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

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Hazards of The Wild: George Shannon, Rattlesnake Kate and more! Oct 01, 2026

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George Shannon was the youngest member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and his inexperience showed itself a time or two. He did get lost once for 16 days, the longest span of time anyone was separated from the expedition party.

In the 1920s, a woman named Rattlesnake Kate captured imaginations after an encounter with 140 rattlesnakes. The result (in addition to fame) was a one-of-a-kind snakeskin dress.

Important Animals: Blisters, Shin Splints, Museum Spiders and more Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

The Bunion Derby (featured in the last episode) also featured a few four-legged friends, including dogs named Blisters and Shin Splints.

We'll also re-visit the Pony Express and meet the Chilean Recluse Spiders who have lived peacefully at the Finnish Museum of Natural History for Decades.

Bunion Derby and Route 66 Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

November of 2026 will mark the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, a highway that inspired road trips, neon signs, writers, singers, and even a movie about talking cars.

But first, the Bunion Derby was a publicity stunt for attention on Route 66 and it was America's first cross-country ultra-marathon.

War and Pigs : Danish Protest Pigs and the Pig War of 1859 Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

It was the best of swine, it was the worst of swine. This is a much requested episode: the great Pig War that almost launched a 3rd violent conflict between American and Great Britain. Enjoy the history and absurdity of it all. Also is the story behind an official breed of pigs known as Danish Protest Pigs.

Mary Katharine Goddard, Independence Hall, and The Declaration of Independence Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Episode 119 looks at some key moment inside Indepedence Hall (and the time they almost tore it down). Likewise, we'll meet Mary Katharine Goddard, who published the first version of the Declaration to contain the names of all the signers. If you look closely, you can find her name on the important document too!

And to start it off we learn about when Ben Franklin told Thomas Jefferson a story to help him understand the value of editing.

Emily the Cow, Geronimo The Beaver, and the Rostocker Pfeilstorch Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

An escaping cow, Operation Beaver Drop, and a migration mystery solved by a bird with a spear - all on this episode of Important Animals From History - Volume 4!

Lost Woods and Found Amendments May 31, 2026

Show notes

The story of the Lost 40 - an old growth forest in Minnesota that got lost for nearly a century thanks to a surveying error. We're talking lumberjacks, old growth trees, and silly mistakes.

Also, the 27th Amendment which was brought back from the dustbin of history thanks to a college student who didn't get the grade he had hoped for on an essay!

Animals Vol 3: Signalman Jack, Cacareco, and Pickles! May 18, 2026

Show notes

Signalman Jack was a baboon who worked in the railway in South Africa.

Cacareco was a Black Rhino elected to political office in Brazil.

Pickles was the dog who found the missing World Cup trophy.

All of them were awesome. All of them will be in Mick's upcoming book.

Past Scent (and Other Senses) Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

How did an extinct flower not seen since 1881 wind up being the subject of a modern day project to recreate a scent from the past? It was a long path from Dr. Charles Short in the 1860s to Dr. Christina Agapakis in the 2010s.

And it's a cool story!

Animals: Mrs. O'Leary's Cow, Vic the Cat, and Mungo the Squirrel Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

The Second volume of Important Animals From History, from an upcoming book by Mick Sullivan.

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