Podcasts · Kids & Family

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Brains On Universe

300 episodes

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.

More about the show

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

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Brains On presents Forever Ago: History Mystery Sounds

    · 36 min · Bonus

    This week Brains On is giving you an extra helping of Mystery Sounds… with a twist! Listen as our pals at Forever Ago try to stump you with history Mystery Sounds! Joy Dolo and co-host Gabi are having a history sound…

  2. Sneak Peek: Molly debates Sanden in Sloths vs Cheetahs!

    · 23 min · Bonus

    Molly Bloom as a debater? It’s true! This is a sneak peek at a bonus episode we just shared in our Smarty Pass feed. Molly debates Sanden in a Smash Boom Best showdown between Cheetahs and Sloths. To hear the full,…

  3. Why do we like getting scared?

    · 33 min

    Spooky stuff may make you cover your eyes in fright, but many of us find ourselves peeking through our fingers to get another glimpse. Why are we drawn to things that make us jump? In this episode, we'll find out how…

  4. Can dogs read our minds?

    · 38 min

    Does it seem like your dog knows what you’re going to do before you do it? Do they know how you’re feeling? We’re going to answer these questions by talking to Dr. Alexandra Horowitz from the Dog Cognition Lab at…

  5. The hows and whys of hair

    · 31 min

    The hair on our heads is on our minds. We have fun with follicles and learn about how they make hair. Our experts help us decipher what makes hair black or brown, blonde or red, and even why it turns gray. From eye…

  6. Sneak peek: The history of pineapple on pizza

    · 9:07 · Bonus

    This is a sneak peak of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass members. It’s a follow up to our Forever Ago episode on the history of pizza. In this one, we look at the man who made pineapple on pizza a thing. Plus,…

  7. Hoax Hunters: Why do crystals feel so special?

    · 28 min

    Marc and Sanden are back as the Hoax Hunters. This time they’re looking at the myths surrounding crystals. For hundreds of years, people have believed that these rocks are special and have powers. But is there any…

  8. Mystery Sound Extravaganza fall 2026

    · 40 min

    Oh boy, oh boy! Are you ready to do some guessing?!? We have doozies to detect. There are clues to calculate. And so, so many goodies to get into. We hope your ears are warmed up, because it’s time for the… Mystery…

  9. Why do we need pinky toes?

    · 33 min

    Pinky toes may seem small, but they’re kind of a big deal. Join Molly and co-host Luna Mae as they learn about why we have these tiny toes and what would happen if we didn’t have them. Plus, we talk about animals with…

  10. Why does music make us dance?

    · 37 min

    When you hear a good beat, it can be hard not to tap your toe or bob your head. Why is this? It turns out, we may be hardwired to start dancing when we hear certain rhythms. Join Molly and co-host Adriel as they…

  11. Black holes, wormholes and donut holes!

    · 40 min

    Black holes happen when you have a super huge, mega-giant amount of stuff --- crammed into a super-tiny, infinitely-small amount of space. AND THEY ARE SUPER COOL! In this episode, we learn all about what black holes…

  12. How do we get Vitamin D from the sun?

    · 30 min

    There’s a bunch of vitamins and minerals our bodies need to do their body thing. Our bodies don’t make them, so we get them through food – except for vitamin D! We can get vitamin D from the UV rays from the sun, but…

  13. Forever Ago: Who invented Pokemon?

    · 33 min

    We are super-excited to let you know that our pals at Forever Ago just started a brand new season. Host of Forever Ago, Joy Dolo, will dive into all sorts of cool history including trick or treating, the Wizard of Oz…

  14. Sneak peek: Hoax Hunters explain the Pokemon Shock

    · 6:59 · Bonus

    This is a sneak peek of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass subscribers. It’s a follow up to the Forever Ago episode about the history of Pokemon. This time, Marc and Sanden are back as the Hoax Hunters to…

  15. Do plants fart?

    · 35 min

    Plants are pretty chill things, maybe because they are farting all the time! In this episode we explore the world of plant gas. Join Molly and co-host Zsa Zsa as they learn how plants pass gas and why it’s important to…

  16. Joy Overload! The science of tickles and cuteness

    · 40 min

    Get ready for some smiles! We’re looking at the science of two things that bring us joy: tickles and cuteness. We’ll explain why tickles make us giggle and why you can’t tickle yourself. Then we’ll talk about what…

  17. How do walkie talkies work?

    · 30 min

    Walkie talkies are cool tech with a cool name. In today's episode we find out how can one little box let you talk to somebody miles away. Even though we have cell phones that can connect to places around the world,…

  18. Hoax Hunters take on the Fresno Nightcrawler

    · 30 min

    Marc and Sanden are back as the Hoax Hunters! This time they look at the case of the Fresno Nightcrawler. In 2007 a man’s security camera recorded something strange outside his house. It looked like sweatpants out for…

  19. Why are brains so squishy?

    · 34 min

    Our brains are amazing machines, but they are also very delicate. We have to wear helmets when we bike, skate, or do other activities where we might bang our skulls. Why is the brain so sensitive? Turns out, it’s a…

  20. How do oysters make pearls?

    · 35 min

    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…

  21. Why do mosquitoes bite?

    · 28 min

    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…

  22. How do lightbulbs work?

    · 30 min

    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…

  23. Crystals: More than just shiny rocks

    · 35 min

    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…

  24. Brains On Presents: Smash Boom Best - Slime vs Slinkies

    · 41 min

    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…

  25. Why do we like the number 100?

    · 43 min

    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:…

  26. Growth Spurts!

    · 21 min

    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…

  27. Skin, sweat and hair!

    · 21 min

    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…

  28. What is puberty?

    · 22 min · S17 E374

    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…

  29. Why don’t we feel the Earth spinning?

    · 31 min · S17 E373

    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…

  30. Introducing...Brains On Universe Presents: Puberty! (The podcast)

    · 1:35 · Trailer

    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…

  31. How does soap work?

    · 34 min

    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…

  32. How to build a house on the moon

    · 32 min · S17 E297

    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…

  33. More sport science: Bats and black eyes

    · 28 min · S17 E371

    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?…

  34. Sport science: softballs, baseballs, and curve balls

    · 30 min · S17 E370

    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…

  35. Is there such a thing as a blue raspberry? And why are raspberries hairy?

    · 29 min · S17 E369

    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…

  36. Hoax Hunters: What is the Bermuda Triangle

    · 30 min · S17 E368

    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…

  37. How do flowers get their smells?

    · 27 min

    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…

  38. It's time for the....Mystery Sound Extravaganza!

    · 37 min · S17 E366

    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…

  39. Why do we have Daylight Saving Time?

    · 27 min · S17 E365

    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…

  40. New Brains On tour dates added: St. Paul, Atlanta, Portland -- and more!

    · 1:48

    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…

  41. Let's Go Bananas

    · 36 min · S17 E188

    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.…

  42. What is a generation and why do we have them?

    · 31 min · S17 E364

    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…

  43. Why doesn’t stomach acid burn right through us?

    · 32 min · S17 E363

    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…

  44. Can a spider eat a wasp?

    · 33 min · S16 E362

    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…

  45. How do stickers stick?

    · 28 min · S16 E361

    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.…

  46. Totally Slothsome: All about sloths

    · 31 min · Episode 198

    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…

  47. Hoax Hunters: Can a lake turn animals to stone?

    · 34 min · S17 E360

    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…

  48. Why do skunks stink?

    · 33 min · S17 E359

    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…

  49. Brains On presents - Rocket women: How a secret program paved the way for female astronauts

    · 39 min · Bonus

    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…

  50. Brains On presents: Smash Boom Best - Hot Wheels vs Monster Trucks

    · 38 min · Bonus

    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…

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.