Lions and Legends

In this Nahua legend from Mexico, an encounter between the god Quetzalcoatl and a big-hearted rabbit changes the face of the sky forever. 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  At the start of our episode, we chatted with our heartful League of Lions member, Generosity. *** We want to know: how did you practice generosity this week? *** Did you give your favorite book to a friend who’s never read it, rathe...

In this timeless Māori tale from New Zealand, a bright, brainy young stingray finds her playful ocean life turned upside-down when trouble threatens her home. 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  At the top of our episode, we heard from our valiant League of Lions member, Courage. *** We want to know: how did you show courage this week? *** Did you sign up for a new class or join a new sports team? Maybe...

In this high-stakes Egyptian myth, a crafty god tries reversing a solar curse by challenging the moon to a fateful, cosmic board game.  🦁Time for you to ROAR!  At the top of our episode, we heard from our persevering League of Lions member, Persistence. *** We want to know: how did you practice persistence this week? *** Were you learning to ride a bike, and even though you kept tipping...

Recorded live in NYC with an all-star cast of kidcasters, this creation tale from Western Australia shows how the echidna got its trademark spines! 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  At the top of our episode, we had a moment with our appreciative League of Lions member, Gratitude. *** How did you show gratitude this week? *** Did you write a hand-made thank-you note or help out with a surprise chore a...

This classic Japanese folktale recorded live in NYC with an all-star cast of kidcasters reveals how a monkey's mischief gave the jellyfish its jelly! 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  At the top of our episode, we had a moment with our lovely League of Lions member, Wisdom. *** How did you use your wisdom this week? *** Did you take a deep breath when you were frustrated, instead of lashing or acting...

This ancient Chinese parable teaches a powerful lesson about jumping to conclusions, making snap judgments, and putting the cart before the horse! 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  At the top of our episode, we heard from our forbearing League of Lions member, Patience. ***How did you practice patience this week?*** Were you stuck in a slow-moving checkout line at the store, but you managed to wait it...

Why don’t basenjis bark? Find out in this Nyanga myth from the Congo in central Africa, about a dog who defies a deity and changes hound history forever. 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  At the start of our episode, we spent a moment with our inquisitive League of Lions member, Curiosity. ***How did you practice curiosity this week?*** Maybe you uncovered a fascinating fact in a book, you stopped to...

A wise trickster teaches a funny lesson on fairness in this Turkish tale about a hard-working woodcutter and a hard-grunting farmer! 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  Nasruddin made an important point about the importance of integrity: telling the truth, keeping your word, and otherwise doing the right thing. ***How did you show integrity this week?*** Did you congratulate the winning team, instead of...

In this tasty Indian tale, a gajillionaire god's outsized ego is tested by an elephant god’s seemingly bottomless belly! 🦁Time for you to ROAR!  Kubera, the god of wealth, learned a tasty lesson about what it means to be generous. ***How have you practiced generosity this week?*** Maybe you volunteered at a local charity or donated old clothes or toys. Perhaps you left a book in a Little Fre...

In this Greek fable, a queen bee's wish for sweet revenge comes back to sting her! 🦁Time for you to ROAR! Being unkind doesn’t just hurt others. As we learn in today’s story, it can hurt us too!  Kindness can make the whole world a lot sweeter, so we want to know: **How have you practiced kindness recently?** Did you invite a new student to sit with you at lunch? Maybe you shared a favorite...

In this Swahili folktale from East Africa, a cunning hare cooks up a sweet plan to escape the clutches of a haughty, hungry lion. When the vengeful feline visits Hare’s house, ready to pounce, she has to think on her (very quick) feet! 🦁Time for you to ROAR! At the top of today’s episode you met members of our League of Lions: our pride of values and virtues that make the world a better place, in...

What happens when a ravenous dragon meets a clever shoemaker with a needle, a thread, a sheepskin, and a brilliant plan? Find out in this famous legend from Poland, and find out why the Polish capital of Krakow is among the dragon capitals of the world! 🦁Time for you to ROAR! Today you met members of our League of Lions: the pride of virtues that make the world a better place, including Courage,...

Ever wonder how thunder and lightning came to be? In this myth from Cambodia, you’ll meet a powerful goddess with a glowing crystal ball and a jealous giant with a flying axe. When they clash in the sky, boy do the sparks fly! 🦁Time for you to ROAR! Our episode started with members of the League of Lions: our pride of nine world-changing virtues including Courage, Curiosity, Generosity, Gratitude...

If you’re familiar with the music of Eric Shimelonis – especially from his work on his and Rebecca’s last kids and family podcast – then you may know that: He plays a lot of different instruments, many from around the world. He likes composing in diverse genres.  He enjoys composing for and collaborating with other musicians.   In this in-tune interview, our resident music man describes...

“Look before you leap.” “Slow and steady wins the race.” “Sour grapes.” These famous sayings all come from fables: short stories that convey a useful lesson, often through talking animals or other nonhuman entities. While some of the oldest fables hail from India and Greece, these tight little teaching tales have been told the world over. Listen to this week’s audio appetizer to find out why… and...

Come along as Rebecca Sheir explores the wide, wild world of folktales: timeless stories that can rack up some serious frequent-flier miles! Follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for snack-sized audio treats every other Tuesday all summer long. And join us for our independent podcast’s official launch on Sept. 1, 2026! Thanks for being part of the Lions and Legends pride!  Joi...

What is a “legend”? Host Rebecca Sheir guides you on an action-packed exploration of these age-old stories that start with a kernel of truth, before exploding into the most magical, dramatic, romantic popcorn you ever did hear!*  (*Yeah, we know. It’s kind of an odd – if tasty – metaphor. But it’ll make more sense when you listen. Promise!) As we count down to our podcast’s official launch on...

As we count down to the September 1 launch of Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis’s new independent storytelling podcast, Lions and Legends, we invite you to enjoy this bite-sized audio appetizer: a lively mini-lesson about the ancient tales known as myths, and the surprising ways they connect with our modern lives.  Follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for bite-sized audio treats e...

Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis’s new independent storytelling podcast, Lions and Legends, is on its way!  As we count down to our September 1 launch, enjoy this bite-sized audio appetizer. It’s a mini-tale from ancient Greek and Roman times told by Rebecca, with help from some faithful feline friends: our League of Lions! Follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for mini-audio trea...

Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis – partners in podcasting and life – are going independent, and launching a new storytelling podcast just for you! Welcome to the magical world of Lions and Legends: fun, fantastical retellings of legends, myths, folktales, and fables through the ages! Each 15- to 25-minute audio adventure will feature gripping action and compelling characters, while providing a ti...