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!
Tag: Lizzy Bruin
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 364 – The Berenstain Bears’ Phonics Fun
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?
Episode 353 – The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy
You can’t HANDLE the TOOTH! I can’t believe we didn’t make that joke. Anyway, Brian Skinner is back and we’re talking puffy stickers, disappointing transformers, beating up the ice cream bike kid and something else. Oh right! “The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy!”
Check out Center of Weirdness, Brian and Josh Hollis’s podcast!
Episode 351 – The Berenstain Bears: All Things Bright and Beautiful
Bright AND beautiful? In THIS economy? It’s “The Berenstain Bears: All Things Bright and Beautiful.”
Episode 348 – The Berenstain Bears Help the Homeless
What happens when you try to turn a spoooooky haunted house book into a book about aiding the unhoused? I don’t know. But, Elana is back to help me figure it all out. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Help The Homeless!”
Episode 347 – The Berenstain Bears’ Computer Trouble
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!”
Episode 346 – The Berenstain Bears Honey Hunt Helpers
Mitzi is back to talk with me about honey and hunting and helping. But, who is hunting whom and who is helping what? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Honey Hunt Helpers!”
Episode 331 – The Berenstain Bears’ Gossip Gang/Truth About Gossip
Ready to dish that hot hot goss?! Well, Sister sure is. TWICE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Gossip Gang” and the exact same book “The Berenstain Bears Truth About Gossip!”
Places to Donate:
Ukraine aid
Organizacion Latina de Trans en Texas
Transgender Education Network of Texas
allgo qpoc (allgo envisions a just and equitable society that celebrates and nurtures vibrant queer people of color communities.)
The Mahogany Project, Inc. (We aim to reduce social isolation, stigma, and acts of injustice in TQLGB+ Communities of Color)
Embrace Austin (Embrace Austin is a coalition of LGBTQIA2+ individuals, organizations, and businesses in Austin. We aim to build bridges between queer people and queer initiatives, boost Austin’s queer economy, and set a new standard for cultural competency in LGBTQIA2+ Austin*)
Out Youth (Out Youth serves Central Texas LGBTQIA+ (lesbian/gay/bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, intersex, and asexual) youth and their allies with programs and services to ensure these promising young people develop into happy, healthy, successful adults)
Zebra Coalition (Zebra Coalition is a network of organizations, which provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all youth (LGBTQ+) ages 13 – 24. The Coalition assists young people facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability.)
The Trevor Project (The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.)
ALSO Youth (ALSO Youth is a Non-Profit Charity that provides peer support services, educational programs, advocacy, and referrals for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning youth ages 13 to 24, their families and friends, and the community, thereby enhancing self-esteem, promoting healthy dialogue, and increasing awareness of sexual minority youth issues.)
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 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 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 293 – The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Influence!
This week, I welcome back to the show producer, writer, actor and Sister Bear apologist Shannon Campe to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Influence!” Who is this new cub? Why does Farmer Ben get so angry about six apples? Don’t these bears know that tulips will grow back? And, most importantly, why did no one tell us there were TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE BOOK?!
Listen to Shannon’s “Little Women A Modern Audio Drama” here.
Episode 290 – The Berenstain Bears Phenom in the Family!
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 267 – The Berenstain Bears and the Big Spelling Bee!
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 265 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts Scream Their Heads Off!
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!
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 254 – The Berenstain Bears and The Spooky Old Tree Game!
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 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!
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!
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!
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 246 – The Berenstain Bears and the Goofy, Goony Guy
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!
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 220 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the White Water Mystery!
“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 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)
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 210 – The Berenstain Bears Say Please and Thank You (2011)!
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 201 – The Berenstain Bears and the Funny Valentine!
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 200 – The Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note!
This week, I’m playing with a FULL HOUSE or FULL BACKYARD as I’m joined by not one, not two, not three but FOUR GUESTS! Yes, Elana is back and she’s brought her niece, Miriam, and her aunt and uncle Meryl and Evan for a backyard conversation about excuses and notes and “The Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note!”
Episode 199 – The Berenstain Bears and the Papa’s Day Surprise!
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 183 – The Berenstain Bears and the Big Blooper!
This week, we’re bleepin’ and bloopin’ and cursing up a storm! It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Big Blooper!” where Sister Bear cusses a swear!
Episode 178 – The Berenstain Bears and the Mad, Mad, Mad Toy Craze!
Do YOU have Beary Bubbies? Well, Brian Skinner, co-host of Predict-O-Cast, sure does. And he’s joined me to discuss Beanie Babies, Toy Crazes and anything else that passes through our old addled brains.
Episode 161 – Count Their Blessings!
When is a story *not* a story? When it’s TWO stories! Elana joins me to discuss these two stories and how they don’t really add up or connect or ever speak to each other in “The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings.” Does the beginning of the book forget about itself? Does the thunderstorm make the cubs forget about toys? Are there poor people in Bear Country? Who knows?! We sure don’t!
Join me over on Patreon! Become a patron and enjoy bonus episodes and more!
Episode 157 – The Green-Eyed Monster!
This week! My dear college friend, writer, director, performer, monologist, cartoonist Brad McEntire joins me to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster!” And, boy do we ever talk about it! And, a lot of other things!
Check out Brad’s many projects at his website! He always has a dozen things going on.
Episode 156 – The Bully!
This week, I am very excited to welcome Jason Bucklin onto the show. Jason is the LGBTQ Programming Director for Minneapolis Public Schools and he’s here to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Bully” a book I’ve been excited yet nervous about for three years. Jason walks us through what bullying is, how parents can constructively address bullying with their children and the longterm effects of unaddressed bullying.
Minneapolis Public School Bully Prevention Resources: http://sss.mpls.k12.mn.us/bullying
Recommended Children’s Books on Bullying: http://www.k12.wa.us/safetycenter/BullyingHarassment/WorkGroup/RecommendedBooks.pdf
National Bullying Prevention Center: http://www.pacer.org/bullying/classroom/elementary/
Out4Good Minneapolis Public Schools LGBT Programs: http://osfce.mpls.k12.mn.us/policy
Episode 155 – The G-Rex Bones!
This week, I’m joined by Erin Ayers – one half of the Over the Table Top podcast – to discuss a tale of fraud and dinosaurs. It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the G-Rex Bones!” How far will Ralph go to secure a million dollars? Pretty far! Will he sell out his own personal values and ruin the reputation of a fine upstanding bear like Actual Factual? Sure! Will any of this plot make a lick of sense? Nope!
Episode 154 – The Missing Merit Badges & The Search for Naughty Ned
Ollie is back, my partner in crime from It’s Del Toro Time! and we’re talking about . . . something. What even are these? It’s the first two Merit Badge Mysteries “The Missing Merit Badges” and “The Search for Naughty Ned” and, well, animals talk? Dr. Mr. Wide Old Owl? Naughty Ned? It’s clear we’re in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CONTINUITY AGAIN. Oh well.
Episode 153 – The Evil Eye!
When is a book NOT a book? When it’s a sequel to a book YOU’VE NEVER READ! Yes, this week I discover the peril of not knowing which book comes after which as I delve into the second part of an apparent two-parter that isn’t actually that difficult to understand; it’s a book for children. It’s “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Evil Eye!”
Joining me to talk about this confounding book is the completely confounded founder of the celebrated Twitter account Best of NextDoor, Jenn Takahashi! Jenn is confused by everything going on, but that’s fine because she has been mentioned in an article in The Atlantic and have the Berenstains? Well, yes actually. They have on a number of occasions. Still, Jenn has been mentioned MOST RECENTLY!
Episode 152 – The Perfect Crime (Almost)!
This week, Jamie Tyler, author of the “Cowabloga” Ninja Turtles blog, is BACK to talk about the most convoluted, frustrating, fascinating and satisfyingly unsatisfying Big Chapter Book I’ve read in a while: “The Berenstain Bears and the Perfect Crime (Almost)!” Yes, get that parenthetical in there; it’s important. Jamie and I work ourselves up to a fever pitch as nothing makes sense, adds up or resolves in any way resembling logical or even dramatically resonant. It’s amazing. And I love it.
Episode 148 – The Trouble with Grownups!
This week I am joined by not one, not two, not three, but FOUR GUESTS! It’s a veritable ROUND TABLE as I welcome back Elana, Corinna, Andrew and Scott – from Episode 55(!!!) “The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright” – to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Grownups!” And, seeing as how we all have kids and we all do theater, I think we’re more than qualified to discuss a thing or two!
Episode 147 – Go Platinum!
This week, I’m joined by the delightful Drew Stewart to rock out to “The Berenstain Bears Go Platinum!” It’s the gripping tale of Stan and Jan Berenstain really wanting to stick it to the music of today!
Episode 146 – The Big Date
This week, I’m joined by Emily Bennett of Best Acquaintances to talk about the insidious nature of young jealousy! Like, seriously, it’s a pretty solid book that deals with a pretty serious topic for adolescent kids. I know!
Episode 145 – The Sinister Smoke Ring!
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This week, I am joined by Justin Harrison of Birth. Movies. Death. to talk about the incredibly long and detailed “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Sinister Smoke Ring!” This is a huge one, folks, and we talk about the influences of the story, how it came to be written, the interwoven plot threads, the mean attitudes of the denizens of Bear Country and many many other things in between. It’s DENSE and LONG and amazing.
Episode 144 – The Run-Amuck Robot!
Oh boy oh boy oh jeez. This book, I swear . . .
I’m joined this week by Alexandra Bowser of Arthur, Mommy, Movie Time! to talk about the bizarre, sad, terrible, horrifying, rushed and ultimately satisfying “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Run-Amuck Robot!” What is Robow? Is he alive? Are any of us? Why was Ralph stripped naked and arrested? Why the lightning? Why is Gus? What is book?
Episode 143 – The Magic Crystal Caper
This week, we get mired in ATOMIC MAGIC. Seriously. There is ACTUAL MAGIC in this episode. Or, is it science? Doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I have Megan Sunday from In The Attic here to help me through it. And, man, once Grizzly Gramps starts yelling, things get a bit unhinged.
Episode 142 – The Ice Monster!
It’s ME! I’m all alone for this episode, so you know what that means: CONSPIRACY THEORIES! OLD RELIGION! FRACTURED REALITIES! ALTERNATE TIMELINES! OLD GODS! ANCIENT FAITHS! DOOMSDAY! THE END OF THE WORLD! RANTING! RAVING!
WELCOME.
Episode 141 – The Berenstain Bear Scouts Giant Bat Cave!
Elana and Mitzi are back! Or, are here because they’ve never been on together!And we’re talking “Giant Bat Cave!” It’s a Berenstain Bear Scouts book and may, in fact be the *first Berenstain Bear Scouts book but, then again, maybe it’s not? Also, Elana gets really excited to talk about local politics and then has to settle for talking about bats.
Episode 139 – The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted Hayride!
Gena Radcliffe – one half of the Kill By Kill Podcast duo – joins me to talk about the decidedly NON-SCARY “The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted Hayride!” There’s no haunting but there IS a hayride although it is very short and they don’t go into a lot of details about it. Still . . . there it is.
Also, you can find Gena’s writing on a ton of different subjects here and I strongly suggest that you do!
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Episode 138 – The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Auto Graveyard!
This week, Meghan Griffin is BACK and this time we’re not talking dress codes or drama, we’re talking . . . classic cars. I mean, I guess Bear Country has cars. And, some of them are really old. So . . . classic cars.
You can find Meghan at any of her three podcasts: Judging Book Covers, Fabelulous Retellings and A Handbook for Handbook for Mortals.
Episode 137 – The Bermuda Triangle!
This week, I’m joined by Kacie Galyon to talk about one of the most surprisingly enjoyable books I’ve read so far in the Big Chapter Book series, ‘The Berenstain Bears and the Bermuda Triangle.” Kacie and I are taken somewhat aback by the mature handling of themes in this book, the twists in the plot and the revelation about Too-Tall’s age! Also, Bermuda . . . is that a good first name?
Episode 136 – The Terrible Talking Termite!
Let’s close out this chunk of Bear Scouts books with “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Terrible Talking Termite.” This one was based on an episode of the cartoon and it shows and shows and shows. It makes little sense and to help me figure it out, I have Christy Admiraal, from Nerdist and VICE and the California Diarists podcast here to pick over this . . . plot? Ralph is in it, so that’s cool. Also, the termite? Not so terrible. Plus, do the authors understand what “insurance fraud” really is?
Episode 135 – The Sci-Fi Pizza!
Wendy Mays from “Pet Cinematary” joins me to talk about the illogical happenings that occur when someone puts a remote control into helium-inflated pizza dough? Or, something? It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but Wendy is here to help me try to puzzle at least SOME of it out.
Episode 134 – Save That Backscratcher!
Oh boy! Erin Gambrill from Ladies Who Library is here to talk about a book that COMPLETELY CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD! Like, seriously. There is so much going on in this one I needed to bring in a friend just to help me get through it.
Episode 133 – The Berenstain Bear SCOUTS Ghost VS Ghost!
This week, I’m joined by Patrick Hamilton, one half of Kill By Kill, to talk about “The Berenstain Bear Scouts Ghost Vs. Ghost!” What happens in this book? Would you believe crime and deforestation? Probably. Would you believe GHOSTS! Well, calm down. Patrick and I puzzle over the book’s incredibly detailed look at survival skills, card catalogs and hucksterism, and it’s surprisingly short focus on ghosts. Also, a BIG SWITCHEROO! This book has everything! And by that I mean it doesn’t have much.
Episode 131 – Too Much Pressure!
My CHILDREN ARE HERE and we’re talking about “The Berenstain Bears and TOO MUCH PRESSURE!” No pressure here, though. We’re cool as cucumbers.
Episode 129 – The Berenstain Bear SCOUTS and the Coughing Catfish!
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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 95 – READING! “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Grownups”
Enjoy!
Episode 93 – The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share/Learn to Share!
More Bears. More Jesus.
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 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 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!