All aboard the Culture Train! This time we’re heading to the sunny seaside town of Nafpaktos, Greece! Join Asher and Kristen as they visit their friend Mr. Dino, a passionate chef and storyteller, in his cozy family kitchen overlooking the sparkling Gulf of Corinth. Together, they’ll explore what makes Greek food so special, from flaky, cheesy tyropita to creamy, salty feta, and discover how every bite tells a story of family, history, and love.

We’ll stroll through cobblestone streets, learn about the ancient Venetian castle watching over the harbor, and hear how language, food, and family are deeply woven into Greek life.

🍽 Featured Guest:

Make a tyropita HERE with Mr. Dino!!!

Grown ups, please subscribe and check out his YT channel for meal inspirations!

Website: https://loudmouthkitchen.com/

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@LoudmouthKitchen

IG: https://www.instagram.com/loudmouth_kitchen

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@loudmouth_kitchen

🚂 Please support Culture Kids!

Here’s how you can help:

Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/

Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps new families discover our show.

Credits

Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim

Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kim

Guest: LoudMouth Kitchen, Mr. Dino

Featured Music: Miqayel Voskanyan

Produced by Culture Kids Productions, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children embrace a multicultural mindset.

Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai

Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad

Stay connected with us:

Instagram: @culturekidsproductions

Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com

Email / Voicemail: available through our site.. we love hearing from you!

All aboard the Magical Culture Train — we’re heading to Seoul, South Korea! 🌏

Join Kristen and Asher as they travel to Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of Korea’s most famous royal palaces, and visit a hanbok shop to learn all about the traditional clothing of kings, queens, and everyday people from long ago. 👘

Inspired by K-Pop Demon Hunters, Asher gets curious about the famous black hat — the gat — worn by the saja boys in the movie! Together, they discover where these hats came from, what Korean kings and queens really wore during the Joseon Dynasty, and how these traditions still shine in Korean culture today.

In this episode, your family will:

This adventure brings together history, art, music, and pop culture, showing how ancient Korean traditions continue to inspire creativity today — from royal palaces to K-pop stages! 🌸

Please Support Culture Kids!

Culture Kids Productions is a small, volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to helping families embrace differences, explore world cultures, and build empathy through storytelling.

🎁 Support us today: www.culturekidsmedia.com/support

📸 Instagram: @culturekidsproductions

Learn more about Gyeongbokgung Palace:

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) was the royal residence of Korean kings during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897).

The name “Gyeongbokgung” means “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.”

Visitors today can explore its Throne Hall (Geunjeongjeon), Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and Hyangwonjeong Pond, where the royal family once rested.

You can even rent a hanbok nearby and walk through the palace like royalty — just like Mom and Asher did in today’s episode!

Written and produced by Kristen and Asher Kim

Grab your imaginary passports, Culture Kids! 🌍 Today, we’re heading back to the peaceful village of Ushi in Armenia for a splashy, bubbly adventure. Children’s book author Ms. Astrid welcomes us into her home to join her family’s rug washing day, a beloved tradition passed down for generations. Along the way, we’ll meet Arden (Asher’s sister!) as she hops on the Culture Train, discover heirloom rugs and dragon carpets, and join Astrid’s children, Aren and Haram, for the most epic rug-cleaning dance party ever. Spoiler: there’s even a rainbow! 🌈

About Astrid Kamalyan:

This episode is inspired by Babo: A Tale of Armenian Rug Washing Day, written by Astrid Kamalyan and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan.

Learn more about the book and Astrid’s work: astridkamalyan.com

Order your copy here: Bookshop.org (support your local independent bookstore!)

Special Thank You To:

This episode features music from Miqayel Voskanyan, an award-winning Armenian tar player and composer known for blending ancient folk traditions with modern sounds. His work celebrates Armenia’s vibrant musical heritage.

Follow Miqayel on Instagram: @miqayelvoskanyan

Learn more and listen to his music: http://miqayelvoskanyan.com

Culture Kids is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by families and volunteers, creating free, world-class cultural education for children everywhere. We rely on your support to keep the Culture Train chugging along.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/

Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps new families discover our show.

Credits

Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim

Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kim

Guest: Astrid Kamalyan, author of Babo: A Tale of Armenian Rug Washing Day

Featured Music: Miqayel Voskanyan

Produced by Culture Kids Productions, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children embrace a multicultural mindset.

Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai

Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad

Stay connected with us:

Instagram: @culturekidsproductions

Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com

Email / Voicemail: available through our site — we love hearing from you!

In this episode, Kristen and Asher hop aboard the Culture Train to Hong Kong to explore its lively streets, sounds, and flavors. They meet Ms. Dan Song, teacher, author, and taichi coach and learn about her Our City Adventure series, including why Hong Kong is one of her featured cities.

Together, they taste Hong Kong style egg tarts with their golden flaky crusts and silky custard filling, learn the history of how these treats came to be, and talk about the unique mix of languages and traditions that make Hong Kong so special.

You’ll hear Asher’s first big bite reaction, Ms. Dan’s stories about her students and writing, and fun facts about Hong Kong’s mix of city energy, countryside escapes, and delicious food culture. You’ll even get a peek at what makes dim sum so much more than just a meal...it’s a way to gather with friends and family.

This episode shows how even a small pastry can carry big stories and bring people together.

About Our City Adventure Series :

The Our City Adventure series is published by Phoenix Tree Publishing, Inc.

These books invite readers to travel vicariously through several of China’s exciting cities: Xi’an, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, etc., learning about the local culture, language, foods, and more!

Buy Here:

https://www.phoenixtree.com/shop

Search for "Our City Adventures" and choose a city of your choice- or buy them all!

In this episode, we hop aboard the Culture Train and travel to the breathtaking country of Armenia. Together, we visit the peaceful little village of Ushi with children’s book author Astrid Kamalyan, explore the ancient Saint Sarkis Monastery, and discover Armenia’s towering mountains, sacred waters, and centuries-old traditions.

Along the way, we learn about Mount Aragats, Armenia’s highest point, Mount Ara, the “sleeping giant” with its healing spring water, and Mount Ararat, the mountain believed to be the landing place of Noah’s Ark. We walk up to Saint Sarkis Chapel, take in the thick stone walls that have stood for over a thousand years, and marvel at the khachkars—beautifully carved Armenian cross-stones that seem to whisper the stories of the past. Astrid also shares what it’s like to raise her children surrounded by this deep history and natural beauty, and reminds us how Armenian culture takes whatever it has and makes it beautiful.

📚 Special Guest: Astrid Kamalyan

We are so excited to have Astrid Kamalyan, author of Babo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day, as our guide for this episode!

📖 Buy Astrid’s books:

https://astridkamalyan.com/books/babo-a-tale-of-armenian-rug-washing-day/

https://astridkamalyan.com/

Follow Astrid on Instagram: @astridkamalyan

🎶 Featured Music: Miqayel Voskanyan (with Oberton Records)

We want to extend a huge thank you to Oberton Records for allowing us to feature music by Miqayel Voskanyan in this episode.

Miqayel Voskanyan is an internationally acclaimed Armenian composer and tar player who has been revolutionizing Armenian folk music by blending traditional sounds with jazz, funk, and contemporary global influences. His work introduces the soulful sound of the tar—Armenia’s signature stringed instrument—to audiences worldwide, making Armenian music fresh and accessible for a new generation.

🎧 Listen & Learn More:

YouTube Channel

Oberton Records Website

Instagram – @miqayelvoskanyan

Please check out Miqayel’s music and share it with your friends—supporting artists like him helps keep cultural traditions alive and evolving.

💛 Support Culture Kids

Culture Kids Productions is a nonprofit organization creating joyful, inclusive, and educational content for children all over the world. Our mission is to nurture curiosity, connection, and empathy—one episode at a time.

Here’s how you can help us keep the Culture Train rolling:

💛 Donate: Support Culture Kids

⭐ Leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

📢 Share our show with just one friend or family member who loves to explore

Your support helps us keep Culture Kids free and accessible for families everywhere!

🚂✨ All aboard for a flavor adventure!

Join Kristen & Asher as they:

🌍 Help Keep the Culture Train Rolling! 🚂

When you share our podcast with a friend, leave a review, or donate, you help us:

💛 Support Culture Kids: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/

Credits:

Executive Producer & Host: Kristen Kim

Co-Producer & Host: Asher Kim

Guest & Co-Host: Takashi Sato

Audio Engineer & Post: Robin Lai

Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad

Music/Sound Elements: Envato

Culture Kids brings listeners along on a zesty global journey as Asher and his mom Kristen, invite young explorers to hop aboard their imaginary Culture Train and uncover the wonders of two extraordinary citrus fruits!

Packed with whimsy and wonder, the episode begins with lively storytelling that defines what makes a fruit citrus, highlighting characteristics like thick rinds, juicy segments, puckering tang, and that unmistakably bright citrus scent that makes your nose tingle.

Soon enough, the Culture Train chugs off to Japan, where listeners meet yuzu: a tangerine-sized, wrinkly fruit prized more for its fragrant peel than its tart juice. Kristen explains how yuzu is used to flavor ponzu sauces, teas, and even ice cream, and how families celebrate the winter solstice with aromatic yuzu baths...a sensory tradition that warms both body and spirit.

From Japan, the adventure continues to the Philippines, where the duo explores a sunny calamansi farm. Asher and Kristen point out star-shaped blossoms and marvel at the tiny round fruits that change from green to vibrant orange when ripe. Young explorers are encouraged to scratch the rind, breathe in the sweet, tangy fragrance, take a bite, and taste the burst of sour yet surprisingly sweet juice, discovering how calamansi brightens everything from noodle dishes and sauces to desserts and refreshing drinks.

The episode also gently educates kids about respecting agriculture across borders: Kristen explains why fresh fruits can’t be brought from one country to another- tiny pests or diseases, though invisible, could harm faraway farms and gardens, reminding curious listeners to protect nature and people everywhere. As the journey wraps up, Asher is encouraged to become a “Flavor Explorer” at home, sniffing new fruits in the grocery aisle, asking grown-ups for a tiny taste (when safe), and seeing everyday shopping as an imaginative learning adventure!

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host/Writer/Editor: Kristen Kim

Producer & Host: Asher Kim

Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

Audio Engineer & Post: Robin Lai

Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad

Sound Design Elements: Envato

About Culture Kids

Culture Kids Podcast is a nonprofit family show dedicated to fostering a multicultural mindset in the next generation.

If you’d like to support our mission, please visit culturekidsproductions.org and click on the Support tab.

Connect with us:

[email protected] or DM on Instagram @culturekidsproductions—we love hearing from you!

All aboard the Culture Train, Culture Kids!

In this sweet adventure, Kristen, Asher, and their friend Finley travel all the way to Switzerland to explore the world-famous Lindt Home of Chocolate. From the soaring atrium filled with the aroma of cocoa, to the breathtaking chocolate fountain pouring from a giant golden whisk, this journey takes you inside the magic of Swiss chocolate. With the help of Ms. Leona, an apprentice chocolatier, we learn how Rodolphe Lindt’s invention of the conche transformed chocolate into the smooth, creamy treat we know today. Along the way, the kids discover fun facts about Switzerland’s culture, history, and inventions, and of course...taste plenty of Lindor chocolate!

About Culture Kids

Culture Kids Podcast is a nonprofit family show dedicated to fostering a multicultural mindset in the next generation.

If you’d like to support our mission, please visit culturekidsproductions.org and click on the Support tab.

Connect with us:

[email protected] or DM on Instagram @culturekidsproductions—we love hearing from you!

About Lindt & Sprüngli:

Special thanks to our friends at Lindt & Sprüngli, home of Switzerland’s world-renowned Lindt chocolate, for welcoming us into their Home of Chocolate.

To learn more or plan your own visit, check out www.lindt-home-of-chocolate.com.

And a very big thank you to Finley and his whole family for joining us on this adventure—we’re so grateful to share the journey with you.

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host/Writer/Editor: Kristen Kim

Producer & Host: Asher Kim

Host & Producers: Leona Boomsma, Dominik Cadosch, Lydia Toth

Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

Audio Engineer & Post: Robin Lai

Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad

Sound Design Elements: Envato

Hop back on the Culture Train and join us for another exciting journey to Lagos, Nigeria! This time, our friend Mr. Taofeek, Co-Founder of Visit Nigeria Now, takes us to one of his favorite spots—House of Pounded Yam—for a delicious dive into traditional Yoruba cuisine.

In this episode, you’ll:

Learn what eeyon (pounded yam) is and how it’s enjoyed with flavorful soups and stews.

Taste (through your imagination!) three beloved Yoruba dishes:

Ogbono Soup – nutty, earthy, and stretchy, made from bush mango seeds.

Efo Riro – a rich spinach stew with a spicy kick, palm oil, and tasty proteins like prawns or snails.

Fisherman’s Soup – a seafood lover’s dream, filled with prawns, crabs, okra, and smoky spices.

Discover the story behind jollof rice and why Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal all claim to make the tastiest version.

Hear about cultural dining traditions, from eating with your hands to sharing food as a way of building community.

Along the way, we explore how food connects people to their heritage, sparks curiosity about the world, and turns every meal into a shared story.

💡 Fun Fact: The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, with rich traditions, their own language, and a vibrant food culture that’s loved around the world.

Special thanks to Mr. Taofeek and the communities of Nigeria for welcoming us so warmly and sharing these incredible flavors and traditions.

🎧 Listen now to taste the culture, hear the laughter, and take your first bite of Lagos’ rich food heritage—without even leaving your seat!
🚨 We Need Your Support! 🚨

For the past two years, Culture Kids has been a volunteer-run labor of love, created by families, for families. We’ve worked hard to make our show free and accessible to all because we believe every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

🌍 We’re currently seeking grants, donations, and resources to keep our show going. We’re passionate about continuing to provide joyful, inclusive cultural education, and we have big dreams for the future

💌 If you know of any opportunities or funding sources that can help, please reach out to us at [email protected].

To donate: (and receive a special shoutout!)

https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/

Thank you for believing in this mission. With your support, we can keep the Culture Train rolling. 🚂💛

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://culturekidsproductions.org

Instagram: @culturekidsproductions

Kristen and Asher invite you to board their magical Culture Kids boat in Long Beach, California, and set sail across glittering Pacific waves to meet playful dolphins in the wild.

Picture the sea breeze, sparkling waves, seabird calls, and our imaginations fully immersed in ocean magic. Asher’s excited to spot dolphins—maybe Common Dolphins joining the ocean party, or Bottlenose, Pacific White-sided, and even the scarred Risso’s with their doodle-like marks.

We explore what dolphins eat (think fish, squid, shrimp, and even jellyfish), learn how orcas are actually dolphins (mind = blown), and gasp when a pod appears, circling and leaping around the boat like nature’s own ballet. We play along in our imagination—snorkels, life jackets, and all—while respecting that in real life, wild dolphins need space.

Underwater, we dive deeper into dolphin superpowers: echolocation clicks, signature whistles (each dolphin’s name song), and self-awareness—yes, dolphins recognize themselves in mirrors! Then, we pivot to an important message—real dolphins face dangers like fishing nets and pollution. Small choices to recycle, reduce plastic, and protect the ocean are big wins for our sea friends.

To wrap up, we sun-dry on the deck, feel joyful, and invite Culture Kids families to dream with us—seahorses, sea turtles, sea creatures not yet discovered. Next up: episodes on Yoruba Cuisine in Nigeria and Swiss Chocolate! Don’t forget to subscribe, spread the word, and help the Culture Train reach more curious hearts around the world.

Stay Connected with Culture Kids!

Website: Visit us online at culturekidsproductions.org for episode info, behind-the-scenes updates, support opportunities, and more.

Instagram: Follow our adventures and fun extras on @culturekidsproductions, where you’ll find reels, stories, and bonus content

Email: Send us a message or DM us for birthday shoutouts or episode requests!

Questions, feedback, or collaboration ideas:

Contact us at [email protected]

Sources:

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/marine-mammals/evolution-echolocation?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://nmmf.org/our-work/biologic-bioacoustic-research/biosonar-research/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC33317/?utm

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/11-cool-facts-about-whales-dolphins-and-porpoises

https://2seewhales.com/blog/the-basics-of-dolphin-diets

https://dolphinsandyou.com/do-dolphins-have-names/