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The Hey Eddy! Podcast

Michael Whitworth

The Hey Eddy podcast is dedicated to helping kids like my cool Cousin Eddy learn about the Bible and learn important lessons about God, about Jesus, and about life. The Bible is indeed God’s gift to kids, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

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S1 · E61
Wednesday · 13 min
Episode 61: The Darkest Day
In this episode, Cousin Michael gently walks kids through 1 Samuel 22, one of the Bible's darkest chapters. David hides in the cave of Adullam, where his family and four hundred distressed, indebted, and discontented men gather around him as their leader. He takes his aging parents to safety in Moab, thanks to his great-grandmother Ruth's Moabite roots, then obeys the prophet Gad's call to return to Judah. Meanwhile, a paranoid Saul accuses everyone of conspiring against him, and Doeg the Edomite reports that the priest Ahimelech helped David. Though Ahimelech is innocent, Saul orders the priests killed. His own soldiers refuse, but Doeg slaughters eighty-five priests and the entire town of Nob. One priest, Abiathar, escapes to David, who takes responsibility and promises, "You will be safe with me." Kids learn that evil is real but never wins, and God always preserves his people. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E60
September 28 · 10 min
Episode 60: On the Run
In this episode, Cousin Michael takes kids through 1 Samuel 21, where David, alone, hungry, and unarmed after saying goodbye to Jonathan, flees for his life. He goes to the priest Ahimelech at Nob and tells a half-truth about being on a secret mission for the king. Ahimelech gives him the holy bread of the Presence, a moment Jesus later pointed to when he taught that people matter more than rituals. But one of Saul’s men, Doeg the Edomite, sees everything. David then asks for a weapon and receives Goliath’s own sword, a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness. Desperate, David runs to Gath, Goliath’s hometown, where the Philistines recognize him. Terrified, he pretends to be insane, scratching at doors and drooling into his beard until King Achish sends him away. Kids learn to turn toward God in desperate times, remember what he has already done, and be careful with the truth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E59
September 25 · 13 min
Episode 59: Best Friends Forever
In this episode, Cousin Michael tells the story of David and Jonathan from 1 Samuel 20, the greatest friendship in the Bible. With Saul trying to kill David, the two friends devise a test: David will skip the New Moon feast, and Saul’s reaction will reveal his intentions. Jonathan, the crown prince, acknowledges that God has chosen David as the next king, and the two make a covenant before the Lord to protect each other’s families forever. When Saul explodes in rage, insults Jonathan’s mother, and even hurls a spear at his own son, Jonathan uses a prearranged arrow signal to warn David to flee. The friends then share a tearful goodbye. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E58
September 23 · 10 min
Episode 58: The Great Escapes
In this episode, Cousin Michael takes kids through 1 Samuel 19, where David narrowly escapes Saul's murderous plans three times in one chapter. First, Jonathan convinces Saul to spare David and Saul swears an oath—but soon breaks it by hurling a spear at David while he plays the harp, and David dodges just in time. Second, Saul sends soldiers to surround David's house, but his wife Michal lowers him out a window and puts a household idol with goat hair in his bed to buy time. Third, David flees to Samuel at Naioth, and when Saul sends three groups of messengers to capture him, the Spirit of God falls on each group and they start prophesying instead. Finally Saul goes himself—and the same thing happens to him, leaving him stripped of his royal robes and prophesying helplessly all day and night. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E57
September 21 · 10 min
Episode 57: Everybody Loves David
In this episode, Cousin Michael explores 1 Samuel 18, where David’s victory over Goliath makes him a national hero. Jonathan, the crown prince, forms an instant friendship with David, sealing it with a covenant and giving him his royal robe and weapons. But when the women sing that Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands, Saul’s jealousy takes over. He hurls his spear at David twice, sends him into battle hoping the Philistines will kill him, and uses his daughters Merab and Michal as bait, demanding a hundred Philistine foreskins as a bride price. Every scheme backfires because the Lord is with David. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E56
July 15 · 10 min
Episode 56: The Battle Is the Lord's
In this episode, Cousin Michael covers 1 Samuel 17:48–58, where the stone finally flies. David sheds Saul’s ill-fitting armor, grabs five smooth stones and his sling, and runs straight at the giant while everyone else has been running away for forty days. One stone sinks into Goliath’s forehead and the giant crashes facedown into the dirt. David then uses Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head, fulfilling his prophecy word for word. The Philistine army panics and flees, and Israel surges forward in pursuit. The episode emphasizes that this was never David’s battle—it was God’s. David came not with sword or spear but in the name of the Lord Almighty, and God used a shepherd’s weapon to topple a warrior in 125 pounds of armor. Kids learn that faith runs toward the problem, God doesn’t need impressive resources to win, and this story points forward to Jesus’s ultimate victory. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E55
July 13 · 11 min
Episode 55: The Shepherd's Secret
In this episode, Cousin Michael covers 1 Samuel 17:31–47, where David volunteers to fight the giant and reveals his shepherd’s secret. He tells Saul how God delivered him from a lion and a bear while protecting his father’s sheep, and declares that the same God will deliver him from Goliath. Saul dresses David in royal armor, but David can barely walk in it and takes it off—he won’t win by out-giganting the giant. Instead, he grabs his staff, a sling, and five smooth stones from the stream. When Goliath mocks and curses him, David delivers one of the Bible’s greatest speeches: “You come with sword and spear, but I come in the name of the LORD Almighty.” He declares that the whole world will know there is a God in Israel, because “the battle is the LORD’s.” Kids learn to be who God made them and trust that past deliverances build faith for future battles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E54
July 10 · 13 min
Episode 54: The Giant's Challenge
In this episode, Cousin Michael sets the scene from 1 Samuel 17:1–30. The Philistine and Israelite armies face off across the Valley of Elah, and every morning and evening for forty days, the nine-foot-tall giant Goliath marches out in full bronze armor to mock Israel and challenge them to send a champion. Every soldier, including King Saul, is terrified. Meanwhile, young David arrives at camp on a simple errand to deliver bread and cheese to his brothers. When he hears Goliath’s taunts, his reaction is completely different from everyone else’s: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” While the soldiers focus on the giant’s size, David focuses on God’s honor. His oldest brother Eliab tries to shut him down with insults, but David keeps speaking up until word reaches King Saul. Kids learn that what you look at in a crisis changes everything. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E53
July 8 · 12 min
Episode 53: God Looks at the Heart
In this episode, Cousin Michael guides kids through 1 Samuel 16, where God sends Samuel on a secret mission to anoint a new king from among Jesse's sons in Bethlehem. When the tall, impressive eldest son Eliab steps forward, Samuel thinks he's found the one—but God delivers the chapter's key lesson: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Seven sons pass before Samuel, and God rejects them all. Finally someone remembers the youngest boy, left out tending sheep—David. God says, "He is the one," and Samuel anoints him as the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David in power. Meanwhile, God's Spirit departs from Saul, and a tormenting spirit takes its place. Ironically, David is brought into Saul's palace as a harp player to soothe the troubled king. Kids learn that God chooses the overlooked, values the heart over appearances, and prepares His people through faithful service in small places. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E52
July 6 · 12 min
Episode 52: To Obey Is Better
In this episode, Cousin Michael takes kids through 1 Samuel 15, where God gives Saul a clear command to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything they own. Saul wins the battle but keeps the Amalekite king Agag alive and spares the best sheep and cattle, destroying only the worthless stuff. When Samuel arrives, Saul cheerfully claims he obeyed—until Samuel asks why he hears sheep bleating and cattle lowing. Saul blames the soldiers and insists the animals were saved for sacrifices to God, prompting Samuel's famous reply: "To obey is better than sacrifice." God rejects Saul as king, and when Saul grabs Samuel's robe and tears it, Samuel declares that God has torn the kingdom from Saul and will give it to someone better. Saul's confession rings hollow—he cares more about his reputation than his relationship with God. Kids learn that partial obedience is still disobedience and that God values a listening heart above all. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E51
July 3 · 12 min
Episode 51: Nothing Can Stop God
In this episode, Cousin Michael takes kids through 1 Samuel 14, where Jonathan and his armor-bearer secretly slip away from Saul's paralyzed army to attack a Philistine outpost, declaring, "Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." They climb a steep cliff on hands and feet, strike down about twenty soldiers, and God sends a massive earthquake and panic that throws the entire Philistine army into chaos—soldiers start fighting each other and fleeing in every direction. Meanwhile, Saul makes a foolish oath forbidding anyone to eat during the battle, which weakens the army and nearly gets Jonathan killed when he unknowingly tastes some honey. Saul is ready to execute his own son, but the soldiers stand up to the king and rescue Jonathan, recognizing that he fought with God's help. Kids learn that God doesn't need big armies or perfect circumstances to save, and that faith means trusting God and taking action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E50
July 1 · 11 min
Episode 50: The King Who Couldn't Wait
In this episode, Cousin Michael walks kids through 1 Samuel 13, where King Saul faces a massive Philistine army and a shrinking force of terrified soldiers. Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for him to come and offer sacrifices, but as the days pass and soldiers desert, Saul panics and offers the sacrifice himself. The moment he finishes, Samuel arrives and delivers a devastating verdict: because Saul didn't obey, his kingdom will not endure, and God has already begun seeking "a man after His own heart." Instead of owning his failure, Saul blames his soldiers, Samuel's timing, and the circumstances. The chapter closes with Israel's dire situation—only six hundred men remain, and just Saul and Jonathan have swords. But the real loss isn't military; it's that Samuel walks away, leaving Saul without God's direction. Kids learn that obedience matters more than circumstances, partial obedience is still disobedience, and waiting on God is always worth it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E49
June 11 · 12 min
Episode 49: Thunder from Heaven
In this episode, Cousin Michael guides kids through 1 Samuel 12, where the aging prophet Samuel delivers his farewell speech to Israel. He first puts himself on trial, and no one can find a single fault in his lifelong leadership. Then he confronts Israel with their history—every time they forgot God, He let enemies defeat them, and every time they cried out, He sent a rescuer. But this time, instead of trusting God, they demanded a human king. To drive the point home, Samuel calls on God to send thunder and rain during the dry wheat harvest season—something that never happens—and God does it, terrifying the people into confessing their sin. But Samuel delivers a message of hope built around one powerful word: "yet." Yes, they sinned—yet God won't reject them if they turn back and serve Him wholeheartedly. Samuel promises to keep praying and teaching no matter what. Kids learn that past failures don't define the future when you turn back to God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E48
June 8 · 10 min
Episode 48: Saul's Big Moment
In this episode, the cruel Ammonite king Nahash surrounds the town of Jabesh Gilead and threatens to gouge out every man’s right eye. When the desperate news reaches Saul’s hometown, the Spirit of God comes upon Saul in power, transforming the shy farmer who once hid in the luggage into a bold warrior-king. He rallies all Israel by cutting up his oxen and sending the pieces throughout the land, and 330,000 men show up united and ready to fight. Saul divides his army into three groups, launches a surprise attack before dawn, and completely destroys the Ammonite forces. Afterward, when the people want to punish those who had doubted Saul, he refuses, declaring, “No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.” Kids learn that God’s Spirit can empower anyone who is willing, and that victory always deserves mercy and giving God the credit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E47
June 3 · 10 min
Episode 47: The King Who Hid in the Luggage
In 1 Samuel 10:17-27, Samuel gathers all Israel at Mizpah for a national assembly to publicly reveal their new king. But first, he reminds them of the hard truth: by demanding a king, they had rejected God who had always saved them. Then Samuel uses lots to narrow down God’s choice—tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family—until Saul son of Kish is chosen. But when they look for Saul, he’s nowhere to be found. They ask God, and he reveals that Saul has hidden himself among the baggage! They drag him out, and when he stands before the people—a head taller than everyone else—they shout, “Long live the king!” Samuel writes down the rules of the kingdom, and everyone goes home. Some valiant men follow Saul, but some troublemakers reject him. The big takeaway? You can’t hide from what God calls you to do—so step up and trust him. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by SAUL’S DELUXE HIDING SPOT LUGGAGE SET: For when God chooses you but you're just not feeling it! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E46
June 2 · 12 min
Episode 46: Looking for Donkeys, Finding a Kingdom
In 1 Samuel 9:1–10:16, a tall, handsome young man named Saul is sent by his father to find some lost donkeys. After three days of searching with no success, his servant suggests consulting a nearby prophet—who turns out to be Samuel. What Saul doesn't know is that God told Samuel the day before, "Tomorrow I will send you a man from Benjamin. Anoint him as leader over my people." When Saul arrives, Samuel treats him like royalty, then privately pours oil on his head and declares him Israel's new king. To confirm this is really from God, Samuel gives Saul three specific signs—all of which come true that very day, including the Spirit of God rushing upon Saul and changing his heart. When Saul gets home, he tells his uncle the donkeys were found but says nothing about the kingdom. The big takeaway? God is working behind the scenes even when you can't see it. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by SAUL’S DONKEY TRACKING APP: Because not everyone who loses their donkeys is gonna end up finding a kingdom! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E44
May 27 · 10 min
Episode 44: The Stone of Help
In this episode, Cousin Michael guides kids through 1 Samuel 7:2–17, where Israel finally comes back to God with their whole hearts after twenty years of half-hearted faith. Samuel challenges the people to get rid of their foreign idols and serve God alone—and they do. At a gathering in Mizpah, Israel pours out water, fasts, and confesses their sin. But when the Philistines hear about the assembly and march to attack, the terrified Israelites beg Samuel to pray. As Samuel offers a sacrifice, God answers with massive thunder that throws the Philistine army into chaos, and Israel chases them down in victory. Samuel then sets up a stone called Ebenezer—meaning "Stone of Help"—declaring, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." Remarkably, this victory happens near the same place Israel suffered devastating defeat in chapter 4. Kids learn that real repentance requires your whole heart, prayer is the most powerful weapon, and God can turn places of failure into places of victory. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E43
May 25 · 11 min
Episode 43: The Ark Fights Back
In 1 Samuel 5:1–7:1, the Philistines capture the ark of God and place it in the temple of their god Dagon as a trophy of victory. But the next morning, Dagon has fallen face-down before the ark—and the morning after that, his head and hands are broken off like a defeated soldier. God then sends plagues of tumors and rats on every Philistine city the ark visits: Ashdod, then Gath, then Ekron. After seven months of disaster, the Philistines send the ark back to Israel on a cart pulled by two mother cows who walk straight toward Israel instead of returning to their calves—proving God was behind everything. But even the Israelites at Beth Shemesh learn that God’s holiness is serious when seventy men die for treating the ark carelessly. The big takeaway? God doesn’t need anyone to defend Him—He fights His own battles and always wins. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by DAGON’S SUPER GLUE: Because SOMEBODY keeps knocking your god over, and it’s definitely not a coincidence! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E42
May 22 · 10 min
Episode 42: The Day the Glory Left
In 1 Samuel 4, Israel loses a battle to the Philistines and comes up with a plan: bring the ark of the covenant to the battlefield, and God will HAVE to save us. They were trying to use God like a lucky charm. But it backfires horribly—Israel is crushed, thirty thousand soldiers die, the ark is CAPTURED by the enemy, and Hophni and Phinehas both die on the same day, exactly as God predicted. When old Eli hears the ark is captured, he falls backward, breaks his neck, and dies. Phinehas’s dying wife names her newborn son ICHABOD—meaning “the glory has departed.” The big lesson? You can’t treat God like a magic object you control. He’s a Person you have a relationship with. Religious stuff without a real heart for God is empty—and it doesn’t work. Sponsor: This episode of The Hey Eddy! Podcast is brought to you by THE LUCKY ARK KEYCHAIN: It won’t work because God isn’t a good luck charm you can carry around. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com
S1 · E41
May 20 · 10 min
Episode 41: Speak, Lord—I'm Listening!
In this episode, Cousin Michael takes kids through 1 Samuel 3:1–4:1a, where God breaks a long silence by calling young Samuel's name in the middle of the night. Samuel doesn't recognize God's voice and runs to Eli three times thinking the old priest called him. Finally Eli realizes what's happening and tells Samuel to respond, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." When God comes and stands before Samuel, He delivers a hard message: judgment is coming for Eli's family because Eli knew his sons were wicked but failed to stop them. Samuel is terrified to share the news, but when Eli presses him, he tells the truth without leaving anything out. Eli accepts God's word with quiet submission. From that night on, God is with Samuel, every prophecy comes true, and all Israel recognizes him as a true prophet. Kids learn that God is patient, His Word sometimes challenges us, and faithful listening can change everything. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit start2finish.substack.com

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