ELI5 National Debt - who do countries owe when they are in debt?

ELI5 National Debt - who do countries owe when they are in debt?

Author: ELI5 Explain Like I'm Five Podcast December 5, 2025 Duration: 7:47
If every major country is in billions of debt, where are they borrowing from? Who exactly do they owe? Are there any consequences for them being in debt? Why is it a problem when it gets large? Why was Greece in trouble, while Japan seemingly has high debt but is fine?   ... We explain like i'm five!   Help more people fund us by leaving a rating on iTunes.   Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community, and specifically the following reddit users whose questions and responses formed the basis of this conversation: emils5, poomanshu, potato_octopi, cop-disliker69, reshkayden, agoraiosbum, cheesewithwhine, aythekay & anjabe96 To the ELI5 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

Ever find yourself wondering about something seemingly simple, but the answers online are full of jargon? That's where ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about-in a mini podcast comes in. Each episode grabs a curious question-maybe why the sky is blue, how electricity actually works, or the history behind a common tradition-and breaks it down into clear, digestible pieces. The aim is genuine understanding, not just a quick fact. Sourced from the vibrant curiosity of the Reddit community, this podcast transforms those everyday "how" and "why" mysteries into short, focused conversations. You'll hear about topics spanning science, culture, society, and our planet, all explained as if to a bright five-year-old, which turns out to be the perfect clarity level for anyone. It’s for the casually inquisitive, the lifelong learner, or anyone who just wants a straightforward answer without the lecture. Tune in for a few minutes and come away a little more informed about the world, one simple explanation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast
Podcast Episodes
ELI5 Lab Grown Diamonds - why do they have lower resale values? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:50
How are lab grown diamonds made? Are they exactly the same? Why do they have different prices and resale values? Which is more environmentally friendly? How have cultural and social attitudes evolved? ... we explain like…
ELI5 MRIs - how do they work and why are they so noisy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:38
How do MRIs work? Why are they so expensive? Why are they so noisy? Are MRIs related to other scans like x-rays, CT scans and PET scans? Why aren’t full body MRIs more part of routine checkups? Why are they so expensive?…
ELI5 Speed of Light - why can’t we exceed it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:13
How did we even measure it if it’s so fast? Why can’t anything go faster than the speed of light? If I were to take a really really really (light years) long stick and push something on the end of it, would it happen “in…
ELI5 Dyson Sphere - did aliens already build one? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:24
What exactly is a Dyson Sphere? What materials would be required? What is a Dyson Swarm and a Dyson Bubble? Could any other civilizations have built a dyson sphere already? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r…
ELI5 Skyscrapers - which NYC skyscraper could have fallen over? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:52
Are the 100+ year old skyscrapers still safe? How do skyscrapers get built straight up without any leaning or imperfections or off angle walls? How does the concrete get poured so perfectly? How have designs changed over…
ELI5 Super Mario Bros - how did it fit into 32KB? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:09
How did Shigeru Miyamoto come up with Mario, and how has this character evolved over the years? How is it that the first Mario Bros. game was about 32kb, but a JPEG of the game is over 300kbs in 2023? What made the game…
ELI5 Lie Detector Tests - how do polygraph tests work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:24
How does a lie detector test work? If people don’t trust their accuracy, why do agencies like the FBI and CIA still use polygraph tests? How is a polygraph test actually conducted? Are there any proven methods or techniq…
ELI5 Solar Eclipses - how often do they occur? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:10
Why does the moon perfectly cover the sun during a total solar eclipse? What's the difference between total, partial, and annular solar eclipses? It’s dangerous to look at the sun during a solar eclipse without proper pr…