Joy is building a movie theater in the basement of Brains On! Headquarters. She’s got the popcorn, air conditioning, and comfy seats but is overwhelmed by all the cool but complicated technology that makes movies magical. Join Joy and Forever Ago producer Nico Gonzalez Wisler for a silver-screen edition of First Things First!

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This week, we’ve got a very special episode from our besties at Smash Boom Best!

This debate is a tasty tussle between a chewy champion and a gummy grizzly. Grab your lunch boxes and protect your hair, because it’s Bubble Gum vs. Gummy Bears! Actor, improvisor, and creative extraordinaire Alsa Bruno is all in for glorious Gummy Bears and Forever Ago host Joy Dolo is here to hype the hubbub for team Bubble Gum! Which side will stick it out for the win? Gleeful Gummy Bears or beloved Bubble Gum?

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Popcorn is a buttery, tasty treat. You can find it everywhere, from circuses to sports games. But it’s probably best known for its starring role as a movie theater snack! So why do we eat popcorn at the movies anyway? Why not pizza or peanuts or potato chips? 

Join Joy and co-host Rose as they dive into the delicious history of this beloved snack and learn how for a long time, movie theater owners refused to let people eat popcorn in their fancy buildings. Plus, they’ll meet a very famous popcorn influencer and try their luck with a sweet new First Things First featuring Slurpees, Milk Duds and Sour Patch Kids! 

Resources:

Check out pictures of the first steam-powered portable popcorn poppers and the super snazzy movie palaces of the 1920s.



This episode was sponsored by:
Walt Disney Studios - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th.

PRX - Check out new episodes of PRX's Jamming on the Job wherever you get your podcasts.

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Today, bagels are a classic American breakfast food. But less than 100 years ago, most people in the U.S. had never heard of them! Join Joy, co-host Arianna, and special guest Sohla El-Waylly of the Deep Dish podcast to learn how a group of tough, dedicated bakers helped bagels go from nearly unknown to breakfast big shot. Plus, Arianna pays a visit to Asa’s Bakery in Minneapolis and learns how to roll bagels and bialys. And of course, a brand new First Things First!

Featured Experts:

Sohla El-Waylly is a chef, cookbook author and podcast host! Check out her books, recipes and cooking tips on her website.

Asa Diebolt, is a baker and owner of Asa’s Bakery in Minneapolis, MN.

This episode was sponsored by:
Walt Disney Studios - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th.

PRX - Check out new episodes of PRX's Jamming on the Job wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s easy to take toilets for granted, but these porcelain thrones are nothing short of marvelous. In this episode, Joy and co-host Caleb find out how bathrooms and sewers helped civilizations grow. Plus they take a pit stop in ancient Rome where public restrooms were very public. And they learn about a privy fit for a literal queen. Enjoy and remember to wash your hands when you’re done!

This episode was sponsored by:
Walt Disney Studios - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th.

PRX - Check out new episodes of PRX's Jamming on the Job wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dogs have served as human’s loyal companions for thousands of years. They’ve also been trained to do some pretty cool jobs! In today’s episode, Joy and cohost Oliver learn all about the history of guide dogs. These are canine companions that are trained to help guide people who are blind or have vision loss. They’ll also meet 16 year old Ella Shea and her guide dog Pico!  Plus, we’ll hear one of your invention mentions, and play a brand new edition of First Things First!

Resources:
To learn more about guide dog schools, visit https://www.igdf.org.uk/

This episode was sponsored by:
Walt Disney Studios- Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a Forever Ago face-off! Joy has turned the garage at HQ into a boxing arena and has brought in Molly Bloom and Nico Gonzalez Wisler for a rock, paper, scissors showdown!  Grab your smarty pass to witness the raw power of rock, paper, scissors!

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When most of us think of fortune cookies, we think of those little folded cookies that come with Chinese food. But did you know that fortune cookies aren’t from China? So where did they come from? And why do we think of them as Chinese? Join Joy and co-host Harlem as they find answers and trace the cookie’s journey. We’ll also hear from journalist Jennifer 8. Lee who wrote an entire book all about fortune cookies, plus a brand new First Things First!

Featured expert: Jennifer 8. Lee is a journalist, film producer, and author. She wrote an entire book about the history of fortune cookies called The Fortune Cookie Chronicles. Lee also produced a documentary about the origins of General Tso’s Chicken. To learn more, check out her website.

Resources:
To learn more about the internment of Japanese Americans, check out the graphic novel Displacement by Kiku Hughes.

This episode was sponsored by:
Walt Disney Studios- Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th.

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Hey Forever Ago Friends!! Ready for more Forever Ago FUN?! Well you’re in luck— Forever Ago is back with a brand new season May 15th! Tune in to learn all about how wheelchair basketball was invented, why we eat popcorn at the movies, and what humans did with their doo before modern toilets!

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Forever Ago host Joy Dolo has a brand-new game she’s calling Instrumental Enigma. It sounds like a lot of fun! Emphasis on sounds! Grab your Smarty Pass to hear what producers Rosie duPont and Aron Woldeslassie think of the new game and all of its interesting sounds!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.