Why do countries fight? Is it really just about borders, or is something deeper going on?

In this insightful and engaging episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex unpacks the complicated world of international conflict in a way anyone can understand, yes, even your uncle who thinks world peace is just a group hug away.

From power struggles and resource competition to national security concerns and cultural identity crises, we explore the four core reasons countries clash.

You'll learn how global politics often mirrors playground dynamics, and why "just sharing" is a lot harder on the world stage than in kindergarten. We also dive into diplomacy, alliances like NATO, the role of the United Nations, and why peace, though fragile, s always worth striving for. Whether you're curious about geopolitics, history, war and peace, or why trust between nations is so hard to build, this episode offers clear, thoughtful answers, with humor and heart.

Why does everything cost more lately? including your favorite ice cream?

In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down what inflation is, why prices go up, and how it affects your everyday life, all in simple, funny, and relatable terms.

Learn how inflation works, what causes it (from supply chains to central banks), and why sometimes your money just doesn’t go as far. We also dive into fun concepts like shrinkflation, interest rates, and why a $6 pint of mint chocolate chip might be a bigger economic story than you think.

Perfect for curious minds of all ages, this episode makes economics easy to understand—and even easier to enjoy.

How did we get from roaring dinosaurs to viral TikTok dances? In this wildly entertaining and surprisingly educational episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex takes you on a time-traveling adventure through 66 million years of extinction events, evolving mammals, human breakthroughs, and digital revolutions.

From asteroid impacts and tiny feathered dinos to smartphones and meme culture, this episode connects the dots between the fall of the T. rex and the rise of ring lights. With humor, heart, and bite-sized facts, it’s history made hilariously accessible, no textbooks or time machines required.

Perfect for curious minds of all ages, fans of science and storytelling, and anyone who’s ever wondered how the past shaped your For You Page.

Taxes: confusing, frustrating… and totally necessary.

But what are they, really? And where does your paycheck actually go?

In this laugh-out-loud, beginner-friendly episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down how taxes work, why they exist, and what your money actually pays for—from roads and schools to space robots and national debt.

Learn the difference between income tax, sales tax, property tax, and corporate tax—all without falling asleep.

Perfect for anyone who’s ever said:

Whether you're a student, young adult, new taxpayer, or just a curious brain with tax-season rage, this episode mixes humor, real-world examples, and clear explanations to make government finance actually fun.

Why isn’t Pluto a planet anymore? Did Pluto really get fired from the solar system? In this fun, easy-to-understand episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex breaks down the emotional and scientific rollercoaster behind Pluto’s planetary demotion. Whether you’re a space nerd, a curious kid, or someone still mourning Pluto’s “firing,” this episode explains the history, controversy, and cosmic rules that changed everything.

Learn why Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006, what it really means to be a planet, and how discoveries like Eris and the Kuiper Belt reshaped our view of the solar system.

Alex explores how Pluto’s orbit, size, and neighborhood in space led to its redefinition—and why the debate isn’t over.

Packed with space facts, science history, and a healthy dose of humor, this episode is perfect for fans of astronomy, science education, and anyone wondering why their childhood planet playlist changed.

Ever jolt awake mid-dream like you're falling off a cliff or out of bed? You’re not alone, and your brain isn’t broken.

In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down the science behind one of the most common and bizarre dream experiences: falling dreams.

Why does your brain trick you into freefall while you’re just trying to sleep? Is it a glitch? A stress signal? Or something ancient, buried deep in our evolutionary wiring?

Host Alex explores three fascinating theories:

We also bust myths (no, you won’t die if you hit the ground in a dream), explain why the sensation feels so real, and how falling dreams might be your brain’s way of processing everything from caffeine to chaos.

Whether you're into dream science, sleep psychology, or just want to know why you keep plummeting into the void at 2 a.m., this episode is for you.

Listen now for a curious, hilarious, and surprisingly relatable deep dive into why we dream of falling—and what it might mean about you.

Ever wonder what democracy and dictatorship would look like on a playground?

In this hilarious and surprisingly insightful episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down the big, brainy world of government into kid-friendly analogies, civic snack bites, and comedy-infused clarity.

Join your host Alex as we explore who gets more timeouts: elected leaders or power-hungry rulers? We’re talking democracy vs. dictatorship, freedom vs. control, and yes what happens when someone bans naps without a vote.

Perfect for fans of funny educational podcasts, political satire, civics for beginners, government explained with humor, or anyone who’s ever asked, “Why can’t I just declare myself King of Lunch?”

This is political education made funny, smart, and wildly shareable.

Tune in for laughs, lightbulb moments, and your weekly dose of civic wisdom—explained like you’re five (but cooler).

Ever wonder what time actually is—and whether you can bend it like a straw? In this mind-bendy episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down the weirdest, coolest facts about time, relativity, and why you’re technically a time travelerright now.

Host Alex dives into the big cosmic questions with small, snackable answers:

- What is time, really?

- Why does it only move forward?

- Can you slow it down with speed or gravity?

- Is time travel real—or just movie magic?

From Einstein’s theory of relativity to the black hole time-dilation zone, from entropy to space-time noodles, we explore the science behind one of the universe’s biggest mysteries—in a way that makes it all click.

No PhD required. Just curiosity.

Perfect for science lovers, curious minds, space nerds, and anyone who’s ever lost three hours to TikTok and wondered what just happened.

Explain It Like I’m 5 is your go-to podcast for making complex science feel simple, funny, and actually fun to learn.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere! From your phone’s autocorrect to creepy-good deepfakes. But… what actually is AI? Is it thinking? Learning? Plotting world domination?

In this episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, we break down what AI really is—without the jargon or the doom. Using talking toasters, toddler brains, and very confused goldfish, we explore how machines “learn,” what makes them “smart,” and why your playlist knows you better than your ex.

If you’ve ever nodded along in a tech convo while secretly wondering what the heck an algorithm even does—this one’s for you.

Perfect for curious humans, absolute beginners, and anyone who loves learning without the lecture.

What is money, really? And why can't we just print more of it to fix poverty or pay for stuff?

In this beginner-friendly episode of Explain It Like I’m 5, host Alex breaks down the basics of money, inflation, and why adding more cash to the economy can actually make things worse.

We cover:

• What money is and why it has value

If you've ever been confused by economics, or just want to understand money without a textbook or a degree—this is your episode.