Hi Linnea,
Open the seeds pods up. The seeds do not need to stay in the pods. There's no harm in leaving them in the pods, but they take up room, and if you remove them from the pods, you can inspect them. I don't know what you'll find since I've never picked/checked pods of Castor Beans before they were ready to be picked. Good seeds will be firm smooth and plump. They will look like the photo on the link. The color cast will vary variety to variety, but that's how they look.
Remy

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks! The columbine seed I normally store in a paper envelope, ia dark cabinet. Same for these?

Do you get faster growth by starting them indoors?

Hi again,
Yes, store them the same way. I started mine by winter sowing and they didn't sprout until late April/early May and when they got as few inches tall I transplanted them into the garden. They grew full size 5-6' tall.(I know some varieties can get even bigger.) So if you start them inside it only needs to be a few weeks ahead of when you plant out annuals.
Remy

Thanks!