Deep In Bear Country - A Berenstain Bearcast

Boy am I lucky! Mr. Andrew Schwartz of the “Talkin’ ‘Bout Turtle: Your One Stop Shoppe for Entourage Schlopp” podcast has joined me to discuss the notion of perhaps watching too much television. Is this even possible? What was television like when I was a kid? What’s a “cube puzzle?” Paula Poundstone? We discuss all … Continue reading "Episode 35 – The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV!"

Okay, I learned my lesson last time. I’m only going to try to tackle one mini storybook. this week. 1984’s “The Berenstain Bears Shoot the Rapids.” Sounds like a treat. https://ia800201.us.archive.org/4/items/DIBCEP34/DIBC-EP34.mp3

WHAT is my problem?! Four books?! There’s no way this is going to be anything less than unwieldy, right? Wellllllllllllllll, you may be right. Still, these are fun little books and, though it may not be readily apparent, very important books in the development of the Berenstain’s creative empire. It has to do with some … Continue reading "Episode 32 – Four Mini Storybooks!"

Welcome back! Or, since I’m the one who’s been gone, I guess you should be saying that. So. Welcome back, me! This week, we take a look at where we have been. We also take a look at The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money. I feel like it would be better served with the title “and The … Continue reading "Episode 31 – Welcome Back! & The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Money"

This episode, Mitzi and I explore the ethics of telling the truth. Also, the reasons we lie and the benefits of living a truthful life. Or, something. I don’t know. I haven’t listened to the show yet. If you enjoyed last week’s reading, let me know and I’ll do more! You can find our official … Continue reading "Episode 30 – The Berenstain Bears and the Truth"

What’s all this then?! It’s a reading! This week we’re breaking format and listening to a book! So, kick back, relax and enjoy my melifluous tones! We’ll be back next week with an episode as we barrel toward Christmas! There’s a lot coming up! As usual, let me know what you think! Do you want … Continue reading "Reading 1 – The Berenstain Bears and The Truth"

Gobble Gobble! It’s Thanksgiving and we’ve got a JUMBO episode! Welcome back Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff – our B. Bear collectors – as we discuss “The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw.” We cover, not only the original special, but also the adaptations that followed. Take a look at some of the Bigpaw collectibles from Bradley’s … Continue reading "Episode 29 – The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw"

This is the book where Mama LOSES. HER. Stuff. Her stuff. She straight up loses it and yells at the cubs and we couldn’t be happier. Oh, and Mitzi is joining me again. We’re getting ready for vacation, so this one is short! You can find our official Facebook page on Facebook. Or, you can holla at me … Continue reading "Episode 28 – The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room"

Actually, only the cubs go to camp, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This week, I talk with an old college friend, Chris Nail, who knows a LOT about camp. What are those mysterious rules Brother is so interested in? Where are the other camp counselors? Also, Native American iconography and its prevalence in … Continue reading "Episode 27 – The Berenstain Bears Go To Camp"

Who better to discuss a fight between two siblings than . . . two siblings! In this episode, BOTH of my kids join me to discuss arguments, waking up on the wrong side of the bed and yelling dads. Plus, conflict resolution: is it worth it? Please let me know what you think! You can find … Continue reading "Episode 26 – The Berenstain Bears Get In A Fight"

Happy Halloween, BOILS and GHOULS! Welcome to the Halloween episode of the Berenstain SCARES! Let’s go down a scummy . . . dirt . . . toad(?), creep in . . . scare country? I lost it. Anyway, it’s not a Halloween book, but it *is* all about FEAR! And, as such, I’ve decided to tackle … Continue reading "Episode 25 – The Berenstain Bears In The Dark"

What does a real dentist think of Sister Bear’s first trip to the dentist? Not much! Turns out, Dr. Bearson’s practice leaves a LOT to be desired! Join me and a real live dentist as we discuss this questionable excursion into dentistry. If you want a better book to help prepare your kids for the … Continue reading "Episode 24 – The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist"

How did the Bear Family get their treehouse in the first place? Ever wonder that? No? Well, you’re getting a canon-defying explanation in “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day!” When is a cave not a cave? Where did the rabbits in clothes go? And, what of those sconces?! All this, my kid, and MORE! As usual, … Continue reading "Episode 23 – The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day"

This is so cool. I have on the show this week Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff. Bradley and Jeremy have the two largest collections of Berenstain Bear merch IN THE WORLD. THE WORLD! Join me as these guys share three of their favorite B. Bear pieces. And, don’t fret that this is the last time these … Continue reading "Episode 22 – Collector’s Corner 1"

I have so many cool friends! Today, I’m joined by Dr. Steve Lawler to talk about the time brother and sister had their privacy violated by Dr. Grizzly. Seriously, at least let them put on some pants, Gert. We also talk about what that thing on Dr. Grizzly’s head is all about, the lack on … Continue reading "Episode 21 – The Berenstain Bears Go To the Doctor"

Meet my friend, Linda! She basically made my four-year-old the awesome person she is and I am thrilled to discuss this book with her today! https://ia601306.us.archive.org/2/items/DIBCEP20/DIBC-EP20.mp3

In which we discover the true meaning of Christmas. Or, at least I do. Enjoy! Don’t be a Grinch! Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. https://ia801307.us.archive.org/2/items/DIBCEP19/DIBC-EP19.mp3

Bear Country has a prehistory! We don’t actually learn much about it, but here it is! Dinosaurs! And, here’s the Bear Country museum and its curator Actual Factu – wait. Is that Actual Factual? It . . . it looks like him, but – Okay, we need to take this thing apart. It’s “The Berenstain … Continue reading "Episode 18 – The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone"

This week, we explore the hidden depths of what may be the spoooookiest book we’ve covered so far! And, no, it’s NOT “The Spooky Old Tree!” Brother’s fractured subconscious wars within itself and drags its fragments deep below its own comfort zone in these two deceptively simple books. Enjoy! Make peace with your fractured psyche and rate … Continue reading "Episode 17 – The Berenstain Bears’ Counting Book/The Berenstain Bears and The Spooky Old Tree"

Bear Country LOVES science! And, so do I! Join me as I explore the final two books in the rough trilogy started in “The Bears’ Almanac.” These books . . . man, they’re just great. I love ’em. Love, love, love ’em. As always and forever, please Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on … Continue reading "Episode 16 – The Berenstain Bears’ Nature Guide/Science Fair"

We’re skipping ahead a bit to bring you a BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL! That’s right, it’s Sister Bear’s first year of school and to celebrate we have a real live school teacher in the studio with us! We’ll be talking about the verisimilitude of Sister’s Kindergarten classroom, Ms. Honeybear’s approach to meeting children, whether or … Continue reading "Episode 15 – The Berenstain Bears Go To School"

We’re back into the strange world of Small/Brother Bear’s psyche! Where will his concerns bout this new sister take him? And, are the Detectives real or all in our heads? Please Rate and review us on iTunes. Subscribe on Stitcher. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. And, join us next week! https://ia601300.us.archive.org/23/items/DIBCEP14/DIBC-EP14.mp3

Please welcome into the Deep In Bear Country Studios (the living room) our first ADULT guest, Elana Gravitz! Elana and I have a great time discussing The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby and covering such topics as: drinking straight from the family honey pot, not telling your kid their new sibling is arriving that day, the Bears’ … Continue reading "Episode 13 – The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby"

Man, I just relistened to this episode and I sound reallllllly mellow. Like, really mellow. Anyway, give it a listen! We’re closing out the end of Deep In Bear Country Phase 1 and entering Phase 2! What does that even mean? Well, it means . . big things. Big things in store. For . . … Continue reading "Episode 12 – The Berenstain Bears in ‘The Bears’ Almanac’"

We are rapidly approaching Zero Hour, my friends. Small, Papa and to a lesser extent Mama have brought us so far on this journey and now they are preparing to *expand* their universe with . . . *expand* was a joke, see? Like, Mama Bear is expanding across the midsection because of having a baby … Continue reading "Episode 11 – The Berenstain Bears’ Nursery Tales"

We’re still in Dreamland. I know! It feels like we’ve been here forever. Well, trust me when I say this is all leading some place. And, this episode, I think we all get a good idea where that place is. “Bears in the Night” and “C is for Clown” may not seem to be tied … Continue reading "Episode 10 – Bears in the Night/C is for Clown/The Berenstain’s ‘C’ Book"

We’re back for another trip through Small Bear’s Dreamland! And, by “we” I mean “we!” That’s right! Deep In Bear Country welcomes its very first guest! And, she’s young! Very. And, this is dropping on my birthday, so . . . happy birthday to me! As always, thank you for listening! Rate and review us on … Continue reading "Episode 9 – Old Hat, New Hat/The Berenstain’s B Book"

Got ten seconds? Literally, ten seconds? If so, then listen to a sneak peek of what’s coming up . . . next episode! https://ia800508.us.archive.org/24/items/DIBCEP9Outtakes/DIBC-EP9%20Outtakes.mp3

It’s our first holiday book! And . . . the holiday isn’t really that important a part of it. Okay, it’s barely a part of it at all. Still, it’s a landmark so I’ll take it! As always rate and review us on iTunes, download us on Stitcher, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! … Continue reading "Episode 8 – The Bears’ Christmas"

It’s a double header! Is that the right term? Who knows?! We are covering the first two Bright and Early Books in the Berenstain’s oeuvre and also learning a little bit of publishing history along the way. PLUS things get weird. Really weird. How weird? How about parallel universe weird? How does that make you … Continue reading "Episode 7 – Inside Outside Upside Down/Bears On Wheels"

Stop everything! Bear Country has a beach?! Apparently so, and The Bear Family is set to have a great time beachin’ on vaca! At least, Papa and Small Bear are; Mama . . . she takes a backseat for this one. Still, this book has it all: sand, water, rocks, and a challenge to the … Continue reading "Episode 6 – The Bears’ Vacation"

What happens when Stan and Jan throw three new cubs into the Papa Bear/Small Bear mix? Turns out . . . they don’t end up playing a huge role in the story. Or, making much of a difference. Still, three new cubs! Do they get names? Do they speak lines? Do they evolve into Cousin … Continue reading "Episode 5 – The Bear Scouts"

Do you like turning points? I do! And “The Bears’ Picnic” – darn that apostrophe; trips me up every time – is a major turning point for not only the Bear Family but for Stan and Jan Berenstain as artists, writers and collaborators. We’ll get into that in this episode as well as new locations … Continue reading "Episode 4 – The Bears’ Picnic"

It’s a bonus episode! Holy cats! What brought this on? I wanted to cover “Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole” before I lost my enthusiasm for it. It’s a clunky, weird, kinda terrible book BUT it’s super important in the history of the development of Stan and Jan Berenstain as writers. Super important. So, … Continue reading "BONUS EPISODE 1 – Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole"

Well, this is exciting! The first NAMED Berenstain Bears book! By which I mean, of course, that it’s the first book which identifies the Bear Family as “The Berensatin Bears.” Much like “The Addams Family” referred to “the family created by Charles Addams.” This all came as a surprise to Stan and Jan Berenstain. Which … Continue reading "Episode 3 – The Berenstain Bears and the Bike Lesson!"

Finally! An actual book! “The Big Honey Hunt” marks the introduction of the Bear Family – Papa, Mama and . . . Small. Notice how many ideas that would carry over into later books are already in place: the tree house, the outfits, the attitudes of the bears. This was due to Dr. Seuss’s very … Continue reading "Episode 2 – The Berenstain Bears and The Big Honey Hunt!"

Hello! And welcome to the first episode of “Deep In Bear Country: A Berenstain Bearcast.” In this episode, I take you through the whole reason this thing even exists. I give you a little rundown of the history of authors Stan and Jan Berenstain and hopefully prepare you for the long LONG journey to come. … Continue reading "Deep In Bear Country: Episode 1 – An Introduction!"