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Short & Curly

Short & Curly

ABC Australia 183 episodes Latest Apr 1, 2026

Short & Curly is a fun and educational podcast from ABC Kids and Family that makes philosophy and ethics easy and entertaining for kids aged 8–12. Hosted by Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith, it explores big questions about right and wrong, fairness, truth, and beauty. The show is loved by families, parents, and teachers worldwide, inspiring learning and critical thinking. Created by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, it is available on the ABC listen app and other podcast platforms.

Episodes

A fairy tale by the campfire – is it okay to scare kids into being good? Mar 31, 2026 0:22:08 At Camp Short & Curly, the marshmallows are toasty, the swings are wild, and Molly’s Amazing Cool Book Club is about to begin — but her stories? YIKES! From creepy sea witches to thumb-chopping tailors, why were some old fairy tales so weird and scary?  A quick warning: this episode includes some old fairytales which are pretty gross, dark and scary sometimes – they even ment
The Emperor’s New Clothes - the nudie musical edition Mar 31, 2026 0:24:03 In this epic musical retelling of The Emperor’s New Clothes, Molly and Carl take you deep into a kingdom where following fashion rules and telling the truth is harder than it looks. There’s a sneaky tailor, an emperor who’s obsessed with her wardrobe, and a whole crowd pretending to see invisible clothes — until one brave kid says what everyone’s thinking.  
Little Red Riding Hood - Why are wolves always the baddies? Mar 31, 2026 0:20:56 Why are wolves always the villains in old European fairy tales? And is it OK to stereotype animals, or people for that matter? To investigate, Molly, Carl and Eleanor head off on a fairytale research trip to the snowy forests of Germany. But their adventure takes a spooky turn when they get lost on the way back to their hotel in the woods, with just one little torch to guide them
Rumpelstiltskin – is it OK to break a promise? Mar 31, 2026 0:23:03 Short & Curly's world-famous investigative journalist Molly Daniels uncovers a juicy fairytale scandal full of royal drama, magical gold, and a very peculiar little man named... Rumpelstiltskin. But things get serious too— what if a promise you make is made under pressure? Do you still have to keep it? 
The Ugly Duckling – when is excluding someone mean, and when is it OK? Mar 31, 2026 0:22:01 A group of ducklings decide one of their own just doesn’t fit in. He can’t keep up with their games, and — let’s be honest — kind of ruins the vibe. But is it fair to leave someone out just because they don’t have rizz? And is it even possible to create a close-knit group of friends without turning someone else into an outsider? 
What were Molly and Carl like at 10-years-old? Mar 24, 2026 0:05:15 Molly and Carl are celebrating a special anniversary... and you are, too!Happy 10th birthday Curly Crew, thanks for all your curly questions and phenomenal feedback. (And get excited for a new season, dropping soon!)
BITES – Being scared of spiders Dec 18, 2025 0:03:31 Molly’s just an itsy bitsy cutesy spider, but Carl is freaking out! Lots of people are scared of spiders. In fact, people can be scared of a whole range of things you might find surprising, like a fear of clowns or paper or pancakes. But is that OK?
BITES – Driverless cars Dec 17, 2025 0:03:30 Cars that drive themselves are no longer just something you’d see in a sci-fi movie… they’re on roads and highways right around the world. But what should happen if something goes wrong? Whose fault would it be – the passenger? The manufacturer? The... car itself?!
BITES – Grown-ups making the rules Dec 16, 2025 0:03:02 Who’s in charge at school? Why, that would be the teachers. And who is in charge at home? Your parents or carers. Who is in charge of running the country? Politicians, that’s who. And what do they all have in common?! They’re all grown-ups! How is that fair?!
BITES – Cats VS Dogs Dec 15, 2025 0:03:43 As long as kitties have been meowing, and puppies have been prowling, people have asked - which is better, Cats or Dogs? Finally, the Short & Curly crew tackle this colossal question... but is it even a philosophical question?
BITES – Judging people because of who they're friends with Dec 14, 2025 0:03:37 Molly is having a party so she’s invited over the usual gang – Carl, Eleanor, Tony Ravioli and… the Joker! Batman’s nemesis!! And he’s not a great guy, what with all the crimes he’s committed in Gotham City. Is Molly making the right call here?Should you judge people because of who they’re friends with?Thanks to Violet for this quirky conundrum. 
Should you have to pass a test to have kids? Oct 1, 2025 0:22:30 We test for everything: to get a licence, to move to the next grade, to prove you're ready to use a pen. But when it comes to becoming a biological parent, there's no test to pass. Should there be? Would a parenting test be a good idea?Brains Trust — Gibbs Street Public School, Perth: Fitzroy, Shahla, Jorja, Nafi, Tabitha, GumaanListen to Short & Curly, the fun and educationa

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