Real Cool History for Kids

Mount Rushmore, the Mountain that Became a Monument (a special episode for Denmark Hettinga)

Episode 182: Mount Rushmore, the Mountain that Became a Monument (a special episode for Denmark Hettinga)

Join us for an adventure to the Black Hills of South Dakota as we discover the incredible story behind one of America's most recognizable landmarks?Mount Rushmore National Memorial!

In this episode, created especially for Denmark Hettinga, we learn how a mountain became a giant monument honoring four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. You'll hear about the historian who dreamed up the idea, the sculptor who brought it to life, and the brave workers who spent fourteen years carving the faces into solid granite.

Along the way, we'll explore:

Why those four presidents were chosen How dynamite was used to carve the faces The dangers workers faced high above the ground The fascinating story of sculptor Gutzon Borglum The history of the Black Hills and their importance to the Lakota people

We'll also talk about perseverance, courage, hard work, and how the choices we make today can leave a lasting impact on the future.

Plus, don't miss an exciting announcement about the brand-new Real Cool History for Kids audio message pages, where listeners can now submit episode requests, reviews, and family messages using their own voices!

2026-06-12
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Andre the Seal ? The Seal Who Always Came Home (a special episode for Esther and Emilia Lane)

Episode 181: Andre the Seal ? The Seal Who Always Came Home (a special episode for Esther and Emilia Lane)

What happens when a tiny harbor seal is found alone on a beach in Maine?

In this heartwarming true story, requested by Esther and Emilia Lane, we discover the incredible life of Andre the Seal. Rescued by Harry Goodridge in 1961, Andre grew from a helpless orphaned pup into one of the most beloved animals in America. Year after year, Andre amazed people by swimming through the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean and returning to the same harbor and the same family who had first cared for him.

Along the way, we'll explore the rocky coast of Maine, learn about the amazing instincts God gave animals, and discover how one act of kindness can impact an entire community for generations.

In this episode:
? Meet Andre the Seal and the family who rescued him
? Learn about Maine and the Atlantic coastline
? Discover how harbor seals navigate long distances
? Explore Biblical truths about God's creation
? Learn lessons about kindness, compassion, and faithfulness

Plus, don't miss our exciting announcement about the brand-new Real Cool History for Kids audio message pages, where families can now submit episode requests, reviews, and messages that may be featured on a future episode! COMING IN JULY 2026!!

2026-06-01
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The Boston Tea Party: Tea, Taxes, and Trouble (This episode is for Max Hanna!)

Episode 180: The Boston Tea Party: Tea, Taxes, and Trouble (This episode is for Max Hanna!)

In this episode of Real Cool History for Kids, we travel back to colonial Boston to learn about one of the most important events leading up to the American Revolution!

Why were the colonists so upset about tea taxes? What did "No taxation without representation" mean? And what happened on that cold December night when colonists disguised themselves and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor?

Join us as we learn about courage, freedom, and one of the moments that helped lead America toward independence.

? Families: Be watching for something NEW coming soon to the Real Cool History for Kids homepage! Soon, listeners will be able to send in episode requests using their own voice recordings and leave short audio messages and reviews about what they're learning through the podcast. You might even hear your voice featured in a future episode!

? Patreon families can find printable resources and activities to go along with this episode inside Patreon.

2026-05-18
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The Story of Louis Zamperini

Episode 179: The Story of Louis Zamperini (a special episode for Asher, Corban, and Titus Tittle)

Continue the learning experience for this episode by following this link!

2026-05-04
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Building the Panama Canal (a special episode for Emily Murrah)

Episode 178: Building the Panama Canal (a special episode for Emily Murrah)

Thanks so much for listening to Real Cool History for Kids! If you and your family are enjoying this adventure, I'd love to invite you to keep the fun going. You can find even more stories, activities, and resources over on my website!

I'm also so excited to share that the first book in a brand-new story series, The Chronicles of Liberty, is on its way! Join Miss Agatha Liberty, a brave little mouse with a big love for freedom, as she discovers the stories she was meant to protect and learns from the wisdom found in the history-mice journals. It's a whole new way to experience the story of America?mouse-sized!

We've also created a brand-new community just for families like yours over on Facebook?come join us, share what you're learning, and connect with other history-loving kids and parents..

And don't forget to follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes peeks, fun history tidbits, and updates on new episodes.

I'm so glad you're part of this adventure with us!

2026-04-20
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The Adventures of Davy Crockett (a special episode for Gabriel Zamora)

Episode 177: The Adventures of Davy Crockett (a special episode for Gabriel Zamora)

Check out the show homepage!

2026-04-06
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Magawa, the HeroRat (a special episode for Anna Buckingham)

Episode 176: Magawa, the HeroRat (a special episode for Anna Buckingham)

Learn more about the Celebrating 250 years of Liberty book projects at angelaodell.com!

2026-03-23
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Sergeant Reckless - Faithful, One Step at a Time (a special episode for Ike Bailey)

Episode 175: Sergeant Reckless - Faithful, One Step at a Time (a special episode for Ike Bailey)

The the new 250 years of liberty projects coming soon. On March 13th, pre-orders will be opening for the new edition of My Country, My State, My Responsibility! And for the all new The Chronicles of Liberty book 1! Visit angelaodell.com to find out more!

2026-03-09
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Amy Carmichael, the Girl Who Said Yes to God (a special episode for Olivia Rikard)

Episode 174: Amy Carmichael, the Girl Who Said Yes to God (a special episode for Olivia Rikard)

Amy Carmichael was a little woman who said yes to her big God, and in so doing, became the hands of feet of Jesus to the lost children of southern India. Come hear the story of one of the most tenacious heroes of the Faith in Episode 174.

Want to learn more? Visit our show homepage!

2026-02-23
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Christopher Columbus Sails the Ocean Blue (a special episode for Eliza Lipps)

Episode 173: Christopher Columbus Sails the Ocean Blue (a special episode for Eliza Lipps)

Find out more about Real Cool History for Kids Podcast show resources on the Show Homepage!

2026-02-09
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Special Episode: How Do Pigeons Deliver Mail? (Guest: Eryn Lynum from Nat Theo Podcast Show)

SPECIAL GUEST INFORMATION:

Explore God's Wild & Wonderful world on Nat Theo: Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible, a podcast for kids and families: https://erynlynum.com/nattheo

Have you ever heard of a bird delivering mail? We recently learned about Cher Ami, a homing pigeon who served in World War I and delivered a life-saving message that helped save many soldiers. Today, we are deep diving into how God designed homing pigeons with this incredible ability to find their way across the sky. This lesson comes straight from Nat Theo: Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible, a podcast for kids and families.

Here's what we'll be learning:

Why Were Pigeons Used to Deliver Messages? What Is Magnetoreception? How Do Pigeons Find the Right Address? Do Humans Have a Homing Instinct?

This episode originally aired on Nat Theo: Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible: https://erynlynum.com/nattheo

Listen to Real Cool History for Kids Episode 169: the Amazing Story of Cher Ami HERE

2026-02-02
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The Leeeeeaaaning Tower of Pisa (a special episode for Monty Goeller)

Episode 172: The Leeeeeaaaning Tower of Pisa (a special episode for Monty Goeller)

Join us on our Patrion Platform!

Check out the show homepage!

2026-01-26
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The Story of John Bunyan (a special episode for Ezra Scholtz)

Episode 171: The Story of John Bunyan (a special episode for Ezra Scholtz)

Don't forget to follow along at angelaodell.com!

2026-01-12
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Sunken Ships of Lake Superior (a special episode for Warren Shea)

Episode 170: Sunken Ships of Lake Superior (a special episode for Warren Shea)

Make sure to check out the podcast homepage!

2025-12-29
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The Amazing Story of Cher Ami (a special episode for Alexi de Coup-crank)

Episode 169: The Amazing Story of Cher Ami (a special episode for Alexi de Coup-crank)

2025-12-15
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Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox (a special episode for Cassandra Hayes)

Episode 168: Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox (a special episode for Cassandra Hayes)

Visit the Real Cool History for Kids podcast homepage at angelaodell.com.

2025-12-01
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The Great Lipizzaner Horse Rescue (a special episode for Eloise Grattan)

Episode 167: The Great Lipizzaner Horse Rescue (a special episode for Eloise Grattan)

Visit the Real Cool History for Kids podcast homepage at angelaodell.com.

Want more adventure? Listen to Episode 39: The Heroes Who Fought to Save the Art

2025-11-17
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The Great Locomotive Chase (a special episode for Walter Vetterick)

Episode 166: The Great Locomotive Chase (a special episode for Walter Vetterick)

Visit the Real Cool History for Kids podcast homepage at angelaodell.com.

2025-11-03
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The Halifax Explosion of 1917 (a special episode for Eden and Griffin Tanis)

Episode 165: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 (a special episode for Eden and Griffin Tanis)

For more information about Real Cool History for Kids, visit the show HOMEPAGE at angelaodell.com.

2025-10-20
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Charles Schulz and the Peanut Gang (a special episode for Liam Martin)

Episode 164: Charles Schulz and the Peanut Gang (a special episode for Liam Martin)

For more information and resources, visit the show homepage at angelaodelll.com.

2025-10-06
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Charlie Kirk ~ Making Heaven Crowded

Episode 163: This is a special episode about and in honor of Charlie Kirk (for all of my listeners who asked me to create it).

Visit my website angelaodell.com

2025-09-22
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The True Story of the von Trapp Family (a special episode for Rosalie Cody)

Episode 162: The True Story of the von Trapp Family (a special episode for Rosalie Cody)

Join our Patreon and visit our shop!

REAL COOL HISTORY FOR KIDS HOMEPAGE

2025-09-08
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Winston Churchill's Extraordinary Life (Pearl and Eleanor Spranger)

Episode 161: Winston Churchill's Extraordinary Life (Pearl and Eleanor Spranger)

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REAL COOL HISTORY FOR KIDS HOMEPAGE

2025-08-25
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Karl Marx and his Incredibly Bad Ideas (a special episode for Jude Speer)

Episode 160: Karl Marx and his Incredibly Bad Ideas (a special episode for Jude Speer)

Join our Patreon and visit our shop!

REAL COOL HISTORY FOR KIDS HOMEPAGE

2025-08-11
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The Sad Story of Bonnie and Clyde (a special episode for Judah Leffers)

Episode 159: The Sad Story of Bonnie and Clyde (a special episode for Judah Leffers)

Get all kinds of cool member content AND help keep Real Cool History for Kids on the air! Become a Patreon Member HERE.

Visit Angela's website: https://angelaodell.com/

2025-07-28
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The Story of Togo & Balto (a special episode for Zack, Owen, and Gabriel)

Episode 158: The Story of Togo & Balto (a special episode for Zack, Owen, and Gabriel)

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Episodes

Mount Rushmore, the Mountain that Became a Monument (a special episode for Denmark Hettinga)

Andre the Seal ? The Seal Who Always Came Home (a special episode for Esther and Emilia Lane)

The Boston Tea Party: Tea, Taxes, and Trouble (This episode is for Max Hanna!)

The Story of Louis Zamperini

Building the Panama Canal (a special episode for Emily Murrah)

The Adventures of Davy Crockett (a special episode for Gabriel Zamora)

Magawa, the HeroRat (a special episode for Anna Buckingham)

Sergeant Reckless - Faithful, One Step at a Time (a special episode for Ike Bailey)

Amy Carmichael, the Girl Who Said Yes to God (a special episode for Olivia Rikard)

Christopher Columbus Sails the Ocean Blue (a special episode for Eliza Lipps)

Special Episode: How Do Pigeons Deliver Mail? (Guest: Eryn Lynum from Nat Theo Podcast Show)

The Leeeeeaaaning Tower of Pisa (a special episode for Monty Goeller)

The Story of John Bunyan (a special episode for Ezra Scholtz)

Sunken Ships of Lake Superior (a special episode for Warren Shea)

The Amazing Story of Cher Ami (a special episode for Alexi de Coup-crank)

Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox (a special episode for Cassandra Hayes)

The Great Lipizzaner Horse Rescue (a special episode for Eloise Grattan)

The Great Locomotive Chase (a special episode for Walter Vetterick)

The Halifax Explosion of 1917 (a special episode for Eden and Griffin Tanis)

Charles Schulz and the Peanut Gang (a special episode for Liam Martin)

Charlie Kirk ~ Making Heaven Crowded

The True Story of the von Trapp Family (a special episode for Rosalie Cody)

Winston Churchill's Extraordinary Life (Pearl and Eleanor Spranger)

Karl Marx and his Incredibly Bad Ideas (a special episode for Jude Speer)

The Sad Story of Bonnie and Clyde (a special episode for Judah Leffers)

The Story of Togo & Balto (a special episode for Zack, Owen, and Gabriel)

The Story of the Fourth of July (a special episode for all of my listeners!)

The Lost Colony of Roanoke (a special episode for Brownin Hariel)

The Daring Doolittle Raid (a special episode for Spruce Myers)

Phillis Wheatley Poet (a special episode for Adele Beezhold)

The Story of Pompeii (a special episode for Hannah Joy Wade)

The Story of King Tutankhamun (a special episode for Olivia Giesbrecht)

The Story of Bethany Hamilton (a special episode for Heidi Wambolt)

The Adventures of Kit Carson (a special episode for Thaddeus Cain)

Dolley Madison Saves a Painting (a special episode for Elsie Rabideau)

The Story of the Great Chicago Fire (a special episode for Josiah Dekuiper)

The Story of the Star Spangled Banner (a special episode for Nate & Nick Wright)

Amazing Women of WW 2 (a special episode for Brooke Leffers)

The Dinosaurs of the Bible (a special episode for Luke Sego)

Ida Lewis - the Lighthouse Keeper (a special episode for Emelie Smith)

Yes, Mary Knew! (a Special Christmas Story for Isla and Zeke Sindelar)

The Oregon Trail (a special episode for Anderson Homan)

The Story of Lady Liberty (the Statue of Liberty) (A special episode for the John and Jacob Dorsey)

The Story of Oliver Cromwell (a special episode for the Beach Kids)

The Adventures of Sergeant Stubby (a special episode for Sofia Buentello)

The Great Depression (a Special Episode for Sophie Stevenson)

Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady (a special episode for Maggie Tweeten)

David Livingstone's Inspirational Life (a special episode for Elianna Green)

Brother Andrew, God's Bible Smuggler (a special episode for Seely and Manoah Baerg)

The Story of Johnny Appleseed (A special episode for Josiah Shadel)