Dorktales Storytime Podcast Spins Classic Stories in New Ways and Uncovers Hidden Heroes of History

Get to know more about this show featuring geeky retellings of classic fairy tales with important life lessons and untold stories about hidden heroes of history that will enthrall listeners of every age.

Phoebe Owens Crozier
Kids Listen
3 min readSep 28, 2021

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Dorktales Storytime podcast cover art featuring an illustrated depiction of host Jonathan Cormur and animal characters from the show who are listening to him read. He is waving his hand, and they are in a forest setting. Illustration is by Arthur Lin.

What happens when a team of indie creators devoted to fostering a sense of belonging through storytelling gathers together around a talented, rising voiceover star? The Dorktales Storytime Podcast does!

Jonathan Cormur — who believes stories have the power to help kids discover their creativity, curiosity, and what makes them remarkable — gives voice to characters like a clever hedgehog sidekick and tells lively, scripted stories that put a new, acceptance-focused spin on old classics. Come for the heartwarming stories and learning about great historical figures that have contributed to the betterment of our world, then stay for the good-natured humor and excellent writing and audio production quality.

“Acceptance is our mission! It’s more important than ever that kids know and feel their value. We are all trying to find our place in the world and know we matter. Our stories embrace and celebrate what makes us unique and extraordinary. The characters in our original fairy tales and the stories we tell about hidden heroes help kids understand resilience, persistence, empathy, overcoming obstacles, kindness, trust, respect, collaboration, friendship, and gratitude. And we try to teach these important life lessons in a fun, dorky, and entertaining way!

“There are two kinds of stories we tell on the Dorktales Storytime Podcast:

FRACTURED FAIRY TALES
Do you remember the fractured fairy tales that were a part of the Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle show? Well, that’s similar to what we do: telling slightly wacky and very geeky retellings of classic fairy tales and fables. There’s a lesson to learn or an important message to take away from each episode. And, we’ve hidden pop-culture easter eggs for kids (and many for grownups) to find and enjoy too.

Collage of four Dorktales Storytime Podcast fairy tale illustrations by illustrator Arthur Lin for the Merry Band of Bremen, The Goldiquills Effect, the Princess and the Pincushion and the Lion and the Hedgehog episodes.

HIDDEN HEROES OF HISTORY
We want kids to discover stories about heroes in science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and human rights — yesterday’s geeks, nerds, and dorks who are today’s must-know visionaries, great minds, dream makers, achievers, and inventors! These are the people who broke through societal barriers and made history in ways beyond our imaginations.” — Dorktales Producer Jodi Murphy

Collage of four Dorktales Storytime Podcast hidden heroes of history illustrations by illustrator Arthur Lin for episodes on Wilma Rudolph, Ruth Asawa, George Washington Carver and the Brave Aviators Bessie Coleman, Hazel Ying Lee, Maggie Gee and Mae Jemison.

This show is fantastic for kids aged 5 and up, and has a little something for everyone. They release content by season and publish bi-monthly on Thursdays. You’re likely to hear them or about them from our other member shows as they are frequent collaborators and contributors within our community! Perhaps you already heard Jonathan as Greg the Cheese Grater in America’s Test Kitchen Kids’ Mystery Recipe Podcast!

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Phoebe Owens Crozier
Kids Listen

👩‍👦 🐶 ⚡️✨ 🔗 mother of a dog |creative sorceress light | connected all-ways | (bio haiku by K-F-P 🙏 ) 🔗: superphoebe.com