
Lateral with Tom Scott
Award-winning comedy panel game about weird questions with wonderful answers. Each week, Tom Scott is joined by three guests to ask each other questions with a sideways twist. There's no points or prizes - just reputation and bragging rights on the line. Enquiries and question submissions: https://www.lateralcast.com.Ad-free shows and bonus content: https://www.lateralcast.com/club.
Latest episodes

5 snips
May 16, 2025 • 53min
136: Kayaking by umbrella
Join Jenny Draper, a tour guide and author of 'Mavericks', Virginia Schutte, a marine biology PhD known for her quick wit, and Inés Dawson, a biomechanics expert from Draw Curiosity, for a whimsical dialogue. They dive into the quirky lives of historical figures and even ponder the absurdity of kayaking with an umbrella. Expect amusing exchanges about communal cycling, peculiar safety signs, and the strange charm of medieval marketplaces. Their banter brings a delightful perspective to adventure and strange science!

May 9, 2025 • 50min
135: Thumbs down? Good!
In this lively discussion, mathematician Katie Steckles, transport enthusiast Geoff Marshall, and wine columnist Hannah Crosbie tackle quirky yet fascinating topics. They delve into the amusing implications of hand gestures, from thumbs up to thumbs down, and share hilarious anecdotes about historical firefighting methods. The trio also debates iconic designs like the 'I ❤ NY' logo and recounts the absurdities of coffee shop orders. With playful banter and brainy insights, they keep the conversation entertaining and enlightening.

May 2, 2025 • 47min
134: The missing 'H'
Join Matt Gray, a creative mastermind behind the YouTube series 'Matt Gray is Trying', Bernadette Banner, a passionate dress historian, and Annie Rauwerda, the quirky creator of Depths of Wikipedia, as they dive into strange trivia about sales sites and Scandinavian sayings. They share humorous takes on unique art pieces, playful anecdotes about historical gowns, and the mystery of a missing 'H' in Biblical text. With lots of laughter, they also explore the whimsical connections between art, language, and even frogs!

5 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 49min
133: Boxes and benches
Matt Gray, Daniel Peake and Charlotte Yeung face questions about drumming dates, careful cleaning and remarkable records.
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.
Join the Producer's Club via https://www.lateralcast.com/club for ad-free episodes and bonus content.
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: Gustav, Gannon Murphey, Huw Morris, Fiona Atkinson, Nick M., Valentine, Chris Tam. 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

7 snips
Apr 18, 2025 • 50min
132: Yacht, Mug, Chair, Kite
Nicholas Johnson, Dani Siller and Bill Sunderland face questions about odd opposites, communication collabs and stealthy slaps.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.Join the Producer's Club via https://members.lateralcast.com for ad-free episodes and bonus content.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: Ólafur Waage, Lois, Kelly, Timothy Green. 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

Apr 11, 2025 • 48min
131: Very happy mice
Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper and Tom Lum from 'Let's Learn Everything!' face questions about swing speeds, blurted brands and clever coins.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.Join the Producer's Club via https://members.lateralcast.com for ad-free episodes and bonus content.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: Dylan, Rex S., Chris Richards, Adam, Dan T.. 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

Apr 4, 2025 • 54min
130: Disappearing toffees
Sam Denby, Adam Chase and Ben Doyle from 'Jet Lag: The Game' face questions about animal accidents, severed signage and baby birth rates.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.Join the Producer's Club via https://members.lateralcast.com for ad-free episodes and bonus content.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: Gregor, LWChris, Jon Sweitzer-Lamme, Brady Joyce, Jonathan Cooke, Karthick. 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

Mar 28, 2025 • 54min
129: Shooting a finger gun
Rowan Ellis, Dan Peake and Alec Watson face questions about street stones, European epithets and Lego logistics.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.Join the Producer's Club via https://members.lateralcast.com for ad-free episodes and bonus content.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: Ólafur Waage, Jared Pike, Mateusz Horbaczewski, Allen, Matan. 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

Mar 21, 2025 • 55min
128: The cow's jaw
Mary Spender, Jarvis Johnson and Jordan Adika face questions about golfing guile, charismatic comics and masterful mnemonics.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.Join the Producer's Club via https://members.lateralcast.com for ad-free episodes and bonus content.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: Daniel Edgardo, Simon B., Nate, Em Andress, Sami. 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

6 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 50min
127: Canadian incense
Sabrina Cruz, Melissa Fernandes, and Taha Khan from 'Answer in Progress' dive into an eclectic mix of topics. They humorously debate Canada’s quirky incense recommendation, exploring its cultural significance and practicalities. The trio shares personal anecdotes about mastering skills like stenography and piano, while also reflecting on life’s disruptions, including the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. They continue with witty banter about tea preparation's science, interwoven with absurd Cold War scenarios and neighborly gardening rivalries.