Each fortnight, we give the world globe a spin and see where we land. Then we take the kids of Australia on an audio excursion to visit that country and its people.

Join your captain, Christie Kijurina, on an audio adventure. Today, we’re flying to Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, completely surrounded by Rome, and home to the Catholic Church.

From its beginnings as a marshy patch of land on the edge of ancient Rome to a place of emperors, early Christians, and centuries-old traditions, this tiny nation has a history that stretches back thousands of years.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

Record crowds for ANZAC services; ancient killer octopus discovered; new evidence of life on Mars; and the world’s fastest corgis.

Early alarms rang across Australia as huge crowds gathered at dawn to remember brave soldiers.

Things got tense when Donald Trump had to leave a big dinner after shots were heard nearby!

In a hilarious race in Prague, speedy little corgies zoomed to see who was quickest over 100 metres.

Scientists uncovered clues of a MASSIVE ancient octopus—almost as long as two buses! This underwater giant ruled the seas millions of years ago.

The Curiosity Rover has discovered exciting clues on Mars—special molecules and signs of ancient water! Scientists think the red planet might once have been full of life.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

What’s really going on when the sky flashes and booms during a storm? ⚡🌩️

In this Science Short, inspired by a question from Squiz Kid Clancy in Lindfield, we unpack the science behind thunder and lightning.

Along the way, we’ll explore lightning as a giant spark, thunder as a shockwave (a bit like a mini sonic boom), what plasma is (yep — a fourth state of matter!), and why counting seconds after a flash can tell you how far away a storm is.

Plus — what to do to stay safe, and why hair standing on end is a sign to move fast.

This week on From The Vault, we’re marking ANZAC Day with a special replay of our Squiz Kids Shortcut to ANZAC Day.

It’s a story that begins on the beaches of Gallipoli in 1915, when Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed in one of the most significant campaigns of the First World War… and one that didn’t go to plan.

In this episode, we explore what happened on that day, why ANZAC Day became such an important moment in our history, and how the way we remember it has changed over time.

Listen carefully — there’s a S’Quiz at the end!

A fun kids vs adults news quiz to test who’s been paying the most attention to the week in news.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

Rugby league’s brain-safety bid; Aussie Pizza King cooks the competition; a ten-year-old chicken champ; and blue sunsets on Mars?

Rugby league is tackling brain injury. New rules limit rough training to protect players’ brains.

Aussie legend Johnny Di Francesco (AKA Mr Pizza) spun his way to 5th place worldwide in the World Pizza Championships in Italy.

Move over, grown-ups—10-year-old Sophie and her superstar chickens just won big! With training, treats, and one bird named KFC, she wowed judges at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

A stunning blue sunset on Mars had everyone amazed… until it was busted as fake! But here’s the twist—Mars sunsets really can look blue.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

Oreos - exhibit A in court; a beakless bird becomes the boss; robots outrun humans in China; and a Queensland bushie rolls the dice

A shopping showdown to decide if those bright sale tags can really be trusted!

A clever bird missing half his beak is the top bird in his group, winning every showdown!

In a half-marathon in China, robots sprinted alongside humans — and some even beat them! These speedy machines used smart tech to zoom ahead.

A man in the Aussie outback turned his love of cattle and horses into a board game! Inspired by campdrafting, players compete while tackling outback adventures.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your Shortcut to... The Titanic

This week, we’re pulling out a powerful piece of history from the Squiz Kids Vault — the story of the RMS Titanic, the most famous shipwreck in the world.

More than a century ago, in April 1912 — 114 years ago last week — the Titanic set sail on its very first journey across the Atlantic Ocean. It was the biggest, most luxurious ship ever built… and it was said to be unsinkable.

But just days into that journey, everything changed.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Links:

Rare photos from inside the Titanic before she sailed
Encyclopedia Titanica's "People" database of passengers on the ship and their fates
Video of 2004 expedition to the wreck
The exact coordinates of the Titanic wreck
25 Titanic artefacts salvaged from the wreck

Your daily kids news podcast.

Humans lap the Moon; penguins make a splash in Argentina; an ancient egg cracks a prehistoric mystery; and the UN maps hunger in real time.

A recap on what happened while we were away...

Pictures from Space

After being rescued and nursed back to health, 15 penguins waddled back into the ocean together!

A 250-million-year-old fossil egg revealed a wild truth—early mammal relatives laid eggs!

The UN created a super-smart map that shows where people are going hungry in real time. Using data and AI, it helps get food to those who need it faster.

World Food Project Hunger Map

For the full episode transcript, click here.

It’s time for a Bumper Kids v Adults Holiday S’Quiz — and this one is all about Memes, Online Games and The Internet.

From viral videos and YouTube superstars to Roblox, Minecraft, and the mysterious origins of the save icon, kids take on ten questions before the adults step up to test their digital know-how.

Who rules the online world… kids or adults? Plug in, log on, and let the battle begin. 💻🎮📱

For the full episode transcript, click here.