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.

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.

Brains On Universe 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.

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Brains On Universe presents Forever Ago&reg;, a history show for the whole family! Every episode looks into the surprising and fascinating history of things we think are ordinary, but they&rsquo;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.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Forever Ago

Play ball! The first team sport

Woooohooooo and historical HUZZAH! We are coming back next spring and can't wait for you to hear all that we have planned. Now that Forever Ago and the entire Brains On Universe are independent, we need your support more than ever. We make the show for you, and we can't make it without you.

Help us make this the best season yet, and subscribe to Smarty Pass. You get ad-free versions of Forever Ago, Brains On, Smash Boom Best and Moment of Um. There are also discounts on live events and merch, plus hangouts with the show creators.

Do you want a personalized message from a mayonaise-hating, elephant-loving, historical host with chuztpah (aka Joy Dolo)?!? Well, friend, you are in luck. Not only is that part of our Galactic Explorers club tier, but it's currently on sale - don't delay! Sign up for your Smarty Pass today.

We can't wait to explore the before with you again next spring!

Woooohooooo and historical HUZZAH! We are coming back next spring and can't wait for you to hear all that we have planned. Now that Forever Ago and the entire Brains On Universe are independent, we need your support more than ever. We make the show for you, and we can't make it without you.
Help us make this the best season yet, and subscribe to <a href="https://brainson.supercast.com/">Smarty Pass</a>. You get ad-free versions of Forever Ago, Brains On, Smash Boom Best and Moment of Um. There are also discounts on live events and merch, plus hangouts with the show creators.
Do you want a personalized message from a mayonaise-hating, elephant-loving, historical host with chuztpah (aka Joy Dolo)?!? Well, friend, you are in luck. Not only is that part of our Galactic Explorers club tier, but it's currently on sale - don't delay! Sign up for your <a href="https://brainson.supercast.com/">Smarty Pass</a> today.
We can't wait to explore the before with you again next spring!

Forever Ago is coming back and we want your help

We’re back! We’ve officially moved into our new headquarters! Come unpack with us and get a tour while we fill you in on some big news. Plus, new episodes of Brains On coming later this month and new Smash Boom and Forever Ago after that. If you want to support the show or drop us a line, head to brainson.org. The best way to keep us going is to join Smarty Pass or donate here:https://brainson.supercast.com. Thank you!


See Smash Boom Best LIVE in Princeton, NJ!


Join us at the McCarter Theatre for a live, in-person version of Smash Boom Best, an award winning podcast for kids and families! Each live show takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets the audience decide which is best. Host Molly Bloom moderates a debate between two performers who make their case using facts fueled by jokes, physical comedy, and the occasional song and dance. At the end, the audience votes for the winner and crowns the Smash Boom Best – all while learning how to defend their own opinions and make the strongest arguments for their case. 


While we are in town, we are throwing a Smash Boom Spectacular Party right after the live show and YOU are invited! This won't be just any party. You will get to meet host Molly Bloom and our debaters. They'll be playing games with you, singing songs, answering your questions, and posing for photos. Plus, you'll get to take home an awesome, one-of-a kind Smash Boom Best goodie bag. You can gain access to this SBSP (Smash Boom Spectacular Party) by purchasing a VIP ticket* when you make your purchase.  See you there!





DETAILS & TICKETS


McCarter Theatre Center


October 26, 2025 at 3:00pm ET


91 University Place


Princeton, NJ 08540


Buy Tickets Here

We’re back! We’ve officially moved into our new headquarters! Come unpack with us and get a tour while we fill you in on some big news. Plus, new episodes of Brains On coming later this month and new Smash Boom and Forever Ago after that. If you want to support the show or drop us a line, head to <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbrainson.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clhumpert%40americanpublicmedia.org%7Cc8916b86364f492e178908de05f27929%7C8245ecb6b08841218e216c093b6d9d22%7C0%7C0%7C638954736152126086%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=QoP0jxHXjCVYrfvIz4%2FXZM8wy%2FnHFBTo51NJtOQuRXU%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: http://brainson.org/. Click or tap if you trust this link.">brainson.org</a>. The best way to keep us going is to join Smarty Pass or donate here:<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrainson.supercast.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clhumpert%40americanpublicmedia.org%7Cc8916b86364f492e178908de05f27929%7C8245ecb6b08841218e216c093b6d9d22%7C0%7C0%7C638954736152154857%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=P%2FPxx1mVHb3nQmMONLqCL%2FKHhUeT0vt2TrScdc4lYq4%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://brainson.supercast.com/. Click or tap if you trust this link."> </a><a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrainson.supercast.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Clhumpert%40americanpublicmedia.org%7Cc8916b86364f492e178908de05f27929%7C8245ecb6b08841218e216c093b6d9d22%7C0%7C0%7C638954736152179300%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=xC4%2BfJUg5xUvo4SxQkTHogdS7npwBIJd02Eh%2FLeSpEI%3D&amp;reserved=0" title="Original URL: https://brainson.supercast.com/. Click or tap if you trust this link.">https://brainson.supercast.com</a>. Thank you! See Smash Boom Best LIVE in Princeton, NJ! Join us at the McCarter Theatre for a live, in-person version of Smash Boom Best, an award winning podcast for kids and families! Each live show takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets the audience decide which is best. Host Molly Bloom moderates a debate between two performers who make their case using facts fueled by jokes, physical comedy, and the occasional song and dance. At the end, the audience votes for the winner and crowns the Smash Boom Best – all while learning how to defend their own opinions and make the strongest arguments for their case.  While we are in town, we are throwing a Smash Boom Spectacular Party right after the live show and YOU are invited! This won't be just any party. You will get to meet host Molly Bloom and our debaters. They'll be playing games with you, singing songs, answering your questions, and posing for photos. Plus, you'll get to take home an awesome, one-of-a kind Smash Boom Best goodie bag. You can gain access to this SBSP (Smash Boom Spectacular Party) by purchasing a VIP ticket* when you make your purchase.  See you there! DETAILS &amp; TICKETS McCarter Theatre Center October 26, 2025 at 3:00pm ET 91 University Place Princeton, NJ 08540 <a href="https://www.mccarter.org/smashboombest" title="Buy Tickets Here" class="default">Buy Tickets Here</a>

We’re back! Brains On Universe has a new headquarters

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.

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 <a href="https://www.brainson.org/events" class="default">brainson.org/events</a> 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, <a href="https://www.brainson.org/newsletter" class="c-link c-link--underline">sign up for our newsletter</a>. 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 <a href="http://brainson.org/contact" class="c-link c-link--underline">brainson.org/contact</a> to get in touch.

Play ball! The first team sport

Forever Ago

In 1 playlist(s)

Forever Ago

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips