Everything Under The Sun

Molly Oldfield
  • 4.5 (341)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Everything Under The Sun

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!

  1. 7 MAY

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

    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.

    17 min

  2. 25 APR

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

    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.

    14 min

  3. 18 APR

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

    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.

    15 min

  4. 4 APR

    #154 How do you get chickenpox? w/ Sarah Holper. Why are gorse bushes so prickly? Why does air make crisps soggy?

    Welcome to Episode #153 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Sarah Holper—doctor, medical expert, and author of What’s Wrong With You? An Insider’s Guide to Your Insides—to answer a curious health question: how do you get chickenpox? Then, we’ll head outdoors to investigate why gorse bushes are so incredibly prickly. And finally, we’ll dive into the science of snacks to find out why air makes crisps go soggy. Get ready for another episode bursting with biology, botany, and snack science! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    14 min

  5. 28 MAR

    #153 How was sign language invented? w/ Rose Ayling-Ellis. How do submarines sink? Why do skunk's stink?

    *For a transcription of today's episode please visit our social media @itseverythingunderthesun* This week, we’re joined by the amazing Rose Ayling-Ellis, actress and advocate for the Deaf community, to help us explore a fascinating question—how was sign language invented? Then, we’ll take a deep dive into the mechanics of submarines to find out how they sink and resurface. And finally, we’ll uncover the science behind one of nature’s stinkiest creatures—why do skunks smell so bad? Get ready for another exciting episode filled with history, science, and incredible discoveries! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    13 min

  6. 21 MAR

    #152 Which flower has the most petals? w/ Carlos Lehnebach. Which dog is the best at smelling? Which daffodils are there in the world?

    Welcome to Episode #152 of Everything Under the Sun – Spring Special! 🌸🌿 This week, we’re celebrating spring with a flower-filled episode! We’re joined by the fantastic Carlos Lehnebach, a botanist and flower expert, to help us answer a blooming brilliant question—which flower has the most petals? Then, we’ll turn to our four-legged friends and sniff out the answer to another great question—which dog has the best sense of smell? And finally, we’ll return to the world of flowers to explore even more about the plant with the most petals! Get ready for a special springtime episode packed with nature, science, and fascinating facts! 🌷🐶🌼 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    14 min

  7. 14 MAR

    #151 How Did Ancient Egyptians Blow Their Noses? w/ Justin Pollard. How do hedgehogs make their homes? How do caterpillar eggs stick to leaves?

    Welcome to Episode #151 of Everything Under the Sun! This week, we’re joined by the wonderful Justin Pollard, historian and author, to help us uncover a curious question from the past—how did the ancient Egyptians blow their noses? Then, we’ll burrow into the world of wildlife to discover how hedgehogs build their cozy homes. And finally, we’ll take a closer look at tiny caterpillar eggs—how do they stick so securely to leaves? Get ready for another fascinating episode packed with history, nature, and amazing facts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 min

  8. 6 MAR

    #150 How do we know about the Kraken? w/ Katherine Rundell. How do sea creature not get water in their eyes? How many metres deep is the ocean?

    Welcome to Episode #150 of Everything Under the Sun! To mark the special occasion of 150 episodes, we've have a special giveaway! Make sure to listen closely for details. This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Katherine Rundell—award-winning author and adventurer—to help us uncover the legend of the Kraken! How do we know about this mysterious sea monster, and could there be any truth behind the tales? Then, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of marine life to answer: how do sea creatures keep water out of their eyes? And finally, we’ll explore the depths of our planet’s vast oceans—just how many meters deep do they go? Get ready for another exciting episode filled with myths, science, and deep-sea discoveries! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    17 min
See All (160)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
341 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Molly Oldfield
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    160
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Molly Oldfield
  • Show Website
    Everything Under The Sun

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