Deep In Bear Country – A Berenstain Bearcast
Let's talk about every single Berenstain Bears book, shall we?
I’m back with a response to the reactions to last week’s episode “The Berenstain Bears Think of Those In Need.” The conversation I had with my guest pushed some buttons, and I thought I’d take a moment to address some of the comments I received. Also, I take a look at the Nelvana episode inspired by the book that seems to have heard our episode somehow in the future and taken all of our advice! It’s weird!
Man, those bears just won’t stop cleaning house! In this, our THIRD book about the Bear Family either getting rid of junk or helping people out, we finally see the culmination of all these ideas. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Think of Those In Need!” and to walk us through the bears’ actions and attitudes, I have on the show my friend Community Health Organizer and Advocate JoAnna Lund! JoAnna has a lot of strong thoughts about what Mama considers “thinking” and “those” and “need” and we really hash it out. It’s a good one, people!
Hey it’s just me again! In this super short episode, I look at the LIES behind “The Berenstain Bears Clean House.” Also, I get a bit loopy because of pain medication.
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!
This week, we’re talking babies. Where do they come from? How did they get there? How do they GET OUT OF THERE? I’ll tell you . . . I don’t know. But, I found someone who *does* know!
Lindsey Hoskins is the Community Health Educator at Family Tree Clinic, a non-profit community clinic whose mission is “to cultivate a healthy community through comprehensive sexual health care and education.” They are amazing. Check them out. Lindsey addresses the book’s approach to explaining reproduction to children while offering her own informed insights into the matter. It’s a great conversation.
This week, I’m joined by Annette Gagliardi. Annette is an educator, poet and author who lives in the Twin Cities and was my teacher for several years in Early Childhood Family Education. I figured, heck, she knows her business when it comes to kids, so who better to walk us through “The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five?” The book where we finally meet Honey. And then immediately forget about Honey.
Here on “Deep In Bear Country” we know that I do like to blather on about topics I have no training in, especially religion! But, I’m breaking with tradition this week by inviting onto the show the Reverend Lauren McLeavey!
Lauren and I talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Big Question” and . . . what is this question. Well, it’s about God. Capital G God. Sister gets all “asky” about the guy and Mama sets her straight by dragging the family to church. Along the way we talk about church architecture, Quakers and seminary. It’s a roller coaster of a talk! Check it out!
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.
It’s pretty bold to start an episode by coughing directly into the mic, but that’s the kind of seat-of-your-pants entertainment you can expect from Deep In Bear Country in the New Year!
This week, Elana joins me once again to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand!” Brother and Sister must overcome their extreme apathy to help Miz McGrizz clean out her attic and they must do it with the promise of nothing more than the pleasure of helping others and possibly the acquisition of tens of thousands of dollars in collectibles.
And with this, the fourth episode in our Holiday Extravaganza, we *end* our Holiday Extravaganza. And what an ending to go out on “The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving.” This book has it all: pageants, Jesus, presents, malls, Santa, Bearbie. It has everything you could possibly hope for in a Berenstain Bears Christmas book.
And I have everything I could possibly hope for in listeners like you. Merry Holiday everyone!
Things are getting Christmas-y up in here! We’re back with more Christmas explorations as we tackle “The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel.” Now, this is a Zonderkidz book, but don’t let that scare you, man; let that free you! Take a look at how Mike addresses the existence of angels and their myriad heavenly responsibilities. Also, Snowbears: more progressive than our gendered human counterparts?
Hey, you guys wanna hear some more INTERESTING CHRISTMAS FACTS?! Well, buckle up, buttercup, because here comes “The Berenstain Bears’ Night Before Christmas!”
It’s the Season of Giving, the Season of Cheer, the Season of Something, Christmas is Here! And with the Christmas comes the Christmas episodes!
This week, I’m taking a hard look at a hard nut. Or, a hard nutCRACKER! It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Nutcracker” and I get to the book at about the 25 minute mark. In the meantime, I give a bit of backstory of the tale of the nutcracker itself. Join me join me!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
As many of you know, I do not tend to follow the vagaries of the sporting life. And so, when it comes to Berenstain Bears books on sports, I’m usually at a loss. Thankfully, I have the ever eager David Kalan on speed-dial to talk about sports while I listen and absorb his knowledge. This week, David joins me to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Get their Kicks” and everything that entails!
We’re back with an ACTUAL BOOK! It’s exciting! You know what else is exciting? Homework. Wrong! It’s Brian Skinner! Brian Skinner is exciting and he’s back on the show to talk about taxes, homework, radio shows, peanut butter and not doing your assignments! It’s a meandering conversation that sometimes comes back around to “The Berenstain Bears and the Homework Hassle!”
Check out Brian and his lovely co-host Josh on their Show Predict-O-Cast!
Like, seriously, what *is* this thing?
Nick Wood, from “Stranger Still” and “Limited Cel” returns to Bear Country to help me confront my fears and to talk about 1994’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Shadows!” Does this book teach a good lesson about fear? Did Sister learn to weaponize shadows? Do Bear Country bears grow an extra finger at puberty? Join us to find out!
What’s sadder than a baby chipmunk who’s been abandoned by his mother? Maybe a pocaster sitting in his car on a rainy day talking about a baby chipmunk who’s been abandoned by his mother? Maybe? What if he talks about THREE different incarnations of the story? How would that make you feel?
I have two more Jellybean Books to get through and my COLLECTORS have joined me in this bizarre and satisfying task!
Brad and Jeremy phase in and out of reality as we talk about “Scardies!” and “Twitchies!” and “CROTCHIES” because CROTCHIES IS CANON! CROTCHIES IS CANON! CROTCHIES IS CANON!
To see Brad’s full list of Berenstain Bears books, visit his website! To buy Jeremy’s music, visit his website! To join the Collectors and Fans Group, visit the Facebook page!
This week, I’m taking a look at three books in the Random House Jellybean Books series “The Berenstain Bears Get the Screamies” “The Berenstain Bears Get the Noisies” and “The Berenstain Bears Get the Don’t Haftas.” Why have you never heard of these books? Because they tend to not stand out. Why *should* you have heard of them? Because they might be amazing.
⛥ Ǹ̷̘̝̞̰͍͆̀o̴͈̅̽̑̉̚t̷̬̹͖͕̃̿̃͂̈́ ̴̨͙̿ŕ̴̪͇̘ȩ̴̬͙̣͉͒ả̶̪̠͚̙͆͂l̴̥̔͑͆l̷̡͈͎̜̊̔y̵͚̤̒̌̇͠ ̸̙͎̲̄̆̋͊͝ś̶̚͜u̶̱͒̋͐̚͝r̸̰͘͠ͅe̵̙͓͒ ̴̧͈͉̼̯̅͋̏w̵̮̰̆́̏̚͝ͅh̴̩͖̯̆͘͠ả̶̮̈́̒̄̽t̶̡͓̾ ̷̛̟͉͇̹̌ͅt̴̮̺̩̀̂̓õ̶͓̖͚̳ ̵̤̍w̵̩̝̳̙̎̓̄͝r̴̝͆í̷̝̙͔́͛t̴̖͉͘͠e̶͙̿̀̀̏̕ ̶̨̡͙̹͚͛͛a̸̧̪̯̰͐͘b̶̭̱͖̰̌͌͒́̚ơ̶̫̳ǔ̶̡̥̺̉̆̒t̷͙̹̃̊̈́ ̵̢̟̇̓͛̉̚t̷̨͙̜͎̀͒̇ḧ̵̢̢̛͕͉͝í̷̧̛̟̠s̵̢͈͕͂ͅ ̴̘͉̟̪́̆͝o̷̝̯͇̾̌͜n̷̲͇̂e̶͖͇͈̥̽̃̏͌.̶͍͉̇͋̓̃͠ ̸͉̮̈́̕̕͜I̶̡͖̖̼̒́̚t̵̳̅͝’̷̩̝͊̊̃͝s̷̻̰̣̊̐͠ͅ ̵̲̪͋͆̅͒k̴̝̂i̵̠̯̱̺͋͗ͅǹ̸̼d̷̛̩̾̄͜ą̴̫͖͎̆͝ ̸̝̰͚͙̃̌̋m̶̡͎̩̼̣̂͛̎ẻ̸̦̥̲̒͌š̸͕̩̮̭͌ş̸͈̣̙̮͠e̶̙̊d̴̠́̓̽ ̷̡̲̪̒̽̊͂̕u̷̘̤͙̾̑̍͝p̷͚͓͝ ̷̢̃̈́̅͐̾a̵̬̻̍͜ṅ̴͈͇̼̯̔͘d̸̟̈́ ̸̭͉̟͊̾̇͜Ỉ̶͇́̃̍’̶̻͍͛̀̉̐m̵̫̟͓͔͔̅̚͠ ̵̡̜̊h̴͚͕͒̂̈́á̵̘͍v̶̜͚͂̀͋͊ì̴̮̺͊̇̉͜n̴̢͍͓̼̆̾̓́̃g̸̨͍̃̅͒͊̆ ̴͎̝̾̀̆t̴̰͓̣̦̀͂ŕ̶̳̖̙̱̲͆͊̂ȍ̸̖̲͂̈́̇͐ủ̸̯͝b̷̨͔̈l̵̢̨͔̟̗̆ê̷̱̲̼̝̕ ̴̫̖̌͗̉g̸͇̞͖̰̈͑͝ë̴͙͔́̌͘ţ̸̛̫̰̳̱͂̆͋́t̴͔̻̮̖̉̄͒į̶̟̠̺̐́͆̓̕n̸̡̩̽ͅg̸̖̞̬̓́̎ ̴̡̺͠m̴̟͚̭̗̘͆̆͂͝ỳ̵̳̪͔̰̹̔̾̀ ̸̧͇̪̀̉́̑́t̸̪̳͕̃́̇h̸̞̜͉͂̅̈́͜͝ō̴̥͆ữ̸͓̺̾̓ġ̵͎͒̑h̶̜̬̠͆̉t̸̢̑̉̽̀͝s̸̯̾͒͌ ̸͖̹͕́̐̓t̶̹͖̯̹͂̈́̄̎͠ò̴̟̜̠̋̒̆g̷͙̮̲͙̻̃̏͋̃͘e̷͇̯̼͆̋̍̕̚ṭ̴̜̮̋͐h̵̞̭̞̺́́̒͌̕͜e̸̡͇̥͆͘̚̕͜r̸̯̟̭͔̐̚ ̴̋͋̚͜ơ̶̢̯̣͕̭̄̀n̶͙̹̏̎̈́ ̷̛̮̖̯̻̀̅̇i̵̡͒͛̚͝t̷̨̲̦̐̍͊͜.̶̢̣̂̄̓͠ ☠
When is a book *not* a book? When you can’t figure out what the heck point it’s even trying to make. This week, Christy Admiraal from Nerdist and The California Diarists Podcast joins me to talk about(?) “The Berenstain Bears and the Blame Game!” It’s a book that almost ceases to be a book and ends up being just a bunch of pieces of paper. It’s weird. Why is this book?
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!
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Psst! Hey everyone! You, uh . . . you wanna learn about vermiculite? Shh! Don’t let everyone hear, or they’ll all want in on this. Well, I got a book for you that not only mentions vermiculite about a dozen times, but doesn’t really explain what it is! Sound good? Hello? Oh, you left.
THIS WEEK, I have on my show two very good friends, Aaron and Melanie, who know a LOT about vermiculite as well as farming and growing plants and being generally incredible friends. They’re here to fill me in on the fine art of GROWING FOOD and PLANTS and OTHER THINGS related to the book “The Berenstain Bears GROW-IT! Mother Nature Has Such A Green Thumb!”
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.
Let’s go WAY back in time to EPISODE 15! That’s right! I remember thinking “Oh, man, I’ve done maybe a MILLION of these shows!” But, I hadn’t. Just the fifteen. My guest was Rachael Schlee who is currently appearing in Medusa at the Minnesota Fringe Festival!
We talk all about Kindergarten and prepping for school. The sound isn’t great becuase I still didn’t understand how microphones worked! Still don’t really. Ah well.
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.
Boy oh boy! Milton Chubb! Who is Milton Chubb, you ask? Only the strangest cub introduced in these here books. He’s introduced TWICE actually, in “Too Much Teasing” and in “The Love Match.” Two different formats that tell essentially the same story but in wildly different ways and for wildly different reasons.
To commemorate this event, I’ve brought John McCoy – host of the Sophomore Lit podcast and my co-host on Klickitcast: A Beverly Cleary Podcast – onto the show to try and suss out the point of these two books. Does the first one teach us anything about teasing? Why are Too-Tall and his gang so bad at it? Does Milton have parents, really? Do pigs have armpits? Who knows?! Not us!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
Helen LaStar, one of the hosts of Falling In Love Montage, joins me this week to peel back the layers of “The Berenstain Bears and Queenie’s Crazy Crush!” What happens when a young girl cub falls in love with a grown man and plots to trick him into coming over to her house when her parents are – you know what? I’m going to just leave that right where I found it. Just . . . just walk away from that one.
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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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.
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?
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.
I’m joined this week by Master of Pollution, Mark Sweeney! He gets it! He KNOWS. Mark Sweeney understands the complicated nature of pollution in bear country and the gentle grace with which the topic is handled in “The Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute (Anymore)” parenthetical and all. Get to know us through the fine art of POLLUTION.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Mr. Mark Sweeney RETURNS! And this time he’s got OPINIONS about BIRDS and CHAINSAWS!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy!
I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
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.
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.
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?”
Mitzi and I close out the FIRST First Time books with a gripping story of going to bed.
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.
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.
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!
It all comes crashing to an end!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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?
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!
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!
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!
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Just a quick extra to chat briefly about the PBS episode based on “Get the Gimmies.” Is it better? Kinda yes?
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?
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They’re not amazing books, but I gotta catch ’em all.
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!
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!
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.
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?
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!