Best Al Castro Podcasts (2025)

1
"The Space Between Us" by P.A. Cornell + "Memories of the MindMine" by David Marino 1:06:06

Play Pause

1d ago1:06:06

1:06:06

This episode features "The Space Between Us" by P.A. Cornell (©2025 by P.A. Cornell) read by Justine Eyre and Stefan Rudnicki, and "Memories of the MindMine" by David Marino (©2025 by David Marino) read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
ENCORE - The Spy Who (UK) | The Spy Who Gave London its Christmas Tree | 1 34:40

4d ago34:40

34:40

This Christmas, we're revisiting one of our favorite spy stories. Each December, a giant tree lights up London’s Trafalgar Square. Behind the custom: 007 author Ian Fleming and a secret mission to Norway. This is the story of how wartime espionage gave Britain its most spectacular festive tradition. The Spy Who will take a short break, and will be …

1
The Story of the Wooden Coin, and a Couple of Choked-up Dads 28:15

3d ago28:15

28:15

Lots of fun as the Dads talk about The Story of the Wooden Coin, our first Christmas book—well, the first Christmas book at Christmas time. David dances on rhythm whatever that means; Mike chose the Hanukkah book, so, naturally, since David is Catholic, Mike chooses the Christmas book—wait, what?! Also, it’s our second episode in a row to reference…

1
"HagioClass" by José Pablo Iriarte + "The Hub Living Among the Stars" by Oyedotun Damilola Muees 48:43

9d ago48:43

48:43

This episode features "HagioClass" by José Pablo Iriarte (©2025 by José Pablo Iriarte) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "The Hub Living Among the Stars" by Oyedotun Damilola Muees (©2025 by Oyedotun Damilola Muees) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
The Spy Who Outran the KGB | Before Gordievsky, and the Secret War Inside Britain - with Author Tim Tate | 4 36:45

11d ago36:45

36:45

How did the Soviet Union infiltrate so many of Britain’s institutions? Investigative journalist Tim Tate dives into the dark underbelly of British-Soviet relations—uncovering a world where the Kremlin’s influence had already seeped into the heart of Britain’s highest echelons of power long before Oleg Gordievsky ever arrived. In conversation with s…

1
All About Hanukkah, Channukah, AND Khanukkah 27:49

10d ago27:49

27:49

In our first holiday episode—well, at least our first episode on a book about a holiday around the same time that the holiday that the book is about falls—anyway here’s our first book about Hanukkah: All about Hanukkah by Judyth Groner and Madeline Wikler, illustrated by Kinny Kreiswirth. Everything you wanted to know about Hanukkah and so much mor…

1
"Us, in Another Universe" by A.C. Wise + "Crickets in Lost Light" by Jonathan Olfert 1:06:28

16d ago1:06:28

1:06:28

This episode features "Us, in Another Universe" by A.C. Wise (©2025 by A.C. Wise) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Crickets in Lost Light" by Jonathan Olfert (©2025 by Jonathan Olfert) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
The Spy Who Outran the KGB | The Chase | 3 41:41

18d ago41:41

41:41

Oleg Gordievsky's back in Moscow and the KGB are tracking his every move, waiting for him to slip up. He’s got just one option left: MI6’s harebrained plan to smuggle him out of the USSR. And if it goes wrong he’s a dead man. Have you got a spy story you would like us to tell? Email your ideas to [email protected] See Privacy Policy at https://…

1
Good Night Gorilla, don't monkey around while listening, and no AL, you are NOT a monkey 29:39

19d ago29:39

29:39

Holy carp! this is our 30th episode and at this moment we have 988 listens!! Mike and David return to short books—board books even!—with Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann, and they are so excited about good and night being two words and the comma in the title!! The Dads discuss the nods to Goodnight Moon including the ever-present mouse and the…

1
"You Always Told Her You'd Give Her the World" by Aimee Ogden + "Reality Check" by Nancy Kress 50:41

23d ago50:41

50:41

This episode features "You Always Told Her You'd Give Her the World" by Aimee Ogden (©2025 by Aimee Ogden) read by Mirron Willis, and "Reality Check" by Nancy Kress (©2025 by Nancy Kress) read by Justine Eyre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

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The Spy Who Outran the KGB | War Games | 2 48:03

25d ago48:03

48:03

When a new job turns Oleg Gordievsky into MI6’s top spy in the KGB, the West is shocked to learn that Soviet nuclear paranoia isn’t just for show. Have you got a spy story you would like us to tell? Email your ideas to [email protected] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do…

1
Carbles Marbles, Castro's Astros 45:18

25d ago45:18

45:18

We get to part two of our conversation with My Weird School series (and many many other silly and some not silly books) Dan Gutman. Our surprise guest shows up. Will we find Dr. Carbles? Or his marbles? Take a listen and find out. Bonus stuff: Dan’s writing tips for young (and old) aspiring writers: Start with “what if?” and add imagination. What i…

1
"The Cold Burning Light of Her" by Sam W. Pisciotta + "Operation: Grapevine" by Joel W.D. Buxton 27:21

30d ago27:21

27:21

This episode features "The Cold Burning Light of Her" by Sam W. Pisciotta (©2025 by Sam W. Pisciotta) read by Roxanne Hernandez, and "Operation: Grapevine" by Joel W.D. Buxton (©2025 by Joel W.D. Buxton) read by Scott Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
The Spy Who Outran the KGB | Secrets and Chocolate Bars | 1 44:11

1M ago44:11

44:11

When KGB man Oleg Gordievsky is spotted shopping in Copenhagen’s red-light district, Western intelligence sees a chance to recruit him. But they’re going to get more than that. They’re going to get a Soviet insider who will help the world step back from the edge of nuclear war and end the Cold War. Have you got a spy story you’d like us to tell? Em…

1
Where are Dr. Carbles Marbles! and where's my Pfeffernusse? 42:35

1M ago42:35

42:35

Mike and David welcome their first non-daughter guest, Dan Gutman, the nutman, author of the My Weird(er and erestEST...) School Series(esEST?), and the recently released The Picasso Curse and OH SOOO many more. Dan discusses his “What if” theory of writing (What if Castro became an Astro?, What if Picasso became an Queso) and denies VEHEMENTLY any…

1
"Visible Damage" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman + "How to Build a Homecoming Queen: A Guide by a Bad Asian Girl" by Tina S. Zhu 52:30

1M ago52:30

52:30

This episode features "Visible Damage" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (©2025 by Nina Kiriki Hoffman) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "How to Build a Homecoming Queen: A Guide by a Bad Asian Girl" by Tina S. Zhu (©2025 by Tina S. Zhu) read by Si Chen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
The Spy Who Lived Inside Al-Qaeda | Morten Storm on his extraordinary life, being 'one of the worst spies' and the true cost of espionage | 4 38:08

1M ago38:08

38:08

The ex spy at the heart of our story joins host Charlie Higson to unpack his days in a biker gang, his immersion in radical Islam, his rise within al-Qaeda’s ranks, and the dramatic fallout that followed. This high-stakes espionage led to the death of his friend - one of al-Qaeda’s top commanders. In a cruel twist of fate, Morten was subsequently b…

1
Goodnight Moon: less cheddar, more tea and peas, please 30:41

1M ago30:41

30:41

The "Dads on Books" welcomed Lucy Patrick, who selected a copy of the 1947 classic, Good Night Moon. Lucy chose her sticky shredded copy of the book mostly because the mouse is "really cute". The dads, with a lot of help from brilliant Lucy, calculate that it took the little bunny a wopping 70 minutes to finally fall asleep. They debated whether th…

1
"Beneath the Umdlebe Tree (Or: A Vegetable Love Story)" by Modupeoluwa Shelle + "Elegy for Zephyr One" by Gene Doucette 1:18:28

1M ago1:18:28

1:18:28

This episode features "Beneath the Umdlebe Tree (Or: A Vegetable Love Story)" by Modupeoluwa Shelle (©2025 by Modupeoluwa Shelle) read by Mirron Willis, and "Elegy for Zephyr One" by Gene Doucette (©2025 by Gene Doucette) read by Stefan Rudnicki Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
The Spy Who Lived Inside Al-Qaeda | Disposable Hero | 3 37:50

2M ago37:50

37:50

Danish spy Morten Storm is closing in on terrorist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki to secure a huge CIA bounty. But he’s about to be double crossed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1
Warrior Cats: Into the Wild and Sarah Patrick 32:52

2M ago32:52

32:52

Another daughter, another series! David’s Sarah and Warrior Cats’s Into the Wild! by Erin “faux” Hunter. Mike reads the wrong book. Again. And is lost. David reads the right book. Again. And is lost. Sarah is not lost and finds the Dads. It’s a wild wonderful world of cat clans and hyphens and blood-beats. This epic tale is so huge that Sarah is cu…

1
"How to Setup Your Mourning Robot" by Angela Liu + "In the Zone" by Lisa M. Bradley 52:45

2M ago52:45

52:45

This episode features "How to Setup Your Mourning Robot" by Angela Liu (©2025 by Angela Liu) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "In the Zone" by Lisa M. Bradley (©2025 by Lisa M. Bradley) read by Roxanne Hernandez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
The Spy Who Lived Inside Al-Qaeda | The Struggle Within | 2 40:10

2M ago40:10

40:10

As the threat from jihadi preacher Anwar al-Awlaki increases, Morten Storm goes to Yemen to spy on him for the CIA. But al-Awlaki’s got a surprise mission for Storm. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and other life lessons 25:45

2M ago25:45

25:45

Mike and David return to totally toddler tomes—fewer words, no chapters, and more pictures with one of their favorite and fun authors award-garnering Mo Willems. We're talking about illustrious, illylu—pictures again. SPOILER ALERT—We love the art! So simple, yet so profound with an hint of/ notes of cranberry and sage. And David messes up his anim…

1
"Thaw" by An Owomoyela + "Drosera regina" by A.L. Goldfuss 1:21:40

2M ago1:21:40

1:21:40

This episode features "Thaw" by An Owomoyela (©2025 by An Owomoyela) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Drosera regina" by A.L. Goldfuss (©2025 by A.L. Goldfuss) read by Susan Hanfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
The Spy Who Lived Inside Al-Qaeda| Jump in the Fire | 1 41:17

2M ago41:17

41:17

When an outlaw biker swaps crime for Islamic extremism, he finds himself on MI5’s radar. But as he gets closer to al-Qaeda’s inner circle, one decision will turn him from terrorist ally into their worst nightmare. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
El Deafo: Friends and graphic novels (pics, rabbits, and 4 shadows) 36:17

2M ago36:17

36:17

In the third “Since we are Dads on Books, we have daughters, and they can be Guests!“ episode, Mike’s daughter Ruby joins us with one of her favorite books—it's teacher and school librarian approved!!—and our first graphic novel, El Deafo by CeCe Bell. We touch on a mashup of Little House and the Waltons, a German version of the muppets (DasMuppetz…

1
"Dating Fortune" by Sean McMullen + "Everyone Hates the Auditor" by Megan Chee 50:48

2M ago50:48

50:48

This episode features "Dating Fortune" by Sean McMullen (©2025 by Sean McMullen) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Everyone Hates the Auditor" by Megan Chee (©2025 by Megan Chee) read by Mirron Willis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
The Spy Who Colluded with Castro | How Ana Montes Fooled Her FBI Siblings | 4 35:24

2M ago35:24

35:24

How did Ana Montes spy for Cuba for 17 years while surrounded by FBI agents, which included her own relatives? Investigative journalist Jim Popkin joins spy novelist Charlie Higson to reveal how the Pentagon's top Cuba analyst maintained her double life, and shared Thanksgiving dinner surrounded FBI family members while feeding America's military s…

1
Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief: Voyage to Vegas with a zebra, tin cans and 7 layer dip 34:54

2M ago34:54

34:54

This time there’s someone next to David—his daughter Delaney! Mike and David welcome their second guest. Ever. We delve into the wonderful world of Percy Jackson. WARNING: this book has no pictures!! And is long. Longer than our previous reads. And read the chapter titles first. Trust us. Trust her. From accidental teacher vaporization to taking a …

1
"The Porniest Porn in Porntown" by Stephen Graham Jones + "Dirge and Gleam" by Micah Dean Hicks 1:19:51

2M ago1:19:51

1:19:51

This episode features "The Porniest Porn in Porntown" by Stephen Graham Jones (©2025 by Stephen Graham Jones) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "Dirge and Gleam" by Micah Dean Hicks (©2025 by Micah Dean Hicks) read by Janina Edwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

1
The Spy Who Colluded with Castro | Ready to Snap | 3 39:03

2M ago39:03

39:03

The Defense Intelligence Agency thinks it’s found the Cuban spy in its ranks but convincing the FBI won’t be easy. And as the agencies clash, Ana Montes starts to wonder: is there more to life than espionage? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: We Didn't Get on Board With This One! 25:44

2M ago25:44

25:44

Mike and David talk about "Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus" by Barbara Park. Let's just say they're not on board with this one--a first! While there's some fun: Mike likes that it's made of paper and when he learned that "a relief is when your stomach doesn't feel squeezy anymore." And David liked STEWED TOMATOES!! this one just isn't thei…

1
"At the Bottom of the Bonfire" by Martin Cahill + "O Mechfighter, O Starsinger" by Osahon Ize-Iyamu 55:44

3M ago55:44

55:44

This episode features "At the Bottom of the Bonfire" by Martin Cahill (©2025 by Martin Cahill) read by Stefan Rudnicki, and "O Mechfighter, O Starsinger" by Osahon Ize-Iyamu (©2025 by Osahon Ize-Iyamu) read by Janina Edwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press

4M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

This episode features "The Dream Tourists" by Sarah Langan (©2025 by Sarah Langan) and "Savannah and the Apprentice" by Christopher Rowe (©2025 by Christopher Rowe), both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Adamant Press