Fun and engaging history podcast for the whole family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Products & Purchases
very little
Some episodes have a brief ad at the beginning, for coffee or a publishing company.
Educational Value
a lot
Podcast shares fascinating stories from history that even adults may be unfamiliar with. The subject matter is presented in lively and engaging story form, with background information and context to help understand it. Kids and families will learn a lot about historical figures and events.
Positive Messages
a lot
The importance of remembering the past and the people who lived before us is central to this podcast. Important lessons about perseverance and freedom are woven into an episode about the role of the bicycle in the women's suffrage movement. Episodes are devoted to those who have been left out of history books, like Yarrow Mamout, a former slave who became a successful businessman and investor.
Diverse Representations
a lot
Attention is given to people whose stories are often forgotten or left out of history books, due to their race, ethnicity, or sex. Important figures in women's history, like Amelia Bloomer, are discussed in detail. The host makes sure to note that not all women won the right to vote with the 19th Amendment. We learn about freedman Yarrow Marmout, who became a successful entrepreneur and businessman in Georgetown. While many of the stories are humorous, there are serious accounts as well, like that of the Mexican American communities uprooted to make way for the construction of Dodger Stadium.
Characters throughout history are introduced, and many of their stories are inspirational. Tillie Anderson, a Swedish teenager who immigrated to the United States, became a champion cyclist. John Banvard was an artist who became a pioneer in creating moving, panoramic paintings. These are true stories, so not everyone is an example of great behavior. We hear how P.T. Barnum's jealousy of Banvard led to Banvard's fading into obscurity.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Past and The Curious is an educational and entertaining history podcast that the whole family can enjoy. The host, Mick Sullivan, and his guests tell true stories about important (but sometimes forgotten) people and movements in history. Some of the episodes include humorous, little-known anecdotes about figures like P.T. Barnum, or share innovations in the history of underwear. Stories of immigrants, women, and people of diverse backgrounds get the attention that they don't always receive in history books. Themes of determination and ingenuity are woven throughout the stories. The content is appropriate for ages 6 and up, though slightly older kids may get the most out of this podcast. Still, all ages are sure to enjoy the lively storytelling, quizzes, and songs.
Our family absolutely enjoys this podcast. The history lessons that are often overlooked but offer great insights to how we have overcome obstacles, used ingenuity to make the world better, and how people have worked together.
Episodes feature a variety of diverse people groups and backgrounds.
interesting facts, valuable lessons and a feel-good mood booster
This is a well thought out, creative and humorous podcast that’s made for kids, but is truly enjoyable for the whole family. Every episode takes you on a new journey in exploring past events and our own humanity. It is chock-full of interesting facts, valuable lessons and a feel-good mood booster.
What’s It About?
Each episode of THE PAST AND THE CURIOUS weaves together stories of people and events in history, often in an unexpected way. Stories that at first seem to be about fashion or bicycle racing are also about the women's suffrage movement. Background information and context are always clearly provided, so you don't need any prior knowledge about the topic. "Quiz time" takes place in the middle of the episode, and it's a great way for the host to share fun facts in quiz form. Every episode ends with a song that's related to the topics covered in the episode, performed either by the host or a musical guest.
If you're after a thoughtful and engaging history podcast for kids and adults alike, you can't go wrong with this one. The Past and The Curious manages to inform and entertain, using well-told stories to give listeners insight into people's lives throughout history. The host, Mick Sullivan, does a great job of connecting the stories, quiz questions, and music around a theme. The podcast really makes you think about whose stories get told, why it's important to learn about the past, and how learning about history can be fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the types of stories chosen for The Past and The Curious. What makes them relevant or interesting to us today?
Why have some groups' stories traditionally been left out of history books? Why do you think their stories are less well known?
Why is it important for us to learn about people and events so far in the past? How do these stories help us shape our future?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
The Past and the Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Lakshmi Hutchinson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
