Pack your curiosity and come along as Laura launches a brand-new adventure to explore beliefs from around the world. This first episode sets the stage for learning, kindness, and big questions with kid-friendly fun!
Length
🕛28 mins
Host
🎙️ Laura Menousek
Release Date
April 1, 2025
What’s Inside This Episode
In Belief Backpacks: Let’s Explore Together, Laura invites young explorers (and their grown-ups!) to begin a journey around the world through beliefs, stories, and big ideas. You’ll learn what a belief is, why it matters, and how understanding others can help us build stronger friendships. Discover how to pack your very own “Belief Backpack” with values like curiosity and kindness—and start building your “Friendship Bridge” to connect with people who believe differently. You’ll even earn your first “Bridge Builder” badge and hear a powerful story from Indigenous American traditions about courage and teamwork.
For Parents and Educators
Learning Themes:
- Respect for diversity of beliefs
- Foundations of interfaith exploration
- How to have open conversations about religion and values
Suggested Uses:
- Homeschool social studies intro
- Family dinner conversation starter
- Sunday school or interfaith education supplement
Bonus Tip: Encourage kids to decorate a physical “Belief Backpack” (real or paper) as they collect values and lessons from each episode
Printable Activities
Global Belief Hunt
We played a version of the Global Belief Hunt in Episode 1—now you can play with your family! This printable Snakes & Ladders-style game teaches kids about global beliefs, cultures, and traditions. Includes color and black & white gameboards, 40 Belief Cards, dice, and 8 game pawns. Just print and play!
Bridge Builder Challenge
Complete the Bridge Builder Challenge, earn your badge! This week, connect with a friend by asking about their beliefs. Color your badge and keep it in a special spot—you’re building your Belief Backpack, one story at a time!
My Belief Backpack Coloring Page
Encourage self-expression and values exploration with the My Belief Backpack Coloring Page. A free printable for kids to design and color their own symbolic belief backpack.
Books to Explore Together
Note: This section contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Faithfully Explore!
ABCs of the World’s Religions
By Rev. Vicki Michela Garlock, Ph.D.
Explore world beliefs A to Z! This colorful book introduces kids to religious vocabulary through simple rhymes and vibrant art—perfect for toddlers through tweens. Read just the left page with little ones, or dive deeper with the explanations on the right as they grow.
Who Believes What? Exploring the World’s Major Religions
By Anna Wills, illustrated by Nora Tomm
A beautifully illustrated guide to Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Each belief system comes with a short, kid-friendly intro—and a vibrant search-and-find page full of hidden symbols, holidays, and traditions. Great for curious readers of all ages!
🎉 What Do You Celebrate? Holidays and Festivals Around the World
By Whitney Stewart
Travel the globe through 14 vibrant holidays! Each celebration includes a short description plus a hands-on activity or recipe to try at home—perfect for sparking curiosity and connection across cultures.
What Do You Believe? Big Questions About Religion
By DK
A bold, visual guide to big questions about belief. This book introduces major world religions, explores shared values, and tackles tough topics with clarity and compassion. Great for curious kids and grown-ups! to explore together.
Annabelle & Aiden: OH MY GODS! A History of Belief
By J.R. Becker
Join curious kids Annabelle and Aiden as they explore how people around the world have come to believe what they do. Packed with vibrant illustrations and big ideas, this book invites thoughtful conversations at any age. Choose how much to read based on your child’s curiosity.
Also available on Kindle Unlimited!
World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored and Explained
By John Bowker
What is religion, and how has it shaped the world? This richly illustrated DK guide takes readers through major faiths across time and place. A great choice for older kids or adults ready to dive deeper into belief systems and big questions.
The Religions Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
By DK
From ancient beliefs to modern world religions, this book breaks down big ideas in a clear, visual way. Best suited for teens and adults, it’s perfect as a reference guide or for anyone wanting a broad overview of global faiths.
Backpack Bonus: Quick Belief Facts
In later episodes, we’ll explore all kinds of beliefs—from Buddhism and Judaism to Sikhism and Aboriginal spirituality. But in this one, we learn that being curious and kind is a great place to start!
Listener Shoutout
“After listening to the episode, I enjoyed learning most about the people who don’t want to their shoes inside, because it will bring devils.”
—Jacob, age 11
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💬 Join the Conversation
- “One thing I discovered about Belief Backpacks was…”
- “My favorite Belief Backpack item is the ______ because…”
- “In my family, we build Friendship Bridges by…”
👉 Share your thoughts below! What Belief Backpack items are you or your kids carrying with you today? We’d love to hear how you’re exploring kindness, curiosity, and courage together!
8 responses to “Episode 1 | Belief Backpacks: Let’s Explore Together”
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Hey Laura! Loved listening to your new show.
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Thank you for listening!
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I enjoyed listening. Your podcast voice sounds different from the voice I expected.
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I’ve heard this a few times now. haha! It may be similar to my teaching voice.
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The Belief Backpacks idea is brilliant! It really helped my kids understand that everyone carries different beliefs with them—and that’s something to be curious about.
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Oh thank you! I’m glad that the idea resonates with them.
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It was fun to hear about how different cultures have belief systems so different than our own.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the show!
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Let us know what you think.