

Lateral with Tom Scott
Tom Scott and David Bodycombe
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 18, 2025 • 50min
145: The wooden cat
Ruth Amos, Evan Edinger and Abby Cox face questions about blue bags, terrible transport and lucky lockpickers.
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: Sarah Roberge, Landon Kryger, Dmitrij, Ben Kirk, Nick Konopka, Katy. 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

Jul 11, 2025 • 52min
144: Let's visit Greenland!
Iszi Lawrence, Dani Siller and Bill Sunderland face questions about miniature marines, technical techniques and prudent procedures.
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: Jordan Cook-Irwin, Katherine Q, Nick Huntington-Klein, Alex Rinehart, Hendrik, James Bailey. 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

11 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 50min
143: Mind-altering coasters
Join stand-up comedians Stuart Laws, Olaf Falafel, and Bella Hull as they share hilarious tales from the Edinburgh Fringe. Stuart brings a whimsical puffin storyline to life, while Olaf discusses his upcoming joke book and banters about award shows. Bella reflects on unique cultural quirks and the absurdity of 'Little House on the Prairie' being banned in Finland. Their lively conversation also delves into quirky inventions, humorous anecdotes, and the bizarre world of gambling misunderstandings, sparking laughter and thoughtfulness throughout.

Jun 27, 2025 • 39min
142: The inverted tree
Sam Denby and Adam Chase, game designers from Jetlag the Game, dive into hilarious topics that blend travel and competition. They discuss the quirky complexities of game design and the fun dynamics of their fast-paced show. The duo navigates linguistic challenges while pondering the relationships between language and geography. The conversation also veers into nostalgic gaming moments with 'Crazy Taxi,' alongside whimsical musings about military ranks and elevators on cruise ships. It’s a delightful mix of humor, nostalgia, and travel banter!

Jun 20, 2025 • 47min
141: The world's longest poem
Matt Gray, Daniel Peake and Charlotte Yeung face questions about slovenly sales, mystery meat and risky rabbits.
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: Leo Taanila, Daniel Peake, Stefan Teffy, Mitchell Lapham, Hugo Bouma, Ben Kitchen, Elena and Alessandro.. 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

16 snips
Jun 13, 2025 • 51min
140: Tuvalu's lost star
Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper, and Tom Lum, hosts of the Comedy Science podcast, are back with a playful exploration of quirky topics. They dive into the amusing connection between preserved fish and the New York Stock Exchange, sparking laughter and intrigue. The trio also discusses the psychological effects of sound in gaming, the enigmatic details of Marine AFC’s numbers, and Tuvalu's flag evolution. Their banter showcases the interplay of humor, history, and culture, making for a delightful and unexpected conversation.

29 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 43min
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.

7 snips
May 30, 2025 • 45min
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.

5 snips
May 23, 2025 • 44min
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.

13 snips
May 16, 2025 • 50min
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!