Brains On! Universe

American Robin vs Mourning Dove | Smash Boom Best (Full Episode) | A Debate Show for Kids

880 views · 5d ago · 35:41

Get ready for a Smash Boom Best bird bonanza. Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby have gone bananas for birds in the last few years. They’re real-life friends and musicians, who host the podcast Extremely Accurate Bird Songs. Today, however, friends become foes as they each rep a different bird. It’s Mourning Dove vs American Robin. Judging today’s debate is cat-lover, harpist and gymnast, Iva from New Haven, CT. Whose song will Iva choose?

Who invented Trick or Treating? | Forever Ago (Full Episode) | A History Show for Kids

969 views · 6d ago · 28:38

Trick or treating is a fun time. You go around ringing door bells, dressed in a costume, and you get candy! But how did this sweet tradition get started? Turns out it has roots that go back hundreds of years! Join Joy and co-host Veronica as they trace the history of Halloween from ancient ceremonies to mischief and mayhem. Plus, a trick or treating themed First Things First.

Attics vs Basements | Smash Boom Best (Full Episode) | A Debate Show for Kids

1.7K views · 1w ago · 32:25

It’s a building battle from top to bottom. Attics sit high above the world, basements are cool lairs down below. Both can be fun, both can be creepy, but only one can win. Digging deep for basements is musician and one half of the band Koo Koo – Bryan Atchison! And unleashing some antics in support of attics is musician and the other half of the band Koo Koo – Neil Olstad! Which floor will triumph? Listen then cast your vote at .

Mystery History Sounds! | Forever Ago (Full Episode) | A History Show for Kids

1.8K views · 1w ago · 32:02

About Forever Ago Forever Ago is a history show for the whole family! Every episode looks into the surprising and fascinating history of things we think are ordinary, but they’re not -- like ice cream flavors, video games, baths and more. We make learning about the past fun while teaching listeners to think critically about history.

MarioKart vs Candy Land | Smash Boom Best (Full Episode) | A Debate Show for Kids

2.3K views · 2w ago · 29:34

Get your game face on because in this episode we’ve got two colorful competitions. One is a board game that takes you to a sweet imaginary land. The other is a video game race that’ll get your adrenaline pumping. It’s Candy Land vs MarioKart! Saying sweet things for Team Candy Land is podcast producer Marcel Malekebu! And revving the engine for MarioKart is actor and comedian Brad Milison. Which game will win? Listen and find out, then vote for your favorite at

Can dogs read our minds?

6.6K views · 3w ago · 34:12

Does it seem like your dog knows what you’re going to do before you do it? Do they know how you’re feeling? We’re going to answer these questions by talking to Dr. Alexandra Horowitz from the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College. We’ll take a look at dog body language and what we know about what they know. Tamas Farago from Eötvös Loránd University is going to help us decode all the sounds they make too, from barks to moans to whines to pants.

Hiking vs Gardening | Smash Boom Best (Full Episode) | A Debate Show for Kids

3.3K views · 3w ago · 34:40

Grab your sunscreen and a bottle of water because we’ve a showdown between two outdoor activities. It’s Gardening vs Hiking! Making our love of gardening grow is performer, theatermaker and Story Pirate Mahayla Laurence! Showing us the sight and heights for team hiking is singer, actor and Story Pirate Alex Nader! Which will win? Listen and then vote for your favorite at

What's the history of chocolate | Forever Ago (Full Episode) | A History Show for Kids

4.4K views · 3w ago · 35:31

Chocolate. You know it. You love it. You can’t get enough of it. Today, we think of chocolate as a sweet treat, but for most of human history, it was actually a bitter drink. This week Joy and co-host Camila go coo-coo for cocoa history and learn how indigenous people in Mesoamerica were the first to create the chocolate craze. All that and an extra chocolatey First Things First. Break me off a piece of that sweet sweet history!

Moana vs Elsa | Smash Boom Best (Full Episode) | A Debate Show for Kids

3.3K views · 1mo ago · 38:58

Today’s debate is a royal rivalry between two regal leaders. One of them is the wayfinding chief of Motonui and the other a former queen who can control the ice and snow. It’s Moana vs Elsa. Repping the mighty Moana is writer, director and Molly’s brother, Mickey Bloom! And casting a spell for Elsa is writer, funny person and Molly’s sister Delia Bloom! Which Disney main character will come out on top? Listen to find out and head to to vote for your favorite.

More slang words: Aura, OK and glitch | Forever Ago (Full Episode) | A History Show for Kids

2.4K views · 1mo ago · 30:15

This week Joy and co-host Xenia are back with another slang episode that’s the pig’s elbow (trust us, it’s a good thing). Learn about how “aura” went from meaning a cool breeze, to getting cool points– and how one of our most common slang words started as a typo joke in a newspaper. And don’t forget, a swaggy new First Things First!

Hoax Hunters: Why do crystals feel so special?

6.7K views · 1mo ago · 24:42

Guest: Hoax Hunters

Marc and Sanden are back as the Hoax Hunters. This time they’re looking at the myths surrounding crystals. For hundreds of years, people have believed that these rocks are special and have powers. But is there any proof? Join Marc, Sanden and Mystery Moose as they dig into the lore and science of crystals.

Wizard of Oz mystery: Who stole the ruby slippers? | Forever Ago (Full Episode) | History for Kids

1.8K views · 1mo ago · 29:30

We’re not done with Wizard of Oz history yet! Today it’s the tale of Dorothy’s famous ruby red slippers. A pair of these famous movie props went missing years back, and it took the FBI and local authorities working together to get them back. Join Joy and co-host Sky as they investigate this case, and play a game of First Things First.

Mystery Sound Extravaganza Fall 2026!

4.7K views · 1mo ago · 36:20

Oh boy, oh boy! Are you ready to do some guessing?!? We have doozies to detect. There are clues to calculate. And so, so many goodies to get into. We hope your ears are warmed up, because it’s time for the... Mystery Sound Extravaganza!

What’s the history of the Wizard of Oz? | Forever Ago (Full Episode) | A History Show for Kids

5.7K views · 1mo ago · 27:04

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most influential stories around. What started as a children’s book went on to inspire countless other books, movies and musicals. Join Joy and co-host Sky as they wiggle down the Jell-O brick road and meet a sassy witch who knows the 411 on all things Oz. Together, they’ll learn more about how this iconic story got its start over 100 years ago, plus hear more about Judy Garland and of course, how the Wicked movies came to be.

Why do we need pinky toes?

1.2K views · 1mo ago · 29:02

Pinky toes may seem small, but they’re kind of a big deal. Join Molly and co-host Luna Mae as they learn about why we have these tiny toes and what would happen if we didn’t have them. Plus, we talk about animals with two, three, or six toes! Plus, a Mystery Sound that’ll get your ears working overtime.