Brains on

Introducing Smarty Pass: Your ticket to the Brains On! Universe
^{00:04:15 | October 28th, 2022}

Become a Smarty Pass subscriber today to access bonus episodes and ad-free episodes of Brains On!, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago — all right here in your favorite podcast player.

Moon Myths: Why are there so many scary stories about the full moon?
^{00:33:41 | October 25th, 2022}

The full moon is bright, beautiful, and reappears in the sky like clockwork. Many cultures use the full moon to mark the passing of time and organize calendars around the moon’s cycle. So why does the full moon also have a reputation for causing mischief and mayhem? In this episode, we’ll learn where some of these beliefs come from and investigate whether the full moon actually does affect humans and our behavior. We’ll also hear about folklore tied to the full moon and examine how the moon’s phases work. All that plus a brand new mystery sound!

AHH! How music can make scary movies even scarier
^{00:33:25 | October 18th, 2022}

We listen to music with our ears – and that amazing electric meatball between our ears: our brain! But why do our brains find some music scary?

Blood: The superhighway of the body
^{00:33:07 | October 11th, 2022}

Did the Brontosaurus really exist?
^{00:32:01 | October 4th, 2022}

Today’s episode is all about one of the most dynamite dinosaurs, the Brontosaurus! This long-necked icon has been featured in books, cartoons, movies, and even logos. But did the Brontosaurus really exist in the first place? We’ll dig into that question and uncover the history of Brontosaurus with science writer and bronto-enthusiast Riley Black. We’ll also learn about taxonomy from a ghost and catch up with Mr. Bone Jangles. Plus, a new mystery sound to discover!

What happens at zoos after dark?
^{00:32:47 | September 27th, 2022}

In this episode we check out three different zoos after visitors leave and the gates are locked. We’ll hear about some adventurous penguins, learn how chimps tuck themselves in and find out why it’s important to smell a gorilla first thing in the morning. Oh, and did you know sometimes zoo animals need a ride from the airport? All this and a brand new mystery sound!

Where does your imagination come from?
^{00:36:56 | September 20th, 2022}

Picture this: a pickle with a cowboy hat. It has cute little arms and legs — let’s make them orange. And this pickle is riding a horse on the beach as the sun sets. #PickleLife, am I right? Now think about this: you just imagined that whole scene in your head!

Where do accents come from?
^{00:29:46 | September 13th, 2022}

Today we're looking at why there are so many different ways to pronounce the same words and where our accents come from. How did British and American accents become different? Why do some kids have different accents than their parents? We're going to answer these questions and find out how our accents tell the stories of our communities and our ancestors. Plus: A brand new mystery sound!