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Episode one logo Episode One: But Why: Intro For Adults
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Created by: Vermont Public Radio

USA 6-1011+

Started: April 1st, 2016

Status: Active, 250 episodes

Kind: Episodic

Language: English

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Episodes

How does wildfire smoke travel so far?
13:49 | Episode: 270 | August 29th, 2025

Have you noticed especially hazy skies where you live over the last few summers? While many parts of the world are experiencing more frequent and intense wildfires, even places that are nowhere near the fires are being impacted by the smoke from fires hundreds or thousands of miles away. Wildfire smoke gets so high in the atmosphere, it can be blown across a continent in a matter of days. In this special bonus episode, we’re going to learn the how and why of wildfire smoke that drifts around the world. And we’ll talk a little bit about how to stay safe when air quality goes down. Our guests are Professor Joel Thornton of the University of Washington and Dr. Gregg Furie of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Why are puffins’ beaks so colorful?
39:34 | Episode: 269 | August 22nd, 2025

Have you ever seen a puffin? With their bright beaks, orange feet and black and white coloring, these birds are very cool to look at. And we’ve gotten a lot of questions about them! In this episode, we talk with Don Lyons, an educator and avian ecologist with the Seabird Institute in Maine. What are puffins? Why are puffin beaks so colorful? Why do puffins dig burrows? How do puffins learn to fly? How can you tell if a puffin is male or female? How long can puffins hold their breath? Why do they have red feet?

Who invented the English language?
34:30 | Episode: 268 | August 8th, 2025

Where did the English language come from? Why do words have silent letters? Why do some people have accents? Why do some words sound similar? Answers to all of your questions about English and words with sociolinguist Erica Brozovsky, host of a PBS digital show called Otherwords. 

Chameleons, jellyfish and ballerinas! Check out But Why Bites
14:02 | Episode: 267 | July 25th, 2025

For today’s episode, we’re doing something a little different! We’re going to be listening to our video series, But Why Bites! (Even without the video part, they’re really cool!) Every other week over on our YouTube channel, we answer one kid question in a short and sweet little video. You can find all of them at the But Why Kids channel while you enjoy this compilation of episodes that we’re calling a Big Bite. 

Who created math problems?
29:10 | Episode: 266 | July 11th, 2025

Who created math problems? Why does one plus one equal 2 and not 11? Why do numbers go on forever? Why are numbers for counting? Why do you need math?

Why do some people like spicy food?
28:28 | Episode: 265 | June 27th, 2025

Ever wondered why some spices burn your throat while others tickle your nose? Or why some of us live for spicy foods while others sweat at the mere thought of a habanero? How do pickles stay crunchy if they’re sitting in brine for weeks on end? And why do we have such different food preferences from our friends? We’re answering your food questions with chef and author Kenji López-Alt, author of the kids book Every Night is Pizza Night and co-host of The Recipe.

Why do we need to use sunscreen?
22:15 | Episode: 264 | June 13th, 2025

It’s summer and that means slathering yourself with sunblock before you’re allowed to go run around outside. Not everyone loves that ritual: sunscreen can be cold or sticky. Sometimes it gets in your eyes, and it always feels like it’s time to reapply JUST as you’re about to jump in the water or go kick the ball. So, what’s the deal? Is it really all that important? We get the scoop from Dr. Jeff Yu, a pediatric dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. He’ll help us understand: What is a sunburn? What’s a tan? How does sunscreen work? How do you protect your eyes?

Are horseshoe crabs…crabs?
34:11 | Episode: 263 | May 30th, 2025

How did horseshoe crabs get their names? Are they even crabs? And did they really exist before the dinosaurs? Early spring presents a unique opportunity to see these living fossils up close as they scuttle up to the shoreline along the Atlantic coast of the United States to mate and spawn. But Why traveled to Cape Cod to see horseshoe crabs up close. There we met up with horseshoe crab expert Sara Grady, who works for Mass Audubon. We learn all about these arthropods and answer questions like: Can humans eat horseshoe crabs? What’s with the pointy tails? Do they pinch? How long do they live? And what’s so special about their blood? 




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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, 250 episodes
Kind: Episodic
Language: English

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