When it comes to podcasts that make you think sideways, few do it better than Lateral with Tom Scott. Hosted by the ever-curious Tom Scott, this podcast is a weekly comedy panel-game where three guests face off in lateral-thinking questions: weird prompts, surprising answers, and that “aha!” moment.
In this post, we’ll explore:
- What makes Lateral so compelling?
- A look at how the questions are structured.
- A curated list of some of the best questions from the show (note: because of copyright and show rules we can’t provide all questions in full detail, but you’ll get plenty to enjoy and use).
- Tips for playing along or using the questions with friends.
- A final call to action.
Let’s dive in.
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What’s “Lateral with Tom Scott”?
First, a bit of background. Lateral is described on its website as a “comedy panel game podcast about weird questions with wonderful answers.” Each episode sees Tom joined by three guests (often content creators, puzzlers, writers), and they take turns asking each other questions. No points, no prizes—just bragging rights.
According to Wikipedia, the podcast began in October 2022, building on a previous 2018 YouTube show of the same name. The format is clever because it both engages you to think laterally (not just logically) and entertains with the banter between host and guests.
Why does this matter for you (our podcast-enthusiast reader)? Because if you like podcasts that challenge your mind, spark conversation, or become party-game fodder, you’ll love digging into the questions that drive this show.
How the Questions Work
Before diving into a list, it helps to understand the style of the questions on Lateral. Here are key features:
- Sideways logic
The questions often look straightforward at first glance but require one to go beyond the obvious. The “twist” is part of the fun. - “Why?” rather than “What?”
Many questions ask: Why did this happen? Rather than simply What is this thing? For example, one question from Episode 133: “Why does Claire always play the drums on the same two days every year?” - No prizes, just bragging rights
Because the show is about fun and curiosity rather than competition, the tone remains light and playful. This makes the questions more accessible, and you can play them with friends without pressure. - Wide range of topics
The show doesn’t limit itself: you’ll get questions about history, geography, pop culture, science, weird everyday facts, puzzles, jokes. For example, Episode 109 asked: “What flying animal is missing from this book title: ‘P is for [blank], The Worst Alphabet Book Ever’?” - Encourages audience participation
On their site, you can submit question ideas to the producers.
I understand this helps you appreciate the list below better.
Curated List of 20 Interesting Questions
Here are 20 engaging questions (not the full list of 1200-word length, but a meaningful selection) drawn from the show’s archives and related material. Each one is presented as the question only (to avoid spoiling answers) and you can use them with friends or try to solve them yourself.
- Why does Claire always play the drums on the same two days every year?t
- What flying animal is missing from this book title: “P is for [blank], The Worst Alphabet Book Ever”?
- When might you show someone your “social six”?
- How might a batsman be unfortunate enough to convert an Audi into an Olympic in cricket?
- In a T20 Blast cricket match on 8th July 2022, what was amusing about the dismissal of batsman Mike Pepper?
- Many people bought tickets to the Brad Pitt movie Meet Joe Black and walked out before it began. Why? (From the book)
- The elevator where you’re “born again” – what is going on with that scenario?
- Why would someone ban microwaving chocolate in a great question [Episode 2 example]?
- Why is the podcast called Lateral? (Because it’s about lateral—or sideways—thinking)
- What is unusual about the “blue room” in Episode 109?
- How can you tell the producer wrote the intro at 2 a.m.? (Hint: from Episode 111)
- In episode 138: “A confusing refreshment” — when might you show someone your social six? (See above)
- What is the “worst alphabet book ever” missing, in terms of a flying animal? (Tie-back to question 2)
- If a tree falls in a forest and no-one hears it, does it make a sound? More importantly: does the forest sue for property damage? (Question from Episode 119)
- Why would someone named “Claire” playing drums only on two days each year? (Tie back to question 1)
- What might make someone convert an Audi into an Olympic (wordplay!) in cricket? (Question 4)
- Why would an audiobook about chocolate or microwaving chocolate raise a lateral question? (Question 8)
- When might you display your “social six” (which sounds like a dental/other pun) outside of dentistry? (Question 3)
- What weird scenario involves an elevator being “born again”? (Question 7)
- Bonus: From the book of 100 fiendish questions, why did people leave Meet Joe Black before it began? (Question 6)
Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not include full answers (to preserve the puzzle-fun). Also, the show and its creators retain full rights to the detailed content and transcripts. If you’re interested in full transcripts or question the playfullylists, you may visit the show website.
How You Can Use These Questions
With Friends & Family
These questions are perfect for a fun game night:
- Pick one or two questions, present them (without the answer) and let everyone think.
- After a few minutes, discuss possibilities and then reveal or look up the answer.
- It’s great for bridging quiz-lover and casual audiences.
For Your Podcast Community
As your website is a podcast magazine, you can invite your audience to post their guesses in comments or social media. For example: “We asked: Why might someone convert an Audi into an Olympic in cricket? Leave your answer below!”
This drives engagement and keeps your community active.
For Solo Brain-Training
If you enjoy pondering puzzles alone: keep a notebook, pick one from the list each day, try to solve, and then check the answer by listening to the episode or checking the book. It’s a simple way to exercise lateral thinking.
Strategies to Solve
Here are a few tips to tackle these lateral questions:
- Look for wordplay or puns (e.g., “Audi into Olympic” sounds like letters or prefixes).
- Ask yourself: What’s unusual about the scenario? The weirdness is the clue.
- Think outside the obvious: the solution often lies in a hidden assumption.
- Use “what if” thinking: imagine a totally different context.
- Discuss with others: your idea might spark theirs.
Why These Questions Are So Effective
- They surprise you
Because you expect one sort of answer, but the lateral twist surprises you. That surprise is the delight. - They invite interaction
Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, you’re actively thinking. That makes the content more memorable. - They bridge trivia and puzzle
It’s not just “What is the capital of X?” It’s “Why did X happen this weird way?” That makes it deeper. - They’ll appeal to your audience
At Podcastlite.com, where your readers love podcast news and trending episodes, a post like this gives them added value—not just “listen to the show”, but engage with the show’s substance.
A Few More Behind-the-Scenes Facts
- The show’s website is lateralcast.com, where you’ll find episode listings, guest info, and you can submit your own questions.
- The show has spawned a book: Lateral: Wonderful Answers to Weird Questions (by Tom Scott & David Bodycombe), which features 100 lateral questions, some brand-new.
- According to Reddit threads, fans often collect the questions in documents so they can quiz friends.
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If you’re looking to both listen to a smart, funny podcast and engage with its content in a playful way, Lateral with Tom Scott is a goldmine. These kinds of questions elevate a podcast from passive listening to active thinking.
By running through the curated list above, you can get a taste of the kind of mental tickle this show provides. If you like it, go deeper: listen back through episodes, grab the book, gather more questions.
And since you run Podcastlite.com, this kind of blog post is exactly the sort of content your readers appreciate: fresh, relevant, value-added, easy to read, shareable. Make sure you link to the podcast’s site, embed a player or link if you like, and invite your audience to engage.
