Short & Curly

ABC Radio

A fast-paced fun-filled ethics podcast for kids and their parents that asks those curly questions. From banning lollies to trusting robots, and from colonising other planets to eating pets, Short & Curly covers it all.

  • 22 minutes 8 seconds
    A fairy tale by the campfire – is it okay to scare kids into being good?

    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 mention violence and death. If you’re not in the mood for that, it might be a good idea to listen to a different episode instead.  

    31 March 2026, 8:15 pm
  • 24 minutes 3 seconds
    The Emperor’s New Clothes - the nudie musical edition

    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.  

    31 March 2026, 8:10 pm
  • 20 minutes 56 seconds
    Little Red Riding Hood - Why are wolves always the baddies?

    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...

    31 March 2026, 8:07 pm
  • 23 minutes 3 seconds
    Rumpelstiltskin – is it OK to break a promise?

    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? 

    31 March 2026, 8:03 pm
  • 22 minutes 1 second
    The Ugly Duckling – when is excluding someone mean, and when is it OK?

    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? 

    31 March 2026, 8:00 pm
  • 5 minutes 15 seconds
    What were Molly and Carl like at 10-years-old?

    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!)

    24 March 2026, 7:00 pm
  • 3 minutes 31 seconds
    BITES – Being scared of spiders

    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?

    18 December 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 3 minutes 30 seconds
    BITES – Driverless cars

    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?!

    17 December 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 3 minutes 2 seconds
    BITES – Grown-ups making the rules

    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?!

    16 December 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 3 minutes 43 seconds
    BITES – Cats VS Dogs

    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?

    15 December 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 3 minutes 37 seconds
    BITES – Judging people because of who they're friends with

    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. 

    14 December 2025, 7:00 pm
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