Lateral with Tom Scott

Join Jay Foreman, a witty YouTuber and geography enthusiast, along with Mark Cooper-Jones, his collaborator in mapping humor, and physicist Mithuna Yoganathan, who dives into quantum mechanics. They explore fascinating topics like P.T. Barnum’s grand elephant parade, the quirks of retronyms, and the story behind the unplayable record of 'Gangsters.' Laugh along as they untangle the confusion of cool cash scratch cards and explain why East African motorcycle taxis are called boda bodas.

Hannah Crosbie, a witty wine critic, joins DIY dynamic duo Evan and Katelyn Heling for a fun-filled discussion. They dive into quirky topics like the animation tricks behind Huckleberry Hound's bow tie and the fascinating idea of 'lightning in a bottle' from Philo Farnsworth. There's a hilarious analysis of a flawed survey on submarine licenses and the innovative 'pop minder' ceramic coin designed for visually impaired cooks. They also explore outrageous sauna clubs at the poles and a quirky campaign in Nagoya that promotes safety with giant foam hands.

Join Taha Khan, Sabrina Cruz, and Melissa Fernandes from Answer in Progress as they dive into delightful curiosities. Discover how broccoli served as a practical bouquet at the Olympics and why thermal cameras sparked redesigns of card terminals. Learn about using film canisters for bird weighing and hear the heartwarming tale of a dugong who found cheer in celebrity waxworks during lockdown. Their whimsical explorations unleash laughter and intriguing insights that will leave you pondering the oddities of life!

Join Tom Lum, Ella Hubber, and Caroline Roper from 'Let's Learn Everything!' as they tackle quirky lateral puzzles with humor and wit. They discuss why Slayer fans often bought two copies of an album and reveal a curious connection between chess and a sum of $4.76. Caroline shares a hilarious breakup video involving a modified MacBook, while the crew solves a train puzzle that leads to a surprising amusement-park twist. This lively banter is filled with unexpected insights and delightful anecdotes!

Michelle Wong, Dani Siller and Bill Sunderland face questions about mobile materials, Swedish signage and anonymous athletes. LATERAL is a comedy panel game podcast about weird questions with wonderful answers, hosted by Tom Scott. For business enquiries, contestant appearances or question submissions, visit https://lateralcast.com. HOST: Tom Scott. QUESTION PRODUCER: David Bodycombe. EDITED BY: Julie Hassett at The Podcast Studios, Dublin. MUSIC: Karl-Ola Kjellholm ('Private Detective'/'Agrumes', courtesy of epidemicsound.com). ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: Rhett Buzon, Peter Gould, CherimoyaZest, Chris Clarke, Adrian Martin, Dylan K., Alan Reep. FORMAT: Pad 26 Limited/Labyrinth Games Ltd. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: David Bodycombe and Tom Scott. © Pad 26 Limited (https://www.pad26.com) / Labyrinth Games Ltd. 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jack Chambers, producer and host of the Lunchbox Envy podcast, alongside Manu Henriot, a fellow team member, as they dive into quirky food-related trivia. They discuss the whimsical tradition of Hershey Bears fans throwing stuffed toys for charity and reminisce about 1923’s Year of Free Beef due to a roadside mishap. The conversation takes a comical twist with a Swedish aviator dropping lemons as a bizarre bombing demo in Norway. Plus, find out why croque madame has a fried egg, offering a savory peek into culinary tales!

Join comedy writer Jay Foreman and co-host Mark Cooper-Jones of the Map Men as they delve into quirky geographical trivia. They tackle puzzling questions like why aircraft landing precision was compromised and the inspiration behind a spy-themed room in Dubai. Physics expert Mithuna Yoganathan adds a scientific twist, exploring the implications of colorful artillery markers from historical battles. The trio also discusses unique church pew designs that accommodate different denominations, ensuring a blend of humor and insight throughout!

Neil Freeman, a producer at Morning Brew, joins forces with co-host Toby Howell and creative video maker Macy Gilliam. Together, they tackle wacky lateral thinking puzzles. They delve into the origins of the Ugly Jerry font, inspired by gerrymandering, and unveil how a red rubber ball signals safety in aerial performances. Hilarious anecdotes about a dog’s saliva and a tanning salon's unexpected job connections add extra spice to their banter, making for an entertaining and thought-provoking discussion.

Join Colin Felton, a trivia podcast co-host, and Karen Chu, a fellow trivia expert, alongside puzzle writer Daniel Peake, as they tackle quirky puzzles and wild trivia. They discuss how Alfred Vale's work at a newspaper influenced Morse code design. Dive into the jamming avoidance response of Eigenmannia fish, and discover the clever use of special glasses in climbing that enhance safety. Plus, find out why locals move a concrete sphere to mark the Arctic Circle annually. Get ready for a light-hearted and informative ride!

Join Tom Lum, Ella Hubber, and Caroline Roper from the Let's Learn Everything podcast as they tackle fascinating questions. They dive into a bizarre case where locals were rewarded for breaking fossilized skulls, and the mystery behind why 70,000 whiskey bottles went missing due to evaporation. Ella shares the wild story of a spinning birthing table inspired by an elephant, while Tom Lum reveals the clever strategic names used in rock-paper-scissors. Expect laughter and curiosity as they unravel these quirky topics!