Circle Round

Efren 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.

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

Utkarsh 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.

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025

Scott 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.

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

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

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

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 cantankerous crocodile a lesson.

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

In 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. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

Brittany 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. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

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. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

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 differences between wants and needs. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

Stephen 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! Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

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 long neck, and how the rhino got an unexpected ally!

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

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

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

Rapper/poet Omar Offendum (Little Syria) stars in a Persian and North African tale about righting wrongs and sniffing out a thief.

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

Alan 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.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Stephanie 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.

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

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 this tale with roots across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the American Southwest. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

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 about sowing the seeds of kindness, compassion and crocuses.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

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 tails.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

Román Zaragoza (Ghosts) stars in a Wampanoag tale about a gentle giant, a hungry shark, and the power of fun and games.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

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 moon came to be.

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

Recorded 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.

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

Recorded 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.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

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 the truth to light.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

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 zodiac animals.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

Arlen Escarpeta (Found, The Oath) headlines a tale from southern Africa about stolen spuds and hare-brained schemes.

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

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

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

Mireille 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!

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

Alexandra 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.

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2024

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 striped critter its telltale scent.

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

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 heart.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

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 embarks on an unforgettable chase.

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2024

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 — and fur — over everyone’s eyes.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2024

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 the priceless value of freedom.

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2024

Jon Huertas (This Is Us, Tracker) headlines an Aztec legend about how music first came to the world.

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2024

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 honest heart.

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2024

Actor 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.

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2024

Tatyana 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.

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2024

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 proud queen in this tale with Georgian, Kazakh and Ghanaian roots.

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2024

Broadway'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.

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2024

Duchess 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.

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2024

Duchess 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.

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2024

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-obsessed goddess and a crafty, colorful chameleon.

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2024

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 horses and broken deals.

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2024

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 is right... and the price is wrong!

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

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 able to moooooove mountains!

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2024

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 schoolteacher who proves she's nobody's fool.

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2024

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 forward."

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2024

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 putting them on the spot!

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2024