Humans

What was the very first lifeform like? What was the first fish or mammal? Is it even possible to know?

What happens in your brain when you read? What goes into the writing of the words? And what about the making of the books themselves, the physical objects?

From haunted houses and roller coasters to bungee jumping and horror movies - what is it that makes us like being scared?

Most of us think we’re good at detecting lies, but it turns out humans only get it right about half the time. And why do we do it anyway? What makes us want to deceive other people? In this episode we get to the truth about lying.

In this episode we do a deep dive on dyslexia. We'll look at how our brains have cobbled together the ability to read by re-purposing parts of the brain that evolved for other functions. And we’ll learn what scientists think might be going on in the brains of people with dyslexia when they learn to read. We also talk to Ann Bancroft, a Polar explorer and educator who also has dyslexia, about why getting lost can be fun.

How can two black Labradors have a yellow puppy? This episode solves the yellow lab mystery and takes a trip into the fascinating world of genes, chromosomes and DNA.

Human-made plastics are super useful, but the fact that they last forever means we find ourselves with a plastic problem.

This is the third of our four-part series on feelings. Today we're learning why we all get angry and what to do with that emotion. We'll get in touch with our inner Super You Person and learn what physical reactions anger can trigger in our bodies. We'll also hear how our listeners describe their anger and talk to NPR reporter Michaeleen Doucleff about the different kinds of flavors of anger that people describe around the world. Plus: Mallika Chopra shares another meditation to try when you're feeling mad. For more on meditation and mindfulness, you can check out Mallika Chopra’s book for kids, Just Breathe.

Where do feelings come from? And why do we have them? In this four-part series, we're digging deep into our emotions. In this second episode, we examine sadness.

Where do feelings come from? And why do we have them? In this four-part series, we're digging deep into our emotions. In this first episode, we're getting happy!

You may have noticed some strong smells coming from your feet, your friend's breath, or your brother's armpit. Where do these body odors come from? We'll meet the microscopic organisms responsible and visit the kingdom of Footsteros. We'll also find out why we might find these naturally occurring smells so disgusting. Plus: A brand new Moment of Um answers the question: Why do stink bugs stink?

The hair on our heads is on our minds. We have fun with follicles and learn about how they make hair. Our experts help us decipher what makes hair black or brown, blonde or red, and even why it turns gray. From eye lashes to ear and nose hair, this episode has it all. Why do humans have hair and not fur? Why is there hair on the top of our heads? How does hair grow? How does hair become curly or straight? Plus: A brand new Moment of Um answers the question: "Why does my dad get fuzz in his belly button?" This episode is sponsored by Philo (philo.tv/brains), New Cloud Control Cat Litter by Arm & Hammer, Bona Premium Spray Mop (bona.com/brainson) and Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls the Podcast (rebelgirls.co/podcast). You can support Brains On at brainson.org/donate

In this episode, we climb up, down and all around our evolutionary family tree. When did we branch off from our more ape-like ancestors? And will we evolve one day into a different species altogether? We'll meet a bearded scientist from 160 years ago (no, not Charles Darwin) and eat some sundaes (thanks lactase persistence!). Plus a brand new Moment of Um answers the question: Do insects have the same blood as humans? This episode is sponsored by Calm (calm.com/brainson), Quip (getquip.com/brainson) and the podcast Josie and Jonny are Having a Baby With You. You can support Brains On at brainson.org/donate

We are very vocal about this episode, and that’s because it’s all about voices. We look into how our bodies produce sound and talk to a voice recognition expert. And we find out what’s happening when helium enters the equation. Plus, humans don’t have the voice market cornered -- what about other animals? We’ll drop in on a few creatures and find out how they make sounds too. All that plus a brand new Mystery Sound and berry delicious Moment of Um. Today’s episode is sponsored by Quip (getquip.com/brainson), KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson), and Bombas (bombas.com/brains). You can support Brains On at brainson.org/donate

How do roller coaster designers go from dream to reality? World-renowned roller coaster designer Alan Schilke tells us how he does it. Also — why do some people feel sick or dizzy after riding them? And how do coasters make you feel like you’re floating? Plus: a tricky mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question, “How do boomerangs come back?”

This episode is sponsored by Quip (getquip.com/brainson), Thoughtfully (thoughtfully.com/brains) and Little Passports (LittlePassports.com/brains).

Introducing our brand new history show, Forever Ago! Join host Joy Dolo and kid co-host Kai on an epic quest through history to figure out how video games began. With help from intrepid reporter Cari Spivack, they’ll visit the age of dinosaur computers, hear the sounds of early arcades and befriend some talking cows. This episode is sponsored by Little Passports (LittlePassports.com/BRAINS), Thoughtfully (thoughtfully.com/BRAINS) and Quip (GetQuip.com/brainson). You can support Brains On and Forever Ago at brainson.org/donate.

Brains On listeners have LOTS of questions about the human body so we’ve decided to answer nine – count em NINE – of these questions in one go. The terrific topics tackled: Hiccups, yawns, getting dizzy, goosebumps, fingerprints, limbs falling asleep, brain freeze, chattering teeth and why your voice sounds different when it’s recorded.

Plus: Our Moment of Um answers the question: “Why do we have two lungs?”

Today’s episode is sponsored by Quip (getquip.com/brainson) and Build-A-Bear Workshop (buildabear.com). You can support Brains On at brainson.org/donate