Podcast Summary: "SMARTY Q: Why can't you tickle yourself???"

Who Smarted? – Educational Podcast for Kids
Episode Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Trusty Narrator
Production: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media

Overview

This special "Smarty Q" episode features the Trusty Narrator answering five fascinating questions sent in by curious kids (smarty pants!) across the world. With his hallmark humor and playful energy, the narrator dives into everyday mysteries and viral phenomena, making science, culture, and biology accessible and fun. From why self-tickling doesn’t work to the resilience of tardigrades and the secrets of viral internet trends, each answer is packed with surprising facts and delivered in a lively, kid-friendly tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Can’t You Tickle Yourself?

Asked by Ronan, Leesburg, Virginia
Timestamp: 01:00

• Explanation:
  • Your brain predicts your movements, so when you try to tickle yourself, there’s no surprise.
  • The cerebellum (your “prediction center”) recognizes self-touches and “turns off” your ticklish response.
  • When someone else tickles you, your brain can’t predict the sensation, so it feels ticklish and surprising.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "When you try to tickle yourself, your brain knows exactly what's going to happen... So it turns off the ticklish response. But when someone else tickles you, your brain can't predict it.” – Trusty Narrator (01:20)

2. Why Does Your Voice Sound Deeper in the Morning?

Asked by Georgie, on Spotify
Timestamp: 02:00

• Explanation:
  • After sleep, your vocal cords are swollen and relaxed; you’re not talking, so your muscles stay loose, the throat dries out, and mucus collects.
  • This makes your morning voice sound lower, thicker, and even scratchy.
  • As the day progresses, hydration and speaking “warm up” your vocal folds and tighten them, raising your pitch.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "Your morning voice sounds deeper because your vocal cords are swollen and relaxed after a night of sleep... As the day goes on, you drink water and talk more, your vocal folds tighten and your voice gets higher.” – Trusty Narrator (02:20)

3. How Do Internet Trends Like Labubu and K Pop Demon Hunters Spread?

Asked by Edie
Timestamp: 03:22

• Explanation:
  • Trends often start with a funny video, meme, sound clip, phrase, or animation posted online.
  • Others remix, add music, make new versions, and create spinoffs.
  • Algorithms on platforms (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram) push these, showing viral content to millions more.
  • These become a “shared language” among kids/teens, turning into inside jokes and social must-haves.
  • Examples: “K Pop Demon Hunters” becomes a show; “Labubu” becomes a hit toy.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "Trends become inside jokes and everyone wants to be in on it... That’s why nonsense memes spread so fast – they're fun, silly, and social." – Trusty Narrator (04:02)

4. How Do Tardigrades Survive in Space?

Asked by James and several others
Timestamp: 08:12

• Explanation:
  • Tardigrades (“water bears”) are among Earth’s toughest creatures: they survive vacuum, radiation, extreme cold and heat.
  • They enter a “tun state,” a kind of biological sleep mode: curl up, dry out, stop eating and moving, and reduce their metabolism to almost zero.
  • They replace water with the sugar trehalose, which protects their cells, and produce special proteins that protect their DNA.
  • When safe again, they “wake up”—like a paused video on freeze frame!
• Memorable Quote:
  • "A tun is like a tiny biological sleep mode... So you could say tardigrades aren’t alive in space like normal – they’re paused like a video on freeze frame. So cool." – Trusty Narrator (09:08)

5. Can Your Organs Grow Back? (Regeneration in the Human Body)

Asked by Isla (Austin, Texas) and her mom Molly
Timestamp: 10:20

• Explanation:
  • Some parts can regrow: skin (cuts heal), liver (up to 70%), blood, bones, fingernails, toenails, hair.
  • Some parts cannot: heart tissue, most brain cells, spinal cord, nerves, and entire organs like kidneys or lungs.
  • The reason: Some organs have cells that divide easily, others are too specialized.
  • Scientists are studying stem cells, organ printing, and gene therapy for future medical advances—maybe even full organ regrowth someday!
• Memorable Quote:
  • "Here are some things humans can regrow... and here are some things humans cannot. It's because some organs have cells that copy themselves easily, while others are delicate and specialized." – Trusty Narrator (11:12)
  • “Maybe even new organs someday!” – Trusty Narrator (11:52)

Notable Quotes

• “Your brain responds strongly to unexpected touches, which is why surprise tickles are much ticklier than self-tickling.” – Trusty Narrator (01:35)
• “Kids and teens turn [internet trends] into a shared language... and it just keeps on spreading.” – Trusty Narrator (04:20)
• “Tardigrades shrink, dry out, stop eating and moving... They reduce their metabolism to 0.01% of normal!” – Trusty Narrator (08:40)

Episode Structure Highlights

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:00 | Why can't you tickle yourself? | | 02:00 | Why does your voice sound different in the morning? | | 03:22 | How do internet trends start and spread? (Labubu, K Pop Demon Hunters)| | 08:12 | How do tardigrades survive in space? | | 10:20 | Can your organs grow back? (Regeneration) |

Tone & Engagement

The Trusty Narrator maintains a warm, humorous, and slightly goofy delivery, peppering answers with personal anecdotes and jokes—perfect for keeping young listeners engaged. The blend of scientific explanation and real-world examples makes every concept easy to grasp and memorable.

Summary

This "Smarty Q" episode exemplifies why "Who Smarted?" is beloved in homes and classrooms: it tackles real questions from curious kids with clarity, surprise, and laughter. Whether explaining why tickling yourself isn’t funny (to your nerves) or how a meme becomes a global craze, every segment ignites curiosity and a sense of wonder. The engaging style ensures listeners of all ages enjoy learning—and keep coming back for more!

Want your Q featured?

Email your question to whosmarted@whosmarted.com and stay tuned for more science, trivia, and laughs!