Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Whether you hum in the shower or yodel on stage, you can make music with your voice! But what’s going on inside of your body when you do it? And are there ways to change how your voice sounds?

Molly and co-host Kate will explore these questions and more in this episode all about singing. They’ll join Marc to watch a famous opera star do her thing and learn about what happens in our bodies when we sing. They’ll hear samples of everything from throat singing to rock and roll. Plus they'll chat with voice teacher and opera singer Mikalia Bradberry about all the ways we can learn to control our voice and sing in different styles – from Broadway belting to crooning like Taylor Swift. Plus, a noteworthy mystery sound!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

Curious about cats? Us too! Join Molly and co-host Lynx as they sniff out the answers to some of your most pressing cat questions.

They’ll head to a chaotic cat café to learn the history of house cats, they'll hear a song all about cat breeds, and chat with cat expert Mikel Delgado about catnip, cat naps, and why cats love to lick themselves! Plus a purr-plexing new mystery sound.

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

Molly is working on a musical about trees that live in cities. But she can’t finish her rhymes! So she enlists Ruby and Anna to help. Molly gives them some of her unfinished lyrics and it’s up to them to help her turn a single sentence into a fact-filled musical couplet!

Did you know that more than half the people in the world lives in cities? The hustle and bustle of a city can be awesome, but cities can also be hot and polluted. Luckily, there’s a solution we can all get behind – trees! Join Molly and co-host Nallini as they learn how these magnificent towering giants make our cities better places to live and help fight climate change. They’ll also visit an urban orchard that grows fruit in the middle of Philadelphia. All that plus a tree-mendous mystery sound!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Inside Out 2 - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th
- PRX's Jamming on the Job - Check out new episodes of PRX's Jamming on the Job wherever you get your podcasts.
- Mrs. Wordsmith - Visit mrswordsmith.com and use code brainson15 to get 15% off your order.

98.6 degrees is hot. If it were that hot outside, you’d be sweaty and want to go jump in a nice cold pool. But the insides of our bodies are that hot all the time! And that’s because there’s a lot going on in there that creates heat.

In this episode, Molly and co-host Saathvik find out how our bodies keep our insides at a nice steady temperature (and why that’s harder to do when it’s hot outside!). And we’ll talk with Dr. Joe Alcock about why humans and lots of other animals get fevers. Plus, a new mystery sound guaranteed to make you sweat!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Inside Out 2 - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th
- PRX's Jamming on the Job - Check out new episodes of PRX's Jamming on the Job wherever you get your podcasts.
- Mrs. Wordsmith - Visit mrswordsmith.com and use code brainson15 to get 15% off your order.

Looking for some sneaky sound puzzles to solve? Tune in to our all-new mystery sound extravaganza! Join co-host Maggie as she listens to recordings of sounds from Brains On listeners – and tries to figure out what they are. You’ll hear Maggie and her brother Sam go head-to-head in a sibling mystery sound battle and listen to podcast producers Nichole Hill and Yowei Shaw struggle to solve some sonic stumpers. Get your listening ears ready for this one!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Inside Out 2 - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th
- PRX's Jamming on the Job - Check out new episodes of PRX's Jamming on the Job wherever you get your podcasts.
- Mrs. Wordsmith - Visit mrswordsmith.com and use code brainson15 to get 15% off your order.

Vacuums are full of surprises! Did you know that they blow air out to suck things up? Or that old-fashioned vacuums were so huge, they had to be hauled from house to house by horses?!

Join Molly and co-host Baker as they learn all about these awesome appliances. They’ll dig into vacuum history, shrink to the size of air molecules and explore the inside of this curious contraption, and even check out a vacuum museum in Missouri. All that, plus a tricky new mystery sound that will blow you away!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Inside Out 2 - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th.

Have you ever wondered why a guitar sounds different from a violin? Or why a banjo is twangy and a cello is mellow? Then this episode is for you!

Join Molly and co-host Ellie as they explore the ear-tickling world of string sounds! Together, they’ll learn about sound waves, and visit the Brains On instrument petting zoo, where they'll learn about all the amazing sounds that stringed instruments can make. Plus, a shiny new mystery sound!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Paramount’s IF - From writer and director John Krasinski comes a new film about what happens to our Imaginary Friends (IFs) when we grow up. Out in theaters on May 17th!

Looks like Marc has a beautiful new plant but doesn’t know where to put it. Direct sunlight or indirect sunlight? It’s too hard to figure out! But you know what’s not hard to figure out? Whether or not you should play Molly’s new game, Radical Design! Grab your Smarty Pass to see what producers Marc Sanchez and Rosie duPont think homes would look like on other planets!

Humans have visited the Moon but we’ve never lived there. Could we build a home on our lunar neighbor? Join Molly and co-host Ira as they find out why the Moon can be a dangerous place, and what it would take to live there. We’ll imagine a visit to a lunar hotel, hear about all the stuff humans have left up there and even hear a song sung by the Moon herself!

Featured Expert: Phil Plait, astronomer, journalist and author of several books, including, Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer’s Guide to the Universe, which uses science and imagination to paint a picture of what it would be like to vacation on the moon.

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Paramount’s IF - From writer and director John Krasinski comes a new film about what happens to our Imaginary Friends (IFs) when we grow up. Out in theaters on May 17th!

Looking for an escape? Join Molly and co-host Julian as they explore Antarctica! They’ll learn about Antarctica’s massive ice sheets and active volcanoes — plus they’ll meet the largest land animal on the continent! (Hint: it’s black, shiny, and can perch on a pencil eraser!)

Then they’ll chat with scientist Dr. Jennifer Mercer about what it’s like to live and work in one the coldest places on the planet and explore what Antarctica was like 90 million years ago. (Hint: It was a lot like a beach resort!) And stick around for a  mystery sound that’s so cool it’ll give you goosebumps!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Sitkaseafoodmarket.com - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order.
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order

Have you ever taken a big ol’ whiff of rotten milk? It probably smelled like dirty socks or stinky garbage. Blech! But why does food go bad, and how can we be sure that something is fresh and safe to eat?

Join Molly and co-host Rachel as they explore the world of food expiration dates — those little numbers and dates on food packages that help us figure out how old food is! Together, they’ll find out why food goes bad, listen to a rotten egg sing about the power of the sniff test, and learn about the history of expiration dates from Forever Ago host Joy Dolo! All that plus a treat for your ears — an all-new mystery sound!

Check out this food safety chart for more information on how long different types of foods typically stay fresh in the fridge or freezer.

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Sitkaseafoodmarket.com - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order.
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order

Ouch! If you’ve ever stubbed your toe, gotten a paper cut or fallen off your bike, you know that getting hurt is no fun. Sometimes we can take medicine to help feel better, like ibuprofen. But how does that medicine know where to go in our bodies to stop the pain?

In this episode, Molly and kid co-host Skylar explore where pain comes from and chat with expert Dr. Amanda C de C Williams about why it’s useful. Then they’ll eavesdrop on an ibuprofen pill on its first day of work to find out how it does its job. And of course, an all new mystery sound!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Sitkaseafoodmarket.com - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order.
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

Oh no! It looks like Brains On host Molly Bloom and producer Marc Sanchez are in some deep trouble, and the only way to get out of it is with an extra special game of Mystery Sound. Will either of them be able to guess the right sound? Grab your Smarty Pass to find out!

We love a good mystery, and UFOs are magnificently mysterious! But are they real? In this episode, Marc and Sanden take over the Brains On feed with a new episode of their radio show, Hoax Hunters. They’ll look into the myths and hoaxes surrounding UFOs (which stands for unidentified flying objects). Plus, they’ll talk about what kinds of things often get mistaken for UFOs and how you can stay smart and skeptical when hearing shocking information. And of course, an episode about mystery will have an all-new Mystery Sound!

Read more about Val Johnson from MPR News.

And if you love Hoax Hunters, check out our Making Sense of Myths series!

• Bigfoot, Unicorns and Dragons




• Lost Cities




• Mermaids, Kraken and the Loch Ness Monster




• Aliens and UFOs

Come see Brains On live in Washington, DC, Princeton, NJ, and Brooklyn, NY! Get tickets here: brainson.org/events

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Sitkaseafoodmarket.com - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order.
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

Hello friends! We're so excited to announce that Brains On is coming to the east coast!

We’re doing three live shows -- in Washington DC, Princeton, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York!

Our live show is a super fun journey through the brain, featuring magic tricks, a game show, mystery sounds and even dancing! You can get tickets at brainson.org/events

Plus, after each show, we're having a VIP party, where you can meet and play games with me, Marc and Sanden.

And -- if you're not able to make it to our live shows in person, we'll be doing a virtual event in April that anyone can join! Tickets for that are also available at brainson.org/events

Thanks so much for listening to Brains On and we can't wait to meet you in Washington, DC, Princeton, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York! Again, you can get your tickets at brainson.org/events. Hope to see you there!

Laughter is like a language and humans are really good at understanding it.

In this episode, Molly and co-host Milla decode different kinds of laughs, from uncontrollable goofy laughter to chuckles that make others feel good.

They’ll meet laugh experts Sophie Scott and Adrienne Wood and test their knowledge in three rounds of the game show: Laugh Attack!

Plus, a new mystery sound for you to guess!

Come see Brains On live in Washington, DC, Princeton, NJ, and Brooklyn, NY! Get tickets here: brainson.org/events

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
Sitkaseafoodmarket.com - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order.
Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

Satellites are like robots in the sky: they monitor the weather, make GPS possible, and take stunning pictures of outer space! But how exactly do they work? When a satellite named Meep Moop gets delivered to Brains On HQ by mistake, Molly and co-hosts Tessa and Fallyn learn all about satellite solar panels, thrusters, and radio waves! Then, they chat with Dr. Moriba Jah about satellite space junk and the importance of keeping space pristine. Plus, a stumper of a mystery sound!

Featured expert:
Dr. Moriba Jah, space environmentalist and professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at The University of Texas at Austin. Find him on Instagram at @moribajah and Facebook @Moriba Kemessia Jah

Special thanks to:
Dr. David “Goldy” Goldstein, principal engineer, SpaceX; Colonel., U.S. Air Force, Ret.

Resources:
If you want to hear more about GPS, check out the Brains On episode How does GPS know where you are?

And if you’re curious to learn more about space junk, check out Satellite uses giant net to practice capturing space junk and the video Tracking space junk, both written and hosted by Loren Grush and produced by The Verge.

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

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This episode was sponsored by:

Sitka Seafood Market - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order. 

Indeed - Use promo code brainson to receive a $75 sponsored job credit

What’s that alluring flute music and what does it have to do with Molly Bloom’s biting new game? Well, there’s only one way to find out. Grab your Smarty Pass to hear Anna and Rosie play Molly’s latest game: Tooth or Dare!

Have you ever seen someone strike a match? The match rubs against a scratchy strip and a split second later – poof! It makes fire! But how does a match work, anyway?

Join Molly and co-host Maxwell as they get all fired up about matches! They’ll explore the three things a fire needs to ignite and learn how lighting a match is just a super fast chemical reaction that sometimes smells like farts. Plus, we’ll hear your hot new names for matches and of course, a new mystery sound!

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

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This episode was sponsored by:

Sitka Seafood Market - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order. 

Indeed - Use promo code brainson to receive a $75 sponsored job credit

Sand! We use it to make all kinds of things, from spectacular sandcastles to roads and bridges. But where does it come from? And why is the sand on so many beaches disappearing?

In this episode, Molly and co-host Leon head to the beach to explore the secrets of sand. They run into the ultimate sand STAN Sanden Totten and discover what it's made of. Then, they chat with producer Nico Gonzalez Wisler about why beaches are running out of sand. All that, plus a stumper of a new mystery sound!

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

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This episode was sponsored by:

Sitka Seafood Market - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order. 

Indeed - Use promo code brainson to receive a $75 sponsored job credit

Hypnosis. You’ve seen it in movies, cartoons, and maybe even on stage! But is it real? And if so, what is it?

Join Molly and co-host Jasmine as they uncover the truth about hypnosis and its power to heal. They’ll hear from pediatrician and hypnosis expert, Dr. Daniel Kohen, about what it is and isn’t. (Spoiler alert – it isn’t mind control!) They’ll also chat with 13-year-old Joshua who uses hypnosis to overcome anxiety! Plus, a special appearance from the ghost of Franz Mesmer, a famous practitioner and the man behind the word mesmerizing. Entranced? Stick around for a new and puzzling mystery sound!

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

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This episode was sponsored by

Sitka Seafood Market - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order. 

Indeed - Use promo code brainson to receive a $75 sponsored job credit

Your teeth are like a squad of superheroes inside your mouth. They help you crunch on carrot sticks, nibble popcorn and chew bubblegum. You’ve probably heard it’s important to brush your teeth to prevent cavities. But what is a cavity? And how do dentists fix them?

Join Molly and cohost Aya on a terrifically toothy adventure, as they explore what causes these pesky little holes in our teeth. They’ll meet a group of rowdy, party-loving bacteria and find out how sometimes, troublemaker bacteria in our mouths can cause cavities. Plus, dentist Dr. Jean Star will help explain how to fix cavities. All that, plus a brand new Mystery Sound!

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

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This episode was sponsored by

Sitka Seafood Market - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order.

Producers Rosie duPont and Aron Woldeslassie are at the Brains On petting zoo checking out some of the cutest baby animals in the world. It’s there that Rosie realizes that they should play a round of Baby Mystery Sounds! It’s the classic Brains On game Mystery Sound with an adorable twist!

Listener Gideon sent in this brilliant question: “How did ferns survive the dinosaur extinction and are they the same ferns we see now?” Our search for the answer will introduce us to James Frond, international fern of mystery, and take us flying through the air on an airplane’s wing. We’ll also meet a scientist who’s trying to understand how ferns are such strong survivors — by recreating the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs! All that, plus a fern-tastic new mystery sound!

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

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Today’s episode is sponsored by:

•  Sitka Seafood Market - Use promo code Molly35 to receive $35 off your first order.

Dig in with Molly and co-host Audrey as they learn about our extinct ancient relatives, the Neanderthals! With archaeologist and Brains On producer Anna Goldfield as their guide, they’ll learn how Neanderthals were once misunderstood, and how scientists are learning more about them. Explore the wondrous NeanderHALL at Brains On HQ and unearth the truth about these prehistoric humans with Anna and her talkative NeanderDOLL, Paul! Plus, discover the origins of a tricky new mystery sound

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Sparklemuffin, turdus maximus, and sarcastic fringehead. These are the names of some of Marc’s favorite animals! Will Molly be able to guess what kind of animals they are?

Grab your raincoat, and join Molly and co-host Lily as they float into the clouds to learn about lightning! They’ll explore how lightning is made and what it takes to stay safe during thunderstorms. To close with a bang, Molly will slip on her Thunderpants and host an electrifying lightning-themed game show. But don’t bolt too soon. We’ve got a mystery sound reveal that promises to shock!

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

The Brains On crew is hard at work on our next batch of episodes, and we'll be back in your feed on January 16, with an electrifying episode about lightning.

Until then, check out our history show: Forever Ago. It's hosted by our friend Joy Dolo, and it looks into the fascinating past of things we take for granted.

In this episode, Joy invites Molly on to the show to share the origin story of Superman that you've probably never heard. Take a listen!

To hear the entire episode, search for “Forever Ago” wherever you listen to podcasts or head to foreverago.org.

Join Molly Bloom and co-host Ishalo as they learn about the ingredients we need to grow – and why sometimes the growing seems slow! They’ll chat with Dr. Diva de León Crutchlow about sleep and hormones and help Sanden take care of Dwayne the 5-year-old brain. Is your excitement growing by the minute? Ours too! And we’ve got another tricky mystery sound, just for you.

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS) - Claim your $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.

Factor (Factormeals.com/brainson50) to get 50% off.

IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP) to get a 20% off an IXL membership.

Wish (movies.disney.com/wish - Only in theaters November 22, tickets available now. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested)

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Join Molly and co-host Arjun on a reptilian romp, where they learn all about chameleons’ color-changing abilities, powerful eyes, and super sticky saliva. Along the way, they’ll be joined by a pair of chatty chameleon cabaret performers — Kiki and Paul — and chameleon expert Chris Anderson! Color yourself excited for this awesome creature feature, and an all-new mystery sound!

If you want to learn more about chameleons, check out co-host Arjun’s own podcast, Animals Rule! He has an episode all about these loungey lizards, plus a ton of other amazing animals: https://spotify.link/KZrepYscSDb

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS) - Claim your $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.

Factor (Factormeals.com/brainson50) to get 50% off.

IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP) to get a 20% off an IXL membership.

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Explore the dark with Molly and co-host Sasha! They’ll chat with psychologist Dr. Sandy Pimentel about why it’s totally normal to be afraid of the dark and hear from Mr. Bonejangles about why it’s the bone-a-fide best! To round out their adventure, producer Nico Gonzalez-Wisler will whisk them off on a starry, overnight field trip. The light at the end of the tunnel? An all-new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS) - Claim your $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.

Factor (Factormeals.com/brainson50) to get 50% off.

IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP) to get a 20% off an IXL membership.

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Don’t miss our virtual events! Our next one, “What’s That Smell?” is happening Oct. 26 — Oct. 28, and our third and final, “Snacktacular Road Trip,” is Nov. 30 — Dec. 2. Join your favorite hosts from Brains On!, Smash Boom Best and Forever Ago LIVE on YouTube for just $19.99 per family. Join the fun, and ask them questions! Plus, Smarty Pass holders get 20% off (sign up today to get yours and the discount). It all starts on September 21, so go to brainson.org/fieldtrips to get your tickets!

***

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Pluto is tiny, icy, and used to be the ninth planet in the solar system. Used to be. So why isn’t Pluto a planet anymore?

Join Molly and co-host Momo as they learn Pluto’s history, talk to planetary scientist Kelsi Singer about NASA’s New Horizons mission, and even hear from the planet itself. All that plus a nifty new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS) - Claim your $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.

Factor (Factormeals.com/brainson50) to get 50% off.

IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP) to get a 20% off an IXL membership.

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Millions of kids and adults across the world have ADHD, which stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD doesn’t affect everyone in the same way, though. Some people might have trouble focusing, while others might get really fidgety or take risks without thinking about them. But what is ADHD and what is happening in the brain of someone with ADHD?

In this episode, Molly and cohost Julianne (who also has ADHD) learn from Dr. Julie Schweitzer of the MIND Institute at UC Davis about how a brain with ADHD can feel a little bit like an orchestra without a conductor.  Plus, Julianne talks with Daniel Kwan, director of the movie Everything Everywhere All At Once, about what it's like to live with ADHD, and how people with ADHD have some superpowers when it comes to creativity.

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS) - Claim your $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.

Factor (Factormeals.com/brainson50) to get 50% off.

IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP) to get a 20% off an IXL membership.

Greenlight (Greenlight.com) The banking and investing app for kids and teens.

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Ah-CHOO! We know viruses make us sick, but what happens when a virus infects your computer? This episode, go digital with Molly and co-host Chloe as they track down a pesky computer virus infecting Brains On Headquarters. Catch our special guests, podcasting viruses Kara and Gilly, and meet a mysterious hacker named Shark Manchez. Plus, a brand new mystery sound!

This episode is sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS) - Claim your $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.

Factor (Factormeals.com/brainson50) to get 50% off.

IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP) to get a 20% off an IXL membership.

Greenlight (Greenlight.com) The banking and investing app for kids and teens.

Prehistoric animals rock! How much do you know about these unusual beasts? Join Brains On! host Molly Bloom as she tests the prehistoric animal knowledge of co-hosts Samaya, Roscoe, Zana, and Arjun! The games begin in the Permian Era, almost 300 million years ago, when giant dragonflies buzzed through the skies. Play along and you’ll wind up in the most recent Ice Age, when saber-toothed cats prowled the California coasts! Plus, you’ll get to hear prehistoric animal haikus and a not-so-prehistoric mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

1. Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your SEVENTY FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)




2. Factor Meals (Factormeals.com/brainson50 - To get 50% off.)




3. IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP - To get a 20% off an IXL membership.)




4. Greenlight (Greenlight.com - The banking and investing app for kids and teens.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

People are really good at building homes out of everything from wood and concrete to mud and ice. But when it comes to animal homes, creatures can be more inventive than humans!

In this creatively constructed episode, Molly and cohost Marama renovate Brains On HQ with the help of some clever critter contractors. They talk to animal experts and navigate demolition disasters to build a delicious new food hall for Brains On. Plus, a super spiffy Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your SEVENTY FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)




• Paw Patrol Movie (Pawpatrol.movie - Catch PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE in theaters on September 29th!)




• Factor Meals (Factormeals.com/brainson50 - To get 50% off.)




• IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP - To get a 20% off an IXL membership.)




• Greenlight (Greenlight.com - The banking and investing app for kids and teens.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Apples are a delicious treat! These crispy crunchy sweet snacks are everywhere: in our school lunches, at the farmers market, even covered in caramel at the fair. But as Molly and cohosts Jack and Penelope find out, growing an apple is a lot harder than it sounds. In this episode, we’ll learn how bears and horses helped the first wild apples grow (in their poop!) and meet the world’s biggest apple fan, Johnny Appleseed. Plus, even an apple a day can’t keep a brand new Mystery Sound away!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your SEVENTY FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)




• Paw Patrol Movie (Pawpatrol.movie - Catch PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE in theaters on September 29th!)




• Factor Meals (Factormeals.com/brainson50 - To get 50% off.)




• IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP - To get a 20% off an IXL membership.)




• Greenlight (Greenlight.com - The banking and investing app for kids and teens.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Everything in our world is powered by energy. We need it to drive our cars, bake cupcakes and even jump up and down on the bed! All of this energy comes from different sources, like gasoline and wind power. Even the food that powers our bodies is a source of energy. But almost all of the energy on Earth first came from the same place: the sun!

In this episode, we’ll find out how the sun powers so much of our lives. Plus, we’ll learn how the amount of energy in the universe has stayed the same since the very beginning of time, which scientists call the Big Bang. Mind-blowing, right? All that, plus a brand new mystery sound and a look at some really cool possible future sources of energy!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your SEVENTY FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)




• Paw Patrol Movie (Pawpatrol.movie - Catch PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE in theaters on September 29th!)




• Factor Meals (Factormeals.com/brainson50 - To get 50% off.)




• IXL (IXL.COM/FIELDTRIP - To get a 20% off an IXL membership.)




• Greenlight (Greenlight.com - The banking and investing app for kids and teens.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Artificial intelligence has been all over the news lately — but how does it even work? In this episode, Molly and co-host Sydney explore the how and why of A.I. with researcher Avital Balwit. Together, they imagine possible futures with A.I. and talk about how we might use these powerful tools in thoughtful ways.

As a bonus, you’ll get a tricky new mystery sound and a hot track from Sanden’s band, Loudly With A Chance of Screamballs! 

_______

Don’t miss our next virtual events! In September, your favorite hosts from Brains On!, Smash Boom Best and Forever Ago are going on virtual field trips, and you can join them LIVE for just $19.99 per family. Your ticket gets you one of our limited spots to an online live-action adventure, complete with a live chat and a chance to talk with Molly, Marc, or Sanden after the show. 

Plus, Smarty Pass holders get 20% off (sign up today to get yours and the discount). It all starts on September 21, so go to brainson.org/fieldtrips to get your tickets!
_____________

Today’s episode is sponsored by:

• Toyota (Visit BuyAToyota.com to explore Toyota SUVs)

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your $100 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)

All the different colors in our eyes, hair and skin are made by a super special substance called melanin! In this episode, we’ll meet a melanocyte, the artistic cell that makes melanin. Plus, Molly and cohost Jeremy talk with Dr. Tina Lasisi to learn why humans have so many different colors of skin in the first place. And a scientist goes undercover to try to solve the many mysteries surrounding melanin. All that, plus a brand new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Didn’t I Just Feed You (Didntijustfeedyou.com/ - A podcast to help busy home cooks feed their families.)




• Buy a Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - To explore Toyota SUVs.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)

*****
Don’t miss our next virtual events! In September, your favorite hosts from Brains On!, Smash Boom Best and Forever Ago are going on virtual field trips, and you can join them LIVE for just $19.99 per family. Your ticket gets you one of our limited spots to an online live-action adventure, complete with a live chat and a chance to talk with Molly, Marc, or Sanden after the show. 

Plus, Smarty Pass holders get 20% off (sign up today to get yours and the discount). It all starts on September 21, so go to brainson.org/fieldtrips to get your tickets!

Your brain does so much stuff! It makes sure your heart is always pumping and your lungs are breathing — plus it stores all kinds of important information, like your best friend’s birthday or your pet’s favorite kind of treat. But could your brain ever run out of storage space?

In this episode, Molly and cohosts Corinne and Suriya learn all about our mighty memories. They crack the code on brain storage and figure out the science of forgetting! Plus, an unforgettable new mystery sound.

This episode was sponsored by:

• Didn’t I Just Feed You (Didntijustfeedyou.com/ - A podcast to help busy home cooks feed their families.)




• Buy a Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - To explore Toyota SUVs.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Boredom is something we all feel sometimes, when nothing seems fun or interesting. But have you ever wondered what’s actually going on in your brain when you feel that way? Can it ever be good for you to be bored? 

Molly and co-host Maisie explore how boredom can lead to creativity, and how our brain can work past that blah feeling. Plus, a boredom-blasting brain workout from Sanden and his pal Pete the wombat, and a brand new Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Didn’t I Just Feed You (Didntijustfeedyou.com/ - A podcast to help busy home cooks feed their families.)




• Buy a Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - To explore Toyota SUVs.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)




• Six Minutes (Wondery.com/shows/six-minutes/ - Follow Six Minutes wherever you get your podcasts.)
  
  *****
  Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Jellyfish are some of the most unique creatures on the planet. They’ve been around longer than the dinosaurs. They don’t have brains, bones or blood. And they’re not even fish! So what are they?

Float along with Molly and cohost Rosie as they learn about the different parts of a jellyfish, hear from a jellyfish superhero, and talk to scientist Dr. Rebecca Helm about how jellyfish have babies. Plus, a tantalizing new Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Buy a Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - To explore Toyota SUVs.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)




• Six Minutes (wondery.com/shows/six-minutes/ - Follow Six Minutes wherever you get your podcasts.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Happy birthday to us! Brains On is celebrating its tenth birthday and we’re throwing a big party. Molly is putting up decorations, Sanden has made his special Super Salty Party Punch and Gungador is ready to dance his pants off! But why is Marc hiding out in a closet?

Join Molly and co-host Olive as they explore what makes parties so fun – and why they make some of us nervous sometimes. Plus a snazzy new Mystery Sound! 

This episode was sponsored by:

• Buy a Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - To explore Toyota SUVs.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)




• Six Minutes (wondery.com/shows/six-minutes/ - Follow Six Minutes wherever you get your podcasts.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Hey, Smarty Pal, want more Brains On? Check out this sneak peek of Gungador Hosts a Dinner Party! Gungador is having a party at Brains On! HQ, and everyone’s invited! He’s whipping up special dishes for all of his guests: a tater tot hot dish, caramel coated honey gummies, even a cheese board! But he forgot to call Barbara Toddes from the Philadelphia Zoo before he started prepping meals for his animal friends... and some of his assumptions about what animals eat aren’t exactly right. Will Gungador pull off his festive feast AND keep his cool?! Grab your SmartyPass and listen to find out!

Molly, Marc and Sanden are hitting the road to perform the show Your Brain is Magic in Portland on June 17th and Seattle on June 18th. Plus, we'll be in Pasadena on June 25th celebrating our 10th birthday. Tickets for all events are at brainson.org/events - hope to see you there!

Chirp chirp, y’all! Ever wondered what birds mean when they’re singing their little birdy hearts out? This week, Molly and cohost Bessie explore the kinds of sounds birds can make, and how those sounds are used. Birdsong researcher Kristin Brunk breaks down some sweet tweet science, and we learn how human noise has affected our feathery friends. Plus, a groovy new Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Liquid I.V. (LiquidIV.com - Use code BRAINS at checkout to receive 20% off anything you order when you order.)




• Buy A Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - Explore Toyota SUVs.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)

Bird sounds in this episode came from Xeno-Canto:

• Emily Brhel, XC760144. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/760144. 




• Manuel Grosselet, XC663795. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/663795. 




• Elias A. Ryberg, XC791170. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/791170.




• Sunny Tseng, XC749764. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/749764. 




• Sunny Tseng, XC753147. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/753147




• Russ Wigh, XC573211. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/573211. 




• Russ Wigh, XC692169. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/692169.

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Humans and every other living thing on Earth are perfectly suited to our wonderful planet. There’s life everywhere, from boiling-hot ocean vents to chilly mountain peaks. But what would life look like in other parts of the galaxy, or beyond? What would happen to our bodies if we lived in space?

In an out-of-this-world episode, Molly and cohost Jaxson moonwalk through the possibilities of life in outer space. They learn what scientists look for when they want to know if a planet or moon could support life. And they explore how science fiction can help actual scientists think about what alien life might look like. Plus, a spiffy new Mystery Sound!  

This episode was sponsored by:

• Liquid I.V. (LiquidIV.com - Use code BRAINS at checkout to receive 20% off anything you order when you order.)




• Buy A Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - Explore Toyota SUVs.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Video games are fun, challenging and sometimes hard to put down. But are they good for you? Or do they rot your brain, like some people say? In this episode, Molly and cohost Colden (along with sassy alien hero Fuzzbutt Picklestar) explore how video games affect your brain, for better or worse. Plus, we look at other technologies that adults used to think were bad for kids, like novels and radio. And an extra mysterious Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Liquid I.V. (LiquidIV.com - Use code BRAINS at checkout to receive 20% off anything you order when you order.)




• Buy A Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - Explore Toyota SUVs.)

*****
Brains On! is hitting the road to celebrate the show’s 10th birthday! Hosts, Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez and Sanden Totten will be performing in person to take you on an adventure through our brains. Get your tickets now to see Brains On! live at brainson.org/events

Our Smarty Pass subscribers get a special discount to see our live show! Get your Smarty Pass today for just $4/month (or $36/year) to receive bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago and special ticket discounts. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

If you love big thoughts, this is the episode for you. We’ll ponder what would happen if a fly flew into the window of a moving bus. Would it have to keep flying forward to avoid crashing into the back window? Or could it just hover inside the bus? Plus we’ll unpack one of the most important ideas in science, the Theory of General Relativity. You’ll learn how creative thinking helped Albert Einstein change the world and get a little creative yourself guessing an all-new Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Liquid I.V. (LiquidIV.com - Use code BRAINS at checkout to receive 20% off anything you order when you order.)




• Buy A Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - Explore Toyota SUVs.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Do you have a favorite food that your friend doesn't like at all? Do you look at what your parents are eating and say, "No, thank you!" Well, you’re not alone! Lots of people have different food preferences. But why do some people like certain foods and others don’t? And what’s a supertaster? In this tasty treat of an episode, Molly and cohost Nishka visit a cooking class for kids and talk with food expert Jennifer Anderson from Kids Eat in Color (https://kidseatincolor.com/) to learn how to make it easier to try new foods. Plus a brand-new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Liquid I.V. (LiquidIV.com - Use code BRAINS at checkout to receive 20% off anything you order when you order.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Buy A Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - Explore Toyota SUVs.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Reading is your one-way ticket to adventure! You can ride fire-breathing dragons, explore outer space, or even save the world – all within the pages of a book. But have you ever wondered how we learn to read? And why it can sometimes feel hard to do? Molly and co-host Anna talk to American Public Media reporter Emily Hanford, host of the podcast Sold a Story (https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/) about how some teaching techniques make it harder to learn how to read. Plus tips on how to become a rockstar reader and a brand-new Mystery Sound!

Listen to our episode about dyslexia here: https://www.brainson.org/episode/2019/08/20/what-is-dyslexia-and-how-do-our-brains-read

This episode was sponsored by:

• Liquid I.V. (LiquidIV.com - Use code BRAINS at checkout to receive 20% off anything you order when you order.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Buy A Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - Explore Toyota SUVs.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

We’re super-jazzed to share this episode of Million Bazillion, a podcast for kids and families that helps you understand money.

In this episode, hosts Bridget and Ryan get a question from Will in Ohio and are taking a cross-country road trip to answer it. Will wants to know why there are so many of the same stores. From Starbucks to Home Depot and all the McDonald’s in between, we’ll break down the reason why.

We use plastic for all kinds of things, from shampoo bottles to glitter. It’s useful but also a danger, because a lot of plastic is ending up in our oceans, where it’s sucked into swirly twirly whirlpools of garbage. The biggest of these is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Hop into the ExPLORERR with Molly and cohost Ana-Victoria to learn more about this plasticy problem and find out what you can do to help solve it! Plus a brand new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Liquid I.V. (LiquidIV.com - Use code BRAINS at checkout to receive 20% off anything you order when you order.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Buy A Toyota (BuyAToyota.com - Explore Toyota SUVs.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Insects can live almost anywhere: backyards, mountaintops, scorching hot deserts, underwater, even on Antarctica! There are more than a million different species out there, from speedy dragonflies that zip through the air as fast as a car to rainbow-colored beetles living in tropical rainforests. Plus, scientists are discovering new ones all the time! But why does the world need bugs? And why do they make us feel a little icky sometimes? In this super buggy episode, Molly and co-host Lorna meet bug scientist Meredith Cenzer and learn more about what we can do to protect our tiny friends.

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Have you heard the expression “dogs are people’s best friend”? Where did it come from? And why are dogs and humans such great pals? Molly and co-host Kha-ai jump back in time to learn how dogs became humans’ best friends, and answer the question why do dogs wag their tails? Plus, we’ll also explore how dogs help humans and even other animals like cheetahs. And keep your ears perked for a brand new Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)

*****

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Friendship rules! Friends help us work through problems, keep us company and bring joy to our lives. Making friends might have also helped our prehistoric ancestors survive and thrive! Still, friendship can be tough sometimes. In this episode, we’ll answer your friendship questions with Eileen Kennedy-Moore (a.k.a Dr. Friendtastic!) and hear some advice from a filmmaker with autism about making friends. Plus an all-new Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Humans need sleep to survive, but do plants doze off too? In this episode, we’ll look into how plants rest. Turns out humans and plants aren’t all that different! We’ll hear about how we share a common ancestor, way, way back in history. We’ll also learn how plants and people have little built-in clocks that tell us when it’s day and night! Oh, and Sanden parties with his plant pals and we guess an all-new Mystery Sound.

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Our big, beautiful sky stretches all the way from the ground beneath our feet to about sixty miles above the Earth. It’s made up of countless air molecules, pinging around like tiny, invisible pinballs. And even though we can’t feel the weight of each individual air molecule, all together they weigh a lot! But how much does the sky actually weigh? (spoiler alert: it involves lots and lots of farting cats…) Molly and co-host Felix learn more by talking with a band of singing walruses and a pretty wacky weatherwoman. And don’t miss this week’s extra mysterious Mystery Sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Thrive Market(Thrivemarket.com/brains - Click for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.)

*****
Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Lots of creatures are able to glow, like fish, mushrooms, fireflies and even some bacteria! This special ability is called bioluminescence and it looks like magic, but it’s actually chemistry. In this episode, we’ll travel to the bottom of the ocean in the ExPLORERR to meet some super spectacular, bioluminescent friends and find out why so many animals make their own light. And we’ll hear from a scientist who uses bioluminescence in cancer research. Plus a brand new mystery sound!

This episode is sponsored by:

• Disney Plus Originals (Disneyplusoriginals.disney.com - Disney Plus Originals' Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Thrive Market (Thrivemarket.com/brains - For 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.)

*****

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

Xuan June’s hearing aids have kept her company for pretty much her entire life. They go with her to school, tag along for a ride while she skateboards and sit snugly while she draws and dreams up goth-cute fashion designs.

In this episode, Xuan June is getting fitted for a new pair of hearing aids — and she’s invited Molly to come with her! Together they learn all about how these cool superpowered devices work. Plus, we find out how sound travels and get a chance to guess TWO mystery sounds.

This episode was sponsored by:

• Disney Plus Originals (Disneyplusoriginals.disney.com - Disney Plus Originals' Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Thrive Market (Thrivemarket.com/brains - For 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.)

*****

Do you have your Smarty Pass yet?? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

It's just a normal day at Brains On headquarters, until Molly and co-host Aaliyah find Forever Ago host Joy Dolo in the midst of a full-blown stress attack. She has a lot on her agenda: it's her birthday month and Black History Month, she's producing a one-woman show, she's got episodes to host, parades to plan and a self-portrait made entirely out of found objects due for her art class! Joy isn't sure which way is up, if tacos are sandwiches and if she should re-think her entire life. Luckily, there are all sorts of amazing scientists who just happen to be hanging out at Brains On HQ happy to help. Chemist Joya Cooley, urban ecologist Jasmin Green, roboticist Randi Williams, entomologist Jessica Ware and space suit technician Sharon McDougle are on the case, ready to share their wisdom and superpowers with Joy.

This episode is sponsored by Disney Channel and Disney+. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur premieres Friday, February 10 at 8p on Disney Channel and available on Disney+ Wednesday, February 15. Visit disneyplusoriginals.disney.com for more info.

Imagine an exact copy of you, someone with the same hair, eyes and DNA. That’s a clone. Scientists have been able to make clones of some animals. In this episode, we’ll hear the story of Dolly the sheep, the most famous clone ever! We’ll also talk about why people think it would be ethically wrong to clone humans. But natural human clones DO exist! They’re called identical twins and even though they share the same DNA, they can be quite different. We’ll meet two identical twins to talk about their differences, plus an all new Mystery Sound for your ears!

This episode was sponsored by;

• Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com - Contact Mathnasium for a free in-center or online consultation.)




• Thrive Market (Thrive.com/brains - Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.)

Concrete is so much more than just a sidewalk. We use it to build playgrounds and skateparks and even musical instruments! But how does it go from a powder to a sludge to the strong building material that we use all over the world? And can we come up with new recipes that are better for the environment?

To celebrate this superlative substance, Molly and cohost Mark are joined by special guest Concreature, a being from the concrete dimension! Tune in for a dose of history, some magnificent moss, and some hot, hot science.

Ancient Egyptians did lots of amazing things, from building pyramids to inventing a form of writing called hieroglyphics. They also mummified important people after they died. In this episode, we’ll explain how that process was done and why. We’ll also meet a museum curator who thinks it might be time to rethink how we study mummified people.

Plus, we’ll find out why so many things from ancient Egypt are still around, meet a biker club that loves respecting other cultures and hear an all new Mystery Sound.

Do insects see the world in slow motion? Do animals see the same rainbow we do? How do eagles see so far away?

Our listeners have a lot of questions about the way animals see the world, and this episode tackles lots of them. We'll visit a lab where scientists are observing predatory insects to find out how their brains work, we'll drop in on the Eyes Open Wider support group for animals, and give you a catchy melody that will help you remember the electromagnetic spectrum -- that's all the light that's both visible and invisible to us.

This episode was sponsored by:

• Elfster (Elfster.com/podcast - Set up a free Secret Santa gift exchange.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - Sign up for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features.)




• Storyworth (Storyworth.com/brains - Save $10 on your first purchase.)




• WOW in the World podcast by Wondery

Do you like games? Do you like space? Then this is the episode for you! We’ve got five space-inspired games for you: Cosmic Couplets, Infini-Trivia, First Things First, Stars in Space or Pasta Shapes and, of course, Mystery Sounds! Plus we’ll hear some of the super catchy, dance-your-pants-off space jingles you’ve been sending to us! Get your astronaut gear on, gaze up at the cosmos and get ready to play along!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Elfster (Elfster.com/podcast - Set up a free Secret Santa gift exchange.)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - For a $100 sponsored job credit Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for a limited time.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - Click for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features.)




• Storyworthy (Storyworth.com/brains - Save $10 on your first purchase.)




• WOW in the World podcast by Wondery

Every time you flush, your poo and pee start an epic journey. From the toilet, to the sewers, to a treatment plant, our waste travels quite a distance only to end up cleaner by the end. We'll hear from a "PooTube" star about her experience with "the flush." We'll also hear about ancient sewers, a "fatberg" under London and a toilet that cleans waste on site. Plus, our Moment of Um answers why you can feel your heart beating in your neck of all places.

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - For a $100 sponsored job credit Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for a limited time.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - For a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features.)

When most bodies get hot, sweat starts pouring out. Why? In this episode, we'll hop in the Amazing Truck of Minimization (ATOM) to see how sweat glands work from the inside out, take a peek back in time to figure out how we evolved to be so sweaty, and we'll find out if there are any other animals as sweaty as we are. All that plus a brand new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - For a $100 sponsored job credit Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for a limited time.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)

Become a Smarty Pass subscriber today to access bonus episodes and ad-free episodes of Brains On!, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago -- all right here in your favorite podcast player.

Visit smartypass.org/brainson to get your Smarty Pass! It's $4/month or $36/year (a three-month discount!)

Don't worry: This feed will stay free and we’ll be posting new episodes just like we always have.

Whether you choose to subscribe, or keep listening in our free feeds, we so appreciate you listening to our shows and being a part of the Brains On universe.

Thank you so much for your support!

The full moon is bright, beautiful, and reappears in the sky like clockwork. Many cultures use the full moon to mark the passing of time and organize calendars around the moon’s cycle. So why does the full moon also have a reputation for causing mischief and mayhem? In this episode, we’ll learn where some of these beliefs come from and investigate whether the full moon actually does affect humans and our behavior. We’ll also hear about folklore tied to the full moon and examine how the moon’s phases work. All that plus a brand new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - For a $100 sponsored job credit Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for a limited time.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)

We listen to music with our ears – and that amazing electric meatball between our ears: our brain! But why do our brains find some music scary?

We’re born with some fears baked into our brains, because our ancestors thought they were scary too! That’s why sudden loud noises startle us sometimes. But there’s another reason certain sounds freak us out – we’ve been taught to find them scary.

We’ll hear how composer Heather McIntosh uses these fears to write scary film scores, and we’ll explore some of the ways scary sounds make their way into music with pianist and musical magician, Jae Kyo Han. Plus an extra mysterious mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com - Contact Mathnasium for a free in-center or online consultation)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - For a $100 sponsored job credit Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for a limited time.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - For a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - Save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - Get 20% off your first purchase)

This episode was sponsored by:

• Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com - contact Mathnasium for a free in-center or online consultation)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - For a $100 sponsored job credit Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for a limited time.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)

Today’s episode is all about one of the most dynamite dinosaurs, the Brontosaurus! This long-necked icon has been featured in books, cartoons, movies, and even logos. But did the Brontosaurus really exist in the first place? We’ll dig into that question and uncover the history of Brontosaurus with science writer and bronto-enthusiast Riley Black. We’ll also learn about taxonomy from a ghost and catch up with Mr. Bone Jangles. Plus, a new mystery sound to discover!

Don’t forget to check out Forever Ago, where we have a companion episode to this Brontosaurus tale. It’s called The Bone Wars: A dino-discovery duel, and it’s all about two competing paleontologists, who get a little carried away.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com - contact Mathnasium for a free in-center or online consultation)




• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - For a $100 sponsored job credit Terms and conditions apply. Offer good for a limited time.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)

In this episode we check out three different zoos after visitors leave and the gates are locked. We’ll hear about some adventurous penguins, learn how chimps tuck themselves in and find out why it’s important to smell a gorilla first thing in the morning. Oh, and did you know sometimes zoo animals need a ride from the airport? All this and a brand new mystery sound!

This episode is sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - to start hiring now. Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)

Picture this: a pickle with a cowboy hat. It has cute little arms and legs -- let’s make them orange. And this pickle is riding a horse on the beach as the sun sets. #PickleLife, am I right? Now think about this: you just imagined that whole scene in your head!

Imagination can engage every one of our senses. It sprouts from the things we’ve experienced in life, then collages itself into new thoughts… like a pickle on a horse. This episode goes into the far reaches of the brain and examines how imagination works and what role it plays in our lives. If you want a fun game to play with friends, try an Imagine Off. That’s when you take turns trying to come up with something that nobody else can imagine. We’ll also meet some of our listeners’ imaginary friends and learn why some people have these companions. U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón also stops by and tells us how she puts her imagination to use. Plus, there’s a brand new Mystery Sound to guess.

We always love hearing from you. Keep sending in your questions, drawings and Mystery Sounds. We’re currently looking for your best jingle about space. If you have an out-of-this-world tune about space, record it and send it to us at www.brainson.org/contact.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - to start hiring now. Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)

Today we're looking at why there are so many different ways to pronounce the same words and where our accents come from. How did British and American accents become different? Why do some kids have different accents than their parents? We're going to answer these questions and find out how our accents tell the stories of our communities and our ancestors. Plus: A brand new mystery sound!

This episode is sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - to start hiring now. Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)




• Love Ur Self (LUSBrands.com - use promo code BRAINS to get 15% off your first purchase of $50 or more)

Have you ever noticed that different people have different scents? Go on, sniff your friend, we’ll wait. Today’s episode dives nose-first into what makes up our personal scents. With the help of Candace, a one-of-a-kind candle maker interested in making podcast-scented candles, we get the lowdown on body odor. We’ll also hear about super-sniffing animals and some other creatures that thrive on stink. And there’s a new Mystery Sound -- this one is definitely not a stinker!

This episode is sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - to start hiring now. Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)




• Love Ur Self (LUSBrands.com - use promo code BRAINS to get 15% off your first purchase of $50 or more of their products for curly hair)

Glass is a magic thing that is both solid as a wall and clear as the air. It starts out as sand and with tons of heat, and a few key ingredients, it becomes the super useful material we know and love. In this episode we look at how glass is made, why it's clear and how nature  makes glass too. Plus, hear about Sanden's latest invention and guess the all new Mystery Sound.

This episode is sponsored by

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - to start hiring now. Terms and conditions apply. Cost per application pricing not available for everyone.)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - Get 20% off your first purchase.)

Today’s episode has something for everyBODY. It's the Body Bonanza where we answer a ton of your questions about our human bodies! This time around, we’ll hear from some of our favorite body parts: the heart beats, the stomach rumbles, the appendix writes a poem. The ear brings us a new Mystery Sound, a foot gives us the lowdown on how it falls asleep, the tongue sings a song… and there’s even an appearance from the “anti-mouth.” Wow!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - to receive a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job posting)

• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Shopify (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)

We've all had to deal with stress. It can feel bad and overwhelming, but it’s actually really important. In this episode, we'll hear why our bodies evolved to deal with danger in this way and how it still affects us today. We'll climb a metaphorical mountain to find out how stress can help us sometimes. Oh, and there are lots of monsters that suddenly showed up a Brains On headquarters and maybe they were released by an ancient artifact and no one can find the instruction manual and ohmigoodness the monsters have gotten into the kitchen and what is that smell and oh no what just crashed and why isn't anyone helping deal with these monsters????

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - to receive a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job posting)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)




• Outschool (Outschool.com/brains - save $15 on your child's first class)




• Bombas (Bombas.com/brainson - get 20% off your first purchase)




• Little Passports (Littlepassports.com/BRAINS – 20% off for new customers)

The ocean is huge and full of wonders, so it's no surprise our listeners have lots of question about it. In this episode we'll travel to the bottom of the ocean to find out what the ocean floor is made of, and learn how geologist Marie Tharp helped us understand how amazing it is. We'll also delve into why the ocean is salty but lakes and rivers aren't, and sing along with the Salty Sea Shanty. Plus a brand new mystery sound!

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (indeed.com/BRAINSON - to receive a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job posting)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - for a free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)

  
  

You've probably seen photos from your first birthday. Or maybe you heard about the time you got spaghetti sauce all over the walls when you were two. The grown ups around you remember these things, so why can't you? In this episode, we'll find out how our brains store memories and why we can't hang on to those early ones. Plus: a brand new mystery sound and a preview of everyone's favorite soap opera, The Young and the Toothless.

This episode was sponsored by:

• Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job posting)




• Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson - Free 14-day trial and full access to Shopify's entire suite of features)

We’re thrilled to share an episode from our pals at Million Bazillion. Take a peek at the fascinating world of online video makers and the role money plays.

A listener wants to know how the creators of his favorite online videos get paid. It’s a surprisingly complicated question, and Ryan and Bridget have to go viral themselves to find out the answer. Accompanied by their new dog and a bunch of influencers, we’ll learn all about the wild economics of online videos. Put on your tap-dancing shoes, we’re making content!

Raise a curtain. Cue the lights. It’s the most most-tacular night. It’s The Mosties! The Brains Brains On favorites, Bob, Gungador, Elevator and HARVEY have all made it out to celebrate superlatives.

The Mosties is an awards show of the extreme. Tonight’s categories include: Biggest Plant, Fastest Organism, Strongest Glue, Oldest Animal and Oldest Music. And don’t forget to stick around for a Mystery Mostie (aka Mystery Sound). And the winner is… ???

This is our last episode of this season but we’ll be back in August with more new episodes. Until then, Forever Ago is coming back June 1st and Smash Boom Best will be back July 7th. Remember, you can listen to Moment of Um every weekday too! Plus, the Brains On books are always around to keep you company -- you can buy them at brainson.org/books

This episode was sponsored by:

Outschool (Outschool.com/brains for $15 off your child’s first class)

Insect Lore (Insectlore.com)

Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson for a 14 day free trial)

Galileo Camps (Galileo-camps.com promo code: FUNSUMMER2022 for $100 off camp)

Pinna (Pinna.fm/brainson promo code: BRAINSON for 50% off your first payment of full access)

Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com)

We are so excited to share that our podcast, Forever Ago, is returning for a brand new season!

If you didn’t get a chance to hear the first season, Forever Ago is a history show for the whole family hosted by Joy Dolo - where every episode looks into the surprising and fascinating history of things we think are ordinary but they’re not - like ice cream flavors, video games, baths and umbrellas.

We think you’ll really like it and we have the trailer of the new season for you to check out! Make sure to subscribe to Forever Ago wherever you get your podcasts and listen to all the episodes from season 1 to get ready. New episodes come out on June 1st! 

You dream every night, even if you don't remember them. But why? We'll hop on a wild ride to go inside the brain and see which parts help create these often fantastical images and storylines. We'll also learn how to take control of our dreams and how they make us more creative. Plus: a new mystery sound and a Moment of Um answers the question "How do octopuses make ink?"

Today’s episode is sponsored by

• Insectlore.com




• Shopify.ca/brainson – for a free 14 day trial and full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features




• Galileo-camps.com – use code FUNSUMMER2022 for $100 off camp




• PINNA.FM/BRAINSON and use promo code BRAINSON for 50% off your first payment when you sign up for Pinna full access

You can support the show at brainson.org/donate, check out our merch at brainson.org/shop or buy our books at brainson.org/books. You can also join our free fan club at brainson.org/fanclub

Why is it so hard to say sentences like: she sells sea shells at the sea shore? This episode cracks the code of tongue twisters. Check out the role mouth shapes and vocal folds play in tongue twisters. Stefanie Shattuck-Hufnagel will share her research into tongue twisters and how she came up with some of the hardest sentences for people to say. We also have a report on “the late eight,” a group of sounds that can be tough to say — and quite confounding when combined.

Also, be sure to check out our listener-submitted tongue twisters — some you may have heard before, others are brand new to the world! Stick around for a stumper of a Mystery Sound too!

This episode was sponsored by:

Insect Lore (insectlore.com)

Shopify (shopify.com/brainson for a free 14 day trial)

Galileo Camps (galileo-camps.com promo code: FUNSUMMER2022 for $100 off camp)

Pinna (pinna.fm/brainson promo code: BRAINSON for 50% off your first full-access payment)

Caterpillars go through a striking transformation from a crawly, tube-like creature into a soaring, beautifully-winged butterfly. This process is called metamorphosis and it’s no wonder our listeners have lots of questions about it. We’ll find out exactly how a caterpillar transforms (spoiler alert: it doesn’t just grow a pair of wings), and we’ll go on a house-hunting journey with two caterpillars searching for their pupation stations. Plus, a pretty tricky mystery sound for you to guess!

This episode was sponsored by:

Insect Lore (insectlore.com)
Shopify (shopify.com/brainson for a 14 day trial)
Galileo Camps (Galileo-camps.com - promo code: FUNSUMMER2022 for $100 off camp)
Pinna (Pinna.fm/BrainsOn - promo code: BRAINSON for 50% off your first payment when you sign up for Pinna full access)

You can find micro-animals just about everywhere. They’re on your face and in your hair. They’re in puddles and in soil. One of the most famous of these microscopic creatures is the tardigrade.

This episode zooms in on these adorable little animals, also known as moss piglets and water bears. The biggest tardigrade is about the size of the tip of a sharpened pencil, but most are smaller. More like the width of a hair. They’re kinda like a squishy pillow with eight legs, four on each side, with finger-like little claws at the end of each leg. And a round, snout-like opening on its face.

Jasmine Nirody tells us what she’s learned about these cuties through her research. She’s watched hundreds of hours of tardigrade videos. Way better than YouTube, right? We’ll also hear about where you can find tardigrades, how they live and why we’ve sent them to space.

Don’t forget to check out the brand new Mystery Sound too. If you’re near Los Angeles or St. Paul, you still have time to check out Brains On Live: Your Brain Is Magic. Molly, Marc and Sanden will wow you with magic, jokes and dancing. Ticket info is at brainson.org/events.

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON)

Novo (Novo.co/BRAINS)

Insect Lore (Insectlore.com)

Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson)

Galileo Camps (Galileo-camps.com – promo code: FUNSUMMER2022 for $100 off camp)

Little Passports (Littlepassports.com/BRAINS – 20% off for new customers)

Pinna (Pinna.fm/BRAINSON - promo code BRAINSON)

Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com)

How do hurricanes form? This episode dives into the eye of the hurricane to track down that answer and so much more. We also talk to hurricane hunter Major Joyce Hirai, who flies airplanes into hurricanes as part of the Air Force’s Weather Reconnaissance team. Also, we learn how humans have figured out how to be resilient in the face of increasing hurricanes (and hear from our friend Manuel the Mangrove). And get your dancing shoes on, because we’ve got a catchy tune that explains how hurricanes are named. All that plus a new Mystery Sound to tickle your ears.

Don’t forget to record your favorite tongue twister for an upcoming episode. Upload it to our contact page by May 1, 2022 for a chance to be included in the episode.

Sponsors for this episode include:

Insect Lore (Insectlore.com)

Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson)

Galileo Camps (Galileo-camps.com promo code: FUNSUMMER2022)

Can people actually read minds? Can we move objects with our brains like in the movies? We're exploring the history of shady psychics, sketchy seances, and secret superpower studies. Plus, hear from a scientist who is helping people regain the ability to pick up and move objects through the combined power of their brains and a special computer!

You can support our show by donating, buying our book or telling your friends about us! Head to brainson.org

If you’re in Los Angeles or the Twin Cities and want to see us live, you can get tickets here: brainson.org/events

Today’s episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (indeed.com/BRAINSON) – to claim $75 dollar sponsored job credit before April 30th

Little Passports (littlepassports.com/BRAINS)

Insect Lore (insectlore.com)

Shopify (shopify.com/brainson)

We’re headed off to an owl sanctuary to meet up with Nolan the know-it-owl for a special night owl Tour. We hear the sound of owl wings and check out some super-tubular owl eye facts. Find out how owls can swivel their heads 270 degrees and why their ears are at uneven spots on their heads. We’ll meet a poetry-loving barn owl named Olive, who fills us in on why owls are considered wise. Fun fact: owls are sometimes classified by their sounds -- bigger owls are hooters and smaller owls are tooters!

Special Thanks to the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the owl sounds used in this episode:

Jian Diego Fernández / Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML420855751)
Paul Marvin / Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML97928071)
Bob McGuire / Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML188805)
Wil Hershberger / Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML100707)
Gerrit Vyn / Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML140258)
Thomas G. Sander / Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML125346)
William R. Fish / Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (ML22874)

This episode was sponsored by:

Insect Lore (Insectlore.com)

Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson)

Forget those fancy awards shows. This episode of Brains On is exploding with the stars. Find out how each of us is related to these beautifully bright beacons. Plus, we’ll consider what happens when gravity weighs down on a star over millions, and even billions, of years. We’ll also meet a star detective, who was able to witness an exploding star (aka supernova). All that and a stellar, new Mystery Sound to tickle your ears. Now, let’s blast off!!!

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON)

Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen.org/brainson Promo code: SAVE10)

Staples (Staplesconnect.com/printbig)

Insect Lore (Insectlore.com)

Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson)

This episode is a real stinker, but it had to happen. We go behind the scenes on what makes butts and poop so funny. Why does the mere mention of them make us laugh?

We all have butts and we all poop. Those are the facts. But human butts are different than almost any other animal. We look into the evolution of butts, and find out how our senses of humor develop when we're kids. And we hear from comic Tim Platt on why he thinks butts and poop will always be funny. Plus, we’ll check in with Channel 2’s Bowel Action News team for some fast feces facts. Don’t forget to tune up your ears with the Mystery Sound.

One more thing… who farted?

This episode is sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/ BRAINSON)

Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen.org/brainson promo code: SAVE10)

Staples (Staplesconnect.com/printbig)

Little Passports (Littlepassports.com/BRAINS)

Novo business banking (novo.co/brains)

Insect Lore (insectlore.com)

The immune system is so cool and so important but it largely goes about its business without us knowing it. In this episode you'll get a front row seat as our immune cells (aka friendly monsters) fight off bacteria and viruses (aka bad robots). We'll also find out how vaccines provide important training for our immune cells. Plus, co-host Colin quizzes Molly on immune system facts and there's a brand new mystery sound!

This episode was brought to you by

Indeed (indeed.com/BRAINSON)

Interlochen Center for the Arts (interlochen.org/brainson Code: SAVE10)

Staples Connect (staplesconnect.com/printbig)

Little Passports (littlepassports.com/BRAINS)

What’s up with worms? How do they sleep? Why are they slimy? How do they move? Here at Brains On, the only way to find out is to embark on an EPIC QUEST!

Join co-host Ezra and the worm adventurer extraordinaire Sir Wormus on a journey to find the Golden Worm, a magical artifact! On the way, they’ll learn all about the noble earthworm from the Tome of Worms, a magic book containing all the knowledge of worm expert Emma Sherlock from the Natural History Museum in London!

Will our heroes find the Golden Worm? Will they select a squirrel’s perfect snack? Will they solve the riddle of the Mystery Sound? There’s only one way to find out. Come on, friends, it’s time to go a-questing!

You can support our show by donating (brainson.org/donate), buying our books (brainson.org/books), or telling your friends about the show!

This episode was sponsored by:

Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen.org/BrainsOn Code: Save10)
Staples (Staples.com/printbig)

The ExPLORERR was built to go everywhere. That’s why this vehicle’s full name is: the Extremely Practical Land and Ocean Rover Exploring Remote Realms. And guess what? It has a recording studio built on-board! Good thing, because this episode was recorded while traveling up, up, up a mountain!

We discover some wildlife that lives at great heights as well as a rhyming ice cream salesman. Our pal and atmospheric scientist, Dr. Deanna Hence checks in to answer a popular question: if hot air rises, why is it so cold in the mountains? BRRRR! We also hear from NASA’s Dr. Dalia Kirschbaum, who has mountains of information about how mountains form.

Of course, there’s a fun Mystery Sound for you’re ears to explore! And lastly, but not leastly, our two new books came out today. Head to our books page to find out more about Road Trip Earth and Earth Friend Forever.

This episode was sponsored by:

Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen.org/BrainsOn)

Staples (Staples.com)

There are many different types of snow. From the fluffy to the slushy, this slippery frozen stuff comes in all different shapes and sizes. 

From a distance, snowflakes may all look the same, but they are not. In fact, there are lots of different shapes of snowflakes — not just those classic shapes you might try to replicate with paper cut-outs.

In this episode, Dr. Ken Libbrecht answers all of our snowflake questions: How are snowflakes made? Why are they different shapes? How is it that they’re all unique? And how does a scientist who lives in southern California study snow? And, he also lets us in on his brush with a couple Arendelle princesses.

Plus our pal Ruby Guthrie pays her local ski slope to visit a snow-making machine called “Kevin.” And of course, there’s a new Mystery Sound to warm your ears.

If you’re looking for some fun snowflake activities to do at home, Ken’s provided this great list — and you don’t need to live in a cold climate for all of them: http://www.snowcrystals.com/activities/activities.html

This episode was sponsored by:

Shopify (Shopify.com/brainson)

Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINSON)

Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen.org/brainson)

It might sound impossible, but you can walk around the world! Rosie Swale-Pope has done it, and we get a chance to hear about her adventures in this episode. She tells us how she survives, and remains upbeat, on the road. Guess how many shoes she went through on her trip? Listen and find out.

We also hear from D’Wayne Edwards, who helped design some of the most iconic shoes ever (Air Jordan anyone?). And see if you can guess the Mystery Sound. It’s a doozy! Plus, Molly, Marc and Sanden begin their own journey as they travel through the planet for their new book Road Trip Earth!

Pre-order the Brains On books at brainson.org/books

This episode was sponsored by:

Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

Truebill (Truebill.com/BRAINSON)

Interlochen Center for the Arts (Interlochen.org/BrainsOn)

Marshmallows, lollipops, gummi bears -- we want them all! But we’ve all heard that eating a lot of sugar isn’t that healthy for us. So what’s the deal? Why do we like sugar so much in the first place? We’ll find out why our bodies evolved to seek out sweet things, and how clever humans invented a way to make food even sweeter. And we’ll get to the bottom of a confectionary conundrum from our co-host Zoe: are sugar rushes a real thing? Plus: Sanden cooks up some very sweet schemes and we have a new mystery sound for you to guess!

This episode is sponsored by:
Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

Indeed (indeed.com/brainson)

Get ready to learn the science behind the multiverse! That’s the idea that our universe isn’t the only universe out there. What if there were other, different universes existing alongside our own? Ones with different laws of physics, different planets and stars… or maybe even different versions of us!

In this episode we explain a few different theories behind this popular idea. Plus, we’ll learn some quantum mechanics, hear about string theory and meet many different versions of Sanden. All that and a brand new Mystery Sound!

Today’s episode is sponsored by Truebill (truebill.com/brainson) and Shopify (shopify.com/brainson). You can support the show by donating at brainson.org/donate or pre-order our books at brainson.org/books.

Tell us about the place you’d like to make sure you see during your trip around the world at brainson.org/contact

Wow, wow, wow! Our new Moment of Um podcast is finally here. Check out this sample episode, and subscribe to Moment of Um in your podcast player. There are already five episodes just waiting for you to listen, and there’s a new one every weekday.

Do you have a head-scratcher that you think would make a great Moment of Um episode? Head over to BrainsOn.org/contact to let us know about it.

We're super excited for you to hear our newest podcast: Moment of Um!

What’s that? You’ve already heard of Moment of Um featured on Brains On! You’re correct, congratulations! Moment of Um has been answering head scratchers for years on Brains On. Since our listeners send in so many Moment of Um questions, we thought it was time to give it a podcast of its own.

Bitesized episodes drop every weekday, starting January 24th. Follow on your favorite podcast app or YouTube.

In space, will a feather stay still? Fall down? Float away? Turns out, the answer depends on where you are! But one thing affects your feather no matter what: gravity! So Galileo is joining us all the way from the 1500s to fill us in on his theory about gravity. Then, we’re heading to space, and dropping a feather in a few different places to see what happens. Listen closely for a listener-submitted mystery sound, and a moment of um that answers this question: If you pick a flower, fruit or vegetable, is it still alive or is it dead?

This episode is sponsored by Flip and Mozi's Guide to How to be an Earthling.

To support the show, head to Brainson.org/donate

Today’s episode is all about your belly button aka navel aka umbilicus. And not just your belly button -- every single person you can think of has one. This means our listeners have LOTS of questions about them. We're going to tackle several of these fascinating navel-gazing questions like: is your belly button connected to your insides? Where does belly button fuzz come from? Why do some belly buttons stick out? And do cats and dogs have belly buttons? Plus, we have a tricky mystery sound for you to guess and a Moment of Um that answers the question: How do carrots grow if they don't have seeds?

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (indeed.com/brainson)

Kids over 5 can now get a COVID vaccine in the U.S. We know a lot of you have been waiting for this day and lots of you have sent us questions about the vaccine since the pandemic started: like what's in the COVID vaccine? How does it work? How do scientists know it's safe? And even if the vaccine isn’t available to you where you live yet, this episode will answer those questions -- and there are some fun games you can play along with us!

If you have more questions about how COVID, the vaccines or anything else, you can send them to us here.

Plus we've got some tips for how to distract yourself if you're feeling nervous, and an original song designed to help you shake that arm after the shot so it doesn't get as sore. Dance those ouchies away!

Also: Three (3!) mystery sounds and a Moment of Um that answers the question: How does concrete harden?

• Find the rest of our episodes about the coronavirus and COVID vaccines here.

And you can learn more about the vaccine trials for kids in this episode:

In this episode, we’re asking sharks to say “aaaah”, and taking a close look at their chompers. We’ll see how shark teeth grow, and what those teeth can teach us about sharks of the past. We’ll also play a game of Jaws Jeopardy, and find out how sharks help keep the ocean helping with their super snacking. Stick around for a listener-submitted mystery sound and a Moment of Um: why does steam rise in the air?

This episode was sponsored by:

Shopify (shopify.com/brainson)

Just in time for spooky season, it’s an episode all about superstitions! Do you avoid the number 13? Or maybe it’s your lucky number, like Taylor Swift? In this episode we’ll look at why we have such strong feelings toward 13, and we’ll hear about other unlucky and lucky numbers around the world. Plus, Marc and Sanden will explain why our brains latch on to superstitions in the first place. Oh, and our favorite talking skeleton, Mr. Bonejangles, is back with a spine-tingling quiz! All that and a Moment of Um that answers the question: do cockroaches have hearts?

This episode was sponsored by

The Who, When, Wow! podcast (Who, When, Wow!)

This episode shines a light on crystals, and they’re sparkling right back at us! We’ll zoom way in on a diamond to understand the structure that makes crystals special, and hear about some unexpected crystals, too (hint: chocolate chip cookies contain a few different crystals!). Then, we take a look at how crystals form and get their cool colors. Plus, Marc and Sanden hunt down a hoax about Mesoamerican crystal skulls.

And! A mystery sound and a moment of um: why does sugar taste sweet?

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (indeed.com/brainson)

In many places, tree squirrels are extra busy these days. It’s time for them to collect nuts to prepare for winter! So we’re heading to a squirrel-themed adventure course and practicing a few of the skills they use to survive: gathering nuts, traveling in trees, and speaking like a squirrel. We’ll also learn about how squirrels evolved, and hear about some of their surprising relatives.

Plus, a mystery sound and a moment of um: what chemical in apples mixes with oxygen to turn brown?

You can support the show at brainson.org/donate or check out our merch (including the Brains On book) at brainson.org/shop

Eighteen months into our fight with this coronavirus, it may feel frustrating that we're still in this battle, but there are many reasons to feel hopeful. One reason is that we know a lot about this virus now and have plenty of tools to fight it. We meet the superheroes prepared to help us defeat the coronavirus: Sgt. Socially Distanced, the Masked Mentor, the Testmaster and the Vaxinator! Plus: Gilly, one half of the hit podcast Going Viral with Kara and Gilly, and a special guest explain what a virus variant is and how the delta variant is different from the original coronavirus. Also, journalist Sarah Zhang helps us understand how the pandemic could end.

All that, plus a new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question "How do skunks spray their stink?"

After getting a firsthand look at the history of trash, we’re having visions from garbage’s present and future this week. Producer Kunsang Dorjee visits a landfill to see what happens to our trash after we throw it away, and producer Ruby Guthrie shows us how we can make less trash and dispose the trash we do make in ways that are better for the planet. Plus: we hear from a kid who helped her class produce almost no waste during the school year. And our Moment of Um answers the question: if ants like sweet things, why don’t they attack beehives?

This episode was sponsored by:

Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

A pair of ghost shoes visit Molly with a message: it's time to think about garbage. They predict that Molly will be visited by three visions of garbage, one from the past, one from the present and one from the future.

Today, Producer Sanden Totten takes us on a time traveling journey to see how we started making all this trash in the first place. Plus: the Moment of Um answers the question: Are yawns contagious to animals?

Next week, we'll be back with a look at the present and future of garbage.

This episode was sponsored by:

Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com)

Breathing is a really cool thing. We breathe automatically without thinking about it, but we can also control our breath and play with it. We'll learn how our lungs work and why our bodies need this air in the first place. We'll also hear from a singer and a free diver about how they've trained their breath to do remarkable things -- and how you can too! And we'll talk to a doctor about how deep breathing can help you feel less stressed and she'll teach us an exercise you can do whenever anxiety starts to creep up. Plus: Our Moment of Um answers the question: what is the smallest unit of measurement?

This episode was sponsored by

Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

When one of our listeners wrote in with an animal sound mystery (What sound does a giraffe make?) we set out to find an answer. We came back with lots of other fascinating animal sounds, so we decided it was time for an all-animal mystery sound extravaganza! Open up your ears and get ready to play!

Plus, our Moment of Um answers the question: Why do daddy long legs have such long legs?

Our sponsors:

Indeed (Indeed.com/brainson)

KiwiCo (KiwiCo.com/brainson)

Today we’re looking at a phenomenon that happens to all of us: losing our baby teeth and getting new ones! So how do our teeth grow in and what makes them fall out? Naturally, a group of wandering teeth helps us explain. We'll also find out why we have two sets of teeth in the first place. A chatty tooth travel agent will introduce us to all the different ways to send our baby teeth off in style and we'll play a game that will test your knowledge of animal teeth. Plus, the Moment of Um answers the question "Why do bees make a buzzing sound?"

You can support Brains On at brainson.org/fans — there you can donate, join our free fan club, check out our merch or buy our book!

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (indeed.com/brainson)

Bobby Wonder podcast (gokidgo.com or subscribe to Bobby Wonder on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts)

A fire can be super useful or cozy or even magical. But it can also be dangerous -- and in the case of wildfires, if they burn long and hot enough, they can destroy ecosystems and send lots of harmful smoke into the air.

In this episode, we're going to find out why wildfires are getting bigger and why wildfire season is lasting longer now. We'll learn how the tribes who've lived in what is now called Northern California managed the forests and kept fire in check for thousands of years, and how those practices are being used today.

We'll hear from a friendly house about how to stay safe from smoke inside and find out how firefighters work to contain fires once they've started.

Plus, our Moment of Um answers the question: Is the name of a letter considered a word?

This episode is sponsored by Bobby Wonder, a podcast from GoKidGo. You can support Brains On at brainson.org/fans — there you can donate, join our free fan club, check out our merch or buy our book!

Today we’re sharing an episode with you from our friends at Million Bazillion, the podcast that answers the questions kids have about money. They help dollars make more sense and they’re back for a whole new season! 

 In today’s episode, hosts Jed and Bridget answer a question from two curious listeners who want to know why we pay taxes. In answering the question, they come across the legendary Robin Hood, known for his hatred of taxes. Back in his day, tax-collecting sheriffs forced people to pay money to a king, who decided how those taxes were spent. These days our tax system works a bit differently. We get to vote for people who’ll spend that money on things we care about — like schools and libraries, health care for elderly people, police, parks, sewers and so on. With the help of a rambling troubadour and a tax policy expert, Jed and Bridget teach Robin Hood that the way tax dollars are spent today reflects what we prioritize as a society. Plus, we’ll ask random kids some not-so-random questions.

Million Bazillion is a collaboration between Brains On and Marketplace. It’s hosted by Jed Kim and Bridget Bodnar. You can listen to more episodes here, or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, we're tackling all the mosquito questions that have been bugging our listeners. Why do they bite? Why do the bites itch? Is scratching them a good idea? Why do some people seem to be more delicious to mosquitoes? How can we keep them away from us? And are mosquitoes good for the world? The Hoax Hunters make an appearance plus the Moment of Um answers the question, "What is a solar flare?"

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed (Indeed.com/brainson)

You know that feeling where you get a snippet of a song stuck in your head and it loops over and over? Those hard to shake songs are also known as earworms, and in this episode Molly has a particularly sticky one in her brain.

We'll find out why some songs are catchier than others and, most importantly, scientifically-proven ways to get rid of them.

Plus, we'll hear a mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: "Do spiders have bones?"

Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson) and you can listen to Million Bazillion wherever you get your podcasts.

You can support Brains On at brainson.org/fans — there you can check out our merch, join our free fan club, donate or buy our book!

Adults around the world are getting vaccinated against the coronavirus, and now, in a handful of countries (including the U.S.) kids over 12 can get vaccinated too.

We hear from a 13-year-old who participated in a clinical trial for a vaccine and get tips for how to navigate the world when only some people in your family are able to be vaccinated. Plus, Kara and Gilly share expert advice on how to handle big feelings as the world starts to open back up.

And a new Moment of Um answers the question: What are eye boogers?

Find out more about how mRNA vaccines and clinical trials work in our previous episodes:

A super special shot: All about coronavirus vaccines: https://www.brainson.org/episode/2021/01/26/a-super-special-shot-all-about-coronavirus-vaccines
What’s in the COVID vaccine?: https://www.brainson.org/story/2021/02/23/whats-in-the-covid-vaccine-transcript

Find all our coronavirus coverage right here: https://www.brainson.org/page/coronavirus

Today’s episode is sponsored by the podcast "Avatar: Braving the Elements”

You can support our show at brainson.org/fans

We treat dogs like they're part of the family. But do they know they are a different species, or do they think they're just short, four-legged people?

In this episode, canine cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz helps us puzzle out this question. We’ll also find out what happens (or doesn’t) when a dog looks in the mirror. Dogs are always dozing, and we’ll check in to see if they are dreaming too. And, we take a quick trip around the world in the language of barks.

All that, plus a brand new Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: “Why does the moon follow us?”

Today’s episode is sponsored by Hooked On Phonics (HookedOnPhonics.com/brainson). You can support the show at brainson.org/fans

There’s no better way to celebrate our 200th episode than with our own shining star: the sun! In this episode we speak with Dr. Nicola Fox, who leads a team of NASA scientists that sent a probe to collect data and zoom by the sun. We also hear some great listener suggestions on what new planet could be added to our solar system. We even get a chance to check in with The Sun and her weekly broadcast, That’s Hot.

Our 200th episode wouldn’t be complete without a visit from some of our favorite pals: Bob, Gungador, Harvey and Elevator! Of course there’s a new Mystery Sound too. And the Moment of Um comes just in time for mosquito season, because it answers the question: Why do we itch?

Thank you so much for helping us make 200 episodes! We could never have done it without your questions and encouragement, and we can’t wait to make 200 more!

This episode was sponsored by:

ID Tech (idtech.com/brainson)

Sakara (sakara.com/brainson)

GoHenry (gohenry.com promo code: brainson)

We’ve all played the “what does that cloud look like” game. Maybe you saw a bunny… or an airplane… or a unicorn. What if that same cloud could also be seen by someone in a far off continent? That’s what a listener in Minnesota wondered. He wanted to know if the same cloud he saw in a park near his house could also be seen in Africa.

We talk to Deanna Hence, one of our favorite weather experts, and she tells us about how clouds travel. We also dust off the Zoom Ray to learn about what is inside of a cloud. And have you ever noticed the similarities between cloud types, like cumulonimbus, and magic spells from Harry Potter? Well, we have, and we made a game out of it!

We also have a brand new Mystery Sound for your guessing pleasure and a Moment of Um that answers the question: Why do pugs have such scrunchy faces?

This episode was sponsored by:

Indeed.com (indeed.com/brainson)

There’s more to sloths than slowness. They’re great at saving energy, hanging upside down, and swimming! In this episode, Sloth Appreciation Society founder Lucy Cooke stops by to tell us all about these amazing animals. We also get into a sloth mystery: The Case of the Perilous Poop Journey. Luckily, there’s a sloth sleuth on the case. And sloths aren’t the only animals who aren’t in a hurry — a few others show off their slowest skills.

There’s also a Mystery Sound for you to guess, and a Moment of Um: Why do ostriches stick their heads in the ground?

This episode was sponsored by:

Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

KiwiCo (kiwico.com Promo code: BRAINSON)

If you translate “Hello! How are you?” to binary code, it looks like this: 01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 00100001 00100000 01001000 01101111 01110111 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00111111

This episode takes a look at how computers can do so much with such tiny parts. But computers weren't always small -- so we take a look at where computers came from. We visit Ada Lovelace, whose love of math and weaving paved the way for modern-day computers. And we hear about the material that let computers shrink from the size of a room to something that fits in our pockets. There’s also a visit from a yak and a ram, but you’re just going to have to listen to find out why.

All that plus a new Mystery Sound and Moment of Um that answers the question: what is the flavor of root beer?

This episode is sponsored by

Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com) and Sun Basket (sunbasket.com promo code: brains on)

 Brains On has a very special milestone coming up -- it’s almost our 200th episode! To celebrate, we're re-listening to our very first episode which was all about eating. We'll play the episode and chime in with commentary to give you some behind the scenes glimpses and backstories along the way. We’ll also hear an update from our very first co-host ever -- Ian Roberts, who is now a college student and an adult. Plus a brand new Moment of Um answers the question: Why do we have birthmarks?

This episode is sponsored by:

Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

GoHenry (gohenry.com promo code brainson)

That fuzzy sandwich in your fridge? Yeah, don't eat that kind of fungus. But the mushrooms in your stir fry? Or the yeast in your bread? Or the rind on your brie? Or the miso in your soup? All of those delicious foods are possible thanks to fungus!

In this episode, we'll learn about how our ancestors first figured it out some mushrooms were safe to eat, we'll learn about the microbes that make cheese possible, and we'll meet some fungal chefs who are key to cooking up some of our favorite foods. Plus a brand new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: "How does rubbing two sticks together make fire?"

This episode was sponsored by:

Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

Sakara (sakara.com/brainson)

Indeed (indeed.com/brainson)

Fungus deserves a party because it’s everywhere and super important to life on this planet. The kingdom of fungus includes mushrooms and molds, but also yeasts, like the kinds that help make bread. So today, we’re embracing the ick, we’re snuggling up to the slimy, we’re making friends with mold and mushrooms… It’s a full on Fung-o-Rama! We'll learn about a day in the life of mold, a fungus that turns ants into zombies, and how fungi will help us in the fight against climate change. All that, plus a brand new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: "How does air fry?"

This episode is sponsored by:

Purple(purple.com/brainson10 promo code brainson10)

KiwiCo (kiwico.com promo code brainson)

ID Tech (idtech.com/brainson code brainson)

Will we ever get to rewind time, or fast forward through it? Sanden stops by to tell us all about how time works. He also has a couple ideas about how we might make time travel a reality! But one tricky thing about time travel is that it’s full of paradoxes — so we look into those, too. And science fiction expert Lisa Yaszek swings by to tell us just how long humans have been thinking about time travel (hint: a really long time).

Listen closely for the mystery sound, and the moment of um: how do clothes get dirty even though you can’t see it?

Today’s episode is sponsored by: Mathnasium: (mathnasium.com) and Sun Basket (sunbasket.com/brainson - promo code: brains on)

What's that you hear? That's right, It's an episode of nothing but mystery sounds! Are your ears up to the challenge? Plus, we'll hear an answer to the question: "How do squirrels find their nuts after they bury them?"

If you'd like to submit a mystery sound, you can share it with us here: brainson.org/contact.

And, you can support the show at brainson.org/fans.

Or, you can also buy our book, complete with Mystery Photos, at brainson.org/shop or at your favorite local bookstore.

Today’s episode was sponsored by:

Sitka Salmon Shares (sitkashares.com/brainson)

Purple (purple.com/brainson10)

Screens are everywhere these days! We’re taking a look at why smartphones are so addictive, and how our devices affect us. Our co-hosts took on a bold challenge for this episode: they went a week without phones or tablets. We’ll hear how their experiment went, then Sanden will fill us in on the brain chemical that trains us to love our screens. We'll also learn why the predictability of messages and alerts on smartphones makes them extra hard to put down. Plus, we’ll get a few tips from Catherine Price, the author of How to Break Up With Your Phone. And! A our Moment of Um answers: why are bruises blue, and how do we get them?

This episode is sponsored by Wondery’s Little Stories Everywhere (https://wondery.com/shows/little-stories-everywhere/) and the FDA (fda.gov/FeedYourMind).

Did dinosaurs roar? Or meow? And how do we know? Paleontologist Julia Clarke stops by to talk about sounds T-Rex might’ve made. We know a bit more about other dino sounds, and dinosaur expert Riley Black fills us in on those. Plus, a game about dinosaur names, and a look at how dinos might’ve moved with paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor.

Stick around for the mystery sound, and a Moment of Um that answers this head-scratcher: How does hair dye work?

This episode was sponsored by:

Sun Basket (sunbasket.com/brainson promo code: brainson)

Mathnasium (mathnasium.com)

FDA (fda.gov/feedyourmind)

20 years ago, we pictured dinosaurs as green, scaly animals. But times have changed! Now, we know some dinosaurs had feathers. And who knows — maybe some even had stripes.

This episode looks at how we figure out what color dinosaurs might’ve been. We talk to Jingmai O’Connor, who studies fossil reptiles, about finding color pigment in fossils. And paleoartist Emily Willoughby talks to a “museum” about how her dino-depictions have changed over the years. 

Our co-host, Elyana, also brought us this important question: If dinosaurs evolved from birds and birds don’t fart, did dinosaurs fart? Wha-wha-what!?! Look no further than this episode for an extensive investigation.

Remember to keep your ears open for the brand new Mystery Sound. And break out your kilns, because today’s Moment of Um answers this question: How do you make clay for pottery?

There’s so much dino-tastic information that we decided to make a second dinosaur episode. So if you haven’t had enough (and who has?), make sure to check out next week’s show about what dinosaurs might have sounded like.

This episode is sponsored by:

Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com)

KiwiCo (kiwico.com checkout code: BRAINSON)

In this episode, we're using our zoom ray to zoom way in and answer your questions about the COVID vaccine. What's in the COVID vaccine? How does it work? And how do they make it? We'll also look at how our fight against the new coronavirus has had a huge impact on another virus: influenza. And, we'll head to a stadium to learn what 95% effective means for a vaccine. (Warning: There are seagulls overhead!)

Plus, we'll have a brand new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: what do scientists eat in Antarctica?

Read Katherine Wu’s article about what’s happening with the flu this year: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/02/covid-19-flu-season/617924/

Find the rest of our episodes about coronavirus here, including episodes on the vaccine, masks, social distancing, and how we’re processing this historic time: https://www.brainson.org/page/coronavirus

This episode is sponsored by: Sitka Salmon Shares (sitkasalmonshares.com/brainson) and Purple.com (Purple.com: purple.com/brainson10 promo code: brainson10)

In this encore episode, we answer the questions: How does the moon control the tides? Where do waves come from? And what’s it like to live in a tide pool?

Sir Isaac Newton drops by and drops some knowledge. He helps explain why the tides ebb and flow. Then, an oceanographer/surfer tells us where waves come from and how they get their shape – cowabunga! Plus we hear about what it’s like for marine life that move to a new neighborhood once or twice a day. Sometimes it’s underwater, sometimes it’s not. Plus a brand new Moment of Um answers the question: Why don’t our ears have bones? And there’s a new group of listeners to be added to the Brains Honor Roll.

This episode was originally published on Aug. 30, 2016.

This episode is sponsored by Sun Basket (sunbasket.com/brainson and promo code BRAINSON)

When you've got a crush on someone, it can feel a bit overwhelming. All of a sudden, you might have butterflies in your stomach! And maybe you find yourself acting differently than you normally would. Why does our brain do this to us anyway? In this episode, we'll answer a slew of your crush-related questions: Why do we get crushes? Why do they make you feel so many feelings? How do you decide who you have a crush on? Plus, how do you navigate all the tricky parts of crushes -- like your crush finding out you like them?

We tackle all these questions. Stick around for a Moment of Um that answers: "What would happened if it rained oobleck?"

HARVEY, our omnipresent virtual voice assistant, gets a software update that makes him go bananas for bananas. And if we talk about anything except bananas, he turns the microphones off! We talk to geneticist Dr. Janina Jeff about how much DNA we share with a banana, find out why bananas make other fruits ripen, how bananas grow, and where that slipping on a banana peel joke came from. Speaking of jokes, we'll hear a bunch of banana jokes from listeners too! Plus: The Moment of Um answers the question: "Why are peaches fuzzy?"

You can hear more from Dr. Jeff on her podcast In Those Genes.

Silent film expert Lea Stans has a wonderful blog post about the history of the banana peel joke that you can read right here. You can see some of those early comics that featured the joke! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch/RMDgmHB4znc

Today’s episode is sponsored by:

KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson code: BRAINSON)

Purple (purple.com/BRAINSON10 promo code BRAINSON10)

In December, people started getting vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a huge scientific accomplishment and important step in making it safe for us to hang out in person again. So how did scientists develop these vaccines so fast? And how did they test the vaccines to make sure they’re safe? And how do these mRNA vaccines work?

We have answers to all your questions, plus New York Times science journalist Apoorva Mandavilli explains what scientists have found out about how long immunity lasts to this new coronavirus. And Kara and Gilly are back with a cow-side chat about herd immunity. Plus: A new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question, "What would happen if the moon fell down onto earth?"

Today’s episode is sponsored by Sitka Salmon Shares (http://sitkasalmonshares.com/brainson)

Today we have a special episode featuring an old friend of ours -- scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao. Time Magazine recently named her the first-ever Kid of the Year!

We first met Gitanjali back in 2018, when she was the co-host for a series of episodes we did all about water. Back then, she was a 12 year old who had recently won 2017 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

Now, she's a very busy 15 year-old who is an inventor, STEM advocate and author. Molly and Gitanjali chat about how kids can turn their ideas into reality, and why kids shouldn't be afraid to share their viewpoints and skills with the world -- we need them!

Gitanjali has also written a book, which you can check out here.

Also, you can hear Gitanjali judge a very science-y Smash Boom Debate: Helium vs Neon!

Check out the water series that Gitanjali co-hosted:

• What’s in your water?




• The wonderful weirdness of water




• Keeping water healthy, one clue at a time




• Burning rivers of fire

Synthesizers are a very recent invention, especially when you compare them to acoustic instruments, like pianos and guitars. In this episode, we learn how these machines with keys, knobs, switches, buttons and sliders actually make sound. We’ll also travel back to the 1960’s and hear how synth pioneers like Bob Moog helped bring these sound making devices into the mainstream. Plus, we’ll check in with Suzanne Ciani, who has been using her synthesizer to create iconic sounds for movies, television and video games for over 50 years! All that plus a striking Mystery Sound and Moment of Um that answers the question: Do airplanes have a speed limit?

Want to take a deeper dive into the world of synthesizers? Check out Francis Preve’s digital book, AudioKit Synth One: The Ultimate Guid‪e‬. It’s free!

Today’s episode is sponsored by Sun Basket (sunbasket.com/brainson promo code: brainson)

If habits are really stuck, we don't think much about them -- we just do them! Some habits are good (like brushing your teeth in the morning) and others are not as good (like biting your nails).

Today we find out what parts of our brains help us form habits and why it's actually super useful to not have to think so hard about everything. Gungador tries to break a bad habit, and we find out the best tips for ditching habits we want to leave behind.

Plus: A brand new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: "How do 3D glasses work?


If you want to join the Brains On fan club and get a mailing of awesome temporary tattoos, have an adult sign up or update your mailing address at brainson.org/fanclub

Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com and promo code BRAINSON) and Purple (purple.com/brainson10 and promo code BRAINSON10).

We’ll be back with new episodes in January. But we wanted to share another show with you that we’ve been working on: Smash Boom Best!

It’s a debate show where we take two cool things, smash them together and let you decide which one is best. Today we’re sharing with you an excerpt from a debate featuring our very own Sanden Totten: Flowers vs Rainbows

Sanden is repping team flowers and our good friend Joy Dolo, host of Forever Ago, is arguing for team rainbows.

To hear the rest of the debate, find Smash Boom Best wherever you listen to podcasts. There are over 30 debates ready for your binge listening this holiday season! Play along at home by yourself -- or with your family! You can find score sheets and other fun stuff at smashboom.org

Bones! They’re spooky. They’re creepy. They’re utterly fascinating!

This episode we dig up the science behind skeletons. We’ll look at how our bones grow, what happens when we break a bone and why bones last so long. Plus, we’ll meet a talking skeleton who will help us bone up on bone trivia!

And we have a mystery sound to tickle your auditory ossicles and a Moment of Um that answers the question: Why does time fly when you're having fun?

We’re taking a break after this episode and will be back with new episodes on Jan. 5th. Until then, we’d love for you to go check out our sister show Smash Boom Best (smashboom.org).

We’re also going to be doing a live virtual hangout in November where you can ask Molly, Marc, Sanden and Menaka all your questions. Anything you want to ask, we’ll answer! If you want to join us, the first step is to sign up for our totally free fan club (brainson.org/fans). In November we’ll send an email out to the fan club with more details about this free, virtual hang out. So keep an eye out for that!

This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson), Ancestry (ancestry.com/brainson), Purple (purple.com/brainson10), Guardian Bikes (guardianbikes.com/brains), and Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls (pillsbury.com/products/cinnamon-rolls).

You can support the show and help us keep making new episodes at brainson.org/donate

Having a sibling is a special thing -- but, wow, can they be annoying! In this episode we’ll look at why our brothers and sisters are so good at pushing our buttons. Plus, is there any truth to the idea that oldest kids are the most mature and the youngest ones are the most charming? We’ll look at the science of personality and birth order. We also visit a sibling drive-thru, get quizzed about animal relationships and answer this question in our Moment of Um: why does rain come in small droplets?

This episode is sponsored by:

KiwiCo (https://kiwico.com/brainson)

Ancestry (https://ancestry.com/brainson)

White Hat Jr. (https://www.whitehatjr.com/)

General Mills Pillsbury (https://www.pillsbury.com/products/cinnamon-rolls)

If you want to find out more about how to stop bullying, please go to Stop Bullying Speak Up: http://includesomeone.com/

The flu shot changes every year. But why is the flu special, if other illnesses have much longer-lasting vaccines? This episode takes us into the world of viruses and immunity.

We released this episode about flu vaccines last year but we wanted to share it with you again since it’s flu vaccine season but also because vaccines are in the news a lot lately. Scientists are testing a bunch of vaccines for the new coronavirus right now. This episode gets into the details of how vaccines work and how they’re made.

A friendly lymphocyte fills us in on how flu shots work, and science journalist Anna Rothschild shares how vaccines started around the world. We'll hear from some virus-busting detectives to see how scientists solve the case of how to make next year’s flu shot as effective as possible. Author Maryn McKenna will stop by and drop some flu knowledge, too!

Get your ears ready for a good, thumping mystery sound, and a new Moment of Um: how do straws work?

This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (KiwiCo.com/brainson), Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls, Guardian Bikes (GuardianBikes.com/brains) and Varsity Tutors (VarsityTutors.com/brainson). You can support the show at brainson.org/donate

If time feels weird to you lately, you’re not alone. The pandemic has changed the pace of life for people around the world. We’ll talk to a psychologist about how our sense of time works. We’ll look back into the past to see how a similar pandemic played out 100 years ago. Plus, we’ll ask experts to tell us what they think life will be like six months from now.

Oh yeah, and virus podcasters Kara and Gilly are back to tell you how you can be a part of history! Warning: Boogers are involved. Our Moment of Um answers the question: why do your arms move when you walk?

This episode is sponsored by:

Stop Bullying Speak Up (http://includesomeone.com)

KiwiCo (https://kiwico.com/brainson)

Laurel Springs Online School (https://laurelsprings.com/brainson)

AncestryHealth (https://ancestryhealth.com/brainson)

Daily Harvest (https://dailyharvest.com)

General Mills Pillsbury (https://www.pillsbury.com/products/cinnamon-rolls)

How are mountains made? What causes an earthquake? How does hot lava come bubbling up? The answer in each case is…tectonic plates!

These are giant, moving slabs of rock covering the Earth’s surface. When they slide past or smash into each other it shakes the planet. But, they also helped shape the land we live on.

Find out how they work with an extreme cooking demonstration (you’ll never see peanut M&Ms the same way). Meet the scientist who thought long ago all the continents were smushed together in a super-continent (spoiler: he was right!). Plus an interview with a USGS scientist about what our planet might look like in a million years.

All that plus a mystery sound and a Moment of Um about stinky breath. Listen up and rock on!

This episode is sponsored by:

Guardian Bikes (https://guardianbikes.com/brains)

Pillsbury cinnamon rolls (https://www.pillsbury.com/products/cinnamon-rolls)

Hank the Cowdog podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hank-the-cowdog/id1529174742)

A listener asked how making  Brains On is different during the pandemic. So with this episode we're giving you a peek into how we're making the show while staying safe. Spoiler alert: we're doing it all from our homes!

What's the best way to record crystal clear sound at home? (Hint: Lots of soft surfaces!) How do we make sound effects? How do we get all the animals, humans and machines in our homes to keep it down while we tape? Plus: We asked our co-hosts to share what it was like for them to record and episode from home. All that, plus a brand new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: how do rocks form?

This episode is sponsored by:

Purple.com (https://purple.com/brainson10 Promo code: brainson10)

Daily Harvest (https://dailyharvest.com Promo code: brainson)

PayPal - you can download the PayPal app at https://paypal.com

In this second episode on bees (a bee-quel, you might say!) we’re taking a look at pollination: the many pollination talents of different bees, why pollination is so important, and what you can do to help wild bees! 

The tables are turned in the Mystery Sound department: our beekeeping cohosts have a sound for Menaka and Sanden to guess! And the Moment of Um answers an age-old stumper: how are alligators and crocodiles different?

Want to hear more about bees? Listen to The buzz about bees, pt. 1 (https://www.brainson.org/episode/2020/09/08/the-buzz-on-bees-pt-1)

This episode is sponsored by: Ancestory.com (http://ancestry.com/brainson), General Mills Pillsbury (https://www.pillsbury.com/products/cinnamon-rolls) and Varsity Tutors (http://varsitytutors.com/brainson)

We’re making a big buzz about bees! Our pollen-collecting friends get so much done, and we’re taking a look at how they live. We’ll bust some bee myths and meet some honeybees for a look at life inside the hive. 
Our mystery sound is from a listener (here’s a hint: they recorded the sound in Alaska!), and our Moment of Um answers a buzzworthy question: Why do beehives look like hexagons? 
And! One episode on bees just isn’t enough. We’ll be back next week with more buzz on pollination.

Want to hear more about bees? Listen to The buzz about bees pt. 2 (https://www.brainson.org/episode/2020/09/15/the-buzz-on-bees-pt-2)

Today’s episode is sponsored by Native (https://native.com/brainson | Promo code: brainson), Laurel Springs (http://laurelsprings.com/brainson) and Daily Harvest (http://dailyharvest.com Promo code: brainson)

Those tiny pinpoints of light glittering in the night sky are actually incredibly distant, giant, churning balls of gas. They produce huge quantities of light and heat. In this episode, Mars interviews the biggest star in his eyes: the sun! We also ask astronomer Moiya McTier to help us count all the stars in the universe. And we'll hear a couple of the stories that people here on earth tell about the stars. Plus, a brand new mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: how do whales drink?

This episode is sponsored by Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com/brains) and School Mask Pack (http://schoolmaskpack.com/brainson). You can support the show at brainson.org/fans. Find out more about our book at bit.ly/brainsonbook and our book events at brainson.org/events

Fair warning: Today we’re gonna get gross! We’re talking sounds, smells, and tastes that some people might find repulsive. But we're asking: why? What's the purpose of disgust? Is it something we're born knowing or do we learn to dislike things? When will entomophagy (the eating of insects) catch on everywhere? Plus: The Moment of Um answers the question "Why do worms come out when it rains?"

Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson), Ancestry (ancestry.com/brainson) and How to Raise Successful People (RaiseSuccessfulPeople.com). You can support Brains On at brainson.org/fans. And find out more about our book at bit.ly/brainsonbook.

Warning! This episode is all about the fascinating and gross world of doo doo.

We know you have a lot of poo questions because you’ve sent many, many of them to us. So we’re finally bringing you the poo answers! It’s a poop party!

We’ve invited scientists to tell us about weird animal feces. (It’s true! Wombats have cube-shaped poop!)

We tune into a news channel all about dookie (see the Bristol Stool Chart here: https://www.bladderandbowel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/BBC002_Bristol-Stool-Chart-Jan-2016.pdf).

We hear from our favorite “poo-tuber” Taylor the Turd about how some poops are helping fight serious illnesses. (Remember Taylor? Here’s her first appearance: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2019/03/19/flush-where-does-our-poo-and-pee-go)

Plus, a sorta stinky Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um answering a question: why is pee yellow?

This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson) and Laurel Springs (laurelsprings.com/brainson). Fill out a quick survey to tell us more about yourself: podsurvey.com/brains

We’re thrilled to share a brand new show with you. It’s called Million Bazillion and it’s all about money -- how we earn it, how we save it and how we spend it.

In the first episode you’ll travel back thousands of years to learn the ways people got what they needed before money was invented. Back then some people traded goods, others made pacts to share what they had. We’ll also meet the king who came up with the idea for coins. Plus, Kristen Bell designs her own money!

This show is a collaboration between Brains On and Marketplace. It’s hosted by Jed Kim with Bridget Bodnar. You can listen to more episodes here, or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Since the world first learned about this new coronavirus at the end of 2019, we’ve been watching science happen in real time. Scientists all over the world are studying this virus and learning how to protect us from it. As they learn new things, we learn new things too.

One thing they’ve learned is how this virus spreads. The primary culprit is droplets from our noses and mouths. That’s why masking up is so important to protect our communities.

We’ve also been hearing from a lot of listeners wanting to know about the future: when will the vaccine be ready? what will it be like at school? when will things go back to normal? We're going to do our best to answer some of these questions in our next coronavirus episode. But they don’t have concrete answers right now.

Right now, trying to look a month, or a year into the future is hard. We call this feeling of not knowing what will happen -- uncertainty. And it’s hard to deal with.

Our brains likes being able to predict what’s going to happen because it makes us feel safe. When we feel unsafe, that’s when anxiety kicks in. 

One way to deal with this anxiety is to focus on the present -- what’s happening right now. 

It’s also important to let yourself feel your feelings and know you’re not alone in them. It’s normal right now to feel frustrated, or angry, or sad, or all of them at the same time. But also try to think about the moments you have that are fun, and the times you feel contentment and happiness.

If you’re having trouble staying focused on the present there are some tricks you can try:

• Look around you and make a list in your head of everything you see that is green.




• Try to think of all the character’s names in your favorite book or tv show




• Take deep breaths -- inhale for four counts, hold that breath for four, and then exhale for four




• Distract yourself by going outside, or watching a movie or reading a book. 

If you’re still having trouble keeping your mind off the “what ifs” it’s great to talk to your parents or another adult you trust.

There are always people who want to help you. If you need help and aren’t sure who to talk to, you can call 800 273-8255. It's a free phone call, and people are there all the time, ready to listen and help.

MORE: The Child Mind Institute has a lot of resources for families about how to deal with this uncertain time. (https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/)

This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson) and Native (nativedeo.com/brainson) - use promo code: BRAINSON at checkout.

We’re talking all about teeny, tiny robots in today’s episode. You know, the ones that are as light as a postage stamp and as look like insects? They may be small, but these robots can still take in information and make decisions on their own. Find out how bees and cockroaches are teaching us about the future of small robots and what big tasks they might take on. There’s also a new Mystery Sound to rattle your ears. Plus a moment of Um that answers the question: Why does the sun stay in one place?

This episode was sponsored by KiwiCo (www.kiwico.com/brainson)

We’re taking on an age-old question today: Do kids have more energy than adults? Breakfast tacos, caffeine, an energized DJ and an epic battle between a girl and her parents. This episode has all that and then some. Discover how we turn food into energy at an awesome taco party. Then pump up the jams with DJ Thyroid. Speaking of music, get ready for a song from Lake Street Dive’s Mike Olson. And just when you think the show might be out of energy, we engage in an out-of breath competition between a kid and her parents. Plus, there’s a brand new Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um about why we lose our voices sometimes.

This episode is sponsored by Laurel Springs Online School (laurelsprings.com/brainson) and KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson)

The world is full of color, but how do our eyes see it? In this episode we’ll explain how color vision works, complete with a journey to a jazz club in the back of your eye. We’ll also look at the cultural meanings of the color red, we’ll find out about a new type of blue, and we’ll find out why stoplights use green to mean go. Our Moment of Um tackles the question, “why are bees black and yellow?”

This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson) and Nurture Life (use code: BRAINS at checkout).

A lot of us are angry right now, with good reason. We’re seeing people treated unfairly because of racism -- that’s when people don’t like someone’s race or the color of their skin.

In this episode we’ll talk about how anger can be a useful emotion and can be used to push for change. We’ll also revisit parts of our 2019 series on emotions, including an explanation of the hormones behind anger, why some of us are quicker to anger than others and what we can do when we feel overwhelmed by our feelings.

Plus, our Moment of Um tackles the question, “What happens when lightning strikes water?”

If you want to talk to your kids about race but don’t know where to start, we suggest reading this article (https://bit.ly/3eEss5k) by pediatricians Dr. Jacqueline Dougé, & Dr. Ashaunta Anderson or Talking to Kids About Race by Heather Greenwood Davis (https://on.natgeo.com/306a2Xe).

There are great books to help your family start a conversation about race. Here's a list from Embrace Race (https://bit.ly/2U1SvLV). Or try Brown Bookshelf's Generations Book Club (https://bit.ly/3gSljA3).

This episode is sponsored by Laurel Springs (laurelsprings.com/brainson) and KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson). You can support Brains On at brainson.org/donate.

We're very excited to share an episode of a brand new podcast we've been working on called Julie's Library. It’s hosted by the legendary, the one and only, Julie Andrews. Every week, she and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton read from their favorite children’s books.

The featured book in this episode is Marilyn’s Monster by Michelle Knudsen, and illustrated by Matt Phelan.

You can listen to more episodes and subscribe at Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/julies-library-story-time-with-julie-andrews/id1507980417), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/7l9G5ddvRI3BqLf2WVCOS7), Google Podcasts (http://tiny.cc/wrhrpz), or wherever you usually listen. Find out more at julieslibraryshow.org

We’re all doing our best to stay safe from coronavirus, but is there anything we can do for others as well? In this episode we look at some ways you can help from home, like by making masks, donating to food banks or writing letters. Two stars of the World Handwashing Federation stop by to explain the science of how water actually dries out our hands. Plus, Kara and Gilly interview science journalist Carl Zimmer on the weird world of viruses, including some viruses that help people!

There’s a listener-submitted mystery sound and this week’s Moment of Um tackles the question: how do seashells get their shape?

This episode is sponsored by Betty Crocker bettycrocker.com and Care.com promo code: BRAINS

Ink is amazing. It helps us captures our thoughts, comes in many colors and some of it is even made by animals! In this episode we explore the history of this special substance. We’ll also talk squid ink with biologist Sarah McAnulty and explain how tattoos work.

Plus, your poems about ink! Obviously there’s also a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: what happens if salt is poured on snails?

This episode is sponsored in part by Betty Crocker - bettycrocker.com and Laurel Springs School - laurelsprings.com/brainson

You don’t have to search far to find amazing Mystery Sounds. If you listen, you can find them in every room of your house. Today’s episode is chock full of these audible wonders. They are cotton candy for the ears! They are the notes to make your tympanic membrane sing!

It’s time for the Mystery Sound Extravaganza! An episode made up of nothing but Mystery Sounds, most of them recorded by our amazing listeners.Plus, today's Moment of Um answers this stumper: when your eyes are closed, are your pupils big or small?

Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson)

Like an onion, the Earth has layers. In this episode we’ll see if you can dig through those layers to get to the center of the planet.

We’ll also hear about the Danish scientist who discovered more about Earth’s core by studying earthquakes. Plus, we investigate the phrase “dig a hole to China.”

Children’s book author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers stops by to talk about the Earth’s crust. “Here We Are,” his book about our vast and wonderful planet, was just turned into a movie (you can find it on Apple TV+).

And our Moment of Um answers the question: do fish have tongues? All that and a Mystery Sound in this very layered episode!

This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson) and Skylight Frame (skylightframe.com/brains). You can support the show at brainson.org/fans

Get ready for some smiles! We’re looking at the science of two things that bring us joy: tickles and cuteness.

We’ll explain why tickles make us giggle and why you can’t tickle yourself. Then we’ll talk about what makes cute things cute and why sometimes we want to eat or smoosh cute things.

Plus, a super cute Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um answering the question: “Can a moon have a moon?”

This episode is sponsored by iD Tech (idtech.com/brains). You can support the show at brainson.org/fans

Scientists around the world are working fast to fight the new coronavirus. They’re developing medicines to help people who are sick. They’re also working on vaccines to stop the virus from spreading.

In this episode we’ll explain how these treatments work and we’ll give you some tips on keeping six feet from other people while taking a stroll outside. Oh, and Kara and Gilly stop by to drop some epic virus facts. Plus a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that looks at whether or not worms sleep.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Laurel Springs (laurelsprings.com/brainson). You can support this non-profit public radio podcast at brainson.org/fans

Please note that this episode was released on April 7, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, please head to trusted sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To learn more about how viruses spread, you can listen to our first episode about this new coronavirus: Understanding coronavirus and how germs spread: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2020/03/10/understanding-coronavirus-and-how-germs-spread-for-kids

And to learn about why it’s important to stay home, listen to our second episode: Staying home: How social distancing helps fight coronavirus: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2020/03/24/staying-home-how-social-distancing-helps-fight-coronavirus

For more on how our immune system fights viruses, check out our episode: How do flu vaccines work? https://www.brainson.org/shows/2019/10/08/how-do-flu-vaccines-work

For more on how to know which sources of information are trustworthy, you can check out our four-part series Prove It:

Part one: A brief history of facts: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/02/a-brief-history-of-facts-prove-it-part-1
Part two: Science under the microscope: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/09/science-under-the-microscope-prove-it-part-2
Part three: The scoop on journalism: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/16/the-scoop-on-journalism-prove-it-part-3
Part four: How to find the facts: https://www.brainson.org/shows/2018/10/23/how-to-find-the-facts-prove-it-part-4

There’s more to plants than meets the eye. They detect sounds, they defend themselves against insect attacks and they can even send each other secret messages through the wind! Our leafy, green friends sense and interact with the world in their own, planty way. We’ll learn all about it in this episode, plus we’ll find out why some plants like to grow in spots where other plants have died. We’ve also got a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: why do bats sleep upside down?

This episode is sponsored by Khan Academy (khan.com/freekidsapp)

This is a special re-release of an episode from our series on emotions. It’s all about how to handle big feelings like anxiety, nervousness and fear.

There have been so many unexpected changes in all of our lives and a lot of us have big feelings right now. And that’s good -- we should feel those feelings. We also think having facts and information can help you feel more in control. This episode should help you with that.

(This is the final installment in our series about feelings. Check out the first three if you haven't yet.) You know that feeling when you have butterflies in your stomach? Or maybe you get sweaty and hot? Or maybe you get fidgety and your heart beats really fast? Yeah, we know those feelings too. Today we're finding out why being anxious can make our bodies feel that way. We'll find out why fear has been really useful to our survival as a species and what you can do if that fear and anxiety is too much to handle. Plus: Mallika Chopra, the author of Just Breathe, shares a meditation to try when you're feeling nervous. And we'll finally get to hear Sanden's debut in the new Alpaca Jack musical, Fleece of Mind!

Today’s episode is sponsored by New Cloud Control Cat Litter by Arm & Hammer, Aunt Fannie’s (auntfannies.com/summer and coupon code BRAINS), and Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls the Podcast (rebelgirls.co/podcast). You can support the show at brainson.org/donate

Lots of schools are closed and people are staying home. In this episode we’ll explain how all of this could help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. We’ll explain some terms you’re probably hearing too, like “social distancing” and “flattening the curve.”

Plus, we talk with a doctor who is on the front lines helping people get better, and two virus podcasters help answer your coronavirus questions like, “How did this virus start?” and “Can our pets get sick too?”

And of course there’s a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um looking at why our tongues stick to ice.

Please note that this episode was released on March 24, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, please head to trusted sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To learn more about how viruses spread, you can listen to our first episode about this new coronavirus: Understanding coronavirus and how germs spread

For more on how our immune system fights viruses, check out our episode: How do flu vaccines work?

For more on how to know which sources of information are trustworthy, you can check out our four-part series Prove It:

Part one: A brief history of facts
Part two: Science under the microscope
Part three: The scoop on journalism
Part four: How to find the facts

Please note that this episode was released on March 24, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, please head to trusted sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This episode is sponsored by Perfect Snacks (perfectbar.com/brainson). Brains On is a non-profit public radio podcast. You can support the show at brainson.org/fans

Narwhals are whales, and super cool ones at that. But that cool thing coming out of their heads is a tusk, not a horn. Which means it’s a tooth! And it’s the only known spiral tooth to boot!

In this episode, we learn all about narwhals (what that tusk is for and how they’re connected to the myth of the unicorn) and the evolution of teeth (from scale-like nubbins to the versatile chompers we have today).

Plus our Moment of Um explores whether or not water has a taste.

Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson), Khan Academy Kids (khan.co/freekidsapp) and iD Tech (idtech.com/brains).

Brains On is a non-profit public radio podcast. You can support Brains On at brainson.org/fans.

It’s impossible to miss the news about coronavirus, but you probably still have lots of questions. What exactly is it? How does it spread? Can I protect myself? In this episode we’ll breakdown what we know about this new virus and tell you how to stay safe.

Plus, we’ll listen to a podcast hosted by two chatty viruses to learn how these germs spread (and how our bodies fight back). We’ve also got a special message from some super tough hand washers.

Plus a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that looks at why shoelaces come untied.

Please note that this episode was released on March 10, 2020. For the most up-to-date information, please head to trusted sources like the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more on how our immune system fights viruses, check out our episode How do flu vaccines work?

Our friends at NPR made a really excellent comic about the new coronavirus, and you can read it here.

For more on how to know which sources of information are trustworthy, you can check out our four-part series Prove It:

Part one: A brief history of facts
Part two: Science under the microscope
Part three: The scoop on journalism
Part four: How to find the facts

This episode is sponsored by Blinkist (blinkist.com/brains) and Laurel Springs Online School (laurelsprings.com/brainson)

Humans have been predicting weather for a long time - way before modern technology. So how did they do it? We’ll meet the man who invented the word “forecast” and brought weather reports to the newspaper. Plus, we'll tell you how to watch for signs of rain and we'll learn about the field of phenology. Oh, and we’ve got a Mystery Sound, Moment of Um and a weather lore game show. So grab an umbrella and tune in because this episode has a 100% chance of being super interesting.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Khan Academy Kids (khan.co/freekidsapp) and Perfect Kids (perfectbar.com/brainson). You can support Brains On at brainson.org/fans. And you can find information about our live shows in Boston, Washington DC and New York at brainson.org/fans.

Dust looks gray and boring to us, but it’s full of secrets! Like did you know that up close, dust is colorful? And there are creatures living in your dust? And some dust comes from outer space? We’ll take you on a tour of the dust universe and show you how dust can help solve crimes. Plus, we learn about the tiny critters living all over your skin! And of course there’s a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: why do we jump when we’re scared?

This episode is sponsored by Care (care.com/brains) and KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson)

It’s something so natural that we take it for granted — but when you think about it, it’s a little strange. Why does water come out of our eyes? And why does it happen when we’re happy? Or sad? Or scared? Or exhausted? In this episode we dive into our mysterious emotional tears, find out […]

How did wolves go from wild, untamed animals to the friendly furballs we know as dogs? In this episode we’ll learn about how our canine companions evolved. Plus, we’ll get a howling lesson, meet a pack of Alaskan wolves that moved to the Minnesota Zoo and hear what wolves mean to members of the Anishinabe Nation.

And don’t forget: an action packed Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um about chapped lips.

This episode is sponsored by Perfect Snacks (perfectbar.com/brainson) and Blinkist (blinkist.com/brains).