Spooky stuff may make you cover your eyes in fright, but many of us find ourselves peeking through our fingers to get another glimpse. Why are we drawn to things that make us jump? In this episode, we'll find out how fear can actually be fun. We visit a scientist who helps design haunted houses for ultimate scares, chat with an author who writes ghost stories about how he crafts the creepy crawlies, and play a rousing game of Name That Phobia! Plus we help Gungador get rid of his hiccups and answer the Moment of Um question: "Why do raspberries have little hairs?"

Spoiler alert! ⁠To learn more about the mystery sound, click here.

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠smartypass.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On or Smash Boom Best live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠brainson.org/events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

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. Plus, Sanden tries to wrangle the Cat Advisory Council, to mixed results.

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠smartypass.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠brainson.org/events⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

The hair on our heads is on our minds. We have fun with follicles and learn about how they make hair. Our experts help us decipher what makes hair black or brown, blonde or red, and even why it turns gray. From eye lashes to ear and nose hair, this episode has it all. Why do humans have hair and not fur? Why is there hair on the top of our heads? How does hair grow? How does hair become curly or straight?

Guests: Dr. Shani Francis, dermatologist and the director of the Hair Center of Excellence

Sandy Cook evolutionary biologist of hair at Penn State University

Click ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ for a transcript of this episode.

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. Go to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠smartypass.org ⁠⁠⁠⁠to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On or Smash Boom Best live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to⁠⁠⁠ ⁠brainson.org/events⁠⁠⁠⁠.

10/11 Dallas, TX*

10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

*Smash Boom Best show

This is a sneak peak of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass members. It’s a follow up to our Forever Ago episode on the history of pizza. In this one, we look at the man who made pineapple on pizza a thing. Plus, we tell the story of how pineapple pizza created drama between two nations. To hear the whole, ad-free episode, sign up for Smarty Pass at smartypass.org.

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.

Guest:  Marisa Galvez, professor of French and Italian at Stanford University

Click ⁠here⁠ for a transcript of this episode.

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. Go to⁠⁠ ⁠smartypass.org ⁠⁠⁠to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On or Smash Boom Best live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to⁠⁠ ⁠brainson.org/events⁠⁠⁠.

10/3 Toronto, ON*

10/11 Dallas, TX*

10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

*Smash Boom Best show

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!

Have a good Mystery Sound for us? Send it in! Go to brainson.org/contact and submit it. Don’t forget to record an answer too.

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. Go to⁠ ⁠smartypass.org ⁠⁠to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On or Smash Boom Best live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to⁠ ⁠brainson.org/events⁠⁠.

9/26 Charlotte, NC

10/3 Toronto, ON*

10/11 Dallas, TX*

10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

*Smash Boom Best show

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.

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. Go to ⁠smartypass.org ⁠to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On or Smash Boom Best live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to ⁠brainson.org/events⁠.

9/19 Minneapolis, MN (sold out)*

9/26 Charlotte, NC

10/3 Toronto, ON*

0/11 Dallas, TX*

10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

*Smash Boom Best show

When you hear a good beat, it can be hard not to tap your toe or bob your head. Why is this? It turns out, we may be hardwired to start dancing when we hear certain rhythms. Join Molly and co-host Adriel as they explore how the brain turns sounds into dance moves. Plus, we’ll talk to a real DJ about making beats that get people moving. And a sound that might be tough to dance to: the Mystery Sound.

Guests:

Julia Basso, assistant professor at Virginia Tech

Constantina Theofanopoulou, assistant professor at Rockefeller University

Sophia Eris, Musician and International DJ

Click here for a transcript.

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. go to ⁠smartypass.org ⁠to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On or Smash Boom Best live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to ⁠brainson.org/events⁠.

9/19 Minneapolis, MN*

9/26 Charlotte, NC

10/11 Dallas, TX*

10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

*Smash Boom Best show

Black holes happen when you have a super huge, mega-giant amount of stuff --- crammed into a super-tiny, infinitely-small amount of space. AND THEY ARE SUPER COOL! In this episode, we learn all about what black holes are and how we found out they were real. We talk to a black hole hunter who has discovered supermassive black holes. And we find out what a wormhole is and why it might really, be really, really hard to ever find one -- or travel through it. 

Brains On is a completely independent podcast, and we rely on your contributions to help make all of our shows. You can do that by joining Smarty Pass. As a member you get ad-free versions of all the Brains On Universe shows, bonus episodes, online hangouts with the Brains On crew, discounts on merch and more. go to smartypass.org to learn more and sign up.

Want to see Brains On or Smash Boom Best live? We're about to head out on our fall tour. For links to tickets go to brainson.org/events.

9/19 Minneapolis, MN*
9/26 Charlotte, NC
10/11 Dallas, TX*
10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)
11/7 Norfolk, VA
12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)
1/31 Princeton, NJ
*Smash Boom Best show

There’s a bunch of vitamins and minerals our bodies need to do their body thing. Our bodies don’t make them, so we get them through food – except for vitamin D! We can get vitamin D from the UV rays from the sun, but the UV rays from the sun can also do damage. Listen to this episode to find out why you have to wear sunscreen, how we’re able to get vitamin D, and how we discovered vitamins in the first place!

Click here for a transcript of this episode.

Brains On is powered by YOU! Become a Smarty Pass member and enjoy ad-free episodes, virtual hangs, bonus content, discounts on merch and more. Head over to the ⁠⁠Smarty Pass page ⁠⁠to find out more.

Want to see Brains On and Smash Boom Best live?!? We just announced fall dates for both show, and there's more to come. Click ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ for ticket info.
9/19 Minneapolis, MN*

9/26 Charlotte, NC

10/11 Dallas, TX*

10/17 Colorado Springs, CO (two shows)

11/7 Norfolk, VA

12/6 Evanston, IL (two shows)

1/31 Princeton, NJ

*Smash Boom Best show

We are super-excited to let you know that our pals at Forever Ago just started a brand new season. Host of Forever Ago, Joy Dolo, will dive into all sorts of cool history including trick or treating, the Wizard of Oz and pizza, just to name a few. The season kicks off with an episode all about how Pokemon was invented. It’s so cool that we want to share it with you right now. And if your a Hoax head, the Hoax Hunters have a bonus Pokemon episode in our Smarty Pass feed. It’s almost too good to be true. But guess what: it is! Until then, enjoy the episode!