

What If World - Stories for Kids
Eric O'Keeffe / Starglow Media
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 1, 2025 • 21min
366. CK #12: Raggor Ruin and the Secret City
On their way to save Scribno, our adventurers are stopped by Raggor Ruin, a monstrous behemoth made of Fast Fashion Clothing. Can they escape his fibrous clutches and complete their mission?
Lessons include: To help save our planet, we can all buy fewer clothes; big feelings need to be shared before they overwhelm us.
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, help us tell the story, along with your questions. Listen to episodes 327-328, 330-331, 341-342, 344-345, 354-355, & 365, Cryptid Kids #1 to #11, to start from the beginning!
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.

Aug 25, 2025 • 21min
365. CK #11: What if Scribno fell into a bottomless pit?
When their friend Scribno goes missing, the Cryptid Kids will have to search all of Berend to find him. Zach makes his GM debut, and Zizi returns as a Player!
Lessons include: When we try to ignore our feelings, they tend to sneak out anyway.
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, help us tell the story, along with your questions. Listen to episodes 327, 328, 330, 331, 341, 342, 344, 345, 354 & 355, Cryptid Kids #1 to #10, to start from the beginning!
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.

Aug 18, 2025 • 28min
364. Ryan asks: What if a weird antidote turned you into a shark? (w/Brian Yanish)
Shark and Bot, the famous kids’ comic book characters, visit What If World along with their creator, Brian Yanish. Of course, Brian quickly gets turned into a shark-man by Abacus P. Grumbler…
Lessons include: Art takes practice, but that’s part of the fun!
This week, we’re joined by Brian Yanish. His graphic novel series for kids, Shark and Bot, has delighted Mr. Eric’s family for years, and we couldn’t be more excited about this team-up. He’s also got a new kid’s picture book out, Sweet and Sour.
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.

Aug 11, 2025 • 20min
186. Ava asks: What if Mr. Eric had an evil twin brother?
Myster E tries to answer every question in a single story! Fred might have to come out of retirement for this one.
Lessons include: You’re never stuck as long as you keep asking questions; adding strange details to a story is fun, but too many of them can make your story confusing!
This remastered episode originally aired on 10/29/2020.
Please 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 @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.

Aug 4, 2025 • 27min
363. Eli asks: What if Alabaster Zero learned he was in a podcast?
What do a stampede of lions, a white birch stick, an animatronic Fred the Dog, and a spooky castle have in common? It’s up to you to find out, with a bit of help from Alabaster Zero!
Lessons include: We can’t solve every mystery on our own, and fortunately, we don’t have to; A good detective asks questions before making assumptions.
Please 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 @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.

Jul 28, 2025 • 33min
362. Three Short(ish) Stories!
Listen to three stories from our monthly supporter-only show, Stump Mr. Eric. These stories are fully improvised by Mr. Eric and inspired by your What If Questions.
Lessons include: We must speak up for ourselves and others when we see something wrong.
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.

Jul 21, 2025 • 18min
361. Zora and Nora vs. the Math Monsters
The forest monsters, Scushroom and Crabimedes, need your help in this fully improvised story. Just remember, math and magic don’t mix!
Lessons include: When you make up a story with a friend, treat every detail as a gift.
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.

Jul 14, 2025 • 16min
66. An Interview with Abacus
Find out more about Abacus P. Grumbler and see if Mr Eric can survive his magic!
Lessons include: Titles and objects don’t make you what you are, thinking outside the box can get unexpected results.
This remastered episode has higher quality and better-balanced sound with new sound effects. It originally aired on February 26th, 2018.
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.

Jul 7, 2025 • 21min
360. Adopt-A-Fred Part 3: Beige New World
Can Zizi and Abacus take on Dancy Pantsy alone? And who will Fred the Dog end up living with? It’s the exciting conclusion of our three-part special!
Lessons include: Understanding the past helps us build a better future; be brave enough to disagree when it's essential!
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.

Jun 30, 2025 • 23min
359. Adopt-A-Fred Part 2: Khaki Attacky
It’s Molamo’s turn to tell a story (or two). Can he and Abacus P. Grumbler the wizard learn to face their problems? Also, a pair of pants has taken over the world.
Lessons include: We need to face our problems to grow; not everyone will like your art, but how you feel about it matters most.
Looking for a fun, screen-free way to keep kids engaged this summer? ☀️ Join the Summer Listening Challenge—a collaboration between 8 trusted kids’ podcasts (including us)!
🎧 Listen to 2 episodes from each podcast (16 total)
🖍️ Mark progress with a printable tracker
🏆 Get a certificate for joining + video messages for completing the challenge!
Find out more and get your tracker at:
jonincharacter.com/summer-listening
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.