Podcast Episodes

BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Our Galaxy Warped?

Our galaxy isn't a flat disk -- it's warped like melted vinyl record. Learn how researchers discovered this and why they think it happened in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

See omnystudio.com/lis…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

BrainStuff Classics: How Long Can Animals Hold Their Breath?

Humans tend to max out at a couple minutes of breath holding, but some air-breathing reptiles and even mammals have evolved to spend extreme lengths of time underwater. Learn how long (and how they m…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

How Did the Dawes Act Steal 90 Million Acres of Land from Native Americans?

In the 1880s, an unlikely collaboration between land-hungry capitalists and social progressives ended in the sale of over 60 percent of Native American lands to non-Native people and corporations. Le…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

How Do You Make Hummingbird Food Safely?

A hummingbird feeder can help out your local birds (and allow you some prime birdwatching), but it's important to keep one safely and responsibly. Learn how to make hummingbird food with sugar and wa…

Published on 3 months ago

How Do Ghana's Fabulous 'Fantasy' Coffins Work?

In parts of Ghana and Togo, it's common to send the deceased off in style with coffins carved and brightly painted to resemble anything from chili peppers to taxi cabs to brand-name shoes. Learn abou…

Published on 3 months ago

How Did Frances Perkins Create America's Social Safety Net?

FDR's Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins, pushed to create Social Security and expand workers' rights -- and she was the first woman to serve in a U.S. president's cabinet. Learn about her life and …

Published on 3 months ago

How Did POGs Become a '90s Phenomenon?

For a brief period in the 1990s, a simple game played with flashy paperboard discs ruled American playgrounds. Learn the history behind POGs in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: http…

Published on 3 months ago

BrainStuff Classics: Can the Fear of Public Speaking Be Conquered?

As many as 7 in every 10 Americans have a fear of public speaking. Learn how this type of social anxiety develops -- and what you can do to fight it -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Sloths' Toilet Habits So Dangerous?

Sloths only defecate once a week or so, and more sloths die during the process than at any other time. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuff…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

How Did 'Uncle Tom' Go from Hero to Traitor?

In the 1850s, the abolitionist novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was America's first bestseller, and its enslaved character Uncle Tom was a heroic martyr. Learn how 'Uncle Tom' later became a biting insult i…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago