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

George Washington's frenemy Charles Lee, who you might remember from Hamilton, gets caught in his skivvies, the guy who built the Brooklyn Bridge remembers seeing Abraham Lincoln's undies, Mick sings a song about long underwear and more. Produced by Mick Sullivan, read by Victoria Reibel and Jason Lawrence. "Long Handle Time" song by Homer and Jethro performed by Mick Sullivan.

Nelly Bly decides to travel around the world in less than 80 days, much like Phileas Fogg, the fictional character from Jules Verne's "Around the Wolrd in 80 Days" Also Henry Brown escapes enslavement in a dramatic way, earning the nickname "Box" Brown, and he later finds a career on the stage. Also, musician Chris Rodahaffer (Will Oldham/Bonnie Prince Billy) joins us for the song "I've Been All Around This World." Created by Mick Sullivan. Readings by Victoria Reibel and Jason Lawrence. Oh Yeah, and Quiz Time!

Family Trees sure seem daunting, don't they? Once you get past your grandparents or great-grandparents it can quickly get confusing. Rae Anne Sauer from the Sons of the American Revolution National Headquarters in Louisville, KY has seen tons of people work to discover their family trees. According to her it's easier than you think - and you might discover some interesting things. If nothing else, you'll surely realize how connected we all are, so be nice to your brothers and your sisters! Enjoy our special episode, and while you're at it you can check out the list of Kids Listen Family Tree participants at the KidsListen.org Blog. Many Podcasts, One Theme! Check out our friends!

Join host Mick Sullivan for some true tales of magic, or at least what appeared to be magic. Learn Franz Mesmer's gift to your vocabulary, hear about some young sisters who fooled America, and discover how a French Magician stopped a rebellion with his magic tricks. Along with Quiz Time you'll hear Tory Fisher, Brandon Johnson and Mick Sullivan perform "I'll See You In My Dreams." Mesmer and Fox sisters story written and read by Heather Funk; Houdin story written by Mick Sullivan and read by Victoria Reibel.

This episode is fast paced and broken into small bites! We’ve squeezed in THREE great stories along with a song and quiz time! Really packed it in there - like sausage in a casing! Victoria Reibel wonders, did George Crumb invent potato chips? Jason Lawrence imagines a delicious new way to eat ice cream at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Food Network Star, Chef Damaris Phillips joins us for a fun story about everyone’s favorite red vegetable - or is it a fruit? Chris Rodahaffer and Rob Collier join host and creator Mick Sullivan for a fun old song about chicken pie. WARNING: You might get hungry listening to this episode.

Episode 6 is all about Heights! Victoria Reibel reads a story about the time The Chicago World's Fair had to build something to top the Eiffel Tower. Jason Lawrence tells the tale of the the world's leading antebellum funambulist. The Tamerlane Trio performs "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" Episode written by Mick Sullivan. Steal it and you are lame.

In honor of National Bird Day, this episode features some great bird stories from history. Victoria Reibel reads the story of Charles Morton, a man who tried to explain the mystery of bird migration with an otherworldly hypothesis. Jason Lawrence reads the tale of Cher Ami, one of the bravest little birds the world has ever known. Mick Sullivan performs the traditional folk song Cluck Old Hen. All this and more!

In this quick Holiday Short, we explore a few of the stories people offer as explanations for the unusual Christmas Pickle Tradition. We also found a Christmas Pickle recipe you probably won't want to try, and you'll love our 2016 Holiday gift pick. And if that isn't enough, we also have an unusual interpretation of a holiday classic song by Squeeze-bot (probably the best Accordion, Banjo Tuba and Tiny Drum band in the world).

The Pony Express lives in legend, but didn't last long. Find out what it took to be join the team. (read by Victoria Reibel) Alfred Ely Beach kept a secret from New York City and built a Pneumatic Subway underneath it in the 1800's! (read by Jason Lawrence) This episode also features an original performance of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter." All of the instruments were played and overdubbed by Mick Sullivan.

The origin of Port and Starboard Victoria Reibel reads stories about Anne Bonny, and Stephen Long's unusual dragon-like steamboat, the Western Engineer. Tamerlane Trio performs original song "Big Ol' Boat" (song recorded by Rob Collier) Quiz time and more! **Correction: in Anne Bonny, in regards to her death, we say 1881, but we mean 1781, as you'd probably guess from our framing it around the American Revolution - sorry!**