Circle Round

Python’s Drum | Ep. 309

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gabe Kunda (Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends) and Natasha Rothwell (The White Lotus, Insecure) co-star in a Ugandan legend about friendship, rivalry, and m...

Birbal's Barrels | Ep. 309

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ravi V. Patel (Animal Control, LEGO Masters Jr.) headlines this Indian tale about distinguishing need from greed with help from grain, gold, and a bar...

The Underestimated Beetle | Ep. 307

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live in Charlotte, NC, this Brazilian tale pits a round-rumped, fleet-footed critter against a teeny-tiny insect in a surprisingly high-flyin...

A Sticky Situation | Ep. 306

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live in Charlotte, NC, this Japanese legend about a rhyming pine tree puts a (literally) sappy new spin on "poetic justice." Sign up for ou...

How the Turkey Got Its Gobble | Ep. 305 (A Podcast Turducken with Terrestrials and Wow in the World)

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fellow kidcasts Terrestrials and Wow in the World join us for a story-stuffed special about smart chickens, mysterious duck quacks, and how the turkey...

Little Peacock’s Plumage | Ep. 304

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alfred 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 fo...

Whatever You Like | Ep. 303

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra members and a star-studded cast, this story with roots in Jewish and Indian lore proves ...

The Sunlight Tree | Ep. 302

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra members and a star-studded cast, this Swedish tale sheds magical light on kindness, cari...

The Tree of Love | Ep. 301

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Real-life couple Paige Davis (Trading Spaces, Pen Pals) and Patrick Page (The Gilded Age, Archduke) headline a Greek legend about two people whose lov...

The Stone Horse | Ep. 300

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live in Parker, CO, this Chinese adventure story shows how kindness and hard work can breathe new life into anything... including stone! Sig...

The Palace of Cats | Ep. 299

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live in Parker, CO, this magical Palestinian tale introduces you to wisecracking elders, wayward felines, and the unexpected rewards generosi...

Encore: The Scholar’s Reward

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Summer Bishil (The Magicians, Four Samosas) and Michael Maliakel (Aladdin on Broadway) star in an India tale about the first chess game and the surpri...

The Right Apple | Ep. 298

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Academy Award nominee June Squibb (Thelma, Eleanor the Great) headlines a Jewish Turkish story about taking a wrong turn and finding the right prize. ...

Sundown on Sunday | Ep. 297

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Charlet Takahashi Chung (Wylde Pak, Rugrats) stars in a Japanese folktale about a clever farmer who gives herself a helping hand... and foot! Sign up...

The Round Mossy Stone | Ep. 296

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Béchir 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 y...

The First Councilor | Ep. 295

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Danielle Panabaker (The Flash) and James Wolk (Mad Men, Happy Face) headline a Swedish tale about an uncertain king, a magic fairy, and a monumental d...

Princess Persistence | Ep. 294

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aparna Brielle (FUBAR, A.P. Bio) stars as a legendary Indian princess whose love, devotion and courage face the ultimate test. Sign up for our monthl...

True Colors | Ep. 293

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Heather Burns (Bored to Death, Manchester by the Sea) and Ajay Naidu (Office Space, Blindspot) headline a Bantu, Zulu and Tumbuka tale about why the h...

Milk From a Bull | Ep. 292

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this tale with roots in India, Mongolia, Siberia and the...

The Seamstress and the Deev | Ep. 291

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this Afghan tale follows a savvy seamstress and her chat...

Encore: The Unselfish Shellfish

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny Builders, Woody Woodpecker) and Harry Shum Jr. (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians) star in an Indonesian sto...

Encore: The Missing Mountainside

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Karen 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 t...

Encore: The Mountain Guardian

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Audrey Hsieh (Here Today, Mixtape) and Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Who's Paying Attention) headline this Tibetan tale about two famil...

Encore: Of Beans and Bunnies

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite, Lightyear) portrays a beloved trickster who lives by his wits, and uses them to outwit others, in this folktale from...

Encore: Mangoes in the Middle

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme) stars in an Indian tale about an ingenious royal advisor who cunningly proves the true owner ...

Encore: Hungry Hippo

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Lawrence (Star Wars Resistance, Vader Immortal) stars in this African legend about how the hippopotamus came to be the decidedly distinctive cre...

Encore: Strong Mind and Kind Heart

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Sean (Star Wars Resistance, Gotham Knights) stars in this Vietnamese tale about two friends, one dream, and the infinite value of a true h...

Encore: Counting Crocodiles

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this playful tale from Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia, Tiya Sircar (Star Wars Rebels, The Good Place) plays a cunning mouse deer who teaches a canta...

Encore: The Rooster in the Sky

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this adventure story with roots in Russia, Hungary and the Middle East, a magical rooster rewards Rachel Matthews (Frozen 2) for her fearless persi...

Out of Time | Ep. 290

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brittany Ishibashi (Marvel’s Runaways, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) stars in a Japanese tale about the power of stories, and the value of reading -...

The Fruits of Labor | Ep. 289

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice, Fargo) stars in an ancient Jewish tale about how working to benefit the future can bring sweet rewards in the present. ...

The Big Green Bag | Ep. 288

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Bagley (Somebody Somewhere, Hacks) and Rebecca Mader (Lost, Once Upon a Time) co-star in a Rumanian and British tale about the high-flying differe...

Call of the Cuckoo | Ep. 287

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Hanna and Bret Shuford (Broadway Husbands, Husbands 2 Dads) headline a European and Asian tale about outlawing anger, forbidding frustration, ...

Encore: Friends in High Places

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mario 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 l...

At First Light | Ep. 286

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Natalie Dormer (Audrey's Children, Game of Thrones) headlines a legend from Aboriginal Australia about a bright, bold bird and the illuminating power ...

The Donkey’s Tail | Ep. 285

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rapper/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 mo...

One Good Turn | Ep. 284

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Goffinski, Ana González and Lulu Miller (Terrestrials) star in a very international story about returning favors and being stuck between a rock ...

In the Willow Tree | Ep. 283

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stephanie Koenig (Lessons in Chemistry, The English Teacher) and Patrick Luwis (Cobra Kai) star in a Taiwanese tale about a tiny ant, a boastful pigeo...

Miss Tilda | Ep. 282

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Arienne 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 th...

Crocus-Pocus | Ep. 281

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jacob Laval (The Unbreakable Boy, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch) and Amanda Warren (The Night Agent, East New York) headline a Sicilian tale a...

The Flame Keeper | Ep. 280

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joy Ofodu (Dating Unsettled, Heart of Sunshine) and Camron Jones (Panic, Shameless) co-star in a Huichol story from Mexico about stolen fire and bald ...

Maushop and the Shark | Ep. 279

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Román 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 news...

Diamonds in the Sky | Ep. 278

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kyriana Kratter (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) and Mila Harris (Mary, World-Breaker) headline an out-of-this-world Filipino tale about how the sun and moo...

The Salmon Famine | Ep. 277

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this indigenous Pacific Northwest tale follows a wily...

The Well of Honor | Ep. 276

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this Egyptian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Sudanese and Tunis...

Encore: The Lumps of Clay

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maulik 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 t...

The Zodiac Twelve | Ep. 275

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tzi 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 z...

Hot Potatoes | Ep. 274

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Arlen Escarpeta (Found, The Oath) headlines a tale from southern Africa about stolen spuds and hare-brained schemes. Sign up for our monthly newslett...

The Cobbler’s Soul | Ep. 273

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

John Patrick Amedori (Three Women, Dear White People) headlines an internationally-inspired story about fixing soles and saving souls. Sign up for ou...

Encore: Ariana’s Music

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing) headlines this new spin on an ancient Greek legend about an instrument that captivates everyone who hears it – wh...

Encore: Three Clever Brothers

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Alexandra Billings (Transparent, Paddleton) stars in a North African, Middle Eastern and central and north-central Asian folktale about the power of a...

Encore: Getting Skunked

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Terrence 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 strip...

The Peach of Life | Ep. 272

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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 he...

The Wild Goose Chase | Ep. 271

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Symphony Space with a star-studded cast, this magical tale inspired by Ukrainian and Russian lore follows a kindly tailor as he embar...

Encore: The Most Fabulous Fur of All

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Q'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 —...

Dancing to a Different Tune | Ep. 270

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

World-renowned violinist Hilary Hahn plays a musician with a miraculous gift in this whimsical folktale from South America, North Africa, Europe and t...

The Caged Bird | Ep. 269

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim 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...

A World of Music | Ep. 268

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jon 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 ...

In the Wolf’s Mouth | Ep. 267

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer 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 month...

The All-Wish Stick | Ep. 266

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amy 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 h...

The Face-Off | Ep. 265

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Kelly Jenrette (All American: Homecoming, The Handmaid’s Tale) and producer/actor Lamar Richardson (Appropriate, Merrily We Roll Along) co-sta...

Top Banana | Ep. 264

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Abbot Elementary) and Jack De Sena (Lego Monkie Kid, Avatar: The Last Airbender) headline this Filipino story ab...

Pride and Proverbs | Ep. 263

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Real-life couple David Giuntoli (Grimm, Batman: Soul of the Dragon) and Elizabeth Tulloch (Grimm, Superman and Lois) face off as a wise farmer and pro...

The Hiding Place | Ep. 262

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Broadway's Aaron Bartz, Erik Christopher Peterson and Cara Ricketts (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) headline a Jewish and Egyptian story about a h...

Encore: The Princess and the Bee

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime with Fergie) and Suzie McGrath (Star Wars Resistance, The Punies) star in this charming tale about the impor...

Encore: Chameleon’s Contest

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jonica 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-obses...

A Horse for Hire | Ep. 261

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Haitian and Creole tale is all about hefty hor...

The Price Master | Ep. 260

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Indian tale shows what happens when the price ...

The Farmer and the Cow | Ep. 259

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Icelandic tale features a magical bovine who's...

Laughing and Crying | Ep. 258

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at The Athenaeum Center in Chicago, IL, this tale with East Asian and Egyptian roots pits a proud king against a sharp-witted schoolteac...

Giant Steps | Ep. 257

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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 f...

The Spotted Goat | Ep. 256

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this tale with Palestinian and Lebanese roots suggests that when somebody gets your goat, don't be shy about putti...

Granny Snowstorm | Ep. 255

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this Ukrainian tale follows a sister and brother as they meet the supernatural spirit who brings winter. Sign up...

The Doggies in the Window | Ep. 254

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR, this Japanese tale about fragile statues and tough shopkeepers proves that every dog can have it...

The Sea and the Sky | Ep. 253

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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 m...

The Buffalo’s Shadow | Ep. 252

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, MN, this Cambodian folktale shows what happens when you find clever solutions to shady problems. ...

Home Sweet Home | Ep. 251

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis, MN, this East African tale about unlikely roommates proves that sometimes the smallest can be the...

Encore: Misery Loves Company

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Samin Nosrat (Salt Fat Acid Heat, Home Cooking), Hrishikesh Hirway (Home Cooking, Song Exploder) and Josh Malina (The West Wing, Chutzpod) star in thi...

Encore: The Friend Ship

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Carra 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 s...

Encore: The Little Blue Pebble

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this magical story with worldwide roots, Broadway performers Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna (Broadway Husbands) play farmers who receive a little m...

Encore: The Bright Yellow Hat

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jona Xiao (Raya and the Last Dragon, Hightown) plays a flower peddler who makes gardens and goodness grow in this story with Chinese, Tibetan, Japanes...

The Crystal Story Box | Ep. 250

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick, South Side) plays legendary trickster Anansi in this West African tale about how stories first came to the world...

Encore: The Troupe of Ten

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Malia Baker (The Baby-Sitters Club), Kelly Jenrette (All-American: Homecoming) and Kenny Leu (Midway) headline a story about a troupe of actors who br...

The Long Crimson Thread | Ep. 249

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 drou...

The Snow Eater | Ep. 248

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cree Summer (Good Times, Abbott Elementary) headlines a Blackfoot legend about fast friends, warm winds, and why bears hibernate during the winter. S...

The Laughing Bird | Ep. 247

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kenny 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...

The Rightful Heir | Ep. 246

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Oliver 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 mon...

Encore: The Friendship Orchard

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

NPR veterans Linda Wertheimer and Susan Stamberg co-star in a Kazakh folktale about lifelong friends whose bond is tested by an unexpected discovery. ...

A Bee in the Bush | Ep. 245

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Erika Ishii (Worlds Beyond Number, Apex Legends) headlines this Vietnamese tale about getting a bee in your bonnet, buzzing off, and feeling the sting...

The Cleverest Person in the Room | Ep. 244

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vanessa Aspillaga (Dora Saves the Snow Princess, Leave the World Behind) stars in this Puerto Rican and Chilean tale about baby basil, cuddly kittens,...

The Whole Cart | Ep. 243

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Julia Chan (Bojack Horseman, Extinct) and Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder, The West Wing Weekly) co-star in a story from India about matching wits, m...

The Young Healer | Ep. 242

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jonigan Booth (The Underdoggs, This Is Us) headlines this Angolan tale about flowing with your heart, and the healing power of dreams. Sign up for ou...

The Polka-Dotted Pigeon | Ep. 241

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Goldberg (The Equalizer) stars in this Portuguese tale about ambitions, imposters, and making the feathers fly! Sign up for our monthly newslett...

The Uncommon Commoner | Ep. 240

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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. ...

Grime and Punishment | Ep. 239

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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....

Encore: The Basilisk’s Stare

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

The Weeping Witness | Ep. 238

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Brittany Ishibashi (Runaways, Hawaii Five-O) stars in a Japanese and Persian tale about facing the music and changing your tune. Sign up for our mont...

The Lone Dragon | Ep. 237

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen 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 mon...

Something Fishy | Ep. 236

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jorma Taccone (The Lonely Island, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse) stars in a tale from Hawaii about a fisherman whose magical gift leads to a fish...

The Seal of Fate | Ep. 235

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ahmed 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...