Everything Under The Sun

Molly Oldfield

Children are full of curiosity and questions about the world.

Each Friday, join Molly Oldfield, write of the weekly kids quiz in the Guardian each Saturday, the original QI elf and author and host of Everything Under The Sun (both the book and podcast) as she answers questions sent in by children around the world with the help of experts including Neil Gaiman, Heston Blumenthal, Grayson Perry, Lauren Child, Richard Branson and Sophie Dahl to the fish curators at the Natural History Museum.

If you're a kid - big or small - with questions you want answered or if you want to learn interesting facts about life on earth, this is the award winning podcast for you.

Do check out Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year, published by Ladybird books now!

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178 episodes
Updated March 20

Episodes178

Newest first

Dec 15, 2022 · 10 min
How do you make perfume? With Mandy Aftel. How is the Earth made? Where does snow come from?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Connie's question how do we make perfume? With the help of Mandy Aftel, perfumer and author. Find out more about on her website https://www.aftelier.com/ We also think about how the Earth was made, answering Kate from Manorfield School's question. Finally, we find out the answer to Beatrice's question, where does snow come from? Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 8, 2022 · 12 min
How were our bones made? With Dame Professor Sue Black. How long do humans live for? Why do we laugh when we get tickled?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we have Layla's question how were our bones made? Answered by Dame Professor Sue Black, world leading forensic anthropologist. We also discover how long humans live for, answering Emily's question. Finally, we find out the answer to Marin's question, why do we laugh when we get tickled? Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 1, 2022 · 13 min
Why do dogs pant? With Crufts. Why do dogs have fur? How far up a redwood tree can a cat climb?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Rosanna's question "Why do dogs pant?" With the help of Nick Sutton, dog health expert at Crufts! We also discover why dogs have fur, answering Aurora's question. Finally, we find out the answer to Hannah's question, "How far up a redwood tree can a cat climb?" Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 24, 2022 · 11 min
How do worms make soil healthy? With Sarah Langford. Do wormholes actually exist? How can tardigrades survive in space?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Zoey's question how do worms make soil healthy? With the help of Sarah Langford, farmer and author. We also think about whether wormholes exist or not, answering Clara's question. Finally, we find out the answer to Max's question, how can tardigrades, also known as water bears, survive in space? Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 17, 2022 · 10 min
Why is the symbol for pride a rainbow? With Gareth Peter. Why are some sunsets not the same colours? Why do diamonds shine?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Finley's question why is the symbol for pride month a bit of a rainbow? With the help of Gareth Peter, author of 'My Daddies'! We also discover why sunsets are not always the same colours, answering Zoe's question. Finally, we find out the answer to Charlotte's question, why diamonds shine? Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 11, 2022 · 11 min
Why are insects good for the planet? With Gavin Broad. Why do bees have yellow and black stripes? Why is baby poo yellow?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we have Enzo's question why are insects good for the planet? Answered by Gavin Broad, curator of the insect collection at the Natural History Museum in London We also discover why bees have yellow and black stripes, answering Xavier's question. Finally, we find out the answer to Astrid's question, why is baby poo yellow? Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 3, 2022 · 13 min
How can we understand hieroglyphics? With Ilona Regulski. Who wrote the first dictionary? Why do pens dry out?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answers to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Bea's question how can we understand hieroglyphics? With the help of Ilona Regulski, Egyptologist and curator of Egyptian Written Culture at the British Museum! We also discover who wrote the first dictionary, answering Mateo's question. Finally, we find out the answer to Ted's question, why do pens dry out? Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 27, 2022 · 14 min
What colour blood do jellyfish have? What are jellyfish made of? With Juli Berwald. Why are black cats and the number 13 unlucky? Can spiders be born with less than 8 legs?
In this Halloween themed episode, we answer questions about jellyfish with Juli Berwald, jellyfish and coral expert and lover! She has a new book out called Life on the Rocks which is all about the urgent fight to save coral! After that, we find out why black cats and the number 13 are unlucky... spooky. Finally, we answer whether spiders can be born with fewer than 8 legs. Find out more about Juli at juliberwald.com Enjoy the show and happy Halloween! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 20, 2022 · 12 min
How many emotions are there? With Julia Samuel. Do snails go upside down? Why do camels have lumps on their backs?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answer to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle Beniga's question how many emotions do we have? With the help of Julia Samuel, psychotherapist, author, podcaster and emotions expert! We also think about if snails can go upside down? asked by Toby, and then we find out the answer to Jess's question about why camels have lumps on their backs? Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 14, 2022 · 9 min
Why do we have mosquitos? What do clouds taste like? What noise do turtles make?
On this award winning show with Molly Oldfield discover the answer to three questions sent into Everything Under The Sun by children around the world! First up we tackle why do we have mosquitos? With the help of Bart, the mosquito expert at Soneva hotel in The Maldives! We also find out what clouds taste like? And work out the answer to, what noise do turtles make? With thanks to Rosie who works for the Oliver Ridley turtle conservation organisation! Enjoy the show! Do check out Molly's book filled with 366 of your wonderful questions, one for every day of the year. You can find out about it here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun and more info is on social media @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod on instagram and @mollyoldfield on twitter Thank you! Have a lovely week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 10, 2022 · 17 min
Soneva Jani, How many universes did the Big Bang create? Why do spinner dolphins spin? How do fish breathe underwater? Why do turtles hide in their shells?
On this award winning show we answer questions live with children in the Den (kids club) at Soneva Jani, a beautiful resort in the Maldives. Our questions are: How many universes did the big bang create? Why do spinner dolphins spin? Why do turtles hide in their shells? How do fish breathe underwater? All great questions from kids on a tropical island under bright nighttime stars! They're answered with help from Tess, Dee and Rosie the Soneva experts! Tess is a marine biologist on the island, Dee shows people the stars each night with a huge telescope and Rosie is the turtle expert and when I was there she was helping baby turtles who were hatching out of eggs on the beach. Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi are magical places and I was so honoured and delighted to be asked to visit as a writer and podcaster in residence, it was the dream job and I had the most wonderful, happy time I will treasure forever. Thank you Malsa at the Barefoot Bookshop for inviting me! Happy listening...and I hope you love the episode! Love Molly x If you'd like to send me a questions for the podcast or the new book I am writing do check out www.mollyoldfield.com and see the new book link, you just do a recording of you saying you name, age, country and then your question and get a grown up to email it to me at molly@everythingunderthesun.c.uk Check out socials: Insta: @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod Twitter: @mollyoldfield TikTok: @mollyunderthesun I hope you have a lovey week and enjoy the episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 29, 2022 · 26 min
Soneva Fushi, The Maldives Under The Sun! With astrophysicist Sarafina Nance & Soneva marine life & Coral experts Rio and Morgane
This week the award winning show hosted by Molly Oldfield, author of four books including Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year is at Soneva Fushi in The Maldives! It's a live recording filled with all the children on the island as well as resident experts! Hi I'm Molly! Thanks for listening to the podcast! I had so much fun recording it with the children and experts on Soneva Fushi in the Maldives! Thank you to Malsa and Shizna the barefoot booksellers on the island for inviting me, to Ultimate Library and to everyone at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani for inviting me and looking after me and my family so well! I've loved being a writer and podcaster in residence! Please can I come back every year... : ) Our experts this week are visiting astrophysicist and analogue astronaut Sarafina Nance who has been in a Mars simulator and knows all about life on Mars! We also have Rio and Morgane who look after the marine life and coral at Soneva Fushi. They're all here to answer children's questions! The questions we tackle include: Why do fish have gills? Asks Charlotte, 7, Australia – answered by Rio, marine biologist Soneva Fushi Why do some people want to live on Mars? Arlo, 5, England answered by Sarafina Nance astrophysicist and analogue astronaut who has lived in a Mars simulator How many stars are in this galaxy? Asks Zoya, 7, India answered by Sarafina Nance How did the Maldives form? Asks Lidewij, 7 from the Netherlands answered by Morgane the marine biologist at Soneva Fushi How big is a Megaladon? Asks Audrey, 3, Australia answered by Molly Why is Venus hot? Asks Jahan, 4, India answered by Sarafina What is the biggest planet in space? Charlotte, 7, Australia answered by Sarafina How did the storm on Jupiter form the big red dot? Asks Arlo, 5 from England What is the biggest coral in the world? Charlotte, 7, Australia answered by Morgane, Soneva Fushi's marine biologist I hope you love the show! It was so much fun to make it live in Soneva Fushi! Sending sunshine, Love Molly x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 24, 2022 · 12 min
Why do fungi grow? With Merlin Sheldrake. How do bicycles move? Why do kangaroos have pouches?
This week Molly Oldfield is joined by Merlin Sheldrake author of Entangled Life to find out about fungi, why they grow, how many blue whales worth of spores they create and where you'll find the biggest organism on earth, which is a fungi. Plus how tiny kangaroos are the size of a baked bean and need to live in their mothers pouches for months after they're born. Plus a lovely piece of writing by Maria Popova of The Marginalian answering a question about bicycles. For more info about the podcast, and the Everything Under The Sun book go to: www.mollyoldfield.com Do check out Entangled Life by Merlin it is a wonderful read about a hidden realm! Instagram: @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod Twitter: @mollyoldfield Do send in a question by recording it using a phone saying your name, age, country you live in and ask the question and send it to molly@everythingunderthesun.co.uk It may end up on the podcast or in a book! : ) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 17, 2022 · 12 min
Who gave numbers their names, and how did they choose them? With Marcus du Sautoy. Do all of our fingers have the same fingerprints? Why do airplane flaps go up when landing, but not when taking off?
Welcome back to another episode Everything Under The Sun! This week we have the fantastic mathematician and author Marcus du Sautoy, answering the question ‘Who came up with the names of numbers, and how did they choose them?’ We also work out the answer to Sam's question 'Why do plane's flaps go up when landing, but not when taking off?' as well as Delilah's question 'Do all of our fingers have the same fingerprints?' Lots of fun questions to delve into this week and we look forward to exploring them with you. Have a lovely weekend! Do check out the BOOK www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun Check out Marcus' book, 'Thinking Better: The Art of the Shortcut https://www.simonyi.ox.ac.uk/books/thinking-better-the-art-of-the-shortcut/ Instagram: @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod Twitter: @mollyoldfield THANK YOU! Do send me a question for the new EUTS book and share with your friends! Molly x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 10, 2022 · 13 min
Who was the first monarch? With Dominic Sandbrook. How are books made? What are the smallest and biggest islands in the world?
Welcome back to another episode Everything Under The Sun! This week we have the brilliant historian and author Dominic Sandbrook, answering Penny’s question ‘Who was the first monarch of England?’ We also work out the answer to River's question how are books made? And discuss a pressing question from Jemima which is what are the world's smallest and biggest islands? Lots of fun questions to delve into this week and we look forward to exploring them with you. Have a lovely weekend! Do check out the BOOK www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun Do check out Dominic Sandbrook’s books, including his ‘Adventures in Time’ series, which we think you’ll love! https://dominicsandbrook.com/books Instagram: @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod Twitter: @mollyoldfield THANK YOU! Do send me a question for the new EUTS book and share with your friends! Molly x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 2, 2022 · 15 min
Does the Queen Carry Money? With Dame Joanna Lumley. Why do we have bank holidays? What is the hottest country in the world?
Its the 100th episode of Everything Under The Sun! Which means we've answered over 300 children's questions on the show! This week Dame Joanna Lumley is our guest answering a question about The Queen for the Jubilee! Plus we discuss a question about bank holidays, did you know the man who invented them liked to study ants and taught his pet poodle to read? We also find out about the hottest country in the world! Have a lovely weekend! Do check out the BOOK www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun Dame Joanna Lumley's book A Queen for All Seasons Instagram: @mollyoldfieldwrites and @everythingunderthesunpod Twitter: @mollyoldfield THANK YOU! Do share with your friends! Molly x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 27, 2022 · 14 min
99. Cats Under The Sun! With Adam Kay
On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books including Everything Under The Sun - a curious question for every day of the year) answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re kicking off the 99th episode of Everything Under the Sun with a wonderful episode featuring author and doctor Adam Kay all about cats. Adam takes on 'why are some people allergic to cats?' And Molly answers three more curious questions from our listeners: why do cats retract their claws? Why do cats have tails and why don't cats like water? Tune in for lots of sunshine and fun and subscribe so you don't miss an episode! We hope you enjoy and thank you so much for supporting Everything Under the Sun! Everything Under the Sun is also a book! Check it out here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @everythingunderthesunpod @mollyoldfieldwrites Twitter: @MollyOldfield Facebook: Everything Under the Sun With big THANKS to Banjo Robinson, www.banjorobinson.com check out their new FREE schools programme where Banjo the travelling cat writes to your children's school! : ) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 20, 2022 · 17 min
98. Why do some words rhyme? With Giles Andreae. Why do we have lips? Why do fish have scales?
On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re continuing our new season of Everything Under the Sun with a wonderful episode featuring author Giles Andreae. Giles answers a question sent in by Gabriel about why words rhyme, offering us lots of knowledge about why words sound how they do, and what exactly makes different sounds rhyme! And Molly answers two more curious questions from our listeners: ‘why do fish have scales?’ and ‘why do humans have lips?’ Tune in for lots of sunshine and fun and subscribe so you don't miss an episode! We hope you enjoy and thank you so much for supporting Everything Under the Sun! Everything Under the Sun is also a book! Check it out here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @everythingunderthesunpod @mollyoldfieldwrites Twitter: @MollyOldfield Facebook: Everything Under the Sun Contact Giles Andreae here - jhodges@unitedagents.co.uk follow him on Instagram @drHelenScales and Twitter @helenscales And a big thanks to Orchard Toys for sponsoring today's episode. Check out their products at https://www.orchardtoys.com/ Also, give them a follow on Instagram at @orchardtoys Thank you! Have a lovely week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 13, 2022 · 14 min
97. How are sea shells formed? With Helen Scales. What is the rarest animal in the world? How long can frogs survive underwater?
On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re continuing our new season of Everything Under the Sun with a wonderful episode featuring author and marine biologist Helen Scales. Helen answers a question sent in by Rian about how shells are formed, explaining which animals create which shells, and how! And Molly answers two more curious questions from our listeners: ‘what is the rarest animal in the world?’ from Alex and ‘how long can frogs last underwater?’ from Lola! Tune in for lots of sunshine and fun and subscribe so you don't miss an episode! We hope you enjoy and thank you so much for supporting Everything Under the Sun! Everything Under the Sun is also a book! Check it out here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @everythingunderthesunpod @mollyoldfieldwrites Twitter: @MollyOldfield Facebook: Everything Under the Sun Contact Helen Scales here - https://helenscales.com/portfolio/contact-me-2/ follow her on Instagram @drHelenScales and Twitter @helenscales And a big thanks to Orchard Toys for sponsoring today's episode. Check out their products at https://www.orchardtoys.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7IeUBhBbEiwADhiEMYWHJjTBGicjoL3haYmZthVHu4cCX2V2YN7mTLoRLar4F-yMLoKOORoCk4wQAvD_BwE Also, give them a follow on Instagram at @orchardtoys Thank you! Have a lovely week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 6, 2022 · 16 min
96. Why are sheep so fluffy? Why do we work to make money? With Holly Tucker Why is metal cold?
On this award-winning show Molly Oldfield, the original QI elf, Guardian kids' quiz compiler and writer (of four books), answers questions sent in by children around the world. This week, we’re answering: Why are sheep so fluffy? Why do we work to make money? Why does metal feel cold when you touch it? Talking about work we have Holly Tucker, founder of Not On the High Street who shares with us why it is wonderful to discover what we love and then find a way to make a business from it so we can share our passions! Tune in for lots of sunshine and fun and subscribe so you don't miss an episode! We hope you enjoy and thank you so much for supporting Everything Under the Sun! Everything Under the Sun is also a book! Check it out here: www.mollyoldfield.com/everything-under-the-sun! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @everythingunderthesunpod @mollyoldfieldwrites Twitter: @MollyOldfield Facebook: Everything Under the Sun Holly Tucker is at www.holly.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.