Cougar, Panther, Mountain Lion, Catamount, Red Tiger...it goes by a lot of names! But this week, we're just calling it the puma. Join us as we talk about this amazing cat and it's incredible life. References: ...

Wonder why kids and college students get a week-off of school around March and April each year? This week we research the answer! #hellofromthevan #familyfriendlypodcast #familypodcast #education #homeschool #homeschoollesson <...

Is it a bee or a wasp? A hornet or a yellow jacket? Today we learn about the differences between all four, as well as which one is most likely to sting you. We finish the episode with family-friendly tips on how to support native pollinators.&n...

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? We don't know! But we do know a lot of other chicken facts! In this episode we're talking all about the modern chicken, how eggs get to grocery stores, and lots of other fun chicken fact. We round out t...

Disclaimer: No actual bad words are used in this episode. We're family-friendly around here. In this episode we discuss the history of foul language and how cultures change language through time. Parents, this is a great jump...

This week we tackle the philosophical question, "What makes a plant a weed??" It's a lesson in personal preference, lost knowledge, and ecology. Prefer a visual podcast? Each episode is also available on Youtube at Hello From the Van!

Disasters, let's talk about them! This week we discuss the difference between different types of natural and environmental disasters and how to prepare for the worst. As always, this is done in a family-friendly and educational way. 

We've recently been plagued by the flu at the Faatz household, which has led to a lot of questions about emesis (vomit). In this episode we delicately talk around the subject, which animals can do it and which cannot, and why. For the queasy am...

I recently found myself on a fieldtrip without internet access...and realized I know next to nothing when it comes to butterflies and moths. Come with me as I learn more about these winged insects, their similarities, and their differences.&nbs...

It's the beginning of the Winter Olympics and we're feeling nostalgic over here at Hello From the Van. Join us this week for a brief history of the winter olympic games, followed by a ridiculous story time of my own skiing catastrophe. 

In today's episode we explore the history of the Lego Group, legos, and the language surrounding them. Note: lego vs legos is a very contentious topic apparently. If you find yourself raging about the conclusions discussed here, we ...

Truth, Fact, Hoax, or Conspiracy? Today we talk about the definition of all four words, give examples of each, and discuss when to use them. Parents-- worried we're talking about conspiracies? As always, we approach each topic from ...

In this Bonus Episode we play five rounds of Guess That Sound to help put the theory of the Scientific Method into practice! This is fun for the whole family. Be prepared to complete all 5 steps of the scientific method together. TH...

Have you ever wondered how scientists go about gathering information? It's the Scientific Method and has been around for over 3,000 years! Today we talk about what it is, why it's important, and practice putting it into action with a fun game o...

Have you noticed that a lot of cars seem void of any real color these days? Same. Today we research why 4 of every 5 cars will statistically be white, grey, or black, as well as the history of the modern automobile. This is a great episode for ...

Have you ever watched a sappy Christmas movie and wondered why they sing Auld Lang Syne? Yeah,  me too! In this episode we explore the rich history of this Scottish hit. We'll listen to and discuss clips of two wonderful versio...

We made it! Day 12 of the Twelve Days of Christmas. In honor of the season, we read Luke 2, Matthew 2, and a portion of John. A huge thank-you to all of our listeners who participated in this amazing tradition through our podcast an...

We're almost to Christmas and answering YOUR questions. "How did Santa Clause become Santa Clause?", "What's figgy pudding?", and more!A huge shoutout to all of the parents who sent in their kids' questions for today's episode. 

We're almost through the 12 Days of Christmas, so it's about time we explore it's history. From a memory game to a cultural earworm, we discuss the rich and storied past of The Twelve Days of Christmas.Only 2 more episodes 'til Christmas...

It's a literary classic for Day 9 of the 12 days of Christmas, as we read The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. This is a holiday story of love and sacrifice in hard times, sure to bring a bit of the holiday season to your home. Parents...

It's a short one today, but don't get you're tinsel in a tangle! We're talking about Christmas idioms. Our family style quiz game is back, as we guess the meaning of fun holiday phrases. 

With the craziness of the holiday season, it can be hard to feel grateful sometimes. For Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas, we practice an exercise in gratitude together. This is a centering activity from Michael Vallejo, LCSW, from...

Did you know the history of the beloved Christmas tale is full of scandal? Before we read the story, we discuss who wrote it (or didn't) and the 200 year history of intrigue. Join us for a fun reading of this holiday classic. It's D...

Ever wonder how ski resorts have snowy slopes, even when it hasn't snowed in weeks? Me too! In this episode we discuss all the different types of snow and how they're created. We even talk about movie snow and the companies that make the magic ...

It's Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas and we're reading Christmas Every Day by W.D. Howells. This is a fun story for kids who wish every day was Christmas, but haven't quite thought through the consequences of that choice. If you've ever seen ...