Podcast Summary:

Who Smarted? – SMARTY Q: How big is the universe???
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Trusty Narrator (Atomic Entertainment/Starglow Media)

Overview

This lively episode of "Who Smarted?" centers around answering several big (and small!) science questions sent in by curious kids and parents from around the globe. From the jaw-dropping size of the universe to the mystery of stinky feet and the origins of tortilla chips, the Trusty Narrator delivers fun, fact-filled, and easily digestible explanations. Infused with humor and kid-friendly analogies, the episode keeps things moving briskly and encourages young listeners to stay curious and keep learning.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. How Big is the Universe?

**[Begins: 03:47]**

• Question from Charlie, Park City, Utah: How big is the universe?

• Insight:

  • The universe is unimaginably huge—about 93 billion light years across.
  • A light year is the distance light travels in one year (light travels at 186,000 miles per second).
  • Even at that speed, light would take billions of years to cross the universe.
  • The figure refers to the observable universe—there’s possibly more universe out there that we cannot currently see.
  • Scientists do not know if the universe actually has an edge.

• Notable Quote:

  "The answer is really, really big. Scientists believe the Universe is about 93 billion light years across." – Trusty Narrator [04:12]

2. How Does a Combustion Engine Work?

**[Begins: 05:12]**

• Question from Nico and Willem: How does a combustion engine work?

• Insight:

  • A combustion engine works by making tiny explosions to create movement.
  • Steps:
    1. Air and fuel are drawn into a cylinder.
    2. A piston compresses the mixture.
    3. A spark plug ignites the mixture – causing a small explosion.
    4. The explosion pushes the piston down, turning a crankshaft which ultimately turns the wheels of a car.
  • These explosions happen hundreds or thousands of times each minute for smooth motion.

• Notable Quote:

  "A combustion engine works by using tiny explosions to make things move." – Trusty Narrator [05:22]

3. Why is Paper Easier to Rip When Wet?

**[Begins: 06:08]**

• Question from Ethan and his mom Carly, Brooklyn, NY: Why is paper easier to rip when it’s wet?

• Insight:

  • Paper is made of cellulose fibers.
  • When wet, water soaks into the fibers, making them swell and loosen.
  • The bonds between fibers weaken, allowing them to slide apart easily—so wet paper tears more readily.
  • Dry paper has tight, strong fiber bonds; wet paper has loose, weak bonds.

• Notable Quote:

  "Dry paper equals tight, strong fiber bonds, while wet paper equals loose, weak fiber bonds." – Trusty Narrator [06:38]

4. Why Do Feet Stink?

**[Begins: 10:15]**

• Question from Mira, Austin, TX: Why do feet stink?

• Insight:

  • Sweat itself doesn’t smell—the odor comes from bacteria.
  • Feet have more sweat glands than almost anywhere else on your body.
  • Bacteria love warm, wet places. As they eat sweat and dead skin, they produce stinky gases (like bacteria farts!).
  • Shoes trap heat and moisture, making the smell worse.
  • To reduce foot odor: wash feet, change socks, and let shoes dry.

• Notable Quote:

  "Feet stink because of bacteria, not sweat itself. ... When bacteria eat sweat and dead skin, they produce stinky gases as waste. Kind of like tiny bacteria farts." – Trusty Narrator [10:38]

5. How Does a Fan Work?

**[Begins: 11:38]**

• Question from Gabriel, Romania: How does a fan work?

• Insight:

  • A fan doesn’t cool the air; it moves air with blades spun by a motor.
  • The moving air helps evaporate sweat from your skin faster, which cools your body.
  • Fans don't lower the room’s temperature—they help you feel cooler.

• Notable Quote:

  "Fans don’t actually lower the temperature like an air conditioner does. Fans make you feel cooler by helping the heat leave your body." – Trusty Narrator [12:17]

6. How Are Tortilla Chips Made & Where Did They Come From?

**[Begins: 14:17]**

• Question from Ellie, Colorado: How are tortilla chips made and where did they come from?

• Insight:

  • Tortilla chips are made from corn tortillas.
  • Process:
    1. Corn is cooked and ground into masa (dough).
    2. Flattened into tortillas and cooked.
    3. Tortillas cut into triangles and fried or baked until crunchy.
    4. Salt added for flavor.
  • Tortilla chip origins:
    • Began in Mexico, using leftover corn tortillas to avoid waste.
    • Became popular in the U.S. in the early 1900s; especially in California, where restaurants and factories turned them into snacks for salsa, cheese, or guacamole.

• Notable Quote:

  "Tortilla chips begin as tortillas, usually made from corn. ... To turn tortillas into chips, the tortillas are cut into triangles, then fried or baked until they're crunchy." – Trusty Narrator [14:32]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the universe:

  "There may be more universe well beyond that that we can’t see yet. So the universe is so big, even scientists don’t know if it has an edge." – Trusty Narrator [04:35]

• Explaining stinky feet with a laugh:

  "Kind of like tiny bacteria farts." – Trusty Narrator [10:42]

• Making science relatable:

  "Fans make you feel cooler by helping the heat leave your body. That’s why fans feel amazing on hot days." – Trusty Narrator [12:20]

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [03:47] – How big is the universe?
• [05:12] – How does a combustion engine work?
• [06:08] – Why is paper easier to rip when wet?
• [10:15] – Why do feet stink?
• [11:38] – How does a fan work?
• [14:17] – How are tortilla chips made & where did they come from?

Tone & Style

The Trusty Narrator keeps things upbeat, playful, and encouraging, peppering explanations with gentle humor and vivid, accessible analogies. The episode’s pace is brisk, moving from question to question in classic "Who Smarted?" fashion—perfect to keep young (and older!) minds engaged.

Final Thought

If you’ve got a “why” or “how” about the world around you, "Who Smarted?" is ready and waiting to answer it, making each fact a fun and memorable step on the lifelong journey of learning. As reminded in the closing:

"Until next time. Keep on smarting, smarty pants!" – Trusty Narrator [15:12]

For more brainy fun or to submit a question, head to WhoSmarted.com.