The Fact Detectives

Kinderling Kids

The Fact Detectives are two curious kids on a mission to find out all the cool facts about EVERYTHING!

Join Anika and Dexter as they take their BIG questions to some very smart grown-ups who know lots of interesting facts about lots of interesting stuff.

In this brand new season, The Fact Detectives ask; What does a Triceratops and a Peacock have in common? Can you pat a shark? And what is an animal mummy?

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard

Sound Designer: Josh Newth, Cinnamon Nippard, Darcy Milne

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89 episodes
Updated Apr 25, 2024

Episodes89

Newest first

Mar 30, 2023 · 13 min
La Niña and El Niño
What is La Niña and El Niño? How often do they happen? And are they good or bad? In this episode, Anika and Esther find out all about La Niña and El Niño with Jonathan How who is a senior meteorologist at Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. Our thoughts are with all the communities across the world who have been - and are being - affected by the flooding and drought that can result from the La Niña and El Niño weather systems. Enjoy a new episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Guest: Jonathan How who is a senior meteorologist at Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 30, 2023 · 15 min
Space Junk
What is space junk? Where does it come from, how much is there? Why is it a problem? And most importantly, what can we do about it? In this episode, Anika and Esther (our brand new Fact Detective!) catch up with Steven Freeland, a Director of the International Institute of Space Law, who fills them in on all the interesting facts about space junk! Enjoy a new episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Guest: Steven Freeland – a Director of the International Institute of Space Law, Emeritus Professor of International Law at Western Sydney University, and a Professorial Fellow at Bond University. Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 30, 2023 · 16 min
Flies
Did you know that without flies there would be no chocolate?! Join Anika and Dexter as they find out all the fascinating facts about flies with Dr Bry the Fly Guy like: Why do flies annoy us? Why do flies hang around poo? How do flies help us? Guest: Dr Bry the Fly Guy aka Dr Bryan Lessard, an award-winning Australian entomologist and science communicator. Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@listnr.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 30, 2023 · 18 min
Fungi
What’s the difference between a mushroom and a toadstool? What are fungi and what do they do? Are all fungi edible? Join Anika and Dexter as they find out all the fantastic facts about fungi with Brett Summerell, Chief Scientist at the Sydney Botanic Gardens. Guest: Brett Summerell, Chief Scientist at the Sydney Botanic Gardens. Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 2, 2023 · 15 min
Ladybeetles
Are they called ladybirds, ladybugs or ladybeetles?? Why do farmers think ladybeetles are lucky? And why are ladybeetles brightly coloured? Anika and Dexter find out all the amazing facts about tiny colourful ladybeetles with Dr Ken Walker who is Senior Curator of Entomology at the Museums Victoria Research Institute. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Guest: Dr Ken Walker – Senior Curator of Entomology at the Museums Victoria Research Institute Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 23, 2023 · 6 min
Fan Facts: The Narrator Man Visits Fact Detectives HQ
Billy and the Super Computer visited the Narrator Man (from the Fun Fables podcast) last week and helped him with some episode ideas. So, the Narrator Man has decided to visit Billy and the Super Computer at Fact Detectives HQ to help with some... narrating. Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 16, 2023 · 15 min
Cars
How do car engines work? What about electric cars? How have cars changed cities? And when were seatbelts invented? Rev up your curiosity in this fact-filled episode! Anika and Dexter investigate cars with Matilda Vaughan who is Curator of Engineering with the History & Technology team at the Museums Victoria Research Institute. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Guest: Matilda Vaughan who is Curator of Engineering with the History & Technology team at the Museums Victoria Research Institute Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 9, 2023 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Mirrin and Grace (Stink Bugs and Komodo Dragons)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Mirrin and Detective Grace. We find out how stink bugs make their stink and some interesting facts about Komodo dragons. Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 26, 2023 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Sienna, Mahlia and Theo (Planets and Clouds)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Mahlia, Detective Sienna and Detective Theo. How was the earth created and where do clouds come from? Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 19, 2023 · 19 min
Ichthyosaurs
They sound like a kind of dinosaur – what kind of animal were Ichthyosaurs? When was the very first Ichthyosaur fossil discovered and by who? Anika and Esther get the lowdown on Ichthyosaurs from Tim Ziegler who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Guest: Tim Ziegler who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 13, 2023 · 8 min
Back to School Pop Quiz
The Fact Detectives is a fun-filled podcast full of amazing facts about the universe and everything in it. The school holidays are coming to an end and it's nearly time to go back to school, to get you ready why not try The Fact Detectives Back to School Pop Quiz. We'll be testing how much attention you've been paying to the Fact Detectives episodes. Do you think you can answer more questions correctly than Billy? Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 22, 2022 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Nessa and Tess (Christmas Special 2)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Nessa and Detective Tess. How do Santa's reindeer fly and why do we decorate Christmas Trees at Christmas time? Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 15, 2022 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Juliette and Annabel (Christmas Special 1)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Juliette and Detective Annabel. What is the tallest Christmas tree in the world called and why do we need sleep? Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 11, 2022 · 17 min
Light
Where does light come from? How do glow sticks work? And how do sunsets get their colours? Anika and Esther find out all the illuminating facts about light with Mei Liu from Scienceworks! This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Guest: Mei Liu who is an Exhibitions Experience Developer at Scienceworks. Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 1, 2022 · 6 min
Fan Facts: Arco and Etta (Black Holes and Humans)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Arco and Detective Etta. Could a black hole swallow our sun and where did humans come from? Do YOU have a big Fact Detective question? Send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  Hear it first on LiSTNR. Listen ad-free on Kinderling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 17, 2022 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Audrey and William (Wrinkles and Crabs)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Audrey and Detective William. Discover why we get wrinkles after we go swimming and why crabs have pincers. Do YOU have a big Fact Detective question? Send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  Hear it first on LiSTNR. Listen ad-free on Kinderling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 10, 2022 · 13 min
Gondwana
What is a continent? How do they form? What was the super continent Gondwana like? Why did it break up? In this episode, Anika and Esther find out all about the super continent Gondwana with Rolf Schmidt who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Enjoy a new episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Guest: Rolf Schmidt, palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 3, 2022 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Mali, Eila and Luca (Algae and Mountains)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detectives Mali, Eila and Luca. Discover the importance of algae and how mountains form. Do YOU have a big Fact Detective question? Send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  Hear it first on LiSTNR. Listen ad-free on Kinderling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 21, 2022 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Eden and Eva Lena (Asbestos and Wolves)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Eden and Detective Eva Lena. Discover what asbestos is and why it can be harmful if we breathe it in and we get some fast facts about wolves. Do YOU have a big Fact Detective question? Send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  Hear it first on LiSTNR. Listen ad-free on Kinderling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 6, 2022 · 5 min
Fan Facts: Athena and Annabel (Horses and Tasmanian Tigers)
In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Athena and Detective Anthea. Discover the difference between a horse and a pony and can we one day bring the Tasmania Tiger back? Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.