Tai Asks Why

Tai Asks Why features 15-year-old Tai Poole interviewing NASA scientists, university professors, stand-up comedians, and researchers about the biggest questions in science and life. Produced by CBC and winner of a Webby Award, the show stands out because Tai isn't playing at being a host — he's genuinely curious, occasionally nervous, and always willing to admit when something confuses him. That honesty makes the conversations feel real in a way that adult-hosted shows sometimes miss. Across four seasons and 47 episodes, Tai has tackled everything from extraterrestrial life and climate change to the science of laughter and why we crave certain foods. Episodes run 25-35 minutes and follow an interview format where Tai brings his own research and questions to each expert. Sometimes his brother Kien joins in. The show works because Tai asks the kinds of questions that tweens actually want answered — not the safe, predictable ones, but the messy, complicated ones about anxiety, memory, and what math is even for. The 4.2-star rating from over 1,200 reviews reflects a dedicated audience that appreciates hearing a young person lead serious conversations. For tweens, there's something powerful about hearing someone close to their own age hold their own with world-class experts. It makes science and big ideas feel accessible rather than intimidating. The show updates seasonally rather than weekly, so the episode count is modest, but every single episode is substantial and worth the listen.