What exactly is DNA, and is it really just an instruction manual for building you? In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, Alex unpacks the science behind DNA—from the famous double helix to the role of genes, chromosomes, and those four magical letters: A, T, C, and G. Discover how your DNA works like a giant recipe book, what makes mutations both dangerous and amazing, and how much of your identity is shaped by genes vs. your environment.

We’ll also explore epigenetics (aka: sticky notes on your DNA), why bananas share 60% of your code, and how your cells constantly copy DNA to keep you alive. Whether you’re into science, biology, or just want to know how your body works, this episode serves up a fun, simplified dive into the molecule of life.

🎙️ New episodes every Monday and Wednesday.

Why do humans lie, even when we know it's wrong—and can our dogs actually tell? In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, Alex breaks down the psychology and science of lying: why people tell white lies, fibs, and full-on whoppers; what goes on in your brain when you deceive someone; and how lying starts in childhood. Plus, we dig into the big question every dog owner secretly asks, can dogs detect dishonesty?

From body language cues and brain chemistry to ancient trickster myths and adorable canine lie detectors, this episode uncovers the truth about... well, untruths. Whether you're curious about human behavior, social psychology, or just want to know why your dog gives you that look when you say “we’re going to the park,” this episode has the answers, no lie.

Why does music move us, literally and emotionally?

In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, Alex breaks down the science of music: how simple vibrations become pitch, rhythm, and harmony; why your brain releases dopamine when you hear your favorite song; and how rhythm syncs with your body and makes you want to dance. From tribal drums to frisson chills, we explore how music connects us, shapes memory, and fires up more of your brain than almost anything else.

You’ll learn how sound waves trigger emotion, what makes some notes feel “right,” and why your foot taps all on its own. It’s music theory meets brain science , explained simply, with a beat.

Rules can feel annoying. But have you ever stopped to ask: Why do we even have rules? And seriously, who came up with “no running with scissors”?

In this laugh-and-learn episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex unpacks the origin of rules, why humans need them, and how they’ve shaped everything from classrooms and kitchens to governments and playgrounds. Spoiler: rules aren't just power plays by adults—they're how society holds itself together without turning into total chaos.

You’ll learn:

Why humans created rules in the first place (hint: it started with fire-hogging cavemen)

Who decides rules at home, school, and in society

The difference between laws, house rules, and unspoken social rules

Why rules like “no running with scissors” often come from painful experience

What happens when rules go unwritten—or outdated

Why rules feel restrictive even when they’re meant to protect us

How animals have rules too (yep—even dolphins and ants!)

We also explore how good rules help build trust, safety, and fairness—while bad rules can (and should) be challenged.

🏫 Perfect for kids, teens, parents, teachers, and curious minds who’ve ever rolled their eyes and asked: “Why can’t I just do what I want?”

📅 New episodes drop every Monday and Wednesday—follow us for fresh, funny, and wildly useful answers to life’s biggest questions.

We plug in our phones, flip on the lights, microwave pizza rolls… but what actually is electricity? And is the stuff in your walls just tamed lightning?

In this high-voltage episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex takes on one of the most used—and least understood—forces in your daily life: electricity. From electrons to outlets, from lightning bolts to laptop chargers, this episode breaks it all down in simple, funny, totally understandable language.

You’ll learn:

What electricity really is (hint: it’s moving electrons)

The difference between static electricity and current electricity

How electricity flows like water in a pipe (yes, really!)

What volts, amps, and ohms actually mean

Where electricity comes from—like turbines, solar panels, and nuclear plants

Why your walls aren’t hiding angry lightning—but well-behaved AC current

The epic battle of AC vs DC (Edison vs Tesla) and why it still matters

Why we can’t “see” electricity, but we can see what it does

How chargers convert AC to DC to power your phone

Why electricity can be dangerous—and how your body runs on tiny electrical signals too

Whether you’re a science lover, a curious kid, or someone who’s always wondered what those volts and watts mean, this episode gives you the shocking truth about electricity—in the friendliest way possible.

🔌 Perfect for science newbies, students, tech-curious adults, homeschoolers, and anyone who’s ever asked: “What is electricity, actually?”

📅 New episodes drop every Monday and Wednesday—hit follow so you don’t miss the next power-packed explanation!

We spend about a third of our lives asleep—but have you ever wondered why? Or why a quick nap sometimes makes you feel more tired than before?

In this eye-opening episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex breaks down the mysterious science of sleep, answering two questions we all think about:

Get ready for a fun, easy-to-understand journey through the stages of sleep, your brain’s secret overnight cleaning service, and the truth about what really happens while you snooze. We’ll cover:

What your brain and body actually do while you sleep (hint: a lot!)

How your sleep cycles work (light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep)

Why napping too long can leave you feeling worse

The importance of circadian rhythms, sleep quality, and sleep timing

How sleep helps with memory, emotions, immunity, and recovery

The real reason you feel like a zombie after a 60-minute nap

Why even animals like dolphins and giraffes have weird sleep habits

What happens to your body without sleep—and why it's not worth the all-nighter

Whether you’re a night owl, a power napper, or someone who insists they “don’t need sleep,” this episode will change the way you think about bedtime.

😴 Perfect for anyone curious about sleep science, naps, rest cycles, memory, health, or just getting better Zzz’s.

📅 New episodes drop every Monday and Wednesday—follow now to never miss a moment of mind-blowing simplicity.

Is the internet just floating in the sky? Is it made of magic—or cat videos?

Join host Alex as we explore the surprisingly physical world behind the digital one. Spoiler: the internet isn’t a cloud—it’s cables, servers, routers, and a whole lot of blinking lights. In this fun, beginner-friendly breakdown, you’ll learn:

What the internet is really made of (hint: fiber optic cables, data centers, and radio waves)

How submarine cables carry data across oceans at near light-speed

What servers and data centers do—and why they need so much cooling

The role of routers, switches, and packets in keeping your cat videos on track

How Wi-Fi, satellites, and cell towers bring internet to your devices

Whether you can physically visit the internet (sort of, yes!)

Why passwords and encryption are essential for internet safety

We also bust the myth that the internet lives “in the cloud,” explain why it’s more like a global spiderweb, and give you a peek into the real infrastructure behind your everyday online life.

🧠 Perfect for tech newbies, curious kids, teachers, lifelong learners, and anyone who’s ever wondered “Where isthe internet, really?”

📅 New episodes drop every Monday and Wednesday, so hit follow to stay curious and always in the loop!

What is gravity, really? Is it just the Earth lovingly hugging us... or something much weirder?

In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex breaks down the mystery of gravity—one of the most familiar and yet least understood forces in the universe. From falling apples and bouncing astronauts to black holes and bending space-time, we’ll answer the big question: How does gravity work?

Using easy-to-understand metaphors and real science, we explore:

Why everything with mass has gravity—yes, even your sandwich

Newton’s legendary falling apple and the law of universal gravitation

How Einstein redefined gravity as the curving of space-time

What makes black holes, orbits, and weightlessness possible

Why gravity is the weakest force, but still shapes the entire universe

Fun gravity facts about the Moon, Jupiter, space travel, and more

Whether gravity could ever just… disappear (hint: please no)

Whether you’re lying in bed wondering why crumbs fall on you, or you’ve always been curious about what keeps the planets from flying off into space, this episode makes gravity science fun, simple, and totally mind-blowing.

🌌 Perfect for curious minds, science lovers, space fans, teachers, students, and anyone who’s ever asked: “Why does stuff fall down?”

📅 New episodes drop every Monday and Wednesday, so hit follow and don’t miss the next gravity-defying topic!

Ever wondered if the internet is a real place you can visit, maybe with a granola bar and a passport? In this laugh-out-loud yet genuinely enlightening episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down the question: What is the internet?

From underwater cables and blinking server rooms to “the cloud” (spoiler: it’s just someone else’s computer), host Alex takes you on a funny and fascinating journey through the invisible highways of the digital world.

This episode combines humor, storytelling, and simple explanations to make tech and internet infrastructure fun and accessible, even if you’ve never touched a server or still think Wi-Fi comes from the sky.

Perfect for curious minds, lifelong learners, and anyone who’s asked, “Where is the internet?”

Ever wonder what’s really beneath your feet—or if you could dig a tunnel straight through the planet to pop out in China?

In this fun and fiery episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex digs into one of the most iconic science questions of all time: What’s inside the Earth? And while we’re at it… could you actually dig a hole to China? Spoiler: probably not, unless you enjoy lava soup, extreme pressure, and molten metal.

In classic ELI5 fashion, we break down the Earth’s internal structure using simple metaphors—like jawbreakers, pizza, and Play-Doh—to help you understand:

What’s beneath the Earth’s crust (and how thin that crust really is)

How the mantle flows like hot fudge and drives tectonic plates

Why the outer core is made of molten iron and generates Earth's magnetic field

How the solid inner core is as hot as the sun and growing over time

Why digging to China is physically impossible—but still makes a great thought experiment

How scientists use seismic waves (not shovels!) to study the Earth’s inner layers

Fun facts about earthquakes, core pressure, magnetic flips, and more

This episode is packed with fun science facts, earth structure explained for beginners, and some surprising truths about the planet you live on.

🧠 Perfect for curious kids, science lovers, teachers, students, and anyone who’s ever asked: “How deep can we dig?” or “What’s under Earth’s surface?”

📅 New episodes drop every Monday and Wednesday, so hit follow to stay curious and never miss a brain-boosting moment!