logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
28m 9s

Play ball! The first team sport

American Public Media
About this episode

Today, sports are popular all over the world!  But have you ever wondered what the first team sport was?  This week, Joy and cohost Xenia learn all about the Mesoamerican Ball Game, which is more than 3,000 years old! And they meet someone who is still playing today! Plus, a game of first things first that you won’t ball-lieve!


This episode was sponsored by:
Disney - Experience Disney's Elio, only in theaters June 20. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested.


Up next
Oct 8
We’re back! Brains On Universe has a new headquarters
We’re back! We’ve officially moved into our new headquarters! Come unpack with us and get a tour while we fill you in on some big news. Plus, new episodes of Brains On coming later this month and new Smash Boom and Forever Ago after that. If you want to support the show or drop u ... Show More
7m 30s
Jun 2025
Where did school uniforms come from?
Our world is filled with uniforms. From mail carriers, to sports teams to students! This week, Joy, cohost Hannah and Articles of Interest’s Avery Trufelman trace the history of school uniforms, from their start 800 years ago in England, to their popularization in America by immi ... Show More
32m 25s
Jun 2025
A big update about Forever Ago and the Brains On Universe
We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. We know: not cool. But, our new home is going to be bigger and better and the absolute BEST. We can't wait until it's ready for you to visit.In the mean ... Show More
2m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2021
The History of Football
Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell of the History of Football. But before they start they tell everyone the wonderful news that History Storytime won Silver in the British Podcast Awards!----more---- The history of Football starts thousands of years ago in China. The Chinese p ... Show More
8m 53s
Aug 2024
The Modern Olympics
Every four years, the Modern Olympic Games is a celebration of athletic excellence. From modest roots in 19th Century Athens, to a worldwide phenomenon which will feature almost 15,000 athletes in Paris 2024, the Modern Olympics has developed into the largest sporting festival in ... Show More
1 h
Aug 2021
The Modern Olympic Games
Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the history of the modern Olympic Games. After last weeks episode on the Ancient Olympic games the girls want to bring the story up to date.----more---- Greece was conquered and the Olympics seemed forgotten for 1,500 years. However, after Gr ... Show More
9m 2s
Feb 2025
Hour 1: Do The NBA's Ratings Matter?
To kick off this hour we go Behind The Bit about the history of the Hard Network Out, including reliving one of the most legendary moments in show history. Then, Dan wants to discuss what he calls the greatest moment in the history of the Charlotte Hornets from last night and it ... Show More
43m 5s
Apr 2025
When Presidents Play Ball ⚾
President William Howard Taft became the first Commander-in-Chief to throw the ceremonial first pitch on 14th April, 1910. Taft's participation cemented baseball as the quintessential American sport, in a period when it was still shedding its dodgy image. The game’s enduring popu ... Show More
12m 6s
Aug 2024
Are There Fewer World Class Players Now?
Where have all the maverick players gone from the game? Are tactical developments killing players’ spontaneity and freedom? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the idea of specific players being given holidays mid-season and we hear how Micah is getting on at Disneyland in the midd ... Show More
37m 20s
Nov 2021
Serena & Venus Williams
On episode 40, Shannon welcomes in two of the greatest tennis players of all time: Serena & Venus Williams. The Williams sisters discuss the new film King Richard, which is based on their upbringing in Compton. They tell Shannon why it was so important to tell their origin story ... Show More
4m 43s
Feb 2025
United A Mess, Faith Lost in Arsenal & Title Race Over? | Stick to Football 72
Welcome to today’s fiery episode of Stick to Football brought you by Sky Bet. Gary, Jamie, Roy, Jill and Ian tackle some of football’s biggest talking points. The panel debate Manchester United’s ongoing struggles both on and off the pitch. Arsenal also takes centre stage, with t ... Show More
1h 15m
Jan 2025
BONUS: Linda Gorman on tackling ageism in sport & challenging perceptions | Settle In
In case you missed it, here is episode one from our Settle In Series, as a bonus listen for all of our GAA Fans! Former Ireland international and coach Linda Gorman joined Eoin Sheahan to discuss how she’s tackling ageism in sport by encouraging more people to take up walking foo ... Show More
56m 36s