ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast

https://rss.introcast.io/1452382842
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Explain Like I'm Five, aka ELI5, is the mini-podcast series where we take the questions you always wanted to ask, and talk about them in a way that is easy to understand. Made possible by the amazing reddit community at r/explainlikeimfive. See episode show notes for user credits.

Episode List

ELI5 Poker - which US president used poker to launch his election campaign?

Aug 31st, 2025 8:18 AM

How did Poker evolve into a cultural phenomenon beyond just a card game? What makes poker different from other casino games in terms of player competition and strategy? Can you explain the betting process in poker and how players make decisions during each round? Poker on TV often shows those probabilities of a winning hand. How do players calculate this when they're playing? Are there some standard probabilities we should know about? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: TheAireon, stanitor, puck1996, disillusionedJack, AaronSarm, NutellaPatella, Habanero_Eyeball, and lookawake. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

ELI5 Washing Machines - more consequential than the internet?

Aug 22nd, 2025 5:00 AM

What makes washing machines such a vital household invention in the modern world? How did washing machines transform household chores from 8-12 hours to a fraction of that time? Could you explain the role of water temperature in washing effectiveness and fabric care? Why do some fabrics, like suits, require special cleaning methods instead of traditional washing machine cycles?  ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: peteymcpetey, trutheality, flashwastaken, draftstone, caliph_ate, silverbolt2000, danielfaa, unique_username1. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

ELI5 LiDAR - how it sees the world?

Aug 15th, 2025 5:00 AM

What is LiDAR? Why is it helpful in addition to seeing things through cameras? How does LiDAR time-of-flight measure distance when light travels so fast—what tricks give picosecond precision? Why can LiDAR detect single-photon returns from angled surfaces, yet mirrors and shiny objects cause false readings? What are some surprising places LIDAR is used that most people wouldn’t expect? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: mmomtchev, lexi_bean21, already_______taken, isnomad, gurumeditationerror, sniper1rfa, 317locc, doxysqrl410. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

ELI5 Deck of Cards - why 52 playing cards and why so mysterious?

Aug 8th, 2025 5:00 AM

How did we end up with the deck of cards that we use today? Did the standard 52-card deck derive from Tarot cards, and what does that mean for gameplay? Is it true that shuffling a deck creates a unique order that has likely never existed before? Can you explain the concept of 52 factorial and why it matters for card arrangements? What fascinating social dynamics emerge around shuffling cards and how it influences player interactions? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: poindexter234, turkeypedal, bheidreborn, lowflier84, tp616, buffinita, the_laughing_lawyer, and stupidlemoneater. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

ELI5 Gout - what is it and why is the big toe a target?

Aug 1st, 2025 5:00 AM

What is gout, and how does it uniquely affect your body compared to other forms of arthritis? Why does gout primarily affect the big toe? How do uric acid crystals form, and what role do diet and lifestyle play in this painful process? Can hydration truly prevent gout attacks, and what are the risks of dehydration for those already affected by it? What about Epsom salt? How does it assist in alleviating joint pain during painful gout flare-ups? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: helghancosmos, the_original_retro, tastelesscommenter, joelyfish, matt_kezy, th3miteeylambo, whatsamattahere, marmorset. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com

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