Deep In Bear Country – A Berenstain Bearcast
Let's talk about every single Berenstain Bears book, shall we?
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.
“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!
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?!
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when a children’s book about faith and differences accidentally reinforces inspiration porn, infantilization, and outdated disability tropes?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.
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:
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!
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!
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!
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!”
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!”
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?
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.
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.
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!
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!”
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!
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.”
What can I say? I’m a sucker for straightforward messaging. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Love Is Kind” and it KIND of works!
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!”
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!”
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!”
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!
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!”
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!
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!
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.”
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!”
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!
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!”
Elana is back with me for the first part of our “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” coverage! Woo hoo!
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!
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!
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!
Oof. Let’s talk about The Nativity. It’s “The Berenstain Bears The Very First Christmas!”
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!
This week, the Bears go back into the attic to dig up some old treasures! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Show-and-Tell!”
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Episode 29. Busy week, y’all!
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!”
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.
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!”
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?
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!
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!”
This week, our Bear Family creates a major imposition on their local fire constabulary. also, the history of firefighting! Also, Restaurant. Apartments? Maybe!
It’s back to school time, and you know what that means! GOD! It’s “The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings!”
This week, I’m taking you on a trip around the world! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Around the World” and it’s PROBLEMATIC!
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!”
Some thoughts as I head into opening night of “Lost In Bear Country.”
Let’s get high! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Take Off!” It’s about planes.
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!”
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!”
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!
When’s an Easter book not an Easter book? Well, when it’s June, for one thing. But also, when the author successfully avoids actually discussing Easter for the bulk of it. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Blessings!”
It’s a Berenstain Bears book where the Bear Family goes on a walk and looks at animals. I mean… that’s pretty much it? “The Berenstain Bears All God’s Creatures!”
This week is all about LOVE! As a verb. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Love One Another!”
Sleep, man. Ya dig? It’s pretty heavy stuff. Like, what even is sleep, my dude? You ever think that, like, sleep is, like, dying every night? Pretty intense, right? It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Sleepy Time Book.”
This week, Willow joins me to talk about GRADUATION! Whose? Hers! And, the bears. But, they’re not REALLY graduating, are they? It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Graduation Day!”
Brother Bear is turning an indeterminate age once again and none of his friends are coming to his party! And that’s a good thing? Also, who is Uncle Tex married to these days? What’s with the opening Bible quote? And, being in a family: kind of a mixed bag, right? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Family!”
This week, it’s all about LOVE, baby! Good ol’ First Epistle of John LOVE, BABEEEE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Love!”
It’s the first “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit” book and we’re kicking it off with “Caring!” What is caring? Is it an attitude? And opinion? An action? What does it mean to care? Who are Fred’s parents? How many men has Aunt Min married? And what of THE TIMELINES? Let’s dive in, shall we?!
This week, I begin… a new project.
I’ll show you love, I’ll show you everything
With mouth wide open
With mouth wide open
I’ll show you everything, oh yeah
With mouth wide open
Wide open
What – and this isn’t a theoretical – if the Berenstain Bears met an atheist?
“Did he say ‘Blessed are the chee-‘” you know what? I’ll let the episode do the joke. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Blessed Are The Peacemakers!”
I think we put too much pressure on kids to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. What about when they grow *down*? Why does no one ever talk about THAT? It’s “The Berenstain Bears When I Grow Up!”
How do you like your superheroes? Bear style? In “The Berenstain Bears are Superbears” that’s what you get! And, you know what? I kinda love it.
Decades ago, the Berenstain Bears’ Saturday Morning Cartoon secretly presented a multi-part saga that only reveals itself when you’re bored and watching a Berenstain Bears Saturday Morning Cartoon. It’s the “Wild Wild Honey Saga!”
One last rerun! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Birthday Boy” with BONUS CONTENT!
Another JUMBO BONUS! In 2020, Megan Sunday joined me to discuss “The Berenstain Bears and the Wrong Crowd.” Well, I’ve added twenty minutes to the end of BONUS content about the religious rewrite. Enjoy!
It’s a rerun from 2020, but with BONUS content! Christy Admiraal and I talk about SOCCER BALLS!
You might think you’ve heard this story before, but… well, you have. But you’ve never seen it like this! 2022 brings us a whole new edition of “The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw” featuring previously unpublished art by Stan and Jan Berenstain. It’s pretty cool.
Whaddaya get when Brother and Sister won’t stop bragging? You get Grizzly Gramps throwing a lot of Bible quotes at them and then yelling that they’re fool! That’s right, the worst bear in Bear Country is back to learn these kids a thing or two in “The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag!”
Is this my shortest episode in years? Yes. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gone Fishin’.”
My co-host from It’s Del Toro Time, my own Willow, is back to talk about the hottest bears in Bear Town. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Lemonade Stand!”
What’s more fun than talking about a Berenstain Bears book? TWELVE. Twelve books. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Phonics Fun” and… is it? Is it really?
You know what stinks? THINGS! This week, Brian Skinner from Center of Weirdness is back to talk about how terrible it is to buy toys for your kids? Or King Solomon? Or something? It’s The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with THINGS! Just… just things.
The Bear Family is typically fairly healthy, and who do they thank for that? GOD. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Thank God for Good Health!” It’s a rewrite if that means anything to ya. No?
No, not the famous English rock ‘n’ roll band The Animals, but the actual animals walking around on the Earth! This week, we look at TWO Berenstain Bears books, but really? They’re the same book. But also? They’re not. It’s “The Berenstain Bears God Bless/Loves the Animals!”
This week, Jen Armstrong, CEO of gaming company SolidRoots, joins me to talk about her company and how they came to design three new Berenstain Bears games for kids!
So, Becca Peter is on the show because we had a couple of things to talk about. That’s it. Just wanted to chat!
Well, we got trouble, my friends. Right here in Bear Country. With a capital T and that rhymes with C and that stands for COMPUTER. This week, we welcome to the show Kate Queram, writer for States Newsroom, who has a bone to pick with the Bears and some thoughts about just how Papa came to be the voice of reason in “The Berenstain Bears’ Computer Trouble!”
Hoppy Easter, everyone! I wasn’t going to do an Easter episode this weekend, but things don’t always turn out the way we plan, do they? So, I’m releasing it EARLY to keep my word! Happily, Reverend Lauren is back to take us to Church and talk about Noah? It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Sunday!”
I wasn’t planning on talking about Easter Parades, but here we are! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Parade!”
I’m not afraid! I’M NOT AFRAID! It’s “The Berenstain Bears, Do Not Fear, God Is Near!”
This week, Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff take over my show again! Yep! I’m nowhere in sight, giving these two crumb bums free reign to talk about whatever they want! Is it Berenstain Bears-related? Yes, of course. They’re the BBBoys!
“Show some respect for Judge Reinhold! I mean… your parents.” It’s “The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect” and a SECRET BONUS! Tee hee. I respect you all!
We’re unhinged this week as Brian Skinner from Center of Weirdness and Christy Admiraal from our very own Pizza Toast join me yet again to discuss Valentine’s Day! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Love Bug” but it’s really just madness. It’s madness.
Brad and Jeremy are back to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Secret Clubhouse!” That’s right, they found a book that seemed, for a hot minute, to have been the source of last week’s mystery. However, an email from Mike Berenstain completely reframed everything for us. We’ll be talking about the origins of “The Trouble With Friends” this week!
Find Brad’s collector’s page here!
This week, I take a look at a book that might be older than I think it is. It’s “The Berenstain Bears The Trouble With Secrets” and is it based on an older book?! Please HELP ME.
The Berenstain Bears are READY TO GO CAROLING! And John McCoy is here from Sophomore Lit to go caroling with me! We kinda talk about the book but mostly talk about the carols and then things get a bit off track. What are your thoughts on Lulu? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling!”
MERRY HAPPY! It’s our truncated Christmas Season and we’re celebrating by digging our nativity scenes out and talking about nativity scenes! Let’s talk The Nativity, Where’s Spot and the very nature of Lift-The-Flap Books as a concept! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Get Ready For Christmas!”
More Good Deed Scouts = More Willow! What happens when the Good Deed Scouts help Mama Bear? Not much! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Mama’s Helpers!”
This week, does kindness count? Does it “count?” Well, Jan and Mike seem to think so! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Kindness Counts!”
Some people like their jobs RAW, but I like mine WELL DONE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done!
Hey, it’s time to talk about forgiving! And forgiveness! And stealing a bike and crashing it in to a mailbox! It’s “The Berenstain Bears The Forgiving Tree!”
