Why are some people more Curious than others?

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Who Smarted? – "Why are some people more Curious than others?"
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Trusty, with guest Curious Cat

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Episode Overview

In this lively, kid-focused episode of Who Smarted?, Trusty (the trusty narrator) dives into the nature of curiosity with help from a wise—if mischievous—talking cat named Curious Cat. The episode explores the origins of human curiosity, why some people are more curious than others, the types of curiosity, its role in our survival and growth, and how to foster curiosity throughout life. Through playful banter, Q&A, and mini trivia breaks, listeners are encouraged to wonder about the world and never stop asking questions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is Curiosity and Are Humans Naturally Curious?

• Trusty introduces curiosity as the main topic, consulting with Curious Cat to kick off the exploration.
• Listeners are quizzed: “Are most people born curious?”
  • Answer: Yes, humans are naturally curious. [04:30]
  • Quote: “Humans are naturally curious and are always finding new things to explore and discover.” – Curious Cat [04:30]
• Curiosity is framed as the launchpad for invention, discovery, and learning across history.

2. Benefits of Curiosity for Humanity

• Curiosity helps us avoid boredom, drives us to learn more, and aids in making better choices. [05:03]
• Quote: “Since curiosity helps lead people to discover more and learn more about their environment and the world around them, it can also help people make better choices.” – Curious Cat [05:25]

3. When Does Curiosity Begin? Are Animals Curious?

• Babies are born with curiosity and immediately start exploring their environment. [06:09]
• Animals like apes, rodents, and cats show curiosity but not in the same way as humans—humans uniquely ask 'why.' [06:48–07:44]
• Quote: “Asking why is a uniquely human question.” – Curious Cat [07:44]
• Animals investigate but don’t seek deeper explanations.

4. Why Are Some People More Curious Than Others?

• Genetics play a role—curious families tend to have curious members, but environments that encourage asking questions help foster more curiosity in everyone. [08:11]
• Quote: “Scientists have found that curiosity is genetic. So if there are curious people in your family, you have a greater chance of being curious.” – Curious Cat [08:11]

5. Types of Curiosity

• Two main types:
  • Perceptual Curiosity: Interest in many things.
  • Epistemic Curiosity: A love of acquiring knowledge. [09:01]
• Both types show up in brain scans.
• As we grow, perceptual curiosity may decrease, but epistemic curiosity often remains, especially around favorite topics. [09:41–10:19]

6. Why Did Humans Need Curiosity?

• Early humans needed curiosity to survive—venturing from caves to find food, water, medicine, and fire. [12:33–13:14]
• Curiosity helped humans become safer and less afraid by learning about the unknown (e.g., thunderstorms). [13:30–13:51]

7. Curiosity in Modern Times

• Technology makes satisfying epistemic curiosity (#loveofknowledge) easier than ever through instant access to information. [13:59–14:22]

8. Is Curiosity Always Helpful?

• Sometimes curiosity isn’t beneficial—especially if it leads to dangerous situations or is about things we can't know yet. [14:35–15:11]
• Advice: Check with an adult before satisfying curiosity, especially when exploring or searching online. [15:11]

9. Scientists and the Mystery of Curiosity

• Scientists are still exploring how curiosity works, comparing it to hunger or thirst, and investigating its purpose in adulthood. [15:47–16:30]
• Quote: “Scientists also want to figure out what the different types of curiosity have in common... if there is a purpose for curiosity in adults.” – Curious Cat [16:30]

10. How to Be More Curious

• The secret to boosting curiosity: Ask more questions! [17:16–17:41]
• Quote: “Remember, smarty pants, stay curious, never be afraid to learn something new, and never stop asking questions.” – Trusty [17:41]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On human uniqueness:
  “Asking why is a uniquely human question.” – Curious Cat [07:44]
• On family and curiosity:
  “Scientists have found that curiosity is genetic...” – Curious Cat [08:11]
• Types of curiosity:
  “Perceptual curiosity is when you’re interested in a lot of different things. Epistemic curiosity is a love of knowledge.” – Curious Cat [09:12]
• How to grow curiosity:
  “It’s asking questions.” – Trusty [17:41]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 01:24 | Episode Start – Host introduces curiosity | | 02:29 | Curious Cat arrives to explain curiosity | | 04:30 | Humans are naturally curious | | 05:03 | Benefits of curiosity (quiz & answer) | | 06:09 | When curiosity begins in humans | | 06:48 | Animal curiosity vs. human curiosity | | 07:44 | "Why" as a human question | | 08:11 | Genetics and environment in curiosity | | 09:01 | Types of curiosity explained | | 09:41 | Curiosity through the lifespan | | 12:33 | Curiosity and human survival (ancient times) | | 13:30 | Curiosity and overcoming fear | | 13:59 | Modern technology & curiosity | | 14:35 | When curiosity isn’t helpful | | 15:47 | Science on curiosity—comparing to hunger/thirst | | 17:16 | How to be more curious: Asking questions |

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Tone & Style Highlights

The episode uses:

• Playful and interactive dialog, keeping kids engaged
• “Smartypants” addressed directly with pop quizzes and silly humor (e.g., cats leaping and breaking things)
• Analogies from history and nature to relate big ideas in simple terms
• Reassurance and encouragement to stay curious

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Recap

This episode of Who Smarted? joyfully answers why some people are more curious than others through jokes, catchy quizzes, and memorable trivia. Listeners are urged to embrace their curiosity, routinely question the world, and remind themselves that curiosity is both natural and essential for lifelong learning. The show closes with the central message: Ask questions, keep learning, and never lose your curiosity!

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Trusty]

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[Narrator]

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[Trusty]

And now it's time for who's Smartid? Psst. Hey, smarty pants. I gotta say, as the trusty narrator of the WhoSmarted podcast, I get to ask and answ all kinds of cool questions about all kinds of cool topics. That's because you, the smartypants, and I, the trusty narrator, have been curious about all kinds of stuff. Things like why is the Bermuda Triangle so spooky? Which country has the most elves? Why are sloths so slow? And how come my socks always go missing as smarty pants? You know how fun it is to wonder about different questions and try to figure out the answers. But now I'm curious about a whole new topic. Any guess what it is? Uh huh. I'm hearing some really interesting guesses. No, it's not pizza or meat cake. Or what happened to Chet Nickerson last night in Baltimore. The topic I'm super curious about is.

Curiosity.

[Curious Cat]

Ooh, I can help you learn about that trusty.

[Trusty]

Uh, who said that?

[Curious Cat]

Me, your cat.

[Trusty]

But I don't have a cat.

[Curious Cat]

For the purposes of this episode, you do.

[Trusty]

Okay, fair enough. But I'm curious. Why would a cat want to help me learn about curiosity?

[Curious Cat]

Why wouldn't I?

[Trusty]

Isn't There an old saying. Curiosity killed the cat.

[Curious Cat]

Yes, but that's just a saying. Trust me, trusty. I'll be perfectly safe helping you and the Smartypants learn about curiosity.

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Curious Cat]

Oh, sorry about that. I thought I just saw something. So, what do you want to know?

[Trusty]

Uh, well, are most people born curious? How can curiosity help you? And what can you do to become more curious?

[Curious Cat]

Great questions. Oh, hang on. I just need to leap onto a shelf for no reason.

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Trusty]

Oh boy. This is either going to be great or a total cat tastrophe. But no matter what, you're in for a big whiff of science and history on who's smarted.

[Early Human]

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. On who's smarted?

[Curious Cat]

Brr. Sorry I knocked over your. Whatever that was.

[Trusty]

Yeah, I have no idea what it.

[Narrator]

Is or where it came from or.

[Trusty]

How it got here. Kind of like you, random cat. But I am curious.

And speaking of curiosity, it's pretty obvious that cats are very curious. But what about humans, smarty pants? True or false? Humans are naturally curious. Go ahead, shout out your answer.

[Curious Cat]

If you said true, smartypants, you're right. Humans are naturally curious and are always finding new things to explore and discover.

[Trusty]

Like the smarty pants who are always coming up with with new topics they're curious about. That's how we wind up going on so many smarting adventures. Including this one on curiosity.

[Curious Cat]

Purrfectly said, trusty. Of course, the Smartypants aren't the first ones to be curious about curiosity. Philosophers, scientists and other thinkers have all studied curiosity.

[Trusty]

Hmm, I wonder why. Smartypants, what do you think the benefit of curiosity is to humanity? Does curiosity A keep people from being bored, B, make people want to learn and discover more, C. Help people make better choices? Or D, all of the above. If you said D all of the above. Nice job.

[Curious Cat]

Since curiosity helps lead people to discover more and learn more about their environment and the world around them, it can also help people make better choices. Such as since they'll know what is and isn't safe.

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Curious Cat]

Sorry. Who put that plant there?

[Trusty]

As you can imagine, smarty pants, curiosity is really important. Without it, we wouldn't invent things, discover new lands, or find new people to share ideas with and learn from. But here's a big question. When do people start being curious? Is it A, when they're born, B, when they're toddlers, or C when they Start school.

[Curious Cat]

If you said a when they're born, you're right.

[Trusty]

Believe it or not, humans are born curious. And that includes you, smarty pants.

[Curious Cat]

Whoa.

[Trusty]

As soon as a baby is born.

They begin wondering about all the people and things around them.

[Curious Cat]

Like, who is this cute, furry kitty?

[Trusty]

Yep. But here's a question. Are animals curious too?

[Curious Cat]

The answer might surprise you.

[Trusty]

What do you think, smarty pants? Would you say that animals are curious? I'm hearing a lot of yeses. So is it yes?

[Curious Cat]

It is yes and no. While scientists have found animals like apes, rodents, and cats can display curiosity, animals are not curious in the same way as humans.

[Trusty]

What? Really? But you've been jumping around investigating everything the entire time you've been here.

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Trusty]

Why would the phrase curiosity killed the cat exist if cats weren't curious? And don't even get me started about Curious George.

[Curious Cat]

Why?

[Trusty]

Why what?

[Curious Cat]

The reason animals are not curious the same way humans are is because of the word why.

[Trusty]

Um, I don't follow. Do you, smartypants? Nope. I think they're lost too.

[Curious Cat]

Look, while cats and other animals might explore our environments.

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Curious Cat]

Asking why is a uniquely human question. And humans are the only ones that need to know why things are the way they are.

[Trusty]

Oh, I see. You're not asking why there's a high shelf for you to jump on. You just want to jump on it to see what's going on.

[Curious Cat]

Exactly.

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Trusty]

Of course, not everyone is equally curious. What makes some people more curious than others?

[Curious Cat]

Believe it or not, scientists have found that curiosity is genetic. So if there are curious people in your family, you have a greater chance of being curious. And families that encourage other members to ask questions or look things up help foster curiosity.

[Trusty]

Wow. That's pretty cool. Of course, I always encourage the smartypants to ask questions and try to learn the answers. Does the who smarted Smarty family count?

[Curious Cat]

Yes and no. Obviously, since you're not related genetically, you can't pass on curiosity that way. But through constant encouragement, asking questions and having fun learning, you help unlock curiosity of your listeners.

Trustee, did you know that there are two basic types of curiosity?

[Trusty]

No, but now I'm curious.

[Curious Cat]

Yep, there's perceptual curiosity and epistemic curiosity.

[Trusty]

Yikes. Those are big words. Now I'm curious about what they mean.

[Curious Cat]

Perceptual curiosity is when you're interested in a lot of different things. Epistemic curiosity is a love of knowledge. Both types of curiosity can show up in your brain during an MRI brain scan. Wow.

[Trusty]

I had no idea. But Here's a question. Our brains grow and change throughout our lives. Does that mean our curiosity changes too? What do you think, Smartypants?

[Curious Cat]

The answer is it does.

All human babies are born with some simple curiosity which then grows as they move through childhood.

Unfortunately, curiosity tends to decrease as people grow up.

But the good news is there's always still some form of curiosity, even in adult brains.

[Trusty]

I sure hope so.

[Curious Cat]

Uh huh. While most adults may not have the perceptual curiosity or interest in many things that they did as children, they still have epistemic curiosity, which is a love of knowledge, usually about a favorite topic.

[Trusty]

Gotcha. Of course, here at who Smarted? We love both types of curiosity since we love knowledge and are interested in all kinds of topics. Too smart and But I gotta ask, is there a reason why humans are curious?

[Curious Cat]

Well, while nobody completely understands the biological reason for curiosity, what we do know is that ancient humans needed to be curious or they would not have survived.

[Trusty]

Oh wow. And we'll find out all about that right after this quick break. And a word from our sponsors.

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Now back to who smarted?

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Trusty]

Hey Smartypants, I'm here with a cat who says they're not curious even though they keep leaping around my house breaking things. But that's okay. We're learning a lot about Curiosity? Like how curiosity helped humans survive as a species.

[Curious Cat]

Well, imagine the earliest humans huddled together in a cave.

[Early Human]

Me wonder what's outside this cave.

[Narrator]

Mmm.

[Curious Cat]

If they didn't have curiosity, they wouldn't venture out of the cave to discover all the berries and animals to eat. They wouldn't discover the nearby brook with fresh water. They wouldn't discover plants to make medicine from, or how fire can help them cook. Or see in the dark.

[Early Human]

Me wonder how these berries taste. Nom nom, nom, nom, nom.

[Curious Cat]

Mmm.

[Early Human]

Yummy. And not poisonous.

[Trusty]

Yep, that all makes sense.

[Curious Cat]

The interesting thing about human curiosity compared to other creatures, though, is that humans have way more curiosity than what's needed for survival. In fact, curiosity can help you feel safer.

[Narrator]

Really? How?

[Curious Cat]

Imagine being an early human in a cave during a thunderstorm. The thunder and lightning would be pretty scary.

[Trusty]

It's still a little scary now, but I see where you're going with this. By being curious about the things you're afraid of, it can help you learn more about them and become less afraid.

[Curious Cat]

Exactly.

[Trusty]

Even though curiosity has been a part of human life since ancient times, has it changed in recent times because of.

[Curious Cat]

Technology, being able to search up things online has made it easier than ever to satisfy a specific type of curiosity.

[Trusty]

Smartypants, which curiosity is satisfied by looking up things online? Is it perceptual or epistemic? Curiosity? The answer is epistemic, or the love of knowledge. The same holds true when you listen to who smarted.

[Curious Cat]

That's right. To all the smartypants listening, curiosity is probably such a big basic part of your nature that you barely notice it. Meow.

[Trusty]

Now I'm starting to be curious about whose cat you are. But we're not done yet. Question is curiosity always helpful? What do you think, smartypants? Yes or no? Go ahead and shout it out.

[Curious Cat]

You might be surprised to learn the answer is no.

Sometimes there is no real benefit to curiosity, especially if it's about something that might happen in the future that there's no real answer to yet. And unfortunately, sometimes curiosity can lead to danger.

[Trusty]

Smartypants, when you're seeking answers, make sure to always stay safe. That includes going out and exploring, or even just looking at things online. Your best bet is always to check in with an adult before satisfying your curiosity.

[Curious Cat]

Exactly.

[Trusty]

Meow. Why, we better wrap this up before you destroy my whole house cat.

[Curious Cat]

Whaaat? I'm just checking out the view from the top of this grandfather clock. I'm curious what it sounds like when it.

[Trusty]

Meow.

[Curious Cat]

Sorry, where were we?

[Trusty]

Um, just out of curiosity, what else do we need to know about curiosity?

[Curious Cat]

Well, for one thing, scientists are still trying to learn new things about curiosity.

[Trusty]

Really? What kinds of things?

[Curious Cat]

Well, they're trying to figure out how curiosity is similar to something else we can feel.

[Trusty]

Interesting. Smartypants, what could this similar feeling be? Is it A, heat and cold, B pain, or C hunger and thirst?

[Curious Cat]

If you said C, hunger or thirst. Well done.

[Trusty]

I guess that makes sense since we often say we have a hunger or thirst for knowledge.

[Early Human]

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.

[Curious Cat]

Scientists also want to figure out what the different types of curiosity have in common. How curiosity is controlled, how curiosity is similar between different species, and if there is a purpose for curiosity in adults.

[Trusty]

I'd say curiosity is important for everyone, no matter how old you are.

[Curious Cat]

Yup. And many scientists agree with that. They believe that curiosity likely serves a similar purpose for adults as it does for children, helping them understand the world.

[Trusty]

Last question, curious cat. Is there a way for people to become more curious if they feel like they've lost some of their curiosity?

[Curious Cat]

There sure is. Any idea what it is?

[Trusty]

Um, let's see.

[Curious Cat]

I'll give you a hint. I just did it here. I'll do it again. Say, how do you increase your curiosity?

[Trusty]

Wait, what? Didn't you just ask me that? And. Oh, I get it. Smartypants, did you figure out how to increase your curiosity? Hint, hint. I just did it to you. Why? It's asking questions.

Remember, smarty pants, stay curious, never be afraid to learn something new, and never stop asking questions.

[Curious Cat]

Hey, I wonder what's up there.

[Narrator]

Meow.

[Trusty]

A big shout out to super smarty fan Ari in Gurney, Illinois. We hear you and your family love.

[Narrator]

Listening to who's Smarted before school each.

[Trusty]

Morning because you get to learn about all sorts of new things. Yep, that is what smarting's all about, Smarty pants. Thanks for joining us. This episode Curiosity was written by Sarah Sweetig and voiced by Heather Simse 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 Cole. This has been an Atomic Audio production.

[Narrator]

Hey, smarty pants. Looking forward to winter break? Me too. But instead of taking a vacation, I'm taking smarty pants, just like you, to the bottom of the ocean.

[Trusty]

What? That's right.

[Narrator]

You can join me, the trusty narrator, for three different one hour video adventures on who Smarted Sea Camp for one low price. You'll board three different vessels, including the SS Smarty Sub, as we journey deep, deep, deep down into the ocean to learn about different sea creatures, discover underwater volcanoes and visit the deepest part of the ocean, the mysterious Mariana Trench. You'll also learn how the ocean was formed, why it's so salty, and you'll get to do an experiment explaining the different layers of the ocean. You'll even get to print out and design your very own control panels to help steer the boats. You'll meet my good friends Captain Kehlani and the shark obsessed Mick Shaw. But best of all, I'll be joining you for the entire voyage as you'll be able to chat live with me at any time as we play interactive games, fill out our worksheets and do fun experiments and projects together. So if you love who'ssmarted you, you're going to be thrilled to join me on a whosmarted Sea Camp Adventure. Who Smarted? Sea Camp Adventure takes place on December 29th and 30th three times a day with three different sea camp adventures, all for one low early bird price of just $39. That's just $39 for the entire family and you get to pick which sessions and times work best for you or come to all of them. Whosmarted Sea Camp Adventure is a great way to laugh and learn about the ocean over your holiday break, all without leave the comfort of your home and your $39 Flex Pass ticket is good for any show at any time for the entire family. But please keep in mind this low early bird price will only last until December 15th. After that, ticket prices will go up. So book your ticket now for a high seas Adventure and save today. For more information and to sign up, please go to WhoSmarted.com and click SeaCamp. That's WhoSmarted.com and click sea Camp for more details. And to sign up today, I can't wait to see you in the Sea.