There are 376 episodes

Episode one logo Episode One: Eating!
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Created by: American Public Media

USA 11+6-10

Started: July 25th, 2013

Status: Active, 376 episodes

Kind: Episodic

Language: English

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Episodes

How metal wires changed the world!
00:27:41 | Season: 16 | Episode: 358 | December 16th, 2025

In our final look at metal, we explore how metal wires changed the world. Once humans figured out how to send little blasts of electricity through metal, we quickly developed lots of uses for this. One was a new way of communicating called the telegraph. Join Molly and co-host Ava as they team up with Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura to learn how people laid hundreds of miles of wire in hopes of sending messages across oceans. Plus, the new Brains On Headquarters is having an opening ceremony, and there’s a brand new Mystery Sound to guess!

How mastering metal saved lives
00:30:14 | Season: 16 | Episode: 357 | December 9th, 2025

Humans have been fascinated by metal for thousands of years. But it took us a long time to master making things with metal. In this episode we go back in time to learn how Japanese swords were forged, how swings were used to make thin metal wires and why steel cables saved so many lives. Molly and co-host Ava are joined by Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura for part two of this deep dive on all things metal. Plus, Marc meets some talking boxes and there’s an all new Mystery Sound.

How is metal made?
00:28:44 | Season: 15 | December 2nd, 2025

Metal is amazing. It can be super strong like a steel beam. Or super flexible, like a copper wire. Humans have been obsessed with metals of all kinds for a very long time. This is part one a three-part look at how humans have used metal throughout history. Molly and co-host Ava are joined by Dylan Thuras, co-founder of Atlas Obscura, to look at how Earth got metal in the first place, how humans first found and used this stuff, and when we started making primitive tools with it. Plus, Marc and Sanden have some problems unpacking the new Brains On library. All that and a Mystery Sound!

How does music get recorded and stored?
00:30:56 | Season: 15 | Episode: 335 | November 25th, 2025

Most of us take listening to music or podcasts for granted. You can find them on your phone, in the car or just about anywhere you can imagine. But, have you ever wondered how those sounds were captured in the first place? To find out, Molly and Co-host Canyon shrink down and follow a sound waves as it is recorded and stored. They meet a robot who really loves to eat old school media, like cassettes and CDs. And they learn how speakers turn information into the music we hear. All that plus a new mystery sound.

Do dogs know that they’re dogs?
00:26:18 | November 18th, 2025

We treat dogs like they’re part of the family. But do they know they are a different species, or do they think they’re just short, four-legged people?

Mystery Sounds from the natural world
00:33:28 | Season: 15 | Episode: 334 | November 11th, 2025

Today’s episode is full of Mystery Sounds from around the world. Molly and co-host Rehema are joined by sonic explorer Thomas Rex Beverly, who travels the globe to capture the sounds of the natural world. He brings us some beautiful head-scratchers that really must be heard to be believed. Plus, we turn the tables on Thomas and ask him to guess some sounds you sent in.

Why are octopuses so smart?
00:30:55 | Season: 15 | Episode: 333 | November 4th, 2025

Octopus, more like ROCK-topus! Because these creatures bring the excitement. They can shape shift to match their surroundings. They have three hearts and teeth on their tongues! And they are super smart. Join fill-in host Rosie duPont and co-host Izumi as they explore the world of their eight-armed wonders. They’re joined by Dr. Jennifer Mathers, a biologist and psychologist who studies octopus cognition, and Ophelia, who is a chatty octopus. You can also play along with our octopus themed game show. All that plus a brand new Mystery Sound and mail from our listeners!

Why do electric cars sound so unique?
00:28:27 | Season: 15 | Episode: 332 | October 28th, 2025

You may have noticed that electric cars sound different from gas powered cars. The engine doesn’t rumble; instead, it might sound like a hum or even a song. Why is that? Ride along as we learn how electric cars work and why there is so much shush in their woosh. Plus, Molly and co-host Asher interview Jay Kapadia, a sound designer who programs the special noises of electric cars for General Motors. And speaking of special noises, we’ve got a car sounds game show plus a new Mystery Sound!




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This just makes me want marshmallows so bad.

(4/5)

by sunsmith

Created by: American Public Media
Started: July 25th, 2013
Status: Active, 376 episodes
Kind: Episodic
Language: English

USA11+6-10
© 2022 by goodenough.works, because it does. Privacy Policy | Contact | This dad codes.
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