Hello From the Van
*Visual Podcast on Youtube* A Family-Friendly and Educational Podcast for Everyone! Geared to curious families with lots of questions. We cover everything from cancer to paint colors-- always in a safe and educational way. Join us as we explore a new topic each week.
Mondays and Etymology: An Odd Connection
Ever wonder where the words Monday, Tuesday, etc come from?? Us too! In this episode we break down the science of etymology, and the history of the English days of the week.
SOURCES:
Almaden, S. A. (2026, July 21). Learning the days of the week in Norwegian and their meanings. Beelinguapp Blog. https://beelinguapp.com/blog/%20learning-the-days-of-the-week-in-norwegian-and-their-meanings
Arabic Homeschool - Complete children’s Arabic learning program. (n.d.). Arabic Homeschool. https://www.arabichomeschool.com/post/days-of-the-week-in-the-arabic-language
Berges, D. (2026, October 22). Days of the week in Spanish. Berges Institute Spanish Classes. https://www...
Unbe-leaf-able Fall and Photosynthesis
It's fall time here in the US and in some regions the leaves are changing to fantastic yellows, golds, and reds. This week we answer the question, "Why do leaves change color?" and explore the growth cycle of trees.
SOURCES:
Moore, A. (2024, February 15). How trees survive in winter | College of Natural Resources News. College of Natural Resources News. https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2024/02/how-trees-survive-in-winter/
The Student Conservation Association. (2021, October 15). Why leaves change color in the fall. https://thesca.org/newsroom/why-leaves-change-color-fall?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=170347181&gbraid=0AAAAADygmdNw-v5GF9...
Cats: Domesticated Chaos
Last week it was dogs and this week, we're talking about cats! You'd think after 10,000 years of domestication we'd know more about them, but so much of their feline world remains a mystery. Find out some of what we know and what we don't know this week on Hello From the Van!
SOURCES:
Jiang, Peihua; Josue, Jesusa; Li, Xia; Glaser, Dieter; Li, Weihua; Brand, Joseph G.; Margolskee, Robert F.; Reed, Danielle R.; Beauchamp, Gary K. (12 March 2012), "Major taste loss in carnivorous mammals", PNAS, 13 (109): 4956–4961, doi:10.1073/pnas.1118360109, PMC 3324019, PMID 22411809
McGrane, Scott J.; Gib...
Dogs: Sniffing and Service
Have you ever wondered HOW dogs are trained to smell the undetecable or what it takes to be a true service dog?? This week we learn all about how and why dogs smell so well and what it legally takes to be a working dog in the world.
Sources:
Cpdt, S. G. M. (2025, August 29). What is a diabetic alert dog? Understanding their Life-Saving abilities. American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/diabetic-alert-dog/
N.D. (2026, June 29) Dogs Leave Antarctica. National Museum Australia. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/do...
Cool Science: Brian Freezes
Ever wonder what causes a brain freeze? In this episode we go into the science of a brain freeze, different cultural views on icy foods, and the statistics of ice cream. It's a super cooool episode of Hello From the Van!
Sources:
Brain freeze. (2025, September 24). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21478-brain-freeze
Golen, T., MD. (2023, June 1). What causes brain freeze? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-causes-brain-freeze
Ice cream consumption melts from 2000 to 2021 | Economic Research Service. (n.d.). https://ers.usda.gov/data-products/charts-of-note/106814
...Why is it SPICY?? A Capsaicin Explainer
Ever wonder why peppers are painful? In this episode we take a look at the fascinating world of plant evolutions, digestive designs, and the history of the pepper plant.
Sources:
Borrell, B. (2013, November 18). What's So Hot About Chili Peppers? Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/whats-so-hot-about-chili-peppers-116907465/
Farr, K. (2019, May 3). The Scoville rating scale. MySpicer | Spices, Herbs, Seasonings. https://www.myspicer.com/scoville-rating-scale/
Hulick, K. (2019, December 3). The cool science of hot peppers. Science News Explores. https://www.snexplores.org/article/cool-science-hot-peppers
Kaiserman, B. (2014, De...
AHHcHoOo! Allergies: Explained for Kids
Ever wonder why some people have life threatening allergies and others do not? In this episode we take a dive into the world of antigens and antibodies as we explore the world of allergies.
Sources:
Allergies. (2026, May 7). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8610-allergies
Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Allergies explained. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/allergies
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Allergies and the Immune System.
Healthdirect Australia. (2026, Jul...
Labor Day: A Brief History
Happy Labor Day to those in the United States and Canada. To those of you outside of North America...Happy May Day when the time comes around!
This week we talk about the history and cultural significance of Labor Day as well as it's mysterious origins.
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
Youtube: Hello From The Van!
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Blood Types Explained!
One of the most important discoveries of the last century has been blood typing and donation. This week we dive into how blood types got their names, why blood typing is important, the history of the man responsible for it all.
Sources:
Stanford Blood Center. (2019, September 13). Blood types — Stanford Blood Center. https://stanfordbloodcenter.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-facts/blood-types/
Blood types. (n.d.) American Red Cross. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-types.html
Blood typing: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/arti...
Intelligent Animals
Some animals are smart...but others are smarter. This week we discuss the different types of animal intelligence, and the most commonly studied "smart" animals of the animal kingdom.
Sources:
Vidal, J. (2021, October 29). The grey parrot and the race against Africa’s wildlife extinction. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/24/cites-endangered-species-meeting-johannesburg
Blanket octopus. (n.d.). Great Barrier Reef Foundation. https://www.barrierreef.org/the-reef/animals/blanket-octopus
Holdredge, C. (n.d.). Elephantine Intelligence — The Nature Institute. The Nature Institute. https://www.natur...
Motorcycles: A History of Innovation
Motorcycles may have gotten their start in the late 1800's, but their use during World War is what truly solidified their cultural foothold. In honor of the 86th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, this week we talk about invention, muddy history, and the future of the motorcycle.
SOURCES:
Sturgis. (2025, May 12). History of the Sturgis Rally. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally SD. https://sturgis.com/resources/about-sturgis-rally/history-of-rally/
Wikipedia contributors. (2026, May 3). History of the motorcycle. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_motorcycle
"The P...
The Conundrum of Cursive
Cursive has largely fallen out of fashion...but it seems that physically writing anything down is also on it's way out. In this episode we explore where cursive came from, why it stopped being taught, and discuss the future of writing.
SOURCES:
Pokemon Evolutions. Pokemon DB dot Net.
Bergland, Christopher, Why Cursive Handwriting is Good For Your Brain. Psychology Today. 2 October 2020.
Kuta, Sarah. Can You Read Cursive? The National Archives Want Your Help. Smithsonian Magazine. 17 January 2025
FontFabric. Fonts With Ligature. 7 August 2026.
Sesko, Marcus. Identifying Jap...
How Citrus Took Over the World: A History
Lemons have always been around in the East, but their known history in the West is relatively recent. In this episode we talk about the history of citrus fruit, how explorers brought it to the west, and how all citrus are related. #HelloFromTheVan
SOURCES:
The Nursery at TyTy, The History of the Citrus Tree.
https://www.tytyga.com/History-of-the-Citrus-and-Citrus-Tree-Growing-in-America-a/381.htm
Jerry James Stone, “The History of Lemons”, April 22, 2023.
https://jerryjamesstone.com/how-to/histor...
Laughter, Yawns, and Why We Do Them
A laughter and a yawn-- both are contagious-- but why do we perform these "useless" functions?? This week we dive into the long scientific history around laughter and yawns. Warning, we don't know why, but you'll probably yawn while listening to this episode. So please use caution while listening.
Citations:
Wani PD, Agarwal M. The science of yawning: Exploring its physiology, evolutionary role, and behavioral impact. J Family Med Prim Care. 2025 Aug;14(8):3115-3120. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1677_24. Epub 2025 Sep 24. PMID: 41041241; PMCID: PMC12488162.
BARBIZET J. Yawning. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1958 Aug;21(3):203-9. doi...
5 Minutes Smarter: Artificial Intelligence Edition
Looking for a way to introduce the topic of artificial intelligence with your kids, but don't want the politics and opinion? In this episode we cover the physical side of AI, how it reasons, and the trade-offs required for instant access to a world of knowledge.
Sources:
How Much Energy Can AI Use?, Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/energy-ai-use-electricity-water-data-centers/
Mineo, Liz. Is AI Dulling Our Minds?, Harvard Gazette, 13 November 2025.
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/is-ai-dulling-our-minds/
Kos...
The Power of TASTE
Flavor and Taste are powerful parts of our every day lives...but what *are* they? This week we talk about the physical function of flavor, how and why our bodies process tastes the way they do, and how flavor can even warn us of danger.
Sources:
Gravina SA, Yep GL, Khan M. Human biology of taste. Ann Saudi Med. 2013 May-Jun;33(3):217-22. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2013.217. PMID: 23793421; PMCID: PMC6078535. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6078535/
Fontanini A, Taste. Current Biology, 33, R130-R135. https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)00005-2
...5 Minutes Smarter: Divorce Edition
Note: As always, our 5 Minutes Smarter series is intended to help adults talk about difficult topics with kids. The episodes are not meant as an exhaustive explainer, but more of a jumping-off point for family discussion.
Divorce has officially hit the Faatz extended family. We've been trying to figure out how to explain it to kids. To help others in the same situation, here's this week's episode of 5 Minutes Smarter: Divorce Edition.
We break down what divorce is, a very brief explainer of what happens when a couple divorces, and explain how kids can talk ab...
The Science of Sleep
Humans spend roughly a third of our lives sleeping...but what actually happens while we're sleeping?? In this episode we talk about the great mystery that is sleep science, what we know, and the great big things we don't know about this daily activity.
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic, "Why Do We Dream?" published August 18, 2022.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/12148-sleep-basics
Cleveland Clinic, "All About Sleep Deprivation".
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23970-sleep-deprivation
Sleepoplis, "A Kids Guide to Under...
5 Minutes Smarter: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
To help introduce our new series, "5 Minutes Smarter", we'll be releasing three smaller episodes this week! In this first installment, we're talking about what it takes for a person to be happy and healthy both in their body and their mind.
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
Youtube: Hello From The Van!
Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan
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National Anthems: A Brief History
In this July 4th episode, we explore the history of National Anthems from around the world! Where they came from, why we have them, and how they impact nations around the world.
It's a short one this week, but we'll be back with our regular longer episode after the holiday.
SOURCES:
One song under Heaven: A history of China’s national anthems, "A survey of nearly 150 years of Chinese history through the country's official and unofficial national anthems." Mads Vesterager Nielsen, Published February 25, 2021
"Olympic Charter" (PDF). International Olympic Commit...
Building A Hummingbird Army
If you live in the Western Hemisphere (North or South America) this episode is for you! We're talking about hummingbird conservation and how to help out your local hummingbird population. In this episode we'll talk about what hummingbirds need to survive, their life cycle, and how to support these incredible pollinators!
HUMMINGBIRD FOOD RECIPE:
1 cup white table sugar (Do NOT use honey, organic sugar, or dyed sugar!)
4 cups water
Hard boil for 1 minute to remove impurities. Let cool. Fill hummingbird feeders. Remember to wash and clean your feeders at least once a...
Color Blindness Explained
Did you know that not all color blindness is the same? In this episode we talk about the different types of color vision deficiency, how color blindness effects everyday life, and signs to look out for if you suspect a loved one is color blind.
A HUGE thank-you to the organization Colour Blind Awareness. They were a wealth of knowledge in researching this episode!
Sources:
Colour Blind Awareness, "All About Colour Blindness". https://www.colourblindawareness . org/colour-blindness/
All About Vision, "Tritanopia and Color Blindness"
https://www.allaboutvision. com/conditions/color-blindness/tritanopia/
Tempered Glass: A Scientific History
In this episode we talk about the science of glass and the difference between glass that shatters into pieces and glass that crumbles. It's a SCIENCE EPISODE of Hello From the Van!
Sources:
SG Glass Manufacturers, "The History of Tempered Glass."
https://www.sggglassmanufacturer. com/news/The-history-of-tempered-glass.html
Invent . Org, "Harold McMaster".
https://www.invent . org/inductees/harold-mcmaster
Apple Glass Company, "The History and Evolution of Bulletproof Glass."
https://appleglasscompany . com/blog/the-history-and-evolution-of-bulletproof-glass/
Eco Strip, "The History of Glass Windows".
https://eco-strip . com/the-history-of-glass-windows/?srsltid=AfmBOooguceAx-MHnQ1NrLzls...
All About TIDES
I recently took my kids on a field trip to Dana Point, California to visit the tide pools at low tide. That field trip led to a lot of questions from the kids and from me! In this episode we talk about why tides happen, how long humans have known about it, and the effect of tides on humans for thousands of years.
SOURCES:
Encyclopedia Brittanica Kids, "Tides". https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/tide/390262
NOAA Tides and Current Calculator, Dana Point. https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9413617&legacy=1
...Memorial Day Explained!
What do the Civil War, parking lots, and Memorial Day have in common?! We talk about all of them today on Hello From the Van.
In this shorter holiday episode, we discuss the origins of the Memorial Day and it's close ties to the rich history of the United States.
A huge thank-you to The Wounded Warrior Project, The United States Archives, and PBS who had a wealth of reference knowledge critical to today's episode. (Links below).
US National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/memorial-day
<...How To Write A Story
**SUMMER STORYWRITING RULES BELOW EPISODE DESCRIPTION**
Aristotle wasn't just a philosopher, he was a playwright and scientist. This week we learn all about plot structure as explained in the Poetics. Using the story of The Three Little Pigs, we dive into what makes a compelling story.
#hellofromthevan #educationalpodcast #aristotle #thepoetics #threeactstructure #3act #storywriting #storytime #threelittlepigs
SUMMER STORYWRITING GUIDELINES/RULES AND HOW TO SUBMIT:
**Submissions Due June 18th, 2026**
- Word count must be between 50-400 words.
- Please follow the Aristotle Plot S...
What the Fox *Actually* Says...
Is the Fox a feline or a canine, a cat or a dog?? This week we learn all about this amazing animal and it's impact (for better or for worse) all across the world. And yes, we do answer the question, "What does the fox say?".
#educationalpodcast #familyfriendlypodcast #homeschoolingfun #homeschoollesson #sciencelesson #taxonomy #foxes #foxesofinstagram
This week's Works Cited:
Wildland's Conservancy, "15 WILD Fox Facts That Might Amaze You".
National Geographic Kids, "All About the Fox".
Encyclopedia Brittanica, "Fox: Species, Habitat, Behavior, Facts".
Macdonald, David W.; Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio, eds. (2004). The bi...
Equinox and Solstice Explained
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
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Magical Mutating Cells: CANCER! Explained.
In this episode we take a clinical overview of cancer, what it is, why it happens, and it's different stages.
This is a great episode is a great place for families to start when facing rouge mutating cells.
#cancerexplained #hellofromthevan #cancerforkids #educationalpodcast #sciencepodcast
Episode Resources:
Kids Health . org, "Kids and Cancer".
Britannica Kids, "Cancer" entry.
Worldwide Cancer Research, "Cancer Stages and Grades Explained...", Sept 30, 2025.
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for m...
Earthquakes! For Kids!
This week we dive deeper into natural disasters and explore Earthquakes! We answer the questions:
- What causes earthquakes?
- How to prepare for an earthquake?
and
- What to do during and after an earthquake.
A HUGE Thank-you to this Weeks Educational Resources:
US Geological Survey Website
UC Berkeley Seismology
University of Utah Seismology
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
Youtube: Hello From The Van!
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Hell...
Puma, Cougar, Panther or Mountain Lion??
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:
Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, "Cougar Life Cycles".
Mountainlion.org, "Evidence of a Lion's Presence", published 01/01/2010
Select Latin America.UK, "9 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Pumas"
NATHAB.com, "Cougar,Puma, Panther, Mountain Lion Names".
National Parks Service, "Your Safety Around Mountain Lions", nps.gov.
MountainLion.org...
It's Spring Break Baby!
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
Citations/Works Cited
de Ridder-Symoens, Hilde: A History of the University in Europe: Volume 1, Universities in the Middle Ages, Cambridge University Press, 1992, ISBN 0-521-36105-2, pp. 47–55
"Semester". Oxford Living Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
The History of Spring Break: A look back into the history of Spring Break as the fu...
Bees vs Wasps & How To Tell the Difference
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.
For our visual podcast (same audio, with images that explain what you're hearing) check-out our youtube channel at Hello From the Van.
works
https://www.massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/insects-arachnids/bees-wasps
https://aqua.org/stories/2025-05-20-mistaken-identities-bees-vs-wasps
https://www.discoverwildlife.co...
The Egg-cellent Episode
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 the episode with some super fun chicken jokes.
Looking for a visual podcast? We're on Youtube! Same podcast but with fun visuals to illustrate what we learn. Give us a like and a follow!
CITATIONS:
BCSPCA, 10 Fun Facts About Chickens
Farmers Alm...
What Makes a "bad" Word a "BAD" Word?
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 jumping off point for discussions of what is appropriate in your home and why.
Looking for more?? We have a visual podcast over on Youtube under Hello From the Van!
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
Youtube: Hello From The Van!
Instagram/Faceb...
What Makes a Weed?
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!
SOURCE CITATIONS:
Escape of the invasives: Top six invasive plant species in the United States
April 19, 2013 by Emily Grebenstein, https://www.si.edu/stories/escape-invasives
Invasive Plants:What is an Invasive Plant Species?
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/invasives/index.shtml
It's a Disaster!
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.
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
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But Can It Throw-Up? The Emesis Episode
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 among us, please note that we do our best to handle this topic in the most sterile way possible.
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
Youtube: Hello From The Van!
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Butterfly or Moth?
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.
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
Youtube: Hello From The Van!
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That Time I Wrecked Myself: Olympic Storytime
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.
Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.
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