There are 271 episodes

Episode one logo Episode One: But Why: Intro For Adults
This is an Episodic show. You can listen to it in any order, but episode one is always a great place to start.
About

Created by: Vermont Public Radio

USA 6-1011+

Started: April 1st, 2016

Status: Active, 271 episodes

Kind: Episodic

Language: English

Share the stories...
Link to this Podcast
a button that can be used to link to this page from other websites
<a href="https://soundcarrot.com/shows/shows/but-why-a-podcast-for-curious-kids/" title="SoundCarrot.com - Children's podcasts"><img src="https://soundcarrot.com/img/sc-sm.png" alt="Listen On SoundCarrot" style="width: 200px; height: auto" /></a>
Creators website
Vermont Public Radio

Content, Artwork and advertising within this podcast is not owned or affiliated with Sound Carrot.

Episodes

Why does green mean go and red mean stop?
36:03 | Episode: 290 | May 1st, 2026

Why is there traffic? How do traffic lights work? How do they know when to turn red and green? Why does green mean go and red mean stop? Why are cars able to go faster than they are allowed to go with the speed limit? Why do we drive on the right side of the road in the United States? Why are some roads bigger than others?  Answers to your traffic questions with Mike Knodler, professor and director of the Transportation Center at the University of Massachusetts.

Are Komodo dragons really dragons?
20:51 | Episode: 289 | April 24th, 2026

Can’t get enough of lizards? We’re back with a bonus episode answering more of your lizard questions with Adam Clause of the San Diego Natural History Museum. This week, chameleons, Komodo dragons, iguanas, monitor lizards and tuatara! How do chameleons change color? Why are Komodo dragons called dragons and are they endangered? How many babies do monitor lizards have? Why do iguanas have dewlaps? (And what’s a dewlap?!)  Why are iguanas green? What is a tuatara?

How do lizards grow their tails back?
35:23 | Episode: 288 | April 17th, 2026

Deep in the basement of the San Diego Natural History Museum, there are thousands of jars filled with preserved reptiles and amphibians. In this episode, But Why takes a tour with collections manager Adam Clause to answer your questions about lizards!  How do lizards climb walls? Do lizards hibernate? Do they sleep? Why are lizards cold blooded?  How do lizards grow back their tails if they break off? Why do geckos lick their eyes? Do lizards poop and pee? 

But Why turns 10!
22:37 | Episode: 287 | April 3rd, 2026

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 you may not even have thought to ask, like what about poop? Then we meet a barred owl named Chapin, who is cared for by Outreach for Earth Stewardship in Shelburne, Vermont. 

What’s it like to be a Kid Governor?
26:39 | March 20th, 2026

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 that helps kids learn about democracy while focusing on a community issue that’s important to them. But Why recently hosted Vermont’s Kid Governor and cabinet for a kid press conference and in this episode, we’ll listen in on that event. Plus we’ll hear from kid governors in Connecticut and Nebraska about what they hope to accomplish in their terms.  

How do we know life is not a dream?
32:06 | March 6th, 2026

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 teaches at the University of Michigan. He’s also written a book about how adults and kids can have philosophical discussions together. It’s called Nasty, Brutish and Short: Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids.

How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
29:36 | Episode: 284 | February 20th, 2026

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 their direct descendants! In this episode we trace the connection between modern birds and prehistoric dinosaurs. Other questions include: 

Why are brothers and sisters so annoying?
18:35 | Episode: 283 | February 6th, 2026

Why are brothers and sisters so annoying? Why do siblings often look a lot alike? Why do siblings fight? Can your sister be your best friend? Why do we fight with our siblings even if we love them? But Why takes a look at the sibling relationship with Susan Dominus, author of The Family Dynamic.




Thoughts and reviews on But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids episodes...
If this Episodes in this show have reviews, they'll appear here.

5 stars for the incredible knowledge that cats can be left handed too! Mind. Blown.

(5/5)

Created by: Vermont Public Radio
Started: April 1st, 2016
Status: Active, 271 episodes
Kind: Episodic
Language: English

USA6-1011+
© 2022 by goodenough.works, because it does. Privacy Policy | Contact | This dad codes.
Featured podcast...
Becoming Mother Nature

When Chloe is sent off to live with her mysterious and eccentric grandmother she learns an unbelievable secret. Grandma Ivy is none other than Mother Nature herself! And Chloe is next in line to assume to the power and responsibility of the job. Can a twelve-year old learn to balance the entire world’s ecosystem while just trying to fit in at her new school? Only Mother Nature knows.

» Check it out...




Find your next favourite Podcast

Sound Carrot is your source for Family Podcast Discovery. Verified awesome, 0% boring.



Privacy Focused

Distraction free website, no flashing banners or adverts to steal your attention.
(Some shows do contain their own ads however).


Kid verified

At first I made this site for my kids, but like any dad I got a little over excited. I hope you find it as useful as they do.


Family Friendly

Whether you want to listen to them together in the car, or alone in your room - the content is all safe for younger ears.

© 2022 by goodenough.works, because it does. | Cookies | Privacy Policy | Terms | This dad codes