I’m all alone! And it’s a Lift-The-Flap Book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Bed” and it’s a Lift-The-Flap Book!
Tag: Mike Berenstain
Episode 431 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook – Part 2
We missed Easter! But, never fear! Elana and I are here to report on the Easter treats we made from out “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook!” Yom.
Episode 430 – The Berenstain Bears Visit Grizzlyland
Come with me to the most magical place on Earth, or at least on Bear Earth. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Visit Grizzlyland!”
Episode 429 – The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union PART 2!
I never thought we’d revisit this book, but Jeremy Gloff had some huge news about it and Bradley Mariska tagged along and this episode became a Collector Boys ep!
Episode 428 – The Berenstain Bears Long, Long Ago
Hey! Do you wanna go back in time? DO YOU WANNA GO AROUND THE WORLD?! Well, let’s go back in time and around the world and let’s bring a REAL HISTORIAN WITH US! Dan Everton is an anthropologist and historian and a whole bunch of fun and I’m so glad to finally have him on the show for “The Berenstain Bears Long. Long Ago!”
Episode 427 – The Berenstain Bears We L❤️ve the Library!
Hey! Do you l❤️ve the library? Well, guess who else l❤️ves the library! My guest, Erin Gambrill, that’s who! Join me and Erin and we talk about “The Berenstain Bears We L❤️ve the Library!” They do! They do l❤️ve it!
Episode 426 – The Berenstain Bears and the Ducklings
Make way for ducklings… I might say if that was the book we were discussing this week. But, it isn’t, so I won’t. Still, make way for them in general. The Bear family sure does and that’s kinda the plot of this week’s book? “The Berenstain Bears and the Ducklings!”
Episode 425 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Politeness
Man oh man, is there anything worse than being forced to sit through a terrible music recital? How about having to be POLITE afterwards? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Politeness!”
Episode 424 – The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook, Part 1
Elana is back with me for the first part of our “The Berenstain Bears’ Holiday Cookbook” coverage! Woo hoo!
Episode 423 – The Berenstain Bears’ Extra Special Valentine
It’s Valentine’s Time, so you know what that means! Brian and Christy are back for their annual Valentine’s Day book coverage and we actually have a new book to talk about. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Extra Special Valentine” and it’s SHORT and WEIRD and SO ARE WE. Check it out!
Check out Brian’s podcast Center of Weirdness at predictocast.libsyn.com and check out Christy’s podcast Pizza Toast at withthewhatnow.wordpress.com!
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 421 – The Berenstain Bears’ Country Cookbook
This week, I am joined by the lovely Elana to discuss “The Berenstain Bears’ Country Cookbook.” It’s a little bit country; a little bit cookbook. But, do the recipes… recipe? Find out now!
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 419 – The Berenstain Bears’ BIG Machines
You want big machines? We got big machines! Well, the Bears got big machines. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ BIG MACHINES!” They’re big! Really!
Episode 418 – The Berenstain Bears Brother Bear and the Kind Cub
It’s a retelling! IT’S A RETELLING! This week, we’ve got a RETELLING of a book we covered only a couple years ago. Whoulda thought? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Brother Bear and the Kind Cub” and it’s SIMPLE. You can read it all by yourself!
Episode 416 – The Berenstain Bears Welcome To Bear Country!
This week, we’re heading off to… Bear Country? Yeah, Cousin Tex is here so we’re giving him a… sorry, Mayor Honeypot(?) is giving his a tour of Bear Country! And, he hates it! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Welcome To Bear Country!” Whew!
Episode 415 – The Berenstain Bears Play Football!
This week, the Berenstain Bears play football in “The Berenstain Bears Play Football.” No kidding!
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 411 – The Berenstain Bears: Here’s the Church, Here’s the Steeple
Open it up… where are the people? It’s “The Berenstain Bears: Here’s the Church, Here’s the Steeple” and we’ve got a LOT to discuss.
Episode 407 – The Berenstain Bears We ❤️ Baseball!
Spoiler alert! We don’t. The Berenstain Bears have a long history with the game of base-based balls and we are NOT going to explore it. Instead, we’re going to take a look at some clues as to the history of Bear Country, some clues as to the identity of their most famous baseball player and some clues as to the inner mind of Grizzly Gramps. It’s “The Berenstain Bears We ❤️ Baseball!”
Episode 406 – The Berenstain Bears’ Pirate Adventure
Yar. Ahoy. Blah blah blah. We’re off on a Pirate Adventure and the Berenstain Bears are taking us there. Thus, the title. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Pirate Adventure!” Shiver. Timbers. Etc.
Episode 405 – The Berenstain Bears Visit the Firehouse
This week, our Bear Family creates a major imposition on their local fire constabulary. also, the history of firefighting! Also, Restaurant. Apartments? Maybe!
Episode 403 – The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings
It’s back to school time, and you know what that means! GOD! It’s “The Berenstain Bears School Time Blessings!”
Episode 402 – The Berenstain Bears Around the World
This week, I’m taking you on a trip around the world! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Around the World” and it’s PROBLEMATIC!
Episode 401 – The Berenstain Bears We Love Our Mom/Dad!
I can’t believe I’ve been doing this show for over 8 and a half years and I’ve only now had my parents on as guests. That’s right! For the first time ever, Gale and Ruben Gonzales are on the show to talk about “The Berenstain Bears We Love Our Mom!” and “We Love Our Dad!”
Episode 400 – The Berenstain Bears Hospital Friends
It’s my 400th official numbered episode! In celebration, I have Mike Berenstain back on the show to talk about the history of “The Berenstain Bears Hospital Friends!”
Episode 397 – The Berenstain Bears We Love Soccer!
Finally, a book I can relate to: another soccer book. But, hey! It’s actually a fairly insightful book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears We Love Soccer!”
Episode 396 – The Berenstain Bears’ Harvest Festival
It’s not a Thanksgiving book! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Harvest Festival!”
Episode 392 – The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Blessings
When’s an Easter book not an Easter book? Well, when it’s June, for one thing. But also, when the author successfully avoids actually discussing Easter for the bulk of it. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Blessings!”
Episode 391 – The Berenstain Bears All God’s Creatures
It’s a Berenstain Bears book where the Bear Family goes on a walk and looks at animals. I mean… that’s pretty much it? “The Berenstain Bears All God’s Creatures!”
Episode 390 – The Berenstain Bears Love One Another
This week is all about LOVE! As a verb. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Love One Another!”
Episode 389 – The Berenstain Bears’ Sleepy Time Book
Sleep, man. Ya dig? It’s pretty heavy stuff. Like, what even is sleep, my dude? You ever think that, like, sleep is, like, dying every night? Pretty intense, right? It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Sleepy Time Book.”
Episode 386 – The Berenstain Bears Clean Up
The Berenstain Bears clean up in “The Berenstain Bears Clean Up.”
Episode 380 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Fair Is Fair
This week, “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Fair Is Fair” introduces us to a new character in Bear Country, we explore the Book of Zechariah, and we learn a little bit about what true justice may be.
Episode 379 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Love
This week, it’s all about LOVE, baby! Good ol’ First Epistle of John LOVE, BABEEEE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Love!”
Episode 378 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Sharing
After last week’s extensive deconstruction of the concept of “Caring” it only makes sense that this week I’d completely ignore the concept of “Sharing” and instead ramble on about not-Paul’s epistle to the Hebrews. Makes sense! It’s “Deep In Bear Country – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Sharing!”
Episode 377 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit ❤️ Caring
It’s the first “The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit” book and we’re kicking it off with “Caring!” What is caring? Is it an attitude? And opinion? An action? What does it mean to care? Who are Fred’s parents? How many men has Aunt Min married? And what of THE TIMELINES? Let’s dive in, shall we?!
Episode 376 – The Berenstain Bears Gifts of the Spirit, intro
This week, I begin… a new project.
Episode 374 – The Berenstain Bears Keep the Faith
What – and this isn’t a theoretical – if the Berenstain Bears met an atheist?
Episode 372 – The Berenstain Bears When I Grow Up
I think we put too much pressure on kids to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. What about when they grow *down*? Why does no one ever talk about THAT? It’s “The Berenstain Bears When I Grow Up!”
Episode 368 – The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw (2022)
You might think you’ve heard this story before, but… well, you have. But you’ve never seen it like this! 2022 brings us a whole new edition of “The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw” featuring previously unpublished art by Stan and Jan Berenstain. It’s pretty cool.
Episode 367 – The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag
Whaddaya get when Brother and Sister won’t stop bragging? You get Grizzly Gramps throwing a lot of Bible quotes at them and then yelling that they’re fool! That’s right, the worst bear in Bear Country is back to learn these kids a thing or two in “The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag!”
Episode 365 – The Berenstain Bears’ Lemonade Stand
My co-host from It’s Del Toro Time, my own Willow, is back to talk about the hottest bears in Bear Town. It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Lemonade Stand!”
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 363 – The Berenstain Bears Go Green!
The Bears care a lot for the environment, but in “The Berenstain Bears Go Green!” we’re not given an environmental tale so much as a treatise on the importance of having a decent municipal dump and a non-corrupt mayor. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Go Green!”
Episode 362 – The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Things
You know what stinks? THINGS! This week, Brian Skinner from Center of Weirdness is back to talk about how terrible it is to buy toys for your kids? Or King Solomon? Or something? It’s The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with THINGS! Just… just things.
Episode 361 – The Berenstain Bears Thank God For Good Health
The Bear Family is typically fairly healthy, and who do they thank for that? GOD. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Thank God for Good Health!” It’s a rewrite if that means anything to ya. No?
Episode 360 – The Berenstain Bears God Bless/Loves the Animals
No, not the famous English rock ‘n’ roll band The Animals, but the actual animals walking around on the Earth! This week, we look at TWO Berenstain Bears books, but really? They’re the same book. But also? They’re not. It’s “The Berenstain Bears God Bless/Loves the Animals!”
Episode 359 – The Berenstain Bears Get Involved!
There’s a flood in Bear Town! Oh no! And it’s up to the Bear Family, and the entire town, to help out! Elana joins me for a book that actually involves the Bears… getting involved. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Get Involved!” And, spoiler: THEY DO!
Episode 358 – 60th Anniversary Interview w/Mike Berenstain!
Happy 60th Anniversary to the Berenstain Bears! In recognition of this incredible milestone, I’ve invited Mike Berenstain on the show to chat about those bears, his parents, his childhood and anything else we want to talk about. Happy Anniversary, Bears!
Episode 357 – The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Home
This week, my voice is SHOT. Also, we learn a lot more about the Bear Family’s house, like the layout and structure and also how God fits into it, apparently? I like it! It’s “The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Home!”
Episode 354 – The Berenstain Bears’ Dinosaur Dig!
The Berenstain Bears and dinosaurs go together like Rice Krispies and marshmallows… and butter(?) I think. So, I’m super glad to have the actual Dino Dad on my show to talk about “The Berenstain Bears’ Dinosaur Dig!”
Episode 355 – Berenstain Bears Games from SolidRoots
This week, Jen Armstrong, CEO of gaming company SolidRoots, joins me to talk about her company and how they came to design three new Berenstain Bears games for kids!
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 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 345 – The Berenstain Bears Jobs Around Town
This week, we’re taking a look, and a look back, at a book we’ve covered in one form or another several times over the years. Only now, there’s some GOD in it. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Jobs Around Town!”
Episode 337 – The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Parade
I wasn’t planning on talking about Easter Parades, but here we are! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Easter Parade!”
Episode 336 – The Berenstain Bears and The Easter Story/The Very First Easter
The Reverend Lauren is back! Yes, Reverend Lauren McLeavey has returned to Bear Country to talk about Easter and, more specifically, the First Easter. and, even more specifically, “The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story” as well as “The Berenstain Bears and The Very First Easter!” She gives us the skinny on how good a job those Bears do at telling us about the Resurrection (spoiler: a pretty good job!) And, we might go off on a few tangents!
You can find The Reverend Lauren here, here and here!
Episode 335 – The Berenstain Bears, Do Not Fear, God Is Near
I’m not afraid! I’M NOT AFRAID! It’s “The Berenstain Bears, Do Not Fear, God Is Near!”
Episode 333 – The Berenstain Bears and Mama for Mayor!
I’m Phil Gonzales and THIS… is POLITICS! Actually, it’s a rewrite, redo, gender-swap of “The Big Election” but it’s called “The Berenstain Bears and Mama For Mayor!”
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 332 – The Berenstain Bears At The Aquarium
This week, we’re off to see the whales! The dolphins! The fish! It’s “The Berenstain Bears At The Aquarium!”
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 330 – The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect and…?
“Show some respect for Judge Reinhold! I mean… your parents.” It’s “The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect” and a SECRET BONUS! Tee hee. I respect you all!
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 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 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 317 – The Berenstain Bears and the Shaggy Little Pony”
It’s shaggy. It’s little. It’s a pony. It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Shaggy Little Pony.” Not much else to say!
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!”
EASTER SPECIAL – Mike Berenstain on Zonderkidz!
Are you ready to take a deep dive into the world of children’s religious publishing? Because, if so, I’ve got the interview for you! Mike Berenstain is back to talk about The Berenstain’s relationship with Zondervan, the balance of art and business and the importance of reading the fine print of every contract. It’s an Easter Special that’s not about Easter!
Episode 275 – Mike Berenstain!
Mike Berenstain joins me for the first time in way too long to discuss the saga of “The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas.” No, not the saga of the story; but the saga of its creation. It’s a big big tale. Big.
Episode 234 – Benjamin Clark and the Charles M Schulz Museum
This week, I have a very exciting guest on the show. Benjamin L. Clark is the curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Palo Alto, California. He’s joining me this week to talk Schulz, cartoonists, legacy and the delights of archives!
Benjamin’s Twitter – twitter.com/BLClark
Charles M. Schulz Museum Twitter – twitter.com/SchulzMuseum
Charles M. Schulz Museum Website – schulzmuseum.org
Episode 222 – The Berenstain Bears Learn About Colors/The Berenstain Bears God Made the Colors (1993/2003)
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 197 – Deep In Bear Country Live Show HOT WASH!
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!
Episode 196 – Mama and Papa’s . . . Names?
This week, I’m taking a look at a shocking recent revelation in Bear Country – Mama and Papa Bear’s pre-parental names!
Episode 169 – Berenstain
Let’s talk for a few minutes about a name.
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 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 126 – Maniac Mansion!
This week, I’m joined by Sammi Campbell from Excessively Diverted to talk about this . . . weird . . . book. I mean, it’s great, but it’s weird. There’s ghosts but no ghosts! Bags under eyes and then no bags under eyes! Pajamas and no pajamas! What more do you want?!
Episode 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 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 118 – Meeting Mike (Part 3)!
It’s Part 3 of our Mike Berenstain meetup and Brad, Jeremy and I finally hit the archives!
The above is pages from an unpublished finished book.
The above is examples of the evolution of “The B Book.”
Above is a slideshow of Stan and Jan’s early art school work and various studies.
Episode 115 – The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet!
Ollie, my teen and co-host of It’s Del Toro Time! – A Guillermo del Toro Podcast, joins me this week to talk “The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet!” In which we discuss the terrible things the cubs accuse a teacher of and also divide the cubs into their Hogwarts Houses. IT’s kind of a discussion that goes all over the place. Also, we talk about the importance of owning up to your terrible terrible mistakes how if you’re a cub, you face no consequences for those terrible terrible mistakes.
Episode 114 – Meeting Mike (Part 2)
We’re back with Part 2 of our big Mike Berenstain meetup! This episode, Brad and Jeremy and I get grilled as to our intentions; we talk about books whose success caught Mike off guard; what books didn’t do so hot; and dish the hot goss. Or, not. I can’t remember.
Episode 113 – The Berenstain Bears and the Giddy Grandma!
Welcome to the world of degraded audio! Please bear with this terrible sounding episode, as I flop around trying to talk about “The Giddy Grandma.” Things didn’t work out according to plan, but I think I get my point across.
Also, I have a Patreon page!
Episode 110 – Meeting Mike (Part 1)
Hoo boy! This is it! The first part of our massive trip to the Berenstain Bears studio! It’s so big, I’m not only splitting it up, but I’m sprinkling it throughout upcoming episodes, just so you don’t get burnt out on this one thing. So, I’ll be alternating traditional episodes with Mike episodes. I think that’s fair!
Episode 109 – Diner Talk
WHAT’S ALL THAT NOISE?! It’s ambiance. Brad, Jeremy and I sit in a diner in the Strong National Museum of Play and catch people up on just what we’d been up to. We give our impressions of the previous days and it all serves as a prelude to the major editing job I have in store for myself. Yeesh.
Episode 106 – The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando!
Today, I am joined by writer, musician, educator and Ninja Turtles Blogger Jamie Tyler to talk about wheelchairs, ableism and the way we approach people living with disabilities. Also, should you call a person in a wheelchair “Wheels?” Come on, people.
Episode 105 – The Trouble With Continuity!
Because I felt guilty – here’s a talk about The Big Chapter Books!
Episode 104 – The Berenstain Bears Accept No Substitutes!
It’s a live recording of a Facebook Live show! I’m talking about “Accept No Substitutes” and people are listening. So, that’s what’s going on.
Episode 103 – The Berenstain Bears and the Female Fullback!
Shannon Campe of Stage of Fools: the Unofficial Royals Podcast joins me once again and this time we’re talking sexism! Things get downright creepy in Bear Country as the town erupts over the thought of a girl getting girl germs all over their precious football. Farmer Ben turns out to be a nightmare, Coach Grizzmeyer should be fired and Papa Bear . . . what a disappointment he turns out to be.
Episode 102 – The Berenstain Bears and the Nerdy Nephew!
What is a nerd? What makes a nerd a “good nerd?” What makes a nerd a “bad nerd?” What makes a nerd an “insufferable jerk?” Let’s explore!
Episode 101 – Gotta Dance!
Once again, I am joined by Jessie Cooper of Alphabet Flight, Turn to Page and Random Sampling. This time, we’re discussing the BIG CHAPTER BOOK “Gotta Dance!” Do they gotta? I think they gotta.
Episode 100 – Collector’s Corner 8!
It’s 100 Episodes! And, what better way to mark the occasion than by having my Collector Boys on to talk about upcoming books in Bear Country. Also, a surprise? A surprise.
You can find Bradley’s official list of books at his website, visit Jeremy’s site to discover his amazing music, or join the Collector’s Facebook Group!
Episode 96 – The Berenstain Bears “The Good Deed”/”Hurry to Help!”
Oh, come on! This is the *bare minimum* you can rewrite a book and still call it a rewrite!
I apologize for getting so angry just now.