Moving Water
The Erie Canal and The Chicago River were two of the most impressive engineering feats in history. For the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal we look at the opening celebration, along with a fun musical d…
The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families
The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families is a lively audio adventure hosted by Mick Sullivan, designed to bring the past to life for curious minds of all ages. This podcast digs into the surprising, funny, and inspiring corners of history, proving that stories from long ago are anything but boring. Each themed episode is packed with tales of spies, peculiar foods, and the unexpected missteps of figures like George Washington, alongside explorations of early animation and the daring days of ballooning. The production is rich with original music and songs that make every historical journey memorable and engaging. It’s a show where learning feels like play, crafted to captivate kids while earning the trust of parents and teachers. By weaving narrative with sound, the podcast creates a shared family experience that makes history feel immediate and relevant. Listeners will find themselves immersed in episodes that are as educational as they are entertaining, all delivered with a sense of wonder and a professional touch. The goal is simple: to spark curiosity and conversations, making the past a delightful place to visit together.
Episodes
Kids Listen Big Emotions
We're a part of Big Emotions this week! We’re feeling all squishy this week, as we dive into two of the strongest emotions of all. Love is powerful, joyful, and comforting - and when it changes or we feel its absence, sa…
Halloween Special: Twain's Ouija Novel
Did a no-longer-living Mark Twain send a novel from the great beyond with a Ouija Board? Find out about the real story with help from our pal Nate DuFort of the podcast, Unspookable.
Very Hairy
Episode 110! Peter the Great, The Hairy Eagle and more! Did I decide on an episode about Peter the Great just so I could say 6-7 a few times to be cringe and make kids laugh? Yes, yes I did. But it's a really fun story a…
Handwritten
Episode 109 tells the story of Lincoln's the speech Lincoln lost before his inauguration in 1861. Also included is the story of Ely S. Parker, an indigenous Seneca man who made an impact in the Civil War - and who had re…
Lost Bones
Composer Joseph Haydn is buried with two skulls. You'll never believe why (hint: it has to do with phrenology). Meanwhile Thomas Paine's bones went missing thanks to an overly enthusiastic fan.
Mountains To Climb
Henriette D'angeville was the first woman to climb Mount Blanc in the Alps, despite everyone advising her not to try it. Decades later, Julia Archibald Holmes (a friend of John Brown's) became the first woman to summit P…
Electric Kids
Philo Farnsworth loved electricity so much he came up with a way to invent television - as a 14 year old! Centuries beforehand Stephen Gray, a British scientist, learned more about electricity than anyone before him - an…
Good Things to Eat
This episode will make you hungry! Rufus Estes and Chin Foin both left a big mark on food, both lived in Chicago at the same time, and both had their food featured in important cookbooks in 1911.
One Year, Two Hoaxes
The year 1917 gave us both the birth of the Cottingly Fairies and the silly fake history known as the Bathtub Hoax.
