Forever Ago

Forever Ago takes things kids think are boring and ordinary -- ice cream flavors, video games, baths, toothbrushes -- and reveals the surprisingly wild stories behind their origins. Host Joy Dolo brings an infectious enthusiasm to each episode, teaming up with a different kid co-host every week to trace how everyday objects and ideas got their start. The results are consistently fascinating. You'll learn that ice cream was once served only to royalty, that early video games were built on military technology, and that people used to clean their teeth with twigs and crushed bones. Each episode runs about 25 to 30 minutes, and Joy's warmth and humor make the history feel accessible rather than academic. She has a gift for meeting kids where they are and pulling them into the narrative without lecturing. The show comes from the Brains On Universe team, which means the production quality is strong -- clean audio, good pacing, fun sound design. With about 100 episodes and a 4.5-star rating from over 6,400 listeners, Forever Ago has built a dedicated following. The show recently went independent and is set to return with new episodes in spring 2026 after a brief hiatus, which speaks to how committed the team is to keeping it going. For families who want their kids to develop a genuine interest in history, this is an ideal starting point. It teaches kids that everything has a backstory and that the past is far stranger and more interesting than any textbook would suggest.