How Is an Autistic Feminist Fairytale Breaking New Ground in Kids’ Podcasting?
This post was written by Jodi Murphy
“Big breath, magic at my fingertips, and a quest in my heart.”
Girl Tales and Dorktales Storytime podcasts have teamed up to bring a one-of-a-kind narrative to the airwaves just in time for Autism Acceptance Month. The result of their collaboration, “Owen and the Order of the Ancient Cedar,” isn’t your typical fairytale; it’s a delightful blend of neurodiversity and feminist empowerment, designed to spark curiosity and inspire young hearts.
What makes this collaboration truly special is the diverse team behind it, comprising creators from LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities. With a deep commitment to inclusivity and authentic storytelling, Girl Tales and Dorktales Storytime are on a mission to ensure that every child sees themselves reflected in the stories they hear. This dedication to representation is what sets them apart, making their podcasting journey not just entertaining but also meaningful and impactful for families from all walks of life.
The project includes an all-autistic cast, featuring Imani Russell, who made their Broadway debut in November 2023 in the new musical How to Dance in Ohio. They are voicing the fairytale’s main character “Owen.” Jonathan Cormur, a seasoned SAG-AFTRA voice actor and co-creator of Dorktales Storytime, lends his talents by portraying multiple characters, while Anna Maguire, known for their flagship fiction podcast Find Us Alive, voices the character of “Vivien the Witch of the Bog.” This inclusive casting not only brings authenticity to the narrative but also aligns with the project’s mission of genuine representation.
In an interview with the executive producer Chad Chenail and scriptwriter Molly Murphy, they reveal how the project came together.
How did the collaboration between Girl Tales and Dorktales Storytime come about and what vision did you have for this podcast collaboration?
CHAD: I first met the Dorktales Storytime team when I cast Jonathan Cormur for a role on the Mystery Recipe podcast from America’s Test Kitchen Kids. After having a blast and creating a fun and dynamic character for that show, I became a big fan of the work Dorktales has been making, as has Girl Tales creator Rebecca Cunningham. This specific collaboration came about by and thanks to the Inevitable Foundation’s Elevate for Podcasters fund.
The goal of the episode from my perspective was to create a story for listeners featuring a protagonist who is on the autism spectrum, to be released in time for Autism Acceptance Month. We wanted to celebrate our listeners who are on the spectrum, and for them to be able to identify with a new character on our podcast feeds. The story Dorktales Storytime writer Molly Murphy came up with a wonderful example of exactly that.
How did you approach writing a story with Autism Acceptance in mind?
MOLLY: I approached this story the same as I would any other story–I wanted to make characters with dreams, goals, and a little magic. And I’m not just talking about Owen, the main character, having the ability to cast spells. The magic is also those fun personality quirks and the deep desires that we all have and that make us who we are.
Thinking about characters and what they might find important also influences the world itself, giving it brand new colors, textures, and stakes that guide the story. I hope by digging into the story this way, I can make something that people can relate to because there’s a little something human and truthful in it. This is, at its heart, a tale about a young person on a quest to find their path and a sense of belonging. I hope many people can see themselves in that, and through that, walk away with even some small light of acceptance and understanding for others.
Chad, what’s your perspective about how the story, Owen and the Order of the Ancient Cedar, offers a more inclusive portrayal and celebration of the autistic community?
We hope that Owen’s identity would be a three dimensional one, with autism being one of many facts about them. Owen’s main quest of exploring their identity as a sorcerer and finding other people who are more like them is one we hope all listeners can respond to. And they go about this journey in ways that folks on the autism spectrum may be particularly responsive to.
By including characters who are sensitive to certain sounds, appreciate order and predictability, and who simply feel different than those around them, we hope to create multiple opportunities for listeners on the spectrum to feel heard and represented by our story. Plus, creating a story featuring an autistic protagonist that is not about autism in any direct or specific way also reminds listeners that autistic people are more than their autism diagnosis, and celebrates the varied, magical, and brave journeys to self-love and acceptance all people, but especially those on the autism spectrum, may experience.
Molly, why was it important to you to break free from a stereotypical narrative involving an autistic protagonist?
MOLLY: I don’t believe that that approach to writing is very truthful to any person, and it wouldn’t do a character any justice. I think the best way to learn about someone is to let them be whole and complex, to see how they interact with the world around them and try your best to understand and respect their perspective and what is important to them.
There are no easy or straightforward answers when it comes to what makes up a person. I want to celebrate everything that makes up who you are, not reduce you to being the representation of what it means to be autistic. That would also be an impossible task, since what it means to be autistic is different for everyone and encompasses so much breadth of experience.
How does the commitment to representation by the creators of Girl Tales and Dorktales Storytime reflect in the cast you chose?
CHAD: We were excited to have the funds and resources to feature an all-autistic cast—Jonathan Cormur, Imani Russell, and Anna Maguire—for this episode, which we are grateful to the Inevitable Fund for making possible.
We are firm believers in not creating stories about communities without their direct involvement, and so working with performers who matched the cultural identities being represented is always incredibly important to us. And going into the recording sessions for this script without strict character expectations allowed us to be open to actor suggestions, which in turn allowed these talented performers to impart their own personal experiences, impulses and choices to the characters and the text.
What do you hope the impact will be on young listeners after they hear the story?
CHAD: I hope listeners will feel empowered to find their own path towards community and the things that they love. I hope it inspires kids to be generous and kind in the face of obstacles they might find along their path. And I hope listeners who are on the autism spectrum hear someone like them who is magical, brave, kind, and determined. I hope it can be another small example in our listeners’ lives that the call to adventure is everywhere, and that it’s for everyone.
MOLLY: I hope Owen makes listeners laugh and that they have fun imagining their adventure. I hope Owen encourages kids to listen to their hearts, even if it’s for something small. And what an absolute dream and privilege it would be if any listener saw a little of themselves in Owen and got to spend twenty minutes feeling seen and a sense of belonging because of Owen’s quest—and maybe feel just that little bit braver so they can head off on a quest of their own.
Find Owen and the Order of the Ancient Cedar on Girl Tales and Dorktales Storytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all popular podcast platforms.
Discover more about Girl Tales: Rebecca Cunningham is the CEO of Cordelia Studios, a kids’ media company that is dedicated to placing all children at the center of their own narrative. She and Chad Chenail started Girl Tales, a podcast featuring reimagined fairy tales where the girls take control of their own destinies, turning favorite fairy tales into exciting new feminist adventures. Girl Tales is part of Starglow Media, a purposeful parenting company. For more go to girltalespodcast.com
Discover more about Dorktales Storytime: Be the hero of your own story with Dorktales Storytime, the award-winning podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. Enter their Once Upon a Time world where hosts, Jonathan Cormur and Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog, take you on a journey of curiosity and acceptance. You’ll explore reimagined fairytales and fables with social emotional themes, discover inspiring stories of history’s hidden heroes, and experience imaginary tales of boundless possibilities. For more go to dorktalesstorytime.com.