The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families

Mick Sullivan

A History Podcast for Kids! Parents love us, Teachers love us, and most importantly, kids do too! History can be amazing, inspiring and relevant to anyone. We love to share the stories of Spies, funny foods, George Washington's foibles, early advancements in cartooning and ballooning and much more! A professional music score and important songs accompany nearly every themed episode. Proud Kids Listen Member @pastandcurious read less

Our Editor's Take

The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families is educational and entertaining. Its host, Mick Sullivan, is enthusiastic about sharing his love of history.

Mick is a writer, musician, and museum educator from Kentucky. Mick co-chairs Kids Listen, which advocates for high-quality audio content for kids. The Past and The Curious is Mick's passion project between jobs, which he runs with friends. He hopes that kids and adults will learn something new, whether it's a fun fact or even some new vocabulary.

Each podcast episode shares a different story. These range from the history of video games to famous obelisks. There are chance encounters and tales highlighting the marvelous work of technology. To celebrate his book I See Lincoln's Underpants, Mick creates a dedicated series about famous people and their underwear. One involves a Playtex space suit and another the gangster Al Capone.

"The Power of Plants" reveals the story of Fabian Garcia. He grew the chile pepper to which all future chiles in the Southwest owe their genetic history. Mick describes Fabian's upbringing on the podcast. He discusses where his fervor for agriculture started. Fabian founded a new strain of onions and planted the first pecan tree in New Mexico. His chiles led to a legacy in research and culture that still endures today.

The "Imperfect Pitch" podcast episode tells the story of singer Ella Fitzgerald. She was waiting to dance for the first time at the Apollo Theater on an amateur night. Following the performance of an impressive dance duo, Ella decided to sing instead. Unbeknownst to her, this moment would change her life forever.

The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families reveals unknown tales throughout history. Why might Edgar Allan Poe owe his fame to Rufus Wilmot Griswold, who wrote a scathing obituary about him? What did a "Smithsonian spat" have to do with the first-ever piloted flight? How did Anna Mary Moses, or Grandma Moses, become one of America's best-known painters? All these questions and more have answers in this educational podcast. New episodes come out monthly.

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Listen Now: ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show

Listen Now: ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show

Cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel, he’s your new favorite snarky talk show host. Join The Grinch (and his faithful dog Max) each week as he rants against Christmas cheer and roasts celebrity guests like chestnuts on an open fire. Starring Saturday Night Live’s James Austin Johnson as the notorious curmudgeon and broadcasting straight from Who-Ville, will The Grinch send these famous folks back down Mt. Crumpit, or will they soften his stance against Christmas and grow his heart three sizes? Grab your hot cocoa and cozy slippers and listen along to find out! Listen to ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show: https://wondery.com/shows/the-grinch/

Episodes

Donuts and Cheese

Donuts and Cheese

Did Captain Hanson Gregory invent the donut? Did the Lord Mayor of Nottingham get trucked by a truckle of cheese during the Nottingham Cheese Riots of 1766? Find out in this very special episode.

Episode 91 is about Anne Carrol Moore and The Western Library! Anne Carroll Moore is one of history's most important children's librarians, but not everyone is in love with her legacy. She still changed the world, and mostly for the better. And Louisville, Kentucky's Western Library is the first library in America built for, and staffed by African-Americans and it became a training ground for many librarians around the country.

The Meatshower Part Two (Electric Burgoo)

The Meatshower Part Two (Electric Burgoo)

In The Meatshower Part 2 (Electric Burgoo) the saga continues. Originally we aired a segment in 2019 to coincide with Mick's book "The Meatshower: The Mostly True Tale of an Odd and (Somewhat) Edible Occurrence," and since then, new information has come to light. A man named Frank Reiser has come into possession of a new specimen from the unusual 1876 phenomenon. We have an exclusive interview with Frank, and share the story of how he found it, what it means, and what we can learn from it. Also included in this episode is The Meatshower Part 1 - in case you missed it, or if you would like to listen again!

What Time Is It?

What Time Is It?

Episode 89 looks into the origin of time zones in America and Daylight Saving across the globe. There's bugs, sunburns, train crashes, dropping timeballs, and smashed pocket watches.

Forten and Frank

Forten and Frank

Episode 88 features two incredible Black Americans who were friends born in the 18th Century. James Forten (1766-1842) was a Revolutionary War Veteran who owned one of America's most successful sail-making companies. He was also influential abolitionist and early Civil Rights leader. His friend Francis "Frank" Johnson (1792-1844) was an equally influential musician. When he published his original piece of music "Bingham's Cotillion" he became the first published Black musician in American History. The European and American tours his band made also made history. Hear recent recordings of his music on the Museum of the American Revolution's website: https://www.amrevmuseum.org/the-music-of-francis-johnson-a-soundtrack-to-antebellum-black-philadelphia Thanks to Sponsor Green Chef. Go to greenchef.com/60CURIOUS and use code 60CURIOUS to 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months.

Potatoes and Rocks

Potatoes and Rocks

Episode 87: Potatoes and Rocks It’s our annual end-of-year episode dedicated to toys and we have some fun with Mr. Potato Head and Pet Rocks. From the first toy on a commercial to the earthiest fad, you might soon find yourself out digging in the dirt in search of one natural new friend or another!

Walt and Dr. Mary

Walt and Dr. Mary

Walt Whitman was inspired after hearing Ralph Waldo Emerson speak, and self-published a book of poems he would continue updating for his entire life. When not writing poetry, he worked as a nurse during the Civil War, and published some unusual exercise advice. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker is the ONLY woman in American history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Her efforts during the Civil War were unmatched, but recognition has been hard to come by for her story.

Listen Now: ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show

Listen Now: ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show

Cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel, he’s your new favorite snarky talk show host. Join The Grinch (and his faithful dog Max) each week as he rants against Christmas cheer and roasts celebrity guests like chestnuts on an open fire. Starring Saturday Night Live’s James Austin Johnson as the notorious curmudgeon and broadcasting straight from Who-Ville, will The Grinch send these famous folks back down Mt. Crumpit, or will they soften his stance against Christmas and grow his heart three sizes? Grab your hot cocoa and cozy slippers and listen along to find out! Listen to ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show: https://wondery.com/shows/the-grinch/

Stephen Bishop was an enslaved man who became one of the most famous tour guides in the world. His unusual grave stands near Mammoth Cave National Park. Josie Laures joined a team to spend months in isolation in a cave, in the name of science!

Walkin' (Part Two)

Walkin' (Part Two)

Episode 84 is more tales of walking. Meet competitive and record setting pedestrians like Robert Barclay Allardice, Ada Anderson, Edward Payson Weston, and Haitian-American walking super-star Frank Hart. Also hear about two pedestrians who built entire homes with things found on their walks. Simeon Ellerton in England, and Ferdinand Cheval in France.

Walkin' (Part One)

Walkin' (Part One)

Episode 83 features the stories of two unusual men who walked a lot. One was a mysterious man in Northeastern America who spoke to nearly no one for years, despite walking a monthlong circular path. He was known as The Old Leatherman. Also, hear the story of Oxekula a man who boarded a boat from Russia, bound for America despite not knowing a soul, nor a lick of English. His mysterious journey through coastal Virginia caught everyone off guard since no one could understand his unusual language. Thanks to Hello Fresh for their support. Go to HelloFresh.com/50pastandcurious and use code 50pastandcurious for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months

Episode 82 features the story of the Transcontinental Railroad, including the famous Golden Spike. Also in this episode is the story of Joseph Kekuku, a boy from Hawaii who changed music after being inspired by a random occurrence, possibly involving another railroad spike. If you'd like to learn more about Kekuku and the role of Hawaii in music through the steel guitar, I recommend the book Kika Kila, by John Troutman. It was very important to creating this episode.

Obelisks: Tall and Sometimes Stinky

Obelisks: Tall and Sometimes Stinky

Episode 81: The Washington Monument is just one of many Obelisks in the world. Somehow several originals from Egypt have wound up all over the globe. And they inspired a stinky imitation in Australia, known as Thornton's Scent Bottle. The Washington Monument is the tallest, but it took DECADES for it to be completed - for a bunch of reasons. Don't forget to help out with our Survey - Here's the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/thepast. We really appreciate it! Thank you to our sponsor Kids’ Chemical Solutions and their chemistry comic book series filled with colorful characters and exciting storylines. Order now at www.kidschemicalsolutions.com Thanks HelloFresh! Go to hellofresh.com/pastandcurious50 and use code pastandcurious50 for 50% off plus free shipping!

The Power of Plants

The Power of Plants

Episode 80: Fabian Garcia, changed agriculture (and people's taste) with his ground breaking New Mexico No. 9 Chile, which is the genetic ancestor of nearly every chile grown in southwest America today. His dedication and intelligence with plants changed lives, livelihoods, and culture. Elliot Michener, on the other hand, was a career criminal whose life was changed for the better when he was put in charge of a garden on Alcatraz Island. Thank you to our sponsor Kids’ Chemical Solutions and their chemistry comic book series filled with colorful characters and exciting storylines. Order now at www.kidschemicalsolutions.com

Maria Mitchell was the first American to discover a new comet, which brought her great fame, but her career in the 1800s as a professor at Vassar College left her greatest legacy. In the next century, Ann Hodges was not looking to get involved in objects from space, but one of them crashed into her house anyway. The Past and The Curious is an Airwave Media Podcast

Imperfect Pitch

Imperfect Pitch

Melly Victor of Stoopkid Stories joins us for the story of Ella Fitzgerald's first performance at the famous Apollo Theatre. Also, we talk about the history of tuning, how the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I also tried to standardize musical tuning, and how singers hurt their voices to keep up with instrumentalists raising the relative pitch.

Strange Place for a Steamboat

Strange Place for a Steamboat

The Virginia became a major attraction when it got stuck in a cornfield, which is a place a boat does not belong. Also, The Meachums escaped slavery, and educated hundreds of children in a school known as the Floating Freedom School. Their school in a steamboat was untouched by an unjust Missouri law while in the middle of the river.

Wright Brothers and Sister and a Smithsonian Spat

Wright Brothers and Sister and a Smithsonian Spat

The Wright Brothers became the first to fly a controlled powered aircraft with a pilot onboard, but just a few days before, Smithsonian Secretary James Langley almost beat them. His failure didn't stop the Smithsonian from claiming the first flight. But Orville and Wilber weren't the only two who fought for their place in history. Their sister Katharine did too.

Underwear Roundup with Benedict Arnold, Abram Spanel and the Playtex Space Suit

Underwear Roundup with Benedict Arnold, Abram Spanel and the Playtex Space Suit

Here's two more underwear stories that aren't in the the book I See Lincoln's Underpants (which is now available!) First Benedict Arnold betrays the American Army but gets caught thanks to something hiding in someone's underwear. Also When NASA planned to get someone to the moon, they needed a special Space Suit, and the only designers and makers up to the challenge had only made underwear for Playtex before the marvelous work of technology.

Underwear Chronicles Fourteen: Al Capone

Underwear Chronicles Fourteen: Al Capone

The last installment of The Underwear Chronicles - to celebrate the release of I See Lincoln's Underpants now available from booksellers! Al Capone grew up somewhere in the middle of a big family. Hand me downs were a way of life, so it makes sense that as an adult he was eager to have not just his own underpants, but his own fancy underpants. After arriving in Chicago from his native Brooklyn, he worked his way up to being the most powerful mob boss in town. He was famous all over the country, but he never really worried about going to jail.  In the end he brought down by some salesmen, including the man who sold him underwear.