Hello From the Van

Mimi Faatz
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education

*Visual Podcast on Youtube*  A Family-Friendly and Educational Podcast for Everyone! Geared to curious families with lots of questions. We cover everything from cancer to paint colors-- always in a safe and educational way. Join us as we explore a new topic each week. 

  1. 1h ago

    5 Minutes Smarter: Artificial Intelligence Edition

    Looking for a way to introduce the topic of artificial intelligence with your kids, but don't want the politics and opinion? In this episode we cover the physical side of AI, how it reasons, and the trade-offs required for instant access to a world of knowledge.  Sources:  How Much Energy Can AI Use?, Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/energy-ai-use-electricity-water-data-centers/ Mineo, Liz. Is AI Dulling Our Minds?, Harvard Gazette, 13 November 2025.  https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/is-ai-dulling-our-minds/ Kosmyna, Natalia, et al. Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872v1 Colorado State University Staff, How Does AI Actually Work?. 9 April 2026. https://csuglobal.edu/blog/how-does-ai-actually-work Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    5 Minutes Smarter: Artificial Intelligence Edition

  2. 3d ago

    The Power of TASTE

    Flavor and Taste are powerful parts of our every day lives...but what *are* they? This week we talk about the physical function of flavor, how and why our bodies process tastes the way they do, and how flavor can even warn us of danger.  Sources:  Gravina SA, Yep GL, Khan M. Human biology of taste. Ann Saudi Med. 2013 May-Jun;33(3):217-22. doi: 10.5144/0256-4947.2013.217. PMID: 23793421; PMCID: PMC6078535. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6078535/ Fontanini A, Taste. Current Biology, 33, R130-R135. https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)00005-2 Dictionary.com, "Taste", https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/taste National Institute of Aging, How Smell and Taste Change as You Age. November 14, 2024, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/teeth-and-mouth/how-smell-and-taste-change-you-age Trivedi, Bijal P. (2012). "Gustatory system: The finer points of taste". Nature. 486 (7403): S2–S3. Bibcode:2012Natur.486S...2T. doi:10.1038/486s2a. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 22717400. S2CID 4325945. Witt, Martin (2019). "Anatomy and development of the human taste system". Smell and Taste. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 164. pp. 147–171.  Maehashi K, Matano M, Wang H, Vo LA, Yamamoto Y, Huang L (January 2008). "Bitter peptides activate hTAS2Rs, the human bitter receptors". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 365 (4): 851–5. Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    The Power of TASTE

  3. 6d ago

    5 Minutes Smarter: Divorce Edition

    Note: As always, our 5 Minutes Smarter series is intended to help adults talk about difficult topics with kids. The episodes are not meant as an exhaustive explainer, but more of a jumping-off point for family discussion.  Divorce has officially hit the Faatz extended family. We've been trying to figure out how to explain it to kids. To help others in the same situation, here's this week's episode of 5 Minutes Smarter: Divorce Edition.  We break down what divorce is, a very brief explainer of what happens when a couple divorces, and explain how kids can talk about it with someone they trust.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    5 Minutes Smarter: Divorce Edition

  4. Jul 12

    The Science of Sleep

    Humans spend roughly a third of our lives sleeping...but what actually happens while we're sleeping?? In this episode we talk about the great mystery that is sleep science, what we know, and the great big things we don't know about this daily activity.  Sources:  Cleveland Clinic, "Why Do We Dream?" published August 18, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/12148-sleep-basics  Cleveland Clinic, "All About Sleep Deprivation".  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23970-sleep-deprivation  Sleepoplis, "A Kids Guide to Understanding Sleep", Sharon Brandwin, April 9, 2025. https://sleepopolis.com/education/kids-guide-understanding-sleep/ Kids Health, "What Sleep is and Why All Kids Need It", Marvin L. Gavin MD, June 2020. https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/not-tired.html  John Hopkins Medicine, "The Effects of Sleep Deprivation". https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-effects-of-sleep-deprivation  Kaiser Permanente, "Sleep Stages", Ignite Healthwise Staff, Updated February 2026.  https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.stages-of-sleep.hw48331  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    The Science of Sleep

  5. Jul 6

    5 Minutes Smarter: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

    To help introduce our new series, "5 Minutes Smarter", we'll be releasing three smaller episodes this week! In this first installment, we're talking about what it takes for a person to be happy and healthy both in their body and their mind.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    5 Minutes Smarter: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

  6. Jun 28

    National Anthems: A Brief History

    In this July 4th episode, we explore the history of National Anthems from around the world! Where they came from, why we have them, and how they impact nations around the world.  It's a short one this week, but we'll be back with our regular longer episode after the holiday.  SOURCES:  One song under Heaven: A history of China’s national anthems, "A survey of nearly 150 years of Chinese history through the country's official and unofficial national anthems." Mads Vesterager Nielsen, Published February 25, 2021  "Olympic Charter" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2016.  “Facts about National Anthems” https://www.national-anthems.org/facts.htm  “7 Types of Literary Themes” https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/types-of-conflict-in-literature  “National Anthems: North Korea” https://nationalanthems.info/kp.htm Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    National Anthems: A Brief History

  7. Jun 21

    Building A Hummingbird Army

    If you live in the Western Hemisphere (North or South America) this episode is for you! We're talking about hummingbird conservation and how to help out your local hummingbird population. In this episode we'll talk about what hummingbirds need to survive, their life cycle, and how to support these incredible pollinators!  HUMMINGBIRD FOOD RECIPE: 1 cup white table sugar (Do NOT use honey, organic sugar, or dyed sugar!) 4 cups water Hard boil for 1 minute to remove impurities. Let cool. Fill hummingbird feeders. Remember to wash and clean your feeders at least once a week to keep them mold free. Mold is bad for hummers. Nobody likes eating mold.  SOURCES: United States National Parks Service, "Hummingbirds".  https://www.nps.gov/articles/hummingbirds.htm Hummingbird Society, "Predators of Hummingbirds".  https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/hummingbird-predators Penn State College for Agriculture Science, "Hummingbird Gardens" and "What to Plant for Hummingbirds". https://pollinators.psu.edu/landscaping-for-pollinators/what-to-plant/plants-for-hummingbirds Grateful Gnome, "The Life Cycle of a Hummingbird".  https://gratefulgnome.com/blogs/news/life-cycle-of-a-hummingbird-1?srsltid=AfmBOopZizvjHOt5Xb35UpOViqPjYziNh0RusQHIb2zFQi3xkEyqWdxB  GoodHousekeeping, "40 Fascinating Hummingbird Facts", By Janaya Wecker, Andrea Blumenstein, Updated: Aug 10, 2022 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/g19632825/hummingbird-facts/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_ghk_d_bm_prog_org_us_g19632825&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17943336231&gbraid=0AAAAADA2MErSUhFetqBPVkyazKSLdqy4U&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi8nRBhDhARIsAHZf_pYaRpfOF_BWWwC32ONSskEomGsII9ViLc0ovBu7BXCxS6Enhc1OoncaAj8EEALw_wcB  Audobon.Org, "Hummingbirds".  https://www.audubon.org/landing/love-hummingbirds?ms=digital-eng-google-x-paid_cpc-camp23562956879_%5BAGP%5D%20Hummingbirds-grp192538189639_Ad%20group%201-ad797327643793_&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=eng_%5BAGP%5D%20Hummingbirds&utm_term=192538189639_Ad%20group%201&utm_content=797327643793_&utm_id=23562956879_&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23562956879&gbraid=0AAAAAD-lB1sJJhVrlrNqqQzk9TS7XeVrc&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi8nRBhDhARIsAHZf_paJVtI5YpL0_305Doi0LJCHJ64Vs6MAOB4J9iQxbP-MOi5XJzrRzn8aAoMqEALw_wcB  Wikipedia, "Hummingbird". Used as a starting point. All additional sources cited.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    Building A Hummingbird Army

  8. Jun 15

    Color Blindness Explained

    Did you know that not all color blindness is the same? In this episode we talk about the different types of color vision deficiency, how color blindness effects everyday life, and signs to look out for if you suspect a loved one is color blind.  A HUGE thank-you to the organization Colour Blind Awareness. They were a wealth of knowledge in researching this episode!  Sources: Colour Blind Awareness, "All About Colour Blindness". https://www.colourblindawareness . org/colour-blindness/ All About Vision, "Tritanopia and Color Blindness" https://www.allaboutvision. com/conditions/color-blindness/tritanopia/ Improving Color Vision, Lumen V4, 2014, Visegrád, Hungary.  https://www.colorlitelens . com/publication Wikipedia, "Color Blind".  https://en.wikipedia . org/wiki/Color_blindness Gordon N (March 1998). "Colour blindness". Public Health. 112 (2): 81–4. doi:10.1038/sj.ph.1900446. ISSN 0033-3506. PMID 9581449. "Facts About Color Blindness". NEI. February 2015. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    Color Blindness Explained
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

*Visual Podcast on Youtube*  A Family-Friendly and Educational Podcast for Everyone! Geared to curious families with lots of questions. We cover everything from cancer to paint colors-- always in a safe and educational way. Join us as we explore a new topic each week. 

Information

  • Creator
    Mimi Faatz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hello From the Van
  • Show Website
    Hello From the Van