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Believe It or Not! — Amazing True Stories for Curious Kids

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Rating
★★★★★
4.5
from
16 reviews
This podcast has
177 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Bryan Betz
Explicit
No
Date created
2025/06/16
Latest episode
2026/10/09
Average duration
24 min.
Release period
9 days

Description

Believe It or Not! is a fun educational podcast for kids ages 7–12 who love amazing true stories, history, science, inventions, mysteries, and unbelievable facts. Every episode tells a fascinating real story from history, science, exploration, technology, and human achievement. Perfect for curious kids, classrooms, homeschool families, road trips, and bedtime listening. If your child enjoys storytelling podcasts for kids, history podcasts for kids, science podcasts for kids, mystery podcasts for kids, and educational podcasts that make learning fun, they’ll love Believe It or Not! Hosted by Bryan Betz. New episodes every week. You will love “Believe It or Not!” if you enjoy: 1. amazing true stories for kids 2. history podcast for kids 3. science podcast for kids 4. educational podcast for kids 5. storytelling podcast for kids 6. podcasts for curious kids 7. fun podcasts for kids 8. stories for kids ages 7-12 9. learning podcasts for kids 10. family friendly podcast for kids

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Check latest episodes from Believe It or Not! — Amazing True Stories for Curious Kids podcast


The Story of BrainPOP
2026/10/09
Before Tim and Moby… there was a little boy in a hospital bed watching ants crawl across a windowsill. That boy was Avraham Kadar. Years later, he became a doctor — and an encounter with a frightened young asthma patient gave him an idea: What if complicated things could be made simple, visual, and fun for kids? That question eventually became BrainPOP. In this episode, discover the surprising true story behind one of the world’s most recognizable educational platforms — including how Mike Watanabe became the voice of Tim, why Moby mostly communicates through BEEPS, and how painfully slow 1990s internet accidentally helped create the BrainPOP quiz. 🤖 Believe it or not… BrainPOP was teaching kids online about six years before YouTube even existed. 🎙️ The Story of BrainPOPHow a Doctor, a Question, and a Beeping Robot Changed Learning 🧠 BIG QUESTION: If you could write your own letter beginning: “Dear Tim and Moby…” what ONE thing would you ask them to explain? And next time… clear liquid drips from a tree. It looks like water. So how does it become thick, sweet maple syrup? Find out in Episode 174 of Believe It or Not!
The Fighter and the Broken Bomber
2026/09/28
✈️ HE HAD A CLEAR SHOT… December 20, 1943. High above Germany, a badly damaged American B-17 bomber called Ye Olde Pub is struggling to stay in the sky. Its engines are damaged. Crewmen are wounded. And home is still hundreds of kilometers away. Then another airplane appears. A German fighter. At the controls is Franz Stigler. Inside the broken bomber is 21-year-old American pilot Charlie Brown. The fighter pulls alongside. Close enough for the two enemy pilots to see each other’s faces. The American bomber can barely defend itself. Franz has the advantage. And now… he has a decision to make. What happens next will remain in both men’s memories for almost 47 years. 🎙️ Believe It or Not! — Episode 172 Discover the extraordinary true story of Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown — two enemy pilots, one unforgettable encounter, and a mystery that lasts for decades. But don’t look up the ending before you listen. 👀 🧠 BIG QUESTION:Have you ever helped someone who wasn’t on your team? And next time… A scientist walks into a shop in Hong Kong and discovers an enormous tooth believed to have come from a dragon. What creature did it really belong to? 🎧 Follow Believe It or Not! on Spotify for more strange-but-true stories for curious kids, families, and classrooms. #BelieveItOrNot #KidsPodcast #HistoryForKids #WWIIHistory #WorldWarII #FranzStigler #CharlieBrown #B17 #FlyingFortress #AviationHistory #TrueStories #AmazingHistory #DidYouKnow #CuriousKids #FamilyPodcast #EducationalPodcast The Fighter and the Broken Bomber
Why Weren’t the Football Players Peeing?! | The Invention of Gatorade
2026/09/20
Florida. 1965. 🏈 A college football team is practicing in brutal heat. The players are sweating, exhausted, and getting sick. But something strange is happening. Why aren't the players peeing? One unusual question sends a group of doctors searching for answers. Their investigation leads to a terrible-tasting experiment, an unexpected discovery, and the invention of one of the world's most recognizable sports drinks. But how did a bathroom mystery turn into Gatorade? 🎙️ Join Bryan for Episode 171 of Believe It or Not! as we discover the incredible true story behind a drink you've probably seen a thousand times. Along the way, you'll discover surprising facts about the human body, the science of sweat, and how one small question can lead to an enormous discovery. Plus, test your detective skills with our True or False, multiple-choice, and scientific-thinking questions! 🌎 YOUR BIG QUESTION: What's the hottest or most exhausting activity you've ever done? What helped you recover afterward? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for curious kids ages 7–12, families, and classrooms. Follow Believe It or Not! and share this episode with someone who loves strange-but-true stories! 🎧 Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4wtid8ZGDRoScTtj66ZLQP Next time: Two enemy pilots meet high above Germany during World War II. What happens next? #BelieveItOrNot #KidsPodcast #Gatorade #InventionOfGatorade #ScienceForKids #HistoryForKids #EducationalPodcast #FunFacts #CuriousKids #고촌 #고촌영어 #고촌초등영어 #고촌영어공부방 #고촌맘 #김포 #김포영어 #김포초등영어 #김포영어공부방 #김포맘 #초등영어 #초등영어교육 #초등영어듣기 #영어팟캐스트 #어린이영어 #영어공부 #엄마표영어 #영어학습 #과학영어 #영어교육 #브라이언잉글리쉬클럽
💵 Who Invented the ATM? The Answer Is Stranger Than You Think!
2026/09/14
In 1967, people gathered outside a bank in London to watch something unbelievable: A machine built into a wall… gave someone money. No teller.No open bank.No smartphone.No modern bank card. But how did the machine know who was allowed to take the cash? And who actually invented it? In Believe It or Not! Episode 170, we investigate the strange true story behind the ATM — including competing inventors, early cash machines, and a clue from 1966 that changes the whole story. 🎙️ Episode 170: The Machine That Put Money in the Wall A strange-but-true history story for curious kids ages 7–12, families, teachers, and classrooms. 🎧 Listen to Believe It or Not! on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4wtid8ZGDRoScTtj66ZLQP 💬 BIG QUESTION:What machine does your family use that would be REALLY hard to live without for one week? #BelieveItOrNot #BelieveItOrNotPodcast #KidsPodcast #EducationalPodcast #HistoryForKids #HistoryPodcast #ATM #WhoInventedTheATM #Inventions #Inventors #WeirdHistory #AmazingHistory #FunFacts #DidYouKnow #CuriousKids #KidsLearning #FamilyPodcast #STEMForKids #TrueStories #1960s #BankingHistory #MoneyHistory #LearningIsFun #PodcastForKids #Education
TRILLIONS of Locusts Filled the Sky! | The Rocky Mountain Locust | Ep. 169
2026/09/07
What if a dark cloud appeared on the horizon… and then you realized the cloud was alive? 🦗 In the 1870s, Rocky Mountain locusts descended on the American Great Plains in swarms so enormous that estimates reached into the trillions of insects. They filled the sky. They devoured crops. And farming families tried almost everything to stop them. But then something happened that turned one of America's worst insect disasters into an even stranger mystery. In Episode 169 of Believe It or Not! — “The Swarm That Ate Everything”, Bryan explores the incredible true story of the Rocky Mountain locust. You'll discover: 🌾 what it was like to watch a giant locust swarm arrive🦗 how enormous the biggest swarms became🔥 the unusual ways farmers tried to fight back🔬 why scientists were called in to investigate🕵️ and the mystery that appeared when the skies suddenly became quiet Plus, stick around for three unbelievable WOW Facts, a quick quiz, and a Big Question for curious listeners. Perfect for kids ages 7–12, families, classrooms, homeschoolers, and anyone who loves weird history, science, animals, mysteries, and true stories that sound impossible. 🎧 Follow Believe It or Not! so you don't miss the next unbelievable true story. Believe It or Not! — where weird is real and the truth is stranger than fiction.
One Good Turn Deserves Another: The Falby–Smith Coincidence | Ep. 168
2026/09/04
One terrible highway accident brings Captain Allan Falby and a complete stranger together. Years later… another crash does it again. But this time, something has changed. In Episode 168 of Believe It or Not!, Bryan explores the astonishing true story of Captain Falby and Alfred Smith — two men whose lives crossed under circumstances so unlikely that newspapers were still telling the story years later. How did the first accident connect to the second? Why did one injured motorist recognize Captain Falby before Falby recognized him? And how much of the famous story can we trace back to historical records? Along the way, discover surprising facts about emergency medicine before 911, the bizarre history of funeral-home ambulances, and why coincidences happen more often than our brains expect. A fast-moving true story about chance, memory, kindness, and one decision to stop beside the road. Perfect for curious kids ages 7–12, families, classrooms, and anyone who loves strange history and unbelievable coincidences. Follow Believe It or Not! for more true stories that sound completely made up. Until next time, keep wondering, keep learning, and remember…sometimes the truth is weirder than fiction. #BelieveItOrNot #BelieveItOrNotPodcast #CaptainFalby #AlfredSmith #TrueStory #TrueStories #AmazingHistory #WeirdHistory #StrangeCoincidence #Coincidence #DidYouKnow #UnbelievableFacts #HistoryForKids #KidsPodcast #PodcastForKids #EducationalPodcast #FamilyPodcast #CuriousKids #LearningIsFun #HistoryPodcast #AmazingStories #RealLifeStories #TexasHistory #ElPaso #PodcastDiscovery
The Quietest Room in the World — Can You Hear Your Own Heartbeat? | Believe It or Not! #167
2026/08/26
Imagine stepping into a room so quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat. In Episode 167 of Believe It or Not!, Bryan explores the quietest room in the world and discovers what happens when almost every sound around you disappears. Why do anechoic chambers have strange triangular walls? How can scientists measure sound below zero decibels? Why can people hear their heartbeat, breathing, stomach, and other tiny body sounds inside extreme silence? And why would anyone build a room this quiet in the first place? It's a fascinating journey into sound, silence, engineering, the human brain, and the strange things we discover when the world finally becomes quiet. 🎧 Believe It or Not! — the show where weird is real and the truth is stranger than fiction. Perfect for curious kids, families, teachers, and anyone who loves fascinating true stories and amazing science. #BelieveItOrNot #QuietestRoom #AnechoicChamber #ScienceForKids #ScienceFacts #AmazingScience #KidsPodcast #EducationalPodcast #WeirdScience #DidYouKnow #STEMForKids #PodcastForKids
The Tiger That Terrified India | The True Story of the Champawat Tiger & Jim Corbett | Believe It or Not! #166
2026/08/18
The Tiger That Terrified India Imagine living in a village where simply walking into the forest could be deadly. For years, a terrifying tiger stalked communities across Nepal and northern India. People disappeared. Villages were filled with fear. Hunters searched for the animal, but she seemed to disappear into the forests every time. Then one man followed the clues. Jim Corbett entered the forest to hunt the infamous Champawat Tiger—but what he discovered after the hunt revealed something much more complicated than a simple story of a dangerous animal. In this episode of Believe It or Not!, discover: 🐅 The terrifying story of the Champawat Tiger🌲 Life in the Himalayan forests👣 How Jim Corbett tracked the tiger🔎 The surprising clue hidden in her broken teeth🇮🇳 Why the tiger became a legendary man-eater🌿 How Corbett eventually became a champion of wildlife conservation A gripping true story about tigers, survival, fear, and the surprising reasons animals sometimes become dangerous. Perfect for curious kids, families, teachers, and anyone who loves unbelievable true stories. Follow Believe It or Not! for more strange, surprising, and completely true stories.
The Dancing Plague of 1518 | The Mystery That Still Has No Answer
2026/07/22
One woman begins dancing. She doesn't stop. Then more people join. Within days, an entire city is caught in one of history's strangest mysteries. Why did hundreds of people dance through the streets of Strasbourg in 1518? Why did doctors hire musicians to make them dance even more? And why, after more than 500 years, does nobody know exactly what caused it? Join Bryan as we investigate one of the world's greatest unsolved historical mysteries in this exciting episode of Believe It or Not! You'll also enjoy: 🤯 Three unbelievable WOW Facts🧠 A fun listener quiz🌍 A Big Question to spark your curiosity🔮 A preview of Episode 166: The Forest Built for Ships That Never Came
The Accidental Invention of Microwave Popcorn | Percy Spencer's Amazing Discovery
2026/07/13
A chocolate bar melts inside an engineer's pocket. Nobody knows why. Minutes later... Popcorn begins exploding across a laboratory. An egg launches itself into the air. And one accidental discovery changes the way the entire world cooks. Discover the incredible true story of Percy Spencer, the World War II radar engineer whose curiosity led to the invention of the microwave oven—and eventually microwave popcorn. 🎧 Believe It or Not! is a fun storytelling podcast for kids featuring unbelievable true stories from history, science, inventions, mysteries, and the amazing people who changed the world. Perfect for fans of: • Story podcasts for kids • Educational podcasts • Science podcasts • STEM learning • History for kids • Curiosity podcasts • Family listening adventures Because sometimes the world's greatest inventions happen completely by accident.
The Day America Shocked England | The Miracle on Grass | 1950 FIFA World Cup
2026/07/02
England invented modern football. America wasn't even expected to compete. One team was filled with famous professionals. The other included a hearse driver, a school teacher, factory workers, and an accounting student from Haiti. Ninety minutes later... The scoreboard read: USA 1 England 0. Many newspaper editors thought the score had to be wrong. Discover the astonishing true story behind one of the greatest World Cup upsets ever played and the remarkable players who proved that impossible doesn't always stay impossible. 🎧 Believe It or Not! is a fun podcast for kids featuring true stories, history, science, mysteries, sports, inventions, and unbelievable moments from the real world. Perfect for fans of: • Story podcasts for kids • Sports podcasts for kids • Educational podcasts • Curiosity podcasts • World Cup history • Soccer stories • Family listening adventures Because sometimes the truth really is weirder than fiction. #BelieveItOrNotPodcast #PodcastForKids #StorytellingPodcastForKids #SportsPodcastForKids #SoccerPodcast #WorldCup #FootballHistory #1950WorldCup #MiracleOnGrass #EducationalPodcast #HistoryForKids #CuriosityPodcast #TrueStoriesForKids #FamilyPodcast #LearningThroughStories
The Beetle That Shoots Explosions | The Bombardier Beetle
2026/06/25
A predator attacks. A tiny beetle waits. Then suddenly— BOOM. A burst of super-heated chemicals shoots from the insect's body. The attacker jumps away. The beetle survives. And scientists are still amazed by how it works. Discover the astonishing true story of the Bombardier Beetle, one of the most remarkable insects on Earth and the owner of one of nature's most powerful defense systems. 🎧 Believe It or Not! is a fun podcast for kids featuring true stories, history, science, mysteries, inventions, animals, and unbelievable moments from the real world. Perfect for fans of: • Story podcasts for kids • Storytelling podcasts for kids • Educational podcasts • Curiosity podcasts • Science podcasts for kids • Animal and nature stories • Family listening adventures Because sometimes the truth really is weirder than fiction.
The Dog Who Saved the World Cup | Pickles and the Missing Trophy
2026/06/18
The World Cup trophy has disappeared. Scotland Yard can't find it. The newspapers are full of theories. A ransom note arrives. The whole country is searching. Then an ordinary black-and-white dog named Pickles stops beside a hedge in South London. What he finds will solve one of the biggest sports mysteries in history. Discover the incredible true story of the stolen Jules Rimet Trophy, the 1966 FIFA World Cup, and the curious dog who succeeded where thousands of investigators failed. 🎧 Believe It or Not! is a fun podcast for kids featuring true stories, mysteries, history, science, inventions, famous animals, and unbelievable moments from the real world. Perfect for fans of: • Story podcasts for kids • Storytelling podcasts for kids • Educational podcasts • Mystery podcasts for kids • History podcasts for kids • Sports stories • Family listening adventures Because sometimes the truth really is weirder than fiction. #BelieveItOrNotPodcast #PodcastForKids #FunPodcastForKids #StorytellingPodcastForKids #StoryPodcastForKids #HistoryForKids #SportsHistory #WorldCup #PicklesTheDog #JulesRimetTrophy #MysteryPodcastForKids #EducationalPodcast #TrueStoriesForKids #DogStories #CuriosityPodcast #FamilyPodcast
The Invention That Made Skyscrapers Possible | The Amazing Story of Elisha Otis
2026/06/16
Could you trust an elevator if the rope suddenly snapped? Before Elisha Otis, most people wouldn't. In this episode of Believe It or Not!, discover the incredible invention that made modern elevators safe and allowed cities to grow upward instead of outward. Travel back to New York in 1854 and witness one of the most dramatic technology demonstrations in history—a stunt so shocking that it changed the future of architecture forever. This fun educational podcast episode for kids explores: • Elisha Otis• Elevator history• How skyscrapers became possible• Engineering inventions• World's Fair history• STEM and innovation• Surprising true stories Perfect for curious kids, classrooms, homeschool families, and anyone who loves learning amazing facts from history. Because sometimes the truth is weirder than fiction. #BelieveItOrNotPodcast #HistoryForKids #STEMForKids #EngineeringForKids #Inventors #ElishaOtis #ElevatorHistory #SkyscraperHistory #EducationalPodcast #KidsPodcast #StorytellingPodcastForKids #FunPodcastForKids #CuriousKids #Homeschooling #TeachersOfInstagram #LearningIsFun #AmazingHistory #ScienceForKids #Innovation #WorldHistory
🎙️ Special Crossover Episode: Why Taking a Break Can Make You Smarter (with Charlie from Sticky Situations!)
2026/06/15
🎙️ My Son's Podcast Taught Me Something Important About LearningHave you ever worked so hard on a problem that you became even MORE confused? Most of us have. We stare at the page. We try again. We push harder. And somehow, we get even more stuck. That's why I'm excited to share a special crossover episode from my son Charlie's podcast, Sticky Situations. In this episode, Charlie tells the story of Minho, a student struggling with a difficult math problem the night before a test. As frustration builds, Minho faces a choice: 🔦 Keep working? 🏮 Take a short break? 🙋 Ask for help? What happens next leads to one of the most powerful learning discoveries I've ever encountered—an idea from Barbara Oakley's bestselling book Learning How to Learn. You'll discover: ✅ What Focused Mode is ✅ What Diffuse Mode is ✅ Why taking a break isn't always "wasting time" ✅ How your brain continues working even when you're not thinking about the problem ✅ What to do when you feel completely stuck This is one of those lessons that can help students in every subject—and honestly, adults too. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to follow Charlie's podcast, Sticky Situations, where kids explore challenging decisions, critical thinking, and life lessons through engaging stories and discussions. Because sometimes... 💡 The answer comes when you stop looking for it. Enjoy the episode!

Podcast reviews

Read Believe It or Not! — Amazing True Stories for Curious Kids podcast reviews


4.5 out of 5
16 reviews
★★★★★
The geek 😎 2026/09/10
It’s my fav podcast
I listen to this podcast every night and it’s so relaxing I’m always asleep by the 2nd episode
★★★★★
Cool lizard 67 2026/05/24
I listen to it
When I feel mad but your podcast cheer me up so thank you for making this amazing podcast 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
★★★★★
SiminBD 2025/11/26
Great!
Amazing
★★★★★
BBetz1985 2025/07/15
A Must-Listen for Curious Kids and Families!
I love it! It’s so interesting and educational. :)
★★★★★
Bad GameM 2025/06/17
Awesome story!
Great listen for my son and I to listen to together, and also figure out the solution! Uncle Bryan we so look foward to the next one!!
check all reviews on apple podcasts

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