Moving Water

Moving Water

Author: Mick Sullivan October 31, 2025 Duration: 33:42
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 diversion or two. And how can you talk about moving water without talking about the efforts to change sanitation in Chicago? This included reversing the flow of the river that runs through the city!

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families
Podcast Episodes
Hidden and Lost [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:20
The Amber Room was a feat of artistic ability (and a lot of money) but after WWII it has disappeared entirely. Have you seen it? After that we learn about secret codes, the Enigma Machine, Alan Turing, Navajo Code Talker…
Important Animals in History Vol. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:23
The first release teasing Mick's upcoming book! This episode features three animals of note: Clara the Rhino, Mozart's Starling, and a whale named Mocha Dick. Let's ride through the tales of animals of history!
Life Savers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:06
Carolin Hampton needed to pioneer rubber gloves int he operating room after Joseph Lister's big ideas. Richard Etheridge was the first Black keeper at an official Life Saving Station and his team's rescue of a shipwrecke…
Peanut Butter and Jelly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:43
You might be surprised to learn the history of the iconic sandwich and all of the ingredients that go into the recipe. First published in 1901, the availability of peanut butter, jelly and sliced bread has changed a lot…
Misers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
Two misers for the price of one! Charles Dickens created the world-famous character Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1840s, but he may have been inspired by a real-life miser named John Elwes. Another famous miser is buried in a…
Art Spies and Underwater Toilets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:50
Two fascinating stories from World War II. One is about Rose Valland, a French woman who worked as a spy in Nazi-occupied Paris. Her bravery saved thousands of works of art, many of which were returned to the families wh…
Kids Listen Big Emotions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:26
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 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:32
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 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:24
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…