Episodes
Send us a Text Message.With a new school year just around the corner, we know many of you might be feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Our friend Big Bad also had back-to-school jitters, and he found comfort and support from his friends. They helped him manage his fears and guided him back to his calm and confident self. As you prepare for a new school year or start something new, remember that it's okay to feel nervous. Learning to calm yourself and seeking support from friends and ...
Published 07/25/24
Published 07/25/24
Send us a Text Message.In our last episode, “Ticket to a Strange New World,” Mr. Redge took you on a magical tour to some of Once Upon a Time’s most popular places. While he and Jonathan take a short break from their storytelling adventures, we asked our friends from Newsy Pooloozi to share a few interesting stories about places from around the globe. Keep listening to hear a special report on Chinese New Year customs and celebrations, what’s up with the United Kingdom’s “blood rain” and how ...
Published 07/11/24
Send us a Text Message.Enter the portal to Reginald T. Hedgehog’s Write Your Travel Tale Travel Agency—where your golden ticket for a tour of Once Upon a Time awaits! Every corner of this realm brims with wonder, and the world’s best tour guide is ready to take you on an epic journey through this strange new world. Breathe in the enchanted forests, sing sea shanties on pirate islands, and immerse yourself in culture of the big city. Come and discover the magic of interdimensional travel...
Published 06/27/24
Send us a Text Message.Jonathan and Redge leave their chores behind and escape to Never Never No No Land! Abandoning their responsibilities, the pair think only happy thoughts as Tweeter Pan flies them off to the legendary place where endless fun awaits. From ice cream sundae pools to all-night dance parties, it’s a dream come true. But amidst the magic and mischief, they find that a little balance goes a long way—even in the land of play. Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/never-nev...
Published 06/13/24
Send us a Text Message.Uncover the life of Maya Lin, the visionary artist and architect behind one of the most visited memorials in America. Her parents were Chinese immigrants, both accomplished in their own artistic fields. Growing up, they supported her pursuits and encouraged her to always follow her passions. At just 21, Maya won a national design competition to create the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C—a reflective black granite wall engraved with the names of fallen soldi...
Published 05/30/24
Send us a Text Message.Join Jonathan and Mr. Redge in this special Dorktales Storytime episode where they answer questions from our wonderful listeners and give some heartwarming shout-outs! Tune in as Mr. Redge, our beloved hedgehog host, eagerly responds to inquiries about his favorite hats and shares exciting news about the Dorktales community. With the help of Big Bad, Jonathan, and Mr. Redge, we celebrate the love and support from our fans who make the Dorktales community so specia...
Published 05/23/24
Send us a Text Message.Cinderella has finally been invited to the biggest event of the year for Once Upon a Time’s most talented bakers and treat makers—The Dough Ball! Feeling hopeless over what to wear, her Fairy Godmother, Fey, conjures up fantastical outfits for her to try on. The choices are fashion-tasticly fabulous—from mermaid inspired gowns to cyber-chic ensembles to sprinkle-frosting frocks—but nothing feels quite right. Her friends and Fey help her choose an outfit that will make h...
Published 05/16/24
Send us a Text Message.Redge is worried about leading his team, the Quizzical Quizzards, in the Folktale Forest’s upcoming trivia tournament. His tossing and turning troublesome dreams release the glittering Night Mare who clomps and stomps its way into the waking world. He and Jonathan call upon Hesper, the Fairy of the Evening Star, and her trusty moth companion, Vesper for help. Together they saddle up and unleash their sleepy time power and calming exercises to lure the Night Mare back in...
Published 05/02/24
Send us a Text Message.A story of courage and adventure! Bessie Stringfield, revved through societal barriers to become the first Black woman to ride solo across the United States on a motorcycle in 1930. From braving the bumpy and dangerous roads to serving as a dispatch rider in World War II, Bessie's adventurous spirit and unwavering courage broke new ground for women and Black motorcycle riders. She defied the limitations of her time and pursued her passion against all odds, earning her t...
Published 04/18/24
Send us a Text Message. "Big breath, magic at my fingertips, and a quest in my heart!” Owen, a spirited sorcerer, leaves the safety of their beloved library to begin a brand new, boundless adventure. With courage and curiosity, they head deep into the Great Forest and face puzzling challenges to find fellow sorcerers at the Ancient Cedar. Owen uses their wit, grit, and the encouragement of enchanted creatures to discover how to listen to the beat of their own magic and become the legendary...
Published 04/11/24
Send us a Text Message. Goldiquills, the fashionista hedgehog, faces a terrible trespass inside her hovel and asks a friend to help her sort things out. She’s frustrated that her stylish clothes and precious sneaker collection are out of order. Her irritation spikes when she discovers that the raccoon responsible for the messy deed is also rummaging through her garbage. But anger soon turns to empathy when she realizes that once upon a time she entered someone else’s home without permission....
Published 04/04/24
Using cookies Alice brought back from Wonderland, Jonathan and Redge shrink until they’re small enough to visit Scribbleton, the Folktale Forest’s tiniest town. As they explore this miniature world filled with wonders, they meet a Scribble Knight pixie and his bright yellow banana slug buddy. They learn that the duo is scrambling down Doodle Avenue to frantically prepare for the town's annual celebration. With a chirping cricket and jumping spider as their rides, Jonathan and Redge join...
Published 03/21/24
A story of empathy in action and the power of words! Emma Lazarus' life is a testament to courage and compassion—from her literary work to her tireless advocacy for Jewish immigrants coming to America for the chance of better lives. Her most iconic poem, The New Colossus, helped raise the funds to build the Statue of Liberty. The poem’s timeless message of welcoming ‘the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free,’ has remained as a symbol of hope and inclusion for...
Published 03/07/24
Lost on the path to Legend Lake, Jonathan and Redge stumble upon Bigfoot, the introverted gentle giant who can sing like the birds. He longs to participate in the Outstanding Olympiads competition but struggles to get any attention so he can sign up. Despite his best efforts, he remains invisible, overshadowed by the other mythological competitors’ feats. With unwavering support from his new friends, he finds the courage to be heard and let his talent soar!   Episode webpage:...
Published 02/22/24
Redge’s first painting class with the famous artist, Honey B. Bearton, was marvelous! So why is he feeling so blue? It’s his homework assignment--picking one thing to paint that will show the world who he is. But how can he narrow it down and choose JUST ONE? He seeks guidance from friends like Big Bad and Midge the Pidge, who help him get inspired and find the perfect idea for a creative masterpiece that will showcase his true self. Episode webpage:...
Published 02/08/24
Join Jonathan Cormur and his hedgehog buddy, Mr. Redge, in a special bonus episode of Dorktales Storytime where they answer questions from you, our dear listeners. They praise your imaginations and curious minds and share their answers about Jonathan's travels between worlds, the traditions from his own family and Redge's size-changing abilities. There are shout-outs and expressions of gratitude for all your support. But that’s not all! The episode comes with a big announcement – Season 5 is...
Published 01/25/24
We’re revisiting our most popular episode of 2023! Enjoy The Golden Touch Screen, a modern and very geeky retelling of the mythological story of King Midas and the Golden Touch.  DESCRIPTION: After missing out on the latest aPhone release, the Acorn-product-obsessed Mr. Redge makes a desperate deal with a dark magic sorcerer. Quivering over almost losing his quills, he meets Acorn founder Beeve Hogs. Beeve tells him the story of King Midas and his love of gold, and the wizard that grants...
Published 01/11/24
While Jonathan and Mr. Redge take a winter break to enjoy the holidays with their friends and family, we have one of our podfriends, Noah Glenn from Like You: Mindfulness for Kids here to guide you in a special session called, “Mindfulness for Weirdos.” Be ready to make some silly sounds and funny faces! Episode webpage: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/14181224  HAPPY NEW YEAR! Jonathan and Mr. Redge will be back in 2024 with a brand new season of Dorktales Storytime. Until then, find...
Published 12/28/23
Poor Redge! His dreams of putting on the Bards and Balladeers winter play are doomed. The Fun Funk has set in throughout the Folktale Forest and no one has signed up to audition. In dashes Albert Spice whose cookie-fueled enthusiasm is sure to lift spirits and ignite everyone’s joy of performance and camaraderie. It’s a race against time to turn around the low turnout. Can he run and run as fast as he can to save the play? Of course, he can, he’s the Gingerbread Man! Episode webpage:...
Published 12/14/23
Are you ready for some festive fun? Follow Jack Frost, your easy-freezy emcee, for your VIP entrance into the Folktale Forest’s Jolly Holly Day celebrations. Experience the treasured tinsel traditions, winterberry bush wishes, and the happy folk with their hand-decorated parasols on parade. You have an all-access pass to this year’s Grand Feast for Mr. Redge’s quill-tingling speech, stories of gratitude and the most delicious holiday snacks. Then it’s off to your beds, where the Fairy of the...
Published 11/30/23
Rodge takes his cousin, Redge, on a tour of Litropia, Once Upon a Time's biggest city! The hedgehog duo enjoys a day full of delights as they cruise through downtown with the help of Litropia’s finest cab driver, Sal A. Mander. They sing along to the toe-tapping musical “Squawkin’ in the Rain", have a whirling-twirling time at Litropia Lane’s skating rink and hang wishes on the famous Un-Fir-gettable Tree. But how can they put the cherry on top of a perfect day? Why a visit to Fairy...
Published 11/16/23
When a sibling rivalry ignites a wild ruckus, Mr. Redge enlists Jonathan's help to end the unfriendly feud. Using his skills as a storytelling problem solver, Jonathan weaves a tale on the wisdom of unity and the strength that lies in working together. It inspires the brothers to bundle up their bickering and squelch their scuffles, proving their sibling bonds are truly unbreakable. Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/a-scuffle-of-sticks/            PARENTS, TEACHERS AND...
Published 11/02/23
A wave-splashing tale of the First Lady of Limu! Dive into the fascinating life of Isabella Aiona Abbott. From her early days in Hawaii to becoming a world-renowned expert on Pacific Ocean algae, her journey was filled with scientific curiosity and groundbreaking accomplishments. Drawing on the wisdom passed down through generations, she showed us how to connect with the natural world and use the oceans gifts for food and more. Ms. Abbott broke barriers by being the first Hawaiian woman to...
Published 10/19/23
Chills, thrills and shrieks of nervous laughter fill the night air as the popular Stork Squad—Stephon Stork, Heron Stone and Gabby Goose—weave the tale of their eerie encounter with the Goop Hog! It’s the slimy, ooey-gooey, algae-dripping creature who rose from the deepest depths of Lumen Lagoon and lunged at the terrified trio. But beware, brave listeners, things are never as they seem at first. Soon, they uncover the truth about the mysterious Goop Hog and learn a valuable lesson about...
Published 10/05/23