But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
A Podcast For Curious Kids
Vermont Public
Show overview
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids has been publishing since 2016, and across the 10 years since has built a catalogue of 298 episodes. That works out to roughly 130 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 21 min and 30 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Kids & Family show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 21 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Vermont Public.
From the publisher
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 [email protected]!
Latest Episodes
View all 298 episodesWhy do we get growing pains?
300th Episode: What’s your favorite?
Why does my voice sound weird when it’s recorded?
What are fossils?
Where do constellations come from?
Why does space have so many planets?
Do animals play?
When was the first World Cup?
How are video games made?
What is ADHD?
What are eels?
Why does green mean go and red mean stop?
Are Komodo dragons really dragons?
How do lizards grow their tails back?
Ep 287But Why turns 10!
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. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | TranscriptDownload and print Hibernating Bear and "Om Nom" Bear, coloring pages by Lauren Turmel.
What's it like to be a Kid Governor?
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. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
How do we know life is not a dream?
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.Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
Ep 284How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
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: Were any dinosaurs mammals? How did bird dinosaurs survive? Are crocodiles related to dinosaurs? Did dinosaurs have feathers? How do we know? Did all dinosaurs lay eggs? Our guest is Dr. Emily Bamforth, curator of the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Alberta, Canada.Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
Ep 283Why are brothers and sisters so annoying?
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.Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
Ep 282Do bunnies come out at night?
Why are rabbits called bunnies? Why do they have fur? Why do bunnies have puffball tails? Why do rabbits have eyes on the sides of their heads? Why do rabbits hop? Our guest is Margo DeMello, professor of anthrozoology at Carroll College in Montana. She’s also a rabbit rescuer and rehabilitator who is currently caring for 12 rabbits in her home! Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript