Loading summary
A
Hey there Smartypants want even more WhoSmarted and less ads introducing WhoSmarted plus more WhoSmarted. Yay. That's right. With WhoSmarted plus you unlock an extra new episode every week. Zero ads plus our special segment SmartYQs, where we tackle your curious questions like why is the sky blue? Exactly. And guess what? There are even more surprise bonuses from me, your trusty narrator. Wow. How much? Less than $4 a month with an annual subscription. And hey, try it out with an adult's permission. With a one week free trial from Apple Podcasts or from WhoSmarted.com I'm in. Let's get smarter who'ssmarted plus more to learn, more to love. Subscribe now. Hey there, who smarted plus subscribers. Welcome to another fun and fascinating edition of SmartYQ, where I, the trusty narrat, answer questions from you, our brilliant Smarty pants listeners. Remember, if you have a question you'd like answered on smartyqs, just have an adult help you email me@whosmartedhoosmarted.com now let's dive into today's questions. Our first question comes from Kai and Cooper in Pacifica, California, who ask what is a brain freeze? Ah yes, that not so fun feeling you get when you bite or lick something cold like ice cream or frozen yogurt. Brain freeze, also known as an ice cream headache, happens when something super cold touches the roof of your mouth, also known as your palate. This cold sensation causes the blood vessels in your mouth to shrink really fast and then suddenly expand again. That quick change triggers nerves in the roof of your mouth to send a signal to your forehead that things are getting pretty cold in here. However, your brain sometimes gets confused and thinks the pain is coming from your head, not your mouth, which is why you might feel a sudden zing of pain right between your eyes as your brain tries to help warm things up. It usually only lasts about 30 seconds. Helpful tip. The pain will go away faster if you press your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm it up. Okay, next question. Riley and Hunter from California ask why do cheap rings turn your finger green? Great observation, Smartypants. Some inexpensive jewelry, especially rings made from copper or copper alloys, can turn your skin green. That green color comes from a reaction between the metal and your skin's sweat, water, or oils. When copper reacts with moisture or chemicals like those in lotions or even air, it forms a green compound called copper carbonate, which can rub off onto your skin. It is totally harmless and it washes off easily, but it can be a bit of a surprise if you're not expecting it. The greener your finger gets, the more copper is likely in the ring. Higher quality jewelry made with stainless steel, gold, platinum or titanium usually doesn't cause this reaction. But don't worry, it doesn't mean your skin is allergic or that the ring is cursed. It's just chemistry at work. And finally, we have Adley in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, who asks, where did the idea of cats having nine lives come from? Ooh, fun question. The idea that cats have nine lives goes back thousands of years and started because cats are so good at escaping danger, they can jump from high places, twist in midair, and often walk away from accidents that would hurt other animals. In ancient Egypt, cats were considered magical and even sacred and were believed to have special powers. Later, in folklore and fairy tales from many parts of the world, cats were seen as mysterious and lucky and people started saying they had many lives. The number nine may have been chosen because it was considered a lucky or magical number in many cultures. Interestingly, not all cultures say cats have nine lives. Some say seven, and in Turkish and Arabic stories it's six. But no matter the number, the idea comes from the same place. Cats are as amazingly agile and resilient as they are cute and adorable. There you have it, another fun filled episode of SmartYQ. Once again, if you have a question you'd like me to answer, just email me@whosmartedhoosmarted.com until next time. Keep on smarting, smartypants. Hey there, who smarted plus subscribers. Welcome to a sizzling summer edition of SmartYQ, where I, the trusty narrator, answer questions from you, our brilliant Smarty pants listeners. Remember, if you have a question you'd like answered, just have an adult help you email me@whosmartedhoosmarted.com ready. Let's dive into today's questions. First up, smarty fans Amanda and Julian ask, why do bugs fly to lights when it's warm and dark out? Ooh, great question. Lots of bugs, especially moths, seem drawn to porch lights, headlights, backyard lights, flashlights, or in some cases, a bug zapper. But why? Scientists believe many flying insects use natural light sources like the moon to help them navigate. Since the moon is so far away, its light comes from one steady direction, insects evolved to keep that light at a constant angle, which helps them fly in a straight line. But when a bug sees a nearby artificial light like a light bulb, it tries to use that the same way. Since the bulb is close and the angle changes quickly the bug ends up spiraling towards it, sometimes flying in circles or bumping into it. Or it could be the heat or unexpected glare that makes lights even more attractive, like a neon sign to a hungry insect. So it's not that bugs love lights. It's more that they're getting tricked by them. Now let's head to Phoenix, Arizona, where our smarty friend Eliana asks, why do people make music? What a beautiful and deep question. People have been making music for tens of thousands of years. Scientists have found flutes carved from bone that are over 40,000 years old. But why do we do it? Here are a few reasons. Music helps us express emotions like joy, sadness, excitement, or love. It brings people together through dancing, singing, or playing instruments. It's used in celebrations, ceremonies, and storytelling across every culture. Music can even help your brain by improving memory, learning, and mood. Some scientists think our ancestors made music to bond with others, much like birds sing to attract mates or whales hum to communicate. In fact, your brain lights up when you hear music. It activates areas involved in language, movement, and emotion. So music is part science, part art, and 100% human. Okay, and for our final question, Ethan in South Carolina asks, who came up with the idea to bury the dead? Oof. That is one spooky smart question. The idea of burying the dead goes back at least 100,000 years. Some of the oldest known graves were made by Neanderthals, early relatives of humans who buried bodies in caves and even left behind tools or flowers. So why bury the dead at all? There's a few reasons to keep living areas clean and safe from disease. To show respect or love for the person who died. And in many cultures, to help the dead travel to the afterlife. Over time, burial became a ritual, a way for people to remember loved ones, celebrate their life, or honor their spirit. Burial customs changed depending on the culture. Some used tombs, others used mounds. And some placed people with their favorite belongings. So no one single person came up with the idea. It slowly developed as humans became more thoughtful and caring. There you have it. Another curiosity packed episode of Smarty Q. Big thanks to Amanda, Julian, Eliana and Eth for your fantastic questions. If you have a question you'd like me to answer, just email me@whosmartedosmarted.com until next time. Keep on smarting, smarty pants.
Episode: SMARTY Q: What is a brain freeze???
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: The Trusty Narrator
This special "SmartYQ" segment of Who Smarted? ventures into kid-submitted science questions, mixing fun facts and clear explanations with playful banter. The trusty narrator answers listener emails about everyday mysteries, including the scoop on brain freeze, green fingers from cheap rings, cats’ nine lives, why bugs swarm lights, the origins of music, and ancient burial traditions. The tone is light, warm, and approachable—tailored for curious kids (and their grown-ups!).
Listener Question from Kai and Cooper, Pacifica, CA
“That quick change triggers nerves in the roof of your mouth to send a signal to your forehead that things are getting pretty cold in here.” (01:30)
Listener Question from Riley and Hunter, California
“It doesn’t mean your skin is allergic or the ring is cursed. It’s just chemistry at work.” (03:00)
Listener Question from Adley, Cornwall, Ontario
“Cats are as amazingly agile and resilient as they are cute and adorable.” (04:35)
Listener Question from Amanda & Julian
“So it’s not that bugs love lights. It’s more that they’re getting tricked by them.” (06:00)
Listener Question from Eliana, Phoenix, AZ
“Music is part science, part art, and 100% human.” (08:08)
Listener Question from Ethan, South Carolina
“Burial customs changed depending on the culture. Some used tombs, others used mounds, and some placed people with their favorite belongings.” (10:00)
This SmartYQ episode demonstrates the show’s recipe for edutainment: silly, friendly explanations for science and cultural questions, delivered with warmth and memorable analogies. The trusty narrator keeps it light, accessible, and always encourages listeners to stay curious. It’s perfect for kids on the go—or anyone wanting to marvel at the everyday wonders of the world.
“Until next time, keep on smarting, smartypants!”