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 meantime, we still have some live shows planned this fall. Brains On Live will be i ... Show More
Aug 2025
Why are puffins' beaks so colorful?
<p>Have you ever seen a puffin? With their bright beaks, orange feet and black and white coloring, these birds are very cool to look at. And we’ve gotten a lot of questions about them! In this episode, we talk with Don Lyons, an educator and avian ecologist with the Seabird Insti ... Show More
39m 34s
Feb 2022
Birds of a Feather Learn Together
Mindy and Guy Raz are dropping off Reggie at the University of Clever Birds, where they learn about a new class all about opening... trash cans?! Discover how the Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo can break into any trash can! It's the who, what, when, where, why, how and WOW of Bird Beaks ... Show More
22m 54s
Oct 2024
Achoo! How fast does a sneeze travel?
Every sneeze is like a snowflake. Unique, beautiful, wet! Sneezes help our noses get rid of stuff that’s not supposed to be there, like dust, dirt, or pollen. But how fast do sneezes travel? And how exactly does our body make them?Join Molly and co-host Anna as they explore the s ... Show More
29m 25s
Dec 2024
Brainy Birds: Crows, Ravens, and Parrots
Did you know that some birds are super smart? In this episode, we’ll explore how crows, ravens, and parrots use their brains in amazing ways. These birds can solve tricky puzzles, make tools to get food, and even remember things for a long time. Parrots can copy human speech, and ... Show More
9m 37s
Nov 2024
Some birds talk, but do they understand you? With Irene Pepperberg, PhD
“Birdbrain” may be an insult, but birds are far smarter than they’re often given credit for. Irene Pepperberg, PhD, talks about her five decades of research with gray parrots, how she teaches parrots to communicate with English words, how birds’ mathematical and other abilities c ... Show More
38m 55s