Forever Ago

By: American Public Media
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    Copyright 2025 Minnesota Public Radio
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Episodes
  • Forever Ago is on Spring Break this week! Enjoy this saucy showdown from our friends at Smash Boom Best!

    Forever Ago is on Spring Break this week! Enjoy this saucy showdown from our friends at Smash Boom Best!
    May 7 2025

    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!

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    32 mins
  • OOO, AHHHH! The history of fireworks

    OOO, AHHHH! The history of fireworks
    Apr 30 2025

    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.
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    26 mins
  • How teens invented the Native Youth Olympics

    How teens invented the Native Youth Olympics
    Apr 23 2025

    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!


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    29 mins
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Profile Image for Patricia J Dykstra

That there are kid hosts

I agree with Melisa that the episode with gummy is funny, I also like the episode about the pride flage, I like the “pride pride”

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Profile Image for Holly Brown, Author "Of Rocks and Trials"

it was great. 👍👍👌👌

this pod cast is great. my favorite episode is the Rubik's cube episode because I know how to solve one.

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Profile Image for CarrieJC

Such an important story and so cool!

So funny that they spent the episode in a "black hole"! Ha ha 😂

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Profile Image for Brianna ONLY

luvvvv

honestly i absolutely love this pod. its really interesting and i love how a kids comes on the show. i also love how they make history and learning fun! like adding silly jokes or weird characters. i actually used to absolutely HATE history. but now its my favorite subject! li listen to it ever night while I'm trying to sleep. im disabled so i find it really hard to sleep. BUT his pod has totally helped me. personally i think that making the pride flag episode was a little inappropriate for kids with religious beliefs such as myself but i can understand why some kids find that interesting! ( also not trying to hate so sorry if its coming off as that im so sorry 😭😭but other then that i love the pod! i also love how they leave hint or references to there pods. like hermy gumpy and "joy hates mayo" Thanks Joy!! ( pls do a podcast about the game slugbug)

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Profile Image for Melissa Rubinson

OMG I love this

Best podcast ever my favorite episode is the gum one with Gumpy ha ha so funny😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

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Profile Image for Maria

I love this podcast

This is the best podcast ever. I like Gumpy he is so cool. Joy is cool

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Profile Image for Hilary Barnes

Omg this is GREAT

I love this podcast you have to make more PLEASE my favorite is temple breaker-inner you are AWESOME also can you do a history of manatees?

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Profile Image for Elizabeth H

no complaints

can't describe how good it is if I could I would give it 100 stars

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

I loveee it❤️

Joy is hilarious. Its such a great history podcast. Highly recommend.
It has taught me so much. Great for the family. Me and my mom love it🥰

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Profile Image for melmed

Actual Factual Facts!

I learned so much! Please could you do a Forever Ago episode on the history of Pokémon?

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