Dorktales Storytime

Send us a text

A tale of imagination, invention and real-life magic! Lanny Smoot is an Imagineer and electrical engineer with more than 100 patented inventions for Disney theme parks. He’s the mind behind the real-life lightsaber and a floor that makes you feel like you’re moving through other worlds. His inventive spirit started early, inspired by his father and a fascination with the lightbulb. He went from building his own unicycle as a kid to being honored in the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his work with Disney. Lanny brings joy to millions and his...

Send us a text

Today we have something extra special for you here on Dorktales Storytime. We’re sharing A Very Suspicious Island, the very first episode of a brand-new podcast called Tales from the Cloud Sea.

This funny, completely made-up-as-they-go adventure follows Amelia and Arthur, two kids who discover a secret in their attic that whisks them away to a world of floating sky islands, pirate airships, clanky robots, and all sorts of strange and silly characters.

And the best part? Their wild world is brought to life by a talented crew of...

Send us a text

High above the Folktale Forest, teams of geese, sparrows, falcons and seagulls show off their best stunts in the annual sky surfing competition. With flips, spins, swirls, and daring dives, the teams dazzle the cheering crowds and impress the judges. When a member of the Sky Soaring Seagulls gets injured mid-flight, the team’s hopes rest on Shrimp, the nervous fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy (try saying that five times fast). Worried he’ll let his teammates down, Shrimp learns from an unexpected source that even the wobbliest wings can still do wonde...

Send us a text

A tale of athletic feats and unstoppable spirit! Meet three superstars who took their shot and ruled their sport. Althea Gibson, the first Black woman to win a tennis championship, smashed records and shattered barriers on and off the court. Lusia Harris made history with the very first basket in Olympic women’s basketball, earning her crown as the “Queen of Basketball.” During World War II, Marge Villa was one of only 11 Latinas to play in the first professional women’s baseball league, and her stats at the plate put her in a league o...

Send us a text

It’s time for a story replay! This one’s all about starting something new - like a brand new school year - and all the feelings that can come with it. You might be excited, nervous, or even a little bit of both. Jonathan and Redge’s friend Big Bad felt the same way when it was time for him to go back to school. With help from his friends and some calming tools, he learned how to face his fears and feel more confident.

So if you’re feeling some bac...

Send us a text

While Jonathan and Redge take a summer break, we have a special treat from our new pod pals at Cozy Critters, the podcast perfect for bedtime or anytime you need a calming adventure. And guess what? The episode we’re sharing is all about hedgehogs! Dougie Pickles and his purr-fest host, Miss Meow Meow will tell you more about these cute and cozy critters - with soothing sounds, fun facts and relaxing breathing exercises to help you wind down.

Big shout-out to Finn, age 5, who wanted to learn more about us pr...

Send us a text

“Big breath, magic at my fingertips, and a quest in my heart!” Owen was trying to enjoy some tea and a little magical me-time when—oops!—they accidentally cast a very real, very powerful spell straight from the pages of their favorite comic, Gwyn Guardian the Grand. When an evil shadow wizard escapes from the story and into the real world, Owen realizes that only a dangerous quest can stop it before all magic is lost forever. With a reluctant Knight and a trinket-loving dragon by their side, Owen must find the legendary Scroll o...

Send us a text

In Wonderland, nothing is ever quite what it seems, including Alice’s birthday. The White Rabbit, who promised to celebrate with her, keeps darting off in all directions. Even the Mad Hatter deflates her hopes for a special day when he un-invites her to tea—because it’s not her unbirthday. Feeling lost and forgotten, Alice wonders if anything can turn the day around—until the Cheshire Cat appears with a curious new path to follow. In a land where left is right and up is down, a day full of bummers might just bou...

Send us a text

The sun is shining, the questions are sizzling, and Mr. Redge is soaking it all in—headphones on, beach towel out, and ready for the A’s to your Q’s! 

It’s the summer edition of Mr. Redge’s Hotline, where we answer YOUR curious, clever, and wonder-filled questions. Jonathan and Redge share favorite podcast moments, reveal the most important lore story from the Land of Once Upon a Time, snack on seaweed crisps, and send out shoutouts galore. Plus, Jonathan shares exciting updates about the Summer Listening Challenge and what’s comi...

Send us a text

While exploring the Fantasea in their magical minivan-submarine, Jonathan and Redge discover Red Herring Reef, a vibrant underwater village. Just in time for the annual Jubilee of the Sea art show, they meet Ariel the mermaid, who dazzles as the MuSEAum’s lively curator. While on the School of Fish tour, they find one of the frames is mysteriously empty! Their curiosity turns into a full-blown caper, as our friends flip their fins and dive into detective mode to crack the case. What they uncover may reveal more than just the whereabouts of th...

Send us a text

A tale of secret codes and early computers! Alan Turing was a British mathematician and thinker who helped turn the tide of World War II for the United Kingdom and its allies. His groundbreaking work also laid the foundation for much of the technology we use today. As a child, Alan loved solving puzzles—like tracking the patterns of bees—and as a teen, he spent many late nights working through challenging math problems. From imagining the Turing Machine to cracking the uncrackable Enigma Code, Alan’s story is one of brilliance, perseverance, and br...

Send us a text

Hesper, the Fairy of the Evening Star, casts a dream-traveling spell to take Redge on his long-awaited journey to Slumberland. With her moth companion, Vesper, by her side, the trio soar along the starry brick road to explore the dreamy realm’s enchanting destinations—from a visit to the Shut Eye Shopping District, a cuppa at Forty Winks Tea House, and a run through the clouds to catch some Z’s at Catnap Castle. Let the stardust of this story work its magic and slip you into a lovely sleep. Your dreams will be swe...

Send us a text

With binoculars ready and journals in hand, Jonathan and Redge meet up with their Bigfoot friend, Samuel Squatch, for a day of birdwatching by Legend Lake. The bird-loving buddies soon learn that migration season is more than the return of their favorite birds—it’s a full blown fashion event! As glowing fairies light up the forest canopy, birds both real and mythical strut their stuff in style—from classical geese in flight to a phoenix who sets the fashion world on fire. The glam parade celebrates the natural world, the stylish flair of fea...

Send us a text

A story of early Earth science in action! Mary Anning was a pioneering paleontologist and fossil hunter who reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life. Growing up by the seaside cliffs of Lyme Regis, England, she uncovered ancient creatures hidden in the rocks—like giant sea reptiles and even fossilized dinosaur poop! Her discoveries helped scientists understand that creatures could go extinct and that the Earth was much older than people once believed. Her work was often dismissed and she rarely received the credit she deserved. Today, she is known around the world as th...

Send us a text

We’re bringing you a bonus episode from our friends at Koala Shine—a podcast full of exciting, mindful adventures with wonderful characters like Koko the Koala, Hector & Sunny, and the Jupiter Twins. Their storyteller, Kelly, will take you to incredible places—from Ancient Rome to the Land of Dinosaurs—sharing awesome facts and jokes along the way!

The story we’ve chosen for you is The Jupiter Twins: The Beastly Brew. Come with Kelly to the Academy of Magic, where Lily and Jake—better known as the Jupiter Twins—are st...

Send us a text

Jonathan and Redge travel to the Cliffhangers eager to witness the legendary Color Pillars glow in the Spring Equinox light. But when they arrive in the village of Symbol Ism, they discover something is terribly wrong—the once-vibrant pillars are covered in an eerie, unexplainable muck. As they search for answers, they encounter someone who sees the fading pillars as a sign to tear down the ancient site and build a brand new theme park. With time slipping away, Jonathan and Redge must unravel the mystery of the pillars before their brilliance—and hist...

Send us a text

Something mysterious is happening over Legend Lake—stars are vanishing from the night sky! When Jack A. Lope and Double-Oh-Quills receive an urgent message from Agent M, they suit up and soar into action. With the help of Kit and a clever prairie dog named Dusty, they track the missing stars to a top-secret lair hidden in plain sight. But who—or what—is behind this cosmic caper? Agents Lope and Quills must use all of their wits (and some nifty spy tech) to stop the star snatcher from stealing all of Once Upon a...

Send us a text

It's time for another Mr. Redge’s Hotline—where we answer your questions and give some very special shout outs! 

Redge kicks things off with a hedgehog-huzzah for Ada, age 7, and then we’re off on a Q&A adventure with you, our amazing listeners. Want to know Redge’s top 10 favorite Dorktales stories (at least for the moment)? Wondering how a hedgehog gets a haircut (or doesn’t)? Curious about how Jonathan cheers himself up on a bad day? What about Redge’s snazzy outfits? Jonathan and Redge have the answers! Plus...

Send us a text

A story of drive and determination! Shirley Chisholm, known as being a person for the people, was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. From her childhood in Brooklyn and Barbados to standing up for fairness, education and equal rights, Shirley never backed down from a challenge. She boldly ran for President to continue her quest to make life better for everyone in America. Through hard work, trailblazing ideas and a voice that couldn’t be ignored, Shirley Chisholm changed people’s lives and proved that there will always be some...

Send us a text

Redge’s plans for the Bubbly, Cuddly, Huggly, Snuggly Hearts Party are in jeopardy when the musical act cancels at the last minute. Redge knows the show must go on if he wants this special celebration of friendship to be truly unforgettable. Luckily, he knows just who to put on the bill—the Hey Diddle, Diddle crew! With Cat on the fiddle, Cow jumping over the moon, and Dish and Spoon racing around, they seem like the perfect performers. But something is missing. Dog, the heart of their act, has lost his laugh, and...

Send us a text

Jonathan and Redge are gearing up for their Thrilling and Astounding Lore Expedition (T.A.L.E.) tour, but first, Redge has a special surprise for Jonathan—a magical minivan equipped with everything they’ll need for their storytelling road trip adventures! Outfitted with drive mode, fly mode, teeny tiny shrink and deep sea dive modes—this van has every gizmo and gadget they’ll need to explore new places, meet magical creatures, and gather stories galore.

Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/magical-minivan-tale/   

Color while you listen: ht...

Send us a text

We’re revisiting an episode from the early days of Dorktales Storytime as we get ready for the launch of Season 6 with brand-new tales and adventures on February 6th! “The Three Little Hogs” was the very first fairy tale we told when the podcast began in 2020. It’s where you’ll meet the three hedgehog brothers—Percy, Porky, and Peregrin—and encounter the Big Bad Wolf before he had a change of heart. Relive the beginnings of Jonathan and Redge’s budding friendship before they set off on their storytelling journey together.

The Three Litt...

Send us a text

As we prepare for the exciting launch of Season 6 of Dorktales Storytime on February 6th, we’re revisiting some favorite past adventures. Ever wondered how Jonathan found the magical doorway into Once Upon a Time or met his storytelling best friend, Reginald T. Hedgehog? This is the backstory to all our Dorktales adventures. This also answers the question our listener friend, Jose, asked about how Jonathan can go between Once Upon a Time and the real world. 

On an otherwise normal day, a portal opens in a mysterious tree hidden in the...

Send us a text

We’re wrapping up the year and our season of original stories for kids (and their geeky grownups) with a festively fun bonus episode. Join Jonathan and Mr. Redge as they answer listener questions from around the world and give shout-outs to our incredible Dorktales Storytime fans.

This episode includes:

Thank you for a wonde...

Send us a text

Blast off into the story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa, a trailblazer in space exploration! As an astronaut, engineer, scientist, inventor, and the first Latina woman to journey into space, Dr. Ochoa broke barriers and reached for the stars—literally. During four missions, she spent nearly 1,000 hours in orbit. She studied Earth’s atmosphere, mastered robotic technology, and contributed to the creation of the International Space Station. Her groundbreaking work didn’t stop there—Dr. Ochoa later became the deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, paving the way for future generations to explore th...

Send us a text

It’s Jolly Holly season in the land of Once Upon a Time, and Pinocchio is in serious nose-growing trouble. He was left in charge of Geppetto’s chiming Jolly Holly clock—a cherished symbol of the season. When his curiosity gets the best of him, one clumsy mishap leads to another, and the clock breaks! In a panic, Pinocchio’s fanciful fibbing turns into a whale of a problem. Can his quest to right his wrongs ultimately save the Jolly Holly celebration? 

This episode features a sample of our Dorktales original...

Send us a text

What if every blunder you made could blossom into something beautiful? Take it from your hedgehog buddy, Redge, who frolics through his failures in his very own field of daisies! He plants a seed for every big—and little—misstep and mistake he makes and they sprout into a spectacular floral garden. From salty cookie catastrophes to daring belly flops, Redge shows us how he celebrates his "oopsies" as opportunities to learn and grow.

This episode was inspired by the children’s book “Fail-a-bration” by the New York Times bestselling duo, Brad and K...

Send us a text

Redge stumbles upon a dazzling, magical plant—the Radiant Root—glowing with glittering leaves and capable of conjuring a feast of the imagination for 100 creatures. The only problem? It's deeply rooted in the Folktale Forest, and even the Hedge Witch, Zinnia Fig, can’t uproot it alone. Soon, friends from all over Once Upon a Time come together to use their strengths, spells and specialties to lift the Radiant Root. Will their teamwork turn into a triumphant night that will stay in their hearts forever?

We’re celebrating a magical milestone! This epi...

Send us a text

It’s time to grab your candy, turn off the lights, and get ready for our encore presentation of Sleepy Hallow’s Eve—a tale that will give you just the right amount of shivers and giggles! 

Hello boils, ghouls, and non-corporeal entities! Our SCARE-rator is here to tell you a spooky tale that will send shivers up your quivers and make your teeth chatter with delight! It’s party time at Katrina’s house and Ichabod Crane is having the time of his life. Jealous of his fun, Brom Bones gathers the...

Send us a text

An inspiring story that will rock your world! Meet Simon Tam, the visionary founder of the Asian American band, The Slants. Follow his path from a young music lover to a trailblazing activist who stood up for free speech and fair representation. His desire to reclaim a hurtful term and turn it into something positive and empowering became a groundbreaking case at the U.S. Supreme Court. Discover how his fight for the band’s name became a victory for artistic expression. Simon’s story shows us that resilience, courage and using one’s voic...

Send us a text

Jonathan and Redge adventure into The Tomes, the vast desert of Once Upon a Time, when they stumble into a mysterious tomb—and find themselves on a ghoulish (and very goofy) game show. The two must solve haunting riddles, guess what’s missing in an ancient witch’s potion, and test their courage in the chilling, thrilling Malevolent Maze of the Mummy! Can they work together to tackle all the terrifying twists and turns or will they be lost in The Tomes desert forever?

Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/thats-a-wrap-halloween-story/     

GRAB...