Brains On! Universe

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Channel • 5 Shows

Education for Kids

Education for Kids

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Education for Kids

Education for Kids

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Kids & Family

Kids & Family

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Education for Kids

Education for Kids

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Stories for Kids

Stories for Kids

Updated 10/14/2020

6 DAYS AGO

Understanding big fires and big feelings

Wildfires in Los Angeles County have burned homes, businesses, and schools. Many people have had to evacuate and there’s smoke and ash in the air. We know lots of Brains On listeners live in Los Angeles — and even if you don’t, there’s a good chance you know someone who lives there or have heard people talking about the fires. So, for today’s episode, we decided to talk about the fires in California. First, you’ll hear from Sanden Totten, who lives in Los Angeles and had to evacuate with his family. Therapist Caroline Hickman will talk about how to process what’s happening, then we’ll learn about how smoke travels. Finally, you’ll hear parts of an episode we made a few years ago about how wildfires start and how people work to contain them. Featured Guests: Caroline Hickman is a psychotherapist and lecturer at the University of Bath in the U.K., who specializes in eco-anxiety and climate psychology. Find out more about her work here. Margo Robbins, co-founder and executive director of the Cultural Fire Management Council and a member of the Yurok Tribe in northern California. Learn more about her work here. Additional Resources for Parents: A printable coloring and activity book and guide for supporting young children after a fire from Sesame Workshop. Resources for parents processing the Los Angeles wildfires with their kids from Dr. Becky. NPR created this printable cartoon ”A kid's guide to climate change” which focuses on how to manage climate change anxiety, and turn it into action. It also tells the story of a teen who was forced to evacuate his home during a wildfire. The Big Burn episode from LAist gives advice on how to help kids (and adults!) move through fear and anxiety about wildfires. How to talk to children about wildfires, evacuations and losing a home from LAist. All About Feelings episodes from Brains On can help kids understand their emotions. The LA Public Library has put together this list of books that can help kids process traumatic events. Ways to Help: The California Fire Foundation: The California Fire Foundation is working with local fire agencies and community organizations to support residents impacted by the blazes. LAFD Wildfire Emergency Funding Alert: The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation provides equipment and funds critical programs to help the LAFD save lives and protect communities. They are seeking donations to provide additional gear for firefighters. Support Immigrant Workers Impacted by the Los Angeles Fires: The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is fundraising for immigrant workers who have been impacted by the wildfires. Verified Fundraisers on GoFundMe: Across California, wildfires have burned thousands of acres, destroying homes and businesses and forcing thousands to evacuate. You can support those affected by donating to the verified fundraisers on this page. GoFundMe’s Trust & Safety team will continue to update this page with more fundraisers as they are verified. Pasadena Humane Society has taken in 300+ animals due to evacuations. They need monetary donations to help provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires. Baby2Baby- Baby2Baby is currently responding to the devastating wildfires raging across Los Angeles by providing critical items including diapers, food, formula and hygiene products for children and families who have lost everything. They are working with 470 partner organizations in LA County spanning schools, shelters and hospitals to fulfill requests coming in for essential items.

6 days ago

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42 min
JAN 7

How is paper made?

Paper is all around us. There’s toilet paper and pizza boxes, wrapping paper, and receipts. Most of the paper in the U.S. is made from trees, but it can be made out of all sorts of plant material – banana peels, cotton, rice, you name it! Join guest host Rosie duPont and co-host Arya as they explore how paper is made (spoiler: most of it comes from trees!). Then, an old paper party hat named Crumplestiltskin will share how paper recycling works. To wrap things up, they’ll hear a real stumper of a mystery sound. You won’t want to miss it! Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts! Today’s episode is sponsored by: Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

Jan 7

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27 min
12/31/2024

Whirr. Zoom! Plink plink. It’s a Mystery Sound extravaganza

Bzzz. Shloop! Bang Bang. Wooooosh! It’s time for another Mystery Sound Extravaganza.Join Molly and co-host Violet as they figure out what’s making some seriously mysterious noises. Plus, they'll interview Foley artist Shelley Roden about the art of making sound effects for movies. And they'll help Bob sort out some mixed up mystery sounds! Tune in and turn on your ears, cuz it’s time to guess some confounding sounds!Featured Guests:Shelley Roden is an award-winning Foley artist at Skywalker Sound in Northern, CA. Read more about her work here.

12/31/2024

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33 min
11/28/2024

Bluey vs. Elmo: a lovable debate

Today's debate is a showdown between two lovable characters. One is a playful pup from down under, and one is a giggling, ticklish monster. It’s Bluey vs. Elmo! Writer Kathryn VanArendonk will fight for family fun with team Bluey while culture writer and podcaster Margaret H. Willison will charm you with Elmo’s curiosity and cuteness. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Follow 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast and unlock weekly Christmas mystery bonus content and listen to every episode ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!

11/28/2024

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35 min
12/17/2024

Are whales communicating with their clicks and songs?

Baleen whales sing. Toothed whales click. But how and why do they make these musical sounds?Join Molly and co-host Tyler as they dive into the wonderful world of whale sounds. First, they run into Anna Goldfield on her way to audition for a whale choir. She teaches them about the voice boxes of baleen whales. Then, biologist Shane Gero talks about sperm whale communication, and how humans are only just beginning to understand the complexity of the sounds they make. All that, plus a whale of a mystery sound! Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts! Today’s episode is sponsored by: Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

12/17/2024

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34 min
12/04/2024

Jobs that don’t exist anymore

As times change, so do jobs, and careers that once were common can go extinct! Join Joy and co-host Amirah as they head to the world famous “This Used to be a Career Fair.” There, you’ll hear about knocker uppers, switchboard operators, ornamental hermits and other unique jobs that have gone away as technology and culture have changed. Plus, listeners share their ideas for new jobs that will exist in the future, and we play a brand new game of First Things First! This episode was sponsored by:Wondery - Follow 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast and unlock weekly Christmas mystery bonus content and listen to every episode ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

12/04/2024

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27 min
12/18/2024

Songs of the Humpback Whale: How one record helped save the whales

We have a real whale of a story for you this week! It’s a FIN-tastic classic. Joy and cohost Mina meet up with Hugh the humpback whale to hear the story of Marie Fish, a real-life biologist who used underwater microphones to show the world that life under the sea is full of sounds. Then, they’ll hear how scientist Roger Payne changed the course of history for whales by releasing a record of their songs. Don’t forget a splashy new First Things First!A huge thank you to Science Friday’s podcast “Undiscovered” for sharing a recording of their interview with Roger Payne. This episode also includes recordings from Whale.org, Ocean Alliance and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Library.Want to learn more about how and why whales make songs and clicks?Check out Brains On episode about whale communication here. This episode was sponsored by:Wondery - Follow 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast and unlock weekly Christmas mystery bonus content and listen to every episode ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

12/18/2024

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27 min
10/31/2024

Ghostbusters vs. Jurassic Park: a cinematic debate

Today’s debate is full of frights and delights. Grab your popcorn and watch your backs because it’s Ghostbusters vs. Jurassic Park! We’ve got podcast producer Tracy Mumford, ready to take the call for team Ghostbusters, and journalist and author Tom Weber is eager to roar for team Jurassic Park! Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit Greenlight.com/inclined. Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!

10/31/2024

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33 min
JAN 10

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Myth Busting Extravaganza

Anna Goldfield is full of facts! She knows the capital of New Hampshire is Concord and that the Greek God of the Sea is Poseidon! But does she know enough to join Anna Weggel and Aron’s Tuesday Trivia Team? Listen to find out, and test yourself along the way!

Jan 10

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1 min
12/11/2024

Hip-Hop History: How teenagers invented rap music

Rap music is one of the most popular genres of music in the world today. But where did it all begin? Join hosts Joy and Savion as they go back to the 1970s to hear two stories about how rap music started. Learn how one teenager's back-to-school party brought together beats and rhyming to form a new style of music. And find out how a female record producer introduced rap music to the radio for the first time. All that plus a fresh First Things First. Hip hop and you don’t stop!This episode is brought to you by Wondery. Follow 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast and unlock weekly Christmas mystery bonus content and listen to every episode ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

12/11/2024

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26 min

The Brains On! Universe is your number one stop for award-winning podcasts for kids and curious adults. Check out shows like Brains On!, Forever Ago, Smash Boom Best and Moment of Um. Whether you love science, history, debate or just want cool facts to impress your friends with, we’ve got you covered. Brains On! Universe podcasts are produced by American Public Media. Learn more at www.brainson.org

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Brains On! Universe

Top Shows

Top Episodes

Understanding big fires and big feelings

How is paper made?

Whirr. Zoom! Plink plink. It’s a Mystery Sound extravaganza

Bluey vs. Elmo: a lovable debate

Are whales communicating with their clicks and songs?

Jobs that don’t exist anymore

Songs of the Humpback Whale: How one record helped save the whales

Ghostbusters vs. Jurassic Park: a cinematic debate

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Myth Busting Extravaganza

Hip-Hop History: How teenagers invented rap music

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