Short & Curly artwork

Short & Curly

134 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 1.3K ratings

A fast-paced fun-filled ethics podcast for kids and their parents that asks those curly questions. From banning lollies to trusting robots, and from colonising other planets to eating pets, Short & Curly covers it all.

Kids & Family Society & Culture Philosophy
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Episodes

BITE – Cartoon Violence

December 05, 2022 15:00 - 4 minutes - 6.24 MB

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 we laugh and find it funny? Thank you to Linus for this exciting question!

BITE – Friends with Teacher

December 05, 2022 14:45 - 4 minutes - 6.92 MB

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 if they're a friend, can they still be a good teacher? Thank you to Orli for this great question! Pssst, we love your favourite episode too! 'Are parents hypocrites?' was a goodie.

BITE – Truth Telling

December 05, 2022 14:30 - 4 minutes - 6.58 MB

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 – especially to the people we love the most. Should we tell the truth even when it hurts someone? Thank you to Charlotte and Nima for this curly question!

BITE – Bullying the Bully

December 05, 2022 14:30 - 4 minutes - 6.7 MB

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, angry, and sad, all at once. So, if a bully hurts you, can you hurt them back? Can you call it justice? Thank you to Athena for this great question!

BITE – Family Sacrifices

December 05, 2022 14:15 - 4 minutes - 6.57 MB

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 to Eli for this curly question – hope you listen to this one on a car ride too!

Should we ban homework

September 14, 2022 15:30 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MB

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 to give you work to do outside of school time. Brain Trust — Casuarina Street Primary School, Katherine: Bruno, Leilani, Eloise Lawson, Lexi, Kodah

Should you be punished for something you did a long time ago?

September 14, 2022 15:15 - 24 minutes - 33.8 MB

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 with her. But if her crimes were a long time ago and she's changed a lot since then, should she still be punished? Brains Trust – Anula Primary School, Darwin: Maggie, Feranmi, Leo, Oli, Esha, Marjorie

The backyard chicken dilemma

September 14, 2022 15:00 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MB

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, it wasn't so easy. Like, what happens when the chickens get older and stop laying eggs? Is it okay to kill them and replace them with younger chicks who will lay eggs? Brains Trust – Anula Primary School, Darwin: Maggie, Feranmi, Leo, Oli, Esha, Marjorie

Is it okay to yell at a robot?

September 14, 2022 14:45 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MB

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 it matter if we act badly towards something that isn’t even human?   Brain Trust - Casuarina Street Primary School, Katherine: Riley, Mahlia, Milo, Clay, Angus, Ava 

Is envy always a bad thing? 

September 14, 2022 14:30 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MB

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 murderous path. But is envy always a bag thing? Is it wrong to really, really want something someone else has? Brain Trust — Casuarina Street Primary School, Katherine: Bruno, Leilani, Eloise Lawson, Lexi, Kodah

How to win an argument with your parents

March 31, 2022 15:10 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MB

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 might have more power than you, and they might even be wiser than you, but that doesn’t mean you can't beat your parents in a good fair argument. And even if you still don’t win, learning to argue in a way that’s good for everyone is a really handy skill to have.    Brains Trust: Lyneham Primary School: Neve, Ashwyn,...

Is it okay to read someone else's diary?

March 31, 2022 15:00 - 23 minutes - 32 MB

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 of people and is often given to school kids to read in English class. But should we really be reading her diary at all? Interview: Stephanie Irvine Brains Trust: Newtown Public School: Kate, Wolfgang, Gabriel, Jesse, Betty, Honey.

Do toys and games shape who we'll become?

March 31, 2022 14:50 - 25 minutes - 29.3 MB

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 what sort of person you will become in life? And does it matter? Brains Trust: Lyneham Primary School: Oliver, Lanna, Toby, Riley, Elly

Do you have to forgive someone who says sorry?

March 31, 2022 14:40 - 23 minutes - 32 MB

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: Lyneham Primary School: Neve, Ashwyn, Alice, Ava, Sammy

Whose job is it to clean up space junk?

March 31, 2022 14:30 - 19 minutes - 26.6 MB

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 responsibility for cleaning up all this rubbish? Brains Trust: Newtown Public School: Oliver, Freya, Maggie, Arun, Heath, Malley

ANNOUNCEMENT — From Short & Curly headquarters

March 28, 2022 14:00 - 55 seconds - 723 KB

Molly has an update about when new episodes are coming out.

BITE — Who gets the biggest piece of cake?

January 12, 2022 14:20 - 4 minutes - 63.6 MB

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 is it okay to have a bigger slice than everyone else?

BITE — Who gets the biggest piece of cake?

January 12, 2022 14:20 - 4 minutes - 63.6 MB

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 is it okay to have a bigger slice than everyone else?

BITE - Parents playing favourites

January 12, 2022 14:15 - 4 minutes - 63.6 MB

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: Is it okay for your parents to give more attention to your younger sibling? Thanks to Maddie for this excellent question.

BITE — You look funny

January 12, 2022 14:10 - 5 minutes - 63.6 MB

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? Today's BITE: Would the world be a better place if everyone looked the same?

BITE — You look funny

January 12, 2022 14:10 - 5 minutes - 63.6 MB

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? Today's BITE: Would the world be a better place if everyone looked the same?

BITE — Girls’ teams and boys’ teams

January 12, 2022 14:05 - 5 minutes - 63.6 MB

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 teams? Thanks to Charlie for this excellent question.

BITE — Murdering murderers

January 12, 2022 14:00 - 4 minutes - 63.6 MB

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 question.

BITE — Murdering murderers

January 12, 2022 14:00 - 4 minutes - 63.6 MB

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 question.

Molly's PICK — Would you donate your kidney to a stranger?

December 12, 2021 15:00 - 25 minutes - 32.7 MB

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 they needed one.

Carl's PICK — Should we kill feral cats?

December 12, 2021 14:55 - 28 minutes - 32.7 MB

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 okay to take the lives of some animals, like feral cats, and protect others.

Matt's PICK — Who gets saved first in a fire?

December 12, 2021 14:50 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MB

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 more fun. In this episode, we ask, if you were a firefighter and had to save people in a burning building, who would you help first?

Are some pranks just not okay?

September 15, 2021 16:00 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MB

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 the saltshaker with sugar? Or put big, heavy rocks in a friend's school bag when they're not looking? Pranks can be can hilarious and entertaining, but can it sometimes be just plain wrong and mean to prank someone? Brains Trust – Lyneham Primary School: Oliver, Lanna, Toby, Riley, Elly

Should you give money to homeless people?

September 15, 2021 15:45 - 22 minutes - 32.7 MB

Have you ever been asked for money by a homeless person? What happened? And do you think we have any responsibility to help strangers when they are in need?

Is Santa Claus a bad person?

September 15, 2021 15:30 - 25 minutes - 35.1 MB

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 take a long hard look at Santa Claus, because news flash, we are told he's watching you day and night.

Do athletes have to be role models too?

September 15, 2021 15:15 - 18 minutes - 25.2 MB

We admire our favourite sportspeople for their physical skills but do they have to be good people as well? Should we expect sportspeople to be role models on and off the field? Join superstar athletes Molly and Carl at the World Ping Pong championships.

Do horses want us to ride them?

September 15, 2021 15:00 - 22 minutes - 30.4 MB

For centuries humans have ridden horses. We've ridden them long distances, into wars, in big races and just for fun. We've developed a close relationship with horses. But has anyone asked a horse what it thinks about all this? Would a horse want us to ride it and how would we even know?

BITE — Selling unwanted presents

June 23, 2021 15:30 - 4 minutes - 5.61 MB

Ever opened a present and thought, “I will never use this”. So why not just sell it and buy something you do like? Today’s BITE: Is it okay to sell a present someone gave you? Thanks to Indi for this excellent question.

BITE — Pocket money

June 23, 2021 15:20 - 4 minutes - 6.3 MB

Do you get pocket money, and if so, do you have to do something to earn it? Today's BITE: Should I get pocket money for doing chores? Bites producer: Jake Morcom

BITE — Drinking beer

June 23, 2021 15:10 - 4 minutes - 5.88 MB

If beer has no alcohol in it, is it still really beer? Today’s BITE: Should kids be allowed to drink beer if it’s non-alcoholic? Thanks to Harry for this excellent question. Bites producer: Jake Morcom

BITE — You can’t watch that

June 23, 2021 15:00 - 4 minutes - 5.95 MB

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show that was meant to be for adults only? Do you wish you hadn’t seen it, or are the rules about what kids can and can’t watch unfair? Today’s BITE: Is it okay to read books or watch movies that people say are too old for you?

BITE — Is love good?

June 23, 2021 14:50 - 4 minutes - 63.6 MB

Love is always good, right? Because love itself is good isn’t it? Well, isn’t it?? Today’s BITE: Is love always ethical? Thanks to Elizabeth for this excellent question.

PRESENTS — Brains On

May 17, 2021 02:30 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MB

Short & Curly wants you to know all about a cool American science podcast called, Brains On. Each episode is about a different topic and the one we have chosen for you is close to our hearts (or at least, our hands). It's all about smartphones.

The ethics of smartphones

March 31, 2021 15:00 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MB

When Molly got her first smartphone, she was so excited she couldn’t stop staring at her screen and she walked into a power pole. Carl is not so convinced by this flashy and very useful technology. Brains Trust: Guardian Angels Primary School in Queensland — Cienna, Daniel, Ellena, Eva, Kaizin and Laetitia.

Making "life and death" decisions for your pet

March 31, 2021 14:55 - 21 minutes - 1.3 MB

Molly and Carl finally get their dream jobs as vets but soon learn it's not all cuddles with cute animals — big and important decisions have to be made. Like whether to de-sex a pet or when it might be best to euthanise a much-loved furry member of the family. Brains Trust: Guardian Angels Primary School in Queensland — Cienna, Daniel, Ellena, Eva, Kaizin and Laetitia Guest: Dr Ari Ende, VETaround, Sydney

It's the end of the world. Let's go berserk!

March 31, 2021 14:50 - 24 minutes - 33.4 MB

Here's a little thought experiment: if you found out the world was going to end next week, would the rules about right and wrong change? If there was no tomorrow would it be okay to steal something you really wanted, or punch someone who had been bullying you? Let's see how Molly and Carl deal with a little thing called… the end of the world. Brains Trust: Somerset College in Queensland — Ethan, Saeesha, Spencer, Maddi, John, and Harry.

Can we build a world that works for everyone?

March 31, 2021 14:40 - 20 minutes - 28.7 MB

Carl has shrunk Molly and set her up in a world built of LEGO. You'd think that would be a fun adventure, but not for Molly, who just doesn't fit in. We find out if it's possible to build a world that works for everyone. Brains Trust: Somerset College, Queensland — Charlotte, Abhiraj, Magnus, Isabel, Sarah and Archie. Guest: Simon Darcy, Professor of Social Inclusion at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Should we always be brave?

March 31, 2021 14:30 - 24 minutes - 34 MB

Molly and Carl head to Sweden to try one of the most disgusting foods in the world. Just wait until you find out what it is! Between gagging and dry retching, they try to answer an important question — am I brave or am I a coward? And is one always good and one always bad? Brains Trust: Guardian Angels Primary School in Queensland — Cienna, Daniel, Ellena, Eva, Kaizin and Laetitia.

BITE — It was an accident!

February 22, 2021 14:00 - 4 minutes - 6.09 MB

Have you ever been punished for something that was an accident? Like, you really, really didn't mean to do it, but you still got in trouble. Today's BITE: If you didn't mean to do something should you still get in trouble?

BITE — Killing in computer games

February 15, 2021 14:00 - 5 minutes - 8.21 MB

Do you ever play computer games where you have to kill another character? Does that make you feel bad? Should it? Today's BITE: Is it wrong to enjoy killing people in computing games?

Is it fair to punish the whole class?

December 24, 2020 14:30 - 17 minutes - 55.7 MB

Have you ever been in a situation where someone did something wrong, but didn't own up? And then the teacher punished the whole class until the real culprit confessed! Is it fair for a whole group to be punished for something one person did? Molly, Carl and Matt go back to school to find out. Brains Trust — Somerset College in Queensland: Ethan, Saeesha, Spencer, Maddi, John, and Harry.

Swimmers vs sharks — who matters most?

December 24, 2020 14:25 - 23 minutes - 55.7 MB

On a hot sunny day there's nothing Molly loves better than a swim in the ocean. But the sea can be dangerous, right? There are big waves, dangerous rips and SHARKS! Even though shark attacks are actually very rare, they can be deadly. So, should we kill sharks before they have a chance to kill us? Brains Trust: Guardian Angels Primary School in Queensland — Cienna, Daniel, Ellena, Eva, Kaizin and Laetitia. Paul De Gelder — Former Navy Diver and shark attack survivor.

Do the ends justify the means?

December 24, 2020 14:20 - 23 minutes - 55.7 MB

When Matt doesn't have his nose in a big thick philosophy book, he loves watching movies. So when he invites Molly and Carl to "Matt's Mega Movie Trivia Night", they jump at the chance. But it's not any old trivia night, it's about ethics, and he asks only one big question: If you do something bad but you do it to make the end result good, does that make it okay? Brains Trust: Guardian Angels Primary School in Queensland — Cienna, Daniel, Ellena, Eva, Kaizin and Laetitia

Should robots replace humans?

December 24, 2020 14:15 - 20 minutes - 55.7 MB

Imagine a future where robots do the jobs humans are doing now, like construction workers, nurses, musicians and truck drivers. We could spend more time relaxing and playing with our friends. Woo hoo, bring it on! But are there some jobs that robots can't or shouldn't do? Brains Trust: Guardian Angels Primary School in Queensland — Cienna, Daniel, Ellena, Eva, Kaizin and Laetitia

Who owns a forest?

December 24, 2020 14:10 - 22 minutes - 55.7 MB

Molly and Carl take a riverboat adventure along the Amazon river in search of an elusive and very fragrant plant in the Amazon forest. But who owns this flower, and who owns the forest it's in? And who should get to decide what happens to the "the lungs of humanity", the Amazon rainforest? Brains Trust: Somerset College in Queensland — Charlotte, Abhiraj, Magnus, Isabel, Sarah and Archie