Were-Puppy

Summary

Story Pirates Podcast: "Were-Puppy" (October 16, 2025) — Episode Summary

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Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode of the Story Pirates Podcast spotlights a spooky, comedic tale written by young authors Blake (age 10) and Park (age 7) from Minnesota. With Halloween approaching, the Story Pirates team explores the age-old question: if all babies are cute, even monstrous creatures, what happens when a werewolf is just a puppy? Through song, sketch, and plenty of giggles, the episode brings the kids’ creative, clever story “Were-Puppy” to hilarious life.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Introduction and Set-Up

• Lee Overtree welcomes the audience, teases the spooky season, and poses the main question: Are werewolves still scary when they're puppies? (01:12)
  • Quote: “Almost any kind of creature is cute when it's a baby, right? So what about something like a werewolf? Are they still scary when they're puppies?” – Lee Overtree (01:12)

2. The Tale of Were-Puppy (Sketch Comedy & Storytelling, 01:54–09:24)

• Family Travels to the Orlikon Mountains

  • The family arrives at a highly recommended tavern in the Orlikon Mountains, mostly because of travellist.com. Jokes fly about hangry moods and travel review websites. (01:56–02:14)
    • Memorable moment: “Sounds like somebody's hangry.” – Andrew Barbato (02:12)
  • Suspense builds as they notice all the town’s doors and shutters closing for the night, with cryptic warnings from the innkeeper. (02:38–03:02)

• The Mysterious Doodles

  • The innkeeper offers them a stay for a good review, then behaves oddly as spooky sounds echo. References to “Doodles,” which seems to be both a warning and a mystery. (03:07–04:38)

• Strange Noises & Parental Curiosity

  • Odd noises lure family members outside one-by-one. Comic confusion and parental bravado as the mother insists on checking out the source herself. (04:14–05:23)
    • Quote: “Oh, stop worrying, hun. Just save me a piece of dessert.” – Andrew Barbato (05:19)

• The Legend Revealed

  • The innkeeper nervously reveals the legend of Doodles, the were-puppy:
    • “Once there was a pup named Doodles. He was a cute brown pup. But one summer evening when Doodles was out in the garden, the full moon shone down on him. His fur changed from brown to gray and he grew long claws. He became a were puppy.” – Peter McNerney (05:50–06:10)
  • Descriptions are spooky-yet-silly: Doodles can hear every sound—except those from China for some reason (06:15–06:33), and howls to fellow were-puppies at night.

• Cute, Not Creepy

  • The family finds Doodles: not a terrifying monster, but an “incredibly cute” puppy who loves cuddling. (07:23)
    • “He’s…incredibly cute.” – Langston Darby (07:23)
    • “This is what I’ve been scared of all these years. Ah, you’re adorable, Doodles.” – Peter McNerney (07:41)
  • Twist: All the town lore was based on unnecessary fear of…an adorable pup!

• Resolution

  • Guests and locals enjoy dessert together—including Doodles, who gets to taste vanilla ice cream (“safe in small quantities”). (07:54–08:18)
  • The family posts a rave travel review and everyone makes new friends. The innkeeper’s real name is simply “the Innkeeper,” a joke about local language. (08:26–08:38)
    • Travel review quote: “When you come stay at this taverna, be sure to give the resident pup Doodles a scratch behind the ears. I give it seven out of seven suitcases.” – Andrew Barbato (08:40)

• Closing Gag: Room for More Monsters

  • Hint at more weirdness: “Except for when there’s a new moon. And Winky the vampire hamster is loose.” (09:07)
  • Comic reveal: Winky the hamster is perfectly normal after all. (09:19–09:24)

3. Author Spotlight

• Blake and Park introduce themselves and the story, sharing a little peek into their creative process and excitement hearing their story come alive. (01:39, 09:29)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On travel guide culture:
  • “But those weren't on travellist.com. travellist.com says this is the best spot to eat in the whole Orlikon Mountain range.” – Andrew Barbato (02:01)
• On small-town mystery:
  • “Did all the shutters and doors in town just snap shut?” – Langston Darby (02:38)
• On monster legends:
  • “It’s like a werewolf, but a puppy.” – Peter McNerney (06:15)
• Revelation:
  • “This is what I’ve been scared of all these years. Ah, you’re adorable, Doodles.” – Peter McNerney (07:41)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:12–01:39: Lee introduces the episode theme and young authors
• 01:54–09:24: Performance of "Were-Puppy"
  • 02:38: Town shutters close mysteriously
  • 05:50: Legend of Doodles revealed
  • 07:23: The were-puppy is discovered—and is super cute!
  • 08:40: Family posts a travel review, praises Doodles
  • 09:07–09:24: Silly outro with Winky the "vampire hamster"
• 09:29: Young authors sign off

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Tone & Style

• Playful, spooky but silly
• Warm and inclusive, with lots of winks to adults and kids alike
• Character-driven humor, funny travel tropes, classic monster twist played for laughs

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Engaging Takeaways

• The episode, true to the Story Pirates’ spirit, takes a spooky theme and flips it into a heartwarming message: don’t let fear and hearsay cloud your judgment—sometimes the scariest thing just needs a hug (or a scratch behind the ears).
• Celebrates kids’ creativity and imagination, encouraging all listeners to write their weirdest, silliest stories.

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For Listeners & Families

If you missed the episode, you’ll find all the highlights here: a mysterious tavern, a cute puppy with a monstrous twist, a community learning to judge a “were-puppy” by his cuddles—not his claws. Packed with laughter, memorable lines, and a reminder to follow your curiosity, not your fears.

Transcript

[Lee Overtree]

Hey, Story Pirates podcast listeners. Lee here. It's getting to be that spooky time of year, so we've got a brand new spooky story just for you grownups. There's still a few dates left on our fall tour. Come check us out in Missoula, Montana, Salem, Oregon and Boise, Idaho. Just head to storypirates.com live to get your tickets. We'd love to see you Today's brand new story coming up after a few more words for the grownups.

[Benjamin Salka]

I love storytelling.

[Blake and Park (Authors)]

I'm very different from everybody. Confusion is the step before curiosity. Okay, that's a really funny idea. We have to send that in. I just get some joy when I hear other people giggling. I believe all the things in my story. Human beings are just able to create the story pirates.

[Lee Overtree]

Welcome back to the Story Pirates podcast. We all know about the kinds of scary beasts that show up around Halloween time, right? But I have a question. Almost any kind of creature is cute when it's a baby, right? So what about something like a werewolf? Are they still scary when they're puppies? Find out in today's brand new story. Here's the author to introduce it.

[Blake and Park (Authors)]

Hi, I'm Blake and I'm 10 years old. Hi, I'm park and I'm seven years old. And we're from Minnesota. This is our story. Where Puppy.

[Andrew Barbato]

Finally. Here it is.

[Colin Batten]

Are you sure? This tavern looks just like the other 30 taverns we passed hours ago.

[Andrew Barbato]

But those weren't on travellist.com. travellist.com says this is the best spot to eat in the whole Orlikon Mountain range.

[Langston Darby]

Mom, you don't have to keep saying travelist.com.

[Benjamin Salka]

Okay.

[Langston Darby]

Geez.

[Andrew Barbato]

Sounds like somebody's hangry.

[Peter McNerney]

Yes, hangry. A charming expression that means hungry and angry.

[Benjamin Salka]

Wow, she's right.

[Colin Batten]

Different languages.

[Andrew Barbato]

A table for three, please. We can't wait to try everything off this menu.

[Peter McNerney]

I would love to. Unfortunately, we close early today.

[Colin Batten]

No, maybe we should try one of these other establishments.

[Langston Darby]

Did all the shutters and doors in town just snap shut?

[Benjamin Salka]

Doodles do doodles.

[Langston Darby]

What does that mean?

[Peter McNerney]

Oh, it's just saying in our language. It doesn't really translate. But yes, everyone closed early today. If I were you, I would find a ride out of here and back down the mountain, as nothing will reopen till morning. So good night.

[Andrew Barbato]

But I'm a gold star expert guide on travellist.com we could give you a.

[Peter McNerney]

Good review travellist.com that could really boost our signal. I really shouldn't, but okay, come on in.

[Benjamin Salka]

Yay.

[Peter McNerney]

Right this way. I hope I don't regret this. Nothing. Come on in.

[Andrew Barbato]

Well, that was one of the finest meals I've ever had.

[Peter McNerney]

Oh, that brings me such joy to hear.

[Langston Darby]

I guess we'd better get back to our hotel.

[Benjamin Salka]

No. Doodles. Doodles? What do you mean?

[Peter McNerney]

I mean.

[Benjamin Salka]

Doodly doo doo doo doo.

[Peter McNerney]

I am offering you a free night stay here at the tavern.

[Andrew Barbato]

Oh, that's very generous, but we ought to be getting back. We have an early traditional mosaics of the region tour. In the morning.

[Peter McNerney]

I give you an exclusive traditional Rosaics.

[Colin Batten]

Mosaics.

[Peter McNerney]

Whatever tour tomorrow. I know all about Rosaics.

[Langston Darby]

I am pretty tired.

[Andrew Barbato]

What the heck, let's stay the night.

[Benjamin Salka]

Yay.

[Colin Batten]

What was that noise?

[Peter McNerney]

Is my tummy. Boy, is it rumbling.

[Colin Batten]

But we just ate a hearty 10 course meal.

[Peter McNerney]

Did we though?

[Colin Batten]

We did. I'm gonna go check out that sound.

[Peter McNerney]

You can't. We haven't had dessert yet.

[Benjamin Salka]

Stay right there.

[Peter McNerney]

Let me go and get it.

[Colin Batten]

Ah, there it is again. I'm just gonna pop out while she's in the kitchen.

[Andrew Barbato]

Isn't this exciting, honey? I bet none of your classmates have vacations like this.

[Langston Darby]

Tabitha, Jane's family actually did come to the Orlikon Mountain range last semester.

[Andrew Barbato]

They did? Sheila never me that.

[Benjamin Salka]

Oh no.

[Langston Darby]

What was that?

[Andrew Barbato]

It sounds like your dad and something else.

[Langston Darby]

What if he went out there and ran into Doodles?

[Andrew Barbato]

There's that sound again. And your father still isn't back. You know, I'm just gonna go outside and make sure everything is okay.

[Benjamin Salka]

Mom, no.

[Langston Darby]

I have a bad feeling about this.

[Andrew Barbato]

Oh, stop worrying, hun. Just save me a piece of dessert.

[Langston Darby]

Brb. Maybe she's right. I don't even know what a Doodles is. I should calm down.

[Peter McNerney]

Here it is. I hope you liked baked Alaska. Where did your parents go?

[Langston Darby]

They went outside to inspect that weird sound from earlier.

[Benjamin Salka]

Oh no. This is all my fault. Doodles. It's too late. I knew something was up. What is Doodles?

[Peter McNerney]

Once there was a pup named Doodles. He was a cute brown pup. But one summer evening when Doodles was out in the garden, the full moon shone down on him. His fur changed from brown to gray and he grew long claws. He became a were puppy.

[Benjamin Salka]

A werepuppy. Oh, no.

[Langston Darby]

Wait. What's a werepuppy?

[Peter McNerney]

It's like a werewolf, but a puppy. The townsfolk say he howls at the moon and races through the woods. And they say his ears can hear every sound. Except from China for some reason. They also say at night you can.

[Benjamin Salka]

Hear him howling to the Other were puppies in the night.

[Langston Darby]

Why didn't you say something earlier?

[Peter McNerney]

I didn't want to scare you. And I really need that signal boost on travel list dot com.

[Langston Darby]

I gotta go out there. They might need my help. You're coming with me. Let's go.

[Benjamin Salka]

Mom. Dad? Mom. Dad.

[Langston Darby]

We've been out here for a while.

[Benjamin Salka]

And haven't found anything.

[Langston Darby]

Where does Doodles usually show up?

[Peter McNerney]

I don't know. I've actually never seen him. I've been too afraid to go out on ice with full moons.

[Benjamin Salka]

There they are. Just on the hill with the full moon rising behind them. And next to them. That must be Doolamel. He's. He's.

[Langston Darby]

Incredibly cute.

[Benjamin Salka]

Oh, hey, hon.

[Andrew Barbato]

Come and see this cute puppy we met.

[Colin Batten]

He sure loves to cuddle.

[Peter McNerney]

Hey. I can't believe the townsfolk were so wrong.

[Benjamin Salka]

Hiya. Boy.

[Peter McNerney]

This is what I've been scared of all these years. Ah, you're adorable, Doodles.

[Benjamin Salka]

Hark. Hark.

[Andrew Barbato]

Well, this has been fun, but I'm exhausted. What do you say we turn in?

[Peter McNerney]

I hope you save some room for dessert.

[Colin Batten]

I don't think I could eat another bite, but it sounds like Doodles could go for something sweet.

[Peter McNerney]

Bite. Aleska is mostly just vanilla ice cream, which the townsfolk say is safe to give dogs in small quantities. What do you say, Doodles? I'll take that as a yes. Come on.

[Colin Batten]

Ah, we had a great night's rest and a great breakfast, but now it's time to say goodbye. Thank you again for your hospitality.

[Benjamin Salka]

Of course, dear.

[Colin Batten]

Come say goodbye to the innkeeper. Sorry, I never got your name.

[Peter McNerney]

It actually is the innkeeper. Pretty common name in our language.

[Benjamin Salka]

Oh, coming.

[Andrew Barbato]

Just finishing up my review on travellist.com. the food was incredible. And when you come stay at this taverna, be sure to give the resident pup Doodles a scratch behind the ears. I give it seven out of seven suitcases.

[Peter McNerney]

Thank you so much. And thank you for introducing me to Doodles, who is just an adorable puppy. Unless it's a full moon. Then he's an adorable were puppy.

[Langston Darby]

Now everyone in this town can rest easy.

[Peter McNerney]

Yes, except for when there is a new moon. And Winky the vampire hamster is loose.

[Benjamin Salka]

There he is.

[Peter McNerney]

Never mind.

[Benjamin Salka]

Look.

[Peter McNerney]

He's just a regular hamster.

[Colin Batten]

Squeak, squeak. The end.

[Blake and Park (Authors)]

We'll be right back after a few words for the grown ups.

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[Lee Overtree]

Season 8 of the Story Pirates Podcast is right around the corner and we need your new stories. So right now is a great time to sit down and finally write that story that you've been thinking about. You know that one? The one that's so weird, so silly and so bizarre that it just makes you kind of giggle to yourself when you think about it. Remember, stories can be as short or as long as you want. And though we can't put every story we get onto the podcast, we do respond to every story that we receive. Grown ups can submit [e-mail] we can't wait to read what you've been cooking up. That's it for today's episode. Thanks for listening and a big thanks to today's authors, Blake and Park. We'll be back next week with more brand new stories. Until then, stay creative and stay kind.

[Benjamin Salka]

Bye.

[Lee Overtree]

The Story Pirates Podcast is a production of Story Pirates Studios, executive produced by Lee Overtree and Benjamin Salka. This episode was produced by Sam Baer, Peter McNerney, Andrew Miller and Lee Overtree. Recording sound design and mixing by Sam Baer at the Relic Room in New York City. Theme song by Bobby Lord Roll Call theme by Andrew Barbado. Musical scoring by Jack Mitchell. Episode artwork by Camilla Franklin. Were Puppy was adapted by Megan o' Neil and features performances by Andrew Barbato, Colin Batten, Langston Darby, Peter McNerney, Megan O', Neil, Julia Schroeder, and Kristen and Stutter.

[Benjamin Salka]

Ra.