If Objects Could Talk

Getty
  • 4.6 (34)
  • Education for Kids
  • Updated Weekly

What is Athena's owl doing in the Greek marketplace? How does a snake bracelet celebrate her favorite holiday? This first season on If Objects Could Talk, the newest series from Getty Podcasts, artifacts leave the museum vault and come alive to share their side of the story. Featuring objects from Getty's antiquities collection, each episode introduces listeners to the history, creation, and everyday use of incredible items like an Egyptian cat statue, an ancient kind of dice, and a glass flask shaped like a fish. Voice actors and immersive sound design bring these historical fiction tales to life.

  1. 4d ago

    The Magnificent Microscope and the Fabulous Flea

    It’s a knight! It’s a cat! No, it’s a…flea? Picture it: the French countryside, 1751. A young flea prepares for his moment in the spotlight—of a magnificent gold and sharkskin microscope. This compound microscope was the height of scientific knowledge, showcasing both the newest technology and fashionable design. It allowed people—including science lovers like King Louis XV—to discover new worlds in small things. In this first episode of season two, learn about compound microscopes, the Enlightenment, and what “rococo” means. Like this episode? Head to the website (www.getty.edu/ioct) for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities, like how to create your own journal of the natural world. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star! And don't forget to leave us a rating or review. These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu. For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcasts Recording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/ Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world.  Learn more about all we do for art on our website: Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/

    The Magnificent Microscope and the Fabulous Flea

  2. Jul 9 ·  Bonus

    Coming Soon: Bastille Day (and Season 2)

    Announcing Season 2, this mini-episode features Purrquoise, a bright turquoise porcelain cat that was made in China in the 1700s and has traveled the world ever since. Now that he’s made himself at home in Los Angeles, he’s ready to pitch his script all about the storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution.  Of course, if he can’t get that movie made, he’s still excited to announce that If Objects Can Talk returns this fall with ten more stories from adventurous, luxurious—and sometimes very silly—objects, including Purrquoise himself!  Feeling inspired to celebrate Bastille Day? Learn more on our website and in our listening guide! Visit: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/introducing-season-two/ For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcasts OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation is part art history, part guided meditation: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ Recording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/ Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world.  Learn more about all we do for art on our website: Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/

    Coming Soon: Bastille Day (and Season 2)

  3. Mar 6

    (Rerun) Snake Charm on Your Arm

    (Rerun) How does a snake bracelet celebrate her favorite holiday? Learn about gold jewelry, the meaning of snakes for ancient Egyptians, and the Roman holiday of Saturnalia from this snake who knows all the best secrets!   For a listening guide, a coloring sheet, images, and more, visit getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/. Come see the bracelet in person at the Getty Villa in gallery 216!

    (Rerun) Snake Charm on Your Arm

  4. Feb 2 ·  Bonus

    Going for Glory: A History of the Ancient Olympics

    You probably know that the Olympics started in ancient Greece, but did you know that they started as just a single running race? Or that the athletes—all male—competed naked and covered in oil?  As the world gears up to watch athletes from nearly 100 countries compete in ice skating and bob sledding (two sports the Greeks would have been shocked at!), we had to know more about where the Olympics came from nearly 3000 years ago!  Learn all about the early Olympic games in this bonus conversation with archaeologist Shelby Brown.  Visit the episode website for images of art that teach us about Greek athletic competitions and for an episode transcript. Read more about the ancient Olympics and other Greek athletic competitions on Getty's website: https://www.getty.edu/news/the-getty-villa-guide-to-the-ancient-olympics/

    Going for Glory: A History of the Ancient Olympics

  5. Jan 26

    Introducing Constant Wonder Kids: Do Plants Think?

    This season on If Objects Could Talk we imagined what would happen if museum objects could talk. But have you ever wondered if plants could talk?  To dig into this question, we’re sharing an episode from Constant Wonder Kids. Through a conversation with science writer Zoë Schlanger, this episode investigates how plants seem to communicate, hear, see, and even think!  Constant Wonder Kids is a family-friendly podcast that sparks curiosity about plants, animals, and natural phenomena. Through conversations with scientists, explorers, and artists, Constant Wonder Kids helps kids (and the adults who love them) discover ways to feel awe and wonder in the natural world. To learn more, visit https://www.byuradio.org/constant-wonder-kids.

    Introducing Constant Wonder Kids: Do Plants Think?

  6. 12/17/2025 ·  Bonus

    Your Ultimate Saturnalia Gift Guide!

    From bad poetry and papyrus to candles and boar, give the gifts any Roman would love to receive with our Ultimate Saturnalia Gift Guide! (Cue the air horns.) In this special episode, a carved doll has combed the ancient literature to bring you timeless gift advice for the holiday season. Io Saturnalia! For a listening guide filled with Roman-inspired DIY gifts, images, and more, visit getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/.

    Your Ultimate Saturnalia Gift Guide!

  7. 12/15/2025 ·  Bonus

    Culture Kids Collab: You're Invited to an Ancient Roman Dinner Party! (Part 2)

    This week we’re sharing part two of our collaboration with the Culture Kids podcast. (Head back to the feed for part one if you haven't listened yet!) Asher and his mom Kristen join If Objects Could Talk producer Zoe on the Culture Train Time Machine for an unforgettable visit to ancient Rome. Together, they tiptoe into a glowing triclinium, the Roman dining room, to watch a real dinner party happening over two thousand years ago! You’ll discover how ancient Romans lit up the night, what they wore to make room for dinner, and what foods they ate. Hear more from Culture Kids on your favorite podcast app and at https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/.

    Culture Kids Collab: You're Invited to an Ancient Roman Dinner Party! (Part 2)

  8. 12/08/2025 ·  Bonus

    Culture Kids Collab: Culture Train Time Travel to Ancient Rome! (Part 1)

    This week we’re sharing a collaboration with the Culture Kids podcast. Asher and his mom Kristen join If Objects Could Talk producer Zoe at the Getty Villa Museum to learn about Roman dinner parties—then we travel back in time to experience one!  In this two part series, you’ll learn more about how and what the Romans ate—especially when they wanted to show off to their friends.  You’ll discover how ancient Romans reclined on couches while eating, what dishes and cups looked like in the ancient world, why people often ate with their hands, and how paintings inspired by Egypt became popular decorations inside Roman homes. Hear more from Culture Kids on your favorite podcast app and at https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/. And tune in for part two, coming soon!

    Culture Kids Collab: Culture Train Time Travel to Ancient Rome! (Part 1)
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About

What is Athena's owl doing in the Greek marketplace? How does a snake bracelet celebrate her favorite holiday? This first season on If Objects Could Talk, the newest series from Getty Podcasts, artifacts leave the museum vault and come alive to share their side of the story. Featuring objects from Getty's antiquities collection, each episode introduces listeners to the history, creation, and everyday use of incredible items like an Egyptian cat statue, an ancient kind of dice, and a glass flask shaped like a fish. Voice actors and immersive sound design bring these historical fiction tales to life.

Information

  • Creator
    Getty
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 If Objects Could Talk
  • Show Website
    If Objects Could Talk

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