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Brains On Universe

Brains On!® is a science podcast for curious kids and adults from Brains On Universe. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world sent in by listeners. Like, do dogs know they’re dogs? Or, why do feet stink? Plus, we have mystery sounds for you to guess, songs for you to dance to, and lots of facts -- all checked by experts.

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Pearls are shiny little things that look great on a bracelet or necklace. They’re made by shell-dwelling creatures called oysters, but how? Dive in as Molly and co-host Katherine explore the underwater world of oysters and other mollusks. They’ll talk with researcher Priya Shukla and producer Menaka Wilhelm to learn how these squishy creatures make pretty pearls. Plus, a game show and a Mystery Sound!

Want to support the show? Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Smarty Pass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

How do oysters make pearls?

In this episode, we're tackling all the mosquito questions that have been bugging our listeners. Why do they bite? Why do the bites itch? Is scratching them a good idea? Why do some people seem to be more delicious to mosquitoes? How can we keep them away from us? And are mosquitoes good for the world? The Hoax Hunters also make another hoax-tastic appearance.

*Note: if you had a problem with jumbled voices talking over each other, that has been fixed. Just re-download the file or refresh the feed. Appologies - I was trying to shoo away a mosquito.

Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes, hangouts, discounts 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. Fall 2026 show announcement coming soon!

Why do mosquitoes bite?

We use lightbulbs everyday, but how often do we stop to think about how they work? These genius little inventions are packed with cool science. Molly and co-host Maya will explain how they work step by step. Plus we’ll hear your suggestions for what to shout when you have a bright idea. Oh, and a new Mystery Sound to light up your life. Enjoy!

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. Fall 2026 show announcement coming soon!

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

How do lightbulbs work?

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

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. Fall 2026 show announcement coming soon!

June 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OH

June 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI

Crystals: More than just shiny rocks

We will be back next week with a new episode! This week we have an episode from our sister show Smash Boom Best: Slime vs Slinkies!Set out these two playthings on a table and see which one your kid grabs first. Is it the gooey, squishy, surprising slime? Or the springy, wiggly, wonderous slinky? Both are fun, one will triumph! Smooshing the competition for Team Slime, it’s RadioLab host Latif Nasser. And stretching toward victory for Team Slinky, it’s podcast producer Hans Buetow. Listen to see which terrific toy takes the top prize. And don’t forget to vote for your favorite at smashboom.org.

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!

Brains On Presents: Smash Boom Best - Slime vs Slinkies

As Brains On fast approaches 400 episodes, we wanted to re-visit this one. Not only is it our milestone episode 100, but our pal Gungador goes from Most Epic Fighting Battle Realm to a much more challenging setting: high school. We ask why people seem to love the number 100 so much. We also learn some amazing tricks involving the number 100 and fan favorite. There's a super-cool Mystery Sound too, so keep those ears open!

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!

June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI

June 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OH

June 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI

Why do we like the number 100?

Today we’re sharing with you part of an episode from our new special series, Brains On Universe Presents: Puberty! (the podcast). You can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This is an excerpt covering stuff that any one of any age might be interested in. Last week, we looked at skin, sweat and hair.

Want to learn more about growing? Check out this Brains On episode: Why do our bodies take so long to grow?

In the Puberty podcast feed, we’ll dive deeper into each topic. And answer your questions, with help from super smart experts. 

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.

Growth Spurts!

Today we’re sharing with you part of an episode from our new special series, Brains On Universe Presents: Puberty! (the podcast). You can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This is an excerpt covering stuff that any one of any age might be interested in. Last week, we answered: what’s puberty anyway?

In the Puberty podcast feed, we’ll dive deeper into each topic. And answer your questions, with help from super smart experts. 

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.

Skin, sweat and hair!

We’re making a special eight episode show called Brains On Universe Presents Puberty (The Podcast). You can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Over the next few weeks we’re going to play some excerpts from the series for you here. 

These samples cover stuff like how hormones help us grow, how they change our skin - think zits – and how they affect our moods. We picked topics that should be appropriate for everyone interested in how bodies grow. 

In the Puberty podcast feed, we’ll dive deeper into each topic. And answer your questions, with help from super smart experts. 

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.

What is puberty?

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.

Why don’t we feel the Earth spinning?

To help us understand sunburns, we’re going deep into the skin to look at cells, molecules and electrons.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sunburns: The why behind the ouch (and how to avoid them)

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