Loading summary
A
Hey, Smarty pants and Smarty Families, have you ever listened to whosmarted and thought, I'd love to make a podcast, too? Well, now you can join me, the trusty narrator and who Smarted co creator, Adam Tex Davis, as we teach you exactly how we make our show so you can make your own. You'll learn how to come up with your own great ideas, record yourself or your friends and family, edit your episode, add music and sound effects, and even publish your very own podcast for your friends and family to hear. Over 300 families have already joined WhoSmarted podcast camp, and Smarty Pants, just like you, have created amazing shows about Greek mythology, superheroes, video games, scary stuff, yucky stuff, and lots more. It doesn't matter if you want to become a podcaster. You're going to have so much fun in podcast camp, learning so many great skills. These are creative skills that you'll use for years, and it's perfect for those hot summer afternoons or rainy days when you're stuck inside. And right now is the best time to join because our summer sale is on. From now until July 15, podcast camp is 50% off. Even better, once you sign up, Podcast Camp is yours forever, so you can learn at your own pace and you can start this week, next month, or whenever you're ready. Plus, you're not on your own. You'll be part of our podcam community, where Tex and I answer your questions and we even host live monthly Q and A sessions so you can ask me questions live on video. If you've ever dreamed of making your own podcast or you just want to learn how we make ours, come learn from the people who make WhoSmarted. Visit WhoSmarted.com and click on Podcast Camp before the summer sale disappears on July 15th. That's WhoSmarted.com and click podcast Camp. See you there. Hey there, smarty pants. Welcome back to SmartYQ, where I, the trusty narrator, answer questions from you, the Smartypants. Today we've got questions about blisters, Irish dancing, why rain smells so good, and how you're able to make that loud click with your tongue. That's enough clicking. It's time to get smarting. Our first question comes from Bennett, who asks, how do blood blisters and regular blisters happen? Great question, Smarty Pants. Both kinds of blisters happen when something rubs, pinches, or presses against your skin over and over. A regular blister forms when the top layer of your skin separates slightly from the layer underneath. Your body, fills that tiny space with a clear fluid to protect the injured area while it heals. It's kind of like your body's own little airbag. A blood blister happens the same way, but the rubbing or pinching is usually a little stronger. Instead of just clear fluid, a few tiny blood vessels break open and some blood gets trapped inside the blister. That's why it looks dark red or purple. Most blisters heal on their own if you leave them alone and protect them from more rubbing. But just remember, a blister, while annoying, is actually your body trying to protect your skin while it repairs itself. Our next question comes from my smarty friend Stephen on Spotify, who asks, what is Irish dancing and how did it originate? Irish dancing is a traditional style of dance that began hundreds of years ago in Ireland. People have been performing Irish dances at celebrations, festivals, and family gatherings for for centuries. Over time, traveling, dance teachers taught different styles throughout the country, and the dances became more organized. One thing that makes Irish dancing unique is that dancers usually keep their upper bodies very still while their feet move incredibly fast. Today, there are competitions all over the world where dancers perform amazing routines, wearing special shoes that create clicking sounds somewhat like tap dancing. You may have also seen or heard of famous stage shows like Riverdance or Lord of the Dance, which helped introduce Irish dancing to millions of people around the world. Our next two questions come from siblings Giorgio and Luca, along with their mom Chelsea in Blonay, Switzerland. First, Giorgio asks, what animal or organism is the top contender for taking over the world if there weren't humans? Now that is a fun and slightly ominous question. The thing is, there probably isn't just one winner, but scientists have a few good candidates. One possibility is ants. There are an estimated 20 quadrillion ants on Earth. That is a 20 followed by 15 zeros. They already live on almost every continent. They work together in huge colonies, they build underground cities, they farm fungi, and they even wage battles against rival ant colonies. Another strong contender would be octopuses. They're incredibly intelligent, excellent problem solvers, and can adapt to many different environments. Some scientists might even vote for bacteria or fungi. They're already everywhere on Earth and play enormous roles in ecosystems by recycling nutrients and helping plants grow. So while no one animal is likely to build cities or drive cars anytime soon, ants might have the best chance of becoming Earth's most widespread rulers. Okay, that's three questions asked, three questions answered. But we've got more questions on the way right after this quick ad break and a word from our sponsors. Hey, smarty parents, I have to tell you about something that's genuinely changed my life. I've been using the Skylight Calendar for about three months now, and I am not exaggerating when I say it has completely transformed how we organize our household. Now, you've probably seen this thing all over social media and for good reason. Setting it up was so easy. Within minutes it was pulling in everybody's schedules into one place. We're talking calendars to do, lists, tracking systems. Plus we can add recipes, notes. It's awesome. Everything's in one screen. Done. I love this thing so much that I'm already planning to give it as gifts to friends. That's how good it is. And for families with kids like you, the Tasks feature turns chores and routines into something that's actually fun. Fun and rewarding for the kids. No more. I didn't know I had to do that. It syncs with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and more. And if you're not 100% thrilled, you have four full months to return it for a full refund. No questions asked. Families are better when they're working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch calendars by going to myskylight.com go to myskylight.com smarted for $30 off your 15 inch calendar. That is my S K-Y-L-I G H T.com smarted hey, who smarted Families trusty here. You know me, always here with the facts, the stories, the wild science. And today I have an extra special book series to introduce you to. Meet the the Investigators Mango and Brash are two alligator secret agents who travel through the city sewers to fight crime and solve the most wonderfully weird mysteries. If you love the puns and silly humor we throw at you on every episode of who's Smarted? You're gonna feel right at home. It's basically who Smarted Energy in graphic novel form. Over 4 million copies have been sold worldwide. 4 million. Now there's nine books in the series, a special edition and a spin off. So if you plow through books, this is basically a gift. And the newest case just dropped. Investigators, whether or not by John Patrick Greene where the city's water supply has been replaced with milk, the rain is turning green and monkey scientists are causing chaos. So grab your copy of Investigators, whether or not at your local bookstore, library, or online today. And now back to Smarty Q. Our next question is from Luca in Blonay, Switzerland, who asks, do animals smile? The answer is sort of. Many animals make facial Expressions that look like smiles to us, especially dogs, chimpanzees, dolphins, and some monkeys. However, scientists think that most animals aren't smiling for exactly the same reason humans do. For people, smiling often shows happiness, friendliness, or amusement. Animals communicate using lots of different signals, including body posture, sounds, tail movements, ear position, and facial expressions. For example, when your dog looks like it's smiling with its mouth open and tongue hanging out, it may simply mean it's relaxed, comfortable, or cooling off, not necessarily laughing at one of my jokes. Our next question comes from another Luca in Templeton, California, who describes himself as my smartiest listener. I love that. Their question for SmartYQ is, why does rain have a smell? And why does it smell so good? Oh, and also, does snow have a different smell? So that wonderful smell after it rains actually has a name. Petrichor. When the ground has been dry for a while, certain plants release natural oils into the soil. Tiny organisms living in the dirt also produce a substance called geosming. When raindrops hit the ground, they splash tiny droplets, carrying those smells into the air. And that's what your nose detects. Many people think petrichor smells fresh and pleasant because humans have been smelling it for thousands of years as a sign that fresh rain and fresh water have arrived. But what about snow? Snow doesn't really have its own smell the way that rain does. Instead, cold air slows down the movement of scent molecules, so there are actually fewer smells reaching your nose. Okay, we're down to our final question. Get ready to find out how you can make this noise. Right after this quick ad break and a word from our sponsors. Yeah, I can't open this jar of pickles. Let me try, Grandpa. Ha. You've clearly been drinking your milk. Milk can help you build muscles. Free. We're finally free. Wait, who said that milk can't stop pickles from coming alive? Now back to Smarty Q. Our final question comes from Crystal and Charlie in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who asks, what are the mechanics behind the sound that comes from clicking your tongue loudly in your mouth? Fantastic question. That loud click happens because your tongue creates a tiny vacuum inside your mouth. Here's what happens. First, you press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth. As you pull your tongue away, it seals against the roof for just a moment, creating a pocket of lower air pressure, kind of like a miniature suction cup. When the seal suddenly breaks, air rushes into that space almost instantly. And that quick movement of air creates the sharp click sound you hear. Different tongue positions can make different kinds of clicks, which is one reason people can make all sorts of funny sound effects with their mouths. In fact, some language spoken in parts of Africa even use clicking sounds as part of everyday speech. And that brings us to the end of another episode of SmartEQ. If you've got a cool and curious question you'd like me to answer, have a grown up help you email me at Whose smart smarted@whosmarted.com and I'll add it to my list of smarty cues. Until next time, keep on smarting, smarty pants.
Podcast: Who Smarted?
Episode: SMARTY Q: What is Irish Dance???
Date: July 11, 2026
Host: Adam "Trusty Narrator" Tex Davis
Produced by: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
This "SmartYQ" episode of Who Smarted? is a rapid-fire, Q&A-style journey answering curious kid-submitted questions ranging from science and nature to history and culture. The highlight of the episode is a fun and accessible explanation of Irish dance: its origins, what makes it unique, and its impact around the world. The episode interweaves humor, memorable facts, and the show's signature energetic tone, making complex topics simple and engaging for youngsters and curious families.
(Q from Bennett) — [02:08]
(Q from Stephen) — [04:00]
(Q from Giorgio) — [06:04]
(Q from Luca in Switzerland) — [11:29]
(Q from Luca in California) — [12:38]
(Q from Crystal and Charlie in Philadelphia) — [16:38]
On Irish Dance:
"Dancers usually keep their upper bodies very still while their feet move incredibly fast." (Trusty Narrator, [04:44])
On Ants' Potential:
"There are an estimated 20 quadrillion ants on Earth. That is a 20 followed by 15 zeros." (Trusty Narrator, [06:28])
On Rain's Smell:
"That wonderful smell after it rains actually has a name. Petrichor." (Trusty Narrator, [12:48])
On Tongue Clicking:
"As you pull your tongue away, it seals against the roof for just a moment, creating a pocket of lower air pressure, kind of like a miniature suction cup." (Trusty Narrator, [16:59])
The episode is lively, friendly, and chock-full of playful explanations and comparisons. The Trusty Narrator regularly uses metaphors, pop-culture references, and a conversational style that keeps young listeners engaged, curious, and entertained.
The episode ends by inviting listeners to send their own curious questions to the show, reinforcing the interactive, community-driven spirit of Who Smarted?.
This episode is ideal for curious kids (and families) wanting bite-sized answers to big questions—plus, you'll finish knowing not only why Irish dance is so captivating but also how to make your own clickety-clack sounds like a pro!