Science

Why's That, Dad? | The Science, History & Culture of Everyday Questions for Curious Adults and Kids

by Phillip.paulsen

科学ポッドキャスト

Share this ranking Is this your show? Claim it

Listen on Apple Podcasts RSS feed

Chart positions today · United States

Not on the United States charts we track today.

If you like Why's That, Dad? | The Science, History…, try…

Science News Daily

Also in Science

Inflection Point

Also in Science

Unhealthy Curiosity

Also in Science

Today I Learned Science

Also in Science

Dad, How Does It Work? Science Podcast for Kids

Also in Science

ScienceSphere

Also in Science

Latest episodes

The Worlds Strongest Plant Fibers

September 22, 2026 · 29 min

Long before Kevlar and nylon, humans were engineering high-performance materials out of flax, hemp, ramie, jute, and nettle — fibers whose cellulose microstructure gives them tensile strength that still rivals modern synthetics…
The Battle Inside Your Mouth: Streptococcus Mutans, Fluoride Science, and the Surprisingly Brutal History of Dental Care

August 18, 2026 · 28 min

Why do we really brush our teeth twice a day — and does the order of brushing, flossing, and rinsing actually matter? In this episode, we dig into the biofilm biology of Streptococcus mutans (the true "sugar bug"), the contested science…
What Is Patriotism? Loving America Enough to Question It: The Philosophy, History, and Music of Real American Patriotism

July 21, 2026 · 33 min

On the occasion of America's 250th birthday, this episode dismantles the performative version of patriotism and reconstructs something more demanding and more honest in its place. Drawing on George Orwell's landmark distinction between…
Where Does Our Trash Actually Go? The Hidden Engineering, Surprising History, and Broken Promise of Recycling in America

June 29, 2026 · 26 min

In this episode of Why's That, Dad?, a child's frustration sorting recyclables opens into a comprehensive look at America's waste infrastructure — from transfer stations and engineered sanitary landfills to waste-to-energy incineration and…
Loaded by Design: The Hidden History, Brutal Odds, and Social Cost of the American Lottery

June 4, 2026 · 33 min

In this episode of Why's That, Dad?, we pull back the curtain on America's most ubiquitous — and least scrutinized — form of legalized gambling. From ancient Chinese keno slips and Revolutionary War fundraising to the behavioral…

Show 7 more episodesShow fewer episodes

Demonized by Design: The Science Behind Why High Fructose Corn Syrup, MSG, Seed Oils, Soy, Eggs, and Dietary Cholesterol Aren't the Villains You Think They Are

May 7, 2026 · 33 min

From "No HFCS!" labels to MSG paranoia to fifty years of egg guilt, food fear has become a multi-billion-dollar marketing industry — and most of us have fallen for it. In this episode, we trace the real science, flawed studies, and…
Eating History: The Surprising Real People Behind General Tso's Chicken, Pizza Margherita, Eggs Benedict, Caesar Salad, Kung Pao Chicken, and Beef Wellington

April 17, 2026 · 26 min

What's really in a name? In this episode of Why's That, Dad?, we unpack the fascinating human stories hiding inside some of the world's most iconic dishes — from a Qing Dynasty warlord who never tasted the sticky-sweet chicken bearing his…
Fasting: From Mosaic Law & Early Church Councils to Autophagy, Insulin Sensitivity & the Surprising Biology of Self-Denial

March 26, 2026 · 27 min

What begins as a child's question about why Catholics give things up for Lent opens into one of history's most profound and cross-cultural human practices. We trace the theological and spiritual foundations of Christian fasting from the…
The Hidden Life of Ice: Hydrogen Bonds, Eutectic Chemistry, and Why a Frozen Pond Might Be the Reason Life Exists

March 13, 2026 · 17 min

Iceseems simple — until you start asking why. In this episode, weunpack the chemistry behind road salt and freezing point depression,explore why water's anomalous density makes life on Earth possible,and investigate the quasi-liquid…
The Highway in the Sky: The Physics and Engineering of Long-Distance Power Transmission

February 6, 2026 · 19 min

In Part 2 of our series, we follow the winning Alternating Current as it leaves the power plant. We explore the ingenious physics of high-voltage transmission, including the critical "Skin Effect" . Discover the historical disasters that…
The Induced Revolution: Volta, Faraday, Tesla, and the Making of Modern Power

January 21, 2026 · 30 min

Today we trace electricity from ancient curiosity to industrial revolution. Discover how the Greeks unknowingly touched a fundamental force, the fierce 18th-century rivalry that gave us the battery, and the brutal "War of Currents" between…
The Physics of Shelter: Material Science, Structural Loads, and the Chronological Engineering of the American Roof

January 8, 2026 · 24 min

Today we deconstruct the history of roofing through the lens of material science. From the thermal insulation of pre-colonial thatch to the metamorphic durability of slate and the petroleum chemistry of modern asphalt, we analyze the…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

Ever been stumped by your child's simple "Why?" question? You're not alone. Why's That, Dad? is the show that dives deep into the profound, complex answers hiding inside common questions. Host Phil and his kids explore fundamental everyday mysteries. They explore the true science, culture, history, and surprising philosophical impact behind your kids question. Perfect for the curious adult who wants to learn the real story and for parents looking for high-quality, engaging STEM and humanities content to share with their kids. Stop settling for the simple answer, let's go down the rabbit hole.