Circle Round

The Sharpest Tack | Ep. 234

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Negin 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...

Rhyming Rhino | Ep. 233

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kel 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 f...

Encore: The Nine Sticks

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb; Mira, Royal Detective) and Nikesh Patel (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Devil’s Hour) headline this Indian stor...

The Forest Folk | Ep. 232

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center in Boston, Mass., this German tale about unconditional love explains the enchanting origins ...

Encore: The Horse of a Different Color

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christina 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 th...

Encore: Coyote’s Flame

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brittany 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 fi...

The Secret of Success | Ep. 231

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Helen Hong (Family Switch, The Thundermans) stars in a tale with English, Welsh, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian roots about how imagination and ...

The Valley Visitor | Ep. 230

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

NPR’s Ailsa Chang (All Things Considered) headlines a Chinese tale about a mysterious guest, a raging storm, and the true fruits of kindness. Sign ...

Encore: The Red Leather Shoes

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aasif 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 g...

Riches to Rags | Ep. 229

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Veteran 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, an...

The Upside-Down Tree | Ep. 228

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Heavy Lightweight) headlines this African legend about how one animal’s mischief created the s...

The Four Winds | Ep. 227

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

The Crowning Achievement | Ep. 226

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Faith 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 h...

The Sweetest Sounds | Ep. 225

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

NPR'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,...

Heart and Stone | Ep. 224

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joshua Johnson (The Night Light with Joshua Johnson, Now Tonight with Joshua Johnson) headlines this international tale about losing your heart and fi...

The Stork King | Ep. 223

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Julian 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 ne...

The Empty Barrel | Ep. 222

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anjali 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 ...

The Clock Bird | Ep. 221

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Byron 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 monthl...

The Bright Side | Ep. 220

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Broadway star Liana Hunt (Back to the Future) headlines this tale with Polish and Hispanic roots about seeing the bright side, even when things get da...

Encore: The Star Fruit Tree

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Monkey King) headlines this magical Vietnamese tale about the sweet rewards genero...

Big news from Rebecca Sheir... plus an exclusive Circle Round story!

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Announcing 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 Cl...

The Elephant in the Room | Ep. 219

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Chinese courtroom drama explores truth, justic...

The Bitter Truth | Ep. 218

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this West African tale shows why dishonesty is defi...

All Tied Up | Ep. 217

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this tale from Borneo features a tiny trickster who...

A Biscuit, A Basket | Ep. 216

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Saara Chaudry (The Muppets Mayhem, Holly Hobby) stars in this tale from India and beyond about good deeds, bad intentions, and biscuits. Lots of biscu...

The Blizzard Wizard | Ep. 215

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Vivien Lyra Blair (Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Boogeyman) headlines this story from the indigenous peoples of Sibera about a supernatural spirit with a very c...

Encore: The Great Ball Game

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Native American and First Nations tale, William Jackson Harper (The Good Place, Love Life) portrays a tiny creature who teaches the other anim...

Encore: A Taste of Honey

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hannah Simone (New Girl; Mira, Royal Detective) stars alongside her real-life father Naren Simone in a South Asian tale about the power of self-relian...

Encore: The Unwelcome Guest

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Richard 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 dan...

Encore: The Lion’s Whisker

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Miles Brown and Marsai Martin (Black-ish) co-star with NPR veteran Ofeiba Quist-Arcton in this Ethiopian story about courage, collaboration, patience,...

Buried Treasure | Ep. 214

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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! Si...

Two Moons | Ep. 213

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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 fo...

The Bird of a Different Feather | Ep. 212

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD, this African tale explains how the guinea fowl got its distinctively speckled feathers. Sign up...

The Pot of Gold | Ep. 211

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded 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 situat...

Once Upon a Flame | Ep. 210

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Willam 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 ...

Earning Peanuts | Ep. 209

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pablo Castelblanco (Alaska Daily, Ganymede) and Meredith Holzman (Alaska Daily, Inventing Anna) headline a story with Burmese and Indian roots about a...

The Fairy Fort | Ep. 208

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taylor Richardson (The Gilded Age) and Alison Wright (The Americans, Snowpiercer) co-star in this Irish tale about mischievous fairies and the power o...

The First Customer | Ep. 207

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stephanie 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 o...

Catch You Later | Ep. 206

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nazneen Contractor (Holidazed, Star Wars Resistance) plays a cunning barber whose wits are as sharp as her scissors in this clever Bengali tale. Sign...

Amos and the Ogre | Ep. 205

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Comedians 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 ...

Blowing Hot and Cold | Ep. 204

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Broadway performer Brittney Johnson (Wicked) stars in an Estonian story about being able to control the weather -- and the responsibility such power b...

Encore: The Fishermen's Leftovers

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

A Devil of a Job | Ep. 203

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mel Rodriguez (The Afterparty, CSI: Vegas) stars in this Ecuadorian tale about a talented architect who has a devil of a time meeting a seemingly impo...

The Sweet Spot | Ep. 202

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tantoo 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...

The Dust-Up | Ep. 201

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jackie Chung (The Summer I Turned Pretty, Coming Home Again) and Louis Ozawa (Hunters, Pachinko) star in this rollicking tale from Africa about how th...

The Fast Feast | Ep. 200

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We celebrate our 200th episode with two Circle Round alums -- Jon Jon Briones (Ratched, Class of ‘09) and Kathleen Chalfant (The Affair, House of Ca...

Written in the Stars | Ep. 199

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tallie Medel (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Cocoon Central Dance Team) headlines this Moroccan Jewish tale about how pursuing your passion can be...

The Unselfish Shellfish | Ep. 198

28 Feb 2023

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: Growing Courage

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kyla 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 Eagle's Return | Ep. 197

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Diana Lee Inosanto (The Mandalorian, The Curious Mind of Sebastian) and Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor, Trick-or-Treat Scooby-Doo!) star in this Venez...

Donkey Business | Ep. 196

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Hale (Stars Wars: The Clone Wars, Mass Effect) and Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) star in this tricky tale about donke...

The Kernel of Truth | Ep. 195

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Avatar: The Way of Water, The Garcias), Jen Cohn (Welcome to Chippendales, Star Wars: The Old Republic) and America Young (Barbie...

The Missing Mountainside | Ep. 194

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

The Wrong Day | Ep. 193

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Liza Lapira (The Equalizer, Must Love Christmas) and Telly Leung (Allegiance, Warrior) star in this folktale from Japan about good days, bad days, and...

Hungry Hippo | Ep. 192

10 Jan 2023

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: The Great Acorn Robbery

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Katy Mixon (American Housewife, Minions) and Diedrich Bader (American Housewife, Veep) headline this Seneca tale about an industrious squirrel and the...

Encore: The Three-Legged Pot

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Aparna Nancherla (The Standups, Corporate) stars as a rambunctious cooking vessel in this Danish and Middle Eastern story about generosity an...

The Parakeet’s Promise | Ep. 191

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Strong Mind and Kind Heart | Ep. 190

13 Dec 2022

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...

The Looking Glass | Ep. 189

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Coulter (Shotgun Wedding, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), Linedy Genao (Bad Cinderella), and Mark Gagliardi (Blood and Treasure, Drunk History) star...

Encore: Nilsa and the Troll

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this favorite tale from the archives, Raegan Revord (Young Sheldon) plays a generous young woman who proves that small gestures of kindness can mak...

The Scholar’s Reward | Ep. 188

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This Indian tale starring Summer Bishil (The Magicians, Four Samosas) and Michael Maliakel (Aladdin on Broadway) tells how the first chess game came t...

Like Oil and Water | Ep. 187

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 just...

The Most Fabulous Fur of All | Ep. 186

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this Cherokee story, Q'orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) plays a clever rabbit who craftily tries pulling the wool — ...

The Wheat and the Chaff | Ep. 185

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

The Sorcerer’s Offer | Ep. 184

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired 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 De...

The Banana Split | Ep. 183

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amirah Vann (A Jazzman’s Blues, Underground) and Jim Conroy (Jellystone, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman) star in this Panamanian tale about a slow, steadf...

Encore: The Fantastic Fiddle

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

Finding the Light | Ep. 182

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kennedy 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 legend...

Chameleon’s Contest | Ep. 181

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonica 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 ...

The Little Blue Pebble | Ep. 180

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this magical story with roots all over the world, Broadway performers Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna (Broadway Husbands) play farmers who receive a...

One Wish (feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra) | Ep. 179

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this tale with Indian, Irish, and Jewish roots proves ...

Fair-Feathered Friends (feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra) | Ep. 178

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Burmese folktale imagines why the thrush's colors...

Fighting Like Cats and Dogs (feat. Boston Symphony Orchestra) | Ep. 177

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Korean tale offers an enchanting explanation abou...

Encore: Long Hair and the Waterfall

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Korean tale offers an enchanting explanation to w...

The Golden Advice | Ep. 176

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate 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 Gre...

The Tale of Koala's Tail | Ep. 175

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny, Reservation Dogs) stars in an Aboriginal Australian tale about a koala whose overbearing pride makes her lose her pride ...

'The Princess and the Bee' | Ep. 174

02 Aug 2022

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: Curious Boots

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces, Jumanji) stars as a precocious little brother whose curiosity earns him a royally big reward in this Norwegian adventure ...

'A Trio of Tricks' | Ep. 173

19 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Della Saba (Zootopia, Physical) headlines an Indonesian and Malaysian tale about a teeny-tiny trickster who outsmarts the other animals with her big w...

'Pulling Strings' | Ep. 172

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick, South Side) stars in a Ghanaian tale about legendary eight-legged trickster Anansi, and why all spiders have nar...

'A Song for the Spirits' | Ep. 171

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Krys Marshall (For All Mankind) stars in a West African story about an honest fisherwoman, a haunted forest, and a flute with value beyond compare. S...

Encore: Rabbit's Wish

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

Encore: The Gloomy Pine Tree

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish) stars as a discontented sapling in this classic "grass is always greener" tale from our third season. Sign up for o...

Encore: Little Frog’s Big Voice

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dyllón Burnside (POSE, Prideland) and Tony nominee Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, School of Rock - The Musical) co-star in this Australian story from t...

Encore: The Wind Catcher

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) headlines this Marshallese tale from our fourth season about how the first sailboat came ...

'The Neverending Stories' | Ep. 170

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anjali Bhimani (Special, Ms. Marvel) and Adriyan Rae (Chicago Fire, The Game) co-star in this Korean, Cambodian, and Kazakh tale about the importance ...

'Katya the Quick' | Ep. 169

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Susannah Flood (Life and Beth, Birthday Candles) and Etai Benson (The Band's Visit, Company) star in this Jewish folktale about a clever, quick-witted...

'Misery Loves Company' | Ep. 168

17 May 2022

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 th...

'After Midnight' | Ep. 167

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Morse (John Adams, How I Learned To Drive) and Fiona Glascott (Fantastic Beasts, Julia) star in this Irish tale about a magical creature who hel...

'The Early Bird' | Ep. 166

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jazmyn Simon (Ballers, Most Perfect You) and Megan Boone (The Blacklist, The Underground Railroad) play competing birds in this Native American story ...

Encore: The Golden Flask

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Allison 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. S...

'Friends in High Places' | Ep. 165

19 Apr 2022

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...

'Of Beans and Bunnies' | Ep. 164

12 Apr 2022

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 fr...

'The Troupe of Ten' | Ep. 163

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Malia 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 ...

'Poor Rich' | Ep. 162

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Broadway stars Michael Cerveris (The Gilded Age, Fun Home) and Patrick Page (The Gilded Age, Hadestown) star in a Ukrainian folktale that shows there'...

'Queen of the Forest' | Ep. 161

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Actors, directors and real-life couple Marielle Heller (The Queen's Gambit, MacGruber) and Jorma Taccone (MacGruber, The Lonely Island) headline a tal...

'The Lumps of Clay' | Ep. 160

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Magic Touch' | Ep. 159

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Edi Gathegi ("The Harder They Fall," "For All Mankind") stars in this East African story about twin brothers, enchanted fruit, and the magic of an ope...

Encore: Share and Share Alike

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Glynn Washington (Snap Judgment) and Tiffany Boone (Hunters, Nine Perfect Strangers) star in this favorite folktale from season one, about a lazy bear...