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Our 200th episode is SUN-sational!

For our 200th episode, we get an up close and personal look at the sun. 


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!


How NASA's Parker Solar Probe Will Survive the Sun

How far can a cloud travel?

Can the same cloud you see travel halfway across the world?


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 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 (or torture) and a Moment of Um that answers the question: Why do pugs have such scrunchy faces?  

Totally Slothsome: All about sloths

Slow moving sloths and their perma-smiles have captured the heart and minds of people everywhere. Find out what makes this slowest moving mammal tick. 


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?

Brains On Podcast

Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best.


Smash Boom Best

Julie and her daughter, children’s author and educator Emma Walton Hamilton, invite you into their library to read their favorite children's books. Every story comes to life with sound, music and activities. Authors, kids and other special guests chime in, too! 


Julie's Library

A history show for the whole family! Every episode explores the origin of just one thing — like sandwiches, video games, clocks and more — while teaching listeners to think critically about history.


Forever Ago

Other APM Podcasts

Listen to all the episodes in our series on the coronavirus, get resources and more.


Coronavirus Episodes and Resources

Earlier this year, Brains On teamed up with the Science Museum of Minnesota, with funding from the National Science Foundation, to launch a study on how shows like ours can provide families with science-based information to help ease children’s worries during a pandemic.


Scrapbook to remember what it's like right now

Brains On Coronavirus Research!

Brains On teamed up with the Science Museum of Minnesota, with funding from the National Science Foundation, to launch a groundbreaking study looking at how families use podcasts.


PHASE 1: Analysis of Secondary Data (Click Here)

PHASE 2: Listener Survey (Click Here)

PHASE 3: Family Interviews (Click Here)

Brains On Research!

Brains On is an award-winning science podcast for kids from American Public Media.  Each week, joined by a different kid co-host, we ask fascinating questions about science and go wherever the answers take us.  Sometimes this means hearing skits about sound waves, songs about slime or interviews with astronauts.


Introducing Debate with Smash Boom Best

Brains On Curiosity Kit Books

Brains On Curiosity Kit Animal Farts

Brains On Curiosity Kit Colds

Brains On Curiosity Kit Deep Sea vs Outer Space

Brains On Curiosity Kit Slime

Resources for Educators

Going on a trip and need to keep the fun going over the long weekend? Here's a list of interactive podcast episodes filled with songs and audio games that will keep you laughing, clapping, and playing until you reach your destination.


Listen On: Fun! Fun! Fun!

Gearing up for a long trip and want to keep the gross out fun going? Check out our handy podcast playlist, featuring episodes of shows that answer questions like: Where does your poop go? What do you think a pig fart sounds like? And just how much did dinosaurs fart, poop, and pee?


Listen On: Gross Out

Going on a long trip and looking for some podcasts to go with the latest Brains On! water show? We've got a fun podcast playlist filled with audio goodies by Tumble, Ear Snacks, and more.


Listen On: Water

Hitting the road this weekend to do a little exploring? Go on a little audio adventure as you prep for your journey with our podcast playlist. You'll learn about Australia's youngest female pilot, discover underground cities in Canada, and so much more.


Listen On: Exploration and Adventure!

Switch up your audio queue with this playlist of podcasts all about music. You’ll learn what it’s like to be a conductor, who was the first music superstar, and so much more.


Listen On: All About Music

Headed out on a summer road trip? Keep the kids happy in the backseat with this podcast playlist. It will take you on an aural adventure around the cosmos.  


Listen On: Out of This World!

Going on a road trip? Keep the fun going with this playlist of podcast episodes all about books (plus a few bonus videos, too). 


Listen On: Book Extravaganza!

Here's something a little new! We're working on a few podcast playlists for the summer to keep the fun and learning going when you're on the road. (By: Rion Nakaya of The Kid Should See This)


Resources