🐋 Swallowed by a Whale… and Lived?!
Believe it or not, this unbelievable true story really happened.
In Episode 116 of Believe It or Not!, we dive into the jaw-dropping real-life story of Michael Packard, a lobster diver who was accidentally swallowed by a massive humpback whale — and survived to tell the tale.
🧠 In this episode, kids ages 7–12 will discover:
• How humpback whales actually eat
• Why whales can’t swallow humans
• What it felt like inside a whale’s mouth
• How science explains this wild encounter
• And why nature is powerful, mysterious, and amazing
Packed with suspense, real science, and WOW-factor facts, this episode turns a viral headline into an unforgettable learning adventure.
🎙️ Believe It or Not! is a kid-friendly educational podcast where weird is real and the truth is stranger than fiction — perfect for families, classrooms, and curious minds.
👉 Follow the podcast and leave a review to help more kids discover unbelievable true stories!
#KidsPodcast #TrueStoriesForKids #WhaleFacts #NaturePodcast #EducationalPodcast #STEMForKids #OceanLife #HumpbackWhale #FamilyPodcast #UnbelievableButTrue
Special Guest Host: Sierra (My former elementary school student!)
What if failure didn’t stop you… even after 960 attempts?
In this episode of Believe It or Not!, we tell the true story of Cha Sa-soon, a South Korean woman who spent more than 14 years trying to pass her driving test—and finally succeeded at the age of 69.
This inspiring story explores perseverance, resilience, and why effort matters more than talent. Perfect for students, teachers, and anyone who needs motivation to keep going when things get hard.
🎧 Listen now to discover why sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
👉 Don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a review!
Keywords: perseverance story, inspirational true story, South Korea, never give up, failure and success, student motivation, education podcast, Believe It or Not podcast
What do ice rinks, hockey games, and figure skating all have in common?
The Zamboni.
In this episode of Believe It or Not!, kids ages 7–12 discover the unbelievable true story of Frank Zamboni — the inventor who turned a frustrating ice rink problem into one of the most iconic machines in sports history.
Learn:
• What ice rinks were like before the Zamboni
• How one machine resurfaced ice in just 10 minutes
• Why the Zamboni became famous around the world
• And how small ideas can lead to BIG changes
Packed with fascinating facts, humor, and curiosity — this episode proves that sometimes the coolest inventions come from everyday problems.
👉 Don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a review!
What if escaping a wall meant digging under it?
In this episode of Believe It or Not!, we uncover the incredible true story of Tunnel 29 — a secret underground tunnel dug beneath the Berlin Wall during the Cold War.
Kids will learn:
Why the Berlin Wall was built
How ordinary people planned a dangerous escape
Why Tunnel 29 became one of the most famous rescue tunnels in history
This suspenseful, kid-friendly episode proves that courage, teamwork, and hope can defeat even the strongest walls.
🎧 Perfect for ages 7–12
⭐ Don’t forget to follow the podcast and leave a review!
In this unforgettable episode of Believe It or Not!, we explore the true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914, when soldiers fighting in World War I laid down their weapons, sang carols together, exchanged gifts, and even played soccer — right in the middle of a battlefield.
Designed for kids ages 7–12, this episode blends exciting storytelling, real historical facts, and meaningful lessons about kindness, courage, and humanity.
Perfect for:
Curious kids
Family listening
Classrooms and teachers
History lovers of all ages
👉 Follow the podcast and leave a review to help more listeners discover these unbelievable true stories!
Did you know the world’s most famous food award — the Michelin Star — was created by a tire company? Yep! In this unbelievable true story, Bryan breaks down how two brothers in 1900 France changed the entire culinary world… all because they wanted people to drive more and wear out their tires.
Kids will discover:
Why the first Michelin Guide was created
How ⭐, ⭐⭐, and ⭐⭐⭐ restaurants came to be
What mystery inspectors actually do
Why chefs train for years just to earn a single star
Packed with fun facts, weird history, and delicious surprises, this episode proves that even the simplest idea can change the world.
Next episode: The Christmas Truce of World War I — one of the most heartwarming moments in history.
Perfect for kids ages 7–12 who love surprising history, strange inventions, and stories that make you say, “WHOA… no way!”
🐋 EPISODE 111 — BLUE WHALES: GIANTS OF THE OCEAN 🌊
In this jaw-dropping episode, kids meet the largest animals to ever live — blue whales!
We explore how they eat millions of tiny krill, how loud they really are, the unbelievable size of their heart, and the true story of how a blue whale changed an entire ecosystem.
Perfect for kids ages 7–12 who love animals, science, and “NO WAY!” facts.
🎧 Believe It or Not! — where weird is real and the truth is stranger than fiction.
✨ NEXT EPISODE (112): The mysterious world of Michelin Stars — and how restaurants earn the most famous food award on Earth!
“THIS CITY TURNED POLLUTION INTO A SUPERPOWER 🌿🤯”
Imagine a city so polluted that birds flew away, the air was gray, and nature almost disappeared… and then imagine that SAME city bursting with green trees, gardens, clean air, and wildlife! 🌿✨
Believe It or Not! — this REALLY happened in Stuttgart, Germany.
In today’s episode, we dive into the incredible TRUE story of how Stuttgart went from one of Europe’s most polluted cities to one of its greenest, starting in 1986.
Kids will learn:
🌳 Why Stuttgart’s geography trapped pollution
🏙 How city planners “rewired” the city for clean air
🐦 What wildlife returned after the transformation
🚲 Why people around the world studied Stuttgart’s green makeover
🌍 How this one city inspired global eco-city movements
This unbelievable BEFORE-and-AFTER story proves that when a community works together, they can change EVERYTHING.
🎧 Believe It or Not! – where weird is real and the truth is stranger than fiction.
Stick around to the end for the preview of Episode 111 about the biggest animal on Earth — the blue whale!
SEO Keywords:
Stuttgart Germany story, green city, eco city for kids, children’s educational podcast, nature facts for kids, sustainability for kids, city history for kids, environmental science kids, family learning podcast, Believe It or Not podcast
What if one dog’s courage changed millions of lives?
In this inspiring true story, we follow Morris Frank, a determined young man who traveled across the world in the 1920s to train with a German Shepherd named Buddy — the dog who became America’s very first Seeing Eye dog.
Their partnership sparked a nationwide movement, transformed disability rights, and proved that independence could come on four paws.
Kids will love the bravery.
Parents will love the history.
Everyone will say… “Believe It or Not!”
🎧 Listen now, and get ready for Episode 110, where we travel to Stuttgart, Germany and discover how a polluted city transformed itself into a world-famous “forest city” in 1986!
#SeeingEyeDog #GuideDogHistory #MorrisFrank #Buddy #BelieveItOrNotPodcast #KidsLearnHistory #EducationalPodcastForKids #RealStoriesForKids #InspiringHistory #KidsPodcast
In this unbelievable TRUE story, discover how the border between North and South Korea — the 38th parallel — was drawn in the middle of the night by two U.S. Army officers using nothing but a National Geographic map.
Episode 108 of Believe It or Not! reveals:
Why Japan’s sudden surrender in 1945 caused a rush for control
How the Soviet Army was moving quickly into Korea
The midnight mission given to Dean Rusk and Charles Bonesteel
How a simple map line became the border of the DMZ
Why this “temporary” choice changed world history
Perfect for classrooms, curious kids, families, and listeners who love wild-but-true stories.
Keywords: Korea history for kids, 38th parallel explained, DMZ for kids, WW2 kids podcast, Korean Peninsula division, Cold War history for kids, National Geographic map story, Dean Rusk, Charles Bonesteel, kid-friendly history podcast.
How did a Swiss inventor, a microscope, and a dog full of burrs help create one of the most important inventions of the 20th century? Believe it or not… that’s exactly how Velcro was born!
In this fun, kid-friendly episode of Believe It or Not!, host Bryan dives into the true story behind hook-and-loop fasteners — the science of how they work, how they were inspired by nature, why NASA fell in love with them, and how Velcro became a global invention we use on shoes, backpacks, jackets, spacecraft, sports gear, and more.
Kids ages 7–12 will learn about:
🌿 Biomimicry — inventions inspired by nature
🔬 Microscopic hook-and-loop technology
🐶 How burrs cling to fur and fabric
🚀 Why astronauts rely on Velcro in space
👟 How one idea changed everyday life
Perfect for classrooms, homeschoolers, car rides, science lovers, and curious kids everywhere!
👉 Next Episode Preview: The unbelievable story of how the DMZ was drawn in one frantic late-night meeting!
#Velcro #KidsPodcast #BelieveItOrNot #STEMKids #EducationalPodcast #Biomimicry #GeorgeDeMestral #FunFactsForKids #LearningPodcast #SpaceScienceForKids
🦃🍁 Believe It or Not!… Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday because of the Pilgrims — it happened because of Abraham Lincoln!
In this kid-friendly history adventure, we travel back to 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, to discover how one U.S. president and one determined writer changed American tradition forever.
In this episode, kids will learn:
✨ The real origin of Thanksgiving
✨ Why President Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday
✨ How writer Sarah Josepha Hale (the author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) convinced him
✨ Why the country needed a day of gratitude during wartime
✨ How Thanksgiving grew into the celebration we know today
Perfect for curious kids ages 7–12, families, classrooms, and anyone who loves fun, surprising history!
If you love BrainPOP, Nat Geo Kids, or short educational podcasts, you’ll love this episode of Believe It or Not! 🎧
#BelieveItOrNot #KidsPodcast #HistoryForKids #ThanksgivingHistory #AbrahamLincoln #FunFactsForKids #EducationalPodcast #NatGeoKids #BrainPOPStyle #FamilyLearning #KidsLovePodcasts #Homeschooling #TeachersOfInstagram #ElementarySchool
🐒 NEW EPISODE!
Meet the Formosan rock macaques — the clever monkeys in Taiwan who’ve learned to live right alongside humans!
They unzip backpacks, trade stolen items for snacks, and even open soda bottles! 🤯
Is it mischief… or genius?
🎧 Listen to Believe It or Not! Episode 105 now!
Perfect for curious kids ages 7–12.
👇
#FormosanRockMacaque #TaiwanWildlife #KidsPodcast #BelieveItOrNot #MonkeyFacts #AnimalAdaptations #STEMKids #FunLearning #NatureFactsForKids #EducationalPodcast #WildlifeWednesday #CuriousKids #LearnSomethingNew
🐽💗 PINK SWEAT?! Believe it or not… hippos don’t just sweat — they make their own natural sunscreen! 🤯
In Episode 104 of Believe It or Not!, we explore the wild, weird, totally REAL science behind hippo sweat — also known as “blood sweat” (don’t worry, it’s not actually blood!).
Kids will learn:
🌞 Why hippos glisten pink in the sun
🛡️ How their sweat protects them from germs
🌡️ The secret superpowers hidden in hippo skin
This one is slimy, shiny, and seriously mind-blowing!
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & more!
#BelieveItOrNotPodcast #KidsPodcast #HippoFacts #WeirdAnimalFacts #BloodSweat #HippoSweat #NatGeoKidsStyle #FunScienceForKids #EducationalPodcast #STEMKids #AnimalSuperpowers #WildlifeFacts #SciencePodcastForKids #KoreanParents #ElementaryESL #KidSafePodcast
In today’s episode, we explore one of the most surprising real-life industries on Earth: Japan’s rent-a-family services!
Discover how professional actors step into roles as parents, siblings, friends, and even wedding guests.
Learn why people hire them, how the actors train, and hear real stories that will AMAZE young listeners.
Perfect for curious kids ages 7–12 who love strange true stories, unbelievable history, and fascinating cultural facts.
✨ What’s inside:
• The unbelievable business of renting family members
• A powerful real-life story of a girl who hired a “dad” for a school festival
• A reflection question for kids
• Today’s silly joke
• A sneak peek at Episode 104 → hippo sweat!
🎙️ Subscribe for more weird true stories every week!
#BelieveItOrNotPodcast #RentAFamilyJapan #KidsPodcast #TrueStoriesForKids #EducationalPodcasts #WeirdButTrue #JapanCulture #NatGeoKidsStyle #BrainPOPStyle
Ever wonder how the chocolate chip cookie was invented? You’ll be surprised to hear it was a complete accident! 😲
In this episode of Believe It or Not!, travel back to the 1930s and meet Ruth Wakefield, a baker at the Toll House Inn who ran out of chocolate while making cookies. Her quick thinking led to the creation of the world’s first chocolate chip cookie — and the rest is sweet history! 🍫
Learn fun facts about cookies, Nestlé chocolate bars, and how one mistake turned into a worldwide dessert favorite. Perfect for kids ages 7–12, history lovers, and anyone who loves cookies!
🎧 Listen now for this fun, educational, and deliciously entertaining story!
#ChocolateChipCookies #TollHouseInn #BelieveItOrNot #KidsPodcast #FunHistory #DessertHistory #AccidentalInvention #EducationalPodcast #RuthWakefield #NestleChocolate #FoodHistory #FamilyFriendlyPodcast #WeirdButTrue #CookieLovers #HistoryForKids
Ever wondered why a baker’s dozen means 13 instead of 12? 🍞
In medieval England, bakers were so afraid of breaking the law that they started tossing in an extra loaf — and it turned into a centuries-old tradition of honesty and trust! 👑✨
Join Bryan on Believe It or Not! for a deliciously weird slice of history — complete with greedy kings, tricky laws, and brave bakers who just wanted to stay out of trouble (and keep their bread safe!).
You’ll learn:
🍩 Why medieval bakers added an extra roll
⚖️ How one of the world’s first “consumer laws” was born
🥐 And how the phrase “baker’s dozen” spread around the world!
🎙️ Perfect for curious kids, classrooms, and families who love fun facts, history, and stories where the truth is stranger than fiction!
👉 Next episode: How Chocolate Chip Cookies Were Invented by Accident! 🍪
#BelieveItOrNot #PodcastForKids #FunHistory #BakersDozen #WeirdHistory #KidPodcast #EducationalPodcast #LearnWithFun #HistoryForKids #BryanBetz #KidsLearning #WeirdButTrue #FunFactsForKids #HistoryPodcast #STEMEducation #FamilyPodcast #CuriousKids #StorytimePodcast #BelieveItOrNotPodcast
🎉 It’s our 100th episode of Believe It or Not! — and we’re celebrating with one of the most unbelievable true stories ever told!
In the icy forests of Russia’s Far East, an enormous Amur tiger — the biggest cat on Earth — was shot and wounded by a hunter. But instead of disappearing into the snow, this tiger did something scientists couldn’t believe... it waited for days to track down the man who hurt it.
🐾 Discover the true story of the tiger’s revenge — a chilling tale of intelligence, survival, and nature’s power.
🎙️ Learn how these amazing animals think, hunt, and survive in one of the wildest places on the planet.
Perfect for curious kids who love animals, adventure, and science stories!
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:
What makes the Amur (Siberian) tiger one of the most powerful predators on Earth
How scientists study tiger behavior and intelligence
Why this true story became one of the most famous animal encounters in history
✨ Stay tuned for next week’s episode — “Why a Baker’s Dozen Has 13, Not 12!”
🎧 Believe It or Not! — where weird is real, and the truth is stranger than fiction.
#BelieveItOrNotPodcast #KidsPodcast #AmurTiger #TrueStoryPodcast #NaturePodcast #AnimalStories #ScienceForKids #WildlifeFacts #WeirdButTrue #EducationalPodcast #FunLearning #NatGeoKids #BrainPOP #STEMLearning
What happens when two totally different animals — a zebra and an ostrich — join forces in the wild? 🦓🪶
Believe it or not, they help each other survive! In this episode, we explore how these unlikely friends use teamwork and trust to stay safe from predators.
🎙️ Hosted by Bryan Betz
#BelieveItOrNotPodcast #AnimalScience #FunLearningForKids #MutualismInNature #ZebraAndOstrich #NaturePodcast #EducationalPodcastForKids #ScienceEducation
In today’s episode of Believe It or Not! we meet Karen Williams — a long-distance runner who came face-to-face with a wild bear during a mountain race in New Mexico… and survived! 💪
How did she stay calm under pressure? What did she do to protect herself?
Find out how courage, quick thinking, and a whole lot of heart helped her make it out alive. 🌲✨
🎧 Listen now to:
🎙️ Episode 99 – The Runner Who Survived a Bear Attack!
💡 Perfect for curious kids (ages 7–12) who love true stories, nature, and unbelievable survival tales.
#BelieveItOrNotPodcast #KidsPodcast #TrueStories #BearAttack #NatureSurvival #AnimalFacts #WildlifePodcast #KidsLearn #STEMKids #AdventurePodcast #CuriousKids #EducationalPodcast #NatureStories #FamilyListening #PodcastForKids #IncredibleStories #SciencePodcast #FunLearning #SurvivalStories #NationalGeographicKids