BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

BrainStuff Classics: Would Turkey Be So Popular Without Thanksgiving? Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Americans eat a LOT of turkey around the winter holidays, but why? Learn about turkey's festive history and when we eat the most of it in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/turkey-popularity.htm

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Could a Solar Flare Wipe Out Earth's Electronics? Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

Powerful events on the surface of the sun, like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, produce radiation and magnetic waves that could indeed affect electrical and communications systems here on Earth -- though they'd have to be massive. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-flare-electronics.htm

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How Can Dolphins Detect Sea Mines? Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

The U.S. Navy has been training bottlenose dolphins for operations like detecting undersea mines and guarding vessels since the 1960s. Learn about the Marine Mammal Program in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/dolphin-disarm-sea-mine.htm

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How Does the Skin Barrier Work? Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Our skin is our first line of defense as we move through the world, providing both a physical barrier and an immune barrier against microbes and other dangers that could make us sick. Learn how the skin barrier works in this episode of BrainStuff.

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What's the History of Skid Row? Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

In downtown Los Angeles, the 50-block neighborhood called Skid Row is home to thousands of low-income people who live in tents, run-down hotels, and other temporary shelters on a permanent basis. Learn how Skid Row came about (and has persisted) in such a wealthy place in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/skid-row.htm

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How Do You Make Hoshigaki? Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Hoshigaki are a type of dried fruit made by massaging a persimmon every day for weeks. Learn more about this traditional Japanese treat in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/hoshigaki.htm

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How Does Psoriasis Work? Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Psoriasis is a condition where an overactive immune system causes discomfort and discoloration of the skin. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about how psoriasis works in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Could 'Y'all' Fill a Gap in Modern English? Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Unlike other languages, modern English doesn't have a second-person plural pronoun. Learn how 'y'all' is stepping up in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/yall.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: How Do Paleoartists Create Dinosaur Drawings? Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

Short answer: Very carefully. Learn about the history and modern practices of paleoart in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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BrainStuff Classics: Why Is the Winchester House Built So Strangely? Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

We can't prove whether the Winchester Mystery House is really haunted, but it was definitely built for ghosts. Learn the story of how its strange construction was one woman's unending quest in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/winchester-mystery-house.htm

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