Dorktales Storytime
Be the hero of your own story with Dorktales Storytime, the award-winning podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. Enter their Once Upon a Time world where hosts, Jonathan Cormur and Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog, take you on a storytelling journey of curiosity and acceptance. You’ll explore reimagined fairytales and fables with social emotional themes, discover inspiring stories of history’s hidden heroes, and experience imaginary tales of boundless possibilities.
Recognized by Common Sense Media as outstanding entertainment with an official seal for quality and impact. Common Sense Selections include age-appropriate media with the potential to spark family conversations, entertain families of all kinds, and have a positive, lasting effect on society.
Reach out to us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com
Dorktales Storytime
Mr. Redge’s Hotline: Cozy Autumn Q&A and Shoutout Celebration!
The leaves are crunching, the apples are baking, and Redge is wearing his favorite autumn sweater… He’s ready to for another round of your curious, clever, and heartwarming questions.
In this autumn edition of Mr. Redge’s Hotline, Jonathan and Redge talk favorite sports, real-world friends, and the finest forest snacks. They share a collection of your brilliant ideas, heartfelt reviews, and a flurry of shoutouts. Grab your headphones, coziest blanket, a favorite snack, and get ready for a cheerful harvest of listener love.
JOIN THE KOOKY SPOOKY COUNTDOWN CHALLENGE and earn rewards:
https://jonincharacter.com/kooky-spooky-countdown/
FOR THE GROWNUPS: We want to hear from your kids! Email us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com with your their first name, age, and their awesome question—written or recorded! You can also reach us through our contact form at https://jonincharacter.com/contact-the-podcast/, leave a comment on Spotify, or include a question in a 5-star review. We’ll do our best to feature as many as we can!
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- EP41 A Hedgehog’s Homerun: https://jonincharacter.com/hedgehogs-home-run/
- EP71 Zinnia Fig and the Droop: https://jonincharacter.com/zinnia-fig-and-the-droop/
REACH OUT!
- Send us a TEXT: if your young listener has a question. Pls include their first name in the text. Your name/number is hidden so it's a safe way to reach out.
- Send us an email: dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com
- DM us on IG @dorktalesstorytime
- Library of Resources: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/Dorktales-Library-Card
- One time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dorktales
- Our Pod's Songs on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music
Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
JONATHAN: Well, hello there, friends! It’s Jonathan here,
REDGE: And Reginald T. Hedgehog, at your service!
JONATHAN: Which can only mean one thing—it’s time for the Autumn edition of the Mr. Redge Hotline!
REDGE: In the Folktale Forest this is the season of crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and of course, your wonderful questions!
JONATHAN: That’s right. The Mr. Redge Hotline is where we answer your questions, do some shoutouts, and celebrate YOU, our amazing community. So let’s get to it!
Mr. Redge’s Hotline Phone Message plays
Tristin’s question: “My name is Tristin and I’m 6 years old and the question is for Reginald. Reginald what is your favorite sport to play?”
REDGE: Oh-ho, thank you kindly, Tristin! What a splendid question. You see, I love doing anything that lets me move around, get outside, and have fun with my friends. Now, I’ll admit, I’m not very good at every sport, but that’s never stopped me from trying.
JONATHAN: That’s true!
REDGE: One of my very favorite sports is playing softball on the Woodland Wonders team, especially when we compete in the Folktale Forest’s annual Diamond Pitch Pennant. And you know my secret talent? Catching the ball with my quills, piercingly effective!
JONATHAN: I remember that well! We even told a story about it in Episode 41: A Hedgehog’s Homerun. You learned a pretty big lesson after a tough game, didn’t you?
REDGE: Indeed! About teamwork, and - spoiler alert! - not carrying all the blame myself.
JONATHAN: Alright, let’s hear what Beckett wants to know.
Beckett’s question: “Hi Jonathan and Reginald, I’m 6 years old and my name is Beckett. Jonathan, where are you from on earth and Reginald what’s your favorite snack? Bye Jonathan and Reginald.”
JONATHAN: Thanks, Beckett! You asked where I’m from when I’m not in Once Upon a Time. Well, I was born—and still live—in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. It’s a beautiful place with blue skies, sunshine, and so much to explore. But honestly, no matter how nice it is, nothing compares to being here in Once Upon a Time with my best hedgehog buddy, Redge.
REDGE: That means the world, Jonathan. And now, Beckett, from friends to food - two of my favorite things! And let me tell you, I never get tired of that question, because I LOVE snacks! Truly, all kinds of snacks. I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite forever and always, but right now, I’m very excited about apples. We just picked a whole bushel from our community apple tree, you know the one our friend Zinnia Fig saved from The Droop.
JONATHAN: And we just baked a fresh apple pie using your your great-great-grandmother, Frieda’s recipe for “Free Fallin’ Fruit Pie.”
REDGE: Oh-ho-ho, dee-licious!
JONATHAN: I can’t wait to have a slice with some fresh apple juice right after we finish this hotline episode.
REDGE: Our next question comes from Cutiepie! They want to know if Jonathan has any friends in the real world who visit Once Upon a Time.
JONATHAN: Great question! Many of my friends in the real world enjoy listening to our podcast, but none have officially visited Once Upon a Time. At least, not yet.
REDGE: Tzippy from Villanova, Pennsylvania asks: which quill is my favorite?
Oh Tzippy, don’t make me choose just one! I simply cannot! All my quills work together to make me look and feel magnificent! They’re a team, just like the Woodland Wonders.
JONATHAN: Simone asks how long it takes to make an episode. Well, it really varies from story to story, Simone. First we plan out the season and decide which tales we’ll tell, often inspired by ideas from our listeners! Then our team turns ideas into scripts. After that, we rehearse and record in the studio. Finally, our brilliant engineer, Jermaine, works his magic - editing, adding music and sound effects, and making sure everything sounds just right. All together, it takes many hours and lots of love, because we want every episode to feel magical for you.
And that’s the story behind our storytelling! Who else is wondering something today, Redge?
REDGE: Olivia wants to know, “Is Jonathan, Jonathan?” I think what she’s is asking… is the Jonathan Cormur who introduces the show, the same Jonathan who goes on storytelling adventures with me?
JONATHAN: The answer to both is yes and YES!
REDGE: We also want to share some of your wonderful reviews and ideas. One listener wrote: “Thank you for being so nice and making this magic come into our world. It’s beautiful. I’ve never known anything better than it and it’s just a lovely glorious podcast.”
JONATHAN: What an incredible message! You also mentioned you’re hypermobile—which means you’re extra bendy. That’s amazing! Since you didn’t leave a name, we’ll call you… Bendy. So here’s a hearty huzzah for you, Bendy, for such a thoughtful review.
REDGE: Five stars back at you, Bendy! Here’s a big, twisty-turny hedgehog hug to go with it.
JONATHAN: Now, Rose had an idea for our story The Three Little Hogs. Instead of the wolf huffing and puffing, she suggested an owl flapping its wings to blow the houses down.
REDGE: Brilliant! Such a clever twist to the story, Rose.
JONATHAN: And Braylon, who listens while homeschooling, wrote to say: “Reginald, you are the best. The podcast gives me peace—it’s the best!”
REDGE: Oh Braylon… you’ve filled this hedgehog’s heart with joy. I’m truly grateful, dear friend.
JONATHAN: Now it’s time for one of our favorite parts -
REDGE: SHOUT OUTS! These come from your reviews, fan mail, and Spotify comments. Let’s go!
JONATHAN: Remy, age 5, from Enumclaw, Washington, you’re a Summer Listening Challenge Star!
REDGE: Elizabeth, thank you for being part of our Once Upon a Time adventures!
JONATHAN: Aleksey, age 8, all the way from London!
REDGE: Natalie, Dilip, Nols and Rachel, age 11—we see you and we thank you!
JONATHAN: Anoushka, age 8… Sailor, age 8…Raybug…
REDGE: Emmanuelle S. and Lucas — nice to hear from you again, friends!
JONATHAN: Tovi and family—we loved hearing you drove across the U.S. this summer listening to our podcast!
REDGE: Olivia and Hannah, Lyla age 9, Phoebe age 8 from England, Nisha age 4, Aviendha…
JONATHAN: Carmine age 5, Bethany, Marla age 10, Finn age 5, Aubrey, Jillian, Jose…
REDGE: Shams Singh, TJW age 8 (we hope you’re feeling better!), Nora, Nolan & Graeme, Charlotte S., Huntrx…
JONATHAN: Lily, Samuel J., Angelica, PRart, Kai, Carlo, Dopples Girl, Sophia…
REDGE: And Val—welcome to your very first listen with us!
JONATHAN: Plus a special thanks to Georgijose for the emoji puzzle about waiting for the Q and A time with melting guys, impatient guys, and finally happy celebration guys. Whew! We’re glad it was worth the wait and left you in a happy state of mind.
REDGE: You’re all absolutely spectacular! Thank you for being part of our Dorktales Storytime family.
JONATHAN: And remember, friends, if you’d like to send us a question, share your ideas, or send some kind words, ask your grownups to check the show notes for all the ways to connect with us. The best way to hear back from us is by emailing dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com or leaving a comment on Spotify.
REDGE: You can even include your question in a 5-star review with your first name! While we can’t reply directly, we’ll do our best to feature as many as we can.
JONATHAN: We’re so grateful for your listening and your support—it really keeps our storytelling going.
REDGE: And we can’t wait to hear from you!
JONATHAN: Until next time, go be the hero of your own story -
REDGE: And we’ll see you next, once-upon-a-time.
