Who Smarted? – SMARTY Q: Why do cats drink milk?
Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Trusty Narrator (Atomic Entertainment/Starglow Media)
Episode Overview
This episode of "Who Smarted?" answers six interesting and curious questions submitted by young listeners. The host, known as the Trusty Narrator, explores topics ranging from cats and their diets to the colors of the sky at sunset, all explained in a lively, approachable tone that balances humor with science. The episode is a whirlwind of kid-friendly trivia—cats, human feelings, planetary racetracks, animal vision, travel safety, and the colors of the sky—each packed with fun facts and memorable moments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Do Cats Drink Milk?
[00:13 – 02:03]
- Popular Belief vs. Reality: While media and cartoons often show cats drinking milk, most adult cats shouldn't actually drink it.
- Science Behind It: Kittens can digest their mother’s milk, but as they grow, many cats lose the enzyme for digesting lactose (the sugar in milk).
- Fun Fact: Adult cats drinking regular milk might get upset stomachs.
- Why Cats Like Milk: They’re attracted to the smell, taste, and rich fat content—possibly reminded of kittenhood.
- Cat-Safe Option: Specially formulated “cat safe” milk is available that cats can enjoy without digestive issues.
Notable Quote:
“Most adult cats actually shouldn’t drink milk. When cats are kittens, they drink their mother’s milk…but as cats grow up, many lose the ability to properly digest lactose.” (Trusty Narrator, 00:34)
2. Why Do Some People Have Anxiety?
[02:03 – 03:15]
- Anxiety Defined: A feeling of worry, nervousness, or fear—common in all humans.
- Its Purpose: Part of the brain's safety system, making us alert to danger and preparing for challenges.
- Reasons for Anxiety: Influenced by genetics, stressful life experiences, big changes, and how the brain manages certain chemicals.
- Important Note: Anxiety is not a weakness and is very common.
- Management: Many strategies, such as talking to a trusted adult or therapist, learning calming techniques, and seeking support.
Notable Quote:
“Anxiety is not a weakness. It’s a common human experience.” (Trusty Narrator, 03:03)
3. If the Solar System Was a Racetrack, How Long Would One Lap Take?
[03:15 – 04:20]
- Imaginative Question: Earth’s “lap” around the sun takes one year.
- Going Beyond: If you tried to loop past all the planets (Mercury to Neptune and back), the "track" would be enormous—taking many years even at high speeds.
- Space Fact: The vast distances between planets make the solar system racetrack “almost unimaginable.”
Notable Quote:
“Space is unbelievably big. Planets are spaced millions and sometimes billions of miles apart. So the solar system racetrack wouldn’t just be long, it would be almost unimaginable.” (Trusty Narrator, 04:01)
4. Are Dogs Colorblind?
[10:52 – 11:52]
- Not Completely: Dogs don’t see only black and white, but their color vision differs from humans.
- How Dogs See: They have two types of color sensors (cones) compared to humans’ three. Dogs mostly see blue, yellow, and shades of gray. Reds and greens appear as brown or gray.
- Dogs’ Vision Strengths: Excellent at noticing movement and seeing in low light.
Notable Quote:
“Dogs don’t see a black and white world, just a different one.” (Trusty Narrator, 11:22)
5. Are There More Plane Crashes or Shipwrecks?
[11:52 – 13:05]
- Historical Comparison: Far more shipwrecks than plane crashes because ships have been around longer and sea travel was historically riskier.
- Modern Safety: Air travel now is one of the safest ways to get around, with rare crashes due to advanced technology and highly trained pilots.
- Ships Today: Improved but still threatened by weather, rough seas, and human error.
Notable Quote:
“Today, airplanes are actually one of the safest ways to travel. Modern planes are carefully designed, constantly monitored, and flown by highly trained pilots. Crashes are very rare.” (Trusty Narrator, 12:16)
6. Why Does the Sky Change Colors at Sunrise and Sunset?
[15:35 – 16:40]
- Light Science: Sunlight appears white but contains all the colors of the rainbow.
- Atmospheric Journey: When the sun is low (sunrise/sunset), its light travels through more atmosphere. The blue light is scattered away, leaving reds, oranges, and pinks to color the sky.
- Beauty Explained: The colors we see are sunlight filtered by Earth’s atmosphere.
Notable Quote:
“At sunrise and sunset, sunlight has to travel through much more air. As it passes through, blue light gets scattered away. Reds, oranges, and pinks keep traveling, and those warmer colors fill the sky.” (Trusty Narrator, 16:14)
Memorable Moments
- The playful debunking of the classic “cats drinking milk” myth, which likely surprised many listeners and their parents.
- The solar system racetrack analogy, which turns planetary orbits into a fun, sci-fi daydream for kids.
- Reassurance and normalization of anxiety in a way that’s comforting for young listeners.
- The vivid, science-based description of sunset skies encourages curiosity about everyday wonders.
Important Timestamps
- 00:13 – Mira’s question: Why do cats drink milk?
- 02:03 – Cam’s question: Why do some people have anxiety?
- 03:15 – Sebastian’s question: How long would it take to lap the solar system?
- 10:52 – FunnyClown’s question: Are dogs colorblind?
- 11:52 – Molly’s question: More plane crashes or shipwrecks?
- 15:35 – Ward’s question: How does the sky change colors at sunrise/sunset?
Conclusion
Trusty Narrator wraps up the episode by encouraging kids to keep asking questions and to submit their own to the show, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to delight and educate through curiosity-driven learning. The tone remains friendly, humorous, and encouraging throughout—making science, feelings, and facts both fun and accessible for all ages.