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Artwork for But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Vermont Public
Weather
Curiosity
Pizza
Insects
Solar Eclipse
Snow
Vision
Family
Whistling
Tariffs
Horseshoe Crabs
Rabbits
Anxiety
Animals
North America
Cicadas
Happiness
Superheroes
Taxes
Inflation

But Why is a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world. Know a kid with a question? Record it with a smartphone. Be sure to include your kid's first name, age, and town and send the recording to questions@butwhykids.org!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes294Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyScience

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Artwork for But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Latest Episodes

How are constellations formed? How many stars are there? What are stars made of? Why are there stars in the sky? Why are stars white? Why are some stars red? Why do stars twinkle? Why do we only see the stars at night? Why is the north star always fa... more

Join us on a tour of our solar system with John O’Meara, chief scientist at the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii. We’ll answer all of your questions about planets! How were the planets in our solar system made? Why are some planets made of gas and oth... more

Have you ever seen your dog play with another dog? Have you seen squirrels chasing each other in the woods? Are they playing or are they doing something else? We look at the behavior of animals with Marco Wendt, Wildlife Ambassador for the San Diego ... more

Right now, the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup is happening across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico and it’s time to learn a little bit about soccer…or should we say football? That’s one conundrum we’ll be tackling: why is it called soccer... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Recent Guests

John O'Meara
Astronomer, Keck Observatory
WM Keck Observatory
Episode: Why does space have so many planets?
Marco Wendt
Wildlife Ambassador for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Episode: Do animals play?
Meg Linehan
Women's Sports Lead at The Athletic
The Athletic / New York Times
Episode: When was the first World Cup?
Patrick Klepek
Writer and editor for Crossplay focusing on parenting and video games
Crossplay
Episode: How are video games made?
Dr. Liz Angoff
Licensed educational psychologist; author of books on neurodivergence
Author/Educator
Episode: What is ADHD?
Mike Knodler
Director of the Transportation Center at the University of Massachusetts; Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Massachusetts
Episode: Why does green mean go and red mean stop?
Adam Clause
Collections Manager of Herpetology at the San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum
Episode: How do lizards grow their tails back?
Mary Holland
Natural history writer and expert on Vermont wildlife
Independent/Natural history author
Episode: But Why turns 10!
Craig Newman
Caretaker/handler associated with the barred owl Chapin
Outreach for Earth Stewardship
Episode: But Why turns 10!

Host

Jane Lindholm
Host of But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 9.7k ratings
  • ❤️

    Love this pod soooooo much. Your episodes are very interesting and I love how listeners can send in questions. This pod covers interesting topics. Can’t wait to listen to more episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Real Roonil Wazlib 🌈
    United States14 days ago
  • World Cup

    Ishowspeed is my favorite World Cup singer. Argintina is my favorite soccer. Messi is the G.O.A.T!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MeShellMyBell86
    United Statesa month ago
  • Its pretty good!

    I have been listening to this show for a bit and it has good info. However the first 5 minutes are always sponsors and i sometimes feel myself drifting off because the episodes sometimes get a little bit boring. Over all tho a good podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    1_random_guy
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good

    I have ADHD too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cats are not evil 🐈🐈‍⬛
    United Statesa month ago
  • Sooooo goooood

    This podcast is so good. Thank you for creating it. I can’t see that it has hard work and dedication put into it. I love your podcast soooooo much!!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ⋆˚𝜗 թմɾթlҽթմოα 𝜚˚⋆
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise its accessible explanations and kid-friendly questions that drive the conversation.
Positive notes on high-quality host engagement and educational value for families and classrooms.
Praise for diverse guests and engaging demonstrations that make science and civics approachable for children.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#18
United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#18
Canada/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#24
United Kingdom/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#28
Australia/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#37
Italy/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#166
Hong Kong/Top Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Do animals play?
Q: What happens at the zoo at night?
Zookeepers monitor nocturnal and crepuscular animals; some sleep patterns shift, and many species remain active or are fed at night to match their natural cycles.
Do animals play?
Q: Do adult animals play too?
Adults can also play for fun, though the reasons may vary and be more complex, including social bonding and learning.
Do animals play?
Q: Why do baby animals play?
Baby animals play for fun and also practice behaviors they will need as adults, with different species showing different reasons for play.
When was the first World Cup?
Q: What is the offside rule and why is it confusing?
The offside rule guards against players waiting near the goal; it requires two defenders and involves nuanced situations, making it one of the most complex rules that fans often misunderstand.
When was the first World Cup?
Q: Why is soccer called football in other countries?
Soccer originated as a nickname for association football in England, distinguishing it from rugby football; it spread with immigration and media, and over time many countries adopted football, while the US kept the term soccer for historical reasons.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

What is But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A kid-led show that answers curious questions across a wide range of topics, from science and nature to civics and culture. Episodes frequently pair a knowledgeable guest with accessible explanations, incorporating questions from young listeners to unpack complex ideas in a playful, age-appropriate way. Guests span university researchers, museum experts, activists, and artists, often tying in hands-on demonstrations, real-world examples, and practical takeaways for curious families. The format consistently emphasizes clear explanations, ethical curiosity, and civic-minded thinking, making it a strong fit for families and educators seeking engaging, educational storytelling that speaks to kids while informing adults.

Noteworthy and unique a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids?

These podcasts share a similar audience with But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids:

1. Brains On! Science podcast for kids
2. Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
3. Wow in the World
4. Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
5. Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

How many episodes of But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids are there?

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids launched 10 years ago and published 294 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids?

Recent guests on But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids include:

1. John O'Meara
2. Marco Wendt
3. Meg Linehan
4. Patrick Klepek
5. Dr. Liz Angoff
6. Mike Knodler
7. Adam Clause
8. Mary Holland

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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