
Tai Asks Why
Fifteen-year-old Tai Poole won’t rest until he’s uncovered the mysteries of the universe, one probing question at a time. In Season 4 of his Webby-winning podcast, Tai talks to everyone from NASA scientists to stand-up comedians to his equally curious little brother Kien. If you’ve ever wondered why nothing feels as good as a deep belly laugh or why it’s impossible not to finish a bag of Doritos, Tai has you covered.
Latest episodes

Sep 16, 2019 • 8min
Ask Tai Why: Fear, time and the colour of colours
In this week's bonus segment Ask Tai Why, Tai takes questions from:
Charlotte, Toronto: What is fear, and why were we born with it?
Desmond: What is Time?
George, Toronto: What makes colour a colour?

Sep 11, 2019 • 25min
When the dinosaurs died, how did other animals survive?
Tai spends a lot of time imagining how the apocalypse might go down. So, he turns to animals that have survived past apocalypses—like the one that killed the dinosaurs—to see what traits the true survivors have in common.
For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759

Sep 9, 2019 • 7min
Ask Tai Why: Freckles, video games, and climate-changing farts
In bonus segment Ask Tai Why, Tai answers some questions for a change.
This week, he takes questions from:
Grace, Hamilton: Why do I have freckles
Henry: Why are Video Games so violent?
Alex, Halifax: Are farts changing the climate?

Sep 4, 2019 • 28min
What’s the science behind bullying?
Tai and his friends all have experiences of being bullied. And, as he learns, it’s a pretty universal thing - even trees are known to bully other trees! Why is such an unpleasant thing so widespread? What is the science behind bullying?
For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759

Sep 2, 2019 • 9min
Ask Tai Why: Cuteness, hotness and the origins of English
In a new bonus segment called Ask Tai Why, Tai answers some questions for a change.
This week, he takes questions from:
Von Lewis, Halifax: Why do cute animals make us smile?
Hamzah, Ontario: Why is the sun hot?
Rhea, Ontario: Who invented the English Language?

Aug 28, 2019 • 27min
What are animals saying to each other?
Tai’s brother Kien thinks he can talk to ducks. We’ve taught our animals to sit and stay, but that’s not the same as us learning their language, you know? Do animals have language? And if they do, could we learn it? Can we ever really know what animals are saying to each other?
For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759

Aug 28, 2019 • 24min
What is Deja Vu?
You know that feeling when you feel like you have lived a moment already? Well that’s deja vu (French for already seen) and apparently, it happens to over 60 per cent of people! But why? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? What is Deja Vu?
For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759

Aug 21, 2019 • 2min
Tai is back!
Tai Poole is back - and he has no time for small talk. He’d rather discuss why space is so dark, the real reason for deja vu, and the science behind bullying.
Join Tai as he boldly goes where no 7th grader has gone before to find you answers you never knew you needed. His conversations with everyone from NASA experts, to award-winning musicians, to his little brother Kien will expand your mind and touch your heart.

Jun 20, 2019 • 25min
Introducing The Two Princes from Gimlet
When Prince Rupert sets out to break the mysterious curse that’s destroying his kingdom, he’s ready to face whatever dastardly villain or vile monster stands in his way. What he isn’t prepared for are the bewildering new emotions he feels when he meets the handsome Amir, a rival prince on a quest to save his own realm. Forced to team up, the two princes soon discover that the only thing more difficult than saving their kingdoms is following their hearts. Listen to The Two Princes at gimlet.media/twoprinces. Tai Asks Why returns on August 28 for Season 2!

Apr 9, 2019 • 2min
Tai is coming back for season 2...and he needs your help!
Tai is coming back for a second season this September. Do you have a question you'd like Tai to answer? Send them our way! Plus, Tai Asks Why has been nominated for a Webby Award! But to win, we need your vote! Head to cbc.ca/taiaskswhy to learn how to vote or to ask Tai a question.
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