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Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Hey, parents trusty here. You know what I hear constantly from homeschool parents in the whosmarted community? Thank you for introducing us to ixl. I get it. My cousin homeschools her kids and raves about how much IXL helps. We're heading into that stretch where families are finishing the year strong and then summer hits with travel camps and shifting routines, and that's where IXL shines. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into homeschooling with interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. Everything's organized by grade and subject, so you quickly find what each kid needs. Kids get instant explanations. And parents, you get clear Progress reports. Over 15 million students use IXL and it's proven to improve achievement in all 50 states. So make an impact on your child's learning. Who smarted? Listeners get an exclusive 20% off when they sign up today at www.ixl.com smartid. That's ixl.com smarted and now it's time for who's Smarted? Psst. Hey, smartypants. You are not going to believe it, but I am sitting across from some very special, very famous guests that you may have heard of. Does this music ring a bell? Here's another one of his compositions. Any idea which famous composer composed those pieces? Why, it's none other than Ludwig van Beethoven. But wait, there's more. I'm also seated across from the 26th President of the United States. He was a larger than life character. A war hero, a Nobel Prize winner, he initiated the Panama Canal. And also teddy bears are named after him. Why, it's none other than Theodore Roosevelt. Now, I'm sure you might be wondering, why am I sitting with Beethoven and Teddy Roosevelt? Good question. Can you guess what they have in common? Is it A, they both composed music, B, they both ran for president, or C, they both had asthma? If you said C, they both had asthma, you're right. Which means two things. Number one, asthma doesn't get in the way of doing incredible things like being one of the greatest musical geniuses of all or becoming President of the United States? And two, asthma can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. But what exactly is asthma? Is it A, a bad cold, B, a condition that affects your airways, or C, a condition that affects your eyes? If you said B, a condition that affects your airways, nice job. But what are airways? Are they places where airplanes fly? Structures in your body that help with eating or structures in your body that help with breathing? If you said structures in your body that help with breathing, you're right. Which means having asthma can make it difficult to breathe. Yep. Asthma commonly causes coughing fits, particularly at night or in the morning. So why do some people have asthma? What can trigger an asthma attack? And what does the name asthma even mean? Get ready to find out the answers to those questions and more as we take another whiff of science and history on who smarted.
Co-host or Announcer
Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun, but who's smart? And
Ludwig van Beethoven
that was a nice theme song. Of course, if you ever want a new one, I'd be happy to compose it.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Oh, I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Beethoven.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Please, call me Ludwig.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Sure thing. Okay, now that we know asthma is a condition that affects your airways and can make it difficult to breathe, I'm curious just how asthma got its name. Why is a breathing condition called asthma?
Theodore Roosevelt
I can answer that one.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Ooh, President Roosevelt coming in hot. What do you got, Teddy?
Theodore Roosevelt
Did I say you could call me Teddy?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Whoops. Sorry about that, Mr. President.
Theodore Roosevelt
I'm just kidding. Teddy is fine. And the word asthma comes from a Greek word meaning panting.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Ah, that makes sense. Smarty pants. If you've ever seen or heard a dog take quick, short breaths, you definitely know what panting is.
Ludwig van Beethoven
It turns out humans can pant, too. It happens when anyone needs to take short, quick breaths.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
I see. But why might someone need to take short, quick breaths?
Theodore Roosevelt
Well, if you have asthma, your airways become swollen, narrow, and filled with mucus. This can also cause you to cough or wheeze.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Gotcha. But while that might sound like a lot to deal with, having asthma doesn't have to slow you down.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Down.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Especially today. Because for one thing, there are lots of great options for medicine. And for another, people know how to make an asthma action plan.
Theodore Roosevelt
I wish they had all those medicine options available in my day, like those cool little inhalers. Instead, I relied on, let's say, unorthodox methods of treating asthma, like smoking cigars and drinking lots of black coffee.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Yeah, those are definitely not the way to treat asthma.
Theodore Roosevelt
I will say going for horseback rides helped.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
That I can believe. The rush of fresh air probably felt good. Ludwig, what did you do to help treat Your Asthma in 19th Century Vienna?
Ludwig van Beethoven
Trust me, you don't want to know.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Okay, but what I do want to know is how or why do people get asthma? Smartypants, what do you think? Any guesses? Call them out. I heard some interesting ideas, but the truth is, your guess is as good as mine. That's because, unfortunately, even with all of our modern technology and advances in medicine, we still don't really know the answer to what causes asthma. And it's not for lack of trying. Scientists have been attempting to figure it out for decades.
Ludwig van Beethoven
That is not music to my ears. Not that I can hear too well, right?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
But here's the good news. While we still don't know why some people develop asthma, we we do know some things that can trigger an asthma attack. And we'll get right into that after this quick advertising break and a word from our sponsors. Attention smarty parents. Do you run your family off sticky notes, random texts, and crossed fingers? Then you need the Skylight Calendar. It's a digital calendar that syncs with Google, Apple, Outlook and more, becoming the central information hub for your family now. I love using the Tasks feature on who Smarted? It means no more Wait, what am I supposed to be doing? And for smarty pants, checking off their tasks makes it fun and rewarding to do chores like brushing teeth and homework. Skylight also simplifies grocery lists, meal planning, and never ending pickups and drop offs. Skylight is so confident you'll love their calendar that they offer 100% money back, no questions asked for four full months. 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 smarted 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. You know what I love? TaskRabbit when we moved our whosmarted office, how did we find our mover? TaskRabbit When I've got errands p0 time to run them. TaskRabbit IKEA furniture assembly that's about to drive me mental. I Call me a tasker. I've been blown away by how helpful and awesome they are every single time. TaskRabbit connects you with skilled taskers in your area for moving furniture, assembly, home repairs, mounting a tv, yard work, you name it. You can search based on cost, skill set, availability and past client reviews and these taskers have put in the reps over 3.4 million pieces of furniture assembled, 700,000 home repairs. One and a half million moves and counting. I love TaskRabbit Smartypants and you will too. When life happens, your to do list grows. Get ahead of it now and get $15 off your first task@taskrabbit.com or or on the TaskRabbit app using promo code Smarted Taskers book up fast, especially for same day tasks. So book trusted home help today. That's $15 off your first task using promo code smarted with the TaskRabbit app or@taskrabbit.com
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Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Now back to who Smarted. Ah, very nice return from an ad. Music Ludwig Anyway, as I was saying, Smartypants, what are some things that could trigger an asthma attack? Do any ideas come to mind? Go ahead, shout em out. Mm mm. Hearing some good answers. Some strange ones here. Let's see if you can guess which of the following could bring on an asthma attack. Is it a Getting sick with a respiratory infection like a cold or the flu B allergies to things like pollen, mold and pet dander, or c irritants like strong perfume or pollution in the air? If you said any or all of those answers, you're right. All three of those conditions, illness, allergies or irritants could trigger or cause an asthma attack.
Theodore Roosevelt
But that's not all. Other asthma triggers can include weather conditions, strong emotions and intense exercise.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Wow, that's a lot of things.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Yes. And while it may seem like a good idea to try and avoid asthma triggers, you can't avoid all of them all of the time.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Very true. Not to mention, exercise is good for you, even if you have asthma.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Of course, not everyone's asthma triggers are the same. My health was often poor, which triggered
Theodore Roosevelt
my asthma, and my asthma was usually triggered by city dust and being around animals.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
I see. But if asthma triggers are different for everyone, how can you know what yours are?
Ludwig van Beethoven
Good question. Something that may help is keeping an asthma diary.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Smartypants, any idea what Beethoven means by an asthma diary?
Ludwig van Beethoven
It's where you write down when you had an asthma attack and what happened just before it. That way you can start to notice patterns and Realize what your triggers are.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Whoa. You're a genius, Beethoven. And come to think of it, another good thing to write in your asthma diary might be the medicines you use to treat it.
Theodore Roosevelt
Like smoking cigars and drinking coffee.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
No, once again, that is not how you treat asthma. In fact, smoking anything like cigars, cigarettes or vaping is one of the worst things you can do if you have asthma. Or even if you don't.
Theodore Roosevelt
Right, I'll just put this cigar out.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Thankfully, like I mentioned earlier, medicine has improved a lot since both your times.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Oh, what kind of medicines are available today for asthma, smarty pants?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Do you know? Well, for one thing, these days some asthma medicines come in pills or syrups, but most are taken with smartypants. Do you know what that is? It was mentioned earlier in the episode. Did you say an asthma inhaler? That's right. This might be the single best thing if you're having an asthma attack.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Oh wow. That inhaler is like nothing I've ever seen before.
Theodore Roosevelt
Right? It's so cool.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
But how does it work, Smartypants? True or false? An asthma inhaler is filled with air that you inhale to stop an asthma attack. The answer is false. An asthma inhaler is actually a medicine filled canister that you press. Once pressed, the medicine goes into something called a spacer chamber. Once the medicine is in the chamber, you breathe it in.
Theodore Roosevelt
So you're saying it doesn't go directly into your mouth?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Nope. First you press, then you wait as the medicine fills up the space chamber, then you inhale.
Ludwig van Beethoven
That inhaler is also music to my ears.
Theodore Roosevelt
But what is the medicine? I'm pretty sure it is not coffee.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
No, it's definitely not coffee. There are actually two types of asthma medications, smarty pants. Any idea what they're called? Are they A rescue medicines and controller medicines? B attack stoppers and breathing starters Or C nose medicine and throat medicine? If you said A rescue medicines and controller medicines, well done. The words rescue and controller kind of make me think of superheroes. And actually these medicines can be kind of like superheroes in your body if you have asthma.
Theodore Roosevelt
Really?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
How so, Smarty pants? True or false? Rescue medicines are only taken during an asthma attack. You said true. Nice job.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ah, but when is controller medicine taken?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
What do you think, Smartypants? Controller medicine is taken every day to help prevent asthma attacks.
Theodore Roosevelt
Ah, good idea. But how do these medicines work?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Well, bronchodilators are a type of rescue medicine that opens your airways by relaxing the muscles around them. Corticosteroids are another type of rescue medicine that relieves the swelled blocking of your airways. They can be taken as a pill or a liquid during a serious asthma attack. You can also use an inhaler to take corticosteroids and long acting bronchodilators as a controller medicine every day.
Theodore Roosevelt
Ah, much better than coffee.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Question can people know when they are going to have an asthma attack?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Sometimes. There's usually early warning signs before an asthma attack.
Theodore Roosevelt
Such as?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Well, again, everyone's early warning signs are different, but they could include a dry cough that is not from a cold, or a cough that gets worse at night. Wheezing is always a good sign. Other signs might include an itchy throat, feeling less hungry, having a stomach ache, changes in sleep, or feeling cold or hot.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Interesting. As someone who always had health problems, I feel most of those all the
Theodore Roosevelt
time and I don't recall feeling any of those ways before an asthma attack.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Well, if you missed the early warning signs or thought they were from something else, there are also late warning signs.
Theodore Roosevelt
You don't say. And what might those be?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Late warning signs show that the asthma attack is serious. They can include tightness or pain in the chest, excessive wheezing, difficulty breathing when laying down, vomiting from coughing, the skin around the eyes and lips turning blue or gray, fast breathing, tightening of the stomach muscles, or difficulty with walking or talking.
Theodore Roosevelt
Ah, now those I can relate to.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Smarty pants. If you're experiencing any of these signs or see someone who is, please know it is serious. You should get an adult to help or call 911 because the person needs medical assistance.
Ludwig van Beethoven
But how do you know if you have asthma?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Great question and we'll find out right after this quick ad break and a word from our sponsors. Attention all non mouth breathers, this is a code red. I repeat, this is a code red. So listen very carefully. What I'm about to say will turn your world upside down. I'm transmitting to you from Hawkins, Indiana to deliver this urgent message. Something survived in the winter of 85, so get ready for an all new animated adventure from the creators of Stranger Things. Bundle up and join 11 Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and all your most beloved characters as they uncover new mysteries, new monsters and their greatest adventure yet. You've seen them fight Demogorgon, you've seen them fight Vecna. But you've never seen anything like this. Return to Hawkins for a whole new dimension of the Stranger Things universe in this epic animated series. Friends don't lie, so believe the hype. Stranger things tales from 85 only on netflix over and out. Hey, smarty pants. Quick shout out to our awesome sponsor, Mel Science. Helping kids turn curiosity into real experiments. Mel Science is a subscription that delivers monthly science boxes right to your door. Each box is packed with hands on experiments. So you're not just learning about science, you're you're doing it. And honestly, that's what who Smarted is all about. Here's what I love. Melscience is on a mission to prove that science isn't boring, difficult, or just for certain people. Science is really about asking questions, experimenting, and discovering, which, let's be honest, smarty pants are already amazing at. Each kit comes with fun experiments, detailed explanations, and immersive tech to explore even deeper. It's like turning your kitchen table into a mini science lab. I think smartie families will love this because it takes that spark that kids already have from listening to who Smarted and puts it right in their hands. Choose an annual plan and get a full year of science for just $22.45 a month. But hurry. This deal is only good through May 15th. Go to melscience.com and use code science smarted to get started. That's melscience.com code smarted. But hurry. This deal does expire on May 15th. Hey, smarty pants. Trusty narrator here. Spring is here and you know what that means on the farm. Baby chicks hatching inside their eggs. Calves moving into their tiny little houses. Flowers. Figuring out when it's time to wake up. And yes, that smell. You know the one. If you've ever wondered why any of that happens, I have got the show for you. The Super Smart Farm show podcast. But don't take it from me. Take it from my friend Elmer, who actually lives this stuff and hosts the show this spring. On the Super Smart Farm show, we're hatching chicks, visiting baby calves. And yes, we are going to talk about why farms smell funny in the spring. And trust me, once you know the reason, you'll never look at your garden the same way again. See what I mean? That's Super Smart Farm Show, a family podcast that answers every question you never knew you had about farms, animals and food. Playful, curious, and genuinely smart. From the Lancaster farming team, who've been covering agriculture since 1955. Find Super Smart Farm show wherever you get your podcasts or@lancasterfarming.com now back to who smarted. Okay, smarty pants, my new friend Ludwig van Beethoven was curious. How do you know if you or someone you know has asthma? Any ideas?
Ludwig van Beethoven
I'm guessing your doctor could tell you that's correct.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
To be diagnosed with asthma, you need to have attacks of wheezing or trouble breathing that happen more than once.
Theodore Roosevelt
More than once?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Yes, Teddy. While it would definitely be scary to have trouble breathing one time, that doesn't necessarily mean that you have asthma.
Theodore Roosevelt
Interesting. Say, do you need to be a certain age to be diagnosed with asthma?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
What do you think, Smartypants? Yes or no? The answer is yes. Sort of. While people can develop asthma at any age, the diagnosis usually isn't made for children younger than one year old.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Since people can develop asthma at any age, is there a cure for asthma?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
The bad news is there is no cure for asthma. But the good news is that treatments for asthma have improved a ton over time, and doctors and scientists have developed a much better understanding of asthma and how to treat it.
Theodore Roosevelt
No more drinking coffee or smoking cigars, for sure.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
The other good news is that while there is no cure, many children with asthma find their asthma often goes away or gets less serious as they get older.
Ludwig van Beethoven
But I had asthma as an adult.
Theodore Roosevelt
And so did I. I know.
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
Unfortunately, some people still have asthma as adults. But hey, asthma doesn't need to stop you from doing the things you want to do, like creating some of the greatest music the world has ever known or being a great president whose face is on Mount Rushmore. Keeping asthma under control means taking the medication your doctor prescribes you, doing your best to avoid obvious triggers, and having your inhaler nearby at all times. Ooh, speaking of inhalers, how would you guys like to help me inhale some hot and delicious pizza?
Theodore Roosevelt
Sure. Sounds good.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Um, what's pizza?
Host (Adam Tex Davis)
It's like a symphony for your mouth. Trust me, you're gonna love it. A super deluxe shout out to several amazing smartypants. First, a big thank you to Ronan in Leesburg, Virginia, who loves smarting. To whosmarted all the time. And then there's Henry in Ramsey, Minnesota, who loves listening to who Smarted in the morning and in the car. And last but not least, Aiden in Sydney, Australia, who is a big fan of Whosmarted and smarts with us every morning on the way to school because it's the best way to start the day. Aw. Thank you all so much. I'm so glad to have you and your families as part of our smarty family this episode. Asma was written by Sarah Sweetek and voiced by Timmy Morgan, Mike Privetti, and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Audio production.
Co-host or Announcer
Who smart eddie.
Podcast: Who Smarted? by Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
Episode Air Date: May 8, 2026
Host: Adam Tex Davis (plus guest voices of Ludwig van Beethoven & Theodore Roosevelt)
This lively episode of “Who Smarted?” dives into asthma—what it is, why people develop it, how it’s managed, and how even famous historical figures like Beethoven and Teddy Roosevelt lived (and thrived) with the condition. The episode uses humor, character voices, and interactive questions to both inform and entertain young listeners about a sometimes-scary subject, reassuring them that asthma doesn’t need to stop anyone from achieving greatness.
Final thought: Asthma doesn’t have to stop you from doing amazing things—just ask Beethoven, Teddy Roosevelt, or maybe the next great mind listening right now!