Lon Po Po: A Knocking Folktale from China

Faithfully Explore! with Laura

Knock… knock… Did you hear that?

That mysterious sound is the very first clue in today’s adventure.

In this episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura guides young listeners on a suspenseful journey to China through the traditional folktale Lon Po Po, which means “Grandma Wolf.” Children follow three sisters—Shang, Tao, and Paotze—as they must decide who to trust, notice clues, and use clever thinking to stay safe.

This tale may feel familiar to listeners who know Little Red Riding Hood, but with an important twist: in Lon Po Po, the children rely on teamwork, calm thinking, and ingenuity to outsmart danger—no rescuer required.

1. A traditional Chinese folktale passed down through generations
2. A wolf in disguise and the clues that reveal the truth
3. How children can use awareness and reasoning when something feels “off”
4. The role of clever problem-solving instead of strength
5. Why teamwork and trust matter in scary situations

Listeners “pack” three big ideas to carry with them:

1. Caution & awareness – paying attention to clues and instincts
2. Clever thinking – staying calm and using your brain
3. Teamwork & trust – working together to stay safe

Lon Po Po and the names in this story exists in many versions, spellings, and pronunciations, reflecting its long oral storytelling history. For this episode, pronunciation research referenced publicly available resources from the Museum of Chinese in America. As with many folktales, no single version is definitive, and variation is part of the story’s living tradition.

1. Children ages 5–12
2. Families who enjoy listening together
3. Classrooms, libraries, and homeschool settings
4. Lessons on safety, SEL, and global storytelling
5. Comparing folktales across cultures

After the story, stick around for movement, reflection, and thoughtful discussion as Laura helps listeners connect the story’s lessons to their own lives.

Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and keep exploring the world through stories.

Faithfully Explore! with Laura

A calm, mindful journey for kids ages 5–12 and their grown-ups

What if an adventure didn’t involve rushing, noise, or doing more — but instead invited us to slow down and be still?

In this gentle and grounding episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura guides listeners into the world of Zen, a tradition within Buddhism that teaches mindfulness, compassion, simplicity, and acceptance. Through storytelling, imagination, movement, breathing, and play, kids learn that stillness itself can be a powerful adventure — and a skill they can use anytime life feels loud.

What Is Zen?

1. A kid-friendly introduction to Zen and its roots in Buddhism
2. The story of Bodhidharma, the monk who brought Zen (Chan Buddhism) from India to China
3. How Zen later traveled to Japan and developed into two main schools:
4. Rinzai Zen (koans & riddles)
5. Sōtō Zen (quiet sitting meditation)

Life in a Zen Monastery

1. What a typical Zen day looks like: meditation, work, study, and rest
2. Zen gardens, bells, cushions, and teachers called Zen Masters
3. A reminder that Zen can be serious and joyful — humor and warmth included

Zen Around the World

1. How Zen and mindfulness are practiced today across the globe
2. A spotlight on modern Zen teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh and his teaching: “Peace in every step”
3. Why simplicity and presence matter in a busy world

Listeners are invited to imagine:

1. Walking barefoot into a quiet Japanese temple
2. Moving gently like bamboo in the wind
3. Sitting in stillness as a bell fades into silence
4. Discovering a calm place they can return to anytime with one breath

We cross our Friendship Bridge to discover how stillness and reflection appear in many belief systems:

1. Christianity – contemplative prayer
2. Islam – dhikr (remembrance)
3. Hinduism – meditation and yoga
4. Judaism – quiet, personal prayer and reflection

Different paths, shared values — a core message of Faithfully Explore!

A brand-new interactive game that helps kids:

Faithfully Explore! Podcast | Episode Length: ~15 minutes

🎙 Hosted by Laura

What if the new year wasn’t about being perfect—but about growing, one small promise at a time?

In this warm and thoughtful New Year’s episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura invites kids and families to slow down, breathe, and step into 2026 with curiosity, kindness, and purpose. Together, we explore what New Year’s resolutions really are, where they came from, and how people around the world welcome a fresh start.

This episode blends storytelling, history, global traditions, and gentle reflection to help children see goal-setting as something hopeful, not stressful.

1. What is a New Year’s resolution?A kid-friendly explanation of resolutions as promises we make to ourselves to grow, learn, or try again.
2. Focus words, intentions, and mantras Discover how choosing one guiding word, like kind, brave, or breathe, can act like a compass for the whole year.
3. The ancient roots of resolutions Travel back in time to ancient Babylon, Rome, and the Middle Ages to see how people have been making promises at the new year for thousands of years.
4. New Year traditions around the world (January 1 focus)Learn how different cultures welcome the new year, including:
5. Jumping ocean waves and wearing white in Brazil
6. Good-intention traditions and lucky foods in Italy
7. Twelve grapes, wishes, and travel rituals in Colombia
8. A reminder that while traditions differ, hope is universal
9. Why resolutions can be hard and why that’s okayA compassionate look at habit-building and why trying again matters more than being perfect.

Kids are encouraged to choose one meaningful goal, such as:

1. Learning about beliefs or cultures different from their own
2. Making a new friend or including someone who feels left out
3. Exploring their own family’s traditions, stories, or faith

These ideas reflect the heart of Faithfully Explore: understanding, empathy, and connection.

The episode includes a gentle guided visualization where listeners:

1. Choose a focus word or intention
2. Picture themselves living it out
3. Say their promise out loud: “I will…”

This moment helps kids feel empowered and confident in their ability to grow.

This week, we pack:

1. The idea that every new year is a fresh start