Deep In Bear Country - A Berenstain Bearcast

MRRRRRR CHZZZZZZMMZZZZZ! Mr. Mark Sweeney is BACK to talk about THE BEATLES and THE BARENAKED LADIES and . . . The Beatles? Also, we’ve got this COMMENTARY TRACK for you but it’s really just the middle part of a JAM PACKED episode of TWO GUYS HANGING OUT. Here’s the video we used! https://ia800102.us.archive.org/18/items/DIBCEP130/DIBC-EP130.mp3

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! https://ia800103.us.archive.org/14/items/DIBCEP129/DIBC-EP129.mp3

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. https://ia800104.us.archive.org/10/items/DIBC128/DIBC-128.mp3

In which I go LIVE on Facebook and ramble on a while about race(?) in Bear Country and embarrass myself and answer some questions. https://ia600600.us.archive.org/20/items/DIBCEP127/DIBC-EP127.mp3

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?! https://ia600100.us.archive.org/1/items/DIBCEP126/DIBC-EP126.mp3

Brad Mariska sneaks on over to talk about “The Berenstain Bears Blaze a Trail” from 1987 – a book I ACCIDENTALLY SKIPPED! Oh, and, it looks like there IS an animated adaptation! Waddaya know? https://ia800102.us.archive.org/16/items/DIBCEP125/DIBC-EP125.mp3

In this episode, Bradley, Jeremy and I finally make it to the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. Pictures taken by Brad. And here are some pics *I* took! https://ia600809.us.archive.org/20/items/DIBCEP124/DIBC-EP124.mp3

So, no show this week. We’re regrouping. It’s been a busy start to fall. https://ia600100.us.archive.org/33/items/DIBCEP1235/DIBC-EP123-5.mp3

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. https://ia601303.us.archive.org/15/items/DIBCEP123/DIBC-EP123.mp3

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 … Continue reading "Episode 122 – The Berenstain Bear Scots and the Humongous Pumpkin!"

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! https://ia800802.us.archive.org/13/items/DIBCEP121/DIBC-EP121.mp3

Mr. Mark Sweeney RETURNS! And this time he’s got OPINIONS about BIRDS and CHAINSAWS! https://ia800800.us.archive.org/33/items/DIBCEP120_201710/DIBC-EP120.mp3

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. https://ia800804.us.archive.org/32/items/DIBCEP119/DIBC-EP119.mp3

Sorry everyone. No show this week. https://ia800809.us.archive.org/28/items/Apology_201709/Apology.mp3

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. https://ia800600.us.archive.org/20/items/DIBCEP118/DIBC-EP118.mp3

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 … Continue reading "Episode 117 – The Freaky Funhouse!"

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! https://ia801002.us.archive.org/1/items/DIBCEP116/DIBC-EP116.mp3

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 … Continue reading "Episode 115 – The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet!"

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. https://ia800806.us.archive.org/14/items/DIBCEP114/DIBC-EP114.mp3

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! https://ia600804.us.archive.org/14/items/DIBCEP113/DIBC-EP113.mp3

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. https://ia803103.us.archive.org/17/items/DIBCEP112/DIBC-EP112.mp3

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! https://ia801006.us.archive.org/2/items/DIBCEP111/DIBC-EP111.mp3

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 … Continue reading "Episode 110 – Meeting Mike (Part 1)"

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 … Continue reading "Episode 109 – Diner Talk"

What a weird book. Kerry Nelson from Random Sampling joins me to talk about the gross violation of trust that occurs at Bear Country School! Also, democracy in action? Maybe? https://ia800804.us.archive.org/20/items/DIBCEP108/DIBC-EP108.mp3

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. https://ia600603.us.archive.org/31/items/DIBCEP107/DIBC-EP107.mp3

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. https://ia800606.us.archive.org/12/items/DIBCEP106/DIBC-EP106.mp3

Because I felt guilty – here’s a talk about The Big Chapter Books! https://ia600605.us.archive.org/13/items/DIBCBONUS/DIBC-BONUS.mp3

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. https://ia600609.us.archive.org/29/items/DIBCEP104/DIBC-EP104.mp3

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 … Continue reading "Episode 103 – The Berenstain Bears and the Female Fullback!"

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!

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 … Continue reading "Episode 100 – Collector’s Corner 8!"

My collectors are BACK and they’ve brought with them . . . nothing. Nothing at all. This episode is a special “free form” episode where anything brought to the table comes out of *us* and our IMAGINATIONS. Trust me, it works. You can find Bradley’s official list of books at his website, visit Jeremy’s site … Continue reading "Episode 98 – Collectors Corner 7!"

The Bear Family had a skunk for a neighbor. In “Pet Show” a skunk has been surgically altered and turned into a pet. Bear Country is horrifying. https://ia601608.us.archive.org/2/items/DIBCEP97/DIBC-EP97.mp3

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. https://ia801606.us.archive.org/23/items/DIBCEP96/DIBC-EP96.mp3

Enjoy! https://ia601608.us.archive.org/15/items/DIBCEP95/DIBC-EP95.mp3

In which I take offense at God telling me to not watch television.

More Bears. More Jesus. https://ia601607.us.archive.org/19/items/DIBCEP93/DIBC-EP93.mp3

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. https://ia601606.us.archive.org/24/items/DIBCEP92/DIBC-EP92.mp3

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. https://ia801600.us.archive.org/22/items/DIBCEP90/DIBC-EP90.mp3

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?” https://ia601603.us.archive.org/9/items/DIBCEP89/DIBC-EP89.mp3

Mitzi and I close out the FIRST First Time books with a gripping story of going to bed. https://ia801604.us.archive.org/12/items/DIBCEP88/DIBC-EP88.mp3

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. https://ia801901.us.archive.org/27/items/DIBCEP87/DIBC-EP87.mp3

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 … Continue reading "Episode 86 – The Berenstain Bears’ Four Seasons!"

https://ia601601.us.archive.org/14/items/DIBCEP85/DIBC-EP85.mp3

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. … Continue reading "Episode 84 – The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vaca(tion)!"

Bradley and Jeremy are BACK to talk QUESTRON! What is QUESTRON?! A fantastical robot from the future come to educate our children and make our technological dreams come true?! Or, a plastic barcode reader? Probably the barcode reader. You can find Bradley’s official list of books at his website, visit Jeremy’s site to discover his … Continue reading "Episode 83 – Collector’s Corner 6!"

It all comes crashing to an end!

In which I spend way to long worrying about 80s movies. Also, I realize that this quartet of McDonald’s Happy Meal books, may form their own loose continuity?