Short & Curly
ABC Australia
Short & Curly is the fun and educational ABC Kids and Family podcast that makes philosophy and ethics easy, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Hosted by Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith, the show explores big questions for kids about right and wrong, fairness, truth, knowledge, logic, beauty, and art.
Perfect for kids aged 8–12, Short & Curly is loved by families, parents, and teachers worldwide. One of the best kids shows for curious minds, it inspires learning, laughter, and big ideas that help children learn how to think, not what to think.
Created by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of award-winning children's content.
Binge this free educational ABC kids podcast series on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts worldwide
Classroom Resources: Listen to the podcast in the classroom or as homework and use these resources to explore and expand upon the diverse themes and subjects covered in the show.
Perfect for kids aged 8–12, Short & Curly is loved by families, parents, and teachers worldwide. One of the best kids shows for curious minds, it inspires learning, laughter, and big ideas that help children learn how to think, not what to think.
Created by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of award-winning children's content.
Binge this free educational ABC kids podcast series on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts worldwide
Classroom Resources: Listen to the podcast in the classroom or as homework and use these resources to explore and expand upon the diverse themes and subjects covered in the show.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 13, 2017 • 23min
Would you donate your kidney to a stranger?
They cut a small hole in your abdomen, blow some carbon dioxide into your tummy so it puffs up like a balloon, then carefully take out a perfectly healthy part of your body. Yikes. This is what happens when you donate a kidney. Most of us have two, but we really only need one to live long and healthy lives. So, if a family member or friend had kidney disease and you discovered yours was a perfect match, would you donate one? And what about if that person was a stranger?Would that change your answer?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerGuest: Michael Page, Centre for Effective Altruism, United KingdomBrains Trust: Oliver, Hugh, Lily, Polly, Georgie, and Paddy from Millthorpe Public School, NSW
Sep 13, 2017 • 25min
Can robot soldiers make armies better?
Is it possible for an army to do the right thing? After all, armies destroy buildings and neighbourhoods, they kill and severely injure people, including children. Many wars and conflicts go on for years. But, weirdly, war do have rules, even if not everyone follows them. Do these rules really make it possible to create an ethical army? Can technology — like robots, drones and stun guns — lead to fewer casualties? After donning their battle fatigues, Molly and Carl design some ethical armies of their own.Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerBrains trust: Finn, Ilka, Phoenix, Megan, and Eleanor from Millthorpe Public School, NSWActing crew: Neve, Denholm, April
Sep 13, 2017 • 26min
What would you risk to get to the top?
At almost nine kilometres from top to bottom, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. Many have died or suffered serious injuries trying to conquer the peak. Take a cold and windy journey with Molly and Carl as they gather their ropes and ice picks, lace up their climbing boots and head out into the wild for some high altitude curly questions. Along the way, you'll meet the youngest Australian to have made it to the summit.Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian WalkerGuest: Alyssa Azar, youngest Australian to reach the summit of Mount EverestBrains Trust: Oliver, Hugh, Lily, Polly, Georgie, and Paddy from Millthorpe Public School, NSW
Dec 21, 2016 • 24min
Should pugs dogs exist?
Carl thinks they have the cutest, squishiest faces and biggest googly eyes of the entire canine world. He definitely wants to buy one. But the life of a pug is not always a happy one. Over time, dog breeders have made pugs so flat-faced that many have serious trouble breathing. They can't run around and play as much as other dogs and get overheated in summer. Many pugs end up needing major surgery just to help them get enough oxygen. So, should Carl be buying a dog like that, even if he would love it and look after it really well?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker
Dec 21, 2016 • 23min
Who wants a virtual life?
Let's say you can hook your brain up to a machine that feels 100 per cent real and offers you the kind of life you've always wanted. You could climb one of the world's tallest mountains, get yourself some great friends, and even program in some challenges to keep it interesting. The catch is this perfect world isn't real… It's a simulation. Molly thinks it sounds cool, but isn't sure about leaving her real life dogs behind. The show takes us on a thought experiment to work out what it is we really want from life and what things are important.Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker
Dec 21, 2016 • 21min
Why can’t children vote?
Kids have to live by the rules of the society they are born into but don't get a say on what those rules are. Unfair, right? Decisions made by governments today affect kids' futures but we don't let them near the ballot box. Are children wise enough or informed enough to make big decisions about government? Short & Curly mounts our own political debate with surprising results. Guest Amara is a smart kid who doesn't think it's necessary. How would you vote?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker
Dec 21, 2016 • 24min
Are some people just unlucky?
Many cultures believe it's good luck if a bird poos on your head, like what happened to Carl (eww!). Others say it's bad luck if you break a mirror. For centuries, humans have tried to understand things like right and wrong, fair and unfair. So, how much does luck play in your life, in good or bad ways? And how might understanding luck make us think differently about the world?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker
Dec 21, 2016 • 20min
The ethics of invisibility
What would you do if you had the power of invisibility? Would you sneak around, spy on people, commit crimes, pull practical jokes, or find out what other people really think about you? The military is putting tonnes of money and effort into trying to make things invisible, but don't hold your breath. We introduce a new superhero, Invisibilia, to help us explore some really big questions. How would you behave if you thought no-one could see you? Is it about doing the right thing or is it the "getting caught" part that stops bad behaviour?Producer: Kyla SlavenExecutive Producer: Ian Walker
Sep 13, 2016 • 18min
Should we ban lollies?
Lollies are a colourful and magical and very sweet part of many children’s lives. But can you say no when faced with a bowl of jelly beans or sour worms or other types of candy? With so much concern nowadays about the amount of sugar in our diets, this show looks at self control and what we should do if people don’t have any.
Sep 13, 2016 • 21min
Is Pokemon Go playing you?
Walked into any traffic lights lately as you stare manically at a screen? Maybe you’re one of the millions of people playing Pokemon Go, the augmented reality game which sends its players out into the streets to catch weird little imaginary creatures. Is it an annoying disruption of public spaces? And, because it’s cleverly designed so you never want to stop playing, we ask: Are you playing the game or is the game playing you?
