
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

14 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 46min
139: Unequal cufflinks
Rowan Ellis, a YouTuber known for her film analysis, Dan Peake, a puzzle editor and quiz writer, and Alec Watson, a tech YouTuber, dive into a myriad of intriguing topics. They tackle quirky questions about meteorology and explore gender pricing disparities through a cufflinks story, shedding light on the pink tax. The trio also discusses the significance of personalized cufflinks, linking them humorously to identity and Scrabble. With their unique backgrounds, they inject humor into discussions on mythology and a bizarre safe experiment, keeping listeners entertained.

May 30, 2025 • 48min
138: A confusing refreshment
Jarvis Johnson and Jordan Adika, renowned hosts of the Sad Boys podcast, team up with Mary Spender, a talented singer-songwriter and music YouTuber. They tackle quirky questions about pop culture, historical mishaps, and the funny side of navigational errors—like Jim Bridger's 620-mile blunder. The trio dives into the absurdities of childhood toys, marketing quirks tied to Olympic promotions, and the struggle of New Year's resolutions. Expect laughter, insightful anecdotes, and a cosmic twist connecting the stars to our most ridiculous moments.

May 23, 2025 • 47min
137: Straw vehicles
Join Sabrina Cruz, Melissa Fernandes, and Taha Khan from 'Answer in Progress,' who are known for their YouTube explorations of intriguing questions. They discuss the bizarre world of sports rules and personal fouls while sharing laughs. The group creatively navigates the uses of a fly swatter, including surprising military strategies from the Vietnam War. A fascinating analysis of sounds and their effects adds a unique twist, and they wrap up with a humorous take on valuing life over punctuality, ensuring listeners leave with both insight and a smile.

9 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