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BrainStuff

Author: iHeartPodcasts

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Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.
2627 Episodes
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Following World War II, Austrialia became embroiled in another war -- with a population of emu. Learn how the Emu War unfolded in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/ridiculous-history-emu-war.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Neurologists and philosophers alike may argue that altruism doesn't exist because no act is ever completely unselfish. Learn why -- and why humans may have evolved this way -- in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/unselfish-act.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just outside Los Angeles, Forest Lawn Memorial Park is the resting place of many celebrities -- and also home to art, architecture, and celebrations of life. Learn about it in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/funerals/forest-lawn-memorial-park.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Not all animals have red blood -- it can also come in green, blue, clear, and even dichroic varieties. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/5-animals-whose-blood-isnt-red.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At a girls' boarding school in what's now Tanzania, a fit of giggles expanded into a months-long epidemic of stressed-out laughter affecting hundreds of people. Learn what we know (and still don't know) about this mass psychogenic illness in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/behavior/1962-tanganyika-laughter-epidemic.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ever freeze when the pharmacist asks, “Any questions?” Beyond the Script is here to help.  Hosted by Dr. Jake Goodman, this podcast answers the health questions you meant to ask—and the ones you didn’t know you should. Each episode features CVS pharmacists sharing trusted advice, busting myths, and unpacking the trends shaping your health. No white coats. No lectures. Just real talk, real answers, and a few unexpected laughs. Follow Beyond the Script now—coming soon from CVS Pharmacy and iHeartMedia’s Ruby Studio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, we use remote controls for everything from televisions to car doors to Mars rovers. Learn about the history and technologies behind them (including radio-frequency, ultrasonic, and infrared remotes) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/repurposed-inventions/history-of-remote-control.htm; https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/remote-control.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
During WWII, a diplomat by the name of Aristides de Sousa Mendes disobeyed his government in order to provide safe passage to thousands of people fleeing fascist violence in Europe. Learn how his descendents are working together with descendents of those he saved to tell his story in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/aristides-de-sousa-mendes.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When every minute counts, search-and-rescue dogs can help locate disaster victims far faster than humans alone. Learn about how they're trained in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/sar-dog.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The tradition of dropping a ball in Times Square to mark the beginning of a new year only goes back about a century. Learn about the history -- plus four weird things that other cities drop instead -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
No, you can't literally die of boredom -- but it can lead to some high-risk behaviors. Learn more about boredom, ennui, and how to shake them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/bored-to-death.htm; https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/ennuiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cashmere can be more expensive than other wools because producing it is such an intensive process -- for the goats that grow it and the humans who care for them. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/why-is-cashmere-so-expensive.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Catalonia, there's a two-hundred-year-old tradition of including a figurine of a man pooping in the shadows of Nativity scenes. Learn about el caganer in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/pooping-man-catalan-nativity-scene.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
These small appliances help home cooks achieve excellent rice via two categories of technology: ingeniously simple physics, or incredibly complex algorithms. Learn about heat-sensitive switches and fuzzy logic in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://home.howstuffworks.com/rice-cooker.htm/printable For more about the history of rice cookers, check out this episode of Lauren's other podcast, Savor: The Warm and Fuzzy Rice Cooker EpisodeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mudlarking means sifting through riverbank muck in hopes of finding lost or discarded historical artefacts. Learn how it works, especially in the River Thames, in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/mudlarking.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Do Walruses Work?

How Do Walruses Work?

2025-12-2215:11

These arctic animals have complex social structures and may eat 6,000 clams in a single meal. Learn more walruses in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/walrus.htm/printableSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your adaptive immune system remembers specific germs and fights them really effectively -- but it can sometimes make mistakes and attack your own healthy cells. Learn how the adaptive immune system works (and how it can go wrong) in this episode of BrainStuff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Slime molds are collectives of single-celled organisms that don't have neurons, much less brains, but they can move, solve mazes, and remember where food is located. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/biology-fields/slime-mold-facts.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Although there can be small differences, all of these are local names for the same species of cat, Puma concolor. Learn about them in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/cougar-vs-mountain-lion.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the early 1500s, a sailor by the name of Amerigo Vespucci published lurid pamphlets about his travels to a distant continent. Learn how a pair of mapmakers regretted naming that continent after him in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/amerigo-vespucci.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Comments (86)

Salman Saad

. ,. , c,. ৷ ৷৷ ৷ চ

Aug 27th
Reply

Lydon Isaia

LYDON ISAIAH

May 9th
Reply

Blue Dude

I wish you guys had longer episodes

Jan 19th
Reply

Jeri Bitney

thank you for ending this episode with the reminder to vote.

Aug 25th
Reply

GunsDontKill

Just stick to what you're good with.

Apr 4th
Reply

David Sklar

z

Jan 18th
Reply

Fatemeh Mosalanezhad

چرا هیچی نمیفهمم

Jul 31st
Reply

Nadia Bayrami

too many ads🤦🏻‍♀️

Jul 29th
Reply

Josh Gehringer

Liberal Propaganda Warning ⚠️

Apr 12th
Reply

Matthew Rowley

pppppp) m

Mar 3rd
Reply

Josh Gehringer

He sure takes credit if it goes down 🤣

Nov 11th
Reply

PlusCH3

How did I not know most of these cool properties and uses of #gallium? 🤯 #TIL

Sep 8th
Reply

ID21221423

"What to do when you run out of baby formula" is sadly lacking piece. It neglects to mention goat milk as an adequate replacement for cow milk when babies do not have formula. It also neglects to provide the truth that there are ways to create homemade baby formula as stop-gap measures and there are approved recipes available in books like "nourishing traditions". Of course it does not approach the idea of providing women with maternity leave and adequate financial support so they can stay home and nurse and raise their own children instead of feeding the Paradigm of Capitalism under the guise of "liberation" for the women of America instead.

May 28th
Reply

Lori Watts

I’d listen to more episodes but I just can’t stand to hear that SAME Geico ad again. It’s almost as long as the content.

Mar 12th
Reply

Steve & Janet Nassr

5

Mar 3rd
Reply

mohamad sadegh

very good padcast! <3

Jan 22nd
Reply

PlusCH3

Absolutely EVERYONE should listen to this episode #survival #TIL #lifetips

Nov 22nd
Reply

Bryan/DexCaliber

very informative 👍

Sep 10th
Reply

Franco M

Garbage... all she does is read articles in a monotone.. I made it thru 1 but only half of this one

Aug 15th
Reply

J

this podcast sounds terrible

Aug 12th
Reply