Who Smarted? – Are We in the Middle of an Ice Age Right Now?

Date: October 22, 2025
Host(s): Trusty (A), with co-host Chet Nickerson (B)
Podcast: Who Smarted? (Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media)

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Who Smarted? poses the question: "Are we in the middle of an Ice Age right now?" With the podcast’s signature blend of humor, banter, interactive trivia, and storytelling, the episode unpacks what an ice age really is, how humans have experienced them, and whether our planet is currently experiencing one. Hosts Trusty and Chet delve into what causes ice ages, how we know they happened, and what it was like during the last glacial period, all while keeping things funny and deeply engaging for young listeners and their families.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What Is an Ice Age? (00:00–03:48)

• The episode opens with sound effects and interactive questions to get kids picturing cold, icy conditions.
• Definition: An ice age is when thick sheets of ice cover large areas of land on Earth—think Greenland and Antarctica today.
• Fun trivia questions engage listeners (e.g., “Is it called an Ice Capane, Ice Age, or Super Slippery Age?”—[01:15]).
• Surprising Fact: “Humans have survived an ice age—even if we weren't around when the earth was a giant ‘snowball’ billions of years ago.” ([01:48])

2. Are We Still in an Ice Age? (03:48–06:49)

• The hosts clarify that, technically, we’re still in an ice age that began 2.5 million years ago—even though the whole planet isn’t covered in ice.
• Staged breaking news humor: Chet pretends to report “snowing at the pyramids,” quickly debunked by Trusty for laughs ([02:32–03:10]).
• The episode explains that ice ages are defined by the presence of permanent ice sheets, mainly at the Poles.
• Quote: "An ice age is any period where massive areas of land are covered by thick sheets of ice. For example, Greenland and Antarctica today." — Trusty ([06:39])

3. Why Do Ice Ages Happen? (06:49–11:26)

• Head to the North Pole (with a Santa cameo, for extra fun) to discuss real causes, not magic or superheroes ([07:36–08:12]).
• Causes (all correct!):
  • Changes in volcanic activity
  • Greenhouse gas levels (CO₂)
  • Changes in the sun’s output
  • The Earth's orbital and axial tilt changes ([08:46–09:25])
• Quote: “If you guessed B, C, or D, you’re also correct!” — Trusty ([09:04])
• The podcast covers how Earth’s orbit becomes more or less oval every 100,000 years, and its tilt shifts every 41,000 years, changing sunlight and temperature ([10:39–11:26]).
• These lengthy cycles explain the periodic freezing and thawing Earth has seen.

4. Glacial vs. Interglacial Periods (12:19–13:08)

• Ice ages contain cycles:
  • Glacial periods: when ice sheets spread
  • Interglacial periods: when ice sheets melt (the current period)
• “When people refer to ‘the Ice Age,’ it’s this last glacial period with cavemen and woolly mammoths!” — Trusty ([13:08])

5. How Scientists Know About Ice Ages (13:16–13:41)

• Scientists drill and study “ice cores” in Greenland/Antarctica to learn about history and climate ([13:22]).
• “By drilling down through ancient ice sheets and pulling out cylinders of ice called cores, scientists can learn more about ice ages.” — Trusty ([13:41])

6. Life During the Last Glacial Period (13:41–15:23)

• Ice covered Canada, much of northern Europe, Asia, and parts of South America.
• This era featured massive animals: woolly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, giant deer/beavers, huge bears, and car-sized ground sloths (Megatherium).
• How did humans survive?
  • By hunting, using language to cooperate, developing tools, and making warm clothing.
  • There were once at least 9 human species, but now just one remains: homo sapiens.
  • Many animals and some plants also went extinct at the end of the last glacial period.
• Quote: “Humans did quite well through the roughest parts of the Ice Age. Well, not all humans… there were at least nine human species, now just one.” — Trusty ([14:37–15:23])

7. Are We Heading Into Another Ice Age? (15:23–15:39)

• Chet asks if another glacial period is coming.
• Trusty explains: some scientists say we should be due for another, but human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are preventing it—this isn’t necessarily good news, as global warming brings its own challenges.

Memorable Quotes

• “We are in an ice age, so be prepared. Round up your scarves and mittens because it’s freezing in the Caribbean. Now, where is my snow blower?” — Chet, spoofing a panicky news report ([02:50])
• “The Earth's movement changes—Jupiter and Saturn pull on our planet… Scientists believe the Earth's orbit goes from circular to more oval-like and back every 100,000 years.” — Trusty ([10:39–11:26])
• “As it turns out, there are names for these periods of time… glacial and interglacial. We are in an interglacial period now, as the ice sheets melt.” — Trusty ([12:24])
• “By drilling down through ancient ice sheets and pulling out cylinders of ice called cores, scientists can learn more about ice ages.” — Trusty ([13:41])
• “Humans were a clever bunch… They hunted, developed language, created tools, made clothing for the harsh conditions…” — Trusty ([14:37])

Notable and Memorable Moments

• Santa Claus surprises at the North Pole: Comic interlude with Santa lending his coat to Chet ([07:36–08:12]).
• Running joke: Chet’s faux breaking-news bits ("breaking news: the ice age is no longer breaking news!") ([05:57]).
• Interactive Trivia: Listeners are continually engaged with true/false and multiple-choice questions.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction to Ice Ages: 00:00–03:48
• Are We Still in an Ice Age?: 03:48–06:49
• Why Ice Ages Happen: 06:49–11:26
• Glacial/Interglacial Periods: 12:19–13:08
• How Scientists Research Ice Ages: 13:16–13:41
• Last Glacial Period & Giant Creatures: 13:41–15:23
• Will Another Ice Age Come?: 15:23–15:39

Conclusion

This Who Smarted? episode uses humor, dialogue, and imagination to answer if we’re living in an ice age, why ice ages happen, how scientists study them, and what life was like during the last glacial maximum. Engaging for listeners of all ages, this episode encourages curiosity about Earth’s history, climate cycles, and the surprising resilience of humans and animals. The episode ends with a thank-you shoutout to listeners from the Cayman Islands, emphasizing the podcast’s broad appeal and educational value.