The Past and The Curious
Mick Sullivan
Ages 8–12ExplainersStoriesMusic
Lesser-known stories of famous people and events, often told through original songs.
Mick Sullivan unearths the weird and human side of history — the cat that was a war hero, the inventor everyone forgot. Each episode has a 'gold nugget' segment and frequent musical numbers.
Why it’s in PodFocus
More musical and irreverent than typical history-for-kids fare.
At a glance
- Ages
- 8 to 12
- Good for
- Car, Quiet time, Rainy day
- About
- History & myth, Music, Curiosity
- Format
- Explainers, Stories, Music
- Episodes
- About 31 min
- New episodes
- About every two weeks
- In the feed
- 146 episodes since 2016
- Made by
- Mick Sullivan
Latest episodes
The newest full episodes in the feed as of 23 October 2026.
- Hazards of The Wild: George Shannon, Rattlesnake Kate and more!
- Bunion Derby and Route 66
- War and Pigs : Danish Protest Pigs and the Pig War of 1859
Questions parents ask
What age is The Past and The Curious for?
PodFocus lists it for ages 8 to 12. Ranges overlap on purpose: where a child lands inside one depends more on the child than on the number.
How long are The Past and The Curious episodes?
Episodes run about 31 minutes, most between 27 and 34 minutes. Long enough to cover a proper drive.
Is The Past and The Curious still making new episodes?
Yes. New episodes come out about every two weeks; the latest was released on 1 October 2026. The feed lists 146 episodes going back to 2016.
Where should we start?
Anywhere. Try a recent episode, or one about something your child already loves, and if it lands, work back through the older ones.
Can my child listen without Wi-Fi?
In PodFocus, yes. Download episodes at home and they play without a connection, including in the car through CarPlay.
How do I let my child listen to The Past and The Curious and nothing else?
Add The Past and The Curious in PodFocus. Your child’s library holds only the shows you add, with no recommendations and nothing that plays on into a show you haven’t chosen.
