Meet the Dork Squad
Meet the creative minds and passionate individuals who bring the award-winning Dorktales Storytime Podcast to life. From captivating storytellers to behind-the-scenes wizards, this dedicated neurodiverse team weaves together the magic that keeps our young and young-at-heart listeners coming back for more. With diverse talents and a shared commitment to storytelling, their collective efforts have turned Dorktales into a beloved podcast for families worldwide.
Get ready to embark on an adventure through the Imaginary world of Once Upon a Time with this extraordinary team as your guides.
BECOME A DORKTALES SUPPORTER: Be the hero of our team’s storytelling journey and help us continue making great kids’ stories and content for families.
Jonathan Cormur
Host, Storyteller, Voice Actor
A SAG-AFTRA voice actor with a flair for character work across a diverse array of mediums—from video games and audiobooks to apps, digital comics, industrials, and narrative podcasts. Jonathan got his start by doing in-park voice over for California’s Great America Theme Park shows and attractions. He is the host and co-creator of Dorktales Storytime, taking on multiple roles in the award-winning podcast for young minds and curious imaginations. He has been featured in Forbes, ABC7 Bay Area News, and on Scripps National News on 57 news affiliates across the US.
Geeking Out Over: Anime, JRPGs, and The Bard
Jermaine Hamilton
Audio Engineer, Sound Producer
Dorktales Storytime podcast’s Signal award-winning engineer with over a decade of experience as an audio producer. Jermaine has honed his skills through years of hands-on experience, working with some of the biggest names in the music, audiobook and podcast industries. He is well-versed in the latest technology and techniques and brings his expertise to Pacific Grove Soundworks, a world-class recording, mixing, and post-production studio on California’s Central Coast.. Jermaine has earned a reputation as one of the most highly regarded and sought-after sound engineers and audio/music producers in Northern California.
Geeking Out Over: Star Trek, MCU, and audio recording equipment
Molly Murphy
Showrunner, Head Writer, Composer
The co-creator of Dorktales Storytime, a podcast selected by Common Sense Media and Apple Podcasts for “outstanding entertainment that has been recognized with an official seal for quality and impact.” Molly oversees the show’s production, writes and edits original stories, and manages the show’s team of writers. Molly composes original music for the podcast, including its theme song, and plays a key role in Dorktales world-building and story development. She is the creator and writer of The Spellbinders, an original series currently running on the Stories Podcast. She also offers freelance writing and story development support for other podcasts.
Geeking Out Over: Video game soundtracks, fantasy novels, and Chiroptera (bats!)
Amy Thompson
Scriptwriter
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Amy spent the better part of a decade touring and teaching sketch comedy and improv with The Second City Chicago, before relocating to Los Angeles and working in entertainment and media. They credit their non-linear career journey for their agile mindset and wit, and they’re passionate about inspiring creativity in others. Amy has written original story scripts for four seasons of the Dorktales Storytime podcast. They currently work as Senior Copywriter for the Golden State Warriors.
Geeking Out Over: DIY TikTok, rewatching TV pilots, and discovering new sauces
Rebecca Cunningham
Scriptwriter
Rebecca Cunningham is an award-winning podcast producer. She started Girl Tales, a kids’ podcast of feminist stories, in 2017 and has since helped build podcasts for National Geographic, Spotify Kids & Family, America’s Test Kitchen, Einhorn’s Epic Productions, tonies, and many more. She is currently writing Dorktales Storytime’s Hidden Hero of History episodes for Season 5. Rebecca’s the CEO of Cordelia Studios, a kids’ media company that is dedicated to placing all children at the center of the narrative. She’s been awarded with a Webby for Best Kids & Family Podcast Episode, The Kennedy Center’s Next 50 Award, and The Gotham/Variety Audio Honors for her work on Girl Tales.
Geeking Out Over: Baby name trends and genealogy
Melissa Victor
Scriptwriter
Melissa (Melly) Victor has joined the Dorktales Storytime team to write stories for its 5th season and beyond. She is the voice of Dorktales’ Rapunzel, the STEM princess from Mythdom who “Questions everything!” Melly is an actress, singer, dancer who is chasing the Broadway dream. She created the popular podcast, Stoopkid Stories, to feel creatively fulfilled in between gigs, and to connect with young people through storytelling. With a bachelor’s degree in musical theatre, Melly has created a lane that combines her love of performing with her desire to educate and connect with the young people in a fun and exciting way.
Geeking Out Over: Tik Tok musical theater trends and tasty gluten free snacks
Monique Hafen Adams
Scriptwriter
Monique has been a professional Equity actress for over a decade. She has performed Dorktales Storytime’s character, Twiggy Branch, appearing in several episodes and in the show’s theme song. She recently joined the writing team and is working on scripts for Dorktales’ upcoming season. Monique’s been featured on stages such as ACT and Theatreworks (among many others) as well as at Google, LeapFrog, Pixar, and 2K Games. Her plays have been produced with New York Atlantic Acting School, Playground SF, and Actors’ Reading Collective.
Geeking Out Over: My 2 kiddos, going on “long explores” through nature with my family, and freshly baked bread (eating it, not making it)
Kristin Schmitz
Scriptwriter
A performer, musician, writer, and ASL Interpreter. Kristin has toured the country as a children’s theater performer. She’s appeared in several Dorktales Storytime podcast episodes as the recurring character, Olive Branch, and you’ll hear her vocals on many of the podcast’s songs. Originally from the Bay Area, she now resides in Chicago where she interprets all over the city.
Geeking Out Over: Unlikely animal friends, jigsaw puzzles, and her rescue dog Questa
Karen Simpson Gardiner
Scriptwriter
A playwright, arts administrator, and mom who makes sure every kid can find the thing that makes them shine! She wears many hats as the Executive Director of Peninsula Youth Theatre so kids and teens can participate in outstanding theatrical learning experiences.
Geeking Out Over: We Are Champions, Overcooked, Lego Masters and Boardgame Arena
Arthur Lin
Illustrator
A children’s book illustrator for over 10 years. Arthur says his childhood love of silly Saturday morning cartoons and Sunday comics fueled his dream to become a working artist. He is currently represented by Shannon and associates.
Geeking Out Over: Mochi ice cream, VHS tapes, and vintage tees
Jodi Murphy
Executive Producer
Our behind-the-scenes Executive Producer is an ally for neurodiversity and inclusion—Jodi’s storytelling nonprofit, Geek Club Books, championed and amplified autistic voices to change the narrative about autism. She serves on two boards: Kids Listen, a nonprofit dedicated to high-quality content for kids, and Read Your World, a non-profit that raises awareness about diverse children’s books and gets them into schools and libraries.
Geeking Out Over: Strange New Worlds, MCU and my D23 Gold Membership