Pop singer David Archuleta (American Idol) and stand-up comic Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) headline this Mongolian story about the origins of the country's national instrument: the horsehead fiddle. Voices in this episode include Doug Lockwood, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Kimberly Schraf, David Archuleta and Sherry Cola. Grown-ups, look for stand-up comedian Sherry Cola on the Freeform network drama, Good Trouble. Singer-songwriter and American Idol star David Archuleta kicks off his Ok, All Right To...
Mar 10, 2020•24 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Orla Brady (Star Trek: Picard, Into the Badlands) stars in this Irish tale about three wise animals, two very different sisters, and one bag of silver coins.
Mar 03, 2020•24 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara (The King and I; Kiss Me, Kate) stars opposite real-life husband, director/musician Greg Naughton (The Independents, The Sweet Remains), in this Korean and Japanese tale about eternal love, kindness and youth.
Feb 25, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 32
This Russian and European folktale stars real-life husband and wife Paul Sparks (House of Cards, Sweetbitter) and Annie Parisse (Friends From College) as a king who's taken prisoner, and a queen whose musical prowess sets him free.
Feb 18, 2020•21 min•Season 3Ep. 31
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.
Feb 11, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 30
In this Japanese tale, Alex Landi (Grey's Anatomy, Insatiable) plays a wise judge who finds an ingenious way to determine the real mother of a bouncing baby boy.
Feb 04, 2020•19 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Comedian Margaret Cho (The Margaret Cho, Fresh Off The Bloat) headlines this English tale about a greedy woman who bites off more than she can chew.
Jan 28, 2020•19 min•Season 3Ep. 28
In this zany Celtic tale, when fairies come to help Parker Bates (This Is Us) with his chores, he discovers they're far more trouble than they're worth.
Jan 21, 2020•18 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Podcast luminary Avery Trufelman (99% Invisible, Articles of Interest) stars as a generous baker touched by magic in this scrumptious Jewish tale.
Jan 14, 2020•18 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock, Grand Horizons) and Nikesh Patel (Four Weddings and a Funeral) headline this Indian story that asks what's more precious: glittering jewels, or good friends?
Jan 07, 2020•19 min•Season 3Ep. 25
What would it be like to experience the months of the year--out of order? Joshua Rush ("Andi Mack") and Ailsa Chang (NPR) co-star in this story which has its origins in Russia, Greece, and the Czech Republic.
Dec 31, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Patrick Fabian ("Better Call Saul") and Mandy Fabian ("Dropping The Soap") star in a story about a husband and wife whose generosity leads them to an unexpected challenge. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages
Dec 24, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish) stars as a discontented sapling in this classic "grass is always greener" tale from Germany.
Dec 17, 2019•19 min•Season 3Ep. 22
In this story with roots in Denmark, Raegan Revord (Young Sheldon) plays a generous young woman who proves that small gestures of kindness can make a big difference.
Dec 10, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Jeannie Mai (Listen Hunnay, The Real) headlines this Chinese and Vietnamese tale about a wise, witty woman who gives a greedy, riddle-loving banker a run for his money.
Dec 03, 2019•18 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Selenis Leyva ("Orange is the New Black," "Maniacs") stars as a clever baker in this retelling of a Scottish folktale about the power of a little "please" and "thank you."
Nov 26, 2019•19 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Phillipa Soo (Hamilton, The Code) and Stacy Keach (Man With a Plan, American Greed) headline this Chinese tale about a kind, humble artist whose paintings come to life.
Nov 19, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Comedian/kids' author Michael Ian Black (I'm Worried, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop) and actor/director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Stella) star in this supernatural story from Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic.
Nov 12, 2019•22 min•Season 3Ep. 17
In this Cherokee story, Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons) plays a feisty, creative spider who proves that power and strength aren't always about physical size.
Nov 05, 2019•21 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz — hosts of NPR’s "Wow! in the World" podcast — star in this whimsical Native American tale about the dangers of gossip.
Oct 29, 2019•19 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Broadway stars Derrick Baskin ("Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee") and Brandon Uranowitz ("An American in Paris," "Burn This") play a curious king and clever farmer in this tale with roots in Russia, Italy, India, Greece, Africa and Iran.
Oct 22, 2019•19 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Wes Studi, who later this month will become the first Native American actor to receive an Oscar, stars as the Wampanoag mythical figure 'Maushop,' a kind, gentle giant who tries to convince the sun to come back home.
Oct 15, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Lake Bell (The Secret Life of Pets, Bless This Mess) stars as a struggling farmer who gives a selfish landlord a run for his money in this folktale from Russia, Germany, Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Oct 08, 2019•21 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Tony Award winner André De Shields (Hadestown, The Full Monty) stars in this Jewish tale that tests the old adage: "finders keepers, losers weepers."
Oct 01, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Katy Mixon (American Housewife, Minions) and Diedrich Bader (American Housewife, Veep) headline this Seneca tale about an industrious squirrel and the sneaky critters who pilfer her prized acorns.
Sep 24, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this story with roots in West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, Ryan Michelle Bathé (This Is Us, First Wives Club) plays a clever Rabbit who discovers that power and strength aren't just about physical size.
Sep 17, 2019•20 min•Season 3Ep. 9
This Norwegian adventure tale stars Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces, Jumanji 2) as a precocious little brother whose curiosity earns him a royally big reward.
Sep 10, 2019•24 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Ever wonder what instrument you're hearing during your favorite 'Circle Round' story? We're revisiting a very special episode featuring the music and mind of Eric Shimelonis, resident sound designer and composer.
Aug 27, 2019•13 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This week, we're bringing back a listener favorite. Richard Kind ("Inside Out") stars in this Middle Eastern folktale about a clever man who teaches his village a thing or two about the dangers of judging a book by its cover.
Aug 20, 2019•17 min•Season 3Ep. 6
French comedian Gad Elmaleh stars in this episode about one little armadillo who doesn't let anyone discourage him from following his dreams. This lively Bolivian folktale tells the origin story of the "charango," a small Andean stringed instrument.
Aug 06, 2019•19 min•Season 3Ep. 5
