{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"","type":"text"}]}]}

How can you tell when food is expired?

Have you ever taken a big ol’ whiff of rotten milk? It probably smelled like dirty socks or stinky garbage. Blech! But why does food go bad, and how can we be sure that something is fresh and safe to eat?

Have you ever taken a big ol’ whiff of rotten milk? It probably smelled like dirty socks or stinky garbage. Blech! But why does food go bad, and how can we be sure if something is fresh and safe to eat?

How does ibuprofen help stop pain?

Ouch! If you’ve ever stubbed your toe, gotten a paper cut or fallen off your bike, you know that getting hurt is no fun. Sometimes we can take medicine to help feel better, like ibuprofen. But how does that medicine know where to go in our bodies to stop the pain?

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Mystery Sound Investigation

Oh no! It looks like Brains On host Molly Bloom and producer Marc Sanchez are in some deep trouble, and the only way to get out of it is with an extra special game of Mystery Sound. Will either of them be able to guess the right sound? Grab your Smarty Pass to find out!


Brains On Podcast

Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best.


Smash Boom Best

Julie and her daughter, children’s author and educator Emma Walton Hamilton, invite you into their library to read their favorite children's books. Every story comes to life with sound, music and activities. Authors, kids and other special guests chime in, too! 


Julie's Library

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.


Forever Ago

Other APM Podcasts

Party with Brains On at the “What’s That Smell?” Virtual Field Trip!
Join Molly, Marc, Sanden, and Forever Ago’s Joy Dolo for an online video adventure “What’s That Smell?” There’s a terrible stench haunting Brains On HQ and the team needs help figuring out what’s causing it! This online event includes a video adventure with Smash Boom debates, Forever Ago history, and plenty of interactive games. Plus, there’s a livestream Q&A at the end where our hosts will answer your questions and challenge you with all new Mystery Sounds! Spots are limited, so grab yours fast!


Brains On Universe Field Trips What's That Smell

Brains On Field Trips are BACK!

Vote for your favorite Brains On Universe shows by Thursday, April 18th. 


The bust of Nefertiti with archaeological tools

We're Nominated for Webby Awards! 

Introducing Smarty Pass: Your ticket to the Brains On! Universe

Become a Smarty Pass subscriber today to access bonus episodes and ad-free episodes of Brains On!, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago -- all right here in your favorite podcast player.


Become a Smarty Pass subscriber today to access bonus episodes and ad-free episodes of Brains On!, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago -- all right here in your favorite podcast player. Visit smartypass.org/brainson to get your Smarty Pass! It's $4/month or $36/year (a three-month discount!) Don't worry: This feed will stay free and available as it always has. Thank you so much for your support!

MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, there. Molly here. I'm coming to you with some very exciting news. Starting now, we're offering a new way to engage with Brains On! and get some fun extra perks. It's called Smarty Pass, and it's your ticket to ad free episodes of Brains On!, Forever Ago, Smash Boom Best, and Moment Of Um. 

Plus, a bonus episode of one of our shows every month, and you get to listen to it all right here in your favorite podcast listening app, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Pretty cool, right? 

If you don't subscribe to Smarty Pass, your original free feeds will still be going just as they are now. But if you do choose to subscribe, you'll get an ad free feed for each of our shows and some awesome bonus episodes on top of it. What you're about to hear is a little taste of our first bonus episode for Smarty Pass holders, and it's a creep-tacular story. 

Subscribe now to get your smarty pass at smartypass.org/brainson. That's smartypants.org/brainson. It's just $4 a month or $36 for a whole year. That is three months for free-- an excellent deal Thank you so much for helping us make this show, and now check out this sneak peek. 

SPEAKER: Now entering Brains On! headquarters. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh my gosh, hi. Welcome to Brains On! headquarters. We're so glad you're here today. That Smarty Pass you're holding gets you access to all sorts of behind the scenes goodies, including visits to headquarters. Ruby said she had a story she wanted to share with you. I think she's waiting for us in the lab or kitchen. 

It's just a short walk and an elevator ride away. Follow me. So this is where we make Brains On!, Smash, Boom, Best, Forever Ago, Moment of Um. We're cooking up some new stuff, too. We can't wait to tell you all about it. Oh, here comes Gungador. Hey, Gungador. Oh, he has his headphones in. Gungador! 

GUNGADOR: Huh? 

MOLLY BLOOM: Hi! Just taking our friend here to go meet Ruby. 

GUNGADOR: Gungador just came from dance class with Ruby. Gungador show Ruby how to do split kick, side slinky and backwards leapfrog. Gungador exhausted and sweaty. 

MOLLY BLOOM: You sure are. See you later. OK. Through there is the taco farm if you're hungry later, and behind that door is the Tree Hall of Fame. Oh, and that's our saber tooth fact checker. He's awesome. A real stickler for bibliographies, though. Oh, and here is Elevator. 

ELEVATOR: You called? 

MOLLY BLOOM: To the laborkitchen, please, Elevator. 

ELEVATOR: Laborkitchen, coming up. You're new here, so here is a joke I wrote especially for you. What do you call a broken escalator? Stairs. Get it? Tough crowd. Anyway, here's the laborkitchen. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Thanks, Elevator. And here's our pal Ruby Guthrie 

RUBY GUTHRIE: Hi, Molly. And ooh, look at you with that shiny new Smarty Pass. Welcome. 

MOLLY BLOOM: I hear you have a story for us. 

RUBY GUTHRIE: Indeed, I do. It's spooky season around here with Halloween right around the corner, so I thought I would tell you about the teenage girl who invented the genre of science fiction. 

MOLLY BLOOM: Ooh, I can't wait. For the rest of the story, head to smartypass.org/brainson to subscribe now. Whether you choose to subscribe or keep listening in our free feeds, we really, really, really appreciate you listening to our shows and being a part of the Brains On universe. Thank you so much for your support. If you're interested in subscribing, again, it's smartypass.org/brainson. 

[MUSIC PLAYING] 



Brains On

Welcome to Brains On!

Recent Episodes