Episodes

  • ELI5 Pearls - how does a grain of sand make such treasure?

    ELI5 Pearls - how does a grain of sand make such treasure?
    Dec 14 2025
    What makes a pearl so mesmerizing, and what is it really? What exactly is a pearl made of, and how does it form inside a mollusk? Can a grain of sand truly cause a perfect pearl? What's the difference between a natural pearl and the cultured ones we see today? How do pearls get their stunning array of colors, from soft pinks to deep blacks? What makes certain pearls incredibly valuable, fetching millions? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: emoposer, iamkunii, cooldrummer1208, Albres, discordant_rhyme, xentonian, enzio901, n19h7m4r3 To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • ELI5 National Debt - who do countries owe when they are in debt?

    ELI5 National Debt - who do countries owe when they are in debt?
    Dec 9 2025
    If every major country is in billions of debt, where are they borrowing from? Who exactly do they owe? Are there any consequences for them being in debt? Why is it a problem when it gets large? Why was Greece in trouble, while Japan seemingly has high debt but is fine? ... We explain like i'm five! Help more people fund us by leaving a rating on iTunes. Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community, and specifically the following reddit users whose questions and responses formed the basis of this conversation: emils5, poomanshu, potato_octopi, cop-disliker69, reshkayden, agoraiosbum, cheesewithwhine, aythekay & anjabe96 To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 mins
  • ELI5 Bubble Gum - why is it almost always pink?

    ELI5 Bubble Gum - why is it almost always pink?
    Nov 30 2025
    Did you know bubble gum is traditionally pink simply because the inventor ran out of every other color? Did McDonald’s really try to help kids eat healthier by inventing bubble gum-flavored broccoli? What actually sets bubble gum apart from regular chewing gum? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: dart_catcher, shaka_sulu, bluehellebore, tato7069, ted_normal and charlzpatton To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 mins
  • ELI5 Morse Code - what tragedy led to its invention?

    ELI5 Morse Code - what tragedy led to its invention?
    Nov 21 2025
    What sparked the invention of Morse code, and how did personal tragedy influence Samuel Morse's creation? Is Morse code still used today? How does Morse code rely on timing, and what role do dits and dahs play in understanding messages? Why do some people still feel a connection to Morse code today despite advances in communication technology? How did WWII utilize Morse code for encrypted communications, and what were the implications for message security? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: stanitor, appropriate_trader, effective-ad-6460, twin_spoons, scotterson34, idealblueman, hipp013, beachedwhale1945. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    9 mins
  • ELI5 Marble - why does it feel cool to the touch?

    ELI5 Marble - why does it feel cool to the touch?
    Nov 14 2025
    What makes marble feel cold to the touch, especially in winter apartments? How does the use of marble in art reflect the cultural values of the civilizations that employed it? What exactly is marble and how is it formed geologically? What role does marble play in ancient Greek architecture, specifically in the Acropolis and its iconic structures? How does the history of marble reveal about human ambition, creativity, and the pursuit of perfection? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: reynardb, razeus, pierre_poutine90, forkwhilef0rk, sgrams04, stevewmn, rundna, thaddeusjp. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • ELI5 Aircraft Carriers - why are the runways at an angle?

    ELI5 Aircraft Carriers - why are the runways at an angle?
    Nov 7 2025
    Why do modern carriers feature an angled flight deck instead of a straight full-length runway like their WWII predecessors? How fast does an aircraft have to go to take off from a carrier? Why don't planes just fall off the front of the ship when they take off? What are the costs and challenges associated with building longer runways on aircraft carriers? What advantages do nuclear-powered aircraft carriers have over conventional ones in terms of operational efficiency? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: hyndis, green_meklar, kal_vas_flam, infernalism, pedopaul, aquatic_mammal, amatulic, generallyawfulhuman. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    9 mins
  • ELI5 Iron - is body iron different to construction iron?

    ELI5 Iron - is body iron different to construction iron?
    Oct 31 2025
    Is the Iron in our body different from the Iron used in construction? How did ancient cultures use meteoric iron without knowledge of metallurgy? What makes iron such a vital natural resource throughout human history? Why doesn’t iron in our blood react strongly to MRI machines? How does the imaginative concept of ""space swords"" link history and modern mythology around iron? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: azhiker00, 18_usc_47, dependent_warning_51, lallo-the-long, boredcop, gnonthgol, gailynstarfire, 1strategist1. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 mins
  • ELI5 Daylight Savings Time - who thought it was a good idea?

    ELI5 Daylight Savings Time - who thought it was a good idea?
    Oct 24 2025
    Why do we still change clocks to Daylight Savings Time when so many people dislike it? Who came up with the idea in the first place? Why is there a movement to permanent Daylight Savings Time? Are farmers for or against Daylight Savings Time? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: sushiandwow, eigenfood, tripshed, bunchoatoms, jiceman and grizzletron. To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    9 mins