Best The Past and The Curious History Podcast for Kids Podcasts (2024)

1
Bone Wars and The Ghost Town Rhyolite 37:09

3h ago37:09

37:09

Our 99th Episode! This episode features the narration talents of musician Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie Prince Billy. Will tells the story of Rhyolite, a town once founded in Death Valley after the discovery of gold by Frank "Shorty" Harris. Today it is a ghost town. But first, Mick tells the story of the Bone Wars, when Othniel Charles Marsh a…

1
The Hungarian Sex Vampire 1:01:49

4h ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Béla Kiss is one of the most prolific serial killers you’ve never heard of. He had it all — great looks, his own successful business in tin, a mother that loved him too much — but when he caught his second wife cheating on him with a younger man, it unlocked a dark beast within. Jessie Wiseman joins to talk about how this once charismatic, well-lik…

1
The Mafia Ghosts That Haunted Al Capone 1:11:35

3d ago1:11:35

1:11:35

Ross Bolen joins the show to talk about the ghosts that still linger from The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, the most infamous mafia killing in American history. The victims of Al Capone's henchmen still haunt the area to this day, including the most unfortunate location (and people) you can imagine. Subscribe to the Softcore History Patreon for h…

1
Emperor Frankenstein And The Philosopher's Stone 1:02:40

9d ago1:02:40

1:02:40

Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily from 1198 to 1250, was a curious man. Curious in that he loved doing medical experiments, no matter how totally useless and violent those experiments were. Suffice it to say the amateur surgeon learned a lot, but almost all of it was useless. Subscribe to the Softcore History Patreon for hundr…

1
The Trojan War 38:26

13d ago38:26

38:26

This week is a bumper episode as we dive into the "Is it fact? Is it fiction?" story of the Trojan War! We look at the evidence for it being a true story as well as enjoying the bits which are definitely made up! In the "Great Library of Alexndria" we review the book of the podcast that inspired Bang! Boom! History! - Greeking Out! by Kenny Curtis …

1
A Very Special Desk - an Election Season Special Episode 27:39

16d ago27:39

27:39

The Resolute Desk is a fixture in the Oval Office. American Presidents have used it during some of the country's most pivotal moments. But what does the Resolute Desk have to do with England's dangerous expeditions into the Arctic in the 1800s? Find out on this episode - and learn about ghost ships, the search for the Northwest Passage, and a gift …

1
A Gunpowder, Treason and Plot Adventure – Part 1 22:15

13d ago22:15

22:15

Connie need’s some help explaining bonfire night to some guests she has staying and asks Uncle Chris if he can help! No sure of the facts themselves, Uncle Chris and his trusty community theatre company decide to go back to 1605 and find out the facts as they happened! But it was a very dangerous time, full of plots to kill King James the 1st, so t…

1
Andrew Jackson Met The Real Blair Witch 1:37:15

16d ago1:37:15

1:37:15

The Bell Witch of Robertson County, Tennessee, on whom the horror film classic ‘The Blair Witch Project’ was based, tormented the Bell family farm from 1817 to 1828. In the meantime, the disembodied spirit attracted thousands of tourists, skeptics, and more. One visitor was none other than Old Hickory himself, determined to see if one of Satan’s un…

1
William Shakespeare 26:45

21d ago26:45

26:45

In this episode Luke and Mike talk all things William Shakespeare. They chew over the age old mystery of whether Shakespeare really wrote his plays and Luke tells Mike about the disgusting details of Elizabethan play production and a mishap involving a cannon. In the "Great Library of Alexandria" we review The Usborne Encyclopedia of History. Shout…

1
The Trust Fund Ghosts of St. Louis 1:11:32

23d ago1:11:32

1:11:32

The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri is one of the most haunted homes in the United States. Learn the history of the fabulously wealthy family of 19th-century beer magnates who lived in the mansion, how many of them came to their tragic ends within its walls, and how their ghosts now torment the mansion's visitors -- especially any women using t…

1
The Battle of the Bulge 30:24

25d ago30:24

30:24

In this episode Luke and Mike talk about the last major offensive of the second world war, the Battle of the Bulge. As usual, Luke surprises Mike with some random facts, whilst Mike tells a story about how the Americans responded to the German demands for them to surrender. In the "Great Library of Alexandria" Luke and Mike review "Treaties, Trench…

1
A Giant Leap Adventure – Part 2 16:14

27d ago16:14

16:14

Connie and the gang blast off into space for an adventure to the moon! Connie initially hesitates, worried about being so far from home. However, she joins the crew just in time for the rocket launch! 🚀 Along the way, the adventurers experience zero gravity, dodge space debris, and even encounter friendly aliens! After a small navigational hiccup, …

1
The Curious Case Of The Missing Lighthouse Keepers 1:02:44

30d ago1:02:44

1:02:44

We start Halloween Horror Month 2024 with an infamous and unsolved mystery about three lighthouse keepers who went missing in the Flannan Isles of Scotland. Was it banshees? A ghost ship? Murder-suicide? Listen and decide for yourself. Subscribe to the Softcore History Patreon for hundreds of hours of extra history content including listener histor…

1
Microscopes and Telescopes 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Episode 98 goes to the Netherlands. There is something remarkable about the Dutch when it comes to glass lenses and scientific tools. Maybe Hans Lippershay invented the telescope. Maybe it was some kids in his town. Or maybe it was one of two other guys who seem to have come up with the idea at the same time and place. And as far as microscopes go,…

1
The Gunpowder Plot 24:38

1M ago24:38

24:38

This week Luke and Mike recount the treasonous acts of Guy Fawkes in his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The plot involves poor project planning, spurious fake names and an ill advised method of drying gunpowder. In the "Great Library of Alexandria" we review "A Street Through Time" - a DK book illustrated by Steve Noon.…

1
Can Germans Use The N-Word? 1:24:27

1M ago1:24:27

1:24:27

In 1751 Benjamin Franklin wrote "Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind," a letter with a number of interesting observations and ideas, and also one head-scratcher (at least to readers from the present). In it, Franklin noted that he was tired of all the non-white immigrants coming to the New World and ruining white society in Pennsylvania…

1
Pompeii 24:38

1M ago24:38

24:38

This week Mike and Luke tell the story of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of the ancient roman city of Pompeii. Mike reminisces about his holiday trip to the city whilst Luke is keen to remember all the gory details! Over in the "Great Library of Alexandria" Mike and Luke review "Romans Magnified" by David Long.…

1
A Giant Leap Adventure Part 1 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

Season 5 is back with a bang, as Connie and the gang blast off into space! Connie and her team of adventurers are off on an exciting journey to the moon, led by Hazel—a former soldier and all-round adventure seeker. Along the way, Connie faces her own fears about going away on a camping trip without her mum. From sneaking into NASA, prepping a reti…

1
The Bearded Queen Egypt Erased 1:05:33

1M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Hatshepsut is the female Pharaoh you've never heard of. Why? Because the Egyptians erased her. But the queen turned queen regent turned full-on Pharaoh ruled for two decades and accomplished as much as just about anyone who ever sat on the throne, from conquering Kush to opening exotic trade routes in East Africa. There was also some brother-bangin…

1
The Norse Creation Story 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

In this final episode of the mini-series on historical creation myths, Luke tells the story of how the Vikings believed the universe was created. This episode features a mythical cow who sculpts gods using his tongue and giants being born from the armpits of another giant! Over in the 'Great Library of Alexandria' we talk about the Vicious Vikings,…

1
The Man Who Lived Every Basic Bro's Dream Life 1:36:21

2M ago1:36:21

1:36:21

Titanic Thompson would bet on anything, and usually win. And usually because he was cheating. It's one of the many reasons Titanic is the greatest gambler in American history. He hustled golf at country clubs with a young Ben Hogan. He hustled pool halls across the country with Minnesota Fats. He even cheated the man who fixed the 1919 World Series…

1
The Egyptian Creation Story 22:49

2M ago22:49

22:49

In this episode Luke tells Mike the Ancient Egyptian creation myth, introducing him to a talking ocean, a sun protected by a cobra and green god covered in plant pictures. Over in the "Great Library of Alexandria" we talk about the Myth Atlas by Thiago de Moraes.By Mike & Luke Reeve

1
Series 5 out soon! Brand new Armchair Adventures episodes are on the way. 3:00

2M ago3:00

3:00

Join Connie and the gang at the Armchair Adventures Travel Agency as they kick off Season 5 with a bang! ✨ The agency is celebrating with a fireworks display, and they're inviting all adventurers to join in on the fun. This season promises to be packed with super fun join-in adventures led by Connie, Uncle Chris, and all her lovely customers From a…

1
The Rise Of The Last Lion 1:21:34

2M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

Winston Churchill was one of the most important historical figures of the 20th century, taking power over the United Kingdom in the midst of World War II. Jack Mandaville joins us to talk about the Last Lion's unhinged upbringing, blood ties to the United States, his storied military and writing careers, and his rise to power through British parlia…

1
The Ancient Greek Creation Story 30:27

2M ago30:27

30:27

In this episode Luke tells the Ancient Greek Creation story - The War of the Titans. Meanwhile Mike struggles to pronounce the word, "hecatoncheires" and gets confused with all the names and relations of the Greek Gods. Get ready for a God who eats his kids and a gruesome grandma who is ready for war! In the Great Library of Alexandria, we recommen…

1
I Scream for Ice Cream 31:57

2M ago31:57

31:57

Episode 97 is all about ice cream. Eat it anytime of year - it's a treat that we might take for granted today. It used to be expensive, impossible, or potentially dangerous. From George Washington to Edmund Albius to Nancy Johnson to the Hokey Pokey Man, the stories around ice cream are richer than double chocolate chunk.…

1
The Founding Father of Organized Crime 1:25:47

2M ago1:25:47

1:25:47

Kyle Bandujo, podcaster and author of the new sports movie book "Movies With Balls", joins the show to talk about one of the most famous figures in American sports scandal history: Arnold Rothstein. Though he was most famous for allegedly fixing the 1919 World Series (a.k.a. the Black Sox Scandal), this distinction does the man's criminal history a…

1
Welcome to Bang! Boom! History! 8:52

2M ago8:52

8:52

In this introductory episode, Luke tells Mike why he wanted to start a history podcast, his favourite time and place in all of history and crazy story about a human Christmas pudding!By Mike & Luke Reeve

1
The Civil War's Cocktail Hour 1:03:47

2M ago1:03:47

1:03:47

Bleeding Kansas was a series of conflicts between abolitionists and pro-slavery forces after the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Election fraud, murder, and guerilla warfare were rampant during this five year window that decided whether Kansas would enter the union a free or slave state. Many historians consider it the prequel to the Am…

1
No Chill - Pioneers in Ice 29:44

3M ago29:44

29:44

Episode 96 is all about Ice - in preparation for our following episode about Ice Cream. Boston's Frederic Tudor became the "Ice King" by taking ice to places in the world where it had never been before. But it wasn't easy Dr. John Gorrie was looking for ways to care for the sick and became one of the first humans to make ice himself. It sparked a c…

1
Abe Lincoln's Favorite Hate Read 1:22:31

3M ago1:22:31

1:22:31

19th Century Southern lawyer-turned-sociologist and noted shut-in George Fitzhugh was "too online" 140 years before the internet was even invented. He stayed inside all day reading newspapers, books, and political pamphlets, rarely leaving home. As with anyone who shapes their worldview only by consuming media, Fitzhugh started to believe some pret…

1
The Real Game Of Thrones 1:06:38

3M ago1:06:38

1:06:38

The Wars of Roses were a series of civil wars fought for the English crown from 1455 to 1487. These bloody and nasty conflicts between the Houses of Lancaster and York inspired George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series to the point that you can make direct connections between the real historical figures and characters in his books. Subscribe to t…

1
Would You Eat Hippo? - FREE PATREON PREVIEW 1:12:26

3M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

An American meat shortage in 1910 caused people to get real desperate, real fast. Enter Louisiana Representative Robert F. Broussard, who proposed the American Hippo Bill, which would import hippos from Africa to be raised for food on Louisiana swamp ranches. Oh, what could have been. For this show and TWO additional ad-free episodes every week fol…

1
Every Time A President Personally Killed Someone 1:34:01

3M ago1:34:01

1:34:01

Presidents aren't only passive victims. Helpless bystanders as gunmen attempt to kill them. This week we discuss every American president who TOOK lives, from the ones you know like Andrew Jackson and Teddy Roosevelt, to the ones you never would've guessed. And these kills aren't by order or drone strike but, rather, done with their own bare hands.…

1
International Games: Field of Cloth of Gold and Olympic Marathon 35:57

3M ago35:57

35:57

Episode 95 covers two great stories of international competition. First, The Field of Cloth and Gold was a historic summit that brought together Henry VIII and Francis I with the hopes of peace, competition, and maybe a bit of wrestling. Second, the 1904 Olympics put a Cuban runner named Felix Carvajal on the map. He didn't win the Olympic marathon…

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