

Short & Curly
ABC listen
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 30, 2024 • 20min
Is animal testing worth the cost?
Did you know rats are very smart and curious creatures? They laugh when they are tickled, they can take care of each other, and they are actually quite clean. Millions of them are also used in painful scientific experiments to test new drugs and medical theories. Researchers do all this to help humans. But some say these animals deserve a better life. So, what should we do?Brains Trust – Linden Park Primary School, Adelaide – Linda, Elina, Jescinta, Dhyana, Siera, Justine

Jun 30, 2024 • 5min
BITE – Parents' Beliefs
Our parents have their own beliefs, and they'll often try to teach us to have the same.Must we believe what our parents believe? Is it disrespectful to question it?A big thank you to Hazel for this curly question!

Jun 30, 2024 • 5min
BITE – Proud vs Showing Off
You get an award at school, your dog learns a new trick, or your mum lands a great job – they're all moments we can be proud of.When that pride swells inside, it makes us want to tell the whole world!But is it being proud of yourself or just showing off? What's the difference?

Jun 30, 2024 • 5min
BITE – TV All Day
There's nothing like munching on your favourite snacks and watching all your favourite shows and movies. You're not making lots of noise or bothering anyone too.So, why can't you watch TV all day?Thank you to Amelia and Evie for the great question!

Jun 30, 2024 • 5min
BITE – False Advertising
We see advertisements all the time. There are companies that say their yoghurt can make us smarter or their pillows will help us sleep better. Some even say their clothes or cars will help the environment!They may not be lying, but they're also not telling the whole truth.So, is it okay to advertise things that aren't true?Thank you to Ahuva for this colourful question! We also love 'Who wants a virtual life?' too!

Jun 30, 2024 • 5min
BITE – School Money
It's always different when you visit or go past another school.They have different teachers, buildings, books, and activities. Sometimes they even have private football fields and really fancy computers!So, is it okay for some schools to have more money than others? What about those of us who can't attend those fancy, rich schools?

Mar 28, 2024 • 22min
Should you listen to good music made by a bad person?
Molly is a superfan of the singer Jackfruit Jones (don't try Googling him, we made him up). But she's in for a shock when Carl tells her what Jackfruit is like in real life. Jackfruit Jones has done some bad stuff! So should she keep listening to his music? And can you dislike the artist and still love the art?Brains Trust – Westmead Public School, Sydney: Swetha, Reyansh, Anirudh, Reya, Kushagra, Ashvita

Mar 28, 2024 • 22min
Should you leave all your money to a cat?
We all know Carl loves cats. But did you know that Carl is actually a super-rich millionaire who loves cats so much that when he dies, he wants his vast fortune to be spent on trying to teach cats to read? Which might actually be impossible! Should people get to decide what happens with their money after they are gone? Even if what they want is ridiculous?Brains Trust – Westmead Public School, Sydney: Swetha, Reyansh, Anirudh, Reya, Kushagra, Ashvita

Mar 28, 2024 • 22min
What if you can’t invite all your friends to your birthday party?
Is it okay to not invite all your friends to your birthday party? Molly has an exciting plan for her next birthday party and she can't wait to invite her best and closest friends. The only trouble is she has five close friends but she can only invite four people. What should she do? And what should you say to people who aren't invited?Brains Trust – Westmead Public School, Sydney: Sarah, Mariam, Adhit, Kenny, Panayiotis, Alaina and Ryan

Mar 28, 2024 • 24min
Who should get the magical gemstone? A tale of elves, fairies and justice
There's a small village of elves who have a magical gemstone that brings them great prosperity. But one day a group of fairies turn up claiming the stone originally belonged to them. Hundreds of years ago, the elves' ancestors stole it from them, and now they want it back. So what's the right thing to do? Who should get to keep the gem?Brains Trust – Westmead Public School, Sydney: Swetha, Reyansh, Anirudh, Reya, Kushagra, Ashvita


