BrainStuff

BrainStuff Classics: Should You Give Cats Milk?

Pop culture often shows cats happily sipping saucers of milk, but giving a cat milk isn't actually the best treat for it -- or you. Learn why in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

How Do Presidential Pardons Work?

U.S. presidents have the power to pardon anyone from punishment surrounding a federal crime, no questions asked. Learn how this clemency works in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

How Can Nasal Breathing Help Keep You Healthier?

Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth can help your heart, immune system, and even your anxiety levels. Learn how in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

BrainStuff Classics: Do Vegetarians' Farts Smell Worse?

Not all flatulence is created equal -- your diet has a huge impact on the gas you pass. So whose farts are smellier: vegetarians or omnivores? Learn the answer in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices ...

How Might Universal Basic Income Work?

Universal basic income is a form of monthly payments to citizens from their government with the idea that financial security makes people (and maybe even economies) healthier. Learn more about UBI and guaranteed income in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn ...

What Is Populism?

Populist leaders have been coming into power all over the world over the past few years. Learn what populism is -- and why it concerns political scientists -- in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Who Was the First Person in Space?

Yuri Gagarin was the Soviet cosmonaut who braved the first flight into space in 1961. Learn about his life (and tragic early death) in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

BrainStuff Classics: What Is the 25th Amendment?

People are again asking whether the 25th Amendment might be enacted to remove the current president. But what does this Amendment say, and what can it really do? Learn about it in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...

How Do Penguins Work?

Flightless birds that live in brutal Antarctic temperatures and partner up for life -- penguins are cool (pun absolutely intended). Learn more about them in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Do 'I Voted' Stickers Do Anything?

Many local governments pass out stickers to the voters who cast a ballot on election day. It might seem silly, but those stickers have a real effect. Learn about the psychology behind 'I Voted!' stickers in this episode of BrainStuff. ...

BrainStuff Classics: Do Some Fabrics Make Body Odor Worse?

Body odor happens when bacteria thrive in our sweat, so the ways your clothes deal with sweat can make a difference. Learn more in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

How Did a South Carolina Monkey Farm Help Defeat Polio?

A farm in South Carolina ensured the health and welfare of the monkeys that were instrumental in the development of polio vaccines. Learn the history of Okatie Farms in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

One of Our Favorite Podcasts of 2020 - The Ten News

Why Is Snow White?

Snow is made up of ice crystals, which are mostly clear -- so why does snow appear white? Learn how particle physics gives us those dazzling white snow drifts in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at ...

BrainStuff Classics: Why Are Resolutions So Easy to Break?

Most of us break our New Years resolutions — and researchers have found a few reasons why. Learn how to build a better resolution in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

When Did Christmas Become an American Holiday?

When the Puritans began colonizing North America, they did not bring Christmas traditions with them. Learn why celebrating was not widespread and sometimes even illegal in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Why Is There a Pooping Figure in Catalonian Nativity Sets?

In a traditional Nativity scene in Catalonia, you're likely to find a figure of 'el caganer' -- a person squatting with a pile of poop. Learn how this sometimes cheeky tradition may have gotten started in today's episode of BrainStuff. ...

What Was the Biggest Nuclear Weapon Ever Built?

The Soviet Union's Tsar Bomba, tested in 1961, was thousands of times more powerful than even the large nuclear weapons of its time. Learn more about this bomb and why such large designs were abandoned in this episode of BrainStuff. ...

BrainStuff Classics: Can Bats Jam Each Other's Sonar?

Bats use sonar to find food in the dark -- but they've got a lot of competition from other bats. Learn about echolocation and how bats go on the offensive in this classic episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ...

How Did Manischewitz Become the Biggest Name in Kosher Wine?

The Manischewitz Company produces all kinds of kosher foods, but is most famous for its sweet, inexpensive wines. Learn how the company got started in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

How Did Galileo Become the First Superstar Scientist?

Galileo Galilei is famous today for defying the Catholic Church in the 1600s with his (correct) astronomical hypotheses. Learn more about his work and how he became famous in his own time in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about ...

What Are Wine Diamonds?

If you've ever seen crystals at the bottom of a wine bottle, glass, or cork, don't worry -- they're considered a sign of quality. Learn what so-called wine diamonds are and how they form in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn ...

BrainStuff Classics: What Can a Cache of Pterosaur Eggs Teach Us?

A huge cache of ancient pterosaur eggs has been unearthed in China. Learn what this find can tell us about these flying contemporaries of dinosaurs in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

How Deadly Are Black Widow Spiders?

The venom of black widow spiders can indeed be deadly, but they almost always avoid attacking -- and they don't often eat each other, either. Learn more about these arachnids in today's episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices ...

What Is the Immigrant Paradox?

Immigrants to the United States tend to have better physical and mental health outcomes than people who were born here. Learn about assimilation, acculturation, and collectivism in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com