Brains On! Science podcast for kids
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/
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
15 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 27min
Hoax Hunters: What is the Bermuda Triangle
Investigators dig into the Bermuda Triangle myth and the famous Flight 19 disappearance. They compare spooky theories like aliens and lost cities with mundane explanations like weather and navigational errors. A mystery sound game and listener fan art add playful moments.
Mar 17, 2026 • 24min
How do flowers get their smells?
Dr Kelsey Byers, an evolutionary chemical ecologist at the John Innes Centre, explains why flowers make scents and how scent molecules work. Short sentences explore how smells attract specific pollinators. Listen about roses’ complex chemical bouquets. Hear why some flowers switch scents after pollination and how stinky plants like the corpse flower lure flies.
Mar 10, 2026 • 34min
It's time for the....Mystery Sound Extravaganza!
Eleven bite-sized mystery sounds from around the world keep listeners guessing. Clips include clattering knives on a magnetic strip, sizzling butter, hula-hoop beads, dry ice scooping in a lab, and a garage door closing. Playful back-and-forth guessing and surprising real-world sources make the segment lively and fun.
Mar 3, 2026 • 24min
Why do we have Daylight Saving Time?
They explore why clocks change and what "spring forward, fall back" actually does. A playful segment explains seasons using a tilted-Earth analogy. History of daylight saving time from ancient hours to World War I gets covered. There’s a mystery sound game and a look at how clock changes affect sleep, health, and daily routines.
Feb 27, 2026 • 1min
New Brains On tour dates added: St. Paul, Atlanta, Portland -- and more!
Exciting new tour stops across many cities are announced. The live shows will feature singing, dancing, magic tricks, games, mystery sounds, and playful science demonstrations. Information on tickets and meet-and-greet passes with Q&A, photos, and close-up magic is shared. Dates and cities are highlighted for spring travel.
Feb 24, 2026 • 33min
Let's Go Bananas
A voice assistant update makes everything about bananas and nothing else. Scientists explain how bananas share genes with us and why they make other fruit ripen. Learn why grocery bananas lack seeds and how farmers clone them. Hear the history of the classic banana-peel slip gag and a bunch of silly banana jokes from listeners.
Feb 17, 2026 • 28min
What is a generation and why do we have them?
They explain what social generations are and how 15-year birth cohorts get their names. The show traces Baby Boomers through Generation X, Millennials, Gen Z and Alpha, highlighting cultural moments that shaped each group. Researchers discuss how tech and surveys reveal differences between cohorts. Kids pitch fun renaming ideas and a comic character invents a silly new generation name.
Feb 10, 2026 • 29min
Why doesn’t stomach acid burn right through us?
They explore why powerful stomach acid does not burn a hole through us. Listeners hear about the stomach’s protective mucus, bicarbonate, and rapid lining renewal. The show dives into wild animal digestion strategies and how early medical research revealed stomach secrets. A mystery sound and listener mail add playful segments.
Feb 3, 2026 • 30min
Can a spider eat a wasp?
Dr. Paula Cushing, senior curator and 30-year spider researcher, explains spider and wasp interactions. She describes how spiders trap, venomize, and externally digest wasps. The show also covers wasps that hunt and paralyze spiders, like tarantula hawks. Short segments highlight specialized hunters and surprising spider strategies.
Jan 27, 2026 • 25min
How do stickers stick?
Philip Messersmith, a materials scientist and professor at UC Berkeley, talks about the science behind adhesives and medical patches. Short segments explain how glue fills microscopic bumps and why pressure helps stickers stick. There’s a dive into scratch-and-sniff tech and the challenges of making stickers that work inside the body.
