Episode 328 – The Berenstain Bears, Faith Gets Us Through

This week, we go back to Spooky Cave for a religious look at a Cub Club book I’d forgotten existed! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Faith Gets Us Through” but I mostly talk about musicals and The Descent.

Episode 327 – The Berenstain Bears Let The Bible Be Your Guide

Should you? I mean, should you *really* let the Bible be your guide? Specifically on a WHITE WATER CANOEING TRIP? Well, let’s find out. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Let The Bible Be Your Guide!”

Episode 326 – The Berenstain Bears and the Secret Clubhouse/Deep Dark Secret!

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 Jeremy’s music here!

Find Brad’s collector’s page here!

Episode 325 – The Berenstain Bears The Trouble With Secrets

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.

Episode 324 – The Berenstain Bears Kitten Rescue!

Happy The New Year! Willow joins me to talk about what might very well be our final Good Deed Scouts book “The Berenstain Bears Kitten Rescue.” It’s ridiculous.

Episode 323 – The Berenstain Bears Go Christmas Caroling!

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!”

Episode 322 – The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas

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!”

Episode 320 – The Berenstain Bears Mama’s Helpers!

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!”

Episode 319 – The Berenstain Bears’ Neighbor in Need!

This week, the Good Deed Scouts are back and so is Willow! Do the GDSs do… anything worthwhile this week? Probably not? Is there a witch? Maybe? Do we have to make up our own plot just to stay awake? Definitely.

Episode 318 – The Berenstain Bears and the Little Lost Cub!

I have a guest! Willow has rolled out of her bed and joined me for “The Berenstain Bears and the Little Lost Cub!” That awful little sailor suited boy is back, but he’s no longer naughty and he’s no longer Ned. He’s just some kid and he’s lost. So, the Good Deed Scouts are here to… do nothing. As usual. The wore things change, I guess?

If you want to hear more of me and Willow chatting about stuff, check out It’s Del Toro Time, our podcast that we do together!

Episode 316 – “Meet The Berenstains” Uncommon Ephemera

This week, Deep In Bear Country goes deeper than usual into the wild world of Berenstain Bears ephemera with our guest, Mark O’Brien of the YouTube channel “Uncommon Ephemera!” He’s unearthed a Filmstrip interview/documentary about Stan and Jan Berenstain that is one of the most delightful things I’ve ever seen. I also have on, as a bonus, my collectors Brad Mariska and Jeremy Gloff to talk about the Filmstrip and just shoot the breeze. It’s fun!

Watch “Meet the Berenstains” here!

Episode 315 – The Berenstain Bears and the GHOST of the THEATER!

This Halloween, there is NO GHOST. But, there is a theater. So, it’s only half lying. It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Theater!”

Episode 314 – The Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage!

It’s a regular David and Goliath tale up in here, except David is Sister and Goliath is Too-Tall and Sister doesn’t so much defeat Too-Tall as “stand back and watch him get attacked by hornets.”

Episode 313 – The Berenstain Bears Kindness Counts!

This week, does kindness count? Does it “count?” Well, Jan and Mike seem to think so! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Kindness Counts!”

Episode 312 – The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done!

Some people like their jobs RAW, but I like mine WELL DONE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done!

Episode 311 – The Berenstain Bears and the Forgiving Tree!

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!”

Episode 310 – The Berenstain Bears ALL ABOARD!

Chugga chugga CHOO CHOO! This week, we’re talkin’ about TRAINS! It’s “The Berenstain Bears ALL ABOARD!”

Episode 308 – The Berenstain Bears Safe and Sound!

Is it safe? Is it sound? Is it The Berenstain Bears Safe and Sound!? It is this week! Let’s take a look at the freewheeling world of skate-a-ma-boarding in Bear Country! Let’s build a deck or a half-pipe or an olly? Let’s get SAFE and SOUND!

Episode 305 – The Berenstain Bears’ Faithful Friends!

We’re back! Sorry I was gone so long, but we’re back with a sequel to (checks notes) The Golden Rule! Remember Suzy McGrizzie, well she’s BACK BABY, YEAH! And she’s cool now? Sort of? Anyway, this one has some Bible stuff and it actually works pretty well so let’s get going!

Episode 299 – The Berenstain Bears’ BIG Bedtime Book!

The Berenstain Bears' Big Bedtime Book (Berenstain Bears Series) by Jan  Berenstain, Stan Berenstain, Mike Berenstain, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

This week, we’re taking a look back at an older book and rushing as quickly as we can through FIVE bedtime stories! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ BIG Bedtime Book!”

Episode 298 – The Berenstain Bears God Loves You!

How Do You Explain To A Child Who Created God

Real talk: does God love you? Let’s find out! Let’s also learn a bit about Bear Country’s Musical Theater heritage; the gender division between theater and sports; and Ferdy Actual… he exists! Also, Mama won’t stop making the conversation all about God God GOD! God, Mama! It’s “The Berenstain Bears God Loves You!”

Episode 292 – The Berenstain Bears’ Class Trip!

Life isn’t all bees and poop, but if you listen to this week’s episode, you might think it is! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Class Trip!”

Episode 290 – The Berenstain Bears Phenom in the Family!

The Berenstain Bears Phenom in the Family: Berenstain, Stan, Berenstain,  Jan: 9780679889526: Amazon.com: Books

Hey everyone! Mitzi is here to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Phenom in the Family!” What’s a phenom? You’re a phenom! I mean, are you? Why is Papa such a jerk? What about Brother Bear’s feelings? Who knows?!

Episode 289 – The Berenstain Bears in Big Bear City!

Berenstain Bears Ser.: The Berenstain Bears in Big Bear City by Jan  Berenstain and Stan Berenstain (1996, Trade Paperback) for sale online |  eBay

Wanna go to BIG BEAR CITY? Wanna see it from BEHIND FLAPS? Then let’s take a look at “The Berenstain Bears In Big Bear City!”

Episode 288 – The Berenstain Bears Yike! Yike! Where’s My Trike?

Tricycles are complicated. Who knew? Also, Cousin Fred rides a MOTORBIKE?! Get out of town! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Yike! Yike! Where’s My Trike?”

Episode 287 – The Berenstain Bears and the Great Ant Attack!

Amazon.com: The Berenstain Bears and the Great Ant Attack (9780679889502):  Berenstain, Stan, Berenstain, Jan: Books

Here it is. The Berenstain Bears and the Great Ant Attack!

Episode 285 – The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Commercials!

Kids these days and their tv sets and their sugary cereals and their hugging dolls and their COMMERCIALS! If there’s one thing that remains a pain in the rear it COMMERCIAL TELEVISION am I right? Well, this week we’re getting to the bottom of all of that with “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Commercials!”

Episode 283 – The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings!

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Are you ready to fall in love? Are you ready to fall in love WITH GOD? Well, sorry, this is just a retelling of “Comic Valentine” but with some Bible quotes. Also, Brian and Christy are back! Also, it’s actually a pretty good retelling of this oft-told tale? Also, it’s called “The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings!”

Episode 282 – The Berenstain Bears’ Comic Valentine THE BOOK!

The Berenstain Bears' Comic Valentine: Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain:  9780590947299: Amazon.com: Books

Aaaaaaand, we’re back! Brian and Christy have returned (secret surprise THEY NEVER LEFT) and we’re taking a look at “The Berenstain Bear’s Comic Valentine” THE BOOK! Is it different? Is it the same? Yes! NO! It’s all about LOVE!

Episode 281 – The Berenstain Bears’ Comic Valentine TV Special!

Hey all! Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, so we’re celebrating with a Month of Sundays on Saturday! That’s right, it’s ALL VALENTINES, ALL THE TINES, er, TIMES! And, to see us through the Season are returning Valentines themselves, Christy Admiraal and Brian Skinner! We’re kicking things off with a too-close look at the befuddling 1982 special “The Berenstain Bears’ Comic Valentine” which is available on the official Berenstain Bears YouTube channel. Have a look and enjoy the … thing.

Episode 277 – The Berenstain Bears Go On Vacation!

Are you ready to hit the beach, once again?! We’re taking off with the Bear Family to Gull Island and this time, we’re just going to kick back and enjoy the book. No history, no complaints, no nothin’! It’s just a solid book with great illustrations. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Go On Vacation!”

Episode 276 – The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas/Old-Fashioned Christmas!

Merrrrrry happy! It’s Christmas Day and I am coming at you with two two two books! First, I’m finishing off my looks at “The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas” and then we’re talking “The Berenstain Bears’ Old-Fashioned Christmas!” Two good books! It’s a Christmas miracle! See you next year!

Episode 274 – The Berenstain Bears’ Winter Wonderland!

The Berenstain Bears' Winter Wonderland: Berenstain, Jan, Berenstain, Mike,  Berenstain, Jan, Berenstain, Mike: 9780060574277: Amazon.com: Books

Sleigh bells ring. ARE YOU LISTENING? It’s the “Berenstain Bears’ Winter Wonderland!”

Episode 273 – The Berenstain Bears Trim The Tree!

The Berenstain Bears Trim the Tree (The Berenstain Bears) ADLE Interna

This week, we’re looking at another Lift-The-Flap book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Trim the Tree” and … it’s good? It’s good!

Episode 272 – The Berenstain Bears’ Thanksgiving Blessings!

Amazon.com: The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings: Stickers Included!  (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights: A Faith Story) (0025986734879): Berenstain,  Mike: Books

The Reverend Lauren McLeavey is back! This week, we’re taking a look at “The Berenstain Bears’ Thanksgiving Blessings” and hoping that it avoids the pitfalls of last week’s – oh, nope… nope. No, it’s just as bad. At least stickers are included?

Episode 271 – The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks!

The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights): Jan  Berenstain, Mike Berenstain: 0025986712518: Amazon.com: Books

Ooh, dang. Sometimes you get to a book that really, uh, well, that’s really something. And then you gotta have a guest on to help you with it. The Reverend Lauren McLeavey is back to help me panic my way through an ostensibly religious book about Pilgrims and Mayflowers and turkeys named… turkeys that have a certain name. It’s not good, y’all! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks!”

Episode 269 – The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted House!

It’s a roundtable! Elana, Mark and Gemma join me to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted House!” We lift the flaps and lift… your spirits? Your Halloween spirits?! I hope so! Let’s get flap-liftin’!

Episode 268 – The Berenstain Bears and/in the Spooky Fun House!

The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Fun House Original Golden Book Cover,  in Michael J.'s The Berenstain Bears (1982-1991) Comic Art Gallery Room
The Berenstain Bears in the Spooky Fun House: A Pop-up Book: Stan  Berenstain, Jan Berenstain: 9781577192565: Amazon.com: Books

‘Allo, ‘allo, ‘allo! Look who’s back to talk about books! It’s Bradley and Jeremy from the ol’ Collectors Corner episodes saving my bacon by jumping in at the last minute to school me on “The Berenstain Bears and/in the Spooky Fun House!” One book talks, but one book POPS! Up. Which is which? You decide!

Check out Jeremy’s incredible work here.

Check out Bradley’s podcast here!

Episode 267 – The Berenstain Bears and the Big Spelling Bee!

The Berenstain Bears and the Big Spelling Bee: Berenstain, Jan, Berenstain,  Stan, Berenstain, Mike, Berenstain, Jan: 9780060573867: Amazon.com: Books

This week, I’m all by myself and thinkin’ of BEES! Spelling bees, that is! It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Big Spelling Bee!”

Episode 266 – The Berenstain Bears Go On A Ghost Walk

The Berenstain Bears Go on a Ghost Walk: Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain:  9780060573836: Amazon.com: Books

This week, Brian Skinner from Predict-O-Cast joins me for a GHOST WALK! What’s a Ghost Walk? Apparently, it’s a haunted house? It’s not a hayride! It’s also WAY TOO SPOOKY FOR KIDS! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Go On A Ghost Walk!”

Episode 265 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts Scream Their Heads Off!

Los osos scouts Berenstain gritan de terror / The Berenstain Bear Scouts  Scream Their Heads Off (Spanish Edition): Berenstain, Stan, Berenstain,  Mike: 9780590944861: Amazon.com: Books

Let’s welcome back to the show the hosts of Kill By Kill, Gena and Patrick as we go exploring a spooky old house atop Spook Hill and maybe, just maybe, learn a little something new about Beartown.

Episode 264 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Really Big Disaster!

Oh boy! Kacie Galyon is back, everyone and we’re discussing “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Really Big Disaster!” And, what is the disaster? Bigpaw? No. An earthquake? No. The town’s really patronizing intolerance of a vulnerable member of their community? Mmmmmmmmmmaybe?

Episode 263 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Ripoff Queen!

Berenstain Bear Scouts And The Ripoff Queen by Stan Berenstain

This week, we are back with the Bear Scouts; we are back with Raffish Ralph Ripoff; and we are back with a story that doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense. It’s “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Ripoff Queen!” There’s no queens. There’s actually no ripoffs. There is a lot of crime, but it’s mostly committed by our heroes? This is a weird one. And to help me through it, we have a returning guest! Jamie Tyler, cutural critic for Cinapse! Welcome back Jamie!

Episode 262 – The Berenstain Bears Go Back To School!

The Berenstain Bears Go Back to School: Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain,  Mike Berenstain: 9780060526757: Amazon.com: Books

It’s the first week of school here in Minneapolis and things are weird! So, I brought *my* school kid on the show to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Go Back To School” and marvel at a simpler time when everything wasn’t the worst. Enjoy it!

Episode 261 – The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Car Trip!

How much car trip is too much? Let’s find out with “The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Car Trip!”

Episode 259 – The Berenstain Bears’ New Pup and New Kitten!

This week, I’m peekin’ at TWO books about introducing pets into the Bear Family. “The Berenstain Bears’ New Pup” and “The Berenstain Bears’ New Kitten!” Are they useful books as far as educating children about the ins and outs of acquiring a new pet? Lulz.

Episode 258 – The Berenstain Bears Ride Like The Wind!

This week, I am joined by a guest who couldn’t be better suited to the material. Remy Maisel is a lifelong horse girl in addition to being a published author, copywriter and blogger. She fills me in on the facts behind “The Berenstain Bears Ride Like The Wind.”

Episode 257 – The Berenstain Bears Ride The Thunderbolt and We Like Kites!

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This week it’s t-t-t-TWO BOOKS! I’m talking about “The Berenstain Bears Ride the Thunderbolt” and “The Berenstain Bears: We Like Kites!” Look, they’re Step-Into-Reading books for preschoolers. This is a fun one!

Episode 256 – The Berenstain Bears’ Back To School!

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Join me for the final Family Time Book “The Berenstain Bears’ Back To School!” Not, “Back To School With The Berenstain Bears” and NOT “The Berenstain Bears GO Back To School.” Those are VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.

Episode 254 – The Berenstain Bears and The Spooky Old Tree Game!

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I recorded this on my birthday! And, as a way of saying “Happy birthday to me!” I decided to combine two things: my show and Family Game Night! What a terrible idea! I had to somehow salvage the mess I’d made and here’s what’s left. Sorry?

Episode 253 – The Berenstain Bears’ Nature Rescue!

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Two and a half years ago, Mark Sweeney and I talked about “The Showdown at Chainsaw Gap!” Well, we’re back to talk about it again! Only now it’s call “Nature Rescue” and it’s missing, like, one line. Still a good talk tho!

Episode 252 – The Berenstain Bears and the Tic-Tac-Toe Mystery!?

When is mystery *not* a mystery? When it’s only a question that anyone can answer given a few seconds thought. Well, Willow – my co-host from It’s Del Toro Time – is back to help solve this not-a-mystery with “The Berenstain Bears and the Tic-Tac-Toe Mystery!” It’s really dumb!

 

 

Episode 251 – The Berenstain Bears The Runamuck Dog Show!

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Hot Diggity Dog! Look who’s back! It’s the hosts of Hot Diggity Dog, Brian and Josh, and they’re here talk about “The Runamuck Dog Show!” It’s a book about dogs and cats and poop and… poop, actually. There’s a lot of poop. Don’t know what else to tell you.

Episode 250 – The Berenstain Bears The Wrong Crowd!

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Megan Sunday, co-host of the Dune-tastic “Let’s Get Wierding” podcast, joins me this week to talk about SMOKING IN THE WOODS and PLAYING BASKETBALL IN THE WOODS and DO THE BULLIES LIVE IN THE WOODS? It’s “The Berenstain Bears: The Wrong Crowd!”

Episode 249 – The Berenstain Bears and the Soccer Tryouts/Too Small For The Team!

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Guess who can’t catch a break. SISTER! We’re back with another look at the unjust sporting world Sister inhabits with “The Soccer Tryouts” and it’s Stepping Stone rewrite “Too Small For The Team!” And, joining me on this journey is returning guest Christy Admiraal!

And here is a list of places to donate to in support of the ongoing BLM protests.

Episode 247 – The Berenstain Bears Play Ball!

The Berenstain Bears Play Ball - Kindle edition by Berenstain ...

This week, I’m joined once again by Helen LaStar of the Falling In Love Montage podcast to talk about a book that shouldn’t be as fraught as it is: “The Berenstain Bears Play Ball!” It should be an uplifting story of Sister bringing change to the male-dominated world of Little League, but instead it’s mostly about how awful Papa is… to everyone. Enjoy!

Special Bonus – The Berenstain Bears That Stump Must Go!

Amazon.com: The Berenstain Bears That Stump Must Go ...

It’s a special EARLY episode because this one couldn’t wait!

Link to Twitter thread mentioned in the episode.

Places to donate (as usual, use caution before giving to any organization you’re unfamiliar with).

Episode 246 – The Berenstain Bears and the Goofy, Goony Guy

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Hey! Mitzi’s back! And we’re talking about a guy who may be goofy and he may be goony but… but, he’s “The Goofy, Goony Guy.” That’s all.

Episode 235 – The Berenstain Bear and the Jump Rope Contest!

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This week, we’re taking a hard look at rope and the jumping over thereof! We’re also looking at Sister Bear and her bragging ways and how if you brag too much… nothing bad will happen. It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Jump Rope Contest!”

Episode 232 – The Berenstain Bears By The Sea!

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Are you ready to get sandy?! No? Me neither. I hate the beach. But, the Bear Family loves(?) it! They can’t wait to get there! So, of course, Mama and Papa make the cubs wait. And wait. And wait. And then they get in the water. That’s the story! SEA ya!

Episode 230 – The Berenstain Bears On The Road

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This week, I close out the “Big Mall” series(?) by taking a quick look at “The Berenstain Bears Hold Hands at the Big Mall” which, honestly I spend about five minutes on it. No, the big book this week is “The Berenstain Bears On The Road” which does not involve a seminal work of Beatnik-related literature, but does involve flat contradictions in Bear Country history as well as out first incident of vomiting children! It’s a blast!

Episode 229 – The Berenstain Bears Down On the Farm/The Berenstain Bears Reap the Harvest

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Let’s go back to the farm, this week, with a couple of rewrites of a couple of the books we *just* looked at! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Down On The Farm” and the religious “The Berenstain Bears Reap The Harvest!”

Episode 228 – The Berenstain Bears With Nothing to Do/The Berenstain Bears Visit Farmer Ben

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In this episode, I’m sick! And talking about Cub Club Books! This week, I’m taking a cold hard look at two books that may, in fact, form the beginnings of a trilogy that we discussed the ending of last week! That’s right, “Nothing to Do” and “Visit Farmer Ben” would seem to set up the events in “The Summer Job” by establishing that the Cubs are bored and… and… sorry I fell asleep typing this. Anyway, books.

Episode 227 – The Berenstain Bears and the Summer Job!

DIBC-EP227-01.jpgIn a time when it is neither summer nor job I take a look at the story of the Cubs getting railroaded into working for a farmer, maybe for free(?!?). It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Summer Job!”

Episode 225 – The Berenstain Bears In the Wax Museum!

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When is a mystery *not* a mystery? When nothing mysterious happens! “The Berenstain Bears IN the Wax Museum” acts like a mystery, but it’s really a community drama about zoning ordinances. It makes a lot of promises it can’t keep and sets up plot points that melt like the wax in Madame Bearsaud’s statues, but I don’t care because KACIE GALYON is back to help me get through it! Welcome back to the show, Kacie!

Episode 224 – The Berenstain Bears and the Hiccup Cure!

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*Hic* Kill me *Hic* Kill me *Hic* Kill me

This week, Ollie – my child and co-host of It’s Del Toro Time – joins me to talk about the Cub Club book “The Berenstain Bears and the Hiccup Cure!” Papa gets hiccups and… that’s about it. It’s a short one!

Episode 223 – The Berenstain Bears Go Hollywood!

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I’ve been alone so long! This week, I bring back two things that this show desperately needed: the Big Chapter Books and A GUEST! Yes, I am joined by author and screenwriter Mark Wheaton, the author of “Emily Eternal” and the Luis Chavez Mysteries. He’s here to help me pick apart a book about… filmmaking? The Hollywood machine? Cecil B. DeMille? It’s a mess; but a FUN mess!

THANKSGIVING RERUN! – BIGPAW!

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FOUR YEARS AGO (!!!!!!!!) I had Bradley and Jeremy on the show to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw – the Bears’ Thanksgiving special from 1980. Well, I’m BUSY so here’s this week’s show! It’s a RERUN!

Episode 222 – The Berenstain Bears Learn About Colors/The Berenstain Bears God Made the Colors (1993/2003)

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What is color? Is it real? Why do colors? What am God? Where God does meet color? Why? I answer ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE in “The Berenstain Bears Learn About Colors” and the religious rewrite “The Berenstain Bears God Made the Colors!”

Episode 221 – The Berenstain Bears and the Family Get Together/The Berenstain Bears Reunion! (1993/2009)

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When is a get-together not a get-together? When it’s a reunion! Whether the Bear Family is getting together or reuniting, we’re meeting some new relatives in “The Berenstain Bears’ Family Get Together” and “The Berenstain Bears’ Family Reunion!”

Episode 220 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the White Water Mystery!

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“Bear Country exists in a state of temporal flux” is something I say in this episode about a children’s book about cheating. So, that’s something. It’s the final Merit Badge Mystery, the final Dr. Wise Old Owl, the final not-really-a-mystery mystery; it’s “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the White Water Mystery!”

Episode 219 – The Berenstain Bears Hug and Make Up!

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This week, let’s all “Hug and Make Up!” It’s “The Berenstain Bears Hug and Make Up” from the 90s and the early 2000s and they are NOT the same books! They might LOOK similar, but they ain’t. Trust me.

Episode 218 – The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old House!

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This week, we’re back of the HALLOWEEN track with “The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old House!” And, it IS spooky but not for the reasons you probably think. Let’s talk death and widows and homelessness and squatter’s rights and RAGGEDY TOM! Please. Please, let’s.

Episode 217 – The Berenstain Bears and the Talent Show!

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Hey, Y’ALL! It’s time once again for a CUB CLUB BOOK LOOK MA I’M READING! This week, it’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Talent Show!” But, this time, the real talent isn’t ON the stage it’s . . . well, actually, it’s still on the stage. But also, it’s off? I don’t know. FIGURE IT OUT!

Episode 215 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Stinky Milk Mystery

Join me for another INCREDIBLE MYSTERY that doesn’t introduce itself until the book is nearly finished and that is then solved by a non-character in one page. That’s right! It’s a Berenstain Bear Scouts Merit Badge Mystery! But, like past Merit Badge Mysteries, it’s not much of a mystery. But, it’s still weird and fun. Join me for “The Stinky Milk Mystery” and discover my the milk may, in fact, be stinky.

Episode 212 – The Berenstain Bears and the Escape of the Bogg Brothers (2000)/The Missing Watermelon Money (2001)

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This week, we’re gearing up for HALLOWEEN SEASON with our first MYSTERIES! That’s right! The Bear Detectives are here to liven up your week with the “Escape of the Bogg Brothers” and the “Missing Watermelon Money!”

Episode 211 – The Berenstain Bears Visit Uncle Tex (1994)/The Berenstain Bears Out West (2006)

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Look who’s back! It’s Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff – my collectors! Only this time they’re not talking collectibles, but an actual book! Brad and Jeremy join me to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Visit Uncle Tex” and “The Berenstain Bears Out West” which are, in fact, the SAME BOOK ALMOST!

Check out Jeremy’s website to preorder his new album and order his old albums! Check out Bradley’s Berenstain Bears Bibliography and see what his band is up to!

Also, if you’re in town, check out my one-man show!

Episode 210 – The Berenstain Bears Say Please and Thank You (2011)!

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This week,  I’m taking a look at a book FILLED with BOOKS! It’s 2011’s “The Berenstain Bears Say Please and Thank You” and it’s NOT related to last week’s book at all! It’s a whole new thing entirely!

Episode 209 – The Berenstain Bears Say Please and Thank You (1997)!

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This week, we talk about “Please” and “Thank you” – the words, the concepts, the social contract. We look at where these ideas came from; what the words mean; and how they hold society together. We also look at what happens when “The Berenstain Bears Say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You!'”

Episode 206 – The Berenstain Bears All Year ‘Round/God Made the Seasons!

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It sure is time outside! What time? ALL THE TIME! This week, we take yet another look at the seasons and ask whether they matter more or less if God was involved.

Episode 204 – The Berenstain Bears Visit Fun Park!

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This week, I’m taking you to a place from my childhood that I DREAD! The amusement park! Learn about why I hate amusement parks, a brief history of amusement parks and, oh right, what happens when the Bear Family visits an amusement park in “The Berenstain Bears Visit Fun Park!”

Episode 203 – The Berenstain Bears At The Giant Mall!

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Boy, do I ever love to talk about going to the mall. I never even knew I loved it so much until I started doing this show. Anyways, here’s “The Berenstain Bears at the Giant Mall” featuring a couple of guest storytellers!

Episode 202 – The Berenstain Bears and the Wishing Star

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This week, I’m all by myself and talking about Cub Clubs! Yes, it’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Wishing Star” and I don’t have a whole lot to say about it!

Episode 201 – The Berenstain Bears and the Funny Valentine!

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This week, I am joined by two delightful souls, Christy Admiraal and Brian Skinner, as we traverse the completely off-season topic of Valentines Day! Who is an appropriate suitor for Sister? What’s a Thousand Legger? A Hop Toad? Whither fistball. We talk it all!

Episode 199 – The Berenstain Bears and the Papa’s Day Surprise!

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This week, it’s Father’s Day and I brought on a father very near and dear to my heart: Mark Sweeney! He’s back, y’all and he’s ready to talk about Papa’s weird obsession with not celebrating Father’s Day. Enjoy it.

Episode 197 – Deep In Bear Country Live Show HOT WASH!

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Boy oh boy, are you ever tired of hearing about the live show? I know! Well, this is it, folks. I’ve asked Elana and Mark back on the show to talk about how they felt the show went, to discuss the process and to play you a few clips! Courtesy of Mr. Bradley Mariska!