Storybrooke Circus: A Once Upon A Time Podcast

On Storybrooke Circus this week, we look at Season 4 Episode 2 of Once Upon a Time's exploration of whether mere survival is truly living. Title: White OutElsa’s desperate search for Anna exposes how fear can keep someone technically safe while emotionally frozen [see what i did there?], mistaking isolation for protection. Emma continues to grow into leadership by choosing empathy and openness [finally!]. Let's break down the episode’s core message: that survival built on fear alone is not a life at all, and that real living begins only when characters risk connection, vulnerability, and trust.We've got a bit of an expanded format on the show here - I'm beginning to a go into a deeper dive into the writing of the show and what these episodes actually mean for the canon and possibly all of us as viewers. Let me know what you think!Opening and New Format: 00:00Pre Show: 10:48Show Breakdown: 23:55Post Show: 01:57:47Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fanlist.com/thesbcpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Have something to say? Join the fanlist and send a voice memo or text to be featured in the Storybrooke Daily Mirror!Let's jump start the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC DISCORD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ party again!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Show Recording LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemedia ||Email - thesbcpod@gmail.com

In this episode of Storybrooke Circus, we dive deep into Once Upon a Time Season 4 Episode 1, exploring how fear, restraint, and emotional growth reshape Emma, Regina, and Elsa.Title: A Tale of Two SistersELSA OF ARENDELLE makes her debut on the streets of our very own Storybrooke. Theres talk of fear responses, isolation, emotional growth, and what it's like to finally turn a corner and be the most mature person in the room for a change (I'm looking at you Swan, and frankly I could kiss you right on the mouth for being so great this episode).Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fanlist.com/thesbcpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Have something to say? Join the fanlist and send a voice memo or text to be featured in the Storybrooke Daily Mirror!Let's jump start the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC DISCORD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ party again!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Show Recording LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemedia ||Email - thesbcpod@gmail.com

Get your tux and your ballgown out because it's time to walk the red carpet and experience the first annual Once Upon a Time Academy of Witchcraft and Fantasy BROOKIE AWARDS!!!! Check out all the winners, as well as an episode wide recap of everything that has happened for seasons 1-3. Once we're all caught up we'll reunite in the new year for SEASON 4 Frozen Ever After (is what its called in my mind)!!!Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fanlist.com/thesbcpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Have something to say? Join the fanlist and send a voice memo or text to be featured in the Storybrooke Daily Mirror!Let's jump start the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC DISCORD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ party again!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Show Recording LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemedia ||Email - thesbcpod@gmail.com

In this episode of Storybrooke Circus, we dive deep into Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 22, exploring how Emma Swan stops running from her past and chooses belonging, family, and Storybrooke as her true home.Title: There's No Place Like HomeIt's the SEASON FINALE! This one hit me right in the feels for just so many reasons. It was an emotional rollercoaster from top to bottom, and maybe one of my favorite episodes of the entire show so far. Just when we thought Regina's redemption was as good as it gets, Emma's redemption hits even harder this week! We also get the debut of my sweet sweet 2-year-old daughter busting in my room because she loves the microphone. For the next episode we will be doing a fun Awards Show to celebrate the end of the season before we head into *SPOILERS* the FROZEN SEASON!Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠fanlist.com/thesbcpod⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Have something to say? Join the fanlist and send a voice memo or text to be featured in the Storybrooke Daily Mirror!Let's jump start the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC DISCORD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ party again!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SBC Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ ||⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Show Recording LIVE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemedia ||Email - thesbcpod@gmail.com

In this episode of Storybrooke Circus, we revisit Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 20 as the arrival of Dorothy reframes Zelena’s obsession with rewriting the past, revealing why growth requires choosing the present instead of endlessly trying to go home.Title: KansasHappy Wicked: For Good premiere day!! In an amazing synergy of real life and podcast life this episode is an entirely Wicked Witch and Oz centric episode complete with an appearance for Dorothy herself on the same day the movie conclusion to Wicked is released in theatres! In today’s episode, we get a redemption arc for the ages, as well as the stunning conclusion to Zelena’s terror on Storybrooke…or is it?? (Spoilers, it’s not because there are still 2 more episodes in the season)#shadyglindaLinks:⁠⁠fanlist.com/thesbcpod⁠⁠ - Have something to say? Join the fanlist and send a voice memo or text to be featured in the Storybrooke Daily Mirror!Let's jump start the ⁠⁠⁠SBC DISCORD⁠⁠⁠ party again!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ⁠⁠⁠SBC Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ ||⁠⁠⁠mackee's Twitch⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemediaEmail - thesbcpod@gmail.com

On Storybrooke Circus, we return to Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 19 to unpack how happiness built on illusion and denial may feel peaceful, but quietly plants the seeds of inevitable collapse.Title: A Curious ThingIn this episode we finally figure out how we got to Storybrooke without memories in the first place and we get some payoffs to all the mystery this season has been serving. We also get the answer to the age old question: If something goes horribly wrong with a curse, can a fairytale character actually split their heart in half and just do sharsies with someone else? Asking for a friend.Links:⁠fanlist.com/thesbcpod⁠ - Have something to say? Join the fanlist and send a voice memo or text to be featured in the Storybrooke Daily Mirror!Let's jump start the ⁠⁠SBC DISCORD⁠⁠ party again!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ⁠⁠SBC Insta⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ ||⁠⁠mackee's Twitch⁠⁠ - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemediaEmail - thesbcpod@gmail.com

In this episode of Storybrooke Circus, we break down Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 18 and Regina’s struggle to understand whether forgiveness can truly heal if it requires her to erase herself in the process.Title: Bleeding ThroughThis episode is FULL of new format announcements, out of control SFX, and a Jane Espenson script that will make your mama want to shed a tear.Links:fanlist.com/thesbcpod - Have something to say? Join the fanlist and send a voice memo or text to be featured in the Storybrooke Daily Mirror!Let's jump start the ⁠SBC DISCORD⁠ party!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ⁠SBC Insta⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ ||⁠mackee's Twitch⁠ - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemediathesbcpod@gmail.com

In this episode of Storybrooke Circus, we revisit Once Upon a Time Season 3 Episode 17 to unpack how fractured memories and unfinished business reveal that identity can’t be rewritten without consequences eventually coming due.Title: The Jolly RodgerAfter the longest commercial break of all time (3 years), let's get back to it. :)The characters in this show go through constant transformation, and so does this show. It may look and feel little different than you remember, but the heart and soul of SBC never really left. Let's get to work.Links:Let's jump start the SBC DISCORD party!! https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQmackee's Insta⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ ||mackee's Twitch - https://twitch.tv/mackeemousemediathesbcpod@gmail.com

Alright we are changing things up a little bit here. We are going to try splitting the episode up into the pre-watch party shenanigans, and the actual watch party as separate episode so we can get more content out to you. SO consider this episode the pregame to the party if you will :) We'll see how this goes lol MERCH IS LIVE: CHECK IT OUT HERE - https://etsy.me/3NOhPhg LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

WEREEEEEE BACCKKKKKKKKK (a dinosaur story)!! Back from a long hiatus - did you miss us? :) This is messy because we forget how to do our own show, but we did it. Cruising advice, a new segment called the hater hoedown, and a kickass episode to review to get us back into the swing of things. We missed you beautiful people. MERCH IS LIVE: CHECK IT OUT HERE - https://etsy.me/3NOhPhg LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

As we are getting into the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, Zelena, we are met with twisty reveal after twisty reveal. This is getting into the juicy part of what has so far been an AMAZING season.  Also, if you call into the Storybrooke Daily Mirror, tell us your sharing and caring. You know you want to. MERCH IS LIVE: CHECK IT OUT HERE - https://etsy.me/3NOhPhg Intro Song "W.I.T.C.H" by Devon Cole - LINKS: http://Devon-Cole.lnk.to/WITCH || https://www.tiktok.com/@devoncolemusic || http://instagram.com/devonmcole LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

Coming back from winter break, this was a ZINGER of an episode. Henry is weirdly a lot older and deep voiced, Emma is trying to get her memories back, there are flying monkeys, and reveals all over the place. Hook is charming as ever, and we once again have issues with Snow being forcefully pushy about how to do things. Ultimately though, this one definitely had us on the edge of our seats, and has one of the best end of episode reveals to date. Enjoy! Also, if you call into the Storybrooke Daily Mirror, tell us your sharing and caring. You know you want to. MERCH IS LIVE: CHECK IT OUT HERE - https://etsy.me/3NOhPhg LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

IT'S MID-SEASON FINALE TIME, and boy did this episode deliver! Its about as high stakes as it gets this week as Pan threatens to destroy the entire town and everyone in it. It marks a big transition; the ending of the Neverland story arch is finally here, and next week we introduce a new one, with new characters to dive into #WickedIsComing This one had us one the edge of our seats and we cant wait to hear from you about it! Bonus, if you listen until the very end, you'll get a tease of something very exciting we'll talk about on the next episode! Also, if you call into the Storybrooke Daily Mirror, tell us your sharing and caring. You know you want to. MERCH IS LIVE: CHECK IT OUT HERE - https://etsy.me/3NOhPhg LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

After a massively chaotic intro lol - we're back at Storybrooke (finally) and get to see some new faces we haven't seen in a while! Get ready for some body-snatched "actors playing other actors playing roles they really play" inception. Also, if you call into the Storybrooke Daily Mirror, tell us your sharing and caring. You know you want to. LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

The greatest hashtag campaign finally comes to a close...HASHTAG SAVE HENRY. The heroes, the villains, and a pirate must come together to take down the one who never fails, Peter Pan. Will they succeed? Happy listening, Brookies!  LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

This is really what we've all been waiting for. This is when this season REALLY started getting good. There's gonna be a lot of reveals in this one so buckle up. We go back further than we ever have before and find out why Rumple has such daddy issues. Show chat begins at 1:28:51 LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

We are returning with this exposition episode leading up to the real deal - we are about to finally get an idea of Peter's real plan in the next episode!! But much much more importantly, we had the most full, fulfilling, amazing Storybrooke Daily Mirror we have ever had on the show AND WE AREN'T EVEN DONE! Part of it is going to even spill in to next weeks episode! It is very humbling that so many of you want to contribute to the show with your opinions and voice, we cannot possibly thank you enough. Enjoy!! LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

Hey, look a new character! DRINK! Ariel joins our merry band by way of a Snow flashback, we find out everyone's secrets in a creepy cave, Hook continues to impress us, and everyone finally figures out that David has been lying to them the whole time. Peter Pan continues to be one of the most menacing, dangerous, and formidable villains of - dare I say it - the shows entire history.  Also, join our discord and play our game where you have to find our tik tok references and link them in the chat. :) LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

We are deep into the Neverland story now and things are getting good. The stakes are high and the tension is higher. This week we spend an entire podcast worth of time on the preshow, and then when we finally watch the show, we get into Hook's delightfully intriguing backstory, and end on a chilling ultimatum.  Also, we're still hating on Charming. For now. I know he'll come around but we really have to get past all this lying and Dreamshade business.  LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||

It's our 50th episode yall and we are CELERBRATING!! This is such an exciting moment for us and it's all thanks to each and every one of you who listens to this show and has been supporting us, unless you are just listening out of spite - in which case thank you for your listens anyway ha. All jokes aside, we are so proud of every single piece of this show and can't believe we've done so many episodes already. Really excited to keep growing which you all and see where the next 50 takes us! Show wise, we are also getting into the juicy center of our neverland plot so things are getting GOOD. Can't wait to hear what you all think of this one! LINK FROM THE SHOW: http://onceuponatimeabridged.blogspot.com/2013/01/1x01-pilot-abridged.html  LINKS: PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/thesbcpod || SBC DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/rbGdThZxUQ || SBC INSTA - https://www.instagram.com/thesbcpod/ || ila's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/ilasikorski/ || mackee's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/mackeemousemedia/ || Submit to the Storybrooke Daily Mirror: thesbcpod@gmail.com || Voicemail/Text number: (207) 536-8512‬ ||