Story-Driven Podcasts for Kids: 5 Picks from a Faith-Based Audio Producer
Curated by Madison Van Frank of the Augustine Institute
Storytelling 🤝 Kids 🤝 Podcasts
Humans are story-driven. A tale well-told can really hook someone in. Think back to your childhood, and that hook is even stronger. Stories are used to teach, to entertain, to advise, to nurture…
Adventure stories, legends, fables, and heroic journeys can capture kids’ attention in a way few other mediums can. For Madison Van Frank, that love of storytelling started early: listening to CDs of audio dramas and narrated stories during car rides with her family. Today, Madison works as a producer of kids’ audio drama, and she regularly listens to other podcasts made for young audiences. She pays close attention to how creators use sound, dialogue, and storytelling to spark curiosity and keep kids engaged.
Audio can be an especially powerful format for children: without visuals, listeners get to imagine the world of the story themselves. Memorable characters, thoughtful themes, and engaging plots can turn a simple listening session into something that sticks with kids long after the episode ends. It’s like hearing a story read to you before going to sleep.
Madison put together a list of five podcasts she thinks families will enjoy listening to together. The picks range from small-town mysteries and historical storytelling to imaginative fantasy adventures — all designed to capture kids’ attention and invite them into memorable stories, via a faith-based approach.
Here are her recommendations…
5 Story-Driven Podcasts For Kids
The following recommendations and descriptions were curated and written by Madison Van Frank and have been edited for brevity.
Welcome to Hope Springs - podcast logo
Welcome to Hope Springs
Episode: Welcome to Hope Springs: A Grand Bombshell
Best for: Ages 8+
Welcome to Hope Springs is an audio drama series about a charming fictional town nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and the everyday and extraordinary circumstances that take place in the town! In the first episode, you’ll get introduced to the town’s locals as they all gather for the highly anticipated reopening of the Old Train Depot.
When an unexpected disruption to the celebration occurs, you’ll get drawn into an exciting set of mysteries along with the rest of the town, especially the core group of 11-year-old friends. Full of comedy, dramatic tensions, and suspense, this is a show you’ll want to start right at the very beginning, with the first episode, and pay attention to every detail along the way.
The Saints
Episode: Joan of Arc — Episode 1
Best for: Ages 7+
Everyone knows the name Joan of Arc, but if you haven’t heard her story before, you’ll want to listen to this podcast. Joan was an unremarkable peasant girl in 15th-century France who went on to do extraordinary things! She became a critical historical figure during the Hundred Years’ War. Then, as a teen, she lead an entire nation in medieval warfare. When I was a young girl, I thought that was so cool!
At the age of about 13, Joan experienced her first vision. She heard voices, which she later identified as Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret. These figures tasked her with a divine mission: to help drive the English out of France and ensure the coronation of Charles VII. Her grand adventure begins in this first episode, so you’ll want to start the story with Episode 1!
Saints Alive
Episode: Saint Cecilia
Best for: Ages 6+
Saint Cecilia is a saint that I've been fond of since I was a little girl because of my love for music — she is popularly known as the patron saint of musicians. It’s said that she sang in her heart to God on her wedding day.
I love how the Saints Alive team wove some original songs into this episode. The music that underscores the dialogue made listening to this show feel peaceful and meditative. After listening, these beautiful melodies and lyrics were stuck in my head for days! This episode affirmed and captured everything I love about Cecilia’s story—and I love how much the Saints Alive version focused Valerian’s side of the story as well.
The Catholic Sprouts Podcast
Episode: CS Gospel Day 100
Best for: Ages 5+
Catholic Sprouts offers tools to empower and equip parents to cultivate a vibrant Catholic home. Learn with your children through our zero-prep resources, engaging activities. These bite-sized episodes are part of “The Gospels in a School Year Challenge,” where kids take a journey through all four Gospels.
Firebreaker
Episode: Chapter One: An Interrupted Birthday
Best for: Ages 8+
Firebreaker is a dramatized fantasy epic about the classic legend of St. George and the Dragon. I had never heard of this legend before, and I love how the first episode begins with a grandfather telling a story to his grandson. Starting the show with a grandfatherly narrator reminded me of “The Princess Bride”!
If you enjoy listening to tales of heroic courage, adventure, good vs. evil, or you like stories involving dragons, sword fights, and faraway places, you’ll enjoy this one! Like most of these shows that have multiple chapters or episodes within a season, I'd recommend starting this show from the very first episode as well. The first episode sets off young George on his hero’s journey.
Keep The Kids Stories Going
Audio storytelling can open up whole worlds for kids — from historical figures to imaginative adventures and small-town mysteries. If you’re looking for something new to listen to on your next car ride or family downtime, Madison’s picks are a great place to start.
Have a favorite kids podcast you think we should feature in a future list? Send it our way — we’re always looking for more great shows to share with the EarBuds community.