Some people believe that aliens visited the Earth many thousands of years ago, helping our ancestors develop technology and more. But did ancient civilisations really have outer space visitors over for tea, or are humans just much better than we think? Tiernan and Athena explore the evidence for this case of historical space travel, then you have to choose which team you're on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 27, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Many former students at Queens University in Belfast are certain they saw a terrifying shadowy figure while staying in Room 611 of Alanbrooke Hall. But was it really a haunted room or just the victim of poorly designed elevators? Athena and Tiernan check out this spooky case and then its up to you to decide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 13, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 108
The first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang was buried in a tomb so vast, that it could contain not only him but 8000 terracotta soldiers. Much of the tomb still remains undiscovered but is that because Emperor Qin cursed it, meaning anyone who finds it suffers terrible misfortune? Tiernan and Athena investigate and then its up to you, the chief detectives to decide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 30, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 107
The Black Shuck is a large, shaggy black dog that is said to appear out of nowhere and its very bad luck for whoever sees it. These hellhounds have been seen all over the world, but are they really ghostly demon dogs? Or actually just misunderstood very good boys? Athena and Tiernan take a paws to look through the evidence so you can solve the case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 16, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 106
For years people who live near the Peruvian and Argentinian Andes have sighted what they say is a 'half man, half bear'. But does the Ucumar really exist? Or is it just pesky bears up to tricks again? Tiernan and Athena take a look at the case of the South American sasquatch, then you have to solve it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 02, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Ever been to an art gallery and thought a painting was watching you wherever you moved? Maybe it was a trick of the light, or maybe, like many cases suggest, that painting is haunted. Athena and Tiernan brush up on all the evidence to help you solve the case. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can become a paid subscr...
Apr 18, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 104
After World War II, its said that a Japanese General hid vast amounts of gold in tunnels and caves under the Philippines. But no one has ever found it. Or have they? Tiernan and Athena scour the wealth of evidence about General Yamashita's Lost Gold, then hand it over to you, our Chief Detectives, to decide. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and ...
Apr 04, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 103
A brief message from Tiernan and Athena between episodes as we prepare for next week's mystery. If you're missing BoT this week, listen in for episode recommendations. See you next week for a new episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 28, 2025•2 min
In 1980, 300 people in Nottingham suddenly felt ill and started to faint in a field in Nottinghamshire. What caused this mysterious incident or could it really be another case of mass hysteria? Athena and Tiernan take a look at this case that's not for the faint hearted! Chief Detectives, get solving! Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra f...
Mar 21, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Aphra Behn was a famous English playwright, poet and novellist from the 17th century. And she was also a spy! We know that, by why don't we know anything about her early life? Or what her real name actually is? Athena and Tiernan explore if Aphra Behn's past is really a mystery or not, then its up to you to figure it out. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling...
Mar 14, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Happy episode 100 everyone! To celebrate, Tiernan and Athena are on location at the famous Bruce Castle in North London. Its said to be haunted by the ghost of Lady Constantia who used to live there in the 17th Century and died in very unfortunate circumstances. But is this old manor house really full of spectres or just old creaky noises? Its up to you to decide! Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from th...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 100
The Bunyip is a swamp dwelling creature found in Aboriginal oral traditions. But is it also really found in the swamps of South-Eastern Australia? Athena and Tiernan explore all the murky evidence and then its up to you chief detectives to solve the case. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can become a paid subscriber...
Feb 28, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Did a real phantom of the Palais Garnier opera house inspire the Phantom of the Opera story? Or was it the other way round? Tiernan and Athena investigate whether a masked pianist really haunted one of the French capital's most famous buildings. Then its up to you to decide! Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can beco...
Feb 21, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In the middle of the Nevada desert, USA, lies the top secret military base known as Area 51. Do they really have evidence of aliens and UFOs hidden within? Tiernan and Athena investigate and you, our Chief Detectives, have to solve the case. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can become a paid subscriber of the show. ...
Feb 14, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 97
Strange lights have been seen in the Australian Outback for over 100 years, but why can no one figure out what the Min Min Lights really are? Ancient ancestors visiting from beyond or just a clever trick of the light? Athena and Tiernan find all the evidence so they can enlighten you, our chief detectives, and help you solve the case. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including mo...
Feb 07, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 96
The Bhootbilli or ghost cat of India, bothered the city of Pune for several years, eating livestock and frightening locals. But does this mysterious half cat, half mongoose really exist? Or is just mass hysteria and a cheeky panther? Tiernan and Athena investigate this a-mieow-zing case, then its up to you to decide. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evid...
Jan 31, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 95
One of the world's greatest mystery writers, Agatha Christie, went missing for 10 days in 1926 and insisted she couldn't remember what had happened. But was this just another fantastic story that she'd made up? Or did a great mystery happen to the great mystery writer? Tiernan and Athena use their leetle grey cells to investigate so that you can solve the case. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the i...
Jan 24, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 94
A tiny village in Scotland is the world's biggest UFO sighting hotspot, with over 300 unidentified flying objects seen there every year. But are aliens really visiting Bonnybridge or is something else afoot? Athena and Tiernan investigate Scotland's home of alien sightings so you, our Chief Detectives, can figure it out. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling ...
Jan 17, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 93
The Trojan War is one of the most famous battles in Greek Mythology, but did this ten year feud really happen? In our first case of the year, Athena and Tiernan look into the ancient details to help you decide. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can become a paid subscriber of the show. Just click Subscribe on Apple P...
Jan 10, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 92
In this special experts episode, Tiernan and Athena talk all things science with brain expert Sophie Scott. Can a bump to the head really make us speak different languages? And can we really predict the future? In the last of four bonus episodes, Sophie Scott is here to help you extra curious Chief Detectives decide if you are Team Buster or Team Truster... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 08, 2025•12 min
The Ninki Nanka is said to be a fearsome devil dragon that roams near the Gambia River. But does this horse faced creature really exist or is it just a myth to keep children safe? Tiernan and Athena look into this West African myth and tell you all the details so you can decide. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can ...
Jan 03, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 91
In this special experts episode, Tiernan and Athena talk all things science with brain expert Sophie Scott. Why do our brains make us see things that aren't there? Are alien abductions all down to humans having bad memories? In the third of four bonus episodes, Sophie Scott is here to help you extra curious Chief Detectives make up your minds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 01, 2025•14 min
As another year of Bust or Trust comes to an end, Tiernan and Athena look back at their favourite sketches on the show in 2024. We wish all our Chief Detectives a very happy new year! Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can become a paid subscriber of the show. Just click Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or visit patreon.co...
Dec 27, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 90
In this special experts episode, Tiernan and Athena talk all things science with brain expert Sophie Scott. What is that little voice inside our heads? Are there really faces on the surface of Mars, or is it just our brains playing tricks on us? In the second of four bonus episodes, Sophie Scott is here to help you extra curious Chief Detectives make up your minds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 25, 2024•10 min
Merry Christmas Chief Detetives! As a special festive treat, Tiernan and Athena have three Christmas mini-mysteries to solve and some from you, our listeners too! Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can become a paid subscriber of the show. Just click Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or visit patreon.com/bustortrustpodcast ...
Dec 20, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 89
In this special experts episode, Tiernan and Athena talk all things science with brain expert Sophie Scott. Why are some people more likely to believe in creepy creatures? What is it that makes you a buster or a truster? In the first of four bonus episodes, Sophie Scott is here to help you extra curious Chief Detectives make up your minds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 18, 2024•10 min
On Boxing Day in 1980 in the South of England, US Airforce officers were certain they saw UFOs in the sky. But could it just have been some artistic rabbits and a very bright lighthouse? Athena and Tiernan look into the UK's most famous UFO case and then its up to our Chief Detectives to solve the case. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra...
Dec 13, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Spontaneous Human Combustion is such a well known phenomena that Charles Dickens included it in one of his most famous stories. But do people really burst into flames for no reason, or is it all just a lot of made up stories and confused details? Athena and Tiernan light the flame on this case so that you, our Chief Detectives can work it out. Warning: This one's a little gruesome so might not be suitable for younger listeners. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts...
Dec 06, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Famous explorer Percy Fawcett disappeared in 1925, while trying to find the Lost City of Z and no one has ever found a trace of him since. Did he find what he was looking for or did the dangerous rainforest wildlife get him first? Tiernan and Athena look into this case and bring you all the facts so you can decide. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling eviden...
Nov 29, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Are there really ghostly or strange lookalikes of us out there in the world? Tiernan and Athena look at the case of doppelgangers and hopefully you, our Chief Detectives, will do the exact samesies to solve the mystery. Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids. *** If your chief detectives want to hear more from the investigations, including more compelling evidence and extra fun facts, then you can become a paid subscriber of the show. Just click Subscribe o...
Nov 22, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 85
