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American Public Media

Brains On presents Forever Ago®, a history show for the whole family! Every episode looks into the surprising and fascinating history of things we think are ordinary, but they’re not -- like ice cream flavors, video games, baths and more. We make learning about the past fun while teaching listeners to think critically about history.

Forever Ago

Our world is filled with uniforms. From mail carriers, to sports teams to students! This week, Joy, cohost Hannah and Articles of Interest’s Avery Trufelman trace the history of school uniforms, from their start 800 years ago in England, to their popularization in America by immigrants. We’ll also dive into the pros and cons of uniforms and hear from listeners about their thoughts. Plus, a fashionable First Things First!

Avery Trufelman hosts Articles of Interest, a podcast about what we wear.

Where did school uniforms come from?

We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. We know: not cool. But, our new home is going to be bigger and better and the absolute BEST. We can't wait until it's ready for you to visit.

In the meantime, we still have some live shows planned this fall. Brains On Live will be in Dallas, TX on September 13. And Smash Boom Best will bring the debate heat to Princeton, NJ on October 26. Head over to brainson.org/events to get tickets. We can't wait to high five you all in person!

And, if you want to be the first to hear about our shiny, new home, sign up for our newsletter. There will be six more bathrooms, 10 more water slides and, we're finally going to fix the doorbell! Also, if you have any questions or want to reach out to us, you can still head to brainson.org/contact to get in touch.

A big update about Forever Ago and the Brains On Universe

Joy and co-host Obasi are so obsessed with historical spycraft that they become top secret spies! Their mission, should they choose to accept it: investigate the life of superstar Josephine Baker.

Josephine danced and sang on the biggest stages of Europe in 1920s and 30s — and fell in love with France. In fact, she loved the people of France so much that she was willing to risk her life as a spy during World War II. Her story has everything: coded messages written in invisible ink, dangerous missions and even a pet cheetah! All that, plus a new First Things First!

Featured experts: 

Hanna Diamond is a historian and author of Josephine Baker’s Secret War. 

This episode was sponsored by:
Disney - Experience Disney's Elio, only in theaters June 20. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested.

Josephine Baker: Diva and WWII spy!

Today, sports are popular all over the world! But have you ever wondered what the first team sport was? This week, Joy and cohost Xenia learn all about the Mesoamerican Ball Game, which is more than 3,000 years old! And they meet someone who is still playing today! Plus, a game of first things first that you won’t ball-lieve!

This episode was sponsored by:
Disney - Experience Disney's Elio, only in theaters June 20. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested.

Play ball! The first team sport

Joy is a real cool customer. How cool? Well, let’s just say she regularly sleeps in feline PJs, aka the cat’s pajamas. Cat’s pajamas are slang for something being really cool. To prove how much slang she knows, Joy plays a game of First Things First featuring some of her favorite slang terms. Only the coolest kids can win the game, daddy-o.

Smarty Pass Bonus: First Things For Shizzle

Joy is so excited to be going on her first big camping trip, but she needs help – STAT! How do you put up a tent, anyway? And how do you make perfect, ooey gooey s’mores?! Luckily, her Girl Scout buddy and cohost Flora is here to help!
Join Joy and Flora on their camping trip, while they explore the history of the Girl Scouts! This super popular group teaches girls all kinds of skills, from managing money to how to be a good friend. Over a million girls across the U.S. are members – but how did the group get started anyway? (Spoiler: it all began with one courageous woman who had a big idea!) Plus, the story of another courageous woman who fought to ensure Black girls could join the Girl Scouts, too! And as always, a tasty new First Things First for you to sink your teeth into!

This episode was sponsored by:
Disney - Experience Disney's Elio, only in theaters June 20. Rated PG, parental guidance suggested.

How did the Girl Scouts get started?

Today’s episode is all about the best breakfast topping, the sap that slaps…maple syrup! If you’ve ever had maple syrup on your pancakes or waffles, you have the Native people of what’s now called North America to thank for that. Native people have been making maple syrup for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Tag along with Joy and cohost Marvin as they explain how syrup is made. Minnesota Public Radio reporter Chandra Colvin also drops by to share how Native communities continue this centuries-old syrup tradition. Plus, you won't want to miss a new First Things First, so stick around!

Featured Experts:
Chandra Colvin is a reporter for Native News at Minnesota Public Radio. She’s also a member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. You can find more of her work here.

Forest Hunt is a plant scientist with the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute. They are a direct descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota.

Shirley Boyd and Bette Sam are elders in the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Where does maple syrup come from?

Forever Ago is on Spring Break this week! We’ll be back next week with a brand new episode all about the magic of maple syrup. In the meantime, enjoy this saucy showdown from our friends at Smash Boom Best!

Today’s debate is a captivating clash of two condiments. It’s Ketchup vs. Ranch! We’ve got comedian and writer Devohn Bland here to defend team Ranch and voice actor Merk Nguyen ready to fight for Ketchup! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Vote below for the team YOU think won!

Forever Ago is on Spring Break this week! Enjoy this saucy showdown from our friends at Smash Boom Best!

Fireworks dazzle us on special holidays, at flashy concerts and during some big public events (National Mr. Potatohead Day anyone?). But did you know people have been using fireworks to celebrate for centuries?

This week Joy and cohost Elliott learn about how firecrackers started with exploding bamboo in ancient China and how a couple of monks accidentally invented gunpowder. All this, plus an explosive new round of First Things First.

Featured Experts:

Dr. Haiwang Yuan is a writer, translator, and retired professor of Western Kentucky University who specializes in Chinese history, culture and language.

OOO, AHHHH! The history of fireworks

Forever ago is back with a brand new episode all about the Native Youth Olympics! Join Joy and cohost Ali to learn all about how a group of students in Alaska started a sporting event that today has hundreds of participants! Plus, a brand new game of First Things First!

Featured Experts:

Nicole Johnson is the Head Official at the Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage, Alaska. She is also an instructor and former athlete of the games.

Resources:

Want to learn more about the Native Youth Olympics?
You can find links to info on the 2025 Native Youth Olympics on their website here– including a livestream of the games running April 24-26, 2025!

How teens invented the Native Youth Olympics

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.

Terrific Toilets: how humans solved the potty problem

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