Here I go again. It’s yet another retelling of the age old classing “The Coughing Catfish.” Does he cough? Yep. Is he a catfish? Yep. Is there a pirate ship? Oh yes. It’s a short one, folks!
Episode 128 – At the Teen Rock Cafe!
It’s ME again! I’m back at my desk and I’m chatting about things like MALLS and STONE-WASHED JEANS and BEARY MANILOW and NOT MURDER THIS TIME.
Episode 127 – Facebook Live?
In which I go LIVE on Facebook and ramble on a while about race(?) in Bear Country and embarrass myself and answer some questions.
Episode 126 – Maniac Mansion!
This week, I’m joined by Sammi Campbell from Excessively Diverted to talk about this . . . weird . . . book. I mean, it’s great, but it’s weird. There’s ghosts but no ghosts! Bags under eyes and then no bags under eyes! Pajamas and no pajamas! What more do you want?!
Episode 125 – Blaze a Trail!
Brad Mariska sneaks on over to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Blaze a Trail” from 1987 – a book I ACCIDENTALLY SKIPPED!
Oh, and, it looks like there IS an animated adaptation! Waddaya know?
Episode 124 – At The STRONG!
In this episode, Bradley, Jeremy and I finally make it to the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.
Happy NEWvember!
So, no show this week. We’re regrouping. It’s been a busy start to fall.
Episode 123 – The Berenstain Bear SCOUTS Meet Bigpaw!
Those Bear Scouts are at it again! What is “it” exactly? Adapting cartoons into chapter books is what it is! That’s right, it’s the 1980 classic special “The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw” rejiggered into a Bear SCOUTS book. Does it work? Eh.
Episode 122 – The Berenstain Bear Scots and the Humongous Pumpkin!
Just when you thought they couldn’t create YET ANOTHER series for us to follow, we begin the next adventure in chaptered bookery “The Berenstain Bear Scouts!” And, man, are they plumbing the depths of the Saturday Morning TV series for this one. And, you know, that ain’t all bad.
I’m kicking things off with “The Berenstain Bear SCOUTS and the Humongous Pumpkin.” It’s got thrills, chills and PLOTS GALORE! Keep up, friends; things don’t get any easier to follow after this one.
Episode 121 – The Berenstain Bears’ Showdown at Birder’s Wood!
Hey, there was an episode sort of based on “Showdown at Chainsaw Gap!” Only, they fixed the title and changed the plot. Kept the bird, though. So, Mark came back to talk about it! Here he is!
Episode 120 – The Berenstain Bears and the Showdown at Chainsaw Gap!
Mr. Mark Sweeney RETURNS! And this time he’s got OPINIONS about BIRDS and CHAINSAWS!
Episode 119 – Media Madness!
Jon Biegen and Nick Wood slide on over from Stranger Still to talk about children successfully managing a television station. That’s . . . that’s really all that happens in this book, so – so, lesson learned, I guess.
BONUS! – Apology
Sorry everyone. No show this week.
Episode 118 – Meeting Mike (Part 3)!
It’s Part 3 of our Mike Berenstain meetup and Brad, Jeremy and I finally hit the archives!
The above is pages from an unpublished finished book.
The above is examples of the evolution of “The B Book.”
Above is a slideshow of Stan and Jan’s early art school work and various studies.
Episode 117 – The Freaky Funhouse!
Brian and Josh – from Predict-O-Cast and . . . another show – actually come INSIDE MY HOUSE and INVADE MY SPACE to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Freaky Funhouse!”
Join us as we talk about MURDER! ATTEMPTED MURDER! And . . . Frankenbear’s Monster? Also, the funhouse doesn’t figure into the plot as much as we’d have liked. What’s that chainsaw noise? Just us.
Episode 116 – The Galloping Ghost!
I’m alone! I’m scared! I’m surrounded by ghosts! It’s a spooktacular book about TRAUMA. That’s right! The Berenstains wrote a secret book about dealing with trauma and I didn’t figure it out until near the end of the episode. Keep on surprising me, Big Chapter Books!
Episode 115 – The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet!
Ollie, my teen and co-host of It’s Del Toro Time! – A Guillermo del Toro Podcast, joins me this week to talk “The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet!” In which we discuss the terrible things the cubs accuse a teacher of and also divide the cubs into their Hogwarts Houses. IT’s kind of a discussion that goes all over the place. Also, we talk about the importance of owning up to your terrible terrible mistakes how if you’re a cub, you face no consequences for those terrible terrible mistakes.
Episode 114 – Meeting Mike (Part 2)
We’re back with Part 2 of our big Mike Berenstain meetup! This episode, Brad and Jeremy and I get grilled as to our intentions; we talk about books whose success caught Mike off guard; what books didn’t do so hot; and dish the hot goss. Or, not. I can’t remember.
Episode 113 – The Berenstain Bears and the Giddy Grandma!
Welcome to the world of degraded audio! Please bear with this terrible sounding episode, as I flop around trying to talk about “The Giddy Grandma.” Things didn’t work out according to plan, but I think I get my point across.
Also, I have a Patreon page!
Episode 112 – At Camp Crush!
This week, I am joined by Michael M. Rader of We’ll Get It Right Next Year to talk about “The Berenstain Bears at Camp Crush!” This book gets WAY OFF TRACK and doesn’t really involve crushes and barely involves camping. It does involve the most loathsome of Bear Country characters, however, Mervyn Grizzmeyer. Ish.
Episode 111 – The Berenstain Bears and the Dress Code!
Meghan Griffin of Judging Book Covers and Fableulous Retellings joins me to talk dress codes, law enforcement and a Berenstain Bears book that gets way more political than we were anticipating!
Episode 110 – Meeting Mike (Part 1)
Hoo boy! This is it! The first part of our massive trip to the Berenstain Bears studio! It’s so big, I’m not only splitting it up, but I’m sprinkling it throughout upcoming episodes, just so you don’t get burnt out on this one thing. So, I’ll be alternating traditional episodes with Mike episodes. I think that’s fair!
Episode 109 – Diner Talk
WHAT’S ALL THAT NOISE?! It’s ambiance. Brad, Jeremy and I sit in a diner in the Strong National Museum of Play and catch people up on just what we’d been up to. We give our impressions of the previous days and it all serves as a prelude to the major editing job I have in store for myself. Yeesh.
SUMMER RERUN – Meet the Berenstain Bears!
It’s summer and the week of the Fourth of July and I have no time to record a new episode. So, here’s a classic from the archives. Obviously, anything about upcoming anything is now hopelessly out of date. ENJOY!
Episode 108 – The Red-Handed Thief!
What a weird book. Kerry Nelson from Random Sampling joins me to talk about the gross violation of trust that occurs at Bear Country School! Also, democracy in action? Maybe?
Episode 107 – The Berenstain Bears and the Drug Free Zone!
Joel Torres of the Please Don’t Send Me Into Outer Space podcast joins me to talk about DRUGS! And DRUG ZONES! And BACKWOODS DRUG DISTRIBUTION? It’s a wild weird but pretty nicely done book.
Episode 106 – The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando!
Today, I am joined by writer, musician, educator and Ninja Turtles Blogger Jamie Tyler to talk about wheelchairs, ableism and the way we approach people living with disabilities. Also, should you call a person in a wheelchair “Wheels?” Come on, people.
Episode 105 – The Trouble With Continuity!
Because I felt guilty – here’s a talk about The Big Chapter Books!
Episode 104 – The Berenstain Bears Accept No Substitutes!
It’s a live recording of a Facebook Live show! I’m talking about “Accept No Substitutes” and people are listening. So, that’s what’s going on.
Episode 103 – The Berenstain Bears and the Female Fullback!
Shannon Campe of Stage of Fools: the Unofficial Royals Podcast joins me once again and this time we’re talking sexism! Things get downright creepy in Bear Country as the town erupts over the thought of a girl getting girl germs all over their precious football. Farmer Ben turns out to be a nightmare, Coach Grizzmeyer should be fired and Papa Bear . . . what a disappointment he turns out to be.
Episode 102 – The Berenstain Bears and the Nerdy Nephew!
What is a nerd? What makes a nerd a “good nerd?” What makes a nerd a “bad nerd?” What makes a nerd an “insufferable jerk?” Let’s explore!
Episode 101 – Gotta Dance!
Once again, I am joined by Jessie Cooper of Alphabet Flight, Turn to Page and Random Sampling. This time, we’re discussing the BIG CHAPTER BOOK “Gotta Dance!” Do they gotta? I think they gotta.
Episode 100 – Collector’s Corner 8!
It’s 100 Episodes! And, what better way to mark the occasion than by having my Collector Boys on to talk about upcoming books in Bear Country. Also, a surprise? A surprise.
You can find Bradley’s official list of books at his website, visit Jeremy’s site to discover his amazing music, or join the Collector’s Facebook Group!
Episode 99 – The New Girl In Town!
This week, I am joined by Jessie Cooper of Alphabet Flight, Turn to Page and Random Sampling as we discuss our first BIG CHAPTER BOOK “The New Girl In Town!” Listeners, this book has got everything. History, romance, racism, war, moaning. Everything.
Episode 98 – Collectors Corner 7!
My collectors are BACK and they’ve brought with them . . . nothing. Nothing at all. This episode is a special “free form” episode where anything brought to the table comes out of *us* and our IMAGINATIONS. Trust me, it works.
You can find Bradley’s official list of books at his website, visit Jeremy’s site to discover his amazing music, or join the Collector’s Facebook Group!
Episode 97 – The Berenstain Bears’ Pet Show!
- The Bear Family had a skunk for a neighbor.
- In “Pet Show” a skunk has been surgically altered and turned into a pet.
- Bear Country is horrifying.
Episode 96 – The Berenstain Bears “The Good Deed”/”Hurry to Help!”
Oh, come on! This is the *bare minimum* you can rewrite a book and still call it a rewrite!
I apologize for getting so angry just now.
Episode 95 – READING! “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Grownups”
Enjoy!
Episode 94 – “The Big Picture” and “Discover God’s Creation!”
In which I take offense at God telling me to not watch television.
Episode 93 – The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share/Learn to Share!
More Bears. More Jesus.
Episode 92 – The Berenstain Bears On Time!/Catch The Bus!
I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
Episode 91 – The Berenstain Bears’ Home Sweet Tree!
It’s me again and this week I’m covering a book about which the less said the better! So, of course, I ramble on and on and on.
Episode 90 – The Berenstain Bears and the Big Red Kite/Do Their Best!
Kites? Who needs ’em?! Well, the Bears do! They also need God. Or, something. Join me as I try to piece together the Bear Family’s weird kite-based theology.
Episode 89 – The Berenstain Bears and the Broken Piggy Bank/Piggy Bank Blessings
We’re all afraid of change. I know I am. But, sometimes, it’s valuable to look at things that have changed and ask, “Why?” And, “How?” And, “Did they put Proverbs in it?”
Episode 88 – The Berenstain Bears Say Good Night!
Mitzi and I close out the FIRST First Time books with a gripping story of going to bed.
Episode 87 – The Berenstain Bears at the Super-Duper Market!
Well, this was poorly thought out. Mitzi and I go to a large supermarket to test the theories put forward in this week’s book. Turns out . . . they were right. There are things in a supermarket.
Episode 86 – The Berenstain Bears’ Four Seasons!
No, I’m not interviewing Frankie Valli; I’m – wait . . . okay, he’s still alive – I’m not interviewing Frankie Valli; I’m reviewing the book “The Berenstain Bears and the Four Seasons.” Or . . . “The Berenstain Bears’ Four Seasons?” Something. I’m too tired to look it up. Oh, and Mitzi is here again.
Episode 85 – The Berenstain Bears Are A Family!
Episode 84 – The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vaca(tion)!
Hey guess what I DON’T LIKE THIS BOOK. That’s unfair. That’s unfair to YOU. That’s unfair to ME. That’s. Un. Fair. So. I brought on a friend and VACATION EXPERT – Carrie Keuhl – to talk VACAs with me. We’re talking VACAs. We’re talking . . . I don’t go on VACAs. Can’t afford ’em.
You can find Carrie’s company Moucecierge online. Check it OUT!
Episode 83 – Collector’s Corner 6!
Bradley and Jeremy are BACK to talk QUESTRON! What is QUESTRON?! A fantastical robot from the future come to educate our children and make our technological dreams come true?! Or, a plastic barcode reader? Probably the barcode reader.
You can find Bradley’s official list of books at his website, visit Jeremy’s site to discover his amazing music, or join the Collector’s Facebook Group!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 82 – The Berenstain Bears and the Eager Beavers!
It all comes crashing to an end!
Episode 81 – The Berenstain Bears’ Life With Papa!
In which I spend way to long worrying about 80s movies. Also, I realize that this quartet of McDonald’s Happy Meal books, may form their own loose continuity?
Episode 80 – The Berenstain Bears’ Attic Treasure!
What do the Hindu pantheon, Wham-O Inc. and a cancelled garbage sale have in common? Nothing. But I’m hammering them all into this episode!
Episode 79 – The Berenstain Bears’ Substitute Teacher!
In 1990, Berenstain Bears madness hit that most holy of American institutions: McDonald’s. Four books were made available to hungry children and I’m going to take a look at each one. Are they any good? Well, so far . . . yeah!
In this week’s book, we get a look at Cub Lyfe sans parents. Sans authority. It’s every cub for themselves and the japes and pranks fly. Also, Queenie’s motivations are questioned as well as Brother’s inability to see a pretty girl through a veil of Too-Tall.
What a strange sentence I just typed.
Episode 78 – The Berenstain Bears’ Slumber Party!
This week, Caroline Fulford of the Loose Canon Podcast and Shannon Campe of Stage of Fools: the Unofficial Royals Podcast join forces to talk with me about “The Slumber Party!” Is it the greatest party in the history of Bear Country? How old are Queenie and Too-Tall, anyway? And, what’s the point of this book at all? Also, telephones: nature’s menace?
Also, memes: we have them.
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please subscribe to the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 77 – The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please subscribe to the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 76 – The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble With Pets!
Do you own a pet? I know I don’t! So, I’m in no way qualified to talk about them. Fortunately, Abby Hartman of “It’s Training Cats and Dogs” is here to fill me in on pet ownership, pet responsibility and whether or not the Bear Family is ready to take the plunge! I’m guessing . . . not?
Episode 75 – Collector’s Corner 5!
My joyful collector boys are BACK with a tale of amazement! Hold onto your seats as we discover how they found the most ELUSIVE BERENSTAIN BEARS BOOK of ALL!
You can find Bradley’s official list of books at his website, visit Jeremy’s site to discover his amazing music, or join the Collector’s Facebook Group!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 74.2 – The Trick or Treat Adaptation!
Happy Halloween!
Episode 74 – The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat!
WoooOOOOoooo! Erin Sheppard is BACK for the second half of our Halloween two-parter. This time, we’re talking tricking and/or treating, witches, old ladies and Monopoly. Is the Top Hat really the best piece? Erin says yes!
Erin also says to go see her in “Book of Shadows” her piece in the Twin Cities Horror Festival. There’s still time!
Episode 73 – The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest!
Things are getting spooky around here as Erin Sheppard joins me to talk about “The Ghost of the Forest!” Why do we like being scared? What’s the point of safeguarding yourself against danger only to then create your own terrors for fun? Also, things can go one of three ways – which way will they go . . . for you!
Check out Erin’s show “Book of Shadows” at the Twin Cities Horror Festival!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 72 – The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd!
Caroline Fulford of the Loose Canon Podcast joins me to talk about “In-Crowds.” What are they? Do they matter? Does anything?
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 71 – “Go To School” & “The Sitter” PBS adaptations
Let’s go back in time, shall we? We’re taking a look at a couple of PBS episodes based on two of our earlier books. Are they better? Worse? By “we’re” do you mean “I’m?” Yes, yes and YES!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 70.5 – The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies on PBS
Just a quick extra to chat briefly about the PBS episode based on “Get the Gimmies.” Is it better? Kinda yes?
Episode 70 – The Berenstain Bears Get The Gimmies!
Elana is BACK! And we’re talking about The Gimmies – and do *we* know from Gimmies. Do The Berenstains offer up any good advice on how to deal with these Gimmies? Maybe? No? Maybe no?
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 69 – The Berenstain Bears On the Job and Ready, Get Set, Go!
They’re not amazing books, but I gotta catch ’em all.
Episode 68 – The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare!
Mark had to come back to the studio so we could finish up our discussion on John Braden and I managed to keep him around to talk about “The Double Dare!”
See Mark in “Sweet Dreams, Alfie” at the Twin Cities Horror Festival this October!
Episode 67 – Meet The Berenstain Bears!
Wait. But, we’ve already met the OOOOHHHHHHH IT’S A RECORD!
Mr. Mark Sweeney joins me for a listening party as we dig into “Meet the Berenstain Bears,” a 1982 release from Kid Stuff Records. It’s . . . something all right.
Make sure and check out Mr. Sweeney in “Sweet Dreams, Alfie” at this fall’s Twin Cities Horror Festival!
And, check me out at . . . here. And, on iTunes and Twitter and Stitcher and Google and wherever fine podcasts are sold!
Episode 66 – The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble At School!
What sort of trouble? I don’t know! Mr. Wentworth just told me to come in here and say there was trouble at the school, that’s all! I didn’t expect a kind of –
Anyway, I’m talking about this book.
Episode 65 – The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble With Friends!
When is a friend not a friend? When she’s a little bossy — and a little braggy. Sister Bear meets her match and also meets a legacy character and they’re the same person and this book is a year late . . . sorry.
Also, Shannon Campe of the Stage of Fools podcast joins me to talk about friendships and the importance thereof as well as the weird face Sister makes. What is that?
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 64 – Live Show!
On Saturday, August 13, I had the honor of hosting a LIVE SHOW at the grand opening of Bradley Mariska‘s Berenstain Bears Exhibit at Sweet Reads in Austin, MN. It was a fantastic event, with a huge turnout and a wonderful audience. I couldn’t have asked for a better first live show! And, we hope to do more!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Interview – Bradley Mariska
On the drive down to Austin, MN for the opening of Bradley Mariska’s Berenstain Bears Exhibit at Sweet Reads bookstore, I had plenty of time to chat with Mr. Mariska.
Here . . . is some of that chat.
Interview – Lisa Deyo
I spoke briefly with Lisa Deyo, the owner and proprietor of Sweet Reads, which currently houses the Berenstain Bear collection of Bradley Mariska!
Episode 63 – The Bad Dream!
Brian Skinner floats over from Can We Just Be Friends? to talk with me about . . . everything. Just . . . just every darn thing.
In fact, so many darn things had to be cut that I have included this handy playlist of outtakes for your enjoyment!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 62 – The Berenstain Bears and the Not So Buried Treasure!
There’s a bear and it’s NOT a Berenstain! It’s a horrible robot and it wants to talk during your favorite shows: TV Teddy! Also, I cover “The Berenstain Bears’ Not So Buried Treasure.” Both the book and show! And, a robot! I’m a triple threat! I’m a regular Tommy Tune!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 61 – The Berenstain Bears and the Coughing Catfish AND The Mansion Mystery
This week, I’m tackling TWO books and their respective television episodes! Not too many jokes to make about these; they’re solid product attached to a solid show. Give it a listen!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 60 – The Berenstain Bears and the Big Road Race
I’m back and better than ever because I’ve got Mitzi with me! We keep it short and on point and isn’t that just the best thing ever?
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 59 – The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Honey
Nothing makes sense.
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please don’t rate and review this episode of the show on iTunes because that would be terrible for me and for everyone else. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 58 – Summer Encore!
It’s my birthday this week! I don’t have time to do a show! So, enjoy this flashback to exactly one year ago, when I had Mitzi on as a guest for the very first time.
Episode 57 – The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s!
What happens when cubs go to Grandma’s and spend the whole trip talking to Grandpa? What if they never actually call them “Grandma” and “Grandpa?” I don’t know! But, I do have Joy Riggs on my show to talk about family! And the importance of getting to know your extended family.
Visit Joy’s blog to learn more about her family and her projects. She’s a fantastic writer and well worth checking out. Also, check out her archive of writings at Minnesota Parent – there’s a lot of great stuff there.
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 56 – The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit!
Life’s a mess and so am I! Mark Sweeney joins me once again and tries to FIX ME which is IMPOSSIBLE! Also, the sound mixing in this ep is a nightmare. Also, “nubbins.”
Hey, you should check out Mark’s Fringe show if you live in Minnesota or thereabouts. Visit www.mnfringe.org after July 1 to find out more.
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 55 – The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright!
Today, I am joined by Elana, Andrew, Corinna and Scott to talk “Stage Fright!” Also, Cloud Spray. But, mostly “Stage Fright” and the Berenstain Bears getting it therof.
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 54 – The Berenstain Bears Go Out For The Team!
What don’t I know about?! SPORTS! When don’t I know about ’em?! NOW! It’s true, so in order to give this subject its due, I’ve brought along professional sports-knower David Kalan to fill me in on the finer points. We talk baseball rules, sportsmanship and . . . the Catbirds?
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts!
Episode 53 – The Berenstain Bears and the Knight to Remember!
Hey! There’s a kid in my podcast! Mitzi joins me – or, do I join Mitzi – for a talk about armor, archaeology and underground birds!
You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes. Also, we’re on Google Podcasts now! Apparently, that’s a thing that exists!
Episode 52 – Collector’s Corner 4!
Oh, what fresh heck is this?! It’s a creepy robot voice that will control us all! KIDDING! It’s Brad and Jeremy returning to bring us the Magic Wand Speak & Learn and its dulcet tones!
Check out the pics Brad sent me!
If you’re interested in joining the Berenstain Bears Collectors Facebook Group, just click through to the page!
Read this wonderful article on our own Brad Mariska.
And, hey, if you dug this episode, let me know! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 51 – The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers Part 2
In which I talk about the book “The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers” and ponder its place on your bookshelf.
As always, it really helps the show to get a good rating on iTunes, so visit our page and do us a solid. You can also visit us on Facebook, Twitter or write us an email!
Episode 51 – The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers Part 1
Here in Bear Country, I try to keep things light. But then along comes a book that requires a slightly more serious approach to the subject matter. “The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers” is notorious among kids of the Eighties for inspiring the very fear it’s supposed to counteract. A confusing mishmash of messages, “Strangers” represents a moment in American pop-cultural history/hysteria that sits well beyond my own abilities to address.
So, I’ve brought in an expert. Alison Feigh, Program Manager of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, joins me to discuss the misconception perpetuated by books like “Learn About Strangers.” She addresses the very problem with the concept of “the stranger” and why we should actually teach children how to talk to strangers.
For more information on the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, you can visit their website and view a segment filmed for “Our Issues Twin Cities.”
Discussing these issues with your kids can be challenging, so the JWRC offers tips on how to have a Family Safety Night.
More JWRC resources:
Tips on Personal Safety
Online Safety
Recommended Reading (including books for young children, teens and adults)
If you have questions, please contact the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center at 800-325-HOPE.
As always, it really helps the show to get a good rating on iTunes, so visit our page and do us a solid. You can also visit us on Facebook, Twitter or write us an email!
Reading – The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers
In preparation for this week’s episode, I’m releasing a recording I did of “The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers.” This was done purely for my kid’s amusement, but it might be helpful considering I don’t spend as much time on the actual “plot” this week.
Episode 50 – Mike Berenstain!
I am honored to be joined this week by Mike Berenstain.
As always, you can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can find me on Twitter. And, please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 49 – The Berenstain Bears on Saturday Mornings!
It’s no secret that I love Saturday Morning Cartoons. It’s not secret that I’m fairly uncritical of them. So, join me as I dip my toe into the waters of the Berenstain Bears’ first cartoon series!
And, hey, if you want to talk cartoons, you can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 48 – Collector’s Corner 3!
Come into the bath with us! It’s another Collector’s Corner and Bradley, Jeremy and I are talking BATH BOOKS! Is that a good topic of conversation? No! Are we going to do it anyway? Probably!
Take a look at these soft books you can get wet, courtesy of Brad!
If you’re interested in joining the Berenstain Bears Collectors Facebook Group, just click through to the page!
And, hey, if you dug this episode, let me know! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 47 – The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday!
When is a birthday, TOO MUCH BIRTHDAY?! When it’s Sister’s birthday, of course! Join me and professional party princess Suzie Juul as we discuss sawing cubs in half, why Bear country has never seen a birthday party before and trick candle boyfriends! Also, should six-year-olds be playing spin-the-bottle?
If you want to book Suzie for your child’s next party, visit Once Upon a Star’s website and check out Suzie’s personal site for examples of the Professional Party Princess in action!
You can find this show on Facebook. Or, you can holla at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 46 – The Berenstain Bears No Girls Allowed!
Mr. Stuart Wellington of The Flop House and Till Def Do Us Ppardy joins me to discuss “The Berenstain Bears – No Girls Allowed.” Is sister Bear in the wrong here? Can one actually barbecue honeycomb? Is The Bear Country Boys Club an antecessor of Gamergate? Also, if Stuart tells you to stop giggling . . . stop giggling.
You can find Mr. Wellington as the above-linked podcasts or behind the bar at Hinterlands Bar in Brooklyn!
You can find this show on Facebook. Or, you can holla at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 45 – The Doomspell Tournament
We’re back in Bear County and Brother and Sister are up to some weird tricks as Brother assembles the idol and Sister begins demonstrating heretofore unknown skills in magic. Also, Cousin Frankie likes soccer? All this and more, in “The Berenstein Bears and the Doomspell Tournament!”
Episode 44 – The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners!
This week, Marilyn Pentel, creator and CEO of Mannerly Manners, joins me to discuss something about which I carry no authority . . . MANNERS! Think manners are just rules to keep kids quiet? It’s a bit more complex than that. Marilyn and I discuss the importance of manners in maintaining a world in which true peace is an honest-to-goodness possibility.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Mannerly Manners, including upcoming summer programs, you can visit the website!
Also, if you’re interested in Marilyn’s list of recommended children’s books, here they are!
As always, our official Facebook page is on Facebook. You can holla at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 43 – The Berenstain Bears On the Moon!
And, BOOM, we’re back in the Dreamlands! Thought we’d never go back? Oh, you thought wrong! In this breezy little tome, we journey to that most mysterious of heavenly bodies: the moon! What does the moon have in store for our intrepid explorers? Not much! But, what does it all meeeeeeeeeeean? Join me as I ramble about that very subject.
Episode 42 – Berenstain Bear Country?
This week, I’m joined by Mark Sweeney – local performer, writer and gad-about – who actually worked at Berenstain Bear Country HOLY MOLY! He spills the beans and fills the dirt on what it was like to be one of Papa Bear’s earthly avatars.
Take a look! I found these pictures on the internet!
And, here are the pictures provided by Bradley Mariska!
As always, our official Facebook page is on Facebook. You can holla at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 41 – Collector’s Corner 2!
Bradley and Jeremy are BACK! And, they’ve brought with them some truly wonderful finds. I’m talking coloring books! I’m talking an amazing activity book! I’m talking a rub . . . . thing. A rub-a-book thingy. It’s all awesome!
Take a look!
Here’s a link to Jeremy’s music – preorder that album!
Here’s a link to Bradley’s issue of Austin Living!
If you’re interested in joining the Berenstain Bears Collectors Facebook Group, just click through to the page! And, hey, if you dug this episode, let me know! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can yell at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.
Episode 40 – The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food!
Hey, gang. Let’s stuff our faces! With knowledge! About the Berenstain Bears and their gross obsession with junk food! It’s gross! I’m joined this week by the amazing Elana!
Episode 39 – The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear!
I’m all alone and kind of lose it in this one? So, join me, dear listeners, as I delve into the horrors of greed. Also, I promise to never say “Giggly Goo” ever again.
As always, our official Facebook page is on Facebook. You can holla at me on Twitter. And, please please please rate and review the show on iTunes.