Install SoundCarrot
Add it to your home screen for quick access.
Curious kids never stop asking questions - and “when” is one of their favourites. These are the episodes that lean right into that curiosity, each one opening with a big “When”. Brilliant for inquisitive minds who want to understand how the world really works.
Visit lolstorytime.com for merch, shoutouts, and other... stuff.
Today, we're heading to Lower Starry Skies, where the hottest day of summer takes a very unexpected turn!
Relive England’s dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico at the 2026 World Cup in this calm football bedtime story for kids. Jude Bellingham scores twice, Harry Kane holds his nerve, and ten-man England survive a stormy night at the Azteca.
Who played in the first World Cup? How many Countries have won the World Cup? What makes the World Cup so special & popular?
Cole Palmer froze PSG in the Club World Cup final as Chelsea won 3-0 on a famous night in New Jersey. A relaxing football bedtime story featuring Palmer’s two goals, João Pedro’s clever finish, and Chelsea’s stunning win over the European champions.
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 in some c…
Rachel tells us this week about spiny rats. These strange little mammals can actually drop their tails when in danger.
Do you ever hear a song that transports you to a specific place and time? This auditory wormhole has a name: musical daydreams. Music cognition expert Elizabeth Margulis studies why they happen, and what they tell us about our brains. She joins Host Flora Lich…
Settle in for the story of Argentina’s dramatic 2022 World Cup win, told as a relaxing football bedtime story. Follow Lionel Messi and Argentina from their opening defeat against Saudi Arabia through knockout drama, penalty tension, controversy, records and th…
Relive England’s historic 1966 World Cup final win at Wembley Stadium in a calm retelling of the nation’s most famous football night.
Most dog owners start training with treats, and that is the right move. Food is one of the most effective ways to teach new behaviors quickly and clearly. The problem starts when treats never get phased out. Dogs begin to perform only when food is visible, and…
What was life like before Paved Roads? What are Paved Roads made of? What's a Pothole?
What are dolphins actually saying with their iconic, high-pitched whistles? Dolphin communication researcher Laela Sayigh is trying to find out. She’s been compiling a database of whistles from a pod of dolphins in Sarasota, Florida, the longest-studied group …
We asked you to send us stories about a time you accidentally broke the rules while traveling… and some you really went there.
As a foreign correspondent, Kelly McEvers has found herself detained by the KGB, held up at ISIS checkpoints, and on the front line in Syria. But it was a much more mundane experience that left her feeling in over her head years later.
This week on BookQuest, things get a seriously high-tech twist with DadBot 2 by Jack Noel, where family life turns chaotic when dad becomes more machine than man.
Where are your shoes when you can't find them? A small story about a pair of trainers (sneakers) that go for a run on their own.
Ep. 138 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: How to respond to mean comments from friends or others | Friendship advice for kids
https://www.patreon.com/c/natureandscience4kids
When I Look in the Mirror I Will Find Beauty
There’s this idea that something happens in the human brain when we turn 25. Suddenly, we can rent a car without fees. Make rational decisions. We may even regret some of our past… indiscretions. All because we’re developed…right? Well, a recent paper in the j…
In today's episode, we explore what happens when you lose blood, how your body quickly stops the bleeding, and how it makes brand new blood parts again using a "factory" inside your bones called bone marrow.
Tonight, we’re bringing back a very special, festive tale from the Tots archives! That's right, it's the time where Snorf the sleepy dinosaur went on a magical snowy adventure. With soothing rhymes, soft sounds and repetitions, your tots will sleep soundly thr…
Ep. 128 - Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic: 5 Things to Do When You Feel Like Crying But Don't Want To | Friendship advice for kids
Meet Allie, a third grader whose love for dance, modeling, and the arts shines as bright as her smile! Whether she's learning new dance moves with friends or helping others master theirs, Allie's enthusiasm and kindness make her a true Lil' Leader. She embrace…
Welcome to our 250th episode!
Beauty can be found all around us - whether it’s a flower garden or a vibrant sunset. But loveliness is also found within. Take pride in what’s inside and out because we are all special!
In today's episode, we're learning all about how the telephone was invented. But we go back even further to learn about the telegraph, too. You might even learn a little morse code today!
🚨🐇🌥️ Hold onto your carrots, friends! A brave little hare is climbing higher than the treetops, mountains… even into the clouds! Will his tunes charm the mysterious Sky Tribe—or send him flying into space? 🎻✨
Volcanoes have been erupting on Earth for BILLIONS of years, and they’re still creating new landscapes today! Volcanoes can seem mysterious and scary, but people all over the world have learned to live in close proximity to active volcanoes. Today we answer qu…
We travel back thousands of years to find out what the very first board game was... from ancient Egypt's Senet to Mesopotamia's Royal Game of Ur (the oldest game with surviving rules). We explain what "abstract" games are and how later "themed" games added sto…
Science journalist Tom Zeller Jr. has suffered from debilitating cluster headaches for three decades. Like other cluster headache sufferers, his episodes would leave him unable to function, and the fear of the next one happening was constant. In a quest to bet…
What are Chicken Fingers made of? What's a Chicken Tender? What's the difference between Nuggets, Fingers or Tenders?
Why did the ornithologist strap a taxidermy badger to a remote controlled car and drive it around the prairie? To interrogate the secret world of animal eavesdropping in the grasslands, of course! Today on the show, we travel to the most imperiled ecosystem on…
What were the earliest Space Ships like? How have Space Ships evolved? What will the Space Ships of the future be like?
In 1938, the raging rapids of the Colorado River were untamed and the plants that grew there were unknown. Two botanists, Alzada Clover and Lois Jotter, set out to document the plants and in doing so became the first known women to raft the Colorado River.
The Roman Empire was one of the greatest empires in the ancient world.
Batteries are everywhere. They're in our phones, our remote controls, smart-watches, electric cars and so much more. They could also be the solution to a problem that renewable energy companies have faced for years: How to store the mass amounts of energy they…
Asked ChatGPT anything lately? Talked with a customer service chatbot? Read the results of Google's "AI Overviews" summary feature? If you've used the Internet lately, chances are, you've consumed content created by a large language model. These models, like D…
Colored eyeshadow, glossy lipstick, rosy blush – people use all sorts of makeup to change how they look. But when did we start using makeup? And how has it changed over time? We asked archaeologist and Brains On producer Anna Goldfield to help us find the answ…
In a new episode of The Big Fib we find out if our child contestant can spot which adult is lying about Clocks!
What's better than a PB + J sandwich? A PB + J Mindy and Guy Raz! And it may be the only way that Mindy and Guy Raz can get there faces separated after a superglue mishap! Join Guy and Mindy on their quest to get unstuck in this episode all about the who, when…
Tonight's soothing bedtime story will have your little one wandering the land of snow with Snorf the sleepy dinosaur. With soothing rhymes, soft sounds and repetitions, your tots will sleep soundly through the night.
People around the world eat with a variety of utensils like forks, chopsticks, and sporks. But what did people do before silverware was invented? We asked human evolution expert Briana Pobiner from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to help us …
Many people moved to Granbury, Texas for the peace and quiet. Then, a noisy neighbor moved in – and strange things began happening in town.
GROWNUPS, you can find the WOW of the Wow in the World Break-Open Crystal Geodes at amazon.com/wonderykids!
Why are there 3 strikes? Why are games 9 innings? How come every Baseball Stadium isn't the same size?
Join Inspector Chimp with his P.I.team in podcast "Inspector Chimp: The X-Mysteries"
We're all over the place this week. Victoria is back and she brings a mind blower talking about how the length of the day and the number of days in a year have changed dramatically over time. Kirk then brings things back to birds (of course) with a talk about …
Today, you’ll learn about how our perception of when old age hits is changing, a baby’s response to a happy face, and the housekeeping habits of neanderthals.
This week Kirk starts us off with a fascinating story of PMO or Prosopometamorphopsia, a condition where people strangely see distortions to other people's faces that can make them look like demons, elves or dragons.
Today we bring you the story of nachos who are intent on taking over the world, and the mom they claim as their queen, written by a 12 year old from Canada named Olivia.
Tattoos are a type of art that’s added permanently to a person’s skin using special inks and needles. It’s a way of decorating the body that has been around for a long time. But how long? When were the earliest tattoos? We asked sociologist David Lane to help…
Movies are everywhere. They’re on our tablets, phones, and projected onto giant screens. But it hasn’t always been that way! So… when were movies first made? We asked cinema and media historian Laura Isabel Serna about it – and she helped us find the answer!
We may not think much about sewing machines, but there are so many things we wouldn’t have without them! Think about how many things are sewn together in our everyday lives. Your shirts, pants, hats, pillows, backpack, even parts of your car seats! There’s no …
People have all different kinds of animals as pets: dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils, pigs, you name it. The famous artist Salvador Dalí even had a pet lobster that he took for walks on a leash! But when did humans first start craving animal companionship? We ask…
This week Rachel brings nightmares to life with a land shark. That's right, a shark that walks on land. Listen to this week's show to learn more about epaulette sharks!
There are products on the market that monitor your brain waves through caps or headbands: Some aim to improve mental health, sleep, or focus, while others can plunge users into virtual reality for gaming.
Together, let's travel to a tropical rainforest in the heart of Borneo, where we'll meet a kind-hearted lumberjack and a couple of friendly orangutans and we'll learn about the peaceful forest that they call home. Relax, get sleepy, and let’s begin!
Have you ever stared in the bathroom mirror and flicked the light on and off and watched what happens to your pupils? They get bigger, then smaller, then bigger, then smaller, right? One of our listeners was wondering what happens to our pupils when we close o…
This week, Victoria spins a tale of a mystery creature inflicting terrible pain swimmers and the strange unorthodox researcher who solved the mystery. Kirk then tells us about strange obelisks living in our mouths. Rachel rounds out the week by diving down 16,…
In tonight's bedtime story for kids, we go on an adventure with Frida and her paintersaurus, travelling through time and space to meet another Frida - Frida Kahlo, a famous artist who has plenty of inspiration to offer. Let's see what our little painter learns…
We are at the height of the Sun's activity in its eleven year cycle, known to astronomers as the solar maximum. This means that over the next several months there's going to be a lot of solar activity. It's got us thinking back to 1859. That's when astronomer …
Have you ever looked through newspaper or magazine advertisements and seen coupons? They’re those little paper rectangles that let you pay less for certain foods, items, or services. But when was the first coupon printed? Who had the idea to advertise with swe…
At the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a wildlife preserve in central Kenya, lions and cheetahs mingle with zebras and elephants across many miles of savannah – grasslands with "whistling thorn" acacia trees dotting the landscape here and there. Twenty years ago, the s…
When Steve Jobs unveiled the Apple Macintosh in January of 1984, the visual user interface, all-in-one design, and mouse-controlled navigation were revolutionary. Design team member Andy Hertzfeld and industry observer Steven Levy look back on the early days o…
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used throughout the world to predict the future. Banks use it to predict whether customers will pay back a loan, hospitals use it to predict which patients are at greatest risk of disease and auto insurance compani…
In a conversation from 2019, bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the role of ceremony in our lives, and how to celebrate reciprocal relationships with the natural world.
Ep. 31 – Mila, Age 9: When someone tries to be annoying | Taking care of yourself versus trying to change others
This week Rachel takes us (unsurprisingly) to the depths of the ocean to meet a bizarre and ancient creature while Kirk talks about how the smell of fresh cut grass may actually be a cry for help.
In February 2021, pandemic restrictions were just starting to ease in Hawaii, and Leila Mirhaydari was finally able to see her kidney doctor. Transplanted organs need diligent care, and Leila had been looking after her donated kidney all on her own for a year.…
What if the neighbor's dog could talk? What would he say? What about the robin high in the tree, or the cat on the path? In this playful song story, we imagine what the neighborhood animals might tell us!
Short & Curly listener Luca often gets stared at when he is in his wheelchair. His parents think the people who look too long are just being curious but Luca thinks it's just plain rude. So when does curiosity become rudeness? And how can we be curious about s…
Sirius is no ordinary starfish: He has the special power to grant wishes! Well, other creatures’ wishes, that is. Sea animals from all across the ocean cast their wishes upon little Sirius, and he’s always happy to help… but he’s never able to grant one for hi…
Rachel kicks things off this week with a story about an animal that, and I'm quoting Rachel here, kills things by "Being Slowly sucked into the mouth of your Cousin." Confused? You'll just have to listen.
In this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda ask about when children can make decisions about medical treatment and why sometimes a court is involved. They talk to Imogen Goold, Professor of Medical Law at St Anne's College Oxford university and Gresham visitin…
Mr Jim’s Puzzle Is Now Available
Mr Jim’s Puzzle Is Now Available
Do you think of yourself as a patient person? On this episode we’ll talk about how you can use mindfulness, or other creative ways to pass the time when waiting feels hard. ⏳
Beauty can be found all around us - whether it’s a flower garden or a vibrant sunset. But loveliness is also found within. Take pride in what’s inside and out because we are all special!Subscribe to Our Newsletter & Receive a Free 10 Min Bedtime Meditation: h…
The Roman Empire was one of the greatest empires in the ancient world.
Taking on responsibility is an action that comes with growing up. Being liable for our actions, good or bad, shows that we are confident individuals. We can use feelings of shame to grow into trustworthy people. Remember, it is okay to make mistakes so long as…
Botanist and founder of #BlackBotanistsWeek Tanisha Williams explains why some leaves change color during fall and what shorter days and colder temperatures have to do with it. Plus, a bit of listener mail from you! (Encore)
Text me and let me know any topics you would love for me to talk about on the show! I can't wait to hear! xo, Laura
Updated COVID boosters are now available that target the Omicron subvariant and many Americans 12 and older are eligible for the shot. Host Emily Kwong and health correspondent Allison Aubrey talk about who should get it, when, and whether there's a case to be…
Why Is It So Hard To Agree On When Human Life Starts?
Ad-Free Subscription to HEYMRJIM Podcasts
Ad-Free Subscription to HEYMRJIM Podcasts
Do you believe that people can come back from the dead? Today, Ben shares a campfire story about zonbis (different than zombies) and whether the dead can actually come back to life.
Howard Read and also Howard Read join Tiernan to answer a highly tricky, and perhaps philosophical question from Jasper: 'When Am Jellyfish?'
Scrub-a-dub-dub, it’s time for the tub! Or is it? You probably wash up with soap plenty of times throughout the week, but did you know that most people throughout history didn’t use soap for their bodies at all?
Listen to our new Spyology Squad Podcast
Listen to our new Spyology Squad Podcast
Listen to our new Spyology Squad Podcast
In 1859, astronomer Richard Carrington was studying the Sun when he witnessed the most intense geomagnetic storm recorded in history. The storm, triggered by a giant solar flare, sent brilliant auroral displays across the globe causing electrical sparking and …
This week, U.S. Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisors will meet to discuss long-term COVID vaccine strategy. This follows the recent FDA authorization and CDC recommendation of a second booster available for people 50 and older and some immunocompromis…
Other Mr. Jim Podcasts
Health apps can be a great way to stay on top of your health. They let users keep track of things like their exercise, mental health, menstrual cycles — even the quality of their skin. But health data researchers Giulia De Togni and Andrea Ford have found that…
Andrew & Polly have a frank conversation for parents about getting kids ready for the COVID-19 vaccine as well as routine pediatric vaccinations. We share some interesting stuff that didn't make the episode for kids, why Polly doesn't like to use the word "sho…
Everyone feels afraid sometimes. Being afraid is certainly a normal, healthy part of growing up. With Halloween approaching, it's a great time to talk about fear - how it feels, and what to do with it. 👻
Facebook's campus on the shoreline of San Francisco Bay is at risk from rising sea levels. So is a nearby low-income community. That's raising questions about who should be paying for climate change. Taxpayers or private landowners (in this case, some of the w…
In this episode, Alma-Constance talks to MP Edward Timpson CBE about his experience and knowledge of the foster care system in the UK. Ed is the MP for Eddisbury and was a family law barrister in Cheshire before joining the Conservative Party and serving as th…
Learn about Mauna Kea and how the pursuit of knowledge can be harmful. Plus: the smallest measurement of gravity ever.
When Alma-Constance discussed the age of criminal responsibility starting at 10 years old in England and Wales with DPP director Max Hill QC (in our episode 2), Max talked about the police investigating when people commit crimes. Alma-Constance was curious to …
Learn about what's going on with the new COVID-19 variants — and whether you should worry about them — with Dr. Syra Madad, nationally recognized epidemiologist and the senior director of the pathogens program at NYC Health and Hospitals. Then, learn about a n…
Global Witness documented that 212 environmental and land activists were murdered in 2019. Over half of those documented murders took place in Colombia and the Philippines, countries where intensive mining and agribusiness has transformed the environment. NPR …
We're going "Back To School" today, revisiting a classic at-home experiment that turns lemons into batteries — powerful enough to turn on a clock or a small lightbulb. But how does the science driving that process show up in household batteries we use daily? E…
Learn about how quitting smoking may reawaken healthy cells; how researchers figured out how to tell the age of crime scene fingerprints to help investigators; and why you sometimes yawn while exercising or singing.
Some insects and reptiles have a strange self-preservation characteristic — they suddenly start bleeding from places like their eyes or knees. NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce looks at "reflex bleeding" and explores some of the creatures that ble…
In the late 50s and early 60s, the US space program wasn’t doing great. The Soviets had beaten the US to almost every major first in space, and American rockets kept blowing up on the launchpad. According to declassified CIA documents, one night the American’s…
In a previous episode of the podcast, I touched on how it was difficult to pin down the date in which the United States actually became independent. In the case of the United States, it was a matter of pinning down when we wanted to define independence. Was it…
Last Tuesday, the military helped evacuate dozens of critically ill COVID-19 patients from overwhelmed hospitals in Queens. NPR's Rebecca Hersher says what happened that night shows how training for war does — and does not — prepare members of the armed servic…
As sea levels rise from climate change, coastal communities face a greater risk of chronic flooding. Climate scientist Astrid Caldas and her colleagues have looked at where it's happening now and where it could happen in the future as the tides keep getting hi…
The weirdest things we learned this week range from a secret pouch in your body to a literally killer fashion trend. Whose story will be voted "The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week"?
It's our first-ever listener questions episode! On this Short Wave, listener Charlotte asks why some people seek out scary experiences. We reached out to Ken Carter, a psychology professor at Oxford College of Emory University, for answers. Turns out, some of …
Tai spends a lot of time imagining how the apocalypse might go down. So, he turns to animals that have survived past apocalypses—like the one that killed the dinosaurs—to see what traits the true survivors have in common.
Here's a question from Short & Curly listener Harvey: "Is it OK to hang out with your friends if they're being mean to other people?" Difficult, right? Have you been in a tricky situation like this? What's the best thing to do and why?
In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:
Kids dob to parents and teachers for all kinds of reasons. It often feels bad when someone tells on you. And, if you're the one doing the dobbing (or snitching as our American friends say), the kid who gets in trouble might not like you for it. So should we te…
When Hitler Stole the Ballet Shoes by Mia Hyde. Read by Rhiannon Neads from the BBC Radio Drama Company. A Top 50 shortlisted story from BBC Radio 2's 500 WORDS 2015 competition, in the 10-13 Years Old category.
After a caterpillar goes into its chrysalis, you would expect a beautiful butterfly to emerge. But when this parasitoid attacks, the results are very different.
No episodes for this age just now - check back soon.
Sound Carrot is your source for Family Podcast Discovery. Verified awesome, 0% boring.
Distraction free website, no flashing banners or adverts to steal your attention.
(Some shows do contain their own ads however).
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.
Whether you want to listen to them together in the car, or alone in your room - the content is all safe for younger ears.
