About the show
Folktales from around the world, adapted for kids and brought to life by celebrated actors.
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WBUR's Circle Round adapts carefully selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 3-103. Each 15 to 25-minute episode explores important issues like kindness, persistence and generosity. And each episode ends with an activity that inspires a deeper conversation between children and grown-ups.
⚡ Fast Facts
- Audience
- Ages 5–7
- Network
- WBUR
- Format
- Listen in any order
- Typical length
- 21 min
- Episodes
- 455
- Seasons
- 9 seasons
- Topics
- Stories, Folktales
Listen now
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Episodes
455 episodes
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Summer Camp: The Snow Eater
23 min 21 July 2026Welcome back to Circle Round Summer Camp! We're revisiting our favorite stories about the outdoors. Cree Summer (Good Times, Abbott Elementary) headlines a Blackfoot legend about fast friends, warm winds, and why bears hibernate during the winter. This Circle Round episode originally was released on May 7, 2024. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Summer Camp: The Long Crimson Thread
21 min 14 July 2026Welcome back to Circle Round Summer Camp! We're revisiting our favorite stories about the outdoors. Jessika Van (Seoul Searching, Awkward) and Mark Pellegrino (American Rust, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley) co-star in a Welsh tale about a girl, a drought, and a mouse with a life-saving secret. This Circle Round episode originally was released on May 14, 2024. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Summer Camp: The Upside-Down Tree
20 min 7 July 2026Welcome back to Circle Round Summer Camp! We're revisiting our favorite stories about the outdoors. Comedian Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Heavy Lightweight) headlines this African legend about how one animal’s mischief created the savanna’s most majestic, magical trees. This Circle Round episode originally was released on Nov. 7, 2023. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Circle Round presents: The Midnight Rebellion, Ch. 3 "Into the Machine"
15 min 2 July 2026Circle Round continues our special presentation of WBUR's new podcast, The Midnight Rebellion , with Chapter 3, "Into the Machine." If you have not listened to Chapter 1, go back and start there! The Midnight Rebellion tells the story of a girl on an adventure in a watery world where everything is wrong. She has to set it right—with your help. Each episode ends with a choice that YOU make. **Recommended for ages 7 and up.** To hear more episodes, search for The Midnight Rebellion in your podcast app and follow the show, or visit wbur.org/midnight . Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Circle Round presents: The Midnight Rebellion, Ch. 2 "Get Hart"
6 min 2 July 2026Circle Round continues our special presentation of WBUR's new podcast, The Midnight Rebellion , with Chapter 2, "Get Hart." If you have not listened to Chapter 1, go back to the previous episode and start there. The Midnight Rebellion tells the story of a girl on an adventure in a watery world where everything is wrong. She has to set it right—with your help. Each episode ends with a choice that YOU make. **Recommended for ages 7 and up.** To hear more episodes, search for The Midnight Rebellion in your podcast app and follow the show, or visit wbur.org/midnight . Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Circle Round presents: The Midnight Rebellion, Ch. 1
17 min 2 July 2026Circle Round brings you a special new podcast: The Midnight Rebellion , by WBUR, the same place that makes our show! Heads up! This podcast is recommended for ages 7+. The Midnight Rebellion , starring Erika Henningsen (Netflix's "The Four Seasons") and others, tells the story of a girl on an adventure in a watery world where everything is wrong. And she has to set it right—with help from YOU. Each episode ends with a choice. What YOU choose changes the story, sometimes for the better, and sometimes ... not. Either way, it's fun! To hear more episodes, search for The Midnight Rebellion in your podcast app and follow the show, or visit wbur.org/midnight . Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Summer Camp: The Parakeet’s Promise
20 min 30 June 2026Welcome back to Circle Round Summer Camp! We're revisiting our favorite stories about the outdoors. Broadway stars Lorna Courtney (& Juliet) and Shoba Narayan (Aladdin) face off in this Indian legend about a tiny bird who opens up a farmer’s eyes in a big way. This Circle Round episode originally was released on Dec. 20, 2022. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Summer Camp: The Sunlight Tree
28 min 23 June 2026Welcome back to Circle Round Summer Camp! We're revisiting our favorite stories about the outdoors. Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra members and a star-studded cast, this Swedish tale sheds magical light on kindness, caring, and letting roots run deep. This Circle Round episode originally was released on Oct. 28, 2025. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Summer Camp: The Sweet Spot
22 min 16 June 2026Welcome back to Circle Round Summer Camp! We're revisiting our favorite stories about the outdoors. Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon, Three Pines) and Jonathan Joss (King of the Hill, Tulsa King) star in this sweet and sour Wabanaki tale about how people first learned to tap maple trees. This Circle Round episode originally was released on March 28, 2023. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Summer Camp: The Missing Mountainside
21 min 9 June 2026Welcome to Circle Round Summer Camp! This summer, camp counselor Erika Henningsen ( The Four Seasons , The Midnight Rebellion ) will be reintroducing us to some of our favorite episodes celebrating the great outdoors and spending time with others outside. In this Taiwanese tale starring Karen Huie (Welcome to Flatch, Abominable and the Invisible City), a town learns the bad taste it can leave when you bite off more than you can chew! This Circle Round episode originally was released on Jan. 24, 2023. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Four Winds
24 min 2 June 2026This Circle Round episode originally was released on Oct. 31, 2023. Kimberly Guerrero (Spirit Rangers, Reservation Dogs) stars in a tale from the Lakota people about one thieving fox and four wise winds. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Storyteller
35 min 26 May 2026Film, TV and theater star Maria-Christina Oliveras (The Balusters, Cymbeline) headlines a Portuguese tale about the magical ways stories bring us together. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Seven Silver Rings
21 min 19 May 2026Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Can You Ever Forgive Me) and Jorma Taccone (The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast, Little Fox and the Wild Imagination) headline a Seneca and Shawnee legend about how the raccoon got its eye mask and tail stripes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Leader of the Birds
21 min 12 May 2026Carolyn Michelle (Familiar Touch, The Chi) and Christopher Rivas (Brown Enough, Rubirosa) headline a Maya tale about lies having short legs... and long tails! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Chicken Scratches
15 min 5 May 2026Musician and podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder) plays a cocky rooster in this Southern American tale about judging a book by its cover and eating humble pie. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Blizzard Wizard
22 min 28 April 2026Vivien Lyra Blair (Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Boogeyman) headlines this story from the indigenous peoples of Siberia about a supernatural spirit with a very cold shoulder. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Magic Touch
29 min 21 April 2026Edi Gathegi ("The Harder They Fall," "For All Mankind") stars in this East African story about twin brothers, enchanted fruit, and the magic of an open heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Lighting a Spark
18 min 14 April 2026Charlene Amoia (The Breadwinner, How I Met Your Mother) plays a tiny but mighty bird in this French legend about the origin of fire. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins
22 min 7 April 2026This Is Us co-stars (and That Was Us co-hosts) Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore and Chris Sullivan co-star in a multi-cultural legend about two conceited coyotes and the fox who outfoxes them. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Tale of Two Neighbors
21 min 31 March 2026Recorded live in Cleveland, OH, this Appalachian tale proves that true friends stick together through thick, thin, and everything in between. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Copper and Dumplings
24 min 24 March 2026Recorded live in Cleveland, OH, this Japanese story pits a wise baker against two tricky goblins who refuse to face their fears. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Laughing Canoe
20 min 17 March 2026George Salazar (Be More Chill, Superstore) plays a wise-cracking waterborne vessel in this Brazilian story about the extraordinary things teamwork can bring. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Bolt of Silk
25 min 10 March 2026Samantha Béart (Baldur's Gate 3, Star Wars: The Old Republic) plays a sorceress with a knack for brewing up trouble in this tale with Sudanese, Egyptian and Palestinian roots. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Beech-Wood Box
25 min 3 March 2026Krassimira Belev (The Therapy) and acclaimed violinist Christian Hebel star in a Romani tale about how the very first violin came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Stealing Summer
17 min 24 February 2026Bestselling children's author Meena Harris (Maya's Big Question, Kamala and Maya's Big Idea) plays an ambitious coyote in this Shoshone, Shasta and Hupa legend about how summer and winter came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Down the Garden Path
25 min 18 February 2026Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra players and a star-studded cast, this Buddhist story from Tibet and India proves we can all be helpers, no matter our size. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Masked Bandit
26 min 10 February 2026Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra players and a star-studded cast, this Sioux legend follows a rascally raccoon on a gutsy -- and gummy -- quest. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Noise Next Door
24 min 3 February 2026Recorded live in Glendale, CA, this Haitian tale about two blacksmiths whose banging, clanging, clinking and clanking cause a presidential uproar. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Goodnight Sun
20 min 27 January 2026Recorded live in Glendale, CA, this story with roots in India and Vietnam follows a trio of birds on an illuminating adventure to bring back to the sun. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Over the Sea
23 min 20 January 2026Tatyana Ali (Abbott Elementary, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) stars as a savvy starfish who outwits a wily whale in this tale from Aboriginal Australia. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Fourth Post
28 min 13 January 2026Jeff Meacham (Black-ish, Vampirina) plays a hapless hero whose life turns upside-down in this humorous tale from Great Britain, Italy, Russia and the Philippines. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Fairy Fort
22 min 6 January 2026Taylor Richardson (The Gilded Age) and Alison Wright (The Americans, Snowpiercer) co-star in this Irish tale about mischievous fairies and the power of music. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Patched-Up Coat
20 min 30 December 2025NPR's Peter Sagal (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) stars in this Russian story about how fantastically priceless a little generosity can be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Finding the Light
20 min 23 December 2025Kennedy Kanagawa (Into The Woods) plays a young man who brings light to a dark world in this tale with roots in Alaska Native and First Nations legends. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Python’s Drum
27 min 16 December 2025Gabe Kunda (Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends) and Natasha Rothwell (The White Lotus, Insecure) co-star in a Ugandan legend about friendship, rivalry, and making music. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Birbal's Barrels
25 min 9 December 2025Ravi V. Patel (Animal Control, LEGO Masters Jr.) headlines this Indian tale about distinguishing need from greed with help from grain, gold, and a barrel of lies. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Underestimated Beetle
21 min 2 December 2025Recorded live in Charlotte, NC, this Brazilian tale pits a round-rumped, fleet-footed critter against a teeny-tiny insect in a surprisingly high-flying race. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Sticky Situation
20 min 25 November 2025Recorded live in Charlotte, NC, this Japanese legend about a rhyming pine tree puts a (literally) sappy new spin on "poetic justice." Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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How the Turkey Got Its Gobble (A Podcast Turducken with Terrestrials and Wow in the World)
34 min 18 November 2025Fellow kidcasts Terrestrials and Wow in the World join us for a story-stuffed special about smart chickens, mysterious duck quacks, and how the turkey got its gobble. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Little Peacock’s Plumage
22 min 11 November 2025Alfred Hsing (Train Dreams, The Book of Boba Fett) stars in a Chinese legend about a kind bird, a mystical fairy, and the magic of giving. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Whatever You Like
27 min 4 November 2025Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra members and a star-studded cast, this story with roots in Jewish and Indian lore proves that when you weigh your words, they can be worth their weight in gold! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Sunlight Tree
28 min 28 October 2025Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra members and a star-studded cast, this Swedish tale sheds magical light on kindness, caring, and letting roots run deep. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Tree of Love
26 min 21 October 2025Real-life couple Paige Davis (Trading Spaces, Pen Pals) and Patrick Page (The Gilded Age, Archduke) headline a Greek legend about two people whose love is so strong, they find a divine way to stay together forever. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Stone Horse
26 min 14 October 2025Recorded live in Parker, CO, this Chinese adventure story shows how kindness and hard work can breathe new life into anything... including stone! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Palace of Cats
28 min 7 October 2025Recorded live in Parker, CO, this magical Palestinian tale introduces you to wisecracking elders, wayward felines, and the unexpected rewards generosity can bring. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Scholar's Reward
25 min 30 September 2025Summer Bishil (The Magicians, Four Samosas) and Michael Maliakel (Aladdin on Broadway) star in an India tale about the first chess game and the surprising ripple effects of our actions. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Right Apple
23 min 23 September 2025Academy Award nominee June Squibb (Thelma, Eleanor the Great) headlines a Jewish Turkish story about taking a wrong turn and finding the right prize. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Sundown on Sunday
21 min 16 September 2025Charlet Takahashi Chung (Wylde Pak, Rugrats) stars in a Japanese folktale about a clever farmer who gives herself a helping hand... and foot! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Round Mossy Stone
25 min 9 September 2025Béchir Sylvain (Jurassic World Rebirth) stars as trickster Anansi in a West African tale about a magic stone, a major trick, and getting a taste of your own medicine. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The First Councilor
28 min 2 September 2025Danielle Panabaker (The Flash) and James Wolk (Mad Men, Happy Face) headline a Swedish tale about an uncertain king, a magic fairy, and a monumental decision. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Princess Persistence
24 min 26 August 2025Aparna Brielle (FUBAR, A.P. Bio) stars as a legendary Indian princess whose love, devotion and courage face the ultimate test. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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True Colors
22 min 19 August 2025Heather Burns (Bored to Death, Manchester by the Sea) and Ajay Naidu (Office Space, Blindspot) headline a Bantu, Zulu and Tumbuka tale about why the hyena's coat is spotted and scraggly. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Milk from a Bull
29 min 12 August 2025Recorded live at Tanglewood with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this tale with roots in India, Mongolia, Siberia and the Philippines is all about thinking outside the box... and inside the jar. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Seamstress and the Deev
28 min 5 August 2025Recorded live at Tanglewood with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this Afghan tale follows a savvy seamstress and her chatty kitty on a royally epic adventure. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Unselfish Shellfish
25 min 29 July 2025Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny Builders, Woody Woodpecker) and Harry Shum Jr. (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians) star in an Indonesian story about a bad egg who winds up in a real pickle when he tries having his cake and eating it too. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Missing Mountainside
21 min 22 July 2025Karen Huie (Welcome to Flatch, Abominable and the Invisible City), stars in a Taiwanese tale about the bad taste it can leave when you bite off more than you can chew! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Mountain Guardian
26 min 16 July 2025Audrey Hsieh (Here Today, Mixtape) and Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Who's Paying Attention) headline this Tibetan tale about two family members who are rewarded appropriately by a stone lion, one for her generosity and one for his greed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Of Beans and Bunnies
25 min 8 July 2025Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite, Lightyear) portrays a beloved trickster who lives by his wits, and uses them to outwit others, in this folktale from the Spanish-speaking world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Mangoes in the Middle
19 min 1 July 2025Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme) stars in an Indian tale about an ingenious royal advisor who cunningly proves the true owner of a fruitful treasure. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Hungry Hippo
24 min 24 June 2025Scott Lawrence (Star Wars Resistance, Vader Immortal) stars in this African legend about how the hippopotamus came to be the decidedly distinctive creature it is today. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Strong Mind and Kind Heart
28 min 17 June 2025Christopher Sean (Star Wars Resistance, Gotham Knights) stars in this Vietnamese tale about two friends, one dream, and the infinite value of a true heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Counting Crocodiles
19 min 10 June 2025In this playful tale from Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia, Tiya Sircar (Star Wars Rebels, The Good Place) plays a cunning mouse deer who teaches a cantankerous crocodile a lesson. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Rooster in the Sky
22 min 3 June 2025In this adventure story with roots in Russia, Hungary and the Middle East, a magical rooster rewards Rachel Matthews (Frozen 2) for her fearless persistence and precious friendship. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Out of Time
25 min 27 May 2025Brittany Ishibashi (Marvel’s Runaways, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) stars in a Japanese tale about the power of stories, and the value of reading -- and listening -- between the lines. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Fruits of Labor
23 min 20 May 2025Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice, Fargo) stars in an ancient Jewish tale about how working to benefit the future can bring sweet rewards in the present. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Big Green Bag
17 min 13 May 2025Tim Bagley (Somebody Somewhere, Hacks) and Rebecca Mader (Lost, Once Upon a Time) co-star in a Rumanian and British tale about the high-flying differences between wants and needs. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Call of the Cuckoo
30 min 6 May 2025Stephen Hanna and Bret Shuford (Broadway Husbands, Husbands 2 Dads) headline a European and Asian tale about outlawing anger, forbidding frustration, and making the feathers fly! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Friends in High Places
24 min 29 April 2025Mario Cantone (And Just Like That, Surf's Up) and Denise Crosby (Star Trek: The Next Generation) star in this folktale about how the giraffe got its long neck, and how the rhino got an unexpected ally! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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At First Light
20 min 22 April 2025Natalie Dormer (Audrey's Children, Game of Thrones) headlines a legend from Aboriginal Australia about a bright, bold bird and the illuminating power of teamwork. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Donkey’s Tail
21 min 15 April 2025Rapper/poet Omar Offendum (Little Syria) stars in a Persian and North African tale about righting wrongs and sniffing out a thief. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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One Good Turn
18 min 8 April 2025Alan Goffinski, Ana González and Lulu Miller (Terrestrials) star in a very international story about returning favors and being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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In the Willow Tree
17 min 1 April 2025Stephanie Koenig (Lessons in Chemistry, The English Teacher) and Patrick Luwis (Cobra Kai) star in a Taiwanese tale about a tiny ant, a boastful pigeon, and unexpected favors. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Miss Tilda
24 min 25 March 2025Arienne Mandi (The L Word: Generation Q, The Night Agent) and Patrick Renna (You Gotta Believe, The Sandlot) go head-to-head in a battle of wits in this tale with roots across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the American Southwest. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Crocus-Pocus
20 min 18 March 2025Jacob Laval (The Unbreakable Boy, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch) and Amanda Warren (The Night Agent, East New York) headline a Sicilian tale about sowing the seeds of kindness, compassion and crocuses. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Flame Keeper
17 min 11 March 2025Joy Ofodu (Dating Unsettled, Heart of Sunshine) and Camron Jones (Panic, Shameless) co-star in a Huichol story from Mexico about stolen fire and bald tails. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Maushop and the Shark
21 min 4 March 2025Román Zaragoza (Ghosts) stars in a Wampanoag tale about a gentle giant, a hungry shark, and the power of fun and games. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Diamonds in the Sky
20 min 25 February 2025Kyriana Kratter (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) and Mila Harris (Mary, World-Breaker) headline an out-of-this-world Filipino tale about how the sun and moon came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Salmon Famine
24 min 18 February 2025Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this indigenous Pacific Northwest tale follows a wily coyote on a daring rescue. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Well of Honor
23 min 11 February 2025Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this Egyptian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Sudanese and Tunisian tale shows the importance of never biting off more than you can chew. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Lumps of Clay
21 min 4 February 2025Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb, Sanjay and Craig) stars in a classic Indian story about a witty royal adviser who finds an ingenious way to bring the truth to light. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Zodiac Twelve
30 min 28 January 2025Tzi Ma (Five Blind Dates, Interior Chinatown) and Jimmy Wong (Mulan, Wish Dragon) co-star in an action-packed legend about the origin of the Chinese zodiac animals. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Hot Potatoes
23 min 21 January 2025Arlen Escarpeta (Found, The Oath) headlines a tale from southern Africa about stolen spuds and hare-brained schemes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Cobbler’s Soul
30 min 14 January 2025John Patrick Amedori (Three Women, Dear White People) headlines an internationally-inspired story about fixing soles and saving souls. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Ariana’s Music
22 min 7 January 2025Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing) headlines this new spin on an ancient Greek legend about an instrument that captivates everyone who hears it – whether they have skin, scales, hair, hides, feathers or fur! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Three Clever Brothers
20 min 31 December 2024Alexandra Billings (Transparent, Paddleton) stars in a North African, Middle Eastern and central and north-central Asian folktale about the power of a keen eye and a quick mind. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Getting Skunked
19 min 24 December 2024Terrence Terrell (B Positive, Giants) stars in this Abenaki tale about a gentle giant who brings night and day to the world, and gives a certain striped critter its telltale scent. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Peach of Life
27 min 17 December 2024Recorded live at Symphony Space, a star-studded cast brings to life this Chinese and Vietnamese legend about the healing power of a kind and honest heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Wild Goose Chase
27 min 10 December 2024Recorded live at Symphony Space with a star-studded cast, this magical tale inspired by Ukrainian and Russian lore follows a kindly tailor as he embarks on an unforgettable chase. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Most Fabulous Fur of All
25 min 3 December 2024Q'orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) stars in a Cherokee tale about a clever rabbit who craftily tries pulling the wool — and fur — over everyone’s eyes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Dancing to a Different Tune
23 min 26 November 2024World-renowned violinist Hilary Hahn plays a musician with a miraculous gift in this whimsical folktale from South America, North Africa, Europe and the US. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Caged Bird
25 min 19 November 2024Tim Matheson (The West Wing, Virgin River) and Jonathan Tucker (Kingdom, Westworld) co-star in a Jewish and Persian tale about a parrot, a prince, and the priceless value of freedom. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A World of Music
20 min 12 November 2024Jon Huertas (This Is Us, Tracker) headlines an Aztec legend about how music first came to the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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In the Wolf’s Mouth
17 min 5 November 2024Jennifer Hale (Stars Wars: The Clone Wars, X-Men ‘97) stars in a Portuguese tale about a big bad wolf and a sharp shrewd owl. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The All-Wish Stick
28 min 29 October 2024Amy Tsang (Star Wars: The Acolyte, Kung Fu) stars in a Chinese tale about a magical gift that makes wishes come true, provided you make them with an honest heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Face-Off
20 min 22 October 2024Actor Kelly Jenrette (All American: Homecoming, The Handmaid’s Tale) and producer/actor Lamar Richardson (Appropriate, Merrily We Roll Along) co-star in a Shona legend that proves how big strength can come in little sizes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Top Banana
25 min 15 October 2024Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Abbot Elementary) and Jack De Sena (Lego Monkie Kid, Avatar: The Last Airbender) headline this Filipino story about getting the upper hand by taking the lower half. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Pride and Proverbs
19 min 8 October 2024Real-life couple David Giuntoli (Grimm, Batman: Soul of the Dragon) and Elizabeth Tulloch (Grimm, Superman and Lois) face off as a wise farmer and proud queen in this tale with Georgian, Kazakh and Ghanaian roots. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Hiding Place
26 min 1 October 2024Broadway's Aaron Bartz, Erik Christopher Peterson and Cara Ricketts (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) headline a Jewish and Egyptian story about a high-stakes game of hide and seek. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Princess and the Bee
24 min 24 September 2024Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime with Fergie) and Suzie McGrath (Star Wars Resistance, The Punies) star in this charming tale about the importance of having a sound, sensible head, and a warm, fuzzy heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Chameleon’s Contest
22 min 17 September 2024Jonica Booth (Rap Stuff, Bad Girls Club) and Jay Pharoah (Out of Office, Saturday Night Live) co-star in this West African tale about a clothing-obsessed goddess and a crafty, colorful chameleon. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Horse for Hire
25 min 10 September 2024Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Haitian and Creole tale is all about hefty horses and broken deals. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Price Master
25 min 3 September 2024Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Indian tale shows what happens when the price is right... and the price is wrong! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Farmer and the Cow
23 min 27 August 2024Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Icelandic tale features a magical bovine who's able to moooooove mountains! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Laughing and Crying
26 min 20 August 2024Recorded live at The Athenaeum Center in Chicago, IL, this tale with East Asian and Egyptian roots pits a proud king against a sharp-witted schoolteacher who proves she's nobody's fool. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Giant Steps
27 min 9 August 2024Recorded live at The Athenaeum Center in Chicago, IL, this tale from the Iraqi Jewish tradition gives a whole new meaning to "putting your best foot forward." Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Spotted Goat
30 min 6 August 2024Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this tale with Palestinian and Lebanese roots suggests that when somebody gets your goat, don't be shy about putting them on the spot! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Granny Snowstorm
28 min 30 July 2024Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this Ukrainian tale follows a sister and brother as they meet the supernatural spirit who brings winter. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Doggies in the Window
22 min 23 July 2024Recorded live at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR, this Japanese tale about fragile statues and tough shopkeepers proves that every dog can have its day. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Sea and the Sky
19 min 16 July 2024Recorded live at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR, this high-flying tale explains how the islands of the Philippines came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Buffalo’s Shadow
24 min 9 July 2024Recorded live at The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, MN, this Cambodian folktale shows what happens when you find clever solutions to shady problems. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Home Sweet Home
24 min 2 July 2024Recorded live at The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, MN, this East African tale about unlikely roommates proves that sometimes the smallest can be the strongest of all. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Misery Loves Company
20 min 25 June 2024Samin Nosrat (Salt Fat Acid Heat, Home Cooking), Hrishikesh Hirway (Home Cooking, Song Exploder) and Josh Malina (The West Wing, Chutzpod) star in this Ukrainian and Polish tale about what happens when misery loves company so much, it actually comes to life! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Friend Ship
22 min 18 June 2024Carra Patterson (Rustin, Elsbeth) stars in a tale from Japan about a woman with enough generosity to last a lifetime, and a man with enough greed to sink a ship. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Little Blue Pebble
29 min 11 June 2024In this magical story with worldwide roots, Broadway performers Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna (Broadway Husbands) play farmers who receive a little magic that leads to big transformations! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Bright Yellow Hat
26 min 4 June 2024Jona Xiao (Raya and the Last Dragon, Hightown) plays a flower peddler who makes gardens and goodness grow in this story with Chinese, Tibetan, Japanese, Moroccan, French, Canadian and Peruvian roots. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Crystal Story Box
25 min 28 May 2024Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick, South Side) plays legendary trickster Anansi in this West African tale about how stories first came to the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Troupe of Ten
24 min 21 May 2024Malia Baker (The Baby-Sitters Club), Kelly Jenrette (All-American: Homecoming) and Kenny Leu (Midway) headline a story about a troupe of actors who bring down the house until they're nearly brought down themselves. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Long Crimson Thread
21 min 14 May 2024Jessika Van (Seoul Searching, Awkward) and Mark Pellegrino (American Rust, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley) co-star in a Welsh tale about a girl, a drought, and a mouse with a life-saving secret. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Snow Eater
22 min 7 May 2024Cree Summer (Good Times, Abbott Elementary) headlines a Blackfoot legend about fast friends, warm winds, and why bears hibernate during the winter. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Laughing Bird
21 min 30 April 2024Kenny Curtis (Greeking Out) stars in a legend from Aboriginal Australia about dark days, light humor, and a little bird with a big laugh. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Rightful Heir
23 min 23 April 2024Oliver Stark (9-1-1, Into the Badlands) plays a clever king who concocts the perfect plan for telling a good egg from a bad seed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Friendship Orchard
17 min 16 April 2024NPR veterans Linda Wertheimer and Susan Stamberg co-star in a Kazakh folktale about lifelong friends whose bond is tested by an unexpected discovery. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Bee in the Bush
23 min 9 April 2024Erika Ishii (Worlds Beyond Number, Apex Legends) headlines this Vietnamese tale about getting a bee in your bonnet, buzzing off, and feeling the sting. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Cleverest Person in the Room
26 min 2 April 2024Vanessa Aspillaga (Dora Saves the Snow Princess, Leave the World Behind) stars in this Puerto Rican and Chilean tale about baby basil, cuddly kittens, and how two heads can be better than one. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Whole Cart
21 min 26 March 2024Julia Chan (Bojack Horseman, Extinct) and Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder, The West Wing Weekly) co-star in a story from India about matching wits, mincing words, and getting the upper hand. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Young Healer
26 min 19 March 2024Jonigan Booth (The Underdoggs, This Is Us) headlines this Angolan tale about flowing with your heart, and the healing power of dreams. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Polka-Dotted Pigeon
28 min 12 March 2024Adam Goldberg (The Equalizer) stars in this Portuguese tale about ambitions, imposters, and making the feathers fly! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Uncommon Commoner
29 min 5 March 2024Recorded live at The Cowell Theater in San Francisco, this story with roots in Europe and Asia proves that wisdom can be found in unexpected places. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Grime and Punishment
24 min 27 February 2024Recorded live at The Cowell Theater in San Francisco, this Chinese tale shows why a good neighbor is priceless, and why a bad neighbor pays the price. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Basilisk’s Stare
20 min 20 February 2024In this tale inspired by a Polish legend, Nabiyah Be (Black Panther, Daisy Jones & The Six) and Evan Whitten (The Resident, Ahsoka) face off against a fantastical creature whose gaze turns people to stone. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Weeping Witness
18 min 13 February 2024Brittany Ishibashi (Runaways, Hawaii Five-O) stars in a Japanese and Persian tale about facing the music and changing your tune. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Lone Dragon
21 min 6 February 2024Ellen Wong (Beacon 23, GLOW) headlines a Chinese legend about how the dragon came to be a powerful symbol of prosperity and luck. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Something Fishy
23 min 30 January 2024Jorma Taccone (The Lonely Island, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse) stars in a tale from Hawaii about a fisherman whose magical gift leads to a fishy situation. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Seal of Fate
26 min 23 January 2024Ahmed Mawas (Human Resources, Rescuing Christmas) plays a king with a knack for finding the truth and sealing the deal in this tale from Persia. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Sharpest Tack
24 min 16 January 2024Negin Farsad (Fake the Nation, Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) and Stacey Vanek Smith (Planet Money, The Indicator) face off in a battle of wits in this tale with roots in North America, China, and the Middle East. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Rhyming Rhino
27 min 9 January 2024Kel Mitchell (Good Burger 2, Kenan and Kel) plays a hungry rhino with a gift for trickery and poetry in this African tale from the savanna. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Nine Sticks
20 min 2 January 2024Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb; Mira, Royal Detective) and Nikesh Patel (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Devil’s Hour) headline this Indian story that asks what's more precious: glittering jewels, or good friends? Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Forest Folk
27 min 26 December 2023Recorded live at CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center in Boston, Mass., this German tale about unconditional love explains the enchanting origins of a classic holiday tradition. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Horse of a Different Color
26 min 19 December 2023Christina Anthony (Mixed-ish, Key & Peele) and Tony winner Lindsay Mendez (Carousel, Merrily We Roll Along) play a one-of-a-kind horse and rider in this enchanted tale from across the Spanish-speaking world and beyond. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Coyote's Flame
19 min 12 December 2023Brittany O'Grady (Little Voice, The White Lotus) stars in a Native American tale about a cunning creature who uses teamwork to bring light, sun and fire to the dark, cold world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Secret of Success
26 min 5 December 2023Helen Hong (Family Switch, The Thundermans) stars in a tale with English, Welsh, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian roots about how imagination and effort affect supply and demand. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Valley Visitor
20 min 28 November 2023NPR’s Ailsa Chang (All Things Considered) headlines a Chinese tale about a mysterious guest, a raging storm, and the true fruits of kindness. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Red Leather Shoes
25 min 21 November 2023Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Evil) and Madhur Jaffrey (Madhur Jaffrey's Curry Nation, I Feel Bad) co-star in this Indian story about a wise king, a generous shoemaker, and a priceless pair of shoes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Riches to Rags
23 min 14 November 2023Veteran Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! panelists Tom Bodett and Roxanne Roberts co-star in a Dutch tale about a treasure so precious, it's priceless, and so valuable, it's invaluable! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Upside-Down Tree
20 min 7 November 2023Comedian Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Heavy Lightweight) headlines this African legend about how one animal’s mischief created the savanna’s most majestic, magical trees. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Four Winds
23 min 31 October 2023Kimberly Guerrero (Spirit Rangers, Reservation Dogs) stars in a tale from the Lakota people about one thieving fox and four wise winds. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Crowning Achievement
25 min 24 October 2023Faith Salie (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me, CBS Sunday Morning) stars in a Jewish legend about a princess who learns how to lead with her head and her heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Sweetest Sounds
20 min 17 October 2023NPR's Rachel Martin (Up First, Enlighten Me) and Ayesha Rascoe (Weekend Edition, Up First) co-star in a Hungarian tale about a violinist, a wizardess, and listening to the music of your heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Heart and Stone
25 min 10 October 2023Joshua Johnson (The Night Light with Joshua Johnson, Now Tonight with Joshua Johnson) headlines this international tale about losing your heart and finding an adventure. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Stork King
29 min 3 October 2023Julian Lerner (The Wonder Years, Alma's Way) stars in a Ukrainian tale about how high-flying risks can pay off in the end. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Empty Barrel
25 min 26 September 2023Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, Stray Gods) stars in this Moroccan Jewish tale about a woman who doesn’t view chores as a barrel of fun, until they lead to a boatload of adventure! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Clock Bird
18 min 19 September 2023Byron Mann (The Modelizer) plays a preening, boastful bird in this Latin American story about learning there's no "I" in team. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Bright Side
29 min 12 September 2023Broadway star Liana Hunt (Back to the Future) headlines this tale with Polish and Hispanic roots about seeing the bright side, even when things get dark. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Star Fruit Tree
21 min 5 September 2023Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Monkey King) headlines this magical Vietnamese tale about the sweet rewards generosity and contentment can bring. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Big news from Rebecca Sheir… plus an exclusive Circle Round story!
6 min 31 August 2023Announcing an exciting new way for you to Circle Round with us, support public radio and get some really cool stuff — welcome to the Circle Round Club! Also check out the preview of one of our bonus bedtime stories: a tale we call “The Lighthouse of the Pampas,” from the South American country of Uruguay. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Elephant in the Room
20 min 29 August 2023Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Chinese courtroom drama explores truth, justice, and the elephant way. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Bitter Truth
26 min 22 August 2023Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this West African tale shows why dishonesty is definitely not the best policy! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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All Tied Up
26 min 15 August 2023Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this tale from Borneo features a tiny trickster who untangles a problem by tying it up in knots! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Biscuit, A Basket
26 min 8 August 2023Saara Chaudry (The Muppets Mayhem, Holly Hobby) stars in this tale from India and beyond about good deeds, bad intentions, and biscuits. Lots of biscuits. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Blizzard Wizard
21 min 1 August 2023Vivien Lyra Blair (Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Boogeyman) headlines this story from the indigenous peoples of Siberia about a supernatural spirit with a very cold shoulder. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Great Ball Game
20 min 25 July 2023In this Native American and First Nations tale, William Jackson Harper (The Good Place, Love Life) portrays a tiny creature who teaches the other animals and birds to appreciate what it means to be different. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: A Taste of Honey
21 min 18 July 2023Hannah Simone (New Girl; Mira, Royal Detective) stars alongside her real-life father Naren Simone in a South Asian tale about the power of self-reliance. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Unwelcome Guest
18 min 11 July 2023Richard Kind (Inside Out, American Dad!) stars in this Middle Eastern folktale about a clever man who teaches his village a thing or two about the dangers of judging a book by its cover. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Lion’s Whisker
15 min 4 July 2023Miles Brown and Marsai Martin (Black-ish) co-star with NPR veteran Ofeiba Quist-Arcton in this Ethiopian story about courage, collaboration, patience, and sibling love. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Buried Treasure - live at KCRW
25 min 27 June 2023Recorded live at KCRW in Santa Monica, CA, this story with international roots shows how having a soft spot for hard work can pay off -- big time! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Two Moons - live at KCRW
25 min 20 June 2023Recorded live at KCRW in Santa Monica, CA, this story from Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia gives a whole new meaning to "promising the moon"! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Bird of a Different Feather - live at Round House Theatre
22 min 13 June 2023Recorded live at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD, this African tale explains how the guinea fowl got its distinctively speckled feathers. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Pot of Gold - live at Round House Theatre
29 min 6 June 2023Recorded live at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD, this tale from the Jewish tradition shows how misplacing our trust can put us in a sticky situation! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Once Upon a Flame - feat. William Mapother
28 min 30 May 2023Willam Mapother (Lost, On Sacred Ground) headlines this Romanian tale about a story-less man who hopes his tale will end happily ever after! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Earning Peanuts - feat. Pablo Castelblanco & Meredith Holzman
22 min 23 May 2023Pablo Castelblanco (Alaska Daily, Ganymede) and Meredith Holzman (Alaska Daily, Inventing Anna) headline a story with Burmese and Indian roots about a humble peddler, a magic squirrel, and a golden opportunity. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Fairy Fort - feat. Taylor Richardson & Alison Wright
22 min 16 May 2023Taylor Richardson (The Gilded Age) and Alison Wright (The Americans, Snowpiercer) co-star in this Irish tale about mischievous fairies and the power of music. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The First Customer - feat. Stephanie Panisello
25 min 9 May 2023Stephanie Panisello (What If...?, Ba Da Bean) stars in a Filipino tale about the sweet role kindness can play in achieving your dreams. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Catch You Later - feat. Nazneen Contractor
23 min 2 May 2023Nazneen Contractor (Holidazed, Star Wars Resistance) plays a cunning barber whose wits are as sharp as her scissors in this clever Bengali tale. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Amos and the Ogre - feat. Fortune Feimster & Tom Papa
26 min 25 April 2023Comedians Fortune Feimster (Good Fortune, FUBAR) and Tom Papa (What a Day!, You're Doing Great!) face off in a contest of brawn versus brains in this tale with roots across Europe, and Latin and North America. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Blowing Hot and Cold - feat. Brittney Johnson
26 min 18 April 2023Broadway performer Brittney Johnson (Wicked) stars in an Estonian story about being able to control the weather -- and the responsibility such power brings. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Fishermen’s Leftovers feat. Marc delaCruz
21 min 11 April 2023In this magical tale from Japan, Marc delaCruz (If/Then, Hamilton) plays a lowly cook whose kitchen scraps bring him a golden reward. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Devil of a Job - feat. Mel Rodriguez
29 min 4 April 2023Mel Rodriguez (The Afterparty, CSI: Vegas) stars in this Ecuadorian tale about a talented architect who has a devil of a time meeting a seemingly impossible deadline. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Sweet Spot - feat. Tantoo Cardinal & Jonathan Joss
21 min 28 March 2023Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon, Three Pines) and Jonathan Joss (King of the Hill, Tulsa King) star in this Wabanaki tale about how people first learned to tap maple trees. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Dust-Up - feat. Jackie Chung & Louis Ozawa
25 min 21 March 2023Jackie Chung (The Summer I Turned Pretty, Coming Home Again) and Louis Ozawa (Hunters, Pachinko) star in this rollicking tale from Africa about how the zebra got its stripes and the baboon got its bare bottom. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Fast Feast - feat. Jon Jon Briones and Kathleen Chalfant
31 min 14 March 2023We celebrate our 200th episode with two Circle Round alums -- Jon Jon Briones (Ratched, Class of ‘09) and Kathleen Chalfant (The Affair, House of Cards) -- starring in a Jewish tale about how revenge is a dish best served cold. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Written in the Stars - feat. Tallie Medel
29 min 7 March 2023Tallie Medel (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Cocoon Central Dance Team) headlines this Moroccan Jewish tale about how pursuing your passion can be music to everyone’s ears. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Unselfish Shellfish - feat. Eric Bauza & Harry Shum Jr.
24 min 28 February 2023Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny Builders, Woody Woodpecker) and Harry Shum Jr. (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians) star in an Indonesian story about a bad egg who winds up in a real pickle when he tries having his cake and eating it too. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Growing Courage ft. Kyla Pratt
24 min 21 February 2023Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat, The Proud Family) headlines this Ethiopian story about the power of facing your fears. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Eagle’s Return - feat. Diana Lee Inosanto & Myrna Velasco
23 min 14 February 2023Diana Lee Inosanto (The Mandalorian, The Curious Mind of Sebastian) and Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor, Trick-or-Treat Scooby-Doo!) star in this Venezuelan story about loyalty, courage, and the supernatural power of friendship. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Donkey Business - feat. Jennifer Hale & Connor Ratliff
24 min 7 February 2023Jennifer Hale (Stars Wars: The Clone Wars, Mass Effect) and Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) star in this tricky tale about donkeys, ducats, and being a good neighbor. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Kernel of Truth - feat. Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jen Cohn & America Young
31 min 31 January 2023Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Avatar: The Way of Water, The Garcias), Jen Cohn (Welcome to Chippendales, Star Wars: The Old Republic) and America Young (Barbie, Gotham Knights) star in a classic folktale about the unexpected upside of imperfection. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Missing Mountainside - feat. Karen Huie
20 min 24 January 2023In this Taiwanese tale starring Karen Huie (Welcome to Flatch, Abominable and the Invisible City), a town learns the bad taste it can leave when you bite off more than you can chew! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Wrong Day feat. Liza Lapira & Telly Leung
22 min 17 January 2023Liza Lapira (The Equalizer, Must Love Christmas) and Telly Leung (Allegiance, Warrior) star in this folktale from Japan about good days, bad days, and the gift that keeps on giving. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Hungry Hippo feat. Scott Lawrence
22 min 10 January 2023Scott Lawrence (Star Wars Resistance, Vader Immortal) stars in this African legend about how the hippopotamus came to be the decidedly distinctive creature it is today. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Great Acorn Robbery
21 min 3 January 2023Katy Mixon (American Housewife, Minions) and Diedrich Bader (American Housewife, Veep) headline this Seneca tale about an industrious squirrel and the sneaky critters who pilfer her prized acorns. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Three-Legged Pot
22 min 27 December 2022Comedian Aparna Nancherla (The Standups, Corporate) stars as a rambunctious cooking vessel in this Danish and Middle Eastern story about generosity and greed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Parakeet’s Promise feat. Lorna Courtney & Shoba Narayan
19 min 20 December 2022Broadway stars Lorna Courtney (& Juliet) and Shoba Narayan (Aladdin) face off in this Indian legend about a tiny bird who opens up a farmer’s eyes in a big way. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Strong Mind and Kind Heart feat. Christopher Sean
27 min 13 December 2022Christopher Sean (Star Wars Resistance, Gotham Knights) stars in this Vietnamese tale about two friends, one dream, and the infinite value of a true heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Looking Glass feat. Steve Coulter, Mark Gagliardi & Linedy Genao
26 min 6 December 2022Steve Coulter (Shotgun Wedding, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), Linedy Genao (Bad Cinderella), and Mark Gagliardi (Blood and Treasure, Drunk History) star in this Spanish and Portuguese story about how true beauty is only skin deep. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Nilsa and the Troll
21 min 29 November 2022In this favorite tale from the archives, Raegan Revord (Young Sheldon) plays a generous young woman who proves that small gestures of kindness can make a big difference. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Scholar’s Reward feat. Summer Bishil & Michael Maliakel
24 min 22 November 2022This Indian tale starring Summer Bishil (The Magicians, Four Samosas) and Michael Maliakel (Aladdin on Broadway) tells how the first chess game came to be, while teaching a powerful lesson about the ripple effects of our actions. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Like Oil and Water feat. Michelle Ang
19 min 15 November 2022In this courtroom tale with roots in Chinese lore, Michelle Ang (The Bad Batch, Riddle Me This) plays a wise judge who proves that dishonesty and justice just don't mix. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Most Fabulous Fur Of All feat. Q’orianka Kilcher
24 min 8 November 2022In this Cherokee story, Q'orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) plays a clever rabbit who craftily tries pulling the wool — and fur — over everyone’s eyes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Wheat and the Chaff feat. Christopher Rivas
26 min 1 November 2022In this tale with Finnish roots, Christopher Rivas (Call Me Kat, Brown Enough) plays a sly fox who tricks a pair of bullies into reaping what they sow. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Sorcerer’s Offer feat. Alondra Delgado, Amber Nash, & Bill Ratner
26 min 25 October 2022Inspired by a tale from Armenia, this story starring Amber Nash (Archer, How To Ruin The Holidays), Bill Ratner (Family Guy, G.I. Joe), and Alondra Delgado (All American, Is Mejor to Say ADIÓS) shows how small risks -- and acts of kindness -- can pay off in big ways. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Banana Split feat. Jim Conroy & Amirah Vann
19 min 18 October 2022Amirah Vann (A Jazzman’s Blues, Underground) and Jim Conroy (Jellystone, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman) star in this Panamanian tale about a slow, steadfast tortoise who teaches a swift, stingy monkey about sharing. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Fantastic Fiddle
25 min 11 October 2022In this favorite tale from the archives, Adam Irigoyen (Away, Shake It Up) plays a fiddler whose magical instrument brings the world to its feet, and the guilty to their knees. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Finding the Light feat. Kennedy Kanagawa
19 min 4 October 2022Kennedy Kanagawa (Into The Woods) plays a young man who brings light to a dark world in this tale with roots in Alaska Native and First Nations legends. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Chameleon’s Contest feat. Jonica Booth & Jay Pharoah
21 min 27 September 2022Jonica Booth (Rap Stuff) and Jay Pharoah (Out of Office, Saturday Night Live) co-star in this West African tale about a clothing-obsessed goddess and a crafty, colorful chameleon. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Little Blue Pebble feat. Bret Shuford & Stephen Hanna
28 min 20 September 2022In this magical story with roots all over the world, Broadway performers Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna (Broadway Husbands) play farmers who receive a little magic that leads to big transformations! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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One Wish (feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra)
26 min 13 September 2022Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this tale with Indian, Irish, and Jewish roots proves that wishes can come true —sometimes all at once! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Fair-Feathered Friends (feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra)
22 min 6 September 2022Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Burmese folktale imagines why the thrush's colors are in its voice, not its feathers. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Fighting Like Cats and Dogs (feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra)
29 min 30 August 2022Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Korean tale offers an enchanting explanation about why cats and dogs don’t get along. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Long Hair and the Waterfall (feat. Rosalind Chao)
24 min 23 August 2022Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Korean tale offers an enchanting explanation to why cats and dogs don’t get along. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Golden Advice feat. Kate Siegel
28 min 16 August 2022Kate Siegel (Midnight Mass, The Time Traveler’s Wife) plays a struggling farmer who learns the true value of wisdom in this tale with origins in Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Scotland, Wales, and the Jewish tradition. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Tale of Koala's Tail feat. Kaniehtiio Horn
27 min 9 August 2022Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny, Reservation Dogs) stars in an Aboriginal Australian tale about a koala whose overbearing pride makes her lose her pride and joy! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Princess and the Bee feat. Duchess Sarah Ferguson & Suzie McGrath
24 min 2 August 2022Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime with Fergie) and Suzie McGrath (Star Wars Resistance, The Punies) star in this charming tale about the importance of having a sound, sensible head, and a warm, fuzzy heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Curious Boots feat. Colin Hanks
25 min 26 July 2022Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces, Jumanji) stars as a precocious little brother whose curiosity earns him a royally big reward in this Norwegian adventure story from the Circle Round archives. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Trio of Tricks feat. Della Saba
24 min 19 July 2022Della Saba (Zootopia, Physical) headlines an Indonesian and Malaysian tale about a teeny-tiny trickster who outsmarts the other animals with her big wit. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Pulling Strings feat. Bashir Salahuddin
20 min 12 July 2022Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick, South Side) stars in a Ghanaian tale about legendary eight-legged trickster Anansi, and why all spiders have narrow waists. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Song for the Spirits feat. Krys Marshall
26 min 5 July 2022Krys Marshall (For All Mankind) stars in a West African story about an honest fisherwoman, a haunted forest, and a flute with value beyond compare. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Rabbit’s Wish (feat. Ryan Michelle Bathé)
21 min 28 June 2022In this season-3 story with roots in West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, Ryan Michelle Bathé (This Is Us, First Wives Club) plays a clever Rabbit who discovers that power and strength aren't just about physical size. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Gloomy Pine Tree (feat. Mykal-Michelle Harris)
21 min 21 June 2022Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish) stars as a discontented sapling in this classic "grass is always greener" tale from our third season. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Little Frog’s Big Voice (feat. Alex Brightman & Dyllón Burnside)
20 min 14 June 2022Dyllón Burnside (POSE, Prideland) and Tony nominee Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, School of Rock - The Musical) co-star in this Australian story from the archives about small critters, giant egos, and why frogs croak. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Wind Catcher
23 min 7 June 2022Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) headlines this Marshallese tale from our fourth season about how the first sailboat came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Neverending Stories feat. Anjali Bhimani & Adriyan Rae
23 min 31 May 2022Anjali Bhimani (Special, Ms. Marvel) and Adriyan Rae (Chicago Fire, The Game) co-star in this Korean, Cambodian, and Kazakh tale about the importance of spreading stories far and wide. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Katya the Quick feat. Etai Benson & Susannah Flood
26 min 24 May 2022Susannah Flood (Life and Beth, Birthday Candles) and Etai Benson (The Band's Visit, Company) star in this Jewish folktale about a clever, quick-witted woman who uses her brilliant brainpower to save her family. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Misery Loves Company feat. Hrishikesh Hirway, Joshua Malina & Samin Nosrat
19 min 17 May 2022Samin Nosrat (Salt Fat Acid Heat, Home Cooking), Hrishikesh Hirway (Home Cooking, Song Exploder), and Josh Malina (The West Wing, Chutzpod) star in this Ukrainian and Polish tale about what happens when misery loves company so much, it actually comes to life. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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After Midnight feat. Fiona Glascott & David Morse
22 min 10 May 2022David Morse (John Adams, How I Learned To Drive) and Fiona Glascott (Fantastic Beasts, Julia) star in this Irish tale about a magical creature who helps a young woman avoid hard work, until the tables are turned. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Early Bird feat. Megan Boone & Jazmyn Simon
19 min 3 May 2022Jazmyn Simon (Ballers, Most Perfect You) and Megan Boone (The Blacklist, The Underground Railroad) play competing birds in this Native American story about the surprising ways that slow and steady can win the race. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Golden Flask
25 min 26 April 2022Allison Strong (The Week Of) headlines this Incan tale from our second season about a brave, magical journey to heal a prince and save a family. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Friends in High Places feat. Mario Cantone & Denise Crosby
23 min 19 April 2022Mario Cantone (And Just Like That, Surf's Up) and Denise Crosby (Star Trek: The Next Generation) star in this folktale about how the giraffe got its long neck, and how the rhino got an unexpected ally! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Of Beans and Bunnies feat. Efren Ramirez
25 min 12 April 2022Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite, Lightyear) portrays a beloved trickster who lives by his wits—and uses them to outwit others—in this folktale from the Spanish-speaking world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Troupe of Ten feat. Malia Baker, Kelly Jenrette & Kenny Leu
23 min 5 April 2022Malia Baker (The Baby-Sitters Club, Are You Afraid of the Dark), Kelly Jenrette (The Handmaid's Tale, All-American: Homecoming) and Kenny Leu (A Shot Through the Wall, Midway) headline a story about a troupe of actors who always bring down the house, until they're nearly brought down themselves. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Poor Rich feat. Michael Cerveris & Patrick Page
21 min 29 March 2022Broadway stars Michael Cerveris (The Gilded Age, Fun Home) and Patrick Page (The Gilded Age, Hadestown) star in a Ukrainian folktale that shows there's more to wisdom than meets the eye. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Queen of the Forest feat. Mari Heller & Jorma Taccone
16 min 22 March 2022Actors, directors and real-life couple Marielle Heller (The Queen's Gambit, MacGruber) and Jorma Taccone (MacGruber, The Lonely Island) headline a tale about bossy bullies and itsy-bitsy underdogs. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Lumps of Clay feat. Maulik Pancholy
20 min 15 March 2022In this classic Indian tale, Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb, Sanjay and Craig) plays a wonderfully wise adviser who finds an ingenious way to bring the truth to light. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Magic Touch feat. Edi Gathegi
28 min 8 March 2022Edi Gathegi ("The Harder They Fall," "For All Mankind") stars in this East African story about twin brothers, enchanted fruit, and the magic of an open heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Share and Share Alike
19 min 1 March 2022Glynn Washington (Snap Judgment) and Tiffany Boone (Hunters, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in this favorite folktale from season one, about a lazy bear who isn't big on sharing, until he meets a clever rabbit. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Coyote's Wild Ride feat. Alan Tudyk
20 min 22 February 2022Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien, Rogue One) plays a wily coyote desperate to show the world just how ultra-mega-super-spectacular he is -- or thinks he is, anyway! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Porcupine’s Plan feat. Jacob Laval
20 min 15 February 2022Jacob Laval (John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch, Unbreakable Boy) plays a super savvy critter with a sharp body and even sharper mind in this Siberian folktale about taking advantage of hospitality. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The New Neighbor feat. Melora Hardin & Michael Zegen
19 min 8 February 2022Michael Zegen (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Boardwalk Empire) helps Melora Hardin (The Bold Type, The Office) get her literal and figurative "just desserts" in this tricky tale about two very different neighbors. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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A Coconut a Day feat. Jayne Houdyshell
21 min 1 February 2022Tony Award winner Jayne Houdyshell (The Humans, The Music Man) stars in this Burmese tale about honesty, honor, and a highly coveted coconut tree. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Tiddalick Drinks Up feat. Izaac Wang
17 min 25 January 2022Izaac Wang (Clifford the Big Red Dog, Raya and the Last Dragon) plays a tiny eel who teaches a big frog an even bigger lesson in this laugh-out-loud legend from Australia. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Plowing the Road feat. Kimiko Glenn
21 min 18 January 2022Kimiko Glenn (My Little Pony, Orange is the New Black) learns the wonders of wisdom that old age can bring in this touching tale with roots in Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Slovenia, Romania, Russia and Haiti. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Wiser Adviser feat. Elaine Hendrix, Devyn McDowell, Mark Pellegrino
23 min 11 January 2022Elaine Hendrix (Dynasty, The Parent Trap), Mark Pellegrino (Supernatural, American Rust), and Devyn McDowell (Annette, The Good Nurse) star in this Jewish and Persian tale about how fortune can change in the blink of an eye. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Beggar and the Baker’s Daughter
21 min 4 January 2022In this whimsical tale from the archives, comedian Margaret Cho (The Margaret Cho, Fresh Off The Bloat) plays a greedy woman who bites off more than she can chew. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: All That Glitters
21 min 21 December 2021This Circle Round favorite starring Story Pirates Podcast hosts Lee Overtree, Peter McNerney and Meghan O'Neill shines a sparkling light on the treasures that come from honesty, integrity and honor. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Dozen Loaves of Bread
20 min 21 December 2021Podcast luminary Avery Trufelman (99% Invisible, Nice Try!) stars as a generous baker touched by magic in this appetizing episode from the Circle Round archives. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Tug of War
19 min 14 December 2021Does bigger always mean stronger? Oscar nominee & children's author Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild, Annie) stars in this amusing folktale from the Circle Round archives. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Treasure Mountain feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra
24 min 7 December 2021Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this tale from China explores the true riches in life. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Bags of Seeds feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra
19 min 30 November 2021Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Vietnamese origin story imagines how a very important grain first came to earth. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Lookalike Falls (feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra)
23 min 23 November 2021Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this tale from Mexico explores wisdom, folly, and everything in between. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Very Busy Fairies
19 min 16 November 2021In this zany Celtic tale from the archives, when fairies come to help Parker Bates (This Is Us) with his chores, he discovers the spirited creatures are far more trouble than they're worth. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Bright Yellow Hat feat. Jona Xiao
25 min 9 November 2021Jona Xiao (Raya and the Last Dragon, Hightown) plays a flower peddler who makes gardens and goodness grow in this story with Chinese, Tibetan, Japanese, Moroccan, French, Canadian, and Peruvian roots. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Clear as a Bell feat. Carla Hall
19 min 2 November 2021Chef, author, and TV personality Carla Hall (Carla and the Christmas Cornbread, Holiday Baking Championship) plays a sly, surprising judge in this courtroom tale with roots in China and the Ozarks. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Catching Fire feat. Lilli Cooper & Chuck Cooper
17 min 26 October 2021Broadway stars and father-daughter duo Chuck Cooper ("The Life," "Trouble In Mind") and Lilli Cooper ("Tootsie," "SpongeBob SquarePants") headline this West African adventure tale about using your inner spark to change the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Persimmon Sisters feat. Tennille Read
18 min 19 October 2021In this story with Jewish, Arab, and Korean origins, Tennille Read (SurrealEstate, Workin' Moms) plays a young woman who learns the true meaning of sisterly love. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Woman in the Moon
20 min 12 October 2021In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, we bring back a favorite tale from the archives: Irene Bedard (Pocahontas, Ralph Breaks the Internet) stars in an Alaska Native story about the out-of-this-world power that comes when we work together. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Getting Skunked feat. Terrence Terrell
18 min 5 October 2021Terrence Terrell (B Positive, Giants) stars in this Native American tale about a gentle giant who brings night and day to the world, and gives a certain striped critter its telltale scent. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Fools Thrush In feat. Anthony Alabi
18 min 28 September 2021Anthony Alabi (Family Reunion, black-ish) headlines an Oneida and Mohawk story about how one of the most beautiful bird songs of all came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Night and Day feat. MASUMI
24 min 21 September 2021Actor/singer-songwriter MASUMI (Yakuza Princess) headlines this magical tale from the Yoruba people about how night came to a world of endless day. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Red Velvet Purse feat. Elisa Donovan
19 min 14 September 2021Elisa Donovan (Clueless, Sabrina the Teenage Witch) plays a judge who puts honesty on trial in this tale with Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, and Romanian roots. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Friend Ship feat. Carra Patterson
21 min 7 September 2021Carra Patterson (Turner & Hooch, Jitney) stars in a tale from Japan about a woman with enough generosity to last a lifetime, and a man with enough greed to sink a ship. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Fire On The Other Side Of The World
21 min 31 August 2021We wrap up the summer with another listener favorite: a Cherokee tale in which Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons, Oil and Water) plays a feisty, creative spider who proves that power and strength aren't always about physical size. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Laughing Canoe feat. George Salazar
20 min 17 August 2021George Salazar (Be More Chill, Superstore) plays a wise-cracking waterborne vessel in this Brazilian story about the extraordinary things teamwork can bring. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Chattering Clams
19 min 10 August 2021This week we bring back a listener favorite: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz (hosts of "Wow in the World") star in a whimsical Native American tale about the dangers of gossip. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Laws of Nature feat. Mo Rocca
20 min 3 August 2021Mo Rocca (CBS Sunday Morning, Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) headlines this eco-conscious Estonian/Finnish tale about conservation, courtesy, and how actions speak louder than words. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Sir Luck and Mister Riches
24 min 27 July 2021In this favorite tale from the archives, comedian/kids' author Michael Ian Black (I'm Worried, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop) and actor/director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Medical Police) believe they know the secret to what makes people truly happy. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Patched-Up Coat feat. Peter Sagal
19 min 20 July 2021NPR's Peter Sagal (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) stars in this Russian story about how fantastically priceless a little generosity can be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The King's Face
20 min 13 July 2021Broadway stars Derrick Baskin (Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Brandon Uranowitz (An American in Paris, Burn This) play a curious king and clever farmer in this tale with roots in Russia, Italy, India, Greece, Africa and Iran. This episode was originally released on October 22, 2019. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Mountain Guardian feat. Alonzo Bodden & Audrey Hsieh
25 min 6 July 2021Audrey Hsieh (Here Today, Mixtape) and Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Who's Paying Attention) headline this Tibetan tale about two family members who are rewarded appropriately by a stone lion, one for her generosity and one for his greed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Magpie With Salt On Her Tail
22 min 22 June 2021Rachael Harris (Lucifer, Suits) and Taran Killam (Nature Cat, Saturday Night Live) star in this special encore episode about a young man who learns that -- with a little hard work -- dreams can come true. This episode was originally released on December 19, 2017. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Princess and the Egg
20 min 15 June 2021In this enchanting tale from the archives, Amber Stevens West (Happy Together, Run the World) stars as a globe-trotting princess who works hard to keep her promises. This episode was originally released on October 23, 2018. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Goat in the Garden
16 min 8 June 2021In this favorite episode from the archives, Ray Magliozzi (Car Talk) plays a stubborn goat who inadvertently reminds us that true heroes comes in all shapes and sizes. This episode was originally released on January 23, 2018. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: Sweet Corn and Clever Rabbit
20 min 1 June 2021In this favorite episode from the archives, Eris Baker (This Is Us) plays a tricky rabbit who presents her fellow animals with an offer they can't refuse. This episode originally released April 9, 2019. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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She Tells Seashells feat. Joaquina Kalukango
22 min 25 May 2021Tony Award nominee Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play, One Night in Miami) stars in this Zulu tale from South Africa about how stories came to the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Unfair Share feat. Jon Huertas & Faith Salie
22 min 18 May 2021Jon Huertas (This Is Us, Initiation) and Faith Salie (CBS Sunday Morning, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me) headline this folktale about a generous queen, a cunning farmer, and a devious gatekeeper who takes more than his fair share. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Missing Knight feat. Sarah, Duchess of York & Jason Mantzoukas
27 min 11 May 2021Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime With Fergie) and Jason Mantzoukas (How Did This Get Made, Housebroken) play a crafty queen and scheming advisor who face off in an unforgettable game of chess. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Bearded Lake feat. Owen Teale
22 min 4 May 2021Owen Teale (Game of Thrones, Dream Horse) stars in this Welsh legend about a desperate farmer who becomes too greedy for his own good. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: 100 Rooms
20 min 27 April 2021In this favorite episode from the archives, seven-time Emmy-Award winner Ed Asner (Up, The Mary Tyler Moore Show) plays a wise father who challenges his daughters to solve a tricky challenge by thinking outside the box. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Growing Courage ft. Kyla Pratt
23 min 20 April 2021Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat, The Proud Family) headlines this Ethiopian story about the power of facing your fears. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Giant’s Causeway feat. Alison Wright
21 min 13 April 2021Alison Wright (Snowpiercer, The Americans) stars as a wise and witty Irish giant who proves she's colossal in both size and smarts. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Fire Within feat. Maz Jobrani
19 min 6 April 2021Comedian and actor Maz Jobrani (Pandemic Warrior, Back To School With Maz Jobrani) plays a wise man with an on-fire imagination in this clever tale from Turkey, Balochistan, India, Ethiopia, Kenya, the West Indies, and the Hispano community of New Mexico. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Governor’s Puzzle feat. Tiffany Espensen
23 min 30 March 2021Tiffany Espensen (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Kirby Buckets) stars in this Chinese folktale about thinking outside the box and inside the boat. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Queen's Gift
18 min 23 March 2021This favorite episode from our archives is in loving memory of an actor you've heard in numerous Circle Round stories, including this one: Delores King Williams. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Mangoes in the Middle feat. Utkarsh Ambudkar
17 min 16 March 2021In this tale from India, Utkarsh Ambudkar (Brittany Runs a Marathon, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme) plays an ingenious royal advisor who cunningly proves the true owner of a fruitful treasure. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Counting Crocodiles feat. Tiya Sircar
19 min 9 March 2021In this playful tale from Indonesia and Malaysia, Tiya Sircar (Star Wars Rebels, The Good Place) plays a cunning mouse deer who teaches a cantankerous crocodile a lesson. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Uncommon Offering feat. Ruthie Ann Miles
24 min 2 March 2021Tony Award Winner Ruthie Ann Miles (The King and I, All Rise) stars in this Paraguayan story about giving the most rare and precious gift of all. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Red Leather Shoes feat. Madhur Jaffrey & Aasif Mandvi
23 min 23 February 2021Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Evil) and Madhur Jaffrey (Madhur Jaffrey's Curry Nation, I Feel Bad) co-star in this Indian story about a wise king, a generous shoemaker, and a priceless pair of shoes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Wind Catcher feat. Lea Salonga
21 min 16 February 2021Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) headlines this Marshallese tale about how the first sailboat came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: One Speckled Hen
20 min 9 February 2021This week, we bring back a favorite story from the archives: Tony Award winner André De Shields (Hadestown, The Full Monty) stars in a Jewish tale that tests the old adage, "Finders keepers, losers weepers." Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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All The King’s Dogs feat. Rory Culkin & Jeremy Sisto
21 min 2 February 2021Jeremy Sisto (Law and Order, FBI) and Rory Culkin (Waco, Halston) co-star in this Hungarian story about two farmers, one wise king, and a whole mess of canines. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Fishermen’s Leftovers feat. Marc delaCruz
20 min 26 January 2021In this magical tale from Japan, Marc delaCruz (If/Then, Hamilton) plays a lowly cook whose kitchen scraps bring him a golden reward. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Horse of a Different Color feat. Christina Anthony & Lindsay Mendez
24 min 19 January 2021Christina Anthony (Mixed-ish, Key & Peele) and Tony winner Lindsay Mendez (Carousel, All Rise) play a one-of-a-kind horse and rider in this enchanted tale from across the Spanish-speaking world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Head and the Heart feat. Hrishikesh Hirway & Joshua Malina
27 min 12 January 2021Joshua Malina (The West Wing, Scandal) and Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder, The West Wing Weekly) co-star in this Jewish tale about two brothers who make two very different ways in the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Three Little Critters feat. Mason Gooding & Allen Maldonado
25 min 5 January 2021Mason Gooding (Love, Victor; Scream 5) and Allen Maldonado (Sneakerheads, The Last O.G.) co-star in this East African story about the big power of a little teamwork. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: The Emperor's Challenge
24 min 29 December 2020As we ring in the new year, we bring back a favorite episode about planting the seeds of honesty, starring Nikki SooHoo (Star Wars Resistance, The Resident) and Christine Toy Johnson (Iron Fist, Come From Away). Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Encore: A Bird in the Hand
17 min 22 December 2020As we celebrate the winter holidays, we revisit a favorite episode from season two: Broadway legends Rebecca Luker and Danny Burstein play a talking bird and spoiled prince who explore the meaning of true wisdom. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Ariana’s Music feat. Mireille Enos
20 min 15 December 2020Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing) headlines this new spin on an ancient Greek legend about an instrument that captivates everyone who hears it, whether they have skin, scales, hair, hides, feathers, or fur. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Three Tests feat. Kiera Allen
21 min 8 December 2020Kiera Allen (Run) plays a wise woman whose cleverness is tested by her father long after he's gone in this story from Armenia, Greece, Russia, Germany and Hungary. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Twin Monkeys feat. Julia Nickson & Lizzy Capri
23 min 1 December 2020Julia Nickson (Rambo: First Blood Part II, The Unbidden) and YouTuber Lizzy Capri headline this Tibetan and Burmese tale about finding treasure, playing tricks, and monkeying around. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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Simple Gifts: Circle Round's Season-of-Giving Special
1 hr 5 min 24 November 2020To celebrate the season of giving, we bring you a special mega-episode revisiting four of your favorite Circle Round stories about generosity. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Basilisk’s Stare feat. Nabiyah Be & Evan Whitten
18 min 17 November 2020In this tale inspired by a Polish legend, Nabiyah Be (Black Panther, Daisy Jones & The Six) and Evan Whitten (The Resident, Mr. Robot) face off against a fantastical creature whose gaze turns people to stone. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
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The Fantastic Fiddle feat. Adam Irigoyen
23 min 10 November 2020This Hispanic tale from the Southwest U.S. stars Adam Irigoyen (Away, Shake It Up) as a fiddler whose magical instrument brings the world to its feet, and the guilty to their knees. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .
Showing the 300 most recent episodes. Open the show in the app for the full back-catalogue.
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