Bust or Trust: A Kids' Mystery Podcast

Small Wardour

Calling all Chief Detectives! Bust or Trust is a podcast for curious kids’ who’d like to get to the bottom of some of the world’s most interesting mysteries. From Big Foot to the Lost City of Atlantis, “Myth Truster” Tiernan Douieb and “Myth Buster” Athena Kugblenu take you through each case. It’s up to the Chief Detectives listening to decide if they bust the myth or trust it!
A real family listen, full of fun facts and silly jokes, this podcast encourages young listeners to think critically about “evidence” and how to debate and disagree in a playful and productive way.
Fun for ages 6 - 106.
Brought to you by Small Wardour, makers of some of the best podcasts for kids.
Pre-Order the Bust or Trust Book here - https://geni.us/BustorTrust

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20 episodes
Updated April 24

Episodes20

Newest first

April 24 · 1 min
A Special Announcement from BOT HQ
A special announcement about Bust or Trust from BoT HQ. For more info, visit our website bustortrust.com or Instagram @bust_or_trust_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 10 · 29 min
Blackbeard's Treasure
Blackbeard is one of history’s most well known pirates. He was known for being a huge and fearsome imposing figure, with a large black beard, that was full of colourful ribbons. He was also known for having left behind a enormous treasure that has never been found. Does it exist still or did it ever? Tiernan and Athena are here to give you all the evidence so you can decide. Over to you chief detectRRRives! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 27 · 27 min
Island of the Dolls
La Isla De La Muńacas, an island in Mexico is said to be the home of the world’s largest collection of haunted dolls. In 1950 Don Julián Santana Barrera started collecting these dolls and after his death in 2001 tales of the haunted dolls have grown and spread, terrifying and fascinating people ever since. But, what do you think Chief Detectives? Tiernan and Athena have all the creepy evidence so you can decide for yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 13 · 21 min
The Sphinx's Nose
The Great Sphinx of Giza - the statue of a mythical creature with the head of a human and body of a cat - famously has no nose. But how did it get that way? Did it fall off due to frostbite? Or get misplaced? Well, if you don't know you're in luck, as Athena and Tiernan have all the evidence and theories about how this may have happened. So, listen closely Chief Detectives and then make up your mind. Whoever knows about the nose knows ... Over to you... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 27 · 24 min
The Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is a bird-like spirit from the culture of the indigenous people of North America. Like a giant eagle with curved horns on its head, it is said to be a supernatural being with incredible power, and strength. According to the legend it creates thunder by flapping its wings, and lightning would spark from its eyes. Is there a basis in fact for this fascinating creature in natural history? Or is it a case of legends and stories getting out of hand over time? Athena and Tiernan take an eagle eyed look into all the clues to help you decide. Over to you Chief Detectives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 13 · 23 min
Broad Haven Triangle
1977, a group of school children in Broad Haven in the West of Wales, were certain they had all seen a UFO. But before anyone could doubt them, teachers and more students also saw it, and then so did local residents. The area become known for UFOs and even alien sightings. But was it really visitors from another world? Athena and Tiernan look into all the clues to help you decide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 30 · 24 min
The Olmec Heads
Huge stone heads were found in Central America, carved by the ancient Olmec peoples but to this day, no one knows why. Were they of rulers, or maybe just really good sports players? Tiernan and Athena try not to be big headed about the theories and then you, our Chief Detectives can gets your heads together and solve the case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 16 · 27 min
The Haunting of Windhouse on Yell
Old ruins up on a hill in the windy island of Yell, Shetland. But is it really haunted by a number of ghosts? Or does the cold weather, and draughty conditions give visitors the chills? Athena and Tiernan investigate so that you can decide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
January 1 · 15 min
Our favourite mysteries of 2025
Tiernan and Athena take a little look back over their fave mysteries of 2025. What would be in your top 3? Let us know! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 25, 2025 · 13 min
Christmas Minisodes!
Merry Christmas Chief Detectives! This year Athena and Tiernan are bringing you a special festive treat of looking at some of the cases you, our Chief Detectives have suggested. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 12, 2025 · 21 min
The Plain of Jars
Hundreds of giant stone jars lay scattered across the Xiangkhoang Plateau in Laos. But no one knows how they got there or what they were for. Could it have been the remains of a party held by giants? Or are they ancient burial chambers, jars for holding water or something else entirely? As always, Tiernan and Athena investigate! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 28, 2025 · 24 min
Did Mansa Musa's Brother Discover America?
Mansa Musa of the Malian Empire was the richest man who ever lived, but did his brother really discover America for the African nations, hundreds of years before Christopher Columbus discovered it for Europe? Athena and Tiernan take a voyage through all the evidence so you can decide what the real story is for yourselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 14, 2025 · 23 min
The Number Seven Phantom Bus
It's said that a ghostly double decker bus used to haunt North West London, causing cars to crash and then disappearing in front of people's eyes. But did the Number 7 Phantom Bus really exist? Tiernan and Athena get on board with all the evidence and then you, our Chief Detectives have to solve the case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 31, 2025 · 27 min
Werewolves
Happy Halloween! It's time to look at a classic beastie for this spooky time of year. Athena and Tiernan investigate everyone's favourite furry terrors, werewolves! Can people really turn into scary wolves or is everyone just barking up the wrong tree? We bring the evidence and then you have to decide! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 17, 2025 · 26 min
Machu Picchu
The ancient Inca citadel of Macchu Picchu is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, but still to this day, no one knows what it was for or why it was abandoned. Do Athena and Tiernan have the theory that unlocks the mysteries to this mystical place high in the Andes? Or just a lot of jokes about sneezing? It's up to you, our Chief Detectives, to decide! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 3, 2025 · 27 min
Spring Heeled Jack
In Victorian England there were many news reports of a caped villian, with a 'diabolical face', metal claws and who could leap over fences and carriages. But was the bouncy scoundral known as Spring Heeled Jack real? Or just a pranking nobleman and mass hysteria? Tiernan and Athena leap into action to bring you the evidence! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 19, 2025 · 24 min
The Parisian Catacombs
Underneath the romantic city of Paris, France, there lie miles and miles of tunnels filled with the skeletons of 6 million people. But are these catacombs haunted, or just damp and easy to get lost in? Athena and Tiernan take a look at this underground phenomenon to bring you the evidence and help you decide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 5, 2025 · 24 min
The Lusca
The Lusca is half-shark, half-octopus said to terrorise the depths of the Bahamas. But does this creature really exist or is it all just whirlpools and a case of mistaken identity for some giant squid? Tiernan and Athena take a deep dive to find all the evidence so that you, our Chief Detectives, can decide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 22, 2025 · 23 min
The Travis Walton Alien Abduction
The case of Travis Walton is one of the most famous alien abduction cases of the 20th century. But did this woodsman really get examined by aliens or is it all an elaborate hoax? Once again Athena and Tiernan beam up all the evdience and hand it over to you to decide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 8, 2025 · 23 min
Psychic Detectives
Can psychics really help solve crimes? For years people who say they have special powers have been helping the police track criminals and missing people, but if they could really read minds would they just find out everyone thinks they're super annoying? Tiernan and Athena project their thoughts on all the evidence so that you can choose which team you're on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bust or Trust: A Kids' Mystery Podcast

A Special Announcement from BOT HQ

Blackbeard's Treasure

Island of the Dolls

The Sphinx's Nose

The Thunderbird

Broad Haven Triangle

The Olmec Heads

The Haunting of Windhouse on Yell

Our favourite mysteries of 2025

Christmas Minisodes!

The Plain of Jars

Did Mansa Musa's Brother Discover America?

The Number Seven Phantom Bus

Werewolves

Machu Picchu

Spring Heeled Jack

The Parisian Catacombs

The Lusca

The Travis Walton Alien Abduction

Psychic Detectives