Faithfully Explore!

What do Latter-day Saints mean when they talk about a “living prophet”? In this Faithfully Explore! episode, we answer a listener's question from eight-year-old Liam, who noticed a picture of a kind-looking older man on his neighbor’s refrigerator and wondered, “Why do they call him the prophet?” Together, we explore what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe about pro...

This week on Faithfully Explore!, we step inside a Jewish synagogue to ask a big question: What is a rabbi? Kids will discover that a rabbi is a Jewish teacher, guide, interpreter, listener, and community helper. Rabbis study sacred Jewish texts such as the Torah and Talmud, help people understand Jewish teachings, lead and support community life, and walk with families through both joyful celebra...

What is an imam, and what does an imam do? In this episode of Faithfully Explore! , we step inside a mosque and learn about one of the important helper-leaders in many Muslim communities: the imam. Kids will discover that an imam may lead prayer, teach about the Qur’an and Hadith, give a Friday talk called a khutbah, listen to people who need guidance, and help bring the community together. Throug...

What is a Pope? In this episode of Faithfully Explore , we travel in our imaginations to Vatican City to learn about the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. Kids will discover that Catholicism is part of Christianity, that the Catholic Church is a worldwide community, and that the Pope helps guide Catholics with messages of faith, kindness, service, and care for others. We also explore Vatica...

What does it really mean to forgive someone? In this heart-filled episode of Faithfully Explore! , kids discover that forgiveness is not about pretending hurtful things are okay. It is about learning how to let go of anger, make room for healing, and choose kindness when our hearts feel heavy. Using the image of anger as a “heavy rock,” this episode helps children understand big feelings in a conc...

What can one tiny parrot do when a whole forest is in danger? In this episode of Faithfully Explore!, kids meet Pip, a small green parrot with a heart as big as the sun. When smoke rises in her beloved jungle home and the animals begin to run, Pip refuses to give up. She flies to the river, dips her feathers in the water, and carries one tiny drop at a time back to the flames. At first, the Great...

What does bravery look like? Sometimes bravery looks like fighting a dragon or climbing a mountain. But sometimes bravery looks much quieter. Sometimes it looks like standing in front of everyone with an empty pot… and telling the truth. In this episode of Faithfully Explore! , kids journey to ancient China to meet Ping, a young gardener with a special gift for growing beautiful plants. When the E...

What happens when a wonderful gift gets tangled up in pride? In this episode of Faithfully Explore, Explorers travel all the way back to Ancient Greece to meet Arachne, a young weaver whose talent is known far and wide. Her cloth is so beautiful that people come from distant villages just to see it. But as Arachne’s skill grows, so does her boastfulness—until she claims she is even better than Ath...

What happens when one little sheep wanders too far? In this episode of Faithfully Explore!, young listeners journey to the rolling green hills for a heartfelt retelling of The Lost Sheep, one of Jesus’ beloved parables. Kids meet Clover, a curious sheep with floppy ears and a hungry tummy, who follows one tasty bite after another until she realizes she is far from the flock. As the sun sets and th...

Hi Explorers! 🐘 In today’s adventure, we travel into a beloved Hindu story featuring Ganesha—a kind and clever figure known for wisdom, new beginnings, and overcoming obstacles. When Ganesha and his speedy brother Kartikeya are challenged to race around the world for a magical prize, it seems like an easy win for the fastest runner. But Ganesha has a different idea—one that teaches us that wisdom...

🎧 Episode Title: Why the Tortoise’s Shell Is Cracked A Yoruba Folktale About Sharing, Fairness, and Friendship 🌟 Episode Summary In this imaginative and interactive episode of Faithfully Explore! , we journey to Yorubaland to hear a traditional folktale about Ìjàpá the tortoise. When a sky-high feast is announced, Ìjàpá uses his clever words to trick the birds and ends up learning a hard lesson...

Have you ever had a “whoa” moment—standing somewhere so beautiful or peaceful that it felt extra special? In this episode of Faithfully Explore!, we travel to Japan to explore Shinto, a way of seeing the world that invites us to notice the magic and meaning all around us. Through storytelling, imagination, and interactive moments, kids and families will discover the concept of kami—the special “sp...

✨ Episode Description What if your favorite things could talk? In this magical episode of Faithfully Explore! , we travel to Japan to hear the story of a grumpy merchant and the night his “junk” came to life! Through playful storytelling, movement, and imagination, kids will discover the concept of tsukumogami —objects that gain a spirit after many years—and learn the powerful meaning of mottaina...

What if kids around the world already knew the secret to protecting the Earth… and all we had to do was listen? In this Faithfully Explore episode, we zip up our Belief Backpacks and travel across the globe to discover how different cultures teach us to care for our planet. From the Māori idea of Kaitiaki (guardianship) to the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), kids will learn th...

Have you ever watched the ocean move in and out and wondered why it happens? In this Faithfully Explore episode, we journey to the misty coasts of the Pacific Northwest to hear a traditional story from the Tsimshian people about Raven—a clever trickster who helped bring the tides to life. Through imagination, storytelling, and reflection, children and families discover how one bold (and sneaky!) a...

In this episode, Explorers will: Travel back in time to discover how ancient people celebrated spring as a symbol of new life Learn why rabbits became powerful symbols of hope and renewal Visit Germany to meet the magical Osterhase (Easter Hare) Discover how children once built nests to welcome the egg-laying hare Follow immigrant families bringing traditions to America—and watch them change over...

Have you ever tried to wait before eating something delicious right in front of you? In this episode of Faithfully Explore! , we step into the meaningful and joyful month of Ramadan—a time of fasting, prayer, generosity, and reflection observed by Muslims around the world. Through storytelling, interactive moments, and real-life connections, children will learn why people fast from sunrise to suns...

What does it mean to truly help someone? In this episode of Faithfully Explore, Laura guides young explorers into the Buddhist story of Tara, the Mother of Compassion—a figure known for her courage, kindness, and readiness to help those who are suffering. The journey begins on a familiar playground, where children learn how compassion often starts with something small: noticing when someone is hur...

Shhh… do you hear that? High in the snowy mountains, someone is laughing! In this joyful Faithfully Explore adventure, Laura leads kids on a “giggle hunt” to discover why the Dalai Lama—often called one of the happiest people on Earth—laughs so much, even after experiencing deep loss and hardship. Through interactive movement, games, breathing exercises, and a heartwarming monastery story, childre...

What if the scariest thing you ever had to do… was walk into school? Not onto a stage. Not into a stadium. Just through a school door. In this powerful Belief Backpack Heroes episode, we step into 1960 New Orleans and walk beside six-year-old Ruby Bridges as she becomes the first Black child to integrate William Frantz Elementary School. Surrounded by angry crowds and protected by U.S. Marshals, R...

Belief Backpack Heroes: Theodore Roosevelt & John Muir – Guardians of the Wild What if a single camping trip could change the future of an entire country? In this episode of Faithfully Explore! , Laura takes listeners back to 1903 for one of the most important outdoor adventures in American history... the legendary Yosemite camping trip between President Theodore Roosevelt and naturalist John...

🌈 Belief Backpack Heroes: Sylvia Rivera – An LGBTQ+ Trailblazer Faithfully Explore! with Laura Some people change the world by being loud. Some change it by being kind. And some change it by refusing to disappear. In this powerful Belief Backpack Heroes episode, we meet Sylvia Rivera a transgender activist who helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and devoted her life to protecting the m...

Have you ever wondered how people learned what mattered before schools, before teachers, before the internet? In this episode of Faithfully Explore! , we journey across time and around the world to meet sacred books and scrolls that have guided millions of people for thousands of years. These ancient texts are filled with stories, teachings, and wisdom that are still shaping how people live, love,...

What if a silly panda movie was secretly teaching ancient wisdom? In this playful and thoughtful episode of Faithfully Explore! , Laura is joined by a very special guest explorer, Brooklyn , to uncover the hidden beliefs woven throughout Kung Fu Panda . Together, they explore how this beloved movie introduces ideas from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in ways kids can understand and feel. Throu...

Lon Po Po: A Knocking Folktale from China Faithfully Explore! with Laura Knock… knock… Did you hear that? That mysterious sound is the very first clue in today’s adventure. In this episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura guides young listeners on a suspenseful journey to China through the traditional folktale Lon Po Po, which means “Grandma Wolf.” Children follow three sisters—Shang, Tao, and Paotze...