Bravery comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s standing tall, sometimes it’s believing in yourself when no one else does. In this special shorter episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura shares a traditional Mi’kmaq story from Prince Edward Island, The Legend of Little Scarface.

Kids and families will not only hear this powerful tale of kindness and courage but will also get moving with three different Warrior Poses from yoga. Together, these poses help us feel strong, steady, and unstoppable... just like Little Scarface.

What you’ll discover in this episode:

• The Mi’kmaq tale of Little Scarface and its similarities to familiar fairytales
• How Warrior I, II, and III poses can build confidence, bravery, and balance
• The importance of kindness and inner strength, no matter how others see you
• A gentle reminder that “I am enough just as I am”

Perfect for ages 5–12 and their grown-ups, this story-meets-movement adventure will leave kids feeling empowered and inspired to stand tall in their own courage.

🎒 Don’t forget your Belief Backpack! Today we’re packing courage, self-belief, and kindness to carry with us everywhere we go.

Hi friends. It’s Laura, your guide here at Faithfully Explore!

I wanted to share something personal with you. My husband, Dave, recently passed away after a long illness. He was my best friend, my biggest supporter, and a quiet part of every episode we’ve made together.

Because of this, Faithfully Explore! will be taking a short two-week pause. I’ll be using this time to rest, be with family, and hold space for all the feelings that come with love and loss.

Thank you for your patience and for being part of this community. Your kindness means more to me than you know.

We’ll be back soon with more adventures of curiosity, friendship, and wonder. Until then, keep carrying your Belief Backpack treasures.

With love and gratitude,

Laura

Pack your imagination and curiosity, today’s adventure takes us to the colorful markets and serene temples of India, where we set out on a treasure hunt for ten sparkling jewels of the heart. These treasures aren’t gold or gems, but the ten supreme virtues celebrated during the Jain festival of Das Lakshana.

Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions, rooted in the powerful idea of ahimsa: non-violence toward every living being. In this episode, Laura guides kids and families through stories, games, and guided imagination to discover how Jains honor life, big and small, and practice values that help us all live more peacefully.

Along the way, you’ll:

• Step into a bustling Indian marketplace filled with marigolds, incense, and kindness, where even tiny insects are carefully protected.
• Learn about Jainism’s wise teachers, the Tirthankaras, and why forgiveness and non-harming are central to Jain life.
• Collect ten treasures: forgiveness, humility, honesty, contentment, truthfulness, self-restraint, austerity, generosity, non-attachment, and celibacy
• Each treasure is explained in kid-friendly ways with repeat-after-me mantras and real-life examples.
• Try calming breaths, playful movement, and mindfulness moments to feel how these virtues can come alive in your own body and heart.
• Visit a Jain temple during the Das Lakshana festival, where you’ll meet a monk sweeping the ground to protect tiny creatures and join children in a meditation on spreading kindness to every being.
• Play the “Choose the Jain Virtue” game, solving real-life scenarios with the right treasure to guide your choice.
• Cross the Friendship Bridge, discovering how virtues like forgiveness, truth, and generosity connect Jainism to other world traditions including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Indigenous teachings.
• Take on the “Virtue Quest Hero” challenge: ten days to practice the ten treasures, turning each virtue into your hero power of the day.
• And don’t miss the magical storytime: the tale of Mahavira and the Angry Snake, where non-violence and compassion transform even the fiercest cobra into a friend.

Finally, we’ll pack three treasures into our Belief Backpack to carry forward:

• Let kindness lead.
• Tell the truth gently.
• Share what you can.

This episode is an inspiring journey for kids ages 5–12 and their families, weaving together history, values, and playful imagination. By the end, you’ll see how ancient Jain wisdom can shine in everyday life and how practicing even one small act of kindness or truth can make the world brighter.

What would you build if you wanted to leave something that lasted for more than a thousand years? A spaceship? A castle? How about… a university?

In this inspiring episode of Faithfully Explore!, we travel back to 9th-century Fez, Morocco, to meet Fatima al-Fihri a Muslim woman whose vision and generosity helped create Al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest continually operating university.

Through storytelling, soundscapes, and interactive moments, kids and grown-ups alike will discover:

• Fatima’s remarkable journey from Tunisia to Morocco
• How her love of learning and deep faith inspired her to build a mosque that became a world-famous center of education
• The ripple effect of her work... welcoming Muslim, Christian, and Jewish scholars, influencing European universities, and shaping the Islamic Golden Age
• Connections to other learning traditions around the globe, from Buddhist monasteries to Jewish yeshivas, Christian cathedral schools, and public libraries

Along the way, you’ll join in movement breaks, play our “Echo Explorers” listening game, and take on Fatima’s Learn & Teach Challenge where you discover something new and share it with someone else.

• Cherish knowledge and keep learning
• Be generous with your talents and resources
• With faith and determination, you can make a lasting difference

This episode is perfect for classrooms, homeschooling, or family listening. Offering both a history lesson and a gentle reminder that one person’s vision can light the way for generations.

Listen now and be inspired to build your own legacy of learning!

Long ago, in ancient Persia, a boy named Zoroaster saw a world full of fighting and unfairnessand dared to imagine something better. He dreamed of a life guided by truth, kindness, and courage. In this episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura introduces young listeners to Zoroaster and the religion that grew from his ideas: Zoroastrianism.

Through storytelling, guided imagination, games, and a true tale about a royal horse and a hard choice, kids will discover what it means to live by the powerful motto "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds." We explore the role of sacred fire, the cosmic battle between truth and lies, and how even kids can help bring more light into the world.

• Zoroaster's divine vision of Vohu Manah and the One God, Ahura Mazda
• The core Zoroastrian idea that life is a battle between Asha (truth) and Druj (deceit)
• The threefold path of good thoughts, good words, good deeds
• An imagination moment with flickering flames and shadows
• A full-body quiz called the Fire and Light Game
• A story called "The King’s Favorite Horse" about bravery and truth
• A Friendship Bridge that connects Zoroastrian priests to the Christmas story
• Belief Backpack reflections on choosing light, speaking up, and doing good
• A weekly challenge: The Path of Asha: Seven Days of Goodness
• Belief Backpack reflections:
• Choose the light
• Practice good thoughts, words, and deeds
• Speak up with truth, even when it’s hard

The Faravahar: A Zoroastrian Symbol of Good Choices

This beautifully designed printable invites kids to explore one of the most meaningful symbols in Zoroastrianism: the Faravahar, a winged figure that represents the soul’s journey and the importance of free will.

Includes:

• A large printable Faravahar illustration
• A hands-on activity where kids color and label the symbol’s parts
• A code breaker activity using symbols from Zoroastrianism to solve a secret message.

Use this activity to deepen the episode’s themes and help kids see themselves as decision-makers with the power to choose what is right.

Available here:

faithfullyexplore.com/shop/the-faravahar-a-zoroastrian-symbol-of-good-choices

Want to read more about Zoroaster and the people who still follow his teachings today? Check out our blog post:

Fire, Faith, and the Future: 7 Fascinating Books for Kids and Families Curious About Zoroastrianism

You’ll find picture books, middle-grade reads, and activity-rich nonfiction that bring ancient Persia and modern Zoroastrianism to life.

Read the full post here:

faithfullyexplore.com/fire-faith-and-the-future-7-fascinating-books-for-kids-and-families-curious-about-zoroastrianism

This episode supports respectful interfaith learning for children ages 5 to 12. Use it to supplement units on ancient civilizations, comparative religion, or ethical decision-making. It also ties in beautifully with seasonal lessons about light and goodness during holidays like Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas.

Includes built-in movement, reflection, and a values-based challenge to encourage whole-child engagement.

Welcome explorers! Join Laura on Faithfully Explore! as we set off on an extraordinary adventure to uncover how different cultures around the world answer one of life's biggest questions: How did the world begin?

What's Inside This Episode:

• Genesis Creation Story: Discover the story from the Bible, where creation unfolds orderly over six days, concluding with a day of rest. Learn how this story encourages appreciation for nature, rest, and reflection.
• Hindu Creation Story: Meet Vishnu and Brahma in a magical tale where the universe blooms from a cosmic ocean, a sacred lotus, and the powerful vibration of "Om."
• Yoruba Creation Story: Travel to West Africa, where the god Obatala sculpts the first humans from clay and breathes life into them, teaching us about divine craftsmanship, responsibility, humility, and compassion.
• Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Creation Story: Soar with Sky Woman, saved by animals, as she creates Turtle Island, teaching values of cooperation, bravery, kindness, and respect for nature.
• Interactive Imaginations:Join Laura in a guided imagination as you float through cosmic wonders:
• Friendship Bridge:Discover how sharing creation stories builds bridges of empathy, understanding, and respect across diverse cultures. Every culture's creation story is like a puzzle piece that helps us see the bigger picture of human wonder and creativity.
• Game Time - Creation Clues:Test your knowledge in this fun guessing game

Belief Backpack Takeaways:

• Curiosity: Embrace wonder about the world around you.
• Kindness: Respect and appreciate the diverse stories and traditions of others.
• Connection: Recognize how interconnected all cultures and peoples truly are.

Pack your curiosity caps and grab your imaginary wagons because this week on Faithfully Explore!, we're journeying west across plains, rivers, and rugged mountains on the Trail of Belief. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Laura, your trail guide and storyteller, walks us through the incredible history of the Latter-day Saint pioneers, who braved hardship and hope to build a new life of faith in the Salt Lake Valley.

With music, storytelling, soundscapes, and imagination, kids and families will explore:

• The founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• The story of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon
• What it means to live your faith in action
• The perilous journey west by wagon and handcart
• Pioneer Day celebrations today
• Connections to other sacred journeys in Judaism, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith
• A miraculous story involving... seagulls?!

This episode is a vibrant, interactive, and respectful look at an important chapter in American religious history told with warmth, humor, and heart. Whether you’re a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or just love learning about different beliefs, you’ll come away inspired.

• Stories: Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the Miracle of the Gulls
• Movement Moment: The Handcart Hustle
• Game Time: Trail Tale or True?
• Friendship Bridge Connections:
• Weekly Challenge: Faith in Action Adventure

Faith in Action Adventure

Kids are invited to:

1. Pick a belief that matters to them
2. Choose one small action that puts that belief into motion
3. Use the printable Faith in Action Tracker (available at FaithfullyExplore.com) to reflect and share

• Some pioneer kids walked over 1,000 miles barefoot!
• July 24 is still celebrated today as Pioneer Day, especially in Utah
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is led by a living prophet, currently Russell M. Nelson
• The Miracle of the Gulls is commemorated with a statue in Salt Lake City

• Families with children ages 5–12
• Homeschoolers learning about American history or world religions
• Sunday School teachers or interfaith educators
• Curious kids who love big questions and inspiring stories

Download the Faith in Action Tracker to help kids turn belief into action!

“How the World Began: Creation Stories Around the Globe”

Next time, we’re trading wagons for whirlwinds and diving into stories from around the world about how life began! From turtles and cosmic eggs to gardens and sparks of light, you won’t want to miss this magical journey through time, myth, and meaning.

Questions or thoughts? Email us: [email protected]

Tag us in your faith-in-action adventures: #FaithfullyExplore

Visit FaithfullyExplore.com for printables, episode guides, and more!

What is karma, really? Is it just about good deeds and bad luck or is there something deeper going on? In this adventure-filled episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura guides kids and families on a joyful, thoughtful journey into the idea of karma across multiple faiths and cultures.

From Hinduism’s cosmic point system to Jainism’s sticky soul stains, Buddhism’s kind intentions to Sikhism’s balance between action and grace, we explore how different worldviews understand the ripple effects of our actions. Along the way, kids stretch their bodies in mindful movement, join in a Karma Chain guessing game, and hear a powerful story about a Golden Goose and the price of greed.

Whether your family believes in karma, cause-and-effect, or just being a good person, this episode is packed with curiosity, connection, and compassion.

00:00–02:00 | Welcome + What Goes Around Comes Around

Laura introduces the idea of karma and how it shows up in many religions and cultures as a law of cause and effect.

02:00–04:30 | Karma in Hinduism

We dive into Hindu beliefs about reincarnation, dharma, moksha, and how karma shapes not just this life, but the next. Movement activity: push out kindness, pull in consequences.

04:35–07:15 | Karma in Buddhism

Learn how intention matters in Buddhism and how good seeds of kindness grow happiness. Movement activity: planting and weeding a karma garden.

07:16–10:21 | Karma in Jainism

Discover Jainism’s view of karma as sticky soul dust and why even a tiny bug matters. Movement activity: cleaning a white shirt of stains through kind actions.

10:21–13:58 | Karma in Sikhism

Explore how Sikhs view karma as important but not the whole story. Grace, humility, and Waheguru’s love help clean up spiritual mistakes. Movement activity: asking for help like a student in class.

13:58–16:43 | The Friendship Bridge: Karma Across Beliefs

Connect karma-like ideas in Christianity, Islam, and Humanism. Hear about reaping what you sow, good deeds rewarded by Allah, and kindness as contagious in secular wisdom.

16:43–19:39 | Lotus Pose Meditation Moment

Guided calm moment in Lotus Pose with affirmations like “I am kind” and “I send love to others.”

19:39–26:00 | Game Time: Karma Chain

Laura shares real-life scenarios and asks listeners to guess the ripple effect. Each small act sets off a domino of results for better or worse.

26:00–30:12 | Weekly Challenge: Build a Karma Chain!

Introduce the printable Karma Chain Tracker and how kids can track kind, fair, or brave acts using paper links to create a growing chain of goodness.

30:12–32:21 | Belief Backpack: Karma Takeaways

Three big ideas to carry with you:

1. Actions have power.
2. We’re all connected.
3. You have the choice. Karma empowers, not punishes.

32:21–38:22 | Story Time: The Golden Goose and the Greedy Mother

A heartwarming tale about gratitude, greed, and the consequences of taking more than you’re given.

38:22–40:12 | Wrap-up + Sneak Peek: Trail of Belief (Latter-day Saints)

Get excited for next week’s adventure following the faithful journey of the Latter-day Saints.

• Every action counts. Whether you call it karma, cause-and-effect, or “what goes around comes around,” our choices ripple outward.
• Kindness is powerful. From golden feathers to silly drawings, even small actions can brighten the world.
• We’re all connected. Across religions and worldviews, kindness builds bridges.

Download our Karma Chain Tracker Printable

Each day this week, do one kind, fair, or brave thing. Write or draw it on a link and build a chain of goodness! Discuss with your family: did your actions spark more good?

• Ripple Waves of Karma
• Karma Garden: Planting Good Seeds
• White Shirt Stain & Soap Washing
• Pencil Pause & Grace Pose
• Lotus Pose with Affirmations

• Our Best Friend Karma by Kimberly Hirsch (Author), Sharon Ilg (Illustrator) https://amzn.to/44E9OGn
• My Magical Choices by Becky Cummings (Author), Zuzana Svobodova (Illustrator) https://amzn.to/4nyGZnl
• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (Author), E. B. Lewis (Illustrator) https://amzn.to/3TWCVj3
• What Should Danny Do? by Adir Levy (Author), Ganit Levy (Author), Mat Sadler (Illustrator) https://amzn.to/45RoO61
• Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny by Sadhguru https://amzn.to/3I8p6vz

Did you build a Karma Chain? Did the story spark a conversation? We'd love to see your artwork or hear your reflections! Ask a grown-up to share via our website or on social media @faithfullyexplore.

Trail of Belief: The Journey of the Latter-day Saints

Join us on a historical trek across snowy forests and desert plains to learn how families followed their faith and what being a Latter-day Saint means today through real stories and the voices of kids.

Subscribe, rate, and review! It helps other families discover our adventures. Visit faithfullyexplore.com for more episodes, printables, and fun.

Join Laura for a splashy, globe-trotting adventure in “Living Waters: Baptism Across the Christian World.” From Greek origins to Jesus’s own river baptism, we explore how Christians everywhere use water as a symbol of washing away mistakes and starting fresh.

• What Is Baptism?
• Discover how the word “baptizo” means “to immerse,” why water symbolizes new life, and how Jesus’s own baptism set the example for nearly 2,000 years of Christian practice.
• Guided Imagination
• Take a “River Walk” in your mind—feel the warm sun, hear the water lap, and imagine stepping into living waters surrounded by family and friends.
• Movement Moment: Water Stretch
• Stand tall, reach like a fountain, wave your arms like ocean currents, then jump in place as if splashing into a puddle. Let your body flow like water.
• Water Friendship Bridge
• Cross into Islam’s Wudu, Judaism’s mikvah, and Hindu ritual baths to celebrate how many faiths use water for cleansing and renewal.
• Baptism Detectives Game
• Match three characters to their baptism traditions (Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic) using clues.
• Baptism Science Challenge
• Turn your kitchen or backyard into a mini-lab with three experiments:

1. Color water to stand for “sins,” then add a drop of bleach to make them vanish
2. Soak dirty pennies in lemon juice until they shine
3. Dip a sin-doodle in a Ziploc bag to watch it disappear by refraction

• Download full instructions in our free Baptism Science Experiments printable.
• Belief Backpack
• Pack away three treasures from today’s journey:

1. Community – belonging to a supportive faith family
2. Fresh Starts – knowing every day holds a new beginning
3. Kindness – letting our compassion flow like water

• Story Time: Jesus’s Baptism
• Experience John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River, hear the dove descend, and listen as God’s voice proclaims “You are my beloved Son”
• Sneak Peek & Wrap-Up
• Take a 4th of July break, then dive into “What Goes Around: Exploring Karma”.

• My Baptism Book (Board Book Edition)
• By Sophie Piper, illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic
• https://amzn.to/4jWHrcc
• A tender introduction for little ones, filled with simple prayers, blessings, and warm reflections perfect for reading aloud.
• Baptized in the Water: Becoming a Member of God’s Family
• By Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Anna Kazimi
• https://amzn.to/4jKCO4w
• Lyrical text and vibrant art celebrate infant and adult baptisms across cultures, showing how we all belong to God’s family.
• A Kid’s Guide to Baptism
• By Terry Glaspey
• https://amzn.to/3FWgdEj
• An interactive workbook of activities, reflection questions, and drawing pages that make preparing for baptism personal and fun.
• Baptism: For Kids and Parents
• By Jacob Riggs
• https://amzn.to/3SKNKV5
• A warm, conversational guide with discussion prompts, helping families explore the meaning and joy of baptism together.
• Baptism: Three Views
• By David F. Wright et al.
• https://amzn.to/4jWHhl6
• A respectful, scholarly look at infant baptism, believer’s baptism, and baptism’s role in salvation ideal for curious readers and students.

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app
• Share your science experiments with #FaithfullyExplore
• Leave a Review to tell us your favorite water ritual

Thanks for diving in with us. Until next time, keep your hearts open and your imaginations flowing!

Kia ora, Faithful Explorers!

In this sparkling episode, your adventure guide Laura takes you on a magical journey across the night sky, discovering how stars guide, inspire, and connect cultures worldwide. Gather around our imaginary campfire under a blanket of stars, and let's explore together!

Episode Highlights:

• Meet Matariki: Discover how Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand celebrate the rising of the Matariki constellation (also known as the Pleiades), marking their New Year with deep reflection, gratitude, and hope.
• Stars Across Cultures: Learn fascinating star-stories from Japan (Subaru) and ancient Greece (the Seven Sisters), and see how one cluster unites diverse traditions.
• Navigating with Moana: Explore Polynesian wayfinding techniques as seen in Disney’s Moana, and learn real-world navigation tricks that guided voyages across the Pacific.
• A Māori Star Story: Listen to the beautiful traditional Māori legend of the Seven Fish, a tale of courage, compassion, and the magical origins of the Matariki stars.

Interactive Fun & Games:

• Guided Imagination: Drift away into a dreamy, star-filled sky, imagining you’re sailing across vast oceans guided by ancient stars.
• Constellation Charades: Play along as Laura gives clues. Can you act them all out?

Weekly Challenge:

Make your own Matariki resolution but with a twist! Your goal should help the Earth. Plant a garden, reduce waste, or pick up litter your creativity shines here! Download your printable Matariki Resolution guide at https://faithfullyexplore.com/shop/my-matariki-resolution/

Laura's Book List:

• The Little Kiwi’s Matariki By Nikki Slade Robinson- https://amzn.to/442Cj0d
• Star Stories: Constellation Tales from Around the World By Anita Ganeri, illustrated by Andy Wilx- https://amzn.to/4kW0KmE
• Constellations for Kids: Stories and Activities That Inspire Wonder By Ann Russell Pearson- https://amzn.to/4jJhBrS
• Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations By Jacqueline Mitton, illustrated by Christina Balit- https://amzn.to/4jO1CJg
• Matariki: The Star of the Year By Dr. Rangi Matamua- https://amzn.to/4kZjtxB

Next Episode Teaser:

Stay tuned for our next episode “Living Waters: Baptism Across the Christian World.” Dive in to explore water rituals from around the globe and discover why water symbolizes new life in so many traditions.

Listen, Subscribe & Connect:

Website: faithfullyexplore.com

Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

Follow @FaithfullyExplore on social media for updates, activities, and more interfaith fun.

Ka kite anō—until next time, keep sparkling!