
What If World - Stories for Kids
Join Mr. Eric for imaginative stories sparked by kids' questions, fostering curiosity and resilience.Grownups, share your kids' What-If Questions, and we may use them in a story! Call our voicemail at 205-605-WHAT or email hello@whatifworldpodcast.com.
Latest episodes

Jun 9, 2025 • 25min
183. Zero Hour: The Hidden Holiday
Alabaster Zero and Fair Elise share the first episode of their detective show, which was inspired by a listener's question!
Lessons include: we can make the best of the holidays, even when they change; our big feelings are the most important to share.
We are replaying this classic story from October 26th, 2020. We’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. Supporters will get a brand new episode of Stump Mr. Eric on Wednesday!
Please Subscribe and show your Support! Grownups, help your kids share questions & ideas at hello@whatifworldpodcast.com.
Want more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTube
Eric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

Jun 2, 2025 • 18min
356. Dear Prudence, the Giant Sheepdog
Fred the Dog teams up with Prudence to save a herd of sheep from an evil wizard and cat duo!
Lessons include: This fully improvised episode offers tips on telling off-the-cuff stories with your friends and family.
Please Subscribe and show your Support! New supporters can listen to every episode of Stump Mr. Eric, with a new one released monthly.
Grownups, help your kids share questions & ideas at hello@whatifworldpodcast.com, via voicemail at 205-605-WHAT (9428), or on Instagram @whatifworldpodcast
Want more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTube
Eric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

May 26, 2025 • 36min
355. Cryptid Kids #10: Worlds Collide
The Cryptid Kids must track down Cthunkle before he can steal the magical power of an entire world.
Lessons include: Being all-powerful would take all the surprises out of life; when playing make-believe, we all get to add to the story.
This story is part of a Guilds & Goblins campaign, where What If World characters (and guests) play an original tabletop RPG for kids and families. Real-life dice rolls, usually with a 20-sided die (or d20), help us tell the story, along with your questions. Listen to episodes 327, 328, 330, 331, 341, 342, 344, 345, & 354, Cryptid Kids #1 to #9, to start from the beginning!
Subscribe and show your Support!
Want more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTube
Eric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

May 19, 2025 • 30min
354. Cryptid Kids #9: The Taco Portal Puzzle
In Whentendo, the land of video games, the Cryptid Kids must track down Cthunkle and face a horde of disgruntled monsters. But what is the Colossal squidopus after this time?
Lessons include: Making a small pact with yourself is more fun and less pressure than setting a huge goal; rushing through a game defeats the purpose of play!
Subscribe and show your Support! Supporters listen ad-free, and get over 30 bonus episodes and counting!
Grownups, help your kids share questions & ideas at hello@whatifworldpodcast.com, via voicemail at 205-605-WHAT (9428), or on Instagram @whatifworldpodcast
Want more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTube
Eric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

May 12, 2025 • 22min
353. Meditation: What if Petey shared his secret?
In Petey the Pirate's acceptance meditation, we will ride on an interstellar unicorn to visit Planet Perfect, cause a major traffic jam in New What City, and help Petey accept his true self.
Lessons include: Seeing yourself and your problems from a distance can be very relaxing; sharing our authentic selves is more important than trying to please others.
Subscribe and show your Support! Supporters listen ad-free, and get over 30 bonus episodes and counting!
Grownups, help your kids share questions & ideas at hello@whatifworldpodcast.com, via voicemail at 205-605-WHAT (9428), or on Instagram @whatifworldpodcast
Want more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTube
Eric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

May 5, 2025 • 28min
53. What If: the Musical! (w/ Chris Kerrigan)
In What If World's first mini-musical, Mama Jamma, Poppa Loo, Zack and Zizi get sent off into three different fairytales, courtesy of Jenkins, the trickster fairy. Can they learn their lessons and find their way back to each other?Lessons include: If you have something important to say, don't let yourself be silenced; be careful and use common sense in unfamiliar settings; rudeness seldom gets results.A very special thanks to Chris Kerrigan, who wrote the musical numbers for this very special episode. He writes music for grown-ups as Compassion Fatigue, and you can hear him on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen. This remastered classic first aired on November 13th, 2017.Subscribe and show your Support! Want more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTubeEric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

Apr 28, 2025 • 21min
352. Juan asks: What if Fred became an Influencer? (w/ Jonathan Magnum)
Fred meets Jonathan Mangum, host of “Let’s Make a Deal,” and they become famous by inventing Coffee Soup. Everything’s going great until Cthunkle tries to take over!Lessons include: You don’t have to be what people expect you to be; we should take time to consider what we want to share online and how we share it.Jonathan Mangum is cohost of a new comedy podcast for grown-ups called Wayne Brady’s What If with Jonathan Mangum. We had a blast exploring your What Ifs together in this very special guest episode!Subscribe and show your Support! Want more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTubeEric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

Apr 21, 2025 • 27min
351. Freaky Fredday Part 2: The Freddy-Headed Horsey Cat
Fred the Cat and JFDog have swapped places. Now they fear a two-headed mushroom monster will destroy the Observatorium before it can be rebuilt. Lessons include: Home is where your family is; just because someone is different, it doesn’t mean they’re dangerous.Subscribe and show your Support! Grownups, help your kids share questions & ideas at hello@whatifworldpodcast.com, via voicemail at 205-605-WHAT (9428), or on Instagram @whatifworldpodcastWant more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTubeEric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

Apr 14, 2025 • 21min
350. Freaky Fredday
The What If Question that’s been asked more than any other finally gets answered! Your favorite dog and cat characters switch places in the first episode of this two-part story.Lessons include: Everyone deserves a home; it takes imagination to see from someone else’s perspective; it’s important to always clean up our messes, especially out in nature!Subscribe and show your Support! Grownups, help your kids share questions & ideas at hello@whatifworldpodcast.com, via voicemail at 205-605-WHAT (9428), or on Instagram @whatifworldpodcastWant more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTubeEric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.

Apr 7, 2025 • 19min
153. Liv asks: What if clocks were bananas and monkeys ate time?
Today, we learn about Mr. Eric as he travels back in time. Can he stop the Time Monkey, or will he get stuck in his past?Lessons include: Our past helps shape who we are today, even the parts that aren’t so great; new challenges are always scary, but they can help us learn about ourselves.This remastered classic first aired on February 17th, 2020.Subscribe and show your Support! Grownups, help your kids share questions & ideas at hello@whatifworldpodcast.com, via voicemail at 205-605-WHAT (9428), or on Instagram @whatifworldpodcastWant more kids podcasts for the whole family? Grown-ups, subscribe to Starglow+ here. Learn more about Starglow Media here. Follow Starglow on Instagram and YouTubeEric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.