Best Tails From The Dog House Podcasts (2025)

1
How do weather stations predict the weather? 28:29

4d ago28:29

28:29

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show: Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources You can’t see into the future, but with weather re…

1
Tree, Myself and I: All about our leafy green friends 28:27

13d ago28:27

28:27

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show: Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources Trees are the strong, silent type but that doesn’t…

1
Body Bonanza: Bruises, scars and Band-Aids 32:20

20d ago32:20

32:20

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show: Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources It’s a Body Bonanza and this time we’re answering …

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Life is Poopiful 1:38

21d ago1:38

1:38

Oh no! An awful spell has put Ruby, Rosie, and Anna in a poopiful situation at Brains On HQ! It looks like the only way to save them is with a quick game with Molly Bloom. Grab your Smarty Pass to hear how a change of verb can leave things poopiful.By American Public Media

1
Are birds dinosaurs? 37:49

27d ago37:49

37:49

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show: Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources When you think of dinosaurs, you might picture gia…

1
Trends: How do they start? 31:54

3M ago31:54

31:54

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show: Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find teacher resources Collecting Pokémon cards. Trading friendship brace…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Molly’s Inconceivable Preposterous Skateboard 1:39

3M ago1:39

1:39

Oh no! Molly’s been bequeathed her great-great grandfather’s skateboard, which unfortunately contains the spirit of dictionary editor Rutherford Williams Webster! Hoping to defeat the skateboard poltergeist, Anna and Marc must attempt to spell and define Webster’s most obscure words!By American Public Media

1
How does solar power work? 28:03

3M ago28:03

28:03

Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show: Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows Solar panels capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. But how do they work?Join guest host …

1
What is asthma? 25:52

3M ago25:52

25:52

Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe. And it’s common! One in twelve people in the United States have it, including host Molly Bloom. But what is asthma? And why do some people have it, but not others? Join Molly and co-hosts Audrey and Indytas they learn about asthma. First, they’ll shrink down and explore how breathing works — ins…

1
How does coral communicate? 35:01

3M ago35:01

35:01

Coral is one of the coolest creatures in the ocean. It comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, from bright yellow stars to big round brains. Sometimes, coral looks like rocks or even plants – but did you know it’s actually an animal? This week, your ears are in for a special treat: Brains On editor Shahla Farzan (a.k.a. world’s biggest coral fan) ho…

1
Why do we have crushes? 33:27

4M ago33:27

33:27

When you've got a crush on someone, it can feel a bit overwhelming. All of a sudden, you might have butterflies in your stomach! And maybe you find yourself acting differently than you normally would. Why does our brain do this to us anyway? In this episode, we'll answer a slew of your crush-related questions: Why do we get crushes? Why do they mak…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Smarty Pass Deli 1:48

4M ago1:48

1:48

Have you heard of Molly Bloom’s fantastic deli at Brains On HQ? It’s got the tastiest food in town! The only problem is that the delivery person, Rosie duPont, is having trouble figuring out who gets which order. Grab your smarty pass to hear how she manages some of the strangest orders in the animal kingdom!…

1
Why does salt make food taste so good? 28:27

4M ago28:27

28:27

Salt is made up of tiny crystals! Under a microscope, some salt crystals look like pyramids, staircases, or even snowflakes. But why do these salty little crystals make food so tasty? Join Molly and co-host Yasmin as they explore the science of salt. They’ll head to the Brains On Labrakitchen with producer Anna Goldfield for a lesson about salt sci…

1
Why is Jupiter called Earth’s bodyguard? 26:13

4M ago26:13

26:13

Jupiter is the oldest planet in the solar system. It’s also the biggest. Some call it “Earth’s bodyguard” because it keeps asteroids and comets from hitting our planet. But is Jupiter really protecting Earth? Join Molly and co-host Rida as they head to a live taping of everyone’s favorite space talk show, Pop Planet, and learn about Jupiter — from …

1
What is Down syndrome? 26:48

4M ago26:48

26:48

You may have heard of Down syndrome, but what is it exactly? In this episode, we'll break down the science of chromosomes and how having an extra one leads to this fairly common condition. Plus, we'll learn some tips for making friends with someone who might seem different than you. We'll also swing by a farm staffed by ranchers with Down syndrome.…

1
Understanding big fires and big feelings 42:07

5M ago42:07

42:07

Wildfires in Los Angeles County have burned homes, businesses, and schools. Many people have had to evacuate and there’s smoke and ash in the air. We know lots of Brains On listeners live in Los Angeles — and even if you don’t, there’s a good chance you know someone who lives there or have heard people talking about the fires. So, for today’s episo…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Myth Busting Extravaganza 1:11

5M ago1:11

1:11

Anna Goldfield is full of facts! She knows the capital of New Hampshire is Concord and that the Greek God of the Sea is Poseidon! But does she know enough to join Anna Weggel and Aron’s Tuesday Trivia Team? Listen to find out, and test yourself along the way!By American Public Media

1
How is paper made? 26:48

5M ago26:48

26:48

Paper is all around us. There’s toilet paper and pizza boxes, wrapping paper, and receipts. Most of the paper in the U.S. is made from trees, but it can be made out of all sorts of plant material – banana peels, cotton, rice, you name it! Join guest host Rosie duPont and co-host Arya as they explore how paper is made (spoiler: most of it comes from…

1
Whirr. Zoom! Plink plink. It’s a Mystery Sound extravaganza 33:02

5M ago33:02

33:02

Bzzz. Shloop! Bang Bang. Wooooosh! It’s time for another Mystery Sound Extravaganza. Join Molly and co-host Violet as they figure out what’s making some seriously mysterious noises. Plus, they'll interview Foley artist Shelley Roden about the art of making sound effects for movies. And they'll help Bob sort out some mixed up mystery sounds! Tune in…

1
Is it true? Vikings, dogs, and twins edition 29:16

5M ago29:16

29:16

Listeners send us LOTS of questions. Like hundreds a month! We read every single one — and we love all of them! Every now and then, we get a special kind of question that starts with “Is it true that…?” These questions are special because they’re skeptical. They’re designed to seek out the truth. In this episode, Molly and co-host Meyer tackle thre…

1
Are whales communicating with their clicks and songs? 33:35

6M ago33:35

33:35

Baleen whales sing. Toothed whales click. But how and why do they make these musical sounds? Join Molly and co-host Tyler as they dive into the wonderful world of whale sounds. First, they run into Anna Goldfield on her way to audition for a whale choir. She teaches them about the voice boxes of baleen whales. Then, biologist Shane Gero talks about…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Bones On Mystery Sounds! 1:24

6M ago1:24

1:24

It’s almost midnight and Mr Bone Jangles has snuck into the studio to debut his new show -- Bones On! His plans are foiled when Molly pops in and asks him to guess some mystery sounds instead!By American Public Media

1
We're back December 17! 1:57

6M ago1:57

1:57

Brains On will be back with new episodes starting December 17! We’ve got a gaggle of mystery sounds, so many great questions to answer and surprises in store. We can’t wait for you to tune into our next season!By American Public Media

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Mystery Animal Poetry Slam 1:10

7M ago1:10

1:10

Molly’s got a case of poetry fever, and she’s ready to rhyme! She’s testing out her newest stash of stanzas on her pals, Marc and Sanden. They’ll have to guess the animals featured in four of Molly’s poems. It’s a case of versus AND verses in the…MYSTERY ANIMAL POETRY SLAM CHALLENGE!By American Public Media

1
Smarty Pass Presents: Noun Noun 8:05

7M ago8:05

8:05

Usually, bonus episodes like this are exclusively for Smarty Pass subscribers but this month we’re sharing them with all our listeners. If you like this bonus episode and want to hear fun games every month, plus ad-free episodes, sign up for Smarty Pass. Did you know Brains On host Molly Bloom likes to collect things? Oh yeah, she has a collection …

1
The real vampires of the animal world 26:30

8M ago26:30

26:30

According to legend, vampires are creatures with pale skin and sharp teeth who drink blood. These creepy ghouls are not real, but in this episode, we'll meet some vampire animals that do exist! Join Molly and co-host Quinn as they learn about all kinds of bloodsuckers, from mosquitos to birds to fish! They'll hear about vampire bats from Dr. May Di…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Game Show Molly 1:40

8M ago1:40

1:40

Molly has her sparkly special suit on which means it’s time for GAME SHOW MOLLY! Game show Molly is just like regular Molly but with an awesome new game! Grab your smarty pass to hear Molly’s new rhyming game.By American Public Media

1
Achoo! How fast does a sneeze travel? 26:40

8M ago26:40

26:40

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 science behind sneezes, snot, and boogers! They’ll take a tour inside …

1
Navigating the world with White Canes 29:03

8M ago29:03

29:03

People who are blind or have low vision use different tools to navigate the world. One of the most common is called a white cane. White canes are long, thin, and lightweight with a handle on one end and a special tip on the other. Join Molly and co-host Jaden as they explore how white canes work. They’ll log into an interactive game called Cane Que…

1
How do animals pick their leaders? 30:43

8M ago30:43

30:43

Here in the U.S., we’re gearing up for the 2024 election! We’re about to vote to pick a new president and choose other leaders too. Maybe you’ve seen yard signs for different candidates around your neighborhood or campaign commercials on TV. All this election fever got us wondering: how do different animals pick their leaders? Join Molly and cohost…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Eye-Eye, Captain! 1:45

9M ago1:45

1:45

Ahoy, avast, and welcome aboard the good ship Iris, captained by the host with the most in all of the Seven Seas, Molly Bloom! Molly’s brought producer pals Sanden and Jess on board to play a game of EYE-EYE, CAPTAIN! Sanden and Jess will have to guess the answers to some fiendish questions about EYES. Can they navigate their way to the answers, or…

1
How does the internet work? 32:31

9M ago32:31

32:31

The internet can feel like magic. You send a video of a squirrel eating an acorn to your friends and BOOM! A few seconds later, they can watch it! But how does the internet actually work? In today’s episode, Molly and co-host Kayson take a tour of the internet. They find out where information on the internet is stored and how that information moves…

1
Why do some of us have food allergies? 32:02

9M ago32:02

32:02

About 1 out of 13 kids has a food allergy. Some are allergic to peanuts, others can’t eat dairy or shellfish or – you name it! So, why do some of us have food allergies and others don’t? Join Molly and co-host Gemma as they learn all about food allergies. First, they’ll explore the immune system, the tiny army inside our bodies that fights off thin…

1
Why do some people need glasses? 29:28

9M ago29:28

29:28

Eyes are incredible. But sometimes they need a little help to see clearly. Enter: glasses! In this episode, we'll hear how eyes take in light and paint a picture of the world around us. We'll take a peek inside the eye to see why sometimes vision can be blurry and how glasses help. Then, we'll learn all about eye exams with a visit to the eye docto…

1
How do we name things in space? The quest to name a quasi-moon! 36:47

10M ago36:47

36:47

Have you ever wondered how things in space get their names? Us, too! In this week’s episode, Molly and co-host Cassie hear the story of a funky little moon with a very strange name. It all started when Radiolab co-host Latif Nasser noticed something unusual on his son’s map of the solar system: a moon next to Venus called Zoozve. He’d never heard o…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: SPORTSBALL Impression Sound 1:46

10M ago1:46

1:46

Smash Boom Best producers Rosie duPont and Aron Woldeslassie are a little early for the BIG game. Looking to kill some time they decide to play Impression Sound. Just like the great Brains On game Mystery Sound, Impression Sound has players guessing sounds. BUT unlike Mystery Sound, Aron and Rosie will be making the sounds with their mouths -- like…

1
Phones: The fun, the annoying and the confusing 39:52

10M ago39:52

39:52

Ping! Another episode of Brains On just dropped! And it’s all about phones: how they help us, why they’re so hard to put down – and how to have a balanced relationship with them. In this episode, Molly and co-host Linden do a deep dive on phone use. They’ll chat with an expert about whether screens are bad for us and hear from some teenagers about …

1
Auroras: Nature's light show 30:19

10M ago30:19

30:19

Have you ever seen an aurora? These spectacular night-time displays can fill our skies with dancing lights and bursts of color. But why do they happen in the first place? Join Molly and co-host Mariam as they learn about what makes an aurora (hint: it starts with spicy sun burps) and chat with scientist Dr. Liz MacDonald about the best places to se…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Me and my pet 1:44

10M ago1:44

1:44

Uh-oh, Molly’s new pets are missing! And to make matters worse, Molly won’t tell us what her missing animals are. Although, she is willing to give hints. It’s up to producers Rosie duPont and Ruby Guthrie to find Molly’s missing pets and figure out what they are! Grab your smarty pass to hear this hair-raising episode!…

1
Seahorses! Curly-tailed wonders of the sea 25:07

10M ago25:07

25:07

Seahorses can be as tiny as a grain of rice or more than a foot long. They also beat their small fins up to 70 times per second – about as fast as hummingbird wings. These cowboys of the sea are full of surprises! Join Molly and co-host Noemi as they swim through an episode full of seahorse facts. They’ll hear from seahorse expert Heather Koldewey …

1
Singing: the how and the wow of voices 31:06

10M ago31:06

31:06

Whether you hum in the shower or yodel on stage, you can make music with your voice! But what’s going on inside of your body when you do it? And are there ways to change how your voice sounds? Molly and co-host Kate will explore these questions and more in this episode all about singing. They’ll join Marc to watch a famous opera star do her thing a…

1
Catnip, cat naps, and the history of house cats 31:02

11M ago31:02

31:02

Curious about cats? Us too! Join Molly and co-host Lynx as they sniff out the answers to some of your most pressing cat questions. They’ll head to a chaotic cat café to learn the history of house cats, they'll hear a song all about cat breeds, and chat with cat expert Mikel Delgado about catnip, cat naps, and why cats love to lick themselves! Plus …

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Rhyme or Reason 1:45

11M ago1:45

1:45

Molly is working on a musical about trees that live in cities. But she can’t finish her rhymes! So she enlists Ruby and Anna to help. Molly gives them some of her unfinished lyrics and it’s up to them to help her turn a single sentence into a fact-filled musical couplet!By American Public Media

1
How do trees help our cities? 27:35

12M ago27:35

27:35

Did you know that more than half the people in the world lives in cities? The hustle and bustle of a city can be awesome, but cities can also be hot and polluted. Luckily, there’s a solution we can all get behind – trees! Join Molly and co-host Nallini as they learn how these magnificent towering giants make our cities better places to live and hel…

1
If our bodies are 98 degrees, why does it feel so hot outside? 24:46

1y ago24:46

24:46

98.6 degrees is hot. If it were that hot outside, you’d be sweaty and want to go jump in a nice cold pool. But the insides of our bodies are that hot all the time! And that’s because there’s a lot going on in there that creates heat. In this episode, Molly and co-host Saathvik find out how our bodies keep our insides at a nice steady temperature (a…

1
It’s a mystery sound extravaganza! 29:36

1y ago29:36

29:36

Looking for some sneaky sound puzzles to solve? Tune in to our all-new mystery sound extravaganza! Join co-host Maggie as she listens to recordings of sounds from Brains On listeners – and tries to figure out what they are. You’ll hear Maggie and her brother Sam go head-to-head in a sibling mystery sound battle and listen to podcast producers Nicho…

1
How do vacuums work? 29:29

1y ago29:29

29:29

Vacuums are full of surprises! Did you know that they blow air out to suck things up? Or that old-fashioned vacuums were so huge, they had to be hauled from house to house by horses?! Join Molly and co-host Baker as they learn all about these awesome appliances. They’ll dig into vacuum history, shrink to the size of air molecules and explore the in…

1
How do stringed instruments make sounds? 27:04

1y ago27:04

27:04

Have you ever wondered why a guitar sounds different from a violin? Or why a banjo is twangy and a cello is mellow? Then this episode is for you! Join Molly and co-host Ellie as they explore the ear-tickling world of string sounds! Together, they’ll learn about sound waves, and visit the Brains On instrument petting zoo, where they'll learn about a…

1
Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Radical Design 1:20

1y ago1:20

1:20

Looks like Marc has a beautiful new plant but doesn’t know where to put it. Direct sunlight or indirect sunlight? It’s too hard to figure out! But you know what’s not hard to figure out? Whether or not you should play Molly’s new game, Radical Design! Grab your Smarty Pass to see what producers Marc Sanchez and Rosie duPont think homes would look l…

1
How to build a house on the Moon 29:11

1y ago29:11

29:11

Humans have visited the Moon but we’ve never lived there. Could we build a home on our lunar neighbor? Join Molly and co-host Ira as they find out why the Moon can be a dangerous place, and what it would take to live there. We’ll imagine a visit to a lunar hotel, hear about all the stuff humans have left up there and even hear a song sung by the Mo…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Tails From The Dog House Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen