 is an award-winning science podcast hosted by Molly Bloom and a rotating cast of kids. Every episode answers questions from listeners like “Why do feet stink?” “What did dinosaurs sound like?” and “What is ADHD?”

Brains On! is an award-winning science podcast hosted by Molly Bloom and a rotating cast of kids. Every episode answers questions from listeners like “Why do feet stink?” “What did dinosaurs sound like?” and “What is ADHD?”


A big update about the Brains On Universe

We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. 

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 https://www.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 mailing list. Will there be six more bathrooms, 10 more water slides and, we're finally going to fix the doorbell! Go to https://www.brainson.org/newsletter to find out when and where you get to hear new episodes. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, friends. Molly Bloom here, host of Brains On and Smash Boom Best. Both shows are part of the Brains On Universe, along with Forever Ago and Moment of Um. Well, I have some news to share about our shows. We're taking a little break from making new episodes. I know, I know-- not cool. But this isn't goodbye. In fact, it's very exciting because we're looking for a new home. 

Right now, we're busy packing up everything at Brains On headquarters. Have you ever tried to find a box big enough for a taco farm? 

SANDEN TOTTEN: Hey, Molly. I need your help. Have you seen my life-sized cotton candy sculpture of Penelope Poodle. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh. Hey, Sanden. I think I saw Marc eating some cotton candy. 

SANDEN TOTTEN: What? Marc! Wait! 

MOLLY BLOOM: Our new headquarters will be bigger and better-- 6 more bathrooms, 10 more water slides, a working doorbell. 

[OLD DOORBELL RINGS] 

Ugh, that thing drives me batty. Oh. Hey, Joy Dolo from Forever Ago. 

JOY DOLO: Hey, Molly. Hermie the elephant and I are here to pack too. 

[ELEPHANT TRUMPETS] 

Yes, I know, Hermie. You're an elephant, and you always have your trunk with you, but I need your help to pack up the rest of my closet into my trunk. 

[ELEPHANT TRUMPETS] 

OK, our closet. Come on. 

[ELEPHANT TRUMPETS] 

MOLLY BLOOM: Even though we're in transition, Brains On will still be performing live in Dallas on September 13. And Smash Boom Best is bringing live debate action to Princeton, New Jersey on October 26. For tickets, go to brainson.org/events. I'll be there, and I would love to high-five all of you in person. Now I got to tape up this box. 

MARC SANCHEZ: Molly! Do you have room for one more thing in that box? 

MOLLY BLOOM: Hey, Marc. Sure. What is it? 

MARC SANCHEZ: Well, I may have accidentally eaten half of a dog-shaped cotton candy sculpture, and I kind of want to hide the evidence. [GIGGLES] Thanks. OK. I'm off to pack up my inventions in the [? lab or ?] kitchen. Ooh, can't forget Molly's thunder pants. A Velcro balloon? Yes. The lukewarminator. Got to have the zoom ray. 

MOLLY BLOOM: So yeah, we've got a lot going on. To get our forwarding address, sign up for our newsletter. Go to brainson.org/newsletter. You'll be the first to know about our new home. That's brainson.org/newsletter. We cannot wait to have you over for a visit. Until then, we love you very, very much. 

BRAINS ON TEAM: See you soon. See you. See long. Peace out. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Bye for now, friends. 

SINGER: Ba ba, ba ba, ba ba, ba ba ba, ba, Brains On. 

The life of a NASA astronaut

When there’s no gravity, which way is up? How do you use a toilet? And what happens if you fart in space? 


How do weather stations predict the weather?

You can’t see into the future, but with weather reports you can get a pretty good idea of what weather is coming your way.

Tree, Myself and I

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. 


Tree, Myself and I: All about our leafy green friends

Body Bonanza: All about scars and bruises

It’s a Body Bonanza and this time we’re answering your questions about injuries.

Body Bonanza: Bruises, scars and Band-Aids

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Life is Poopiful

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.


MOLLY BLOOM: Hi. Molly Bloom here. We love playing games at Brains On. We like tricky trivia, grueling guessing games, and challenging-- challenges. If you want to play along with us, sign up for the Smarty Pass. 

For just $5 a month, you'll get access to ad free versions of Brains On; Smash, Boom, Best; Forever Ago; and more. Plus, you'll get a bonus feat of all new episodes where we play games like this one. 

Hey, smarty pals. So glad you could stop by on another beautiful day at Brains On headquarters. It's actually pretty quiet around here today. 

[HURRIED FOOTSTEPS] 

RUBY GUTHRIE: Molly! Molly! Oh my gosh. 

MOLLY BLOOM: I may have spoken too soon. Ruby, what's going on? 

RUBY GUTHRIE: Everyone in the labor-kitchen has been pooped under a spell. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Uh, say what now? 

RUBY GUTHRIE: We've been pooped under a spell! 

MOLLY BLOOM: Um, I-- 

RUBY GUTHRIE: [SIGHS] 

[WRITING ON WHITEBOARD] 

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, you're writing on the whiteboard. OK, let me read it. "A whole bunch of us were hanging in the labor-kitchen, waiting for our 27-layer lasagna to cook." Oh, yeah. That lasagna takes forever to bake. 

RUBY GUTHRIE: And then, a puff of glitter, an impish laugh, and-- 

[WRITING ON WHITEBOARD] 

MOLLY BLOOM: [GASPS] You were put under a spell? What kind of spell? 

[UPBEAT MUSIC] 

To hear more, head to smartypass.org and subscribe. A monthly pass costs about the same as an ice cream cone, and gets you fun bonus content like this. Plus, ad free versions of all of our shows. Again, that's smartypass.org. Thanks for supporting the Brains On Universe, smarty pals. 

Are birds dinosaurs?

When 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?

Trends: How do they start?

Collecting 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?

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Molly’s Inconceivable Preposterous Skateboard

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!


MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, Molly Bloom here. We love playing games at Brains On. We like tricky trivia, grueling guessing games, and challenging challenges. If you want to play along with us, sign up for the Smarty Pass. For just $5 a month, you'll get access to ad-free versions of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Forever Ago, and more. 

Plus, you'll get a bonus feat of all new episodes where we play games, like this one. 

MARC SANCHEZ: Hey, Molly. Hey, Anna. What are you up to? 

ANNA GOLDFIELD: Molly got this sick new skateboard, so we're doing tricks. 

MARC SANCHEZ: That skateboard is new? It looks super old. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Well, it's new to us, but you're right, it's really old. I just got it from my Great Aunt Petunia. She says it belonged to her father, Amadeus Bloom. 

MARC SANCHEZ: Wait, your great, great grandfather is Amadeus Bloom, the wealthy oil tycoon who made billions in the early 1920s? 

MOLLY BLOOM: No, my Amadeus Bloom sold beef jerky out of a wagon, but people confuse them for each other a lot. My great, great grandfather traveled the country selling jerky. And the story goes, some old guy couldn't afford his jerky, so he gave him this skateboard instead. 

RUTHERFORD WILLIAMS WEBSTER: That's not what happened at all. 

MARC SANCHEZ: Molly, look out, a ghost just came out of your skateboard. 

ANNA GOLDFIELD: Totally radical. 

MOLLY BLOOM: To hear more, head to smartpass.org and subscribe. A monthly pass costs about the same as an ice cream cone and gets you fun bonus content like this, plus ad-free versions of all of our shows. Again, that's smartpass.org. Thanks for supporting the Brains On universe, smarty pals. 

How do solar panels work?

Solar 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! 


How does solar power work?

What is asthma?

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?

How do coral communicate?

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?

How does coral communicate?

Why do we have crushes?

Butterflies in your stomach, blushing, that giddy feeling... why do crushes do these things to us and what can it teach us?

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Smarty Pass Deli

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!





MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, Molly Bloom here. We love playing games at Brains On. We like tricky trivia, grueling guessing games, and challenging challenges. If you want to play along with us, sign up for the Smarty Pass. For just $5 a month, you'll get access to ad-free versions of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Forever Ago, and more. Plus, you'll get a bonus feat of all new episodes where we play games like this one. 

Whoo! Hey, Smarty pal, I'm super busy working the lunch rush at the Brains On deli. It's the only deli run by real podcast hosts. Unfortunately, today, I am the only one working. I've got orders up to my ears, and my delivery driver isn't here yet. 

ROSIE DUPONT: Hey, Molly. I'm so glad you asked me out to lunch. I've never had liver before. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Producer Rosie duPont, you're not here for liver. You're here to deliver. Now, get on that bike and get these orders out. 

ROSIE DUPONT: Wait, what? I've never delivered food before. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, it's easy. You're so great. You're going to be fine. You just read the name on the order and bike the food to the customer. Most are animals. Don't ask me why they keep calling. Shouldn't they be able to get their own food? I don't know, but they keep calling. So please, you got to hurry, since I've got so many orders. Go, Rosie. Go! 

ROSIE DUPONT: Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait! But, Molly, none of these orders have any names on them. 

MOLLY BLOOM: I don't have time to write down every name. I've got 200 pounds of kelp to fry, a rack of eels in the oven, and a pot of boiling gazpacho on the stove. 

ROSIE DUPONT: But Molly, gazpacho is famously served cold. Everybody knows that. 

MOLLY BLOOM: To hear more, head to smartypass.org and subscribe. A monthly pass costs about the same as an ice cream cone and get you fun bonus content like this, plus ad-free versions of all of our shows. Again, that's smartypass.org. Thanks for supporting the Brains On Universe, Smarty pals. 

Why does salt make food taste so good?

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?

Why is Jupiter called Earth's bodyguard?

Some call Jupiter “Earth’s bodyguard” because it keeps asteroids and comets from hitting our planet. But is Jupiter really protecting Earth?


Educators - Lesson Plan for Brains On! - Why is Jupiter called Earth's bodyguard? (Right Click to Download)

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!

Why is Jupiter called Earth’s bodyguard?

What is Down syndrome?

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. 


What is Down syndrome? 

Understanding big fires and big feelings

In today’s episode, we’re talking with a therapist about how to process the wildfires happening in Los Angeles County and we’ll learn about smoke and how it travels. We’re also going to check in with Sanden Totten, who had to evacuate his home with his family. Then, we’re also going to play some parts of a 2021 episode about how wildfires start and how people work to contain them.





Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Myth Busting Extravaganza

Anna Goldfield is full of facts! She knows the capital of New Hampshire is Concord and that the Greek God of the Sea is Poseidon! But does she know enough to join Anna Weggel and Aron’s Tuesday Trivia Team? Listen to find out, and test yourself along the way!


MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, Molly Bloom here. We love playing games at Brains On! We like tricky trivia, grueling guessing games, and challenging challenges. If you want to play along with us, sign up for the Smarty Pass. For just $5 a month, you'll get access to ad-free versions of Brains On!, Smash Boom Best Best, Forever Ago, and more. Plus, you'll get a bonus feat of all new episodes where we play games like this one. 

[WHISTLE] 

ANNA: Oh! 

ARUN: Hi, Anna. 

ANNA: Hi, Arun. So nice to see some pals in the labra-kitchen. 

ARUN: Hi, Anna. 

ANNA: Whoa, intense energy guys. Oh, did you have a nasty snack? Are you disappointed because we're all out of archeology ice cream? It is the best kind. You get to dig with your spoon for chocolate artifacts. 

ARUN: No, we're just feeling anxious. 

ANNA: Oh, do tell. Anxiety is one of my specialties. 

MOLLY BLOOM: To hear more, head to smartypass.org and subscribe. A monthly pass costs about the same as an ice cream cone and gets you fun bonus content like this, plus ad-free versions of all of our shows. Again, that's smartypass.org. Thanks for supporting the Brains On! Universe, smarty pals. 

How is paper made?

Paper is all around us. There’s toilet paper and pizza boxes, wrapping paper, and receipts. Most of the paper in the U.S. is made from trees, but it can be made out of all sorts of plant material – banana peels, cotton, rice, you name it!

Whirr. Zoom! Plink plink. It’s a Mystery Sound extravaganza

Shelley Roden guessing mystery sound

Shelley Roden describes Inside Out 2 scene

Bzzz. Shloop! Bang Bang. Wooooosh! It’s time for another Mystery Sound Extravaganza.

Join Molly and co-host Violet as they figure out what’s making some seriously mysterious noises. 

Plus, they'll interview Foley artist Shelley Roden about the art of making sound effects for movies. And they'll help Bob sort out some mixed up mystery sounds! Tune in and turn on your ears, cuz it’s time to guess some confounding sounds!

Featured Guests:
Shelley Roden is an award-winning Foley artist at Skywalker Sound in Northern, CA. Read more about her work here.


Is it true? Vikings, dogs, and twins edition

Listeners send us LOTS of questions. Like hundreds a month! We read every single one — and we love all of them! Every now and then, we get a special kind of question that starts with “Is it true that…?” These questions are special because they’re skeptical. They’re designed to seek out the truth.

How do whales communicate?

Baleen whales sing. Toothed whales click. But how and why do they make these musical sounds?

Are whales communicating with their clicks and songs?

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Bones On Mystery Sounds!

It’s almost midnight and Mr Bone Jangles has snuck into the studio to debut his new show -- Bones On! His plans are foiled when Molly pops in and asks him to guess some mystery sounds instead!


MOLLY BLOOM: Hi. Molly Bloom here. We love playing games at Brains On. We like tricky trivia, grueling guessing games, and challenging challenges. If you want to play along with us, sign up for the Smarty Pass. For just $5 a month, you'll get access to ad-free versions of Brains On, Smash Boom Bust, Forever Go, and more. Plus, you'll get a bonus feed of all new episodes where we play games like this one. 

Mr. Bonejangle, what are you doing in the studio? 

MR. BONEJANGLE: Me, in the studio? 

MOLLY BLOOM: Yes. You're sitting behind the microphone in the Brains On studio. 

MR. BONEJANGLE: Oh, that. [LAUGHS] I was just in there making sure this chair doesn't squeak. [LAUGHS] I wouldn't want any chair squeaks being picked up on this gorgeous microphone. [LAUGHS] You know my motto. My bones may creak, but the chairs shouldn't squeak. It's one of many. 

MOLLY BLOOM: OK. Anyway, as long as you're here, can I test out some new mystery sounds on you? 

MR. BONEJANGLE: Oh, Molly, my esteemed friend, I would be honored and delighted and a little scared. 

MOLLY BLOOM: To hear more, head to smartypass.org and subscribe. A monthly pass costs about the same as an ice cream cone and gets you fun bonus content like this. Plus, ad-free versions of all of our shows. Again, that's smartypass.org. Thanks for supporting the Brains On Universe, Smarty pals. 

All Episodes

A big update about the Brains On Universe

The life of a NASA astronaut

How do weather stations predict the weather?

Tree, Myself and I: All about our leafy green friends

Body Bonanza: Bruises, scars and Band-Aids

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Life is Poopiful

Are birds dinosaurs?

Trends: How do they start?

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Molly’s Inconceivable Preposterous Skateboard

How does solar power work?

What is asthma?

How does coral communicate?

Why do we have crushes?

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Smarty Pass Deli

Why does salt make food taste so good?

Why is Jupiter called Earth’s bodyguard?

What is Down syndrome?

Understanding big fires and big feelings

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Myth Busting Extravaganza

How is paper made?

Whirr. Zoom! Plink plink. It’s a Mystery Sound extravaganza

Is it true? Vikings, dogs, and twins edition

Are whales communicating with their clicks and songs?

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Bones On Mystery Sounds!