Before Us Kids!

In this episode, Colton and Dr. Erich continue to explore the legacy of Homo erectus , this time focusing on their teeny-tiny descendants in island Southeast Asia. It’s a wild evolutionary example showing what can happen to big things when they get trapped in small places. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate and review the show. Want to be part of a future episode or send us a questio...

In this episode, Jokubas, Colton, and Dr. Erich explore a very cool Paleoanthropological mystery. Who were the Denisovans and what did they look like? If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to rate and review the show. Want to be part of a future episode or send us a question to read on air? Send us an email at hello@worldsbeforedesign.com   This week's episode features additional music by:...

Lace up your dancing shoes because this week Jacob and Dr. Erich are stepping back more than three million years to explore one of the first full-time bipedal walkers in our family tree, Australopithecus afarensis . It’s going to be a super fun episode that is sure to get your toes tapping! Don't forget to rate and review the show and if you want to participate in a future episode, email us a...

In this episode, Colton and Dr. Erich kick off our multi-episode exploration of human evolution starting with some of the earliest possible members of the human lineage, Sahelanthropus tchadensis and Ardipithecus ramidus . Get ready because we'll be talking about 'foot hands'!?! Don't forget to rate and review the show and if you want to participate in a future episode, email u...

Get ready for the thrilling conclusion to our epic adventure across the Ice Age. Will Dr. Erich make it back to the lab? Will his snack still be there?  Stay tuned to find out! Don't forget to rate and review the show so if you want to participate in a future episode, email us at hello@worldsbeforedesign.com or reach us by SMS by clicking the following link:   Have a question or comment? Send...

In this episode, Colton and Dr. Erich discuss the development of pointy things and how it impacted early humans. Spears get sharper, technology get smarter, and bows and arrows send sticks flying faster and farther than ever before. Turns out, pointy ideas can really go places. Don't forget to rate and review the show so if you want to participate in a future episode, email us at hello@worlds...

Prepare yourself for the next super-fun episode of our Ice Age insanity. In Episodes 7, 8, and 9 we explore where people lived during the Ice Age, how they moved around landscapes and kept tabs on time, and also if they had any hobbies!   Don't forget to rate and review the show so if you want to participate in a future episode, email us at hello@worldsbeforedesign.com or reach us by SMS by c...

Get ready as we continue our Pleistocene pandemonium in Episodes 4, 5, and 6, learning how to make fire, stone tools, and clothing in our special series about surviving the Ice Age.  Don't forget to rate and review the show so if you want to participate in a future episode, email us at hello@worldsbeforedesign.com or reach us by SMS by clicking the following link: Have a question or comment?...

We heard what everyone was saying about how fun and awesome our Ice Age series was and so we have decided to publish it in it's entirety over the next four weeks starting today with Episodes 1, 2, and 3!  Don't forget to rate and review the show so if you want to participate in a future episode, email us at hello@worldsbeforedesign.com or reach us by SMS by clicking the following link: ...

Sharpen your combs and ready the soapstone! In this episode, Colton, Paul, and Dr. Erich explore the surprisingly refined world of Viking hygiene plus the fascinating origins of the days of the week.  WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a question or comment, or even want to participate on a future episode, email us at hello@worldsbeforedesign.com or reach us by SMS: Have a question or co...

It’s our final episode of 2025! Colton and Dr. Erich dive into the historical Welsh and Scottish roots of the legendary magician Merlin long before he became the all-powerful wizard known in movies and stories today. Plus, we also look at some archaeological discoveries about witches and vampires. Have a question or comment? Send us a message! Support the show

In this extra special bonus episode, Colton and Dr. Erich let loose and spin the legendary tale of Stone Age Santa... When, what to their wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh—and eight enormous, hairy mastodons!?! Buckle up, folks, this is one super silly story, though Dr. Erich will still do his best to sneak in a little learning along the way. Now Fluffy! Now Tusk Nugget! Now Cho...

In this episode, we rummage through King Tutankhamun’s underwear drawer and tackle the eternal question: did he pack enough undies for the afterlife?  Special thanks to Islam Shaheen, one of the amazing conservators of the King Tutankhamun collection at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, as well as Nagmeldeen Hamza.  Have a question or comment? Send us a message! Support the show

In this episode, 8-year old Emelina asks if men were more important than women in the past, leading to an absolutely awesome discussion about how our own ideas, our own biases, and even the words that we use influence our understanding about the past. It's a discussion that touches on sexism and stereotypes and why empowering more women in science is essential for understanding a fuller, more...

This week, we’re sharing Volume 2 of our super-awesome stories featured in our super-awesome episodes. Just like last time, we’ve included more interesting facts about the real-life scientific discoveries that inspired them. Stay tuned because brand-new episodes return next week! Have a question or comment? Send us a message! Support the show

By popular demand, here is volume 1 showcasing only the super-awesome stories featured in our super-awesome episodes. Plus, we also provide interesting facts about the real-life scientific discoveries that inspired the stories. Have a question or comment? Send us a message! Support the show

Join Dr. Erich, Colton, and Diana as they explore Gravettian hunter-gatherers who lived in the Czech Republic 30,000 years ago, plus learn how archaeologists uncover the invisible parts of the archaeological record—such as traces of bags, nets, and other perishable items that have long since decayed.  Have a question or comment? Send us a message! Support the show

Who doesn't love a good ball game? Not the ancient Mayans, that's for sure! In this episode, Tyson, Colton, and Dr. Erich head 2,000 years into the past to explore the ancient Mayan ballgame called Pitz where players used their forearms, legs, and hips to hit a gigantic, solid rubber ball around a stone court. Seriously! These hips don't lie. Plus, we recount the amazing origin stor...

Why does Earth experience ice ages? In this episode, Mikey, Colton, and Dr. Erich explore what causes seasons, how the changes in seasons are related to the way earth is hurtling through space around the sun, and how all of this influences paleoclimates, like the shifts between glacial and interglacial periods, and even human evolution. Phew!  Have a question or comment? Send us a message! Support...

Get ready for another amazing adventure as Xander, Colton, and Dr. Erich explore the lives of ancient Roman gladiators. Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids) where we have bonus episodes that discuss the science behind the stories and other exclusive content such as the 10-part series A Totally Ridiculous, Mostly Serious, Always Awesome G...

In this episode, Dr. Erich and Colton explore why so many kids think history is boring with a capital B. Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids) where we have bonus episodes that discuss the science behind the stories and other exclusive content such as the 10-part series A Totally Ridiculous, Mostly Serious, Always Awesome Guide to Survivi...

In this episode, Dr. Erich and Colton travel to ancient Rome to talk about about their highly toxic cosmetics that everyone was just dying to use. Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids) where we have bonus episodes that discuss the science behind the stories and other exclusive content such as the 10-part series A Totally Ridiculous, Mostl...

This is a special preview of the Episode 1 from the new 10-part series  " A Totally Ridiculous, Mostly Serious, Always Awesome Guide to Surviving the Ice Age (but also Zombies and the Weirdness of Life in General) " that is available exclusively to members of the Before Us Kids Patreon (www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids). What are you waiting for? Check it out! There's tons of other re...

 In this episode, Dr. Erich and Colton dive into a wild idea—bringing back the woolly mammoth! How are scientists doing it? Believe it or not…some scientists think it starts with woolly mice !  Yep, you heard that right. WOOLLY MICE! Join us for a super fun and funny chat about some very fluffy science. You won’t want to miss this one!  Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (htt...

In this hair-larious episode, Dr. Erich chats with Jake and Colton all about red hair, genetics, and some super cool things we might’ve gotten from our ancient cousins—the Neanderthals!  Want to learn more? Check out the Before Us Kids Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/BeforeUsKids) where we have bonus episodes that discuss the science behind the stories and other exclusive content such as the 10...