Faithfully Explore!

A Day of Stillness: What Zen Teaches Us Faithfully Explore! with Laura A calm, mindful journey for kids ages 5–12 and their grown-ups Episode Overview What if an adventure didn’t involve rushing, noise, or doing more — but instead invited us to slow down and be still? In this gentle and grounding episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura guides listeners into the world of Zen, a tradition within Buddh...

A Fresh Start: Exploring New Year’s Resolutions Faithfully Explore! Podcast | Episode Length: ~15 minutes 🎙 Hosted by Laura What if the new year wasn’t about being perfect—but about growing, one small promise at a time? In this warm and thoughtful New Year’s episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura invites kids and families to slow down, breathe, and step into 2026 with curiosity, kindness, and purpo...

A Gentle Note for Families After recording this episode on Sunday, December 14, 2025, a deeply sad and frightening event occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Families were gathered for a Hanukkah celebration when two individuals used a gun to harm others. Many people were injured, and lives were lost. Police and emergency responders acted quickly, and the danger was stopped. Leaders and a...

Episode Length: 11 Minutes Target Audience: Kids Ages 5-12 Topics: Hanukkah, Courage, Mindfulness, Multicultural Traditions 🎧 About This Episode Grab your Belief Backpacks! In this holiday special, Gemini takes us back 2,000 years to the land of Judea to uncover the story of the Maccabees and the oil that lasted for eight miraculous nights. We’ll learn why Hanukkah is called the Festival of Light...

What We Learned The Good Samaritan wasn’t the person anyone expected to be the hero. Being kind sometimes means doing something inconvenient. Helping is brave—even when you feel nervous. Small acts of compassion can change someone’s whole day. A neighbor isn’t just someone who lives next door—it’s anyone who needs help. Story Beats Recap We land on the dangerous Jericho road A happy traveler is at...

Welcome back to Camp Faithfully Explore! Today’s campfire story takes us deep into the northeastern woodlands and into an ancient Haudenosaunee garden where Corn, Bean, and Squash learn one of the greatest secrets of all time: we grow best when we grow together. Kids will giggle, move, breathe, pretend, and plant themselves right into this legendary story that Indigenous communities have passed do...

In this vibrant, music-filled episode of Faithfully Explore!, we journey to Jamaica to discover the colors, rhythms, stories, and heart of Rastafari. Kids and families will learn how this movement began, what Rastafarians believe, why dreadlocks are sacred, what “One Love” really means, and how reggae helped spread a message of peace around the world. From Marcus Garvey’s prophecy to the crowning...

Episode Length: ~25 minutes Recommended Ages: 5–12 and their families Free Printable: Seasons Flow Yoga Poster — available at faithfullyexplore.com Episode Summary Step into sunshine, shadow, and the rhythm of the seasons in this myth-inspired yoga story! In Persephone’s Journey: A Greek Myth Yoga Story for Kids , host Laura guides young explorers through the ancient Greek tale of Persephone and D...

What if your next family adventure could take you across continents and through time? Did you know there are more than 4,000 belief systems in our world and many sharing the same core ideas of kindness, courage, and connection? In this short introduction, host Laura Menousek (former teacher and creator of Faithfully Explore!) invites kids ages 5–12 and their grown-ups to pack their “Belief Backpac...

Gather ‘round the glowing fire with Laura and the Faithfully Explore! crew for a magical Halloween night full of spooky-but-safe stories from around the world. This special episode, Campfire of Legends , introduces children to mythic creatures who guard, teach, and surprise from the Chinese Dragon that dances across the sky to the mysterious Kitsune of Japan. Each legend invites young listeners to...

In this gentle bedtime adventure, Laura guides young explorers into the world of Yggdrasil: the great World Tree from Norse mythology. Through the dream of a curious girl named Runa, listeners journey across realms, meet mythical beings, and discover lessons about calm, courage, and connection. Perfect for winding down, this story blends mythology, guided meditation, and mindful breathing to help...

After losing her husband, Laura embarks on a heartfelt exploration of what different cultures and religions teach about life after death. She invites children to imagine heavenly gardens, fields of reeds and endless cycles of rebirth, while reflecting on universal themes of love, kindness and hope. Through stories, movement and a calming meditation, listeners learn that diverse beliefs about the a...

In this week’s adventure, Laura invites Explorers on a journey to Japan to meet Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess. According to ancient chronicles, Amaterasu is revered as the goddess of the sun and the universe. Legends tell how she once hid herself inside the Heavenly Rock Cave after a quarrel, plunging the world into darkness. The gods devised a joyful plan to coax her out by hanging jewels and...

What makes a community feel like one big family? In this episode of Faithfully Explore! we travel to a lively African village marketplace to discover the meaning of Ubuntu. A beautiful philosophy from the Zulu and Xhosa languages that means “ I am because we are .” Laura guides children and families through stories, games, and imagination exercises that bring Ubuntu to life. Kids will hear how a g...

Bravery comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s standing tall, sometimes it’s believing in yourself when no one else does. In this special shorter episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura shares a traditional Mi’kmaq story from Prince Edward Island, The Legend of Little Scarface . Kids and families will not only hear this powerful tale of kindness and courage but will also get moving with three different...

Hi friends. It’s Laura, your guide here at Faithfully Explore! I wanted to share something personal with you. My husband, Dave, recently passed away after a long illness. He was my best friend, my biggest supporter, and a quiet part of every episode we’ve made together. Because of this, Faithfully Explore! will be taking a short two-week pause. I’ll be using this time to rest, be with family, and...

Pack your imagination and curiosity, today’s adventure takes us to the colorful markets and serene temples of India, where we set out on a treasure hunt for ten sparkling jewels of the heart. These treasures aren’t gold or gems, but the ten supreme virtues celebrated during the Jain festival of Das Lakshana . Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions, rooted in the powerful idea of ahimsa: no...

What would you build if you wanted to leave something that lasted for more than a thousand years? A spaceship? A castle? How about… a university? In this inspiring episode of Faithfully Explore! , we travel back to 9th-century Fez, Morocco, to meet Fatima al-Fihri a Muslim woman whose vision and generosity helped create Al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest continually operating university. Through st...

Long ago, in ancient Persia, a boy named Zoroaster saw a world full of fighting and unfairnessand dared to imagine something better. He dreamed of a life guided by truth, kindness, and courage. In this episode of Faithfully Explore! , Laura introduces young listeners to Zoroaster and the religion that grew from his ideas: Zoroastrianism . Through storytelling, guided imagination, games, and a true...

Welcome explorers! Join Laura on Faithfully Explore! as we set off on an extraordinary adventure to uncover how different cultures around the world answer one of life's biggest questions: How did the world begin? What's Inside This Episode: Genesis Creation Story: Discover the story from the Bible, where creation unfolds orderly over six days, concluding with a day of rest. Learn how this story en...

Pack your curiosity caps and grab your imaginary wagons because this week on Faithfully Explore! , we're journeying west across plains, rivers, and rugged mountains on the Trail of Belief . In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Laura, your trail guide and storyteller, walks us through the incredible history of the Latter-day Saint pioneers, who braved hardship and hope to build a new life of fai...

What is karma, really? Is it just about good deeds and bad luck or is there something deeper going on? In this adventure-filled episode of Faithfully Explore! , Laura guides kids and families on a joyful, thoughtful journey into the idea of karma across multiple faiths and cultures. From Hinduism’s cosmic point system to Jainism’s sticky soul stains, Buddhism’s kind intentions to Sikhism’s balance...

Join Laura for a splashy, globe-trotting adventure in “Living Waters: Baptism Across the Christian World.” From Greek origins to Jesus’s own river baptism, we explore how Christians everywhere use water as a symbol of washing away mistakes and starting fresh. In This Episode What Is Baptism? Discover how the word “baptizo” means “to immerse,” why water symbolizes new life, and how Jesus’s own bapt...

Kia ora, Faithful Explorers! In this sparkling episode, your adventure guide Laura takes you on a magical journey across the night sky, discovering how stars guide, inspire, and connect cultures worldwide. Gather around our imaginary campfire under a blanket of stars, and let's explore together! Episode Highlights: Meet Matariki: Discover how Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand celebrate the...

Episode Overview In this week’s adventure, Laura opens the door to a big question: “If someone doesn’t believe in heaven, God, or religious rules, what helps them decide to be a good person?” Join us as we wander through our imaginary library of beliefs, pull down the Humanism shelf, and discover how kindness, curiosity, courage, and fairness can come straight from withinmno creed required. We’ll...