about evolution, cultural identity, and the Berenstain multiverse.

Episode 478 – The Big Honey Hunt (REVISITED!)

“We ate our honey. We ate a lot. Now we have no honey in our honey pot!”

This week on Deep in Bear Country, we’re taking a nostalgic look back at The Big Honey Hunt (1963)—the very first Berenstain Bears book!

Join me as I revisit this classic, explore its origins, and discuss how Stan and Jan Berenstain’s collaboration with Dr. Ted “Theodore” Geisel shaped the Bear Family we know today. From rejected story ideas to wild illustrations and Papa Bear’s very questionable honey-hunting methods, this episode has it all! Or, some. Has it some.

Plus, what’s next for the show as we approach the 10th anniversary?

Listen to past episodes: https://berenstainbearcast.org/episode-2-the-big-honey-hunt/
Let me know what you think in the comments!

Episode 477 – The Berenstain Bears’ St. Patrick’s Day

This week we’re diving deep into The Berenstain Bears’ St. Patrick’s Day—and wow, do we have a lot to unpack. Apparently, Ireland doesn’t exist in Bear Country?! This book raises so many questions, like: How does St. Patrick’s Day fit into the world of the Berenstain Bears? Why does Brother Bear have zero clue what St. Patrick’s Day is? Is this book reinforcing cultural stereotypes… or just having fun? What’s the real history behind leprechauns, corned beef, and Irish-American traditions? And most importantly—what does The Great Bear War have to do with any of this?!

Episode 476 – The Berenstain Bears: God Made You Special

Buckle up, Bear Country—this one’s a doozy. This week, we dive into The Berenstain Bears: God Made You Special, a book that on the surface has the best of intentions but stumbles hard into some serious pitfalls. What happens when a children’s book about faith and differences accidentally reinforces inspiration porn, infantilization, and outdated disability tropes? A very uncomfortable discussion.

Sources Referenced:
📖 Special Olympics Inclusive Language Guide
📖 Disability Rights UK on “Inspiration Porn”
📖 Ashley Shew’s Against Technoableism

Join the conversation! Drop your thoughts in the comments, share your own favorite (or least favorite) books about disability, and let’s talk about how we can create a more inclusive Bear Country.

Episode 475 – The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors!

“Love thy neighbor” sounds great—until your neighbors are literally the local drug dealers. Join me as we dive into The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors, a book that asks us to embrace community… even if your neighbors were previously arrested for selling drugs to elementary school kids. This episode covers Bear Country’s ever-changing geography, the surprisingly shady past of the Bog Brothers, and what it really means to love your neighbor. Also, I may have a one-man show coming up. Let’s get into it!

Like, Subscribe, and Comment! Should I cover older Berenstain Bears books? React to the TV show? Let me know!

Episode 474 – The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors!

Did The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors really tackle racism? Or was it just another 90s attempt at a “message book” that missed the mark? In this episode of Deep in Bear Country, we take a deep dive into the 1994 classic that started it all—literally! This is the book that launched this podcast, but I’ve never properly covered it… until now.

What we’ll uncover:

Is Papa Bear actually racist?
What does this book say about prejudice and inclusion?
How does Bear Country’s “specism” reflect real-world biases?
The wild history of octagon houses (it’s relevant).
Why did this book disappear from my show for SO MANY YEARS?

PLUS: We’ll explore how The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors still holds up in today’s world, why it feels eerily relevant now, and what lessons we can take from it.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!

Episode 473 – The Berenstain Bears We Love Our Teacher!

The Berenstain Bears’ Biggest Continuity Shake-Up?!

A new school year means new teachers, and Brother Bear is in for a surprise! In “The Berenstain Bears: We Love Our Teacher” (2024), we explore what makes a great teacher, the anxieties of moving up a grade, and—wait for it—some wild continuity-breaking moments in Bear Country history!

Can we pinpoint the date of this book down to the year? Why does Miz Bearly’s friend defy time itself? And do we finally learn Brother Bear’s real name?

We also dive into real-world history, from Rosie the Riveter to space exploration, and the importance of hands-on education. Plus, I share my own experiences with teachers who shaped my life (both the good and the terrifying).

What was your most memorable school year? Drop your best (or worst) teacher story in the comments!

Don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into Bear Country!

Episode 472 – A Conversation with Mike Berenstain!

Mike Berenstain is BACK on the SHOW after having been away for TOO LONG. As always it’s a pleasure to catch up and check in and chat about Tintin. Enjoy!

Episode 471 – The Berenstain Bears Blast Off!

This week, the Bear Family gets into a bit of trouble in a completely believable and scientifically accurate way! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Blast Off!” and it’s steeped in believability! I swear!

Episode 470 – The Berenstain Bears and No Guns Allowed!

This week, I’m circling back to a book I skipped over for whatever reason and… wow, it’s a thoughtful piece of writing for kids. A surprisingly complex look at Culture of Violence Theory, it’s “The Berenstain Bears and No Guns Allowed!”

Episode 469 – The Berenstain Bears’ Numbers Book

1 – 2 – 3 – 4- 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10! 1 – 2 – 3 – 4- 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10! Numbers numbers, WOO! This is probably it. This is probably my worst episode. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Numbers Book!”

Episode 468 – The Berenstain Bears’ Big School Project

Why do rotten eggs smell like rotten eggs? How many different kinds of volcanoes are there?! WHAT IS THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY?!!! I. Don’t. Know. BUT. This week, “The Berenstain Bears’ Big School Project” at least pretends to attempt to answer those questions. Also, papier mache volcanoes: better than robots?

Episode 467 – The Berenstain Bears Share & Share Alike!

New Year, Same Show. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Share and Share Alike!” and are you ready to start off 2025 with some ETHICAL QUESTIONS?! I hope so. I really hope so.

Episode 466 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook: CHRISTMAS!

Oh, thank God we’re done. It’s the FINAL edition of “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” and we MADE IT TO CHRISTMAS and ELANA IS HERE and we’re FINALLY DONE and that CAKE did NOT turn OUT.

Episode 465 – The Berenstain Bears Take Turns

NO CHRISTMAS EPISODE THIS WEEK! Instead, we’re focusing on TAKING TURNS. It’s The Berenstain Bears Take Turns and, hey! Give a little, won’t you?

National and International Organizations
Trans Lifeline Website: https://www.translifeline.org/
The Trevor Project Website: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Website: https://www.hrc.org/
Trans Youth Equality Foundation (TYEF) Website: https://www.transyouthequality.org/
Mermaids (UK-based) Website: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/

Montana-Based Organizations
Queer Prom MT Website: https://www.thequeerprom.org/
Empower Montana Website: https://www.empowermt.org/
Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center Website:https://www.lgbtmontana.org/
Montana Family Center Website:https://www.mtfamilycenter.org/

Minnesota-Based Organizations
Reclaim Website: https://www.reclaim.care/
Minnesota Trans & Intersex Resource Network (MNTIRN) Website:https://mntirnetwork.org/
Transforming Families Website: https://tffmn.org/
TIGERRS (Transgender, Intersex, Gender-Expansive Revolutionary Services) Website: https://tigerrs.org/
MN Trans Resource Directory Link: Trans Resource Directory

Atlanta-Based Organization
Lost-n-Found Youth Website: https://www.lnfy.org/

Episode 464 – The Berenstain Bears Christmas Fun Sticker & Activity Book

It’s “The Berenstain Bears Christmas Fun Sticker & Activity Book” and they’re really stretching the definition of “fun” here.

Episode 463 – The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear (Redux)

It’s a Christmas miracle as I take a look at a book I’ve already covered! That’s right, we’re going back and re-evaluating “The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear!” It’s a holiday treat!

Episode 462 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook: Thanksgiving

GOBBLE GOBBLE! It’s AFTER Thanksgiving, but we don’t care! Because this chapter in “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” is set after Thanksgiving anyways, y’all! Elana is BACK to talk about some eatible and not-so-eatible vittles! GOBBLE!

Episode 461 – The Berenstain Bears Learn About Heaven

Let’s learn about Heaven! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Learn About Heaven” in which the Berenstain Bears learn about…. wait for it… wait for it… HEAVEN!

Episode 460 – The Berenstain Bears Bears On Time Solving The Lateness Problem!

When the Bear Family finds themselves overbooked and running late, they turn to one of the Biblical Prophets(?) to solve(??) the lateness problem(???). It’s “The Berenstain Bears Bears On Time Solving The Lateness Problem!”

Episode 459 – The Berenstain Bears Too Much Noise

Noise, Noise, NOISE, NOIIIISE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Too Much Noise!”

Episode 457 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook FALLoween!

Happy FALLoWEEN everyone! I hope you have your costumes picked out for the big FALL FESTIVAL and that you get to go Trick or Treating for FALL candy! What a bunch of wonderful FALL TRADITIONS we have this time of year. Anywho, Elana is back as we discuss the FALL TREATS we made out of the FALL section of “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook!”

Episode 456 – The Berenstain Bears’ Meet the Berenstain Bears

Welcome to Episode 01? of Deep In Bear Country! I mean, it must be because we’re just now meeting the Berenstain Bears. Also, all of my episodes have disappeared so this might very well be the beginning. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Meet the Berenstain Bears!”

Episode 455 – The Berenstain Bears’ BIG HALLOWEEN PARTY!

The Berenstain Bears have a LOOONG history with Halloween. Those bears LOOOVE to Trick and they love to treat and they love to combine the two and trick and treat. But, sometimes, it’s all about the party. This week, the Bear Family throws caution to the wind and hosts a BIG HALLOWEEN PARTY in “The Berenstain Bears’ BIG HALLOWEEN PARTY!” And, that’s pretty much it.

Episode 454 – The Berenstain Bears Halloween is Sweet!

Ghouls and Ghosts and Ghosts and Gob-o-lins! It’s Halloween time and this week, we’ve got a board book from 2020 that warms my dark little heart. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Halloween Is Sweet!” and… it is!

Episode 453 – The Berenstain Bears’ Big Family Album

Look, Grizzly Gramps could have just INVITED the kids over to look at the Big Family Album and not TRICKED them into looking at the Big Family Album. I’m just sayin’. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Big Family Album.”

Episode 452 – The Berenstain Bears Love Is Kind

What can I say? I’m a sucker for straightforward messaging. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Love Is Kind” and it KIND of works!

Episode 451 – The Berenstain Bears’ Big Track Meet

This week, an ACTUAL Track and Field expert walks me through the ins and outs of the Berenstain Bears’ own Track and Field book “The Berenstain Bears’ Big Track Meet!” It’s not that big. It’s not that regulated. It kinda makes Papa Bear look like a schmuck. Let’s go!

Episode 450 – The Berenstain Bears Stand Up To Bullying

When is a bully not a bully? When he’s BEING BULLIED! And, who better to fill in as history’s greatest bully than… Joseph Dreamcoat? The Bible Guy? Or, something. Brian and Mark are here to help me try to make some sort of sense of “The Berenstain Bears Stand Up To Bullying!”

Deep In Bear Country – EMERGENCY UPDATE!

I got an important update about a certain TURKEY and a certain TURKEY’S NAME.

Episode 449 – The Berenstain Bears Visit the Farm!

You ever wonder what’s on a FARM? You ever see all those closed doors and windows and gates and wish you could just RRRRIP ’em open?! Well, now you can with the Lift-the-Flap extravaganza “The Berenstain Bears Visit the Farm!”

Episode 448 – The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts

Are you honest? Are you FAIR? Are you READY for BEARS? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Honesty Counts” and, does it? Does it really?

Episode 447 – The Berenstain Bears’ School Talent Show

Are you ready to yodel your hearts out?! I hope you are! I also hope you’re ready to hear ME yodel MY heart out because I am GOING TO and I DO and I don’t even KNOW HOW TO. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ School Talent Show” and YO-DEL-OD-EL-ODLY-ODLY-OO!

Episode 446 – The Berenstain Bears Visit Big Bear City

Hey, it’s a trip to the Big Apple! The City That Never Sleeps! The Town That Never Frowns! The Metropolis That Never Nets Mop O’Lips? Whatever. What happens when the Bear Family goes to Bear Country’s version of New York?! Not much! They do go to the theater, though. So… that’s something. How *does* French work in Bear World, anyways? Find answers to this question and more when “The Berenstain Bears Visit Big Bear City!”

Episode 445 – The Berenstain Bears Just Grin and Bear It!

Want some absolutely generic advice coupled with random pictures from Berenstain Bears books of recent years past? Well, have I got a book for you! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Just Grin And Bear It!”

SUMMER RERUN 2024

My kid’s bat mitzvah is today so I literally randomly chose an old episode to rerun. HOPE IT’S A GOOD ONE!

Episode 444 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook, Part 3

Pop the fireworks and blow the… horns? Happy belated Fourth of July to you and yours and welcome Elana back to talk about the patriotic treats in “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook!”

Episode 443 – The Berenstain Bears Patience, Please

When is a lesson not a lesson? When God steps in and gives you a pass anyway! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Patience, Please” and it really isn’t about patience! At all!

Episode 442 – The Berenstain Bears Do The Right Thing

This week, Sister Bear faces a moral quandry and it’s up to the ol’ SHOULDER ANGEL to save the day. Will sister do the right thing? Find out in “The Berenstain Bears Do The Right Thing!”

Episode 441 – The Berenstain Bears Father’s Day Blessings

The Bear Family is all set to honor their fathers and HONER THEIR FATHER by sending Gramps and Papa out on a boat for the day. But, what’s this?! SINGING? Who’d a thought?! Also, the origins of Father’s Day. Also, the INCREDIBLY SAD STORY of the guy who wrote the hymn about the music of the spheres. ALSO, it’s The Berenstain Bears Father’s Day Blessings!

Episode 440 – The Berenstain Bears Why Do Good Bears Have Bad Days

Brother and Sister get a real crash course in theodicy this week when some BAD THINGS happen and their friends tell them it’s a PUNISHMENT FROM GOD and boy oh boy. Hey. Why do good bears have bad days? Well, maybe “The Berenstain Bears Why Do Good Bears Have Bad Days?” will help us answer that question!

Episode 439 – The Berenstain Bears Get The Job Done

When the cubs are assigned the chore of cleaning out their old playhouse, will the presence of creepy crawly spiders keep them from getting the job done? HINT: the book is called “The Berenstain Bears Get The Job Done.”

Episode 438 – The Berenstain Bears That’s So Rude!

This week on Deep In Bear Country , we’re exploring rudeness. What is rude? What isn’t rude? Is there a definition for rude? And, most importantly, why is SISTER so rude?! It’s “The Berenstain Bears That’s So Rude!” How WUDE!

Episode 437 – The Berenstain Bears My Bedtime Book of Poems and Prayers

This week, we’re taking a look at yet another book that’s just a plot-free collection of poetry and prayer… try. And guess what? I like it! It’s “The Berenstain Bears My Bedtime Book of Poems and Prayers” and it’s pretty darn good!

Episode 436 – The Berenstain Bears’ Mother’s Day Blessings

It’s Mother’s Day! And you know what that means! A long history of said day. Also, some blessings. “The Berenstain Bears’ Mother’s Day Blessings” that is!

Episode 435 – The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Devotional

This week, it’s a book that I find very hard to talk about because there’s no plot and it’s long and it’s a devotional. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Devotional” and I’m falling asleep just thinking about it!

Episode 434 – The Berenstain Bears’ Pet Rescue

This week, I’m joined by the delightful Avian Jangula, founder of the Glorious Purrpose Animal Rescue, to talk about, what else? Animal rescue! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Pet Rescue!”

Episode 433 – The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible/For Little Ones/Search and Find!

Three three three three three BOOKS! This week, I’m getting THREE BOOKS oout of MY LIFE by talking about “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible” “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones” AND “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find” and BOY OH BOY am I ever tired of typing “The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible” I guess I could have copy/pasted it but I go the extra mile FOR YOU.

Episode 432 – The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Bed

I’m all alone! And it’s a Lift-The-Flap Book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Bed” and it’s a Lift-The-Flap Book!

Episode 431 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook – Part 2

We missed Easter! But, never fear! Elana and I are here to report on the Easter treats we made from out “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook!” Yom.

Episode 430 – The Berenstain Bears Visit Grizzlyland

Come with me to the most magical place on Earth, or at least on Bear Earth. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Visit Grizzlyland!”

Episode 429 – The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union PART 2!

I never thought we’d revisit this book, but Jeremy Gloff had some huge news about it and Bradley Mariska tagged along and this episode became a Collector Boys ep!

Episode 428 – The Berenstain Bears Long, Long Ago

Hey! Do you wanna go back in time? DO YOU WANNA GO AROUND THE WORLD?! Well, let’s go back in time and around the world and let’s bring a REAL HISTORIAN WITH US! Dan Everton is an anthropologist and historian and a whole bunch of fun and I’m so glad to finally have him on the show for “The Berenstain Bears Long. Long Ago!”

Episode 427 – The Berenstain Bears We L❤️ve the Library!

Hey! Do you l❤️ve the library? Well, guess who else l❤️ves the library! My guest, Erin Gambrill, that’s who! Join me and Erin and we talk about “The Berenstain Bears We L❤️ve the Library!” They do! They do l❤️ve it!

Episode 426 – The Berenstain Bears and the Ducklings

Make way for ducklings… I might say if that was the book we were discussing this week. But, it isn’t, so I won’t. Still, make way for them in general. The Bear family sure does and that’s kinda the plot of this week’s book? “The Berenstain Bears and the Ducklings!”

Episode 425 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Politeness

Man oh man, is there anything worse than being forced to sit through a terrible music recital? How about having to be POLITE afterwards? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Politeness!”

Episode 424 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook, Part 1

Elana is back with me for the first part of our “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” coverage! Woo hoo!

Episode 423 – The Berenstain Bears’ Extra Special Valentine

It’s Valentine’s Time, so you know what that means! Brian and Christy are back for their annual Valentine’s Day book coverage and we actually have a new book to talk about. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Extra Special Valentine” and it’s SHORT and WEIRD and SO ARE WE. Check it out!

Check out Brian’s podcast Center of Weirdness at predictocast.libsyn.com and check out Christy’s podcast Pizza Toast at withthewhatnow.wordpress.com!

Episode 422 – The Berenstain Bears Stay Healthy

This week I am joined by returning guest Becca Peter to discuss “The Berenstain Bears Stay Healthy!” It’s a brand new book and a very prescient book and a very strange book in so far as its setup is concerned. A musical about the topic? With no music? Because it’s a book? Sure! Why not?! Stay healthy! Give it a chance!

Episode 421 – The Berenstain Bears’ Country Cookbook

This week, I am joined by the lovely Elana to discuss “The Berenstain Bears’ Country Cookbook.” It’s a little bit country; a little bit cookbook. But, do the recipes… recipe? Find out now!

Episode 420 – The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Blessings

When is a ladder not a ladder? When it’s Jacob’s Ladder! Or… staircase. Or, ramp. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that Jacob is the focus of this week’s book “The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Blessings”! Because Jacob goes to bed, I guess? Zzzzzz.

Episode 419 – The Berenstain Bears’ BIG Machines

You want big machines? We got big machines! Well, the Bears got big machines. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ BIG MACHINES!” They’re big! Really!

Episode 418 – The Berenstain Bears Brother Bear and the Kind Cub

It’s a retelling! IT’S A RETELLING! This week, we’ve got a RETELLING of a book we covered only a couple years ago. Whoulda thought? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Brother Bear and the Kind Cub” and it’s SIMPLE. You can read it all by yourself!

Happy 2024!

Hope it’s a good one!

Episode 417 – The Berenstain Bears The Very First Christmas

Oof. Let’s talk about The Nativity. It’s “The Berenstain Bears The Very First Christmas!”

Episode 416 – The Berenstain Bears Welcome To Bear Country!

This week, we’re heading off to… Bear Country? Yeah, Cousin Tex is here so we’re giving him a… sorry, Mayor Honeypot(?) is giving his a tour of Bear Country! And, he hates it! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Welcome To Bear Country!” Whew!

Episode 415 – The Berenstain Bears Play Football!

This week, the Berenstain Bears play football in “The Berenstain Bears Play Football.” No kidding!

Episode 414 – The Berenstain Bears’ Show-and-Tell

This week, the Bears go back into the attic to dig up some old treasures! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Show-and-Tell!”

Episode 29 – RERUN!

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Episode 29. Busy week, y’all!

Episode 413 – The Berenstain Bears God’s Wonderful World

We’re back in nature this week with… wait, have I done this before? It’s “God’s Wonderful World” y’all! Woo!

Episode 412 – The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Gramps and Gran

You ever hear of this Grandparents’ Day? And how does Nixon fit into all of this? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Gramps and Gran!”

Episode 411 – The Berenstain Bears: Here’s the Church, Here’s the Steeple

Open it up… where are the people? It’s “The Berenstain Bears: Here’s the Church, Here’s the Steeple” and we’ve got a LOT to discuss.

Episode 410 – The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Pets

It’s Halloween! And you know what that means! A book about our pets and the blessing of them thereof. That’s right! The Bears are GOING TO CHURCH and GETTING THEIR PETS BLESSED. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Bless Our Pets!”

Episode 409 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Helping

I was so happy to have a new Gifts of the Spirit book to talk about. Then, I opened it and read it and something felt familiar. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Helping” and… we’ve been here before. Right?

Episode 408 – The Berenstain Bears Sister Bear and the Golden Rule

This week, Sister Bear takes canter stage with a rehash of a book we covered back in 2021. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Sister Bear and the Golden Rule!” That’s clunky. But, that’s the title!

Episode 407 – The Berenstain Bears We ❤️ Baseball!

Spoiler alert! We don’t. The Berenstain Bears have a long history with the game of base-based balls and we are NOT going to explore it. Instead, we’re going to take a look at some clues as to the history of Bear Country, some clues as to the identity of their most famous baseball player and some clues as to the inner mind of Grizzly Gramps. It’s “The Berenstain Bears We ❤️ Baseball!”

Episode 406 – The Berenstain Bears’ Pirate Adventure

Yar. Ahoy. Blah blah blah. We’re off on a Pirate Adventure and the Berenstain Bears are taking us there. Thus, the title. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Pirate Adventure!” Shiver. Timbers. Etc.

Episode 405 – The Berenstain Bears Visit the Firehouse

This week, our Bear Family creates a major imposition on their local fire constabulary. also, the history of firefighting! Also, Restaurant. Apartments? Maybe!

Episode 404 – The Berenstain Bears Under The Sea

This week, let’s go down, down, down, with the Bear Family as they’re dragged to the bottom of the ocean to sleep with the fishes! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Under The Sea” and… there’s a lot of fish, I guess?

Episode 403 – The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings

It’s back to school time, and you know what that means! GOD! It’s “The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings!”

Episode 402 – The Berenstain Bears Around the World

This week, I’m taking you on a trip around the world! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Around the World” and it’s PROBLEMATIC!

Episode 401 – The Berenstain Bears We Love Our Mom/Dad!

I can’t believe I’ve been doing this show for over 8 and a half years and I’ve only now had my parents on as guests. That’s right! For the first time ever, Gale and Ruben Gonzales are on the show to talk about “The Berenstain Bears We Love Our Mom!” and “We Love Our Dad!”

Episode 400 – The Berenstain Bears Hospital Friends

It’s my 400th official numbered episode! In celebration, I have Mike Berenstain back on the show to talk about the history of “The Berenstain Bears Hospital Friends!”

Episode 399 – Opening Night!

Some thoughts as I head into opening night of “Lost In Bear Country.”

Episode 398 – The Berenstain Bears Take Off!

Let’s get high! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Take Off!” It’s about planes.

Episode 397 – The Berenstain Bears We Love Soccer!

Finally, a book I can relate to: another soccer book. But, hey! It’s actually a fairly insightful book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears We Love Soccer!”

Episode 396 – The Berenstain Bears’ Harvest Festival

It’s not a Thanksgiving book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Harvest Festival!”

Episode 395 – The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country

Happy Borthday Bear Country! It’s the celebration of the Fourth of July; the day the bears signed a thing to declare independence from… a king? It’s all a little vague, but remember THIS AIN’T AMERICA! Also, God. It’s “The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country!”

Episode 394 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Goodness

The Gifts of the Spirit are back! And they’re the Gifts of the Spirit that keep on Gift of the Spiriting. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Goodness!”

Episode 393 – The Berenstain Bears’ Book of Prayers

And so we come to the end of the Worthy Kids/Hachette board book series with “The Berenstain Bears’ Book of Prayers.” But, this isn’t just a fond farewell to this series, oh no! I’ve got THE SCOOP on how it came to be and why it ended as well as some other JUICY TIDBITS from Mike Himself. So, strap in buckos!