For centuries now, roller coasters have sent people flying through the air. And just like the ride itself, the history of these coasters is filled with twists and turns. Even though early rides looked very different from the rides you see today, they still delivered a hair-raising experience. Buckle up because we're about to take a wild ride through time. We’ll travel from the icy slopes of Russia to the bustling streets of Paris, and then across the ocean to the coal mines of Pennsylvania. This...
Jun 20, 2025•17 min•Ep. 64
Meet Florence Merriam Bailey, the original bird-watching rebel. Forget stuffed birds and cages—Florence believed the true beauty of birds could only be seen in the wild. Follow her journey from a curious girl to a passionate conservationist who defied fashion trends, sparked a movement, and changed how we understand our feathered friends forever. Get ready to grab your binoculars and explore the amazing world right outside your window. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning bo...
May 20, 2025•16 min•Ep. 63
This is the story of Mount Rushmore. Carved high in the cliffs of South Dakota, you can spot the faces of four U.S. Presidents. Every year, over 2 million tourists travel to see this famous site. But few visitors know the whole story behind the giant sculpture. It began with one man’s dream and quickly became a tale of conflict and struggle. By the time the first chisel struck the mountain, the project was already steeped in controversy. It would be a 14-year battle to carve the enormous stone p...
Apr 20, 2025•18 min•Ep. 62
Hedy Lamarr was a Hollywood star and people called her “the most beautiful woman in the world.” Snow White and Catwoman, with their big eyes and dark, shining hair, were both based on Hedy. But she was also an inventor. In fact, her invention would pave the way for important innovations we use every day, like Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. It's time to learn about a woman who was much more interesting than people wanted her to be. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, maga...
Mar 20, 2025•16 min•Ep. 61
This is the story of Bessie Stringfield, the woman who would become the motorcycle queen. From performing daring stunts to delivering top-secret messages, Bessie could do almost anything on a motorcycle. She was a legend in her own time. While tales of her early life are often shrouded in mystery, one thing is certain: she was a fearless adventurer. Grab your helmet and let's hit the road! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young histori...
Feb 20, 2025•17 min•Ep. 60
Have you ever watched the movie Bambi? This timeless classic was in many ways made possible by one extraordinary artist. This is the story of Tyrus Wong and his incredible journey from his home village to Walt Disney Studios. Born in China, Tyrus embarked on a daring voyage across the ocean to the United States when he was just nine years old. It's time to discover his fascinating tale. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians...
Jan 20, 2025•18 min•Ep. 59
Would you believe the United States nearly dropped a nuclear bomb on itself? It’s true. In 1961, all that stood between North Carolina and a nuclear disaster was a simple flip of a switch. This crazy story involves a war, a plane crash, and two powerful nuclear bombs. Get ready young historians, we’re about to uncover a near-miss that could have caused a catastrophe. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. O...
Dec 20, 2024•16 min•Ep. 58
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about the stars? That’s exactly what a woman in China named Wang Zhenyi did nearly two centuries ago during the Qing Dynasty. Today, she is remembered as one of China’s greatest scientists and poets. Get your telescopes ready and let's go! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themsel...
Nov 20, 2024•17 min•Ep. 57
You probably have, or know someone with a pet, right? Perhaps your pet is even sitting with you now, as you listen. This is the story of a long line of pet ravens named Grip, beginning with someone you may already know—Charles Dickens. It's time to head back to Victorian England! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn mo...
Oct 20, 2024•15 min•Ep. 56
Have you ever wondered how the circus was invented? Well, you're about to get your answer and learn some incredible history along the way. So step right up, boys and girls, and hear a dazzling tale from London and beyond! It’s showtime, folks. Get your tickets ready, and let’s travel to Anytime Now. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history ...
Sep 20, 2024•17 min•Ep. 55
Have you ever wondered how surfing was invented? This ancient sport has a long history, dating back to at least the time of ancient Polynesians. Today, it’s easy to spot surfers out on the waves, especially if you're somewhere like Hawaii, California, or Australia. But you might be surprised to hear that surfing almost disappeared once upon a time. Surf’s up, young historians—it's time to plunge into this fascinating history involving ancient laws, great kings, and a courageous Olympian who shar...
Aug 20, 2024•16 min•Ep. 54
Most of you have probably worn roller skates before, right? Have you ever wondered where those roller skates came from? Join us for a new adventure and discover the story of John Joseph Merlin—a peculiar man who gave us one of history's most fun inventions. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at honesthistory.co ...
Jul 20, 2024•15 min•Ep. 53
Outlaws beware! In this episode, we’re going to the Wild West. This is the story of the fearless lawman, Bass Reeves—one of the first Black deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi. During his long career, he escaped death, chased the deadliest criminals, and arrested as many as 3,000 lawbreakers. When bandits and horse-thieves heard the name “Bass Reeves,” they knew they were in trouble. Grab your cowboy boots and let's go! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, ma...
Jun 20, 2024•15 min•Ep. 52
Discover the heart-pounding adventure of the incredible expedition that conquered the world's highest peak—Mt. Everest. In this episode, we unravel the legendary journey of an unlikely duo—a beekeeper from New Zealand and a Sherpa—as they braved treacherous terrain and daunting challenges to become the first people to ever summit Mount Everest. It's time to learn about Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in a tale of human perseverance and triumph against the odds. About Honest History Honest ...
May 20, 2024•19 min•Ep. 51
How many people would risk their life for a book? In 1942, a group of Jewish scholars did exactly that. During World War II, they placed their lives in danger by secretly hiding thousands of important papers and art. Germany’s Nazi Party had decided these historical documents were not worth keeping and planned to destroy them. But, to the Paper Brigade, these books and papers were treasures that needed to be saved. And they were willing to risk it all. This is the story of the Paper Brigade and ...
Apr 20, 2024•19 min•Ep. 50
Anna and Leo have a new home—check out new episodes at Unlock This! everywhere podcasts are streamed, and stay tuned for more episodes of Anytime Now later this month.
Apr 05, 2024•1 min
Can you imagine what the dinosaurs smelled like? What about Roman toilets? Were Egyptian mummies nice to sniff? We’re about to find out, and more importantly, we’re going to discover why on earth museums are pumping these stinky smells into their exhibits. Believe it or not, it’s all down to the Vikings. This is the story of Viking smells, and how they transformed the way we understand history. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young hi...
Jul 12, 2023•17 min•Ep. 49
During World War II, we often hear about great battles, heroic victories, and famous generals. But what was the experience of everyday people? In this episode, learn about a tragic moment of World War II’s history called the Siege of Leningrad. The siege affected everyday people living in the city by cutting them off from supplies like food, medicine, and water. It's a difficult story, and it is important to understand how war can hurt many people. This is the story about the brave people of Len...
Jun 28, 2023•16 min•Ep. 48
Eighty years ago, everyone knew his name. He was a Hollywood filmmaker, an airplane engineer, a wealthy businessman, and a daring pilot. Newspapers and film screens were filled with tales of his next exciting project. He funded expensive movies with dangerous stunts and built machines only he would dare to build. With each new project, he pushed the boundaries of what was possible. This is the story of Howard Hughes and the giant flying boat. About Honest History Honest History creates award-win...
Jun 14, 2023•18 min•Ep. 47
Have you heard of the legendary warrior, Mulan? As the story goes, she disguised herself as a man to go to war in place of her father. You might know her from the movie about her life. It’s the one with a talking dragon named Mushu and a lucky cricket. But did you know Mulan’s story has a very old history? As a matter of fact, her story is over 1,000 years old! In this episode, we're going to uncover the real history behind this famous tale. This is the story of Mulan, the woman who would inspir...
May 31, 2023•16 min•Ep. 46
What do you think of when you hear the word “Balloonomania”? You probably think it has something to do with balloons, and you’d be right. But not the type of balloons you see at birthday parties. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about the kind of balloons that take people up into the sky—hot-air balloons. One aeronaut made history as the first woman to take to the skies all by herself. She was so famous that she became a favorite of Napoleon of France. This is the story of Sophie Blanc...
May 17, 2023•18 min•Ep. 45
Get ready to sink your teeth into one of the world's most delicious sandwiches—the bánh mì. With its unique blend of flavors and textures, the bánh mì has quickly become a popular street food all around the world. But do you know the history of this fascinating and tasty creation? Originating in Vietnam, this delectable sandwich is a fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine. Join us on a culinary adventure as we explore the history and flavors of the bánh mì. Let’s dig in! About Honest History Ho...
May 03, 2023•19 min•Ep. 44
It’s time to learn about one of the most brilliant scientists to ever live, Nikola Tesla. Through his powerful imagination and skill, Tesla developed alternating current and helped usher in a new era of electricity. From his laboratory in Colorado, he worked on wireless electricity and wowed the public with his fantastic displays of electrical energy using giant coils. Yet, despite his prowess for engineering and inventing, he never managed to profit much from his creations. Why? You’ll have to ...
Apr 19, 2023•18 min•Ep. 43
Let's journey back in time to the captivating world of Hatshepsut, the Queen of Egypt who ruled over three thousand years ago. Known for her remarkable reign and unprecedented rise to power, Hatshepsut's legacy has fascinated historians for centuries. In recent years, archaeologists made an extraordinary find when they uncovered a well-preserved temple dedicated to Hatshepsut. Inside, they found a treasure trove of artifacts, including statues, inscriptions, and even remnants of the offerings th...
Apr 05, 2023•19 min•Ep. 42
Do you love to eat? Who doesn’t? Let’s head back to the intriguing world of Pompeii's thermopolium, a type of fast food restaurant that existed over two thousand years ago. These bustling eateries were the social hub of Pompeii and served up piping hot food to the city's residents and travelers. In 2019, a team of archaeologists made an incredible discovery when they uncovered a well-preserved thermopolium in the city's ruins. Inside, they found a wealth of artifacts, including pots, jars, and e...
Mar 22, 2023•17 min•Ep. 41
Do you love digging for buried treasure? It’s time to explore the incredible story of a real-life treasure hunter. Her name was Mary Anning and she is best known for discovering an Ichthyosaur fossil—an animal that many people today would call a sea monster! The most amazing part? She was just a kid when she found this amazing treasure. As Mary grew up, she challenged the conventional understanding of prehistoric life and inspired generations of scientists and women. Join us as we uncover the th...
Mar 08, 2023•18 min•Ep. 40
It’s difficult to imagine being born to an enslaved African mother in 18th century France and then growing up to be one of the most celebrated composers and swordsmen in the whole country. Any one of these circumstances would be difficult on their own, but Joseph Bologne fought against the challenges to play violin at private parties for the queen and live with the famous composer, Mozart. He even led troops into battle during the French Revolution. All of this was accomplished as a Black man du...
Feb 22, 2023•18 min•Ep. 39
For thirty years of her life, Elizabeth Keckley dreamed of freedom. Born into slavery in 1818, she used her tenacity, perseverance, and inventiveness to become a free woman—and the dressmaker and friend to the First Lady of the United States. Elizabeth created the most elegant dresses in Washington D.C., but her path to the White House was incredibly difficult. This is the story of her journey, with experiences shared by many other enslaved people, during a pivotal time in U.S. history. About Ho...
Feb 08, 2023•19 min•Ep. 38
Years before the Nazi party’s rise to power, a man named Franz Werfel tried to tell the world about a similar tragedy. He wrote a book about the story of brave Armenians struggling under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. He knew that if people didn’t hear about this story, then history could repeat itself. Unfortunately, his prediction came true during the Jewish Holocaust. Yet, his book inspired countless Jewish people as they faced enormous tragedy and fought to survive. It’s time to learn about...
Jan 25, 2023•17 min•Ep. 37
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is nothing new—yet in the 1930s, the crimes committed by Russia and Stalin were not as publicized as the conflict today. After all, this was a time before the age of the internet and social media. Yet, because of one man’s heroic actions, the truth about Russia’s crimes under Stalin’s rule eventually became widely known. Join us for an important story about Gareth Jones, a Welshman in Ukraine. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books...
Jan 11, 2023•17 min•Ep. 36
