Hearing the Stars

Who invented the peanut butter and jelly sandwich? And how did it become one of the most famous lunches in America? In this episode, a question from listener Leila sends us on a trip through history to find out how peanut butter, jelly, and sliced bread came together to make the ...  Show more

Why do humans usually have five fingers on each hand? And what if one day, we could grow a new finger if we lost one? In this episode, a question from six-year-old listener Ayla sends us on a journey from tiny developing embryos to one of the most amazing animals on Earth: the ax ...  Show more

In an episode we first aired in 2014, we meet a man named Dennis Conrow, who was stuck. After a brief stint at college, he’d spent most of his 20’s back home with his parents, sleeping in his childhood room. And just when he finally struck out on his own, fate intervened. He l ...

It's game show time! The explorers find themselves on the most bizarre planet yet, where they are contestants on a game show. If they do well, they're allowed to stay as guests, but if they miss their marks, it's into the Fail Jail they go! Once again, we have another puzzle for ...  Show more

(Hello! We're excited to make more music and podcasts for & with you in 2025! Meanwhile, enjoy these holiday-themed episode remixes -- and thanks for listening!)

Celebrate the winter solstice by exploring the darkest depths of the ocean with marine biologist and sel ...

In this episode, we learn about the trickster coyote. At the end of this episode, you'll know their defense mechanisms, how dangerous they really are to humans, and what's so cool about their noses. We'll also learn a Native American story about coyotes. Plus, find out all about ...  Show more