Overview
Against All Odds by Wondery is a narrative-style podcast that tells unbelievable, real stories of people who have faced life-threatening situations. Think about the soccer team trapped in the caves in Thailand or the woman taken hostage by Somali pirates. These are intense and often heart-wrenching stories where people face impossible odds to survive. The podcast tells the story in detail, usually in multiple parts, each episode about 50 minutes long. The narrator is accompanied by background music and sound effects that take the listening experience to an immersive level.
Is this podcast safe for kids? We laid out all the details parents need to know about this powerful storytelling podcast.
Harmful Content ❗️
The podcast doesn’t claim to be kid-friendly, and it doesn’t shy away from describing some harsh realities that may not be suitable for young listeners. However, the narrative is tactful and isn’t gratuitously explicit. These stories include individuals who show great heroism and kindness, as well as those who act with cruelty and intentional harm.
Language
The podcast doesn’t include much profanity, but it occasionally repeats it as dialogue if it’s part of the story.
Sex
Sexual content is not prevalent in this podcast. If it’s a party of the story, there will be brief mentions of sexual activity or sexual assault, but this is not frequent or discussed in detail.
Violence
Many stories involve violence in the form of serious injury and even death. Some of these stories are focused on environmental threats (cave entrapments, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, etc.), others are at the hands of bad actors, such as wartime rebels.
The language used to describe these scenarios is candid, but not overly gruesome. Since these are real stories, not fiction, it may be more difficult for sensitive listeners.
Positive Value 💫
All these stories are incredible examples of resiliency and courage. The people in these stories accomplish amazing feats that are both inspiring and sobering. They exemplify making quick decisions under pressure and being resourceful in problem-solving. Kids may even learn valuable, life-saving tips about what to do in an emergency.
Additionally, the most impactful episodes are the ones where human connection and empathy prevail in the midst of disaster. Even in the darkest moments, there can still be moments of hope and kindness.
So, should my kid listen to it?
We’d suggest this podcast for ages 14 and up, or those who are mature enough to handle deeply intense and harsh stories of survival.
