The Mosties

It’s our first annual awards show, the Mosties, where we seek out superlatives from fastest and tallest to oldest and slowest.

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

The Mosties!

Forever Ago is back June 1!

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


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 - 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! 

Dreams: The science of a sleeping brain

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?"   


What happens in our brains when we dream?

Tongue twisters: Terribly terrific and truly tantalizing

Why are tongue twisters so hard, and so fun, to say?

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!

Brains On! - May  3, 2022

From caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly - metamorphosis in action!

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!

How does a caterpillar become a butterfly?

What makes tiny tardigrades tick?

Find out where tardigrades live, what they eat and why we sent them to space!

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.

How do hurricanes form?

How do hurricanes form, how do we live with them, where do they get their names and how do we learn about them?


What’s more important for a hurricane to form, air molecules or clouds? 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. And get your dancing shoes on, because we’ve got a real barn burner 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 brainson.org/contact by May 1, 2022 for a chance to be included in the episode.

Into the eye of a storm: How hurricanes form

Is mind-reading real?

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!


Owl about owls

Come take a fictional tour of the Night Owl Sanctuary, where Nolan the know-it-owl fills us in on cool owl facts.


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!

Owl about Owls

How are we related to stars?

Living on Earth, it’s hard to imagine there are bits of stars in us, but it’s true!

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!!!

Why are butts and poop so funny?

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?

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?

Inside the immune system: Bad robots and friendly monsters

The immune system is so cool and so important but it largely goes about its business without us knowing it.


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!

 Inside the immune system: Bad robots and friendly monsters

What's up with worms?

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! 


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!

Mountain life: How's the air up there?

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!


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.

Chilling out with snow

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.

Snowflake on a Stick

Could you walk around the world?

What route would you take to walk around the world?


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!

Why do we like sugar so much?

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!


Do we live in a multiverse?

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.


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!

Why are giraffe tongues blue? - a Moment of Um extra

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.


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.

Why are giraffe tongues blue? - A Moment of Um extra

Introducing Moment of Um!

We're super excited for you to hear the newest podcast from the creators of Brains On and Smash Boom Best. Say hello to Moment of Um! The show helps to answer those questions that seem to pop into your head out of nowhere. Bitesized episodes drop every weekday starting January 24th. Follow on your favorite podcast app or it on YouTube. 

What would happen if you dropped a feather in space?

We’re heading to space, and dropping a feather in a few different places to see what happens!


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?

White feathers float against a black background

What happens if you drop a feather in space?

The innies and outies of belly buttons

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?


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?

A guide to getting your COVID shot

Vaccines for kids and silver linings: Our second COVID summer

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.


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! 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?

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?


How do the COVID vaccines work? // Brains On! Science Podcast For Kids

How effective are the COVID vaccines? // Brains On! Science Podcast For Kids

Shark teeth: The sharp bits of a squishy animal

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 healthy with their super snacking. Stick around for a listener-submitted mystery sound and a Moment of Um: why does steam rise in the air?


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?

All Episodes

The Mosties!

Forever Ago is back June 1!

Dreams: The science of a sleeping brain

Tongue twisters: Terribly terrific and truly tantalizing

How does a caterpillar become a butterfly?

What makes tiny tardigrades tick?

Into the eye of a storm: How hurricanes form

Is mind-reading real?

Owl about Owls

How are we related to stars?

Why are butts and poop so funny?

Inside the immune system: Bad robots and friendly monsters

What's up with worms?

Mountain life: How's the air up there?

Chilling out with snow

Could you walk around the world?

Why do we like sugar so much?

Do we live in a multiverse?

Why are giraffe tongues blue? - A Moment of Um extra

Introducing Moment of Um!

What happens if you drop a feather in space?

The innies and outies of belly buttons

A guide to getting your COVID shot

Shark teeth: The sharp bits of a squishy animal