Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids: "Whirr. Zoom! Plink plink. It’s a Mystery Sound Extravaganza" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 31, 2024
Host: Molly Bloom
Co-Host: Violet from Knoxville, Tennessee
Guest: Shelly Rhoden, Professional Foley Artist

1. Introduction and Bob's Filing Fiasco ([00:00]–[06:40])

The episode kicks off with Bob, a recurring character, humorously narrating his attempt to organize the growing collection of mystery sounds for the podcast. Bob meticulously places each sound into labeled jars, categorizing them into sections like "bathroom" and "household maintenance." His enthusiasm is palpable as he juggles multiple jars, exclaiming, “Every mystery sound goes in its own special jar” ([00:12]).

However, Bob's mission takes a comedic turn when he accidentally drops the jars, scattering the lids and mixing up the sounds. Panicked, he exclaims, “I dropped the jars and the lids have popped off and I don't know which lid goes on which jar” ([01:56]). This mishap sets the stage for Molly and Violet to assist him in reassigning the correct sounds to their respective jars, demonstrating teamwork and critical thinking.

2. Mystery Sound Extravaganza Begins ([02:15]–[06:40])

Molly Bloom introduces the main segment—the Annual Mystery Sound Extravaganza. She engages Violet in discussing her knack for guessing sounds, with Violet noting, “I think the ones that you, like, hear in your everyday life... are the easiest” ([02:43]).

Bob returns, explaining his predicament with the mixed-up lids: “The three lids say fireplace crackling, grinding pepper, and clipping toenails” ([04:25]). Together, Molly and Violet tackle the challenge, accurately identifying each sound through listener submissions:

• Grinding Pepper: Violet correctly identifies the sound, confirmed by listener Myles from Alameda, California ([05:06]).
• Clipping Toenails: Violet’s accurate guess is validated by Dominic from St. Louis, Missouri ([05:33]).
• Fireplace Crackling: Violet narrows it down to Alec from Portland, Oregon, securing the final correct identification ([06:01]).

This segment highlights the interactive and educational nature of the podcast, encouraging young listeners to engage their auditory skills.

3. Transition to Paper Topic and Listener Engagement ([06:40]–[12:41])

After successfully helping Bob, Molly segues into promoting the upcoming episode on paper. She invites listeners to share their paper creations, emphasizing the versatility of paper in daily life. Violet shares her inventive creations, such as a “little mini trash can” made from paper and a “Barbie house” constructed from recycled materials ([12:00]–[12:26]). Molly praises Violet’s creativity, stating, “That is so inspiring. So creative” ([12:26]).

Listeners are encouraged to send in photos of their paper projects and submit their own mystery sounds and questions via email, fostering a community-driven learning environment.

4. Interview with Shelly Rhoden: The World of Foley Artists ([14:22]–[26:28])

The episode features an insightful interview with Shelly Rhoden, a professional Foley artist responsible for creating sound effects in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Despicable Me, and Inside Out. Molly and Violet explore Shelly’s role and the intricacies of Foley artistry.

Key Highlights:

• Foley Stage Overview ([15:08]–[16:00]): Shelly describes her Foley stage, equipped with various floor surfaces, a dirt pit, water pit, and an array of everyday tools repurposed for sound creation. She explains the process: “We also have microphones in the room so that somebody on another side of soundproof glass can record me” ([15:38]).

• Difference Between Foley and Sound Effects ([16:56]–[17:02]): Shelly clarifies that while both involve creating sounds, Foley specifically refers to performed sound effects synchronized with on-screen actions, unlike pre-recorded sound effects from libraries.

• Mystery Sound Challenge: Shelly engages in a mystery sound guessing game with Molly and Violet, demonstrating her expertise. For example, she listens to a sound and deduces, “I would say just some twigs or a pinecone perhaps being smushed” ([18:16]). The actual sound was an onion being peeled, showcasing the precision required in Foley work.

• Creating Character Sounds ([22:15]–[23:28]): Shelly demonstrates how she creates sounds for characters, such as using a rubber mask and metal boxes to emulate Hank the Octopus from Finding Dory. She explains, “These are awesome guesses. You guys are right on” ([22:41]).

• Final Mystery Sound Guess ([25:35]–[26:07]): Shelly presents a sound related to Anxiety from the Inside Out movie, which Molly and Violet accurately identify, reinforcing the importance of understanding character traits through sound design.

This interview provides a deep dive into the creative processes behind sound effects in media, illustrating the blend of technical skill and imagination required in Foley artistry.

5. Final Mystery Sounds and Conclusion ([26:53]–[30:04])

Returning to the Mystery Sound Extravaganza, Molly presents two final sounds for Violet to guess:

1. Lock Keypad Sound ([27:01]–[28:04]): Violet deduces the sound of a keypad unlocking her house after listening to beeps and a loud noise. Phoebe from Arizona confirms it was her unlocking her house keypad.

   • Notable Quote: “What do you think it is? ... It’s unlocking the lock” ([28:00]).

2. Airplane Taking Off ([28:36]–[29:30]): Violet interprets the sound as an airplane taking off, which is confirmed by Lila from Pukata. Molly relates the sound to her own experiences living under a flight path.

   • Notable Quote: “What do you think? ... It was an airplane taking off” ([29:19]).

Molly commends Violet's accurate guesses throughout the episode, highlighting her sharp listening skills and reinforcing the educational aspect of practicing auditory discrimination.

6. Credits and Acknowledgments ([30:04]–[32:59])

The episode concludes with Molly and Violet thanking their production team and sponsors, acknowledging contributors from the Brains On! Universe team, and promoting their SmartyPass subscription for bonus content. They also showcase a roll call of young listeners who support the show through their questions, sounds, drawings, and ideas.

Key Takeaways:

• Interactive Learning: The Mystery Sound Extravaganza encourages active listening and critical thinking among young listeners.

• Behind-the-Scenes Insight: The interview with Shelly Rhoden offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Foley artistry, emphasizing the creativity and technical expertise involved in sound design for media.

• Community Engagement: The podcast fosters a sense of community by inviting listeners to contribute their own sounds, questions, and creative projects, thereby enhancing participation and interest in science and creativity.

Notable Quotes:

• Bob: “I dropped the jars and the lids have popped off and I don't know which lid goes on which jar” ([01:56]).

• Violet: “I think the ones that you, like, hear in your everyday life... are the easiest” ([02:43]).

• Shelly Rhoden: “Foley is performed sound effects... mimicking what the actors are doing” ([16:56]).

• Molly Bloom: “Violet, you did an amazing job guessing all these mystery sounds” ([29:41]).

This episode of Brains On! masterfully blends humor, interactive segments, and expert insights to engage curious minds, making science both entertaining and educational for children and their families.