BrainStuff

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Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.

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2,688 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes2688

Newest first

Apr 16, 2025 · 5 min
Can a Turtle Outgrow Its Shell?
A turtle's shell grows with it throughout its life. Learn how a hard, protective shell can keep growing in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/turtle-shell.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 15, 2025 · 11 min
What Is Fascism?
In fascism, the needs of the people bow to the needs of the State, and violent, authoritarian leaders demand unity, sacrifice, and a strict social heirarchy in order to enact constant conquest to bring glory to the State. Learn more about the past and present of fascism in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/fascism-movement.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 14, 2025 · 7 min
How Does the 'Zombie Ant' Fungus Work?
Some specialized fungi can hijack the behavior of ants, wasps, and spiders in order to spread their spores. Learn about the real-life Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps fungi that inspired 'The Last of Us' in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/zombie-ant-fungus.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 27, 2025 · 13 min
What Are We Still Learning About Anne Frank?
New details are still coming to light about Anne Frank's life -- and her diary still has a lot to teach us. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/anne-frank.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 26, 2025 · 4 min
BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Whales Big (But Not Bigger)?
Whales are some of the largest creatures on Earth -- but why? And why aren't they bigger? Learn a whale of a tale about ocean mammals in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 25, 2025 · 6 min
BrainStuff Classics: Was Earth's Oldest Rock Found on the Moon?
The oldest known intact Earth rock was collected on the moon in the 1970s. Learn how researchers think it got there it in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 24, 2025 · 6 min
What Were Prehistoric 'Hell Pigs'?
Enormous, pig-like omnivores with bone-barbed faces and long tusks once hunted and fought throughout what's now North America, Eurasia, and Africa. Learn about the entelodonts in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/extinct-animals/prehistoric-hell-pigs-once-roamed-earth.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 23, 2025 · 7 min
When Did We Start Calling American Citizens 'Consumers'?
Sometime in the 1900s, Americans began referring to themselves as consumers more often than as citizens. Learn how this mindset can make a real difference in how we take responsibility for our communities in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/american-citizens-versus-consumers.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 22, 2025 · 8 min
How Does Saliva Work?
Saliva is something you probably (hopefully?) don't think about too much, but it helps you speak, eat, taste, and even digest. Learn about the wonders of spit in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/saliva-change-food.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 21, 2025 · 12 min
Who Was Harriet Tubman?
Harriet Tubman helped people escape slavery, ran intelligence missions for the Union during the Civil War, and set up the first nursing home for Black Americans. Learn more about her in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/harriet-tubman.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 20, 2025 · 8 min
Is Pluto Really Not a Planet?
Although the International Astronomical Union demoted Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet in 2006, some scientists think it deserves to be reinstated. Learn why in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/pluto-is-it-planet-after-all.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 26, 2025 · 6 min
How Do Flying Snakes Work?
Flying snakes don't really fly, but they can glide long distances from rainforst treetops. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about them in this episoe of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/snakes/flying-snakes.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 25, 2025 · 5 min
Who Is Uncle Sam?
This stern, patriotic character goes back to the early 1800s, but became an icon thanks to American propaganda during WWI. Learn more about Uncle Sam in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/uncle-sam-man-myth-legend.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 15, 2025 · 5 min
BrainStuff Classics: Should You Be Squatting More?
Short answer: Yeah, probably. Most Westerners have traded squatting for sitting and standing, to the detriment of our backs and joints. Learn the benefits of a good squat -- and how you can incorporate them into your day -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 14, 2025 · 3 min
BrainStuff Classics: Why Don't Penguin Feet Freeze?
Standing barefoot on a glacier, human feet would freeze solid -- but penguin feet are fine. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/why-penguin-feet-dont-freeze.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2025 · 11 min
How Did 'Silent Spring' Change the World?
Marine biologist Rachel Carson published lots of books about the environment, but her investigation of DDT, 'Silent Spring', cracked open the insecticide industry. Learn about her life and work in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/famous-scientists/biologists/10-things-should-know-about-rachel-carson.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2025 · 6 min
Who Invented Sports Drinks?
Sports drinks are a multibillion-dollar business that traces back to just two brands: Lucozade from the 1920s, and Gatorade from the 1960s. Learn how they were conceived in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/who-invented-sports-drinks.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 11, 2025 · 6 min
Great Escapes: What Happens When Animals Make a Run for It?
From lab monkeys to zoo flamingos to very clever orangutans, animals have made some great escapes. Learn about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/animals-escapes.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 7, 2025 · 6 min
Do Astronauts Need Sunscreen in Space?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is both useful and hazardous. Learn why sunscreen is helpful on Earth but not in space in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/do-astronauts-need-sunscreen-in-space.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 6, 2025 · 9 min
How Did a Team of Immigrants in America Help Win WWII?
During World War II, the U.S. military recruited diverse multilingual Americans -- including many immigrants -- to be trained as intelligence officers at Camp Ritchie. Learn how the Ritchie Boys helped the Allies win the war in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-ii/ritchie-boys.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.