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Every episode
Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
30 episodes
How Do Stem Cells Decide What to Become? ... and Other Questions [MAILBAG]
Aug 7, 2026 · 24 min
In this special summer mailbag episode, Marshall and Lindsay help answer three kid questions: How do stem cells decide what to become? How do chameleons change color? and... What is Morse code? This special episode features answers from Jessica Whited, Michel Milinkovich, and Mick Sullivan, from The Past and the Curious! As well as a roundup of listener reviews, and more! For more information about Tumble, go visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com. To send us a question and get it answer…
The Secret to Cheetah's Super Speed [Encore]
Jul 24, 2026 · 18 min
How do cheetahs get their super speed? We talk to a cheetah scientist to find out why a spotted cat is the fastest animal on Earth. Cheetahs are literally built for speed! Anne Hilborn spent months scoping out cheetahs on the hunt in the grasslands of the Serengeti. We’ll discover how cheetahs’ incredible speed is linked to their survival - and what they do when being fast isn’t enough. On our special bonus interview episode - available to our Patreon supporters - Anne shares the amazing story o…
The Plastic Pollution Patrol [ENCORE]
Jul 10, 2026 · 21 min
This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from last season, and one that is particularly timely for the summer! What if you found out that there was a tiny, nearly invisible type of plastic pollution that’s found nearly everywhere… but you’d never heard of it! That’s what happened to environmental scientist Jace Tunnell several years ago, and he’s been on a great nurdle hunt ever since! This episode on fighting plastic waste comes with a special bonus: the opportunity to enroll in a…
Are there atoms in a black hole? ... and other questions about space - Summer Mailbag!
Jun 26, 2026 · 21 min
What would happen if the Moon disappeared? How big is the universe, really? And what happens to atoms inside a black hole? Marshall and Lindsay get the answers to some cosmic questions in this special mailbag episode! If you want to have your comment or review read on our show, leave one! Write a review on Apple Podcasts or comment on Spotify. Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble and be featured on future episodes, and help us decide on Season 12 topics: patreon.com/tumbl…
How Were Dinosaur Tracks Made?
Jun 12, 2026 · 23 min
This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 10! Ever wondered how dinosaurs left their footprints behind millions of years ago? We embark on a prehistoric adventure with renowned paleontologist Paul Olsen! Discover the secrets behind dinosaur tracks and how these ancient prints can tell us incredible stories about the lives of dinosaurs. From the science of fossilization to what these footprints reveal about dinosaur behavior and habitats, Paul Olsen will guide us through t…
Could a Peacock and Platypus Be Friends? Mailbag + Joke-ha-thon!
May 29, 2026 · 25 min
You asked, we answered! In this mailbag episode, we're tackling three big kid questions: why does the ground keep spinning after you stop? Do magnets work in space? And could a peacock and a platypus ever be BFFs? We get answers from real experts, as well as reading your reviews and comments! Also, the Joke-ha-thon is coming up on June 3rd! Go here to donate and pick your champion, and also win some amazing, amazing prizes for yourself and your school. If you want to have your comment or review…
Pluto and the Planetary Pandemonium - Encore
May 15, 2026 · 24 min
This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from the past! It’s a scientific controversy of planetary proportions! Is Pluto a planet, or not? You decide, after we present two sides of an epic astronomy argument. Back in 2006, the International Astronomer’s Union voted on a definition of the word “planet” that excluded Pluto and other newly dubbed “dwarf planets” from planethood status. Astronomers - and everybody else - quickly chose sides. We dive deep into the debate and learn that P…
Who Works Harder: Ants or Bees?
Ep 10 · May 1, 2026 · 27 min
Both ants and bees work hard. So which one works harder? That’s what our listener Hadi wants to know! So we’re pitting insect against insect in a battle of industriousness. Ants or bees: Who will win?! Tune in as we attempt to crown the Hardest Working Insect! To help, we’ve recruited Dr. Sammy Ramsey, an entomologist, National Geographic Explorer, and host and producer of the Disney+ documentary, “Secrets of the Bees.” In a series of very competitive rounds, Dr. Sammy shares the research to sta…
Are Animals Ticklish? (Mailbag + New song!)
Apr 17, 2026 · 21 min
A special “tickle attack” Mailbag edition of Tumble! We’re tackling your questions about whether animals can be tickled, and why we laugh when we’re tickled. David Leavens, a professor of psychology, helps us break down the not-so-silly science of tickling. Plus, a brand NEW SONG from Marshall based on a listener request! Want to be on a future mailbag episode? With an adult, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify, or email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com! Join on Patreon to help u…
Do Trees Think?
Ep 9 · Apr 3, 2026 · 24 min
Do trees think? That’s what our listener Alden wants to know. He has an idea that scientists might study mushroom roots to find out if trees are sending messages. Is that true? And if so, what do trees have to say?!We travel deep into the forest with a young soil scientist named Natalia Mondi from the Mother Tree Project, to find out how and why trees communicate through the ecosystem. Along the way, we’ll discover what trees are asking for, how their “forest buds” help them out, and how Natalia…
What's Dark Matter?
Ep 8 · Mar 20, 2026 · 25 min
What is dark matter? Why do scientists think it exists? How are they searching for it, and why are they doing it in an underground lab?! Join us on the search for dark matter with Alvaro Chavarria, a physicist running a dark matter detector underneath a mountain in the French Alps. We’ll take you inside the lab to visit the detector, and find out why everything we think we know about dark matter… could be wrong. For more, visit our website! Our question comes from Jeronimo, a Tumble en Español l…
Who Invented the Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich? (with The Past and the Curious)
Mar 6, 2026 · 38 min
Who invented the peanut butter and jelly sandwich? And how did it become one of the most famous lunches in America? In this episode, a question from listener Leila sends us on a trip through history to find out how peanut butter, jelly, and sliced bread came together to make the classic PB&J. Along the way, we learn about the first written recipe for the sandwich in 1901, how peanut butter went from a fancy food to a lunchbox staple, and why sliced bread changed everything. To help answer Leila’…
Can Axolotls Teach Us to Grow New Hands?
Ep 7 · Feb 20, 2026 · 23 min
Why do humans usually have five fingers on each hand? And what if one day, we could grow a new finger if we lost one? In this episode, a question from six-year-old listener Ayla sends us on a journey from tiny developing embryos to one of the most amazing animals on Earth: the axolotl. We talk with Dr. Jessica Whited, a Harvard-based biologist who studies how axolotls regrow their limbs - and why humans can’t do the same… for now! Along the way, we discover how our hands develop before we’re bor…
Do Animals Have Friends?
Ep 6 · Feb 6, 2026 · 27 min
In this episode, we talk to two scientists who study animal friendships, in different animals, and in different ways. We’ll hear from Karen Bales, who studies titi monkeys (AKA “fuzzy little guys”) and Annaliese Beery, who studies voles (AKA “the cutest rodents”). Get ready to discover how animal friends play and cuddle - and what they can teach us about our own friendships. This episode was produced thanks to a generous grant from the Greater Good Science Center. Check out their website for all…
How Did Earth Begin?
Ep 5 · Jan 23, 2026 · 24 min
How did Earth get created? What did our planet begin as? Why does our world exist? What started our planet? These questions take us back billions of years to learn how Earth formed in the very beginning - and then, we’ll look to a group of mysterious asteroids that might reveal how Earth became the planet it is today. With planetary scientist Bill Bottke, we’ll hear the incredible story of Earth’s earliest days in cinematic style. And get ready for a journey to Jupiter, where a NASA mission you…
The Science of Fungi
Jan 9, 2026 · 27 min
This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 9! Do fungi breathe? That’s what listener Alice wants to know - and we’ll find out in our punniest episode yet! We visit the Fungarium - the largest and oldest collection of fungi in the world with curator Lee Davies, who describes himself as a “librarian” of mushrooms. We’ll explore how fungi live and die, and why there’s so many species left to discover. Watch out for the zombie fungi! And beware, Lindsay and Marshall don’t hold…
The Science of Whiskers
Dec 26, 2025 · 17 min
This is a re-broadcast of a favorite episode from 2019. We actually won our first AAAS Kavli Award for this episode, along with The Cave of the Underground Astronauts. Check it out! Why do seals have whiskers? Listener Karah’s question dives into the wonderful world of whisker science. Robyn Grant, a self-described “whisker biologist” shares her discoveries of how whiskers work, from training a friendly seal named Moe to making slow-mo movies of super speedy “whisking.” (You will find no cuter f…
Tumble Mailbag: Your Questions about Language, Sandwiches, and Cats - and Our Oldest Patrons!
Dec 19, 2025 · 24 min
We’re wrapping up 2025 with a final Mailbag episode, featuring some of our longest-running Patrons! Did you know, when you sign up to support Tumble on Patreon, you’ll get a personalized message from Marshall? And if you’ve been supporting us for years, we might just call you up to chat! We’ll meet our mysterious patron, MiloSloth and his family, and learn why they love to support the show. Plus, why is the English language so weird? Who made PB & J a combo? And do all cats hate getting wet? We…
The Minecraft Experiment
Ep 4 · Dec 12, 2025 · 25 min
How do people learn — and how can a video game help us find out? In this episode, we meet cognitive scientist Charley Wu, who built the ultimate science “mod” in Minecraft! Journey into a video game world of science to discover how and why Charley used one of the world’s most popular games to follow his curiosity about how humans learn. Featuring a “braintrust” of kid Minecraft experts to explain the game to Lindsay and Marshall, and a song inspired by The Minecraft Movie. You can learn more abo…
The Science of Snot
Nov 28, 2025 · 22 min
Why do we have snot? Do animals get stuffy noses, too? We delve into the world of thick secretions with the help of Dani Rabiaotti, zoologist and author of “Believe it or Snot: The Definitive Field Guide to Earth’s Slimy Creatures.” You’ll find out why we make so much mucus, and meet the slimiest animals on the planet. Plus, you’ll discover why scientists study slime, even though it’s super gross. This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 5, inspired by a question we rece…
What Sounds Do Fish Make?
Ep 3 · Nov 14, 2025 · 23 min
What sounds do fish make? 🐟🎶 We know that cows say moo, and sheep say baa, but what do fish say? Come explore “Under the Sea” to discover the chorus of fish noises with help from fish ecologist Audrey Looby. We’ll find out how fish can be sneaky, loud, and even “slimy, grumpy cuties” (Audrey’s words) who go boop boop - and what they can tell us about life underwater. 🌊 You can learn more about Audrey, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.…
Are Ghosts Real?
Ep 2 · Oct 29, 2025 · 26 min
Are ghosts real… or not? That’s what Lily wants to know. To find out, we talk to a real-life Ghostbuster and science historian Efram Sera-Shriar, who takes us on a journey back in time to when the world’s most famous scientists became ghost investigators: Sitting in on séances, inventing ghost-hunting devices, and exposing the tricks of “spirit photography.” Did you know, Thomas Edison made plans to create a phone to call ghosts? Learn all this and more when you join us on the trail of spooooky…
The Dino Butt Fossil
Ep 1 · Oct 17, 2025 · 25 min
Did dinosaurs sniff each other’s butts like dogs? That’s what listener Ernie wants to know! We’ll dig up the surprising dino discovery that leads to our answer with the help of one of the world’s foremost animal butt experts, Dr. Diane Kelly! You can learn more about Diane, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Support us on Patreon! You’ll get ad free episodes, special chances to be on the show, and of course, birthday shoutouts, when you s…
Tumble Mailbag: Season 11 starts Oct 17 + Your Universe Questions!
Oct 3, 2025 · 25 min
This is our final Mailbag episode before all-new stories of science discovery arrive on Friday, October 17. Lindsay and Marshall share behind-the-scenes updates on what’s coming up in Season 11 — plus a special challenge to guess the topics of our first three episodes! Then, astrophysicist Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi (host of NOVA’s Particles of Thought and judge on Netflix’s Baking Impossible) joins us to tackle your big-universe questions: How does your body know you’re in a black hole? How do asteroid…
The Wild Axolotl - And Tumble en Español is Coming Back!
Sep 19, 2025 · 30 min
We have a big announcement: Tumble en Español is returning on September 25th! This is a rebroadcast of an episode of Tumble from last season. If you can't wait to hear the Spanish-language version, just go subscribe to Tumble en Español wherever you get your podcasts. Why are there so many axolotls in fishtanks, and so few in the wild? That’s what Maximiliano wants to know. You may have found axolotls in the lush caves of Minecraft, but in real life, they live in the lakes and canals of Xochimil…
Tumble Newsflash: Yoto Cards, Audiobook, & Your Plant Questions!
Sep 5, 2025 · 27 min
There’s so much happening in the world of Tumble, and we’re excited to share it all with you! Plus we answer questions about plants with the help of plant biologist Carina Baskett. Tumble Yoto Cards A brand-new pack of 3 cards with Tumble episodes on our most popular themes - Animals, Bugs, and Gross Science - for the Yoto audio player! Get it 20% off during Yoto’s Back to School sale on educational cards: https://us.yotoplay.com/products/animal-facts-critter-curiosities-gross-science-pack Tumbl…
Tumble Mailbag: The Science of Questions and What State of Matter Is Fire?
Aug 22, 2025 · 24 min
Is fire a liquid, a solid, or is it even matter at all? And what is the science of asking good questions? Lindsay and Marshall dig into the Tumble mailbag to answer listener questions with the help of Tumble's science advisors, and respond to reviews! Somehow, the whole "cats are evil" thing just refuses to die. We want to hear from you! Send us YOUR science questions, and let us know what you think of this mailbag episode! Here's how to do it: Email Lindsay & Marshall at tumblepodcast@gmail.com…
How Big is the Universe?
Aug 8, 2025 · 24 min
This is a summer rebroadcast of an episode of Tumble from a few years ago. How big is the universe? And how do we know? It's a question that puzzled astronomers for centuries. They had no way to measure distance in space - until Henrietta Leavitt showed them how. Henrietta Leavitt was a "computer" in the 19th century, before there were computers, and she made an incredible discovery that would help change the way people thought about the universe - forever. Modern-day astronomer Karen Masters he…
Tumble Mailbag: Four-Leaf Clovers, Brains, Fish & Infinity!
Jul 25, 2025 · 29 min
Do you know why four leaf clovers are so rare? Or if just one side of our brain can fall asleep? Why do fish have different colors, and how big is infinity? Lindsay & Marshall dig into the Tumble mailbag to answer listener questions with the help of Tumble’s science advisors, and respond to reviews! (Yes, we’ll talk about cats.) We want to hear from you! Send us YOUR science questions, and let us know what you think of this mailbag episode! Here’s how to do it: Email Lindsay & Marshall at tumble…
Summer Episode: Science Songs and Games!
Jul 11, 2025 · 41 min
Listen to our brand new album of science songs, and play some games along with us as we celebrate the release of our album: Science Songs Vol. 1! It’s a special summer episode that will get you singing along and testing your knowledge of everything from capybaras to planets! Here’s where you can listen to the full album: Spotify: Listen on Spotify Apple Music: Listen on Apple Music Bandcamp: Support us on Bandcamp Watch the music video for How Do You Catch a Happy Cappy? Check out our Dino Map A…
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