Deep In Bear Country - A Berenstain Bearcast

Psst! Hey everyone! You, uh . . . you wanna learn about vermiculite? Shh! Don’t let everyone hear, or they’ll all want in on this. Well, I got a book for you that not only mentions vermiculite about a dozen times, but doesn’t really explain what it is! Sound good? Hello? Oh, you left. THIS … Continue reading "Episode 160 – GROW-IT! Mother Nature Has Such A Green Thumb!"

My collectors are back! Brad Mariska and Jeremy Gloff have joined me to discuss a book that is the worst thing and that should not exist. “The Berenstein Bears and Too Much Tequila” is dumb, bad and dumb and bad and I hate it. I hate it. I hate that I’m even discussing it in … Continue reading "Episode 159 – The [REDACTED] [REDACTED] and Too Much [REDACTED]"

This week, I answer a question from Patreon Subscriber Michael, who asks, “What do you think the Bear Country police blotter looks like on a typical day (let’s say big chapter books continuity since that’s where we are)?” https://ia902809.us.archive.org/33/items/DIBCEP158_201808/DIBC-EP158.mp3

This week! My dear college friend, writer, director, performer, monologist, cartoonist Brad McEntire joins me to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster!” And, boy do we ever talk about it! And, a lot of other things! Check out Brad’s many projects at his website! He always has a dozen things going on. … Continue reading "Episode 157 – The Green-Eyed Monster!"

In this excised excerpt from the upcoming “The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster” Phil and his guest Brad McEntire go off on a long tangent about Scouting and Camping. It has nothing to do with the book and everything to do with Phil’s neurotic aversion to the Great Outdoors. https://ia903109.us.archive.org/24/items/BONUSCamping/BONUS%20-%20Camping.mp3

Let’s go WAY back in time to EPISODE 15! That’s right! I remember thinking “Oh, man, I’ve done maybe a MILLION of these shows!” But, I hadn’t. Just the fifteen. My guest was Rachael Schlee who is currently appearing in Medusa at the Minnesota Fringe Festival! We talk all about Kindergarten and prepping for school. … Continue reading "SUMMER RERUN – Go To School!"

It’s a SUMMER RERUN from LAST SUMMER! 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://ia800808.us.archive.org/12/items/DIBCEP111/DIBC-EP111.mp3

It’s July and I’m BEAT. I had a birthday; now my girlfriend’s having a birthday; I gotta clean the stove; there’s summer camp, doctor’s appointments, school shopping, UGH! Time for a rerun. This week, let’s go back and enjoy a Deep In Bear Country CLASSIC! Brian Skinner joined me in my steamy backyard to talk … Continue reading "SUMMER RERUN! – The Bad Dream!"

This week, I am very excited to welcome Jason Bucklin onto the show. Jason is the LGBTQ Programming Director for Minneapolis Public Schools and he’s here to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Bully” a book I’ve been excited yet nervous about for three years. Jason walks us through what bullying is, how parents … Continue reading "Episode 156 – The Bully!"

This week, I’m joined by Erin Ayers – one half of the Over the Table Top podcast – to discuss a tale of fraud and dinosaurs. It’s “The Berenstain Bears and the G-Rex Bones!” How far will Ralph go to secure a million dollars? Pretty far! Will he sell out his own personal values and … Continue reading "Episode 155 – The G-Rex Bones!"

Ollie is back, my partner in crime from It’s Del Toro Time! and we’re talking about . . . something. What even are these? It’s the first two Merit Badge Mysteries “The Missing Merit Badges” and “The Search for Naughty Ned” and, well, animals talk? Dr. Mr. Wide Old Owl? Naughty Ned? It’s clear we’re … Continue reading "Episode 154 – The Missing Merit Badges & The Search for Naughty Ned"

When is a book NOT a book? When it’s a sequel to a book YOU’VE NEVER READ! Yes, this week I discover the peril of not knowing which book comes after which as I delve into the second part of an apparent two-parter that isn’t actually that difficult to understand; it’s a book for children. … Continue reading "Episode 153 – The Evil Eye!"

This week, Jamie Tyler, author of the “Cowabloga” Ninja Turtles blog, is BACK to talk about the most convoluted, frustrating, fascinating and satisfyingly unsatisfying Big Chapter Book I’ve read in a while: “The Berenstain Bears and the Perfect Crime (Almost)!” Yes, get that parenthetical in there; it’s important. Jamie and I work ourselves up to … Continue reading "Episode 152 – The Perfect Crime (Almost)!"

Boy oh boy! Milton Chubb! Who is Milton Chubb, you ask? Only the strangest cub introduced in these here books. He’s introduced TWICE actually, in “Too Much Teasing” and in “The Love Match.” Two different formats that tell essentially the same story but in wildly different ways and for wildly different reasons. To commemorate this … Continue reading "Episode 151 – “Too Much Teasing” and “The Love Match!”"

It’s been over a year and FIFTY EPISODES since I’ve had a proper Collectors Corner with Brad and Jeremy, so HERE WE ARE! And we are talking about EVERYTHING. So, kick back, relax and enjoy the ride! You can find Brad’s complete list of Berenstain Bears books here and Jeremy’s music here. https://ia903108.us.archive.org/10/items/DIBCEP150/DIBC-EP150.mp3

This week, I celebrate THREE YEARS of “Deep In Bear Country” by bringing back my first ever guest, Mitzi! And she’s . . . less than enthused by this week’s book. It’s the “Berenstains’ A Book” and it’s about the letter A! Hooray? https://ia801001.us.archive.org/32/items/DIBC149/DIBC-149.mp3

This week I am joined by not one, not two, not three, but FOUR GUESTS! It’s a veritable ROUND TABLE as I welcome back Elana, Corinna, Andrew and Scott – from Episode 55(!!!) “The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright” – to talk about “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble With Grownups!” And, seeing as how … Continue reading "Episode 148 – The Trouble with Grownups!"

This week, I’m joined by the delightful Drew Stewart to rock out to “The Berenstain Bears Go Platinum!” It’s the gripping tale of Stan and Jan Berenstain really wanting to stick it to the music of today! https://ia803109.us.archive.org/21/items/DIBCEP147/DIBC-EP147.mp3

This week, I’m joined by Emily Bennett of Best Acquaintances to talk about the insidious nature of young jealousy! Like, seriously, it’s a pretty solid book that deals with a pretty serious topic for adolescent kids. I know! https://ia903106.us.archive.org/1/items/DIBCEP146/DIBC-EP146.mp3

sq This week, I am joined by Justin Harrison of Birth. Movies. Death. to talk about the incredibly long and detailed “The Berenstain Bear Scouts and the Sinister Smoke Ring!” This is a huge one, folks, and we talk about the influences of the story, how it came to be written, the interwoven plot threads, the … Continue reading "Episode 145 – The Sinister Smoke Ring!"