Episode Summary: "What Causes You to Fart?"

Who Smarted? Episode Released on April 28, 2025

Introduction

In this uproarious and enlightening episode of Who Smarted?, titled "What Causes You to Fart?", hosts Trusty Narrator and Smarty Pants delve deep into the often-taboo yet universally relatable topic of flatulence. Joined by their hilarious guest, Poo Moji, the episode seamlessly blends humor with scientific insights to educate young listeners about why farts happen, their frequency, variations in smell and sound, and the health implications of holding them in.

The Science Behind Farts

The episode kicks off with Trusty Narrator humorously pondering, “[00:02] Trusty Narrator: To bean or not to bean? That is the question,” setting the stage for an exploration of how certain foods, especially beans, contribute to gas production. Trusty explains, “beans contain raffinose, a type of carbohydrate that your body doesn't digest easily. Bacteria in your large intestine breaks down raffinose, resulting in…” leading into the reasons behind farting.

Poo Moji, the animated expert, elaborates on the origins of intestinal gas: “[05:25] Poo Moji: The reason you or me or Trusty narrator fart is due to a buildup of gas in the body.” This gas primarily enters the body through swallowed air, as Poo Moji explains, “[05:54] Poo Moji: You swallow air throughout the day. Sometimes from carbonated beverages, other times from inhaling air or even when you chew and swallow…”

Composition of Flatulence

Delving deeper, Poo Moji breaks down the composition of farts: “[06:15] Poo Moji: Intestinal gas is made up of various amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane.” This comprehensive explanation demystifies the often-misunderstood nature of flatulence, highlighting that it is a natural byproduct of the digestive process.

Frequency and Variations in Farts

Exploring how often people fart, the hosts present a multiple-choice question: “How often do people fart? Is it A, once a day, B, 100 times a day, or C?” After Smarty Pants chooses, Poo Moji reveals the average: “[07:06] Poo Moji: Doctors say the average person farts anywhere from five to 15 times per day.” This surprising statistic underscores the normalcy of farting.

When addressing why some farts are smellier than others, Poo Moji enlightens listeners: “[08:11] Poo Moji: The odor comes from intestinal bacteria that produces compounds containing sulfur.” He lists foods that contribute to more pungent farts, such as “cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage” and “sulfur-rich foods include garlic, onions, cheddar cheese, dried fruits, nuts, beef, eggs, pork, fish, poultry, and legumes.”

Sound and Smell: The Dual Nature of Flatulence

The discussion also covers the relationship between the sound and smell of farts: “[09:14] Poo Moji: The sound of the fart depends on how open your sphincter muscle is at the time the gas escapes. The larger the opening, the louder the fart … the air farts tend to be louder, while quieter farts tend to be smellier.” This playful explanation demystifies the "silent but deadly" phenomenon, adding a layer of humor to the scientific facts.

Social Implications and Handling Embarrassment

Addressing the social discomfort surrounding farting, Trusty Narrator humorously confesses, “[10:19] Trusty Narrator: I gotta fart right now. But we're in the middle of this crowded nightclub.” Poo Moji advises, “[10:25] Poo Moji: It can be embarrassing to fart in public, but there's no reason to be ashamed. It's only human. Everybody farts. Just be sure to say, excuse me.”

Should You Hold in Your Farts?

A pivotal moment in the episode tackles whether holding in farts is advisable: “[13:27] Poo Moji: There is limited scientific evidence that holding in a fart could cause severe health issues.” He explains the potential consequences: “[14:00] Poo Moji: Holding in your farts can cause pain and discomfort in the abdomen, bloating, indigestion, even heartburn.” Trusty Narrator reinforces the message, “[14:39] Trusty Narrator: Just keep telling yourself, farting is healthy.”

Health Implications of Holding in Farts

Poo Moji emphasizes the importance of allowing the body to expel gas naturally: “[14:13] Poo Moji: When you hold in a fart, you're not releasing gas that your body is trying to expel. That gas has to go somewhere.” This segment serves as an educational reminder that natural bodily functions should not be suppressed, promoting better digestive health and overall well-being.

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Trusty Narrator and Poo Moji reiterate the key takeaways: farting is a normal, healthy part of the digestive process, and there's no need to feel embarrassed about it. The episode concludes with a lighthearted note, “[14:43] Poo Moji: Healthy and hilarious,” leaving listeners both amused and informed.

Who Smarted? successfully transforms a potentially awkward topic into an engaging and educational experience, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to blend humor with learning. This episode not only answers common questions about flatulence but also encourages kids to embrace their natural bodily functions without shame.

Notable Quotes:

• “[00:02] Trusty Narrator: To bean or not to bean? That is the question.”
• “[05:25] Poo Moji: The reason you or me or Trusty narrator fart is due to a buildup of gas in the body.”
• “[07:06] Poo Moji: Doctors say the average person farts anywhere from five to 15 times per day.”
• “[08:11] Poo Moji: The odor comes from intestinal bacteria that produces compounds containing sulfur.”
• “[09:14] Poo Moji: The sound of the fart depends on how open your sphincter muscle is at the time the gas escapes.”
• “[14:00] Poo Moji: Holding in your farts can cause pain and discomfort in the abdomen, bloating, indigestion, even heartburn.”
• “[14:43] Poo Moji: Healthy and hilarious.”

Who Smarted? continues to stand out as a premier educational podcast for kids, making learning fun and accessible. This episode on farts exemplifies its unique ability to tackle everyday topics with humor and scientific rigor, ensuring that young listeners are both entertained and educated.