Short & Curly is the fun and educational ABC Kids and Family podcast that makes philosophy and ethics easy, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Hosted by Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith, the show explores big questions for kids about right and wrong, fairness, truth, knowledge, logic, beauty, and art. Perfect for kids aged 8–12, Short & Curly is loved by families, parents, and teachers worldwide. One of the best kids shows for curious minds, it inspires learning, laughter, and big ideas that help children learn how to think, not what to think. Created by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of aw...
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Sep 29, 2026 · 22:00
Commonalia is an idyllic paradise, and all the happy pixies that call Commonalia home spend their days exploring the grand forest. The trees of the forest have healing powers,…
Sep 28, 2026 · 23:00
You can see 5 dogs playing in a park, you can hold 5 lollies, and you can be 5 years old. But is the number 5 itself real? Molly, Carl and Eleanor head on a road trip to find the…
Sep 27, 2026 · 23:00
After five years of brutal fighting, Carl and Molly have defeated all the zombies on planet Earth, including the zombified version of their Producer, Kyla. But is that zombie…
Sep 16, 2026 · 10:01
Short & Curly will be back very soon, but while you're waiting you should check out the podcast Wait... They Did What!? Just like Short and Curly, Wait... They Did What!?…
Jul 16, 2026 · 3:12
It feels soooo nice staying in your comfort zone – it's so comfortable there! But stepping and stretching outside your comfort zone is an important part of life. Is it right when…
Jul 15, 2026 · 3:41
It was supposed to be the greatest day of Carl’s life – finally, his parents said he was old enough to go on the big dipper ride at the fun park. But! Carl’s parents let his…
Jul 14, 2026 · 2:45
Names are really important things – they form such a big part of our identities. But for people with less common names, or names with uncommon spellings, it can get really…
Jul 13, 2026 · 3:54
There are heaps of seemingly cool places that kids aren’t allowed to visit – fancy resorts, or sometimes even rock concerts. Most of the time we accept these rules, but are they…
Jul 12, 2026
That’s right Curly Crew, we’re going there. We’re answering the big kahuna, the ultimate question – what is the meaning of life? No spoilers here! But it definitely involves…
Mar 31, 2026 · 22:08
At Camp Short & Curly, the marshmallows are toasty, the swings are wild, and Molly’s Amazing Cool Book Club is about to begin — but her stories? YIKES! From creepy sea witches to…
Mar 31, 2026 · 24:03
In this epic musical retelling of The Emperor’s New Clothes, Molly and Carl take you deep into a kingdom where following fashion rules and telling the truth is harder than it…
Mar 31, 2026 · 20:56
Why are wolves always the villains in old European fairy tales? And is it OK to stereotype animals, or people for that matter? To investigate, Molly, Carl and Eleanor head off on…
Mar 31, 2026 · 23:03
Short & Curly's world-famous investigative journalist Molly Daniels uncovers a juicy fairytale scandal full of royal drama, magical gold, and a very peculiar little man named...…
Mar 31, 2026 · 22:01
A group of ducklings decide one of their own just doesn’t fit in. He can’t keep up with their games, and — let’s be honest — kind of ruins the vibe. But is it fair to leave…
Mar 24, 2026 · 5:15
Molly and Carl are celebrating a special anniversary... and you are, too! Happy 10th birthday Curly Crew, thanks for all your curly questions and phenomenal feedback. (And get…
Dec 18, 2025 · 3:31
Molly’s just an itsy bitsy cutesy spider, but Carl is freaking out! Lots of people are scared of spiders. In fact, people can be scared of a whole range of things you might find…
Dec 17, 2025 · 3:30
Cars that drive themselves are no longer just something you’d see in a sci-fi movie… they’re on roads and highways right around the world. But what should happen if something…
Dec 16, 2025 · 3:02
Who’s in charge at school? Why, that would be the teachers. And who is in charge at home? Your parents or carers. Who is in charge of running the country? Politicians, that’s…
Dec 15, 2025 · 3:43
As long as kitties have been meowing, and puppies have been prowling, people have asked - which is better, Cats or Dogs? Finally, the Short & Curly crew tackle this colossal…
Dec 14, 2025 · 3:37
Molly is having a party so she’s invited over the usual gang – Carl, Eleanor, Tony Ravioli and… the Joker! Batman’s nemesis!! And he’s not a great guy, what with all the crimes…
Oct 1, 2025 · 22:30
We test for everything: to get a licence, to move to the next grade, to prove you're ready to use a pen. But when it comes to becoming a biological parent, there's no test to…
Sep 30, 2025 · 20:06
We all have thoughts about other people that we’d never say aloud. But do our private thoughts say something about the kind of people we are? Or is it only our actions that…
Sep 30, 2025 · 23:00
Ever walked past a spray-painted wall and thought, "That's actually really cool and beautiful!" But is it art or just stylish vandalism? Molly and Carl grab some spray cans and…
Sep 30, 2025 · 20:30
There's wild surf at the beach today, but people are still choosing to swim outside the area patrolled by lifeguards. If those swimmers get into trouble out there, should other…
Sep 30, 2025 · 20:30
Most dogs are loving companions, but what about the ones that bite, bark, or cause chaos? Is a dog's bad behaviour their own fault or is it down to the way they were raised? From…
Apr 1, 2025 · 24:00
The line between truth and deception can be blurry. Is leaving out important information a lie? What about misleading gestures, or half-truths? Babysitting Matt's kids force…
Apr 1, 2025 · 22:12
Join Molly and Carl as they valiantly attempt a world record sailing around the globe on their boat, the Theseus. Faced with a constant need for boat repairs, they are forced to…
Apr 1, 2025 · 21:30
Molly and Carl visit Greece in search of the mythical "Scroll of Rights and Wrongs", an ancient guide written by the smartest person to have ever lived: Adamantia The Wise*. The…
Apr 1, 2025 · 23:36
Have you ever had a fight with your sibling over who should get to keep something? In a small village a long time ago, Queen Ethiconia had to settle a dispute between three…
Apr 1, 2025 · 21:30
As a kid, Matt, our resident ethicist, was always flat out. He juggled volunteering in the school veggie garden, playing sports, sibling duties, music practice, and chores around…
Apr 1, 2025 · 9:00
See if you can work out which episodes these classic Matt moments are from as we say goodbye (but hopefully not forever) to our wonderful ethicist Matt Beard.
Dec 21, 2024 · 3:12
You are enjoying a walk with your four-legged friend, when they do a big stinker on the street. Don't worry — you're prepared! You've brought the dog poo bags! But do you really…
Dec 20, 2024 · 3:12
Everyone says it's good to be kind and that acts of kindness can make the world a better place. But often we aren't as kind as we could or should be. So should we pay people to…
Dec 19, 2024 · 3:00
It's fun to hang out with our friends, but sometimes we need a bit of alone time. Maybe you want to listen to your favourite music and sing along loudly. Or curl up in a special…
Dec 18, 2024 · 3:12
We all love getting presents, but what about when you get a gift you don't like and will never use? So what should you do with unwanted gifts? Is it ok to give them away or do…
Dec 17, 2024 · 5:00
It must be hard work being a teacher and trying to get a classroom of kids to behave. But is it ok for teachers to bribe kids with lollies to get them to be good? Thanks to Milly…
Sep 30, 2024 · 23:00
There's drama. There's competition. And there's usually a few tears as well. Reality TV takes everyday people and throws them into weird and exciting and sometimes stressful…
Sep 30, 2024 · 20:00
Right this very moment, are you awake or are you dreaming? You're awake, right? But are you sure? Maybe you're just in the middle of a very realistic dream? Philosophers have…
Sep 30, 2024 · 20:00
Molly and Carl have just found out that some people earn a lot more money than they do, and this just makes no cents (pun intended). So how do we decide what different types of…
Sep 30, 2024 · 20:00
Would you like to learn to speak whale language at school instead of Italian or Mandarin? Molly and Carl go on a deep-sea mission to test a new translation device that will let…
Sep 30, 2024 · 20:00
Did you know rats are very smart and curious creatures? They laugh when they are tickled, they can take care of each other, and they are actually quite clean. Millions of them…
Jun 30, 2024 · 5:20
Our parents have their own beliefs, and they'll often try to teach us to have the same. Must we believe what our parents believe? Is it disrespectful to question it? A big thank…
Jun 30, 2024 · 5:00
You get an award at school, your dog learns a new trick, or your mum lands a great job – they're all moments we can be proud of. When that pride swells inside, it makes us want…
Jun 30, 2024 · 5:00
There's nothing like munching on your favourite snacks and watching all your favourite shows and movies. You're not making lots of noise or bothering anyone too. So, why can't…
Jun 30, 2024 · 5:00
We see advertisements all the time. There are companies that say their yoghurt can make us smarter or their pillows will help us sleep better. Some even say their clothes or cars…
Jun 30, 2024 · 5:00
It's always different when you visit or go past another school. They have different teachers, buildings, books, and activities. Sometimes they even have private football fields…
Mar 28, 2024 · 21:30
Molly is a superfan of the singer Jackfruit Jones (don't try Googling him, we made him up). But she's in for a shock when Carl tells her what Jackfruit is like in real life.…
Mar 28, 2024 · 22:00
We all know Carl loves cats. But did you know that Carl is actually a super-rich millionaire who loves cats so much that when he dies, he wants his vast fortune to be spent on…
Mar 28, 2024 · 22:00
Is it okay to not invite all your friends to your birthday party? Molly has an exciting plan for her next birthday party and she can't wait to invite her best and closest…
Mar 28, 2024 · 24:00
There's a small village of elves who have a magical gemstone that brings them great prosperity. But one day a group of fairies turn up claiming the stone originally belonged to…
Mar 28, 2024 · 21:00
Queuing up for HOURS to go on a 30-second water slide is so annoying! But what if you could pay money to go straight to the front of the queue? Going on a water slide can be so…
Jan 2, 2024 · 22:36
Molly has never been afraid of getting a needle because she knows the Needle Ninja will reward her bravery with a basket of Japanese lollies, cakes and toys. Carl has never heard…
Jan 2, 2024 · 28:45
Would you like to live forever? Molly and Carl like the idea of being immortal. The upsides: you won’t ever die, you’ll never run out of time to try new things and meet new…
Jan 2, 2024 · 21:29
We visit the bedroom of one of the messiest kids we know, Harriet. She hates cleaning her room more than anything in life and it always looks like someone opened every drawer and…
Jan 2, 2024 · 23:18
If someone does or says something bad to you, but then apologises for it, should you forgive them no matter what? Even if you don't really feel it in your heart? Brains Trust:…
Jan 2, 2024 · 21:01
The Titanic cruise ship hit an iceberg in 1912 and sank to the bottom of the ocean. Lots of people died because there weren't enough life rafts for everyone. Women and children…
Dec 17, 2023 · 25:32
Imagine if you were being watched every second of the day to make sure you behaved well. And then you got rewarded or punished depending on how you acted? In this episode, we…
Dec 17, 2023 · 27:17
Meet Oedipus. He's the main character in one of the world’s oldest stories. He lived a long time ago and he did some pretty bad things. But was it his fault or was it fate? Was…
Dec 17, 2023 · 25:18
Molly, Carl and Matt become lost at sea, they've run out of food and they lack basic survival skills. So, would it be okay for them to eat each other if they get really really…
Sep 12, 2023 · 2:45
This season we go on a little adventure in our minds. Join Molly, Carl and Matt as we imagine what the world might be like without things like schools and sadness and punishment.…
Sep 12, 2023 · 21:45
Imagine if something private you told a friend could be shouted out for the whole world to hear? Or if an embarrassing bodily function was shared with everyone? Some people say…
Sep 12, 2023 · 23:12
We often feel sadness and heartbreak when something bad happens, like when a much-loved pet dies or someone at school doesn't want to be friends anymore. Or even when your sports…
Sep 12, 2023 · 23:54
What's the point of school anyway? That's a question lots of you have written to us to ask. Nearly every day of the week for years and years and years, you have to get up, put…
Sep 12, 2023 · 24:05
What if there was no fine for letting your dog poo on the footpath? No consequences for hitting your brother or sister? And teachers never gave detention for breaking a school…
Sep 12, 2023 · 24:00
Would you still want to play sport if there was no one keeping score, there were no winners or losers, and no trophies at the end of the season? What would be the point? On the…
Jun 19, 2023 · 5:39
If you find a $20 note on the street, can you keep it? Does it make it okay if it's just $5? Money is complicated, especially because everyone has a different relationship with…
Jun 19, 2023 · 4:00
Do you have a favourite game? Maybe it's 'tip' or 'snap'? There are rules everywhere: from playing a game, watching TV, and even how to ask a question in class. But where there…
Jun 19, 2023 · 5:12
The word ‘independent’ often sits with other words – like independent learning, independent thinking, independent adult, and lots more. So, what is independence and at what age…
Jun 19, 2023 · 6:00
Getting comfortable can feel warm, nice, and sometimes even soothing. So, when we're happily floating along in life, a sudden tide change can really rock the boat. How do you…
Jun 19, 2023 · 5:45
Beliefs can shape the way someone speaks, acts, and even dreams. Everyone believes different things, but sometimes those things aren’t true. If your friend’s belief isn’t quite…
Apr 3, 2023 · 25:00
Lots of adults think children should never swear. Many Short & Curly listeners tell us they secretly swear behind their parent’s backs. So what’s wrong with swearing anyway?…
Apr 3, 2023 · 21:12
Have you ever wanted to give someone a taste of their own medicine? They might have hurt you or been mean to you or taken something that's yours. But is it okay to do the same…
Apr 3, 2023 · 22:30
Short & Curly listener Luca often gets stared at when he is in his wheelchair. His parents think the people who look too long are just being curious but Luca thinks it's just…
Apr 3, 2023 · 22:30
There are about 10 quintillion insects in the world. Yes, that's a real number. And it's a lot! They're very small and very different from us humans. We might not stop to think…
Apr 3, 2023 · 22:30
War, environmental destruction, inequality. We humans can do some pretty bad stuff. Lots of listeners have asked us if humans are more good than they are bad. Maybe it's time for…
Dec 5, 2022 · 4:00
If you love watching cartoons where the good guys battle the bad, it probably has fighting, explosions, and maybe guns too. Is it okay to watch violence if it's in a cartoon? Can…
Dec 5, 2022 · 4:00
Friends are like flowers. There are lots of different ones out there, but you pick a couple to be your favourites. But what about your teacher? Can you be friends with them? And…
Dec 5, 2022 · 4:00
What if your friend asks if their shirt looks cool and you don't think it does? Or your dad asks if you like his gift, but you actually don't? The truth can be so hard to say –…
Dec 5, 2022 · 4:00
Bullying is being mean to someone over and over again. It can happen at home, school, online, on the bus… and it's not always physical. When you're bullied, you can feel hurt,…
Dec 5, 2022 · 4:00
Sacrifice is a big word, and it's often said in a big situation. How much should a family sacrifice for one person's happiness? What if you're the only one sacrificing? Thank you…
Sep 14, 2022 · 22:42
It's one of the most requested topics ever – homework! Nobody loves doing it, but is it something we should do or not? Molly and Carl find out whether teachers should be allowed…
Sep 14, 2022 · 24:00
Molly has a confession to make. In her youth, she was a famous cat burglar, who stole precious jewellery and never got caught! But now as an elderly woman, justice has caught up…
Sep 14, 2022 · 24:06
Short & Curly listener Tabitha thought it would be great to get some backyard chickens. Delicious, fresh eggs every morning and cute birds to name and look after. But in reality,…
Sep 14, 2022 · 23:00
Have you ever found yourself being rude to a smart speaker because it doesn’t understand you? As robots get better and smarter and more human-like, how should we treat them? Does…
Sep 14, 2022 · 20:42
If you've seen the movie The Lion King, you'll know that envy and jealousy play a big part in the story. Scar's envy of his brother King Mufasa takes him down a very dark and…
Mar 31, 2022 · 22:26
Have you ever been trying to convince your parents of something and just ended up crying, yelling or storming off to sulk in your room? Grown-ups might be bigger than you, they…
Mar 31, 2022 · 23:20
Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who was killed by the Nazi's a long time ago. Before she died she wrote a diary which ended up become a book. It has now been read by millions…
Mar 31, 2022 · 25:58
People often give certain kinds of toys and games to girls when they are young and other kinds of toys and games to boys. But do the toys and games you are given as a child shape…
Mar 31, 2022 · 23:18
If someone does or says something bad to you, but then apologises for it, should you forgive them no matter what? Even if you don't really feel it in your heart? Brains Trust:…
Mar 31, 2022 · 19:21
There's so much junk flying around in outer space – broken bits of old rockets and thousands of dead satellites. There are even golf balls left on the moon! But who has the…
Mar 28, 2022 · 0:55
Molly has an update about when new episodes are coming out.
Jan 12, 2022 · 4:32
If you make something delicious to eat, do you have to share it evenly with other people? You did all the work, so is it fair to have to share? Today's BITE: If you make a cake…
Jan 12, 2022 · 4:38
If parents give more attention to one of your siblings does that mean they're playing favourites? Is it okay to give you less attention than you RIGHTLY DESERVE??? Today's BITE:…
Jan 12, 2022 · 5:23
People get judged for how they dress, the way they do their hair and what kind of body they have. But what would life be like if we just ignored all our differences completely?…
Jan 12, 2022 · 5:39
Why are most sports trams girls only and boys only? Even when it's the same type of sport they are playing! Today's BITE: Should we get rid of separate boys and girls' sports…
Jan 12, 2022 · 4:38
If someone does something bad, is it just and fair to do that same thing back to them? Today's BITE: Is it wrong to murder a murderer? Thanks to Maddison for this excellent…
Dec 12, 2021 · 25:14
Molly went on a deep dive into the Short & Curly archive to find you one of her fave episodes. It's all about whether you should donate a kidney to a family member or friend if…
Dec 12, 2021 · 28:42
We all know Carl loves cats, but today he has an important feline update, as well as bringing you one of his favourite episodes from the archives. It's all about whether it's…
Dec 12, 2021 · 21:18
Matt has chosen a high drama, life and death episode for you to listen to from our archives. Plus the gang got to dress up as firefighters for this show, so that made it even…
Sep 15, 2021 · 23:48
Have you ever pranked your brother or sister by freezing their bowl of cereal and milk the night before and then serving them a solid, icy breakfast? Or have you replaced salt in…
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