Lions and Legends
Produced by Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis of Circle Round, Lions and Legends presents fun, fantastical retellings of legends, myths, folktales, and fables through the ages.
Why The Echidna Has Spines: A Djaru Dreaming Story (Live in NYC)
Recorded live in NYC with an all-star cast of kidcasters, this creation tale from Western Australia shows how the echidna got its trademark spines!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
At the top of our episode, we had a moment with our appreciative League of Lions member, Gratitude.
*** How did you show gratitude this week? ***
Did you write a hand-made thank-you note or help out with a surprise chore at home? Maybe you simply said “thank you” to your mail carrier or bus driver o...
The Day The Jellyfish Got Squished: A Japanese Folktale (Live in NYC)
This classic Japanese folktale recorded live in NYC with an all-star cast of kidcasters reveals how a monkey's mischief gave the jellyfish its jelly!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
At the top of our episode, we had a moment with our lovely League of Lions member, Wisdom.
*** How did you use your wisdom this week? ***
Did you take a deep breath when you were frustrated, instead of lashing or acting out? Maybe you made a particularly smart or wise choice, or you look...
Two Sides of the Coin: A Chinese Parable
This ancient Chinese parable teaches a powerful lesson about jumping to conclusions, making snap judgments, and putting the cart before the horse!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
At the top of our episode, we heard from our forbearing League of Lions member, Patience.
***How did you practice patience this week?***
Were you stuck in a slow-moving checkout line at the store, but you managed to wait it out? Maybe you drew the coolest bicycle ever, but when you went to show your grow...
The Dog With the Spark and No Bark: A Nyanga Myth
Why don’t basenjis bark? Find out in this Nyanga myth from the Congo in central Africa, about a dog who defies a deity and changes hound history forever.
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
At the start of our episode, we spent a moment with our inquisitive League of Lions member, Curiosity.
***How did you practice curiosity this week?***
Maybe you uncovered a fascinating fact in a book, you stopped to examine a cool bug or bird, or you finally figured out how th...
Grunt Work: A Turkish Folktale
A wise trickster teaches a funny lesson on fairness in this Turkish tale about a hard-working woodcutter and a hard-grunting farmer!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
Nasruddin made an important point about the importance of integrity: telling the truth, keeping your word, and otherwise doing the right thing.
***How did you show integrity this week?***
Did you congratulate the winning team, instead of making excuses or stomping away? Maybe you found a fun toy at the library, and gave it to the lost...
The Infinite Appetite: An Indian Purana
In this tasty Indian tale, a gajillionaire god's outsized ego is tested by an elephant god’s seemingly bottomless belly!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
Kubera, the god of wealth, learned a tasty lesson about what it means to be generous.
***How have you practiced generosity this week?***
Maybe you volunteered at a local charity or donated old clothes or toys. Perhaps you left a book in a Little Free Library, or held the door open for a friend!
Tell us your generosity story, and you could...
How the Honey Bees Got Their Sting: A Greek Fable
In this Greek fable, a queen bee's wish for sweet revenge comes back to sting her!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
Being unkind doesn’t just hurt others. As we learn in today’s story, it can hurt us too!
Kindness can make the whole world a lot sweeter, so we want to know:
**How have you practiced kindness recently?**
Did you invite a new student to sit with you at lunch? Maybe you shared a favorite toy with a friend, or you gave a family member a...
The King of Beasts and the Queen of Brains: A Swahili Folktale
In this Swahili folktale from East Africa, a cunning hare cooks up a sweet plan to escape the clutches of a haughty, hungry lion. When the vengeful feline visits Hare’s house, ready to pounce, she has to think on her (very quick) feet!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
At the top of today’s episode you met members of our League of Lions: our pride of values and virtues that make the world a better place, including Courage, Curiosity, Generosity, Gratitude, Integrity, Kindness, Patience, Persistence, and Wisdom.
**Which Lion did YOU bring to life...
Skuba and the Dragon: A Polish Legend
What happens when a ravenous dragon meets a clever shoemaker with a needle, a thread, a sheepskin, and a brilliant plan? Find out in this famous legend from Poland, and find out why the Polish capital of Krakow is among the dragon capitals of the world!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
Today you met members of our League of Lions: the pride of virtues that make the world a better place, including Courage, Curiosity, Generosity, Gratitude, Integrity, Kindness, Patience, Persistence, and Wisdom.
**Which Lion were YOU this week?**
Did you show Cou...
The Flash and the Crash: A Cambodian Myth
Ever wonder how thunder and lightning came to be? In this myth from Cambodia, you’ll meet a powerful goddess with a glowing crystal ball and a jealous giant with a flying axe. When they clash in the sky, boy do the sparks fly!
🦁Time for you to ROAR!
Our episode started with members of the League of Lions: our pride of nine world-changing virtues including Courage, Curiosity, Generosity, Gratitude, Integrity, Kindness, Patience, Persistence, and Wisdom!
**Which Lion did YOU act like this week?**
Did you show Gratitude by thanking someone? Did yo...
Audio Appetizer: Settling the Score
If you’re familiar with the music of Eric Shimelonis – especially from his work on his and Rebecca’s last kids and family podcast – then you may know that:
He plays a lot of different instruments, many from around the world.
He likes composing in diverse genres.
He enjoys composing for and collaborating with other musicians.
In this in-tune interview, our resident music man describes how all these points will apply to the scores you’ll hear on Lions and Legends!
Follow Lions and Leg...
Audio Appetizer: Setting the Fable
“Look before you leap.” “Slow and steady wins the race.” “Sour grapes.”
These famous sayings all come from fables: short stories that convey a useful lesson, often through talking animals or other nonhuman entities.
While some of the oldest fables hail from India and Greece, these tight little teaching tales have been told the world over. Listen to this week’s audio appetizer to find out why… and to learn how they relate to fancy mushrooms, Steven Spielberg, and Bingo the dog!
Follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for snack-sized audio treats eve...
Audio Appetizer: Once Upon a Folktale
Come along as Rebecca Sheir explores the wide, wild world of folktales: timeless stories that can rack up some serious frequent-flier miles!
Follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for snack-sized audio treats every other Tuesday all summer long. And join us for our independent podcast’s official launch on Sept. 1, 2026!
Thanks for being part of the Lions and Legends pride!
Join our mailing list here!
Join our social media communities: Instagram, Facebook
Subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Audio Appetizer: Living Legends
What is a “legend”? Host Rebecca Sheir guides you on an action-packed exploration of these age-old stories that start with a kernel of truth, before exploding into the most magical, dramatic, romantic popcorn you ever did hear!*
(*Yeah, we know. It’s kind of an odd – if tasty – metaphor. But it’ll make more sense when you listen. Promise!)
As we count down to our podcast’s official launch on Sept. 1, 2026, follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for bite-sized audio treats every other Tuesday all summer long.
Thanks for being part of the Lion...
Audio Appetizer: Myth Understood
As we count down to the September 1 launch of Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis’s new independent storytelling podcast, Lions and Legends, we invite you to enjoy this bite-sized audio appetizer: a lively mini-lesson about the ancient tales known as myths, and the surprising ways they connect with our modern lives.
Follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for bite-sized audio treats every other Tuesday all summer long. Thanks for being part of the Lions and Legends pride!
Join our mailing list here!
Join our social media communities: Instagram, Facebook
Subscribe to o...
Audio Appetizer: The Lion and the Donkey
Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis’s new independent storytelling podcast, Lions and Legends, is on its way!
As we count down to our September 1 launch, enjoy this bite-sized audio appetizer. It’s a mini-tale from ancient Greek and Roman times told by Rebecca, with help from some faithful feline friends: our League of Lions!
Follow Lions and Legends on your favorite podcast app for mini-audio treats every other Tuesday all summer long. Thanks for being part of the Lions and Legends pride!
Join our mailing list here!
Join our social media commu...
Introducing Lions and Legends!
Rebecca Sheir and Eric Shimelonis – partners in podcasting and life – are going independent, and launching a new storytelling podcast just for you!
Welcome to the magical world of Lions and Legends: fun, fantastical retellings of legends, myths, folktales, and fables through the ages!
Each 15- to 25-minute audio adventure will feature gripping action and compelling characters, while providing a timeless tool for teaching values, fostering empathy, and bringing hope, wisdom, and comfort to today’s topsy-turvy world.
Full-length episodes drop September 1st. In the meantime, follow us to enjoy appetizing audio treats every other T...
