Dorktales Storytime

Which episode should someone start with?

Most of the stories standalone so it doesn't really matter which episode you begin with. That said, we have been building our Dorktales ‘Once Upon a Time’ world introducing new characters and new lands within the universe. It might be fun to start at the beginning and go on the storytelling journey with hosts Jonathan and Mr. Redge (the hedgehog). You’ll get to know all the quirky characters and where they call home.

Which have been your favourite episodes so far?

I particularly enjoy the episodes where I can voice multiple characters and incorporate pop-culture references for fun, like Princess and the Pincushion, a fairytale adaptation, or Hogenstein and Sleepy Hallow’s Eve, two of our Halloween episodes. I loved telling the Hidden Hero of History story of Hedy Lamarr as an old-time Hollywood radio show. Really, every episode is so imaginative that it’s a joy to get behind the mic and record them.

Which episode are you most proud of?

I'm especially proud of two episodes: The Jerry Lawson, Hidden Hero of History episode, written as a video game quest about his life and legacy, won a Signal Award and was selected to be a part of his Google Doodle. The 'Redge's K.N.I.G.H.T. School' episode holds a special place because our young guest actor and me are on the autism spectrum. We represent the theme of the episode: being brave enough to be ourselves.

What is your vision for your show?

Our team believes that stories have the power to help young listeners discover their creativity, curiosity and their self-worth. As someone on the autism spectrum, podcasts have been invaluable in my own journey, serving as both educational tools and a means to escape the intricacies of the world. They've provided me with cherished moments spent with beloved characters and stories that have brought me joy and solace. I want to bring those same profound experiences to our young listeners.

What is your favourite other podcast that isn't yours?

I’m going to stay in the kids podcasting space to answer this question. There are so many extraordinary kids’ podcasts made by creators, like us, who care deeply about their young audiences, like Adventures of Power Dog in Dogland, Stoopkid Stories, Girl Tales, What If World, to only name a few. To discover quality kids’ podcasts in all categories, I recommend visiting Common Sense Media for their trusted reviews.

How did you come up with the name for your podcast?

The name Dorktales is a nod to one of my favorite animated series from my childhood in the 90s. We also give our stories a dorky twist by sprinkling in pop-culture references to give grownups a few grins as they listen along with their kids.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a voice actor by trade and in Dorktales Storytime, I take on the roles of both narrator and the voice of my co-host, Mr. Redge, an endearing hedgehog known for his cheeky wit and heartwarming charm. I have also provided the voices for over 75 main characters and a multitude of supporting characters, including a diverse array of queens, kings, princesses, witches, ogres, trolls, a crypt-keeper, and a vast menagerie of sentient creatures...and that list continues to grow.