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Artwork for But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Vermont Public
Weather
Insects
Snow
Solar Eclipse
Family
Vision
Happiness
North America
Cicadas
Invasive Species
Fun Activities
Mount Washington
Winter
Moon
Sun
Electric Guitars
Gretchen Rubin
Friendship
Glasses
Eyes

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 monthlyEpisodes284Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyScience

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Artwork for But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Latest Episodes

But Why turns ten years old on April 1, 2026! To celebrate this milestone, we’re listening back to our very first episode. We’ve got owls and turtles and bears. Naturalist Mary Holland gets into the details about hibernation–including the questions y... more

In the United States, voters in each state elect a governor every two or four year terms. The governor is the top official in the state government. But did you know five U.S. states also elect a Kid Governor? It’s a part of a civics education program... more

Some questions are so big they’re existential, meaning that they get right to the heart of human existence. These are also sometimes called philosophical questions, so for this episode we called up a professor of philosophy, Scott Hershovitz, who tea... more

Why did the dinosaurs go extinct? Many of you have learned about the meteorite that scientists say hit the earth 66 million years ago and killed off many dinosaur species. But some dinosaurs survived, and the birds you see flying around today are the... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

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!
Rosalyn Fortin
Vermont Kid Governor from Highgate; platform: homelessness
Vermont Kid Governor Program
Episode: What's it like to be a Kid Governor?
Galen McNaughton
cabinet member focusing on Improving School Lunches
Vermont Kid Governor Cabinet
Episode: What's it like to be a Kid Governor?
Karine Ashley
cabinet member focusing on mental health
Vermont Kid Governor Cabinet
Episode: What's it like to be a Kid Governor?
Lincoln Ratta
cabinet member focusing on Health Care Accessibility
Vermont Kid Governor Cabinet
Episode: What's it like to be a Kid Governor?
Weston Janforth
cabinet member focusing on Anti-Bullying
Vermont Kid Governor Cabinet
Episode: What's it like to be a Kid Governor?
Dr. Emily Bamforth
Paleontologist and curator of the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
Episode: How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
Susan Dominus
Author and writer for the New York Times Magazine, known for her book The Family Dynamic
New York Times Magazine
Episode: Why are brothers and sisters so annoying?

Host

Jane Lindholm
Host of kid-focused science and curious questions; long-time host with Vermont Public.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 9.4k ratings
  • Jimmy

    This is jimmy

    🤠

    -l-

    /\

    He likes to travel, so spread him to other podcasts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zigzagz121
    United States19 days ago
  • Amazing

    I love this podcast but my question never got put on the show but i dont blame you but why it must be very hard to pick the questions

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Liker of podcast
    United States19 days ago
  • Best podcast ever

    This is the best podcast ever because it is super fun and interesting. Also, it helps me go to sleep.

    Not in the bad way. I am a kid BTW

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lron1234
    United States21 days ago
  • Dear but why

    I am a curious kid and I love this podcast. It answers the questions I have always wondered about, this is really an amazing show. I love how you guys really work hard to give answers to impossible questions, it’s really truly amazing. Thank you for making this show it is incredible and I listen to it every single night.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PurplePuma9677
    United States21 days ago
  • Review

    Answers a bunch of my question

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    sadie2123
    South Africa23 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Audiences appreciate live-question formats and kid-friendly demonstrations.
Some reviews note desire for more frequent episodes or more pronounced sound effects.
Listeners praise accessible explanations and enthusiasm for curiosity.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#34
United Kingdom/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#26
Australia/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#101
Italy/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#172
Germany/Kids & Family

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
Q: Did dinosaurs have feathers?
Yes, some dinosaurs had feathers, as evidenced by fossil discoveries.
How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
Q: How are birds and dinosaurs related?
Birds are actually dinosaurs that did not go extinct, and they share a lot of characteristics with them.
How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
Q: How did some bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
They survived due to their small size, varied diet, and abilities like flying away from danger.
Why are brothers and sisters so annoying?
Q: Can my sister be my best friend?
Having a sibling as a best friend is possible, and it can create a strong bond despite natural conflicts.
Why are brothers and sisters so annoying?
Q: Why do I fight with my sister if I love her?
Sibling tensions are natural and can arise from feelings about resources and differentiation.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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?

This show consistently explores science, nature, and everyday wonder through curious questions from kids, often featuring expert guests who explain complex topics in accessible, engaging ways. Episodes span paleontology, animal behavior, memory, color science, music, and environmental topics, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and questions from young listeners. A notable strength is how it combines expert insights with kid-friendly explanations, making big ideas approachable for families and classroom use. The format frequently centers on interactive Q&A, live audience questions, and demonstrations or real-world demonstrations (like oyster restoration or instrument demonstrations).

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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. Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
3. Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
4. Wow in the World
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 284 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. Mary Holland
2. Craig Newman
3. Rosalyn Fortin
4. Galen McNaughton
5. Karine Ashley
6. Lincoln Ratta
7. Weston Janforth
8. Dr. Emily Bamforth

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