Deep In Bear Country - A Berenstain Bearcast

MERRY HAPPY! It’s our truncated Christmas Season and we’re celebrating by digging our nativity scenes out and talking about nativity scenes! Let’s talk The Nativity, Where’s Spot and the very nature of Lift-The-Flap Books as a concept! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Get Ready For Christmas!”

Willow and I discuss something very important to Bear Country.

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!”

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.

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 … Continue reading "Episode 318 – The Berenstain Bears and the Little Lost Cub!"

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!

This week, Deep In Bear Country goes deeper than usual into the wild world of Berenstain Bears ephemera with our guest, Mark O’Brien of the YouTube channel “Uncommon Ephemera!” He’s unearthed a Filmstrip interview/documentary about Stan and Jan Berenstain that is one of the most delightful things I’ve ever seen. I also have on, as … Continue reading "Episode 316 – “Meet The Berenstains” Uncommon Ephemera"

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!”

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.”

This week, does kindness count? Does it “count?” Well, Jan and Mike seem to think so! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Kindness Counts!”

Some people like their jobs RAW, but I like mine WELL DONE! It’s “The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done!

Hey, it’s time to talk about forgiving! And forgiveness! And stealing a bike and crashing it in to a mailbox! It’s “The Berenstain Bears The Forgiving Tree!”

Chugga chugga CHOO CHOO! This week, we’re talkin’ about TRAINS! It’s “The Berenstain Bears ALL ABOARD!”

This week, let’s get SICK! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Sick Days” and Sister is ill, Mama is overworked, Papa is under the thumb of BIG CHAIR, and Honey Bear… exists. She’s definitely there.

Is it safe? Is it sound? Is it The Berenstain Bears Safe and Sound!? It is this week! Let’s take a look at the freewheeling world of skate-a-ma-boarding in Bear Country! Let’s build a deck or a half-pipe or an olly? Let’s get SAFE and SOUND!

This week, the Bear Family goes OUT TO EAT and… that’s it. That’s all they do.

Who is Eleanor Farley, you ask? She’s only the person *behind* the throne of power at the Berenstain Bears studio! This week, I interview the woman who makes things tick with the Berenstain Bears and passes all my unhinged questions over to Mike. It’s Eleanor Farley!

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!

It’s fair.

Let’s get religious on the playing field! This week, “The Berenstain Bears Play a GOOD GAME” and by “good game” I mean they play according to BIBLICAL LAW! Blessed are the ball players, ya’ll!

Okay, I’m back! And, I have my collectors, Brad and Jeremy, with me to answer some listener questions and talk about the Berenstain Bears! What more so you want?! Order Jeremy’s album here. Visit Brad’s Berenstain Bears list here. Maybe join the Facebook group?

This isn’t an episode! It’s just an announcement and an update!

It’s the big 3-0-0 and in celebration I have on the show the author of the new history of Beginner Books “I Can Read It All By Myself” Mr. Paul Allen!

This week, we’re taking a look back at an older book and rushing as quickly as we can through FIVE bedtime stories! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ BIG Bedtime Book!”

Real talk: does God love you? Let’s find out! Let’s also learn a bit about Bear Country’s Musical Theater heritage; the gender division between theater and sports; and Ferdy Actual… he exists! Also, Mama won’t stop making the conversation all about God God GOD! God, Mama! It’s “The Berenstain Bears God Loves You!”

Get up kids! It’s time for SUNDAY SCHOOL! In this episode, the Bear Family goes to Sunday School. But, where did Sunday School come from? Who invented it? What about the song Mama and Papa sing? And they went to Sunday School together? Also, Noah’s Ark… did it stink? It’s “The Berenstain Bears Go To … Continue reading "Episode 297 – The Berenstain Bears Go To Sunday School!"

Life is a mystery; everyone must stand alone. Or, so they say. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers!”

I avoid making an Aladdin joke in this episode and that’s pretty good for me! It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule!”

We are back with a look at an old favorite: The Pet Show! That’s right, we’re taking a look at “The Berenstain Bears’ Really Big Pet Show” a reworking of “The Berenstain Bears’ Pet Show” from waaaaaaay back in the day. It’s essentially the same story with a long preamble about the origins of the … Continue reading "Episode 294 – The Berenstain Bears and the Really Big Pet Show!"

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 … Continue reading "Episode 293 – The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Influence!"

Life isn’t all bees and poop, but if you listen to this week’s episode, you might think it is! It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Class Trip!”

Let’s talk about sleepovers! They sure don’t involve a lot of sleeping, do they? Also, the social construct of “friendship” and the social contract in “inviting a friend over to sleep at your house.” Also, Barry Bruin. What’s his deal? It’s “The Berenstain Bears’ Sleepover!”

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?!

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 … Continue reading "EASTER SPECIAL – Mike Berenstain on Zonderkidz!"

Wanna go to BIG BEAR CITY? Wanna see it from BEHIND FLAPS? Then let’s take a look at “The Berenstain Bears In Big Bear City!”

Tricycles are complicated. Who knew? Also, Cousin Fred rides a MOTORBIKE?! Get out of town! It’s “The Berenstain Bears Yike! Yike! Where’s My Trike?”

Here it is. The Berenstain Bears and the Great Ant Attack!

Brandi Brown is back on the show to take us through the frightening world of late ’90s internettery! That’s right, the cubs are on the Information Superhighway and are about to get “Lost In Cyberspace!”

Kids these days and their tv sets and their sugary cereals and their hugging dolls and their COMMERCIALS! If there’s one thing that remains a pain in the rear it COMMERCIAL TELEVISION am I right? Well, this week we’re getting to the bottom of all of that with “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With … Continue reading "Episode 285 – The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Commercials!"

Surprise! It’s another Valentine’s episode even though it’s no longer Valentine’s Day! And I tricked Brian and Christy into being in it! Click here to see the video!

Are you ready to fall in love? Are you ready to fall in love WITH GOD? Well, sorry, this is just a retelling of “Comic Valentine” but with some Bible quotes. Also, Brian and Christy are back! Also, it’s actually a pretty good retelling of this oft-told tale? Also, it’s called “The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine … Continue reading "Episode 283 – The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings!"

Aaaaaaand, we’re back! Brian and Christy have returned (secret surprise THEY NEVER LEFT) and we’re taking a look at “The Berenstain Bear’s Comic Valentine” THE BOOK! Is it different? Is it the same? Yes! NO! It’s all about LOVE!

Hey all! Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, so we’re celebrating with a Month of Sundays on Saturday! That’s right, it’s ALL VALENTINES, ALL THE TINES, er, TIMES! And, to see us through the Season are returning Valentines themselves, Christy Admiraal and Brian Skinner! We’re kicking things off with a too-close look at the befuddling … Continue reading "Episode 281 – The Berenstain Bears’ Comic Valentine TV Special!"

Oh hey, look, it’s “The Berenstain Bears Go In And Out.” Not much to it. How about a History of the Revolving Door?

I am joined, once again, by Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff to talk about entries 10 – 1 of “The 20 Most Rare/Unusual Berenstain Bears Books … EVER!“

This week, I am joined by Bradley Mariska and Jeremy Gloff to talk about entries 20 – 11 of “The 20 Most Rare/Unusual Berenstain Bears Books … EVER!” Join us next week for PART 2!

Are you ready to hit the beach, once again?! We’re taking off with the Bear Family to Gull Island and this time, we’re just going to kick back and enjoy the book. No history, no complaints, no nothin’! It’s just a solid book with great illustrations. It’s “The Berenstain Bears Go On Vacation!”

Merrrrrry happy! It’s Christmas Day and I am coming at you with two two two books! First, I’m finishing off my looks at “The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas” and then we’re talking “The Berenstain Bears’ Old-Fashioned Christmas!” Two good books! It’s a Christmas miracle! See you next year!

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.

Sleigh bells ring. ARE YOU LISTENING? It’s the “Berenstain Bears’ Winter Wonderland!”