The Wonder Podcast for Curious Kids

Have you ever wondered why football is called the beautiful game, why male footballers are paid so much, and female footballers much less so? As the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Championships are hosted in Switzerland we look at the rise and fall and rise again of the women's game. Why was the First World War a golden age? What was the impact of the ban from the FA in 1921? And can England's Lionesses retain their 2022 trophy? Today 2.3 million girls play football around the world - are you one of them? Narrated by Georgia Vyvyan Script by Poppy Faure Walker Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Why are naughty children in books so appealing? Do you have to be a nice person to write children's books? Was Walt Disney a villain? We ask Sam Leith, the author of 'The Haunted Wood, A History of Childhood Reading' these questions, and many more Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

It is one of the most famous, and mysterious, stone circles in the world but who built it, and why? Was it an ancient calendar? A place of worship, or pilgrimage? Or a burial ground? Or, as some people have even suggested, a landing pad for alien spaceships? Today we can only guess at Stonehenge’s original purpose. But what remains of this 5,000-year-old monument – which sits within a sacred landscape on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England – offers extraordinary clues. Narrated by Camilla Akers-Douglas Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas Produced by Henrietta McMicking Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

S5, Ep 5 Ada Lovelace: the Countess of Coding Have you ever heard of Ada Lovelace? You might have been told she wrote the first computer programme. But what does that mean and how can that be possible when she was an aristocratic Victorian lady and computers as we know them weren't built for another 100 years? We explore the life of the maths-whizz Augusta Ada Byron, who went on to become the Countess of Lovelace. We see how she became a digital pioneer who is celebrated as the creator of the first computer algorithm. Every time you play a computer game or even listen to this podcast you are part of her legacy. Narrated by Henrietta McMicking Script by Henrietta McMicking Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever thought about the importance of wee? Urine, to give it its proper name, has flowed through human history. The Romans used it to whiten their togas as well as their teeth. Children in the Middle Ages worked as piss collectors because it was such a valued product in the leather and wool industries. In times of war wee has come into its own. Stale pee was used in the manufacture of gun powder. In the absence of clean water, it was used to disinfect wounds. And soldiers in the First World War placed urine-socked socks over their mouths to protect themselves from chlorine gas (when there weren't enough gas masks to go round). There is so much more to wee than the waste liquid we flush down the toilet each day. Narrated by Laura Howarth Script by Henrietta McMicking Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever wondered why we love playing games – board games, card games, computer games, even playground games like It and Kick the Can? There are many wonderful, crazy games – card games like Pokemon and Whist, Exploding Kittens and Uno; games of dice like Perudo; pattern games with tiles like Rummicub; and board games such as Cluedo. Some are based around exciting stories: explorers settling a new land – Catan; an army at war – the game of chess; exploring, building and surviving in an imaginary wold – Minecraft. Games let us experiment and take risks in a safe, fun way. Many games involve luck – like the throw of the dice, the draw of the cards – but they also involve maths. And, sometimes, using maths can help you win… Narrated by Camilla Akers-Douglas Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas Produced by Henrietta McMicking Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

What would it be like to discover a whole city hiding in the cloud forest? This podcast – for parents and their children – tells the thrilling story of the rediscovery of Machu Picchu, the Andean citadel built by the Incas in 1400. For hundreds of years, it was covered in undergrowth and known only to local people in a small corner of Peru. Then the American adventurer, Hiram Bingham, found it in 1911. The extraordinary mountaintop city has now been designated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Narrated by Jamie Chetwood Script by Henrietta McMicking Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Are pirates daring adventurers of the high seas or simply ruthless thieves who plunder ships, attack innocent passengers and send shivers down the spines of ordinary sailors? This podcast – for parents and their children – reminds us that pirates can be dastardly and daring in equal measure, brave yet fuse-burningly terrifying, and not nearly so jolly as one might like to think. Narrated by Oliver Akers-Douglas Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas Produced by Henrietta McMicking Sound editing by Lou Sawdy Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Did you know that people with dyslexia can make very good spies? And people with autism are likely to have been the driving force of human creativity for the last 100,000 years? Dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD and autism are often misunderstood as negative conditions, when really they indicate strengths as well as struggles. This episode is narrated by the comedian Rory Bremner who has ADHD. He encourages children – parents and teachers too – to think differently about neurodiversity, reminding us that like a fingerprint we all have a brain that is individual to us. People think differently and process information differently because their brain is wired differently. And, in the right circumstances, that's a strength. Narrated by Rory Bremner Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas Produced by Henrietta McMicking Sound editing by Max Watson Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts X @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts TikTok @the.wonder.podcast Email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever wondered why humans chose to ride horses? It was a moment in history which changed the future of both species forever. This relationship has endured for over five thousand years, and the horse has been described as one of the greatest technologies that man has ever harnessed. Horses are prized for their speed, strength and adaptability, and revolutionised transport, war, farming and more. But it hasn't always been a happy partnership. Listen and enjoy Narrated by Alexandra Tolstoy Sound editing by Max Watson Script by Henrietta McMicking Produced by Henrietta McMicking and Camilla Akers-Douglas Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts Twitter @wonder_podcasts Facebook @wonderpodcasts To contact us email camilla@wonderaudio.couk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever wondered who had the bright idea of inventing the light bulb? Well, it’s credited to a rather unusual man, Thomas Edison. An man who had a gift – not so much for inventing as for taking an existing idea, and finding ways to make it better, or cheaper, or both. During his lifetime Thomas Edison invented a truly extraordinary range of things – ideas that define our modern world – but he is best known for inventing the electric light bulb. And guess what? He didn’t even invent it. People had been making wires glow with heat since 1761. But he worked out that by using a carbonised bamboo filament a bulb could last over 1,200 hours. His whole life is an extraordinary true story. We hope you enjoy listening. Narrated by Sophia Milburn Sound editing by Max Watson Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

There’s a group of almost 4,000 volunteers known as the White Helmets. They have become famous for their bravery in the Syrian civil war. They are famous too for the white hardhats they wear. Most of the volunteers are men but there are also around 200 women. Their proper name is the Syria Civil Defence. They have been trained to protect and help people during war and disasters. They are unarmed and neutral which means they have promised to help anyone no matter their religion, background, or which side they are on. This is a true story about ordinary people who become heroes in war. Narrated by Harriet Dunlop Sound editing by Max Watson Script by Henrietta McMicking Produced by Camila Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts To contact us email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever considered what an extraordinary invention plastic is? The word plastic means mouldable and therein lies its ingenuity, it can be moulded into every conceivable size shape and colour. It can be thick or thin, large or small, strong or delicate. Plastic is complicated: it has life saving medical uses but is life threatening to the natural world. Almost every piece of plastic ever made still exists today. Listen and explore how in just 150 years this synthetic material has got into every corner of our lives. Narrated by Henrietta McMicking Sound editing by Max Watson Script by Henrietta McMicking Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever wondered about the power of the moon? Craned your neck and stared, deep, into her mysteries? Like a wolf howling through the night, what questions would you ask of her, what secrets would you try to uncover? The moon has the power to conjure werewolves. It controls the tides of our seas and oceans, and it has inspired mankind to reach for a new frontier. Its power to capture our imagination and to keep us asking questions is legendary... Narrated by Ben Ellis Sound editing by Max Watson Script by Tom Catchpole Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever wondered what is actually inside a packet of crisps? Potatoes, obviously, you would think. Air, perhaps just as obviously – but it’s not the air you are expecting. There's history in there too, and rivalry. Who made the very first potato crisp? And, what exactly is a crisp? Or potato chip, as they say in America. To be a crisp, does it need to be literally a thin slice of potato? Or can it be a maize – or puff corn – snack, like a Wotsit? And have you ever noticed how eating a crisp is both a savoury, and a sonic, experience? Listen, and discover so much more. Narrated by William Scott-Masson Sound editing by Max Watson Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

Have you ever wondered what exactly are the Crown Jewels, or why kings and queens wear crowns? We tell the extraordinary history of the British Crown Jewels, and how over the centuries they have been lost and stolen, melted down, and remade. Among the crowns, sceptres and orbs, there is even a single stone – the Koh-i-Noor diamond – which is believed to be so cursed that kings are afraid to wear it. You may well ask yourself, how are these things relevant to me? Well, as symbols of power they are invaluable, literally and symbolically, to both you, and I, and the State – although it is unlikely that we will ever wear a crown ourselves. Narrated by Luke Irwin Sound editing by Max Watson Script by Camilla Akers-Douglas Produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking Theme music by James Burrell Music Instagram @wonderpodcasts Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk

How do we see? And how do we see colour? Does the world look the same through another person's eyes? In this podcast discover how the human eye works and how it sees colour. You may be surprised to learn that not everyone sees colour in the same way: a few are colour blind; others are tetrachromats which means they have an extra type of cone cell in their eye, and can see as many as 100 million different colours. While dogs' eyes are quite similar to our own, insects have completely different eyes from people, and can see colours of light not visible to the human eye, such as ultra violet and infrared. And, believe it or not, there are even more colours in the rainbow than you might ever have realised 🌈 This podcast is read by Camilla Akers-Douglas, with sound editing by Max Watson. The script was written by Nicola Kličková and Tomáš Klička, and produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking. Our theme music is by James Burrell To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk Social media Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts Instagram @wonderpodcasts

Why do we worry? And what can we do about it? This episode explains to children that day-to-day worries are a normal part of life. In fact, sometimes worry is a positive, rather than negative, thing. When faced with predators, a sense of fear protected our ancient ancestors and, even today, it can push us out of our comfort zone. And when it all gets a bit too much, there are things we can do to relieve some of our worries, as we explain. This podcast is written, and read to you, by Henrietta McMicking, with special thanks to child and adolescent therapist Ruth Burnett. It was produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas, with sound editing by Max Watson. Our theme music is by James Burrell To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk Social media Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts Instagram @wonderpodcasts

Have you ever wondered why poo is funny? It’s stinky. It’s perfectly revolting, but if you say the word poo a few times, children – and some adults – start to smile, even laugh. And it can, of course, be surprisingly useful – as a food source, a fertiliser and for marking animal territory. But adult humans don’t tend to like talking about poo so we thought we'd do just that instead. This podcast is written, and read to you, by Camilla Akers-Douglas, with sound editing by Max Watson. It was produced by Henrietta McMicking. Our theme music is by James Burrell To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk Social media Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts Instagram @wonderpodcasts

Have you ever sent a secret message to a friend? Or tried to use a clever code to protect a secret? Have you ever tried to crack a code? There are many ingenious ways to conceal, and reveal, a secret message. Keeping secrets, and code breaking, can be a matter of life and death, as Mary, Queen of Scots found out to her cost. Alan Turing's work as a code breaker during WW11 may have shortened the war by two years and saved 14 million lives. Today super-fast computers give us new ways to encrypt messages but, as ever, there is a constant race between those who create new methods of encryption and those who want to break it. This podcast is read by Luke Irwin, with sound editing by Max Watson. The script was written by Nicola Kličková and Tomáš Klička, and produced by Camilla Akers-Douglas and Henrietta McMicking. Our theme music is by James Burrell To contact us, email camilla@wonderaudio.co.uk or henrietta@wonderaudio.co.uk Social media Twitter @wonder_podcast Facebook @wonderpodcasts Instagram @wonderpodcasts