Tomfoolery and Hullabaloo Podcast | Family-Friendly Stories, Clean Comedy, and Curious History

In 1893, Chicago drained a swamp on Lake Michigan and built a city out of plaster and light. They called it the White City. About twenty-seven million visits were made to it — in a country of sixty-five million people.

It gave us the Ferris wheel. It settled the argument over how electricity would work. It launched Cracker Jack, Juicy Fruit, Shredded Wheat, and the zipper. Frederick Douglass gave one of the great unscripted speeches of his life there. And then, nine months after the gates closed, almost every building was ash.

Sarah and Scott go to the fair — and stay for the very strange ending nobody tells you about.

In this episode:

• Top 10 Greatest Moments of the 1893 World's Fair — the first Ferris wheel, the night they turned on 100,000 electric lights, the dishwasher that won top honors, and the two inventions everyone at the fair completely ignored
• Rapid Fire & Would You Rather — you've got one day at the fair, where do you run? Would you rather have invented the zipper or the dishwasher?
• From the News Desk: What Happened to the White City — the winter squatters, the fire that took seven palaces in a single night, the Ferris wheel they blew up with dynamite, and the one building still standing in Chicago today
• From the News Desk: The Last Saturday — the mayor of Chicago was assassinated two days before closing day, and the greatest celebration ever planned became a funeral
• The Hullabaloo Debate — is the Ferris wheel the most overrated ride ever invented?

Tomfoolery & Hullabaloo is a family friendly comedy and history podcast for ages 8 to 80 — designed to make you laugh and think. New episodes weekly.

If you came here from Devil in the White City — we cover the real fair Erik Larson built his book around; not the murderer HH Holmes. We are saving him for another episode!

Keywords: 1893 Chicago World's Fair, World's Columbian Exposition, the White City, first Ferris wheel, Nikola Tesla, Daniel Burnham, Frederick Law Olmsted, Frederick Douglass, Chicago history, American history podcast, family friendly podcast, history fun facts, weird history, homeschool history, clean comedy podcast

Did you know that "carrots improve your night vision" is a lie invented by the British government in World War II — to hide a secret radar system from the Nazis? It worked so well that parents are still telling kids about it today. We cover the whole wild story on this episode of Tomfoolery and Hullabaloo, the clean, family-friendly comedy and education podcast that makes you laugh AND think.

This week is all about food and vegetables. We kick off with rapid fire questions: dream meals, best restaurants, worst military MRE horror stories, and the food you loved as a kid that now disgusts you. Then we put each other through the Would You Rather wringer — fast food for a year versus gas station food for six months, eating a raw onion every day versus giving up all seasoning forever, and a scorched earth final round involving a bowl of mayonnaise that no one will recover from.

Our Top 10 tackles the international foods Americans mispronounce most — gyros, gnocchi, pho, açaí, charcuterie, quinoa, Worcestershire sauce, caprese, macaron, tzatziki — and yes, we attempt every single one on air with zero preparation.

Then the News Desk: the true story of RAF night fighter ace "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham, the secret AI radar the British government hid behind a vegetable, and the nationwide carrot propaganda campaign that may have also fooled the Luftwaffe.

We close with a Hullabaloo Debate — meat versus no meat. Which diet actually wins? We go there.

Tomfoolery and Hullabaloo is a family-friendly podcast perfect for curious minds of all ages — history lovers, military veterans, food nerds, and anyone who has ever confidently mispronounced something at a restaurant. New episodes every week. Subscribe and leave us a review!

America is 250 years old — so we're skipping the parts you already know and going straight to the good stuff.

No Paul Revere. No cherry tree. Instead: the United States Army once bought seventy camels and marched them across Texas. A bankrupt man declared himself Emperor of the United States and San Francisco just went along with it. Two paleontologists hated each other so much they accidentally invented American dinosaur science. And in 2026, the whole world came to America for the World Cup and left obsessed with ranch dressing.

This is a clean, family friendly history podcast for curious kids, tired parents, homeschoolers, road trips, and anyone who likes learning things that sound made up but absolutely aren't.

In this episode:

• Rapid Fire — best state flag, most underrated state, and which American invention we'd un-invent
• Would You Rather: American History Edition — Kitty Hawk or Philadelphia in 1776? The Oregon Trail or the Mayflower?
• From the News Desk: The U.S. Army Camel Corps — the true story of America's forgotten camel cavalry, Camp Verde, Texas, and a camel driver named Hi Jolly
• From the News Desk: The 2026 World Cup — a record 6.8 million fans, Spain's win over Argentina, the USMNT's first knockout win since 2002, and why international visitors could not stop filming Buc-ee's
• Top 10 Most Obscure but Wonderful Moments in American History — the Pig War, the disastrous 1904 Olympic marathon, the time people mailed their children through the U.S. Mail, and the Choctaw Nation's extraordinary gift to Ireland in 1847
• The Hullabaloo Debate — should the wild turkey replace the bald eagle as America's national bird? (Plus: the bald eagle wasn't legally the national bird until December 2024. Really.)

Tomfoolery & Hullabaloo is a family friendly comedy and education podcast for all ages — designed to make you laugh and think. New episodes weekly.

Keywords: American history for kids, US history podcast, family friendly podcast, clean comedy podcast, history fun facts, America 250, semiquincentennial, World Cup 2026, homeschool history, road trip podcast, would you rather questions, top 10 history, weird history, kids trivia podcast

What do a World War II RAF pilot, a British propaganda carrot, and the word "tzatziki" have in common? This episode. Join us for our deep dive into all things food and vegetables — from dream meals and military MRE horror stories to a Would You Rather showdown that will make you question your will to eat. We tackle the 20 international foods Americans mispronounce most (yes, we try all of them on air), uncover the true — and genuinely wild — story of how Britain convinced the world that carrots improve night vision to hide secret radar technology, and debate the big one: meat versus no meat. Which diet actually wins? We go there. Tomfoolery & Hullabaloo is a clean, family-friendly comedy and education podcast built for curious minds of all ages. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you never miss the fun.

Houston, we have a podcast. This week on Tomfoolery and Hullabaloo, we're shooting for the moon — literally. With NASA's Artemis II mission launching humans toward the moon for the first time in over 50 years, there has never been a better moment to geek out on all things lunar.

We put Scott in the hot seat for a rapid-fire round that has nothing to do with trivia and everything to do with what he'd actually say, do, and leave behind if he ever set foot on the moon. (Spoiler: his answer to the time capsule question might surprise you.)

Then we play a few rounds of Would You Rather — Apollo-era adventure vs. modern Artemis comfort, freeze-dried brisket vs. cooking from scratch in microgravity, and a few other impossible choices.

Our news desk breaks down four big stories: the real mythology behind why Apollo was named after the sun god (not the moon god — we know), and how NASA finally corrected that 60 years later with Artemis. Plus — what are the four Artemis II astronauts actually eating on their 10-day trip around the moon? The answer involves 189 menu items, 58 tortillas, five hot sauces, and a projected 43 cups of coffee. We also dig into the unsung heroes of NASA's Space Food Systems Laboratory — the food scientists at Johnson Space Center who engineer every single meal like it's a mission-critical system.

And then — the Hullabaloo Debate. Sarah believes the moon landing happened. Scott... has some question. Zero punches pulled.

It's history, mythology, space food, and conspiracy theories all in one episode. Buckle up.

Unlock the hidden stories that make San Antonio unlike anywhere else — from a daredevil train robbery in a tiny park train to the city’s secret military past and legendary culinary gems. This episode will change how you see Texas’ most vibrant melting pot, revealing surprising history, quirky traditions, and the cultural layers that define this unique city.Most people only scratch the surface of San Antonio’s rich heritage. Did you know it was founded in 1718 — over 100 years before the Declaration of Independence — and that it’s hosted six nations? We uncover the fascinating history behind the bustling River Walk, originally threatened by developers but saved by visionary foresight, now one of the city’s greatest treasures. Discover how a community effort turned a flooding hazard into a world-renowned waterway that pumps billions into the local economy and offers an authentic experience no visitor should miss.You’ll find out about iconic landmarks like the Alamo, but with a twist — the real story behind the famous battle, Santa Ana’s unexpected road to San Antonio, and the legendary heroes like Travis and Crockett. Plus, learn how the city’s German, Spanish, and Mexican influences blend seamlessly into its vibrant culture, from historic architecture and mouthwatering cuisine to lively festivals like Fiesta. We break down the city’s enduring spirit and how its unique history fuels an identity that’s both deeply rooted and constantly evolving.But why does all this matter? Because understanding San Antonio’s layered history—from its indigenous roots to its role as a multicultural hub—unlocks a new appreciation for its people, food, and everyday life. If you love stories of resilience, eccentric tales, and cultural mashups, this episode is your ultimate guide to the city that embodies a true melting pot in the heart of Texas.Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or simply curious about what makes San Antonio so special, this episode invites you to see beyond the tourist spots and into the city’s soul. It’s more than a city; it’s a cultural adventure waiting for you to explore. Hit play now and start your journey into one of America’s most uniquely vibrant places.

In this episode of Tomfoolery and Hullbaloo, the hosts dive into the world of family game nights, discussing the importance of bonding through games, the etiquette of hosting, and the dynamics of competitive play. They explore the role of snacks, the complexity of games, and the evolution of classic games like Monopoly. Fun facts about Monopoly are shared, highlighting its cultural significance and the interesting statistics surrounding it. The episode concludes with a debate on the ethics of bending game rules and the importance of adhering to published rules.

In this episode of Tomfoolery and Hullabaloo, Sarah and Scott take on the greatest sporting event of the year! They talk football history, have a family friendly debate over which Manning Brother is the greatest quarterback, and lots of other clean comedy Hullabaloo! So tune in and grab your favorite super bowl snack. This episode is going to be more entertaining than those pesky commercials!

This conversation explores the excitement surrounding the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, personal memories of past Olympic experiences, and the impact of local heroes on community pride. It delves into the evolution of Olympic sports, the challenges athletes face, and the importance of coaching and mentorship. The discussion highlights inspiring stories of overcoming adversity and the lessons learned from the Olympics, emphasizing that one's background does not define their potential. Fun facts about the history of the Winter Olympics are also shared, making for an engaging and informative dialogue. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore the thrilling world of the Winter Olympics, highlighting iconic moments such as the Miracle on Ice and the infamous scandal involving Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. They discuss the evolution of athletes who excel in multiple sports, the ethical dilemmas in competitive sports, and engage in a lively debate over the merits of various winter sports, particularly hockey and figure skating. The episode wraps up with a humorous exchange about gifts and the excitement of the Olympics.

In this episode, Sarah & Scott reflect on 2025, sharing insights, lessons learned, and humorous anecdotes. They discuss highlights from the year, including personal purchases, family milestones, and binge-worthy series. The conversation also touches on quirky news stories, mispronunciations, and the importance of setting realistic goals for the new year. With a blend of humor and sincerity, they explore the ups and downs of life while encouraging listeners to embrace change and growth.