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Everything Under The Sun

Kids & Family Podcasts

Children are full of curiosity and questions about the world. Each Friday, join Molly Oldfield, write of the weekly kids quiz in the Guardian each Saturday, the original QI elf and author and host of Everything Under The Sun (both the book and...

Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

Children are full of curiosity and questions about the world. Each Friday, join Molly Oldfield, write of the weekly kids quiz in the Guardian each Saturday, the original QI elf and author and host of Everything Under The Sun (both the book and podcast) as she answers questions sent in by children around the world with the help of experts including Neil Gaiman, Heston Blumenthal, Grayson Perry, Lauren Child, Richard Branson and Sophie Dahl to the fish curators at the Natural History Museum. If you're a kid - big or small - with questions you want answered or if you want to learn interesting facts about life on earth, this is the award winning podcast for you. Do check out Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year, published by Ladybird books now!

Language:

English


Episodes
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#174 How does the Moon control the Earth's tides? w/ Brother Guy Consolmagno. What causes a blood moon? Why is there no air on the Moon?

3/6/2026
Welcome to Episode #174 of Everything Under the Sun! Welcome back! Brother Guy Consolmango, observer for the Vatican, joins us to explain what the Moon has to offer with Earth's tides! We work out what causes a blood moon! And to finish the episode off we talk about the lack of air on our Moon and why the atmosphere is so thin up there! Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:13:59

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#173 Merry Christmas! Did Santa deliver presents to dinosaurs? w/ Andy Day! How do snow shoes work? Why does ice stick to things?

12/24/2025
Welcome to Episode #173 of Everything Under the Sun! Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you enjoy this festive episode. Andy Day, author, Cebeebies presenter, musician and dinosaur expert explains Santa's behaviour around dinosaurs! We figure out how snow shoes work! And to finish the episode off and keep us nice and warm for Christmas, we find out how ice sticks to things! Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:08

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#172 Where does space end? w/Jim Al-Khalili. How do ships float? What is the biggest airport in the world?

12/19/2025
Welcome to Episode #172 of Everything Under the Sun! Today we welcome back the thrillingly theoretical Jim Al-Khalili to uncover the mystery of space's edge! 🪐🔭🚀 We discover how ships float with the help of Pippa Kenton-Page's amazing contribution to Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! 🛶⛵️🚤 And to finish it off we find out about the airports of the world, discovering the biggest one, smallest one, and the weird ones! ✈️🛬💺 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:16

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#171 How do volcanoes erupt? w/ Robin George Andrews. How are continents made? How do we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide?

12/12/2025
Welcome to Episode #171 of Everything Under the Sun! Today Robin George Andrews returns to tell us how and why volcanoes erupt! 🌋 We find out about ancient history as we discover how the continents were made! 🌎🌍🌏 And to round it all off, we figure out how humans breathe in oxygen, but breathe out carbon dioxide! 😮‍💨 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:12:51

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#170 Who came up with the idea of Unicorns? w/ Catherine Cawthorne. Why do you see lightning before you hear thunder? When was the first LEGO built?

12/5/2025
Welcome to Episode #170 of Everything Under the Sun! On this week's episode the cunningly creative Catherine Cawthorne joins us to chat about Unicorns! Who came up with them and why? 🦄 We discover the science behind thunder storms! Why do we see lightning before we hear thunder? 🌩️⚡️⛈️ For our last question this week we chat about the wonderful world of LEGO and how it came to be! 🧱🪀 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:12:05

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#169 How are seeds made? w/ Leon Perrie. Why don't humans have fur? Why do Hippos have large teeth?

11/28/2025
Welcome to Episode #169 of Everything Under the Sun! This week the naturally talented Leon Perrie gives all the information about how seeds are made! 🌱🫛 We find out why humans don't have fur, and discus the different theories! And for our final question of the day we figure out why hippos have those massive teeth! 🦛🦷 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:11:32

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#168 Can whales from Antarctica learn the language of whales from Iceland? w/ Tom Mustill. Why is sea water so cold? Why do you get a runny nose when you come out from the cold?

11/21/2025
Welcome to Episode #168 of Everything Under the Sun! This week the brainy and brilliant Tom Mustill chips in on whether or not whales from Antarctica could communicate with whales from Iceland? 🐳🐋 We find out why the se can be so cold! 🥶🧊🌊 And for our final question of the day we figure out the age old question of why do we get runny noses when we come in from the cold? 🤧 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:14:40

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#167 How do power stations work? w/ Kathy Joseph. How deep can whales go? How does our body produce saliva?

11/14/2025
Welcome to Episode #167 of Everything Under the Sun! This week the the brilliant Kathy Joseph chats to us about how power stations work! 🔋🔌 We discover the deepest depth a whale can go! 🐋🐳 And for our final question of the day we uncover the mysteries of how our body produces saliva! 👅😪 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:13:20

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#166 Can some animals talk to others? w/ Jonathan Balcombe. Why do steam trains chuff? Why are panthers black and why do they climb trees?

11/8/2025
Welcome to Episode #166 of Everything Under the Sun! This week the knowledgable Jonathan Balcombe tells us how some animals communicate with others! 🙊 We find out how steam trains work and why do they make that 'chuff' sound! 🚂🛤️ And we discover why panthers climb trees and why they're black! 🐆 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:11:29

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#165 Why do giant squids have such excellent eye sight? w/ Sy Montgomery. How do spiders make their webs? Who invented halloween?

10/31/2025
Welcome to Episode #165 of Everything Under the Sun! This week is a spooky special! Happy halloween everyone! This week the wonderful Sy Montgomery explains why giant squids have such excellent eye sight! 🦑 We find out how spiders make their awesome webs! 🕷️🕸️ And why we celebrate halloween in the first place! 🎃👻 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:10:55

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#164 How do clownfish switch from male to female? w/ Laura Tranfield. How was air made? How do fireflies light up?

10/24/2025
Welcome to Episode #164 of Everything Under the Sun! This week Laura Tranfield imparts some knowledge about the way clownfish switch from male to female! 🐟🐠 We get to hear about the origins of air, and how it came to be! 💨🌬️ And how fireflies light up in that beautiful way! 🔥🪰 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:12:53

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#163 How do we know whether volcanoes or dormant, extinct or explosive? w/ Robin George Andrews. How did people make sellotape? Why do toes go from biggest to smallest?

10/17/2025
Welcome to Episode #163 of Everything Under the Sun! This week we're joined by Robin George Andrews! He tells us all about volcanoes! We get to learn all about toes and why they go from biggest to smallest And how sellotape is made! Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:14:16

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#162 Why does the ocean give us some of our oxygen? w/ Juli Berwald. Can snakes lose teeth? How does paper get made?

10/10/2025
Welcome to Episode #161 of Everything Under the Sun! This week we’re joined by the awesome and amazing Juli Berwald! She tells us all about the relationship between the oxygen we breathe and the oceans we swim in!🌊🪸 We get to learn all about snake teeth and whether or not they fall out!🐍🦷 And how paper is made!🧻📜♻️ Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:12:38

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#161 How do planets float in space? w/ Brother Guy Consolmagno. How long have tortoises been on the Earth? How do thermometers work?

10/3/2025
Welcome to Episode #161 of Everything Under the Sun! This week we’re joined by the knowledgable Brother Guy Consolmagno! He explains to us how planets manage to float in space! 🪐🚀 We learn all about tortoises and how long they've been on Earth! 🐢 And how a thermometer works!🌡️ Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:13:43

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#160 How do plants grow? w/ Arief Rabik. How does the Shinkansen train go so fast? Why do mosquito bites itch?

9/26/2025
Welcome to Episode #160 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the wise and wonderful Arief Rabik, a bamboo forestry advocate and founder of Indobamboo! He explains how plants grow! 🌱🫛 We learn about the fascinating Shinkansen bullet train and how it manages to go so fast! 🚄 And why do mosquito bites itch so much! 🦟 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:13:24

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#159 Why do reptiles lay eggs and mammals don't? w/ Felix Marx. How do babies learn how to talk? When did people start keeping cats as pets?

9/19/2025
Welcome to Episode #159 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Felix Marx, palaeontologist, biologist and curator at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa! He explains why reptiles lay eggs and mammals don't. 🥚 We learn about the complicated process of how babies learn how to talk! And when people started keeping cats as pets! 🐈 Don't forget, if three questions just aren't enough for you, there are 366 more in Everything Under the Sun: All Around the World! Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:14:00

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#158 Everything Under The Sun - All around the world, the book!

9/10/2025
Welcome to Episode #158 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant James Maclaine, fish curator at the Natural History Museum in London to answer a fishy question, why do Anglerfish have lights on their heads? We find out about life as a wombat and why they do square poos? And why ice cream is SO yummy! Each answer is from Molly Oldfield's new BOOK, Everything Under The Sun, all around the world. Check it out at www.mollyoldfield.co.uk! It makes the perfect pressie do buy one now : ) If you want more Everything Under The Sun, here is the Everything Under The Sun: Quiz Book. Available on Amazon here, or through independent UK bookshops here. On top of that the original book Everything Under the Sun: a curious question for every day of the year is available on Amazon and in independent bookshops here. Instagram: @itseverythingunderthesun and @mollyoldfieldwrites Tiktok: @itseverythingunderthesun X/Twitter: @eutsworld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:14:00

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#156 Can Beetles Talk To Ants? w/ Ben Hoare. How Are Candles Made? Where does the water for a river come from?

5/7/2025
Welcome to Episode #156 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Ben Hoare, nature writer and author of Animal Partnerships, to help us answer a bug-tastic question—can beetles talk to ants? Then, we’ll melt into the world of wax and wicks to discover how candles are made. And finally, we’ll follow the flow to find out where the water in a river actually comes from. Get ready for another illuminating episode full of nature, science, and wonder! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:16:33

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#156 How Do You Become A Chess Grandmaster? w/ FunMaster Mike Klein. Why Do Countries Have Capital Cities? Why Do Lemurs Have Stripey Tails?

4/25/2025
Welcome to Episode #156 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant and always entertaining FunMaster Mike Klein—chess expert, educator, and all-around fun guy—to help us answer a seriously strategic question: how do you become a grandmaster in chess? Next, we’ll zoom out to explore the world map and ask: why do countries have capital cities? And finally, we’ll swing over to Madagascar to uncover the reason behind those stylish stripes—why are lemurs’ tails so stripy? Get ready for a brainy, bouncy episode full of games, geography, and animal wonders! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:14:10

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#155 Why Do We Hear the Sea in Seashells? w/ Helen Scales. Why Do Eggs Have Yolks? Why Are Sheepdogs So Intelligent?

4/18/2025
Welcome to Episode #154 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Helen Scales—marine biologist, author of The Sea’s Lure, and expert in all things oceanic—to answer a fascinating question: Why do we hear the sea in seashells? Then, we’ll dive into the natural world to explore the mystery behind why eggs have yolks inside them. And finally, we’ll uncover the secret to why sheepdogs are so incredibly intelligent. Get ready for another episode filled with marine wonders, biological curiosities, and a little canine genius! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:14:30