Episode 479 – The Berenstain Bears: Here Come The Bears!

The Berenstain Bears finally meet real bears—and everything we thought we knew about Bear Country changes.

This week, I break down “The Berenstain Bears: Here Come the Bears!”, a brand-new Level 1 reader that seems simple… but hides big implications about evolution, cultural identity, and the Berenstain multiverse.

Episode 475 – The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors!

“Love thy neighbor” sounds great—until your neighbors are literally the local drug dealers. Join me as we dive into The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors, a book that asks us to embrace community… even if your neighbors were previously arrested for selling drugs to elementary school kids. This episode covers Bear Country’s ever-changing geography, the surprisingly shady past of the Bog Brothers, and what it really means to love your neighbor. Also, I may have a one-man show coming up. Let’s get into it!

Like, Subscribe, and Comment! Should I cover older Berenstain Bears books? React to the TV show? Let me know!

Episode 474 – The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors!

Did The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors really tackle racism? Or was it just another 90s attempt at a “message book” that missed the mark? In this episode of Deep in Bear Country, we take a deep dive into the 1994 classic that started it all—literally! This is the book that launched this podcast, but I’ve never properly covered it… until now.

What we’ll uncover:

  • Is Papa Bear actually racist?
  • What does this book say about prejudice and inclusion?
  • How does Bear Country’s “specism” reflect real-world biases?
  • The wild history of octagon houses (it’s relevant).
  • Why did this book disappear from my show for SO MANY YEARS?

PLUS: We’ll explore how The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors still holds up in today’s world, why it feels eerily relevant now, and what lessons we can take from it.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!