If you were on a merry-go-round that was spinning super fast, you?d feel it. But the Earth is always spinning and we don?t feel a thing. Why is that? Join Molly and Reean as they explore the science of spin. Plus we find out how liquid sloshing around in our ears can make us feel dizzy. And speaking of ears, get yours ready for an all new Mystery Sound. Want to support the show? Join ???Smarty Pass??? to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets ???head to our events page???. More shows announced soon! May 9 - Liberty Hall, Kansas City, KS May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!) June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI June 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OH June 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI Click here for a transcript of this episode.

We're making a new limited series to tackle a topic that lots of our listeners are curious about. Puberty! It?s a lot. There are the awkward conversations and the questions we?re too nervous to ask and the sometimes uncomfortable experience of living in a body that?s changing fast (and publicly!). This podcast is here to help. Hosted by Molly Bloom, of the award-winning science podcast Brains On, and co-hosted by high schoolers who've just been through it, Puberty! (The podcast) is for everybody ? and every body. Designed for kids 7-12, the show will cover everything from brain chemicals to consent, in a straight-forward and digestible package. This is a safe space for young people to understand their bodies and their brains, and it?s a resource for parents to tackle otherwise difficult topics. Experts, including Dr. Cara Natterson (Less Awkward), Chris Pepper (Talk to Your Boys), Nora Gelperin (Advocates for Youth), and Erin Walsh (Spark & Stitch Institute), provide science-filled explanations and answer listener questions. Search for Brains On Universe Presents: Puberty! (The podcast) wherever you listen!

We wash our hands all the time, but do you ever wonder why? It turns out that soap is super good at attaching to dirt and germs and carrying that gunk off skin. Join Molly and co-hosts Hope and Heaven as they zoom in on soap to see how this sudsy stuff cleans so well. Plus we?ll learn how soap was likely invented and meet some pioneers who helped prove that washing hands keeps us healthy. Oh, and everyone?s favorite viral podcasters, Kara and Gilly, are back! Plus a new Mystery Sound. Want to support the show? Join ??Smarty Pass?? to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets ??head to our events page??. More shows announced soon! May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!) June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI June 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OH June 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI Click here for a transcript of this episode.

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.Resources:Learn more about NASA?s Artemis program which aims to bring humans back to the moon. Want to support the show? Join ?Smarty Pass? to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets ?head to our events page?. More shows announced soon! April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA (2nd show added!) April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!) June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI June 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OH June 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI

Sports and science go hand in hand, especially when it comes to softball and baseball. Join Molly and co-host Caris as they answer more of your questions about these two ballgames. Like why are bats measured in ounces? Or why do some players wear black paint under their eyes? Plus, we?ll hear more of your chants and guess an all new Mystery Sound. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA (2nd show added!) April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!) June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI June 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OH June 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Baseball and softball are both a feat of physics, from the curve of a pitch to the swing of a bat. Today, we?re exploring the science of these popular pastimes. Join Molly and co-host Kian as they learn about curve balls and the stuff inside a ball. Plus, our listeners share their chants for Team Science! Oh, and what?s that noise? It?s a brand new mystery sound. Play ball! Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! April 11 - Walker Theater, Chattanooga, TN April 12 - Carolina Theater, Durham, NC April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA (2nd show added!) April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!) Click here for an episode transcript See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever look closely at a raspberry and notice it could use a shave? Those tiny hairs are actually super important. And thankfully totally edible. Join Molly and co-host Zoe-Samarah as they learn all about this fantastic little fruit, and why some raspberry flavored foods are actually colored blue. All that and a Mystery Sound that?ll feel like a snack for the ears! Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! April 11 - Walker Theater, Chattanooga, TN April 12 - Carolina Theater, Durham, NC April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA (2nd show added!) April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!) Click here for an episode transcript See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard of the Bermuda Triangle? It?s an area of the Atlantic Ocean that some people think can make ships and planes mysteriously disappear. In this episode, Marc and Sanden, aka the Hoax Hunters, investigate this weird and wild patch of water. Turns out the Triangle isn?t as unusual as it seems. Plus, Molly tries to stump the Hoax Hunters with a new mystery sound. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! March 28 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA March 29 - Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale, FL April 11 - Walker Theater, Chattanooga, TN April 12 - Carolina Theater, Durham, NC April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA (2nd show added!) April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!) Click here for an episode transcript See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flowers are famous for their smells. Most are sweet, but a few are downright stinky. Either way, the science of how and why they make these scents is fascinating. Join Molly and co-host Isla as they learn about pollinators, flower smells and the mighty corpse flower! Plus a smell for your ears: the Mystery Sound! Guest: Dr Kelsey Byers, evolutionary chemical ecologist and group leader at the John Innes Center. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! March 7 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI March 8 - Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN March 28 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA March 29 - Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale, FL April 11 - Walker Theater, Chattanooga, TN April 12 - Carolina Theater, Durham, NC April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON Click here for an episode transcript See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's better than a mystery sound? How about 11 mystery sounds! We have mystery sounds from listeners all over the world to share with you, plus two from scientists. And our co-host Juniper will try to stump Molly with a mystery sound of her own!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every spring we set our clocks one hour forward. Every fall we move them one hour back. It?s a strange ritual when you think about it, so why do we do it? Join Molly and co-host Ava as they explore the seasons and why days are shorter in the winter and longer in the summer. We?ll hear about the history of Day Light Saving and play a game. And it?s always time for a Mystery Sound! So set an alarm so you don?t forget to tune in to this episode! Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! March 7 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI March 8 - Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN March 28 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA March 29 - Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale, FL April 11 - Walker Theater, Chattanooga, TN April 12 - Carolina Theater, Durham, NC April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exciting news! We?ve announced a bunch of new tour stops for this spring! Learn more about the show and get tickets here! Mar 7............MILWAUKEE Mar 8..................ST PAUL Mar 28..............ATLANTA Mar 29.....FT LAUDERDALE Apr 11......CHATTANOOGA Apr 12.................DURHAM Apr 25.....SAN FRANCISCO Apr 26.............PORTLAND May 30...............BUFFALO May 31..............TORONTO Jun 6.............ANN ARBORGet tickets at brainson.org/events -- hope to see you there!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! March 7 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI March 8 - Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN March 28 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA March 29 - Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale, FL April 11 - Walker Theater, Chattanooga, TN April 12 - Carolina Theater, Durham, NC April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We?re all part of a generation, that?s a large group of people born around the same time as us. These generations have names too, like Gen X, Baby Boomers or Gen Alpha. Who came up with these generations and why do we have them? We?ll speak to experts and learn what makes each generation unique. Plus, what if you could rename your generation? Plus, Mr. Bonejangles can?t remember his birthday so he has no idea what generation he?s part of! All this and a timeless mystery sound. Enjoy! Guests:Dr Jean Twenge: Professor of psychology at San Diego State University, and author of iGen, Generations, and 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World. Kim Parker: Director of social trends research at Pew Research Center. Corey Seemiller: Professor of leadership studies in education and organizations at Wright State University, and author of Generation Z. Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! Feb 21 - Just for Laughs Festival, Vancouver, BC Feb 22 - The Neptune, Seattle, WA March 7 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI March 8 - Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN March 28 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA March 29 - Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale, FL Click here for a transcript of this episode   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our stomachs are full of a powerful acid, one that can burn your skin and even melt metal. So why doesn?t this stuff burn a hole through our bellies? We?ll find out how our stomachs protect the rest of us from this acid. Plus, we?ll learn about some of the wildest ways animals digest food and learn about how a serious accident helped us. Don't forget to listen to the Mystery Sound and the latest suggestions for new rooms in our headquarters. Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! Feb 21 - Just for Laughs Festival, Vancouver, BC Feb 22 - The Neptune, Seattle, WA March 7 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI March 8 - Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN March 28 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA March 29 - Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale, FL Click here for a transcript of this episode   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we?re stepping into the ring for a battle of the insect world. Molly and co-host Kiaan try to find out if a spider can eat a wasp. They speak with Dr. Paula Cushing. She has been researching spiders for over three decades. Plus, we flip the script and ask if a wasp can eat a spider. Then, Molly goes full game show mode and puts Kiaan in the contestant chair to play Spidey Sense. We also have a brand new Mystery Sound and a big mailbag reveal. Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon! Feb 21 - Just for Laughs Festival, Vancouver, BC Feb 22 - The Neptune, Seattle, WA March 7 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI March 8 - Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN March 28 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA March 29 - Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale, FL Click here for a transcript of this episode   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stickers are everywhere. They label our groceries, cover our car bumpers, and decorate our notebooks. But how do they stick? We?ll zoom in on a sticker to see how a special glue helps a sticker cling to a surface. Plus, we?ll hear about stickers that can help people heal from surgeries. We?ll also find out what kind of stickers Bob collects, and guess a new Mystery Sound. Guest: Phillip Messersmith, professor of material science and engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Stay sloooooooooow! Guests Lucy Cooke, zoologist and founder of the Sloth Appreciation Society Jonathan Pauli, UW-Madison Forest and Wildlife Ecology Dr. Sushma Reddy, Breckenridge Chair of Ornithology, Bell Museum Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever heard of Lake Natron? It?s located in Tanzania, Africa, and, if you believe the internet, it can instantly petrify anything that touches it. Lucky for us, we have a direct line to the Hoax Hunters (aka Sanden and Marc) - they love myths, and they hate getting tricked. Along the way to saying yea or nay to this stoney phenomenon, the Hoax Hunters speak with Neovitus Sianga. Not only does he have firsthand knowledge of the lake, but he works for African People and Wildlife, where he helps protect the environment around Lake Natron. We also have a brand new Mystery Sound? and Marc and Sanden start a cleaning service?!? Guest: Neovitus Sianga Want more Hoax Hunters? Here are a few more episodes featuring our hoax hunting pals: Are UFOs real?Lost CitiesMermaids, Kraken and Loch Ness MonsterBigfoot, Unicorns and Dragons Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Click here for a transcript of this episode.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skunks can stink, no doubt about it. But that stink is actually a superpower! Join Molly and co-host Diya as they find out how these critters use their smell to scare away enemies, what the smell is made of, and how to make your own de-skunking potion. Plus, Wombat Pete drops by to promote his new music festival, we speak to some skunk experts, and we try our best to guess a new Mystery Sound. Don't forget the de-skunking potion mnemonic:  4 Cats Had Problems Queen Coughed Beside Suzie's Tenth Lasagna, Don't Sneeze Translation:  4 Cups hydrogen peroxide Quarter Cup baking soda Teaspoon Liquid Dish Soap Guest: Marie Tosa, Research Scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Guest: Ted Stankowich, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and CSU Long Beach. Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

?We're on a little winter break and we're gonna be back with a new Brains On episode next week. This week we have an episode of our Sister show forever ago to share with you. If you're interested in origin stories or history, this is the show for you. You can subscribe wherever you listen to Brains On. Get ready for an out-of-this-world episode! Joy and co-host Elsa are trapped in a black hole with a baby elephant and a mountain of old junk!  They?ll explore the history of a super secret astronaut testing program for women called the ?Fellow Lady Astronaut Trainees.? This group of bold, highly-trained pilots spent years making a case for why women are just as qualified to become astronauts as men!  Want to support Brains On and all of the shows in the Brains On Universe? Sign up for Smarty Pass. You'll get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, virtual hangouts, discounts on merch and more!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

?We're on a little winter break here, but we're gonna be back with a new episode of Brains On January 6th. Until then, we have an episode of our sister podcast, smash Boom. Best to share with you the episode. Features some familiar voices. Me, mark, and Sandon, enjoy the show! Whether you like your wheels big or small, this debate is for you! It?s Monster Trucks vs Hot Wheels. It?s a battle between Brains On besties Marc Sanchez and Sanden Totten. Marc goes full throttle for Team Monster Trucks and Sanden speeds toward victory for Team Hot Wheels. Who will win? Head over to smashboom.org to vote and listen to see who our judge crowns the king of cars. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here or a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Brains On crew is hitting the road in 2026, and our first shows have just been announced. If you like fun, games, dancing, optical illusions and... Mystery Sounds, check out Your Brain is Magic. Head to brainson.org/events to get tickets for the following shows: 1/17 Newark, NJ Victoria Theater 1/18 Red Bank, NJ The Vogel 1/23 San Diego, CA The Observitory 1/24 Aneheim, CA House of Blues 2/21 Vancouver, BC Playhouse Theater (JFL Festival) 2/22 Seattle, WA Neptune Theater If you don't see your city listed, we're adding more dates, so keep checking back! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final look at metal, we explore how metal wires changed the world. Once humans figured out how to send little blasts of electricity through metal, we quickly developed lots of uses for this. One was a new way of communicating called the telegraph. Join Molly and co-host Ava as they team up with Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura to learn how people laid hundreds of miles of wire in hopes of sending messages across oceans. Plus, the new Brains On Headquarters is having an opening ceremony, and there?s a brand new Mystery Sound to guess! Guest: Dylan Thuras, co-author of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to Inventing The World. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans have been fascinated by metal for thousands of years. But it took us a long time to master making things with metal. In this episode we go back in time to learn how Japanese swords were forged, how swings were used to make thin metal wires and why steel cables saved so many lives. Molly and co-host Ava are joined by Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura for part two of this deep dive on all things metal. Plus, Marc meets some talking boxes and there?s an all new Mystery Sound. Guest: Dylan Thuras, co-author of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to Inventing the World. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here or a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metal is amazing. It can be super strong like a steel beam. Or super flexible, like a copper wire. Humans have been obsessed with metals of all kinds for a very long time. This is part one a three-part look at how humans have used metal throughout history. Molly and co-host Ava are joined by Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura, to look at how Earth got metal in the first place, how humans first found and used this stuff, and when we started making primitive tools with it. Plus, Marc and Sanden have some problems unpacking the new Brains On library. All that and a Mystery Sound! Guest: Dylan Thuras, co-author of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to Inventing the World. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here or a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us take listening to music or podcasts for granted. You can find them on your phone, in the car or just about anywhere you can imagine. But, have you ever wondered how those sounds were captured in the first place? To find out, Molly and Co-host Canyon shrink down and follow a sound waves as it is recorded and stored. They meet a robot who really loves to eat old school media, like cassettes and CDs. And they learn how speakers turn information into the music we hear. All that plus a new mystery sound. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here or a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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! Guest: Alexandra Horowitz - Dog Cognition Lab Guest: Vanessa Woods - Duke Puppy Kindergarten Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today?s episode is full of Mystery Sounds from around the world. Molly and co-host Rehema are joined by sonic explorer Thomas Rex Beverly, who travels the globe to capture the sounds of the natural world. He brings us some beautiful head-scratchers that really must be heard to be believed. Plus, we turn the tables on Thomas and ask him to guess some sounds you sent in. Put on your detective hat, break out the magnifying glass, and listen close! It?s time for the Mystery Sound extravaganza! Guest: Thomas Rex Beverly Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Octopus, more like ROCK-topus! Because these creatures bring the excitement. They can shape shift to match their surroundings. They have three hearts and teeth on their tongues! And they are super smart. Join fill-in host Rosie duPont and co-host Izumi as they explore the world of their eight-armed wonders. They?re joined by Dr. Jennifer Mathers, a biologist and psychologist who studies octopus cognition, and Ophelia, who is a chatty octopus. You can also play along with our octopus themed game show. All that plus a brand new Mystery Sound and mail from our listeners! Guest: Dr. Jennifer Mathers, author of Octopus Mind Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have noticed that electric cars sound different from gas powered cars. The engine doesn?t rumble; instead, it might sound like a hum or even a song. Why is that? Ride along as we learn how electric cars work and why there is so much shush in their woosh. Plus, Molly and co-host Asher interview Jay Kapadia, a sound designer who programs the special noises of electric cars for General Motors. And speaking of special noises, we?ve got a car sounds game show plus a new Mystery Sound!Guest: Jay Kapadia, Creative Sound Director of General Motors Want to support the show? Head to smartypass.org to subscribe or donate! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fidget toys are everywhere. There are ones you can squeeze, or click, or spin. Others are puzzles or have cool textures to touch. Some classrooms even have fidget toys for students, but do they help kids concentrate or are they just a distraction? Molly and co-host Penelope team up with an unconventional band to learn why we fidget in the first place.Plus, neuroscientist Dr. Julie Schweitzer, from the UC Davis MIND Institute, answers questions about the science of fidget toys. All that plus a brand new Mystery Sound and peek into what's happening at the brand new Brains On Headquarters! Want to support the show? Head to smartypass.org to subscribe or donate! Click here for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We?re back! We?ve officially moved into our new headquarters! Come unpack with us and get a tour while we fill you in on some big news. Plus, new episodes of Brains On coming later this month and new Smash Boom and Forever Ago after that. If you want to support the show or drop us a line, head to brainson.org. The best way to keep us going is to join Smarty Pass or donate here: https://brainson.supercast.com. Thank you! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. We know: not cool. But, our new home is going to be bigger and better and the absolute BEST. We can't wait until it's ready for you to visit. In the meantime, we still have some live shows planned this fall. Brains On Live will be in Dallas, TX on September 13. And Smash Boom Best will bring the debate heat to Princeton, NJ on October 26. Head over to brainson.org/events to get tickets. We can't wait to high five you all in person! And, if you want to be the first to hear about our shiny, new home, sign up for our newsletter. There will be six more bathrooms, 10 more water slides and, we're finally going to fix the doorbell! Also, if you have any questions or want to reach out to us, you can still head to brainson.org/contact to get in touch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources Living in space would be super cool. You could float around with no gravity and see the Earth from really, really far away. But it would also be very strange. When there?s no gravity, which way is up? How do you use a toilet? And what happens if you fart in space? In this episode, Molly and co-host Vincent learn all about spaceship airlocks, space cuisine and even interview a real NASA astronaut. Plus, a new Mystery Sound comes into orbit. Fun episode launching in 5? 4? 3? 2? 1?Featured Guests:Kayla Barron is a NASA astronaut who spent 177 days on the International Space Station This episode was sponsored by: Disney's Elio, only in theaters June 20. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resourcesYou can?t see into the future, but with weather reports you can get a pretty good idea of what weather is coming your way. But how do forecasters make those predictions? In this episode, Molly and co-host Pedro learn about weather stations, special buildings where meteorologists use all kinds of tools to track rain, snow, sun and everything in between. We learn about weather balloons, radars, satellites and ocean buoys. Plus, forecast calls for a brand new Mystery Sound.This episode was sponsored by: Disney's Elio, only in theaters June 20. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested. Gabb Wireless - Gabb.com/brainson - Gabb can protect your kids while keeping them connected socially, safely. Terms and conditions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources Trees are the strong, silent type but that doesn?t mean they can?t communicate. In this episode we?ll explore how trees send each other messages above ground and below. Plus we?ll learn how a seed goes from a tiny sapling to a towering plant. We find out some fruit facts and hear an all new Mystery Sound. This episode was originally published on Jul 16, 2019. This episode is sponsored by: Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resourcesIt?s a Body Bonanza and this time we?re answering your questions about injuries. Bruises are rarely something to sing about, but we?re doing it anyway! Get ready for Bruisical the Musical! Marc is writing a show all about these colorful injuries. Plus, Molly and co-host Nova learn what makes a scar and how Band-Aids help heal boo boos. Oh, and don?t stub your toe on the Mystery Sound! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh no! An awful spell has put Ruby, Rosie, and Anna in a poopiful situation at Brains On HQ! It looks like the only way to save them is with a quick game with Molly Bloom. Grab your Smarty Pass to hear how a change of verb can leave things poopiful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resourcesWhen you think of dinosaurs, you might picture giant, scaly creatures that roamed earth millions of years ago. And when you think of birds, you probably picture our fluffy, feathered, chirpy friends. But did you know that birds are actually dinosaurs? Molly and cohost Siddharth dig into how some modern birds like chickens, evolved from dinosaurs like the T-Rex. They?ll chat with paleontologist Jingmai O?Connor about what it?s like to study dinosaurs and hear about an exciting new fossil discovery. Siddharth quizzes Molly on her animal knowledge, plus, there's a new mystery sound to be uncovered. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resourcesCollecting Pokémon cards. Trading friendship bracelets. Painting your nails black. All these things have been trendy at some point, somewhere. But how did they become cool? And who made them popular?Join Molly and co-host Harlynn as they explore the fussy and fabulous world of trends. Sanden will reveal how trends start and spread throughout a population?and why beige wallpaper it out and mocha mousse brown is IN! They?ll also learn about trends in animal populations like orca whales and chimpanzees. To top things off, Marc will start a fad by accident: fruit pants! (Yes, they?re literally pants with dried fruit stuck to them.) Plus, a super cool mystery sound.Today?s episode is sponsored by: Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh no! Molly?s been bequeathed her great-great grandfather?s skateboard, which unfortunately contains the spirit of dictionary editor Rutherford Williams Webster! Hoping to defeat the skateboard poltergeist, Anna and Marc must attempt to spell and define Webster?s most obscure words! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live showsSolar panels capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. But how do they work?Join guest host Rosie duPont and co-host Anna as they explore the ins and outs of solar energy! Marc and his latest invention, Sal the solar bot, stop by the studio for a special solar demonstration ? then the Earth and Moon chat about why solar power is an important tool for slowing down climate change. Plus, an electrifying new mystery sound! Check out our series all about electricity too!Today?s episode is sponsored by: Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe. And it?s common! One in twelve people in the United States have it, including host Molly Bloom. But what is asthma? And why do some people have it, but not others? Join Molly and co-hosts Audrey and Indytas they learn about asthma. First, they?ll shrink down and explore how breathing works ? inside Forever Ago host Joy Dolo?s lungs! Then they?ll learn how and why asthma attacks happen. Finally, they?ll chat with kids? lung doctor Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir about rescue inhalers, and what causes asthma in the first place. All that, plus a breathtaking new mystery sound! Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts! Today?s episode is sponsored by: Disney - Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested. Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coral is one of the coolest creatures in the ocean. It comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, from bright yellow stars to big round brains. Sometimes, coral looks like rocks or even plants ? but did you know it?s actually an animal? This week, your ears are in for a special treat: Brains On editor Shahla Farzan (a.k.a. world?s biggest coral fan) hosts the show! Join Shahla and co-host Eben as they go on an underwater adventure to learn about coral and the animals that call it home. We?ll also hear from a researcher about how coral might be able to hear and make sounds. All that, plus a rockin? 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard of Molly Bloom?s fantastic deli at Brains On HQ? It?s got the tastiest food in town! The only problem is that the delivery person, Rosie duPont, is having trouble figuring out who gets which order. Grab your smarty pass to hear how she manages some of the strangest orders in the animal kingdom! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salt is made up of tiny crystals! Under a microscope, some salt crystals look like pyramids, staircases, or even snowflakes. But why do these salty little crystals make food so tasty?Join Molly and co-host Yasmin as they explore the science of salt. They?ll head to the Brains On Labrakitchen with producer Anna Goldfield for a lesson about salt science. Then, food journalist and cookbook author Priya Krishna will stop by to chat about cooking with salt. Plus, a mystery sound so tricky, it might make you a little salty! 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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jupiter is the oldest planet in the solar system. It?s also the biggest. Some call it ?Earth?s bodyguard? because it keeps asteroids and comets from hitting our planet. But is Jupiter really protecting Earth? Join Molly and co-host Rida as they head to a live taping of everyone?s favorite space talk show, Pop Planet, and learn about Jupiter ? from the gassy giant itself! Plus a mystery sound that?s out of this world! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may have heard of Down syndrome, but what is it exactly? In this episode, we'll break down the science of chromosomes and how having an extra one leads to this fairly common condition. Plus, we'll learn some tips for making friends with someone who might seem different than you. We'll also swing by a farm staffed by ranchers with Down syndrome. And in our Moment of Um we'll find out why eggs go from clear to white when cooked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.