Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:

Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources

Collecting Pokémon cards. Trading friendship bracelets. Painting your nails black. All these things have been trendy at some point, somewhere. But how did they become cool? And who made them popular?

Join Molly and co-host Harlynn as they explore the fussy and fabulous world of trends. Sanden will reveal how trends start and spread throughout a population—and why beige wallpaper it out and mocha mousse brown is IN! They’ll also learn about trends in animal populations like orca whales and chimpanzees. To top things off, Marc will start a fad by accident: fruit pants! (Yes, they’re literally pants with dried fruit stuck to them.) Plus, a super cool mystery sound.

Today’s episode is sponsored by:

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• Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit

  
  

• Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested.

  
  
  

Oh no! Molly’s been bequeathed her great-great grandfather’s skateboard, which unfortunately contains the spirit of dictionary editor Rutherford Williams Webster! Hoping to defeat the skateboard poltergeist, Anna and Marc must attempt to spell and define Webster’s most obscure words!

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:
Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows

Solar panels capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. But how do they work?Join guest host Rosie duPont and co-host Anna as they explore the ins and outs of solar energy!

Marc and his latest invention, Sal the solar bot, stop by the studio for a special solar demonstration — then the Earth and Moon chat about why solar power is an important tool for slowing down climate change.

Plus, an electrifying new mystery sound!

Check out our series all about electricity too!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:
Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit

Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested.

Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe. And it’s common! One in twelve people in the United States have it, including host Molly Bloom. But what is asthma? And why do some people have it, but not others?

Join Molly and co-hosts Audrey and Indytas they learn about asthma. First, they’ll shrink down and explore how breathing works — inside Forever Ago host Joy Dolo’s lungs! Then they’ll learn how and why asthma attacks happen. Finally, they’ll chat with kids’ lung doctor Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir about rescue inhalers, and what causes asthma in the first place. All that, plus a breathtaking new mystery sound!

Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!

Today’s episode is sponsored by:

• 
  

• Disney - Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested.

  
  

• Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson

  
  
  

Coral is one of the coolest creatures in the ocean. It comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, from bright yellow stars to big round brains. Sometimes, coral looks like rocks or even plants – but did you know it’s actually an animal?

This week, your ears are in for a special treat: Brains On editor Shahla Farzan (a.k.a. world’s biggest coral fan) hosts the show! Join Shahla and co-host Eben as they go on an underwater adventure to learn about coral and the animals that call it home. We’ll also hear from a researcher about how coral might be able to hear and make sounds. All that, plus a rockin’ new 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

  
  
  

When you've got a crush on someone, it can feel a bit overwhelming. All of a sudden, you might have butterflies in your stomach! And maybe you find yourself acting differently than you normally would. Why does our brain do this to us anyway? In this episode, we'll answer a slew of your crush-related questions: Why do we get crushes? Why do they make you feel so many feelings? How do you decide who you have a crush on? Plus, how do you navigate all the tricky parts of crushes -- like your crush finding out you like them?

We tackle all these questions. Stick around for a Moment of Um that answers: "What would happened if it rained oobleck?"

Have you heard of Molly Bloom’s fantastic deli at Brains On HQ? It’s got the tastiest food in town! The only problem is that the delivery person, Rosie duPont, is having trouble figuring out who gets which order. Grab your smarty pass to hear how she manages some of the strangest orders in the animal kingdom!

Salt is made up of tiny crystals! Under a microscope, some salt crystals look like pyramids, staircases, or even snowflakes. But why do these salty little crystals make food so tasty?

Join Molly and co-host Yasmin as they explore the science of salt. They’ll head to the Brains On Labrakitchen with producer Anna Goldfield for a lesson about salt science. Then, food journalist and cookbook author Priya Krishna will stop by to chat about cooking with salt. Plus, a mystery sound so tricky, it might make you a little salty!

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

  
  
  

Jupiter is the oldest planet in the solar system. It’s also the biggest. Some call it “Earth’s bodyguard” because it keeps asteroids and comets from hitting our planet. But is Jupiter really protecting Earth?

Join Molly and co-host Rida as they head to a live taping of everyone’s favorite space talk show, Pop Planet, and learn about Jupiter — from the gassy giant itself! Plus a mystery sound that’s out of this world!

You may have heard of Down syndrome, but what is it exactly? In this episode, we'll break down the science of chromosomes and how having an extra one leads to this fairly common condition. Plus, we'll learn some tips for making friends with someone who might seem different than you. We'll also swing by a farm staffed by ranchers with Down syndrome. And in our Moment of Um we'll find out why eggs go from clear to white when cooked.

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.