
Short & Curly
A fast-paced fun-filled ethics podcast for kids and their parents that asks those curly questions. From banning lollies to trusting robots, and from colonising other planets to eating pets, Short & Curly covers it all.
Latest episodes

Apr 1, 2025 • 24min
Can you lie even when you don’t say anything?
The line between truth and deception can be blurry. Is leaving out important information a lie? What about misleading gestures, or half-truths? Babysitting Matt's kids force Molly and Carl to confront these complexities firsthand as they lie to get out of tricky situations.Summer Hill Public School: Dimitri, Mia, Teddy, Milla, Cleo, Marcus

Apr 1, 2025 • 22min
Shape shifters — When is something no longer itself?
Join Molly and Carl as they valiantly attempt a world record sailing around the globe on their boat, the Theseus. Faced with a constant need for boat repairs, they are forced to confront a perplexing question: how many changes can you make to something before it's no longer the same thing it started out as?South Wagga Public School: Noah, Lucas, Jasmine, Hunter, Olivia

Apr 1, 2025 • 22min
Do we need a rule book to be a good person?
Molly and Carl visit Greece in search of the mythical "Scroll of Rights and Wrongs", an ancient guide written by the smartest person to have ever lived: Adamantia The Wise*. The elusive ancient text contains the ultimate guide to morality, but what does it say?South Wagga Public School: Noah, Lucas, Jasmine, Hunter, Olivia*definitely not a real person and very much the invention of Molly & Carl.

Apr 1, 2025 • 24min
Three siblings, one musical instrument, who should get it?
Have you ever had a fight with your sibling over who should get to keep something? In a small village a long time ago, Queen Ethiconia had to settle a dispute between three siblings fighting over a musical instrument they all want and all think they deserve: a wooden recorder. Each says the recorder should be theirs, but for very different, compelling reasons. So, who should get the flute? You decide.South Wagga Public School: Noah, Lucas, Jasmine, Hunter, Olivia

Apr 1, 2025 • 22min
Matt's big news: How to give up something you love
As a kid, Matt, our resident ethicist, was always flat out. He juggled volunteering in the school veggie garden, playing sports, sibling duties, music practice, and chores around the house. After a while, it started to feel overwhelming, even though they were all important responsibilities that he cared about! But do humans try to do too much and is okay to just simply do nothing when there are so many important things the world needs? Summer Hill Public School: Dimitri, Mia, Teddy, Milla, Cleo, Marcus

Apr 1, 2025 • 9min
BONUS – Goodbye Matt, thanks for the memories
See if you can work out which episodes these classic Matt moments are from as we say goodbye (but hopefully not forever) to our wonderful ethicist Matt Beard.

Dec 21, 2024 • 3min
BITES – Dog poo in the bin
You are enjoying a walk with your four-legged friend, when they do a big stinker on the street. Don't worry — you're prepared! You've brought the dog poo bags! But do you really have to carry the smelly parcel of poo all the way home? Is it okay to put your dog poo in someone else's bin?Thanks to Genevieve for this stinky dilemma!

Dec 20, 2024 • 3min
BITES – Paying people to be kind
Everyone says it's good to be kind and that acts of kindness can make the world a better place. But often we aren't as kind as we could or should be. So should we pay people to be kind? Would it make the world a better place?Thank you to Pepper for this awesome question!

Dec 19, 2024 • 3min
BITES – Friends inviting themselves over
It's fun to hang out with our friends, but sometimes we need a bit of alone time. Maybe you want to listen to your favourite music and sing along loudly. Or curl up in a special place and read a book. So should you always say yes if someone asks if they can come over to your house? Thanks to Melissa for this curly question!

Dec 18, 2024 • 3min
BITES — What to do with unwanted gifts
We all love getting presents, but what about when you get a gift you don't like and will never use? So what should you do with unwanted gifts? Is it ok to give them away or do you have to keep them forever? Thanks to Oscar for this curious question!
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.