Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Field
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kid questions get fascinating answers; some heavy topics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Listen
What's It About?
BUT WHY: A PODCAST FOR CURIOUS KIDS is a show in which questions are crowd-sourced by kid listeners. They're asked to call in or email voice-recorded questions that they're curious about. Sample topics range from current events like the reasons behind Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to the history topics (how did people keep their food cold in olden days?). Kids' questions are grouped by topic and explored, with host Jane Lindholm and interesting guests presenting the answers.
Is It Any Good?
This podcast is an excellent listen for both kids and adults who are fascinated by exciting facts on various topics. On But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids kids source the topics through their questions, and the content is presented via language and explanations that make sense to kid listeners (although it could feel dry to some, and it could be a challenge for all kids to stay engaged during longer episodes or those that don't include guests). While a handful of the topics covered may be uncomfortable for some families (war, illness, etc.), they provide space for adults to further the conversation and field questions after listening to the episodes together.
The show is produced by Vermont Public Radio, and Jane Lindholm is the show's creator, executive producer, and host. She's recognized as an expert in her field and has been noted as "Vermont Public Radio's most recognizable voice." Thanks to its robust number of accessible, Common Core-aligned learning guides, guests from across the world, and a focus on using kids' questions as the driver for content, the show has had a strong following since its inception in 2016.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about questions they would want answered on But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids. Can you share some of your curiosities? Why is curiosity a valuable character strength?
How do you feel when you hear about topics that might seem confusing or scary? Is there anything that makes these topics less confusing or scary?
When was a time you used a question to support your learning? What did you learn from asking those questions?
Does it sometimes scare you or make you nervous to raise your hand and ask a question? Do you think others may feel the same? How can you use bravery to gain the courage to ask questions on your mind?
Podcast Details
- Release date : March 16, 2016
- Genre : Educational
- Run time : 25 minutes
- Website : https://www.vpr.org/podcast/but-why-a-podcast-for-curious-kids
- Host : Jane Lindholm
- Production Company and Network : Vermont Public Radio
- Pricing structure : Free
- Topics : STEM , History
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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