167. What if unicorns turn invisible when they get mad? (Alternia: Part 5)
You won’t want to miss the exciting conclusion of our Alternia saga! Plus, unicorns ;)
Lessons: When people are feeling overlooked and unfairly treated, it’s important to listen to them; a fearsome lie can divide us, so we’ve got to always look out for the truth.
This episode touches on themes of injustice and prejudice, and we wanted to provide a few handy links for parents who want to find out more, or make a donation:
How to Raise Anti-Racist Kids: 20 resources for parents
Embrace Race: Hubs for discovering diverse children’s books
Donate to support racial justice: Split a donation between 70+ community bail funds, mutual aid funds, and racial justice organizers
Donate to Campaign Zero: Help end police violence in America
Donate to The Conscious Kid: Anti-Racist Children’s Books Education Fund
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s art is by Lauren Tierney.
137. What if the lion and the elephant met up to get spaghetti?
M. Dorsett, author of The Lion and the Elephant, comes on to read her short story and then give it a What If World ending! Can the Lion, the Elephant, and the Queen learn to get along?
Lessons: Learning to get along with different kinds of people can make you happier and more open-minded!
To learn more about The Lion and the Elephant, go to chibur.info/books. Use the promo code wiw10 to get 10% off and to get your copy signed by the author, M. Dorsett!
This episode first aired September 23, 2019.
We’ve added a few resources for to our linktree, to help us grownups start (and continue) having healthy conversations with our kids about race: https://linktr.ee/whatifworld
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen Marshall O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This week’s artwork by August Lewis, illustrator of The Lion and the Elephant.
166. What if trees go to school? (Alternia: Part 4)
Pixicato and Albatross Zero are off to meet Harriknow, the most knowledgeable being in Alternia. But Harriknow and his Intreenet aren’t as helpful as you might think.
Lessons include: Right or wrong, if you feed an idea, it will grow; every good learner needs to be part detective; new experiences and connections are needed to bring new understanding
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts! You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter; or email whatifworldpodcast@gmail.com.
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s art is by OCAL.
165. What if there were an evil monster named Kammy? (Alternia: Part 3)
We’re going to find out where Fred the Dog ended up in Alternia, but first, we’ve got to meet Kammy, the ruler of this world! Is she the unfairest of them all?
Lessons include: The world isn’t simply good people and bad, we can be reinvented every day through our actions!
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts! You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter; or email whatifworldpodcast@gmail.com.
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This week’s artwork was put together by Karen O’Keeffe.
Surfin Shout Outs!
Randall Radbot hosts this week, and we feature an original song inspired by our fans. Mr. Eric has put out about three months of new episodes, so he thought he’d give himself a little break. Turns out, making a song is a whole lot of work, too!
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. Our artwork this week is also by Jason O’Keefe, some early Randall Radbot concept art.
164. What if Alabaster Zero got fired? (Alternia: Part 2)
While Pixicato searches for Fred the Dog in the land of Alternia, we meet Albatross Zero, a would-be detective who gets paired with a mischievous partner.
Lessons: Unfairness can spread unseen, unless we learn to look for it; treating yourself and others well is one of the best ways to restore hope in difficult times.
What If World is donating our Patreon earnings for all of April and through mid-May to lafoodbank.org. Get ad-free stories, bonus audio, and help feed some hungry people. Join our Patreon and get coloring pages for your favorite characters as a bonus!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
Thanks to Little Passports for sponsoring this week’s episode. Use the offer code WHATIF at checkout for 15% off your subscription! littlepassports.com
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s artwork is of Ronny Kind Cypress, and was drawn by our patron, Silas!
163. What if Pixicato went on a secret mission to find Fred the Dog? (Alternia: Part 1)
We’re really in a mess this week. Will Pixicato be able to find Fred the Dog, or is this just the beginning of a great adventure in the land of… Alternia?
Lessons: Optimism is a wonderful thing, as long as we do not ignore the problems around us.
What If World is donating our Patreon earnings for all of April and through mid-May to lafoodbank.org. Get ad-free stories, bonus audio, and help feed some hungry people. Join our Patreon and get coloring pages for your favorite characters as a bonus!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This coloring pages mockup was designed by Kstudio / Freepik, with Cleocatra illustration by Ana Stretcu.
162. What if Fred the Dog bought the What-If-Mobile?
When Mr. Eric goes missing, Ms. Karen and Fred end up telling the story. Can they handle all the questions blasted out by the What-If-Mobile?
Lessons: It’s wonderful to be giving, but giving everything we’ve got won’t leave us enough to stay happy and healthy.
What If World is donating our Patreon earnings for the entire month of April to lafoodbank.org. Get ad-free stories, bonus audio, and help feed some hungry people. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s art was put together using images from OCAL and J.
161. What if Alabaster Zero got interviewed by Mr. Eric and JFKat?
It’s the interview(s) you’ve all been waiting for! Alabaster dishes on his past, JFKat interrupts (a lot), Mr. Eric starts to lose it, and that’s all before our special guest arrives!
Alabaster Zero by Ana Stretcu
Lessons: we all want to be taken seriously sometimes, but that shouldn’t mean we always have to act serious; it’s okay to have more than one “favorite,” or even different things you love in different moments!
What If World is donating our Patreon earnings for the entire month of April to lafoodbank.org. Get ad-free stories, bonus audio, and help feed some hungry people. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s Alabaster Zero artwork was created by Ana Stretcu.
160. What if Story Pirates came into What If World?
Uh-oh, Cthunkle has captured the Story Pirates’ Lee Overtree! Will Lee be able to help Cthunkle with his reading, or will the storyteller be stuck in Cthunkle’s slimy lair forever?
Lessons: read what interests you, just don’t forget to try new things now and then; reading is not a competition, so take your time, be kind to yourself, and enjoy!
Check out Story Pirates for more great stories, and join their free Creator’s Club for exclusive content updated daily for you and your kids to enjoy.
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com.
159. What if there was such a thing as magic shoes? (w/ Scott Cranfield)
Author Scott Cranfield brings the Wise Bear to What If World. Can he help Bob the Blob find his confidence, or will it take a pair of magic shoes to make the difference?
Lessons include: When seen in a new light, a challenge can turn into an opportunity; confidence is always inside you, but it takes practice to learn how to find it
Scott asked us to give a discount offer to our listeners. We’re not making any profit off of this, just trying to help another artist whose release has been affected in these times.
Go to WiseBearStories.com
Click ‘add to basket’ followed by ‘view basket’
Type ‘whatifworld’ into the coupon code and click apply. The product will be reduced by 33%.
Click proceed to checkout
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. The week’s artwork is from “The Wise Bear Stories,” illustrated by Raphilena Bonito.
158. What if everyone wore the same color clothes? (w/ Niki Smith)
Author and illustrator Niki Smith helps Mr. Eric tell a story where a Purple & Green striped horse has to save her school and friend from Ragged the Dragon.
Lessons include: Wearing different colors helps us express ourselves; no one is “supposed” to be mean or nice, but we can always choose to treat other people well.
Check out Niki Smith’s “The Deep and Dark Blue.” You can get your copy at Bookshop to support your local bookstore, or on Amazon.
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s artwork is from the cover of Niki Smith’s The Deep and Dark Blue.
157. What if dinosaurs were alive today?
The episode is a fun story-telling activity, and there’s even a What If Story tossed in as a demonstration.
Lessons include: we are all capable of telling each other fun stories; even the greatest treasure in the world can’t replace all of life’s simple joys.
If you want some questions to use as story prompts, try our What If Question Generator!
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s artwork was put together using images from Chris and David.
156. What if Mr. Eric got sucked into What If World and Cthunkle took him into his lair?
Cthunkle seems to think that “social distancing” means shutting himself away for eternity at the bottom of Squid Lake. Can Mr. Eric help him find other ways to have fun?
Lessons: When people are worried, it’s more fun to be a helper than a trickster; Washing our hands and keeping them away from our face is a healthy habit year round!
This episode talks about social distancing. Our What If World characters do see each other in a small group so that we can answer our kid’s questions, but, in the US, the recommendation of health professionals as of March 14th, 2020, is to cancel classes and playdates and to spend time with your immediate family . Stay safe and healthy out there!
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
My friends at Kids Listen have made extra podcast content for you this week to help fill your free time. Also, here’s a great episode from NPR about Coronavirus and Parenting.
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s art is from OCAL.
155. What if clouds were made out of cotton candy?
Barbara Bot teams up with Cleocatra to save our president from the clutches of the chocolate monsters. Could today be the day when magic comes back to What If World?
by Ana Stretcu
Lessons include: When there are too many problems to consider all at once, try just focusing on one at a time; Our minds are incredibly powerful, and can make falsehoods appear to be true!
If you haven’t heard episodes 138. What if barbies were real and they lived with evil robots?, and 149. What if magic didn't exist?, this story may be a bit more confusing than usual ;)
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s Cleocatra artwork was created by Ana Stretcu.
154. What if Mr. Eric wasn't real?
Poppa Loo’s News reports from a speeding train where people are turning into elements from the periodic tables! Can he and Mamma Jamma find Mr. Eric and help us get What If World back on track?
Lessons include: Researching a problem can help you take the right steps to fix it; in a serious situation, it’s important to keep thinking and observing in order to stay safe.
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. Today’s artwork was drawn by Peck, our incomparable patron and superfan, back in 2018.
22. What if a tree named Harrigo went to eat a chocolate that was talking?
What if that knotted old tree you pass by every day was actually a grumpy talking chocolate fanatic? Meet Harrigo, a tree with a real sweet trunk, and the young candy bar who teaches him that being nice is a little harder than just not eating your friends.
This episode originally aired March 13th, 2017.
This is truly one of my favorite old stories. I hope you enjoy it! We’ll have a new story for you next week. Thanks for listening and spreading the word!
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. Today’s artwork was drawn by Peck, our incomparable patron and superfan, back in 2018.
153. What if clocks were bananas and monkeys ate time?
We learn a little bit about Mr. Eric today as he travels back in time. Can he stop the Time Monkey, or will he get stuck in his own past?
Lessons include: Our past helps shape who we are today, even the parts that aren’t so great; big new challenges are always scary, but they can help us learn about ourselves
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com.
152. What if Fred went into a portal to Zombie Land?
In his search for the Frog Queen, Fred the Dog the Frog discovers a portal to Zombie Land. Can they help Fred find his way home, or will they only be interested in his BRAINS?!
by Ana Stretcu
Lessons include: fun opportunities are everywhere, but they’re impossible to find if you don’t leave the house!
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World on Himalaya or wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s Fred artwork was created by Ana Stretcu.
151. What if holidays flew onto Mount Everest?
Dracomax is sick, but he’s determined to wait until the next holiday to feel better. Trouble is, the holidays have disappeared! JFKat and Patty Pan head off to find the missing days, while Abacus and Lola Rabbit stay behind to help Dracomax feel better.
by Ana Stretcu
Lessons: We don’t need to wait for the holidays to make us feel better; big feelings are not something to ignore or feel ashamed of
What If World exists thanks to our Patrons. Get a better chance at having your question chosen, plus Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, and more. Join our Patreon!
Subscribe to What If World on Himalaya or wherever you listen to podcasts!
What If World is made by Eric O’Keeffe with help from Karen O'Keeffe. Our theme song is by Craig Martinson and our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe. Additional songs and sound effects from audioblocks.com. This episode’s Dracomax artwork was created by Ana Stretcu.