Boom Radio: Security Questions
Chloe wonders: what's up with security questions on websites?

Schmave's Elevator: Pies
Dave Schmave tells a story about a family trip to rural West Union when he was 10 years old. An errand with his Uncle Richard turns into a dramatic dog rescue, and Dave discovers the tenderness behind his uncle’s gruff exterior.

Power Up: Helping with computers
A boy gets a call from an elderly neighbor asking for help with her computer. He goes to her house and downloads some music to her iPod. She wants to tip him, be he refuses — the look on her face was better than anything she could give him.

Big Idea: Water (part 3)
Family means something different to everyone. For some kids it just means a mom, or a dad. For some, its a tightly woven crowd of 50 or 60 people. One family member gets hurt, or needs help, or gets married, and everyone’s life somehow changes a little bit.

Mother Nature is one of those BIG families. The connection between plankton and icebergs and corn crops and monkeys in the Peruvian rain forest may be hard to see, but its there. And that connection is water.

In part 3 of our series on water, we explore irrigation, aquifers, water rights, beavers, dams, bottled water, and waste-water cleaning: the ultimate in recycling.

“For hundreds of years we’ve abused this life-giving clear stuff like its our right. The fact is, its not ours to abuse. It’s a gift from the planet for us to use. Let’s say you and me start treating water like the incredible gift that it is — now — today. That’s the big idea.”

American Journey: Everglades
Toby and her Grandfather rent a canoe and strike out into the Florida Everglades. When they get lost, an old woman offers to trade help for some conversation. She tells them about the difficult history of the Everglades — from the Seminoles forced out and the slaves brought in, to the mass killing of alligators and egrets, to the attempts to drain the swamp. She also reveals a little of her personal history through her ideas about freedom and independence.

Turning Points: Admiral Byrd
Even as a kid, Richard Byrd wanted to have adventures. At his request, his parents put him on a train across America and boat across the Pacific to live a year in the Philippines. He went into the military and, despite physical injuries, led the first flight to the North Pole, and led long-term research expeditions to Antarctica. Kelsey goes back in time to his remote outpost on Antarctica where he is living alone in total darkness — for six whole months! He tells her about his research on weather, the perils of the cold and darkness, and how being an explorer is more about planning and preparation than about bravery.

Primary: Platforms in a Presidential Race
Politicians run for office on a platform. No, they aren’t actually running, and the platform isn’t made of wood — their platform is the set of ideas and plans they represent. To illustrate this, we hear a speech by Elena, running for president on a simple platform: Protect our summers! No year round school!

Boom Radio: Secret Service for me?
When the children of presidents go off to college, they don’t go alone. Secret Service officers have to follow them around and make sure they’re safe! Devin doesn’t like the sound of that at all. What if his mom runs for president? Will they follow him to the lunchroom? Tell his parents when he’s having fun when he’s supposed to be doing chores? He decides that before she does, he’d better get the facts.

Tucker Jones: Tucker Jones and the Money Club
Kid detective Tucker Jones smells something fishy when a classmate starts waving extra money around. He uncovers the Money Club, a pyramid scheme run by an older kid. Tucker wants to take it down. “Success, trust, share, dare — each of these words is inspiring all on its own. But when you start shoving them together without saying anything underneath, they start to feel a little dirty. I hopped on my bike and pedaled to the city college to find out exactly how dirty.”

Widget and Whack: Cameras
Did you know that the aperture of a camera works just like your eye? Brothers Widget and Whack have to be a little more careful than usual, because they promised their dad they wouldn’t take his camera apart. But they’re still determined to answer their favorite question — how does it work? Learn about film, shutters, apertures and light in this behind-the-scenes look at mechanics in action.

Big Idea: Politics and the Olympics
The Olympic Games are intended to be celebrations of peace, where countries lay down their weapons to compete in a spirit of unity. In spite of this, the Olympics often provide an opportunity for countries to push their politics. Sometimes its bad, like when Hitler tried to use the Berlin games to ‘prove’ his racist ideas. But maybe it’s not always bad. In this Big Idea, Hayley tackles this complicated topic by focusing on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Many countries hoped to use the Olympics to make China face tough questions about it’s human rights policies, its treatment of Tibet, and its involvement in the genocide in Darfur. Hayley interviews Joy Fahrenkrog, an archer on the US Olympic team who joined a multi-national athlete organization called Team Darfur. Their goal is to raise awareness about the conflict there. Hayley asks her: is it more important to uphold the non-political spirit of the Games, or is it more important to push for justice in the world?

Jokes

American Journey: Yosemite
Toby and her grandfather spend some time hiking in Yosemite. They have to keep their food in bear-proof containers and learn the local traditions. Her grandfather is on a special mission: 25 years ago, he spent weeks making a map of one small part of the park. Every tree and every stone was marked on his map. He was there to see how much things change in 25 years. Toby learns a lot about “floods, glaciers, droughts” and marvels that “everything seems connected.”

Big Talk: Dresses and Journal Reading
In Big Talk, listeners send in their own questions about the funny things grown-ups do, and we try to give them some advice. In this episode, one girl complains that her parents make her wear a dress — and she just doesn’t want to! Another listener suspects that his parents are reading his diary.

Turning Points: Jacques Cousteau
Emily goes back to 1974 to speak with diver Jacques Cousteau. Overcoming childhood illness, Jacques turned his passion for exploration into a life dedicated to educating people about the underwater world he loved. Aboard his beloved boat, the Calypso, Emily and Jacques talk about thrills and dangers of exploration, the true meaning of leadership, and the the importance of protecting our oceans.

Boom Radio: "Green" Products
This week our DJ asks us to think about “buying green.” What’s greener — an expensive rug made of recycled bottles that gets sent on planes and trucks from another part of the world, or a regular rug you got as a hand-me-down? She concludes that “the greenest products are usually the ones you don’t buy.”

Schmave's Elevator: Astounding Events
How long does it take for someone’s life to change? Dave Schmave watched it happen once — to four people, actually — and it only took 66 seconds. In Junior High, Dave knew a kid named Larry. Larry was awkwardly tall, not a good student, not good at sports, and a frequent target of bullying — until one day, when something astounding happened on the basketball court.

The Count: Dutch
Learn to count to 10 in Dutch - because you just never know!

Big Idea: Water #2: Nature's Hydrologists
What do beaver, bison and prairie dogs have to do with water? Well, beavers build and manage our wetlands, bison dig holes that help recharge our underground water supply, and prairie dogs build underground cities that help rain get to the plants that need it. We didn’t always understand this. Both bison and beaver were driven to the brink of extinction by over-hunting, and humans have poured tons of poison into prairie dog cities. But then wetlands started to disappear, springs and creeks dried up, and our grasslands began turning into desert. These animals demonstrate how animals, plants and the land itself are connected. Hayley, the Queen of Complicated Stuff, tells us all about it.

Jokes

Power Up: Cooking Pasta, Following Directions
Cooking is no big deal for one boy, who decides to make dinner for his family all by himself.

Big Talk: Parents and pride
In Big Talk, listeners send in their own questions about the funny things grown-ups do, and we try to give them some advice. In this episode, one kid asks why her mom says she wasn’t snoring — but she was! And another listener writes in to ask why her dad insists on trying to fix everything, even though he’s not very good at it.

Turning Points: Margaret Bourke-White
Emily goes back to 1955 to talk to Margaret Bourke-White. As photojournalist for Life Magazine, Margaret traveled the world, taking pictures of important events, famous leaders and everyday people. They talk about the art of photography, the ethics of journalism, and the way every detail, no matter how small, tells a story.

Boom Radio: Fees
Boom Radio DJ Chloe learns about fees when her sister’s credit card statement came in. She was one day late, so the bank took a fee, and the fee put her over a limit and she got another fee! People can get away with that? Chloe realizes that been letting everybody in HER life off the hook! And so she announces her own schedule of fees.

Tucker Jones: Tucker Jones Discovers the Pyramid
Tucker Jones gets a call about another pyramid scheme in town. This one looks like a dog-walking business — until you read the fine print. He teams up with his favorite milkshake maker to tackle the case.

Big Idea: Water #1
When we first got our own satellites into space, we were able to see our planet from the outside for the first time. And what’s most striking about these pictures is that they’re so, so blue! Water covers more than 70% of our planet, and all life depends on it. This is the first installment of our three part investigation into water. Hayley, the Queen of Complicated Stuff, explores the three states of water — solid, liquid, gas — and their ongoing cycle of transformation that keeps our planet alive.

Power Up: Chess with Dad
A boy learns to play chess and challenges his father to a match.

Jokes

The Count: Latin
Learn to count to 10 in Latin — you just never know when you’re going to need it!

Natural Wonder: Snow Crystals
“I wonder, snow crystal, how can they be so sure?” Natalie asks. “You know what I’m talking about — no two of you ever being alike. How do we know you don’t have 3, 20, 5 million identical twins scattered in snowmen and snow forts all around the world?” And what’s the difference between a snowflake and a snow crystal? How are you made? Why do snow crystals always have 6 points — not 5, or 8? Why so symmetrical? Natalie gives us a window into their beautiful world.

Big Talk: Embarrassment
On Big Talk, listeners write in to tell us about the funny things grown-ups do, and we try to give some advice. In this episode, listeners are concerned with embarrassment -- the dad with toilet paper on his shoe and a mom who wants to chaperone a school dance.

Turning Points: Carl Sagan
Emily goes back in time to speak with astronomer Carl Sagan. They talk about how he fell in love with outer space as a kid. He became a scientist who was known as much for his imagination and work as an educator as he was for his lab work. In particular, his imagination about extra-terrestrials shaped the direction of science, and all of our imaginations as well. Emily and Carl talk about outer space, the excitement and disappointments of research, and the meeting of poetry and science.

Body Rhythm: Breakfast
Learn why kids who eat a good breakfast do better in school, and get some ideas about how to improve yours.

Boom Radio: Recreational Vehicles
DJ Hale-storm sounds off about boring car trips, and suggests a new invention.

Jokes

Schmave's Elevator: Surrender
Dave Schmave remembers back to a time when he was 11. At the county fair, a stranger gives Dave some advice that helps his relationship with a difficult older sister.

Power Up: Helping Mom
A girl helps her mom with her morning routine and discovers how good it feels to help out.

Big Idea: Human Spirit
In this Big Idea story, Hayley interviews two amazing athletes who accomplish things most of us can't even imagine. Dean Karnessis is an ultra long-distance runner. His most amazing feat has been 50 marathons on 50 consecutive days in all 50 states! The second athlete is also a runner -- Michael Canning, who completed a 50-mile run at age 15! They talk about the rewards of taking on challenges, pushing through difficulty, and the contentment and happiness that comes from exercise and discipline.

The Count: Hungarian
Learn to count to 10 in Hungarian -- because you just never know!

Widget and Whack: Speed
In this investigation of science in action, Widget explains to his brother Whack why he can't run up a wall. Gravity, friction and momentum all play a part in speed: what it does, and what it does not do.

Big Talk: Tired Dads, Boring Breakfasts
On Big Talk, listeners write in to tell us about the funny things grown-ups do, and we try to give some advice. In this episode, one listener asks why his dad complains that he's "so tired!" but then stays up late at night. Another listener marvels at how her mom can eat the same breakfast day after day

Turning Points: Babe Ruth
Emily goes back to 1934 to talk to Babe Ruth. In the dugout of Yankee Stadium, he tells her about baseball before he played -- that is, before people tried to hit home runs -- and how it changed after he showed them they could do it. He talks about practice, and how baseball isn't just about using your body -- it's also about using your mind.

Boom Radio: Bottled Air?
Chloe's just learned that some bottled water -- that you might pay a buck for -- is the same water you can get for free out of your sink. Can they really get away with that? Well, if they can, Chloe's got a business idea of her own.

Tucker Jones: Tucker Jones and the Musical Fridge
Could there really be a tiny polka band in Morris' dad's refrigerator? Kid detective Tucker Jones takes one of stranger cases of his career.

Power Up: Washing the Dog
Natalie has a St. Bernard named Oscar. He's a big dog -- and I mean a big big dog! Once, she decided she was going to give him a bath, and discovers how good and proud it makes her feel to do something challenging -- all by herself.

Big Idea: Fair Trade
"This is a continuation of our series about globalization and free trade. It gets a little complicated sometimes, but don't worry. Most grown-ups don't even understand some of this stuff. That's why it's important for us kids to know how it works, so we can start making the right decisions when our parents tap us on the shoulder and say, 'You're it.' " In this episode, we talk about Fair Trade. We'll learn about the infamous Bottom Line, and how Fair Trade business don't look solely at profit, but also at planet and people. We'll see how "this isn't just a lot of feel-good hoopah," but it actually makes good business sense.

Jokes

The Count: Farsi
Learn to count to 10 in Farsi -- because you just never know!

Natural Wonder: Hummingbirds
Did you know that hummingbirds beat their wings 80 times a second? And their hearts beat 21 times a second? Did you know that hummingbirds drink their weight in nectar every day? Natalie tells us all this and more. She sets the record straight on some hummingbird tall tales, and explains the mysterious connection between hummingbirds and garages.

Big Talk: Too many newspapers, too much singing!
In each episode of Big Talk, our listeners write in to tell us the funny things that grown-ups do. We try to give some advice. This episode we hear from one listener whose dad keeps newspapers around she knows he's never going to read. Another complains that her mom sings in the car -- and is terrible!

Turning Points: Aldo Leopold
When Aldo Leopold was a US Forest Service employee, he felt like his job was to help industry cut down as many trees as possible. But the disappearance of wildlife, erosion, and the destruction of places he loved inspired him to become a conservationist, and begin writing essays. In those essays, he talked about the land with some words that people weren't used to hearing in conversations about land, words like 'ethics,' 'morality' and 'reverence.' He saw the connections between all of our natural resources at a time when others saw them separately. Emily goes back to speak with Aldo outside his house in Wisconsin. He tells her about planing trees, the difference between hunting and killing, and what it means to be an ecologist. He talks about his dream of changing our relationship to the land -- and that it means starting with himself.

Boom Radio: Mutterers
Chloe's concerned about those headsets grown-ups are starting to wear -- you know the ones, the tiny telephones in their ears. How do you know if they're talking to you, or to someone across town? Chloe has an idea.

Schmave's Elevator: The Nose
When Dave was young, he discovered he had a exceptionally good sense of smell. His sister Cheryl convinces him that they should become superheroes -- Glory Girl and The Nose. They make costumes and wear them under their clothes, looking all over town for a bad guys. One day they find one.

Power Up: The Navigator
On a recent drive to San Francisco, a girl and her dad discover that a car wreck has closed their road. Dad hands her a map, and she figures where they are and where they need to go. Turns out she likes navigating -- when they got to the right place she felt so proud.

Big Idea: Trade #3
In this Big Idea, Hayley looks into the world of free trade and globalization. She describes how opening up markets between countries of different sizes -- without rules -- can create environmental and human rights problems abroad and hurt us at home, too. We must not value price alone, she insists. We also need to value good citizenship, environmental stewardship, and social justice.

The Count: Bulgarian
Learn to count to 10 in Bulgarian -- because you just never know!

Widget and Whack: Size and Strength
In this story of science in action, Whack's new pet ant, Amos, starts a discussion about the relationship between strength and size.

Turning Points: Lady Bird Johnson
Laura goes back to 1964 to speak with the First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. Lady Bird was one of the first woman to really use that position to help America. She travelled the country by train, championing landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act and programs like Head Start. She and Laura talk about these, the challenges of being married to a President, and the day Kennedy died.

Boom Radio: Smaller and Smaller
Chloe notices a trend -- we're making things like computers and telephones smaller and smaller! She considers the advantages, and has some ideas about the problems.

Tucker Jones: Tucker Jones Runs Out the Clock
Kyle calls up Tucker concerned that he's been stuck in a time warp. His piano lessons seem to be getting longer and longer! Young detective Tucker Jones thinks there might be another explanation...

The Count: Chinese
Learn to count to 10 in Chinese -- because you just never know!

Big Idea: Trade #2
This Big Idea is part two in our series about trade. We talk about poverty, the difference between charity and justice, and use role-playing to explore the complicated relationship businesses and shareholders.

Jokes

Power Up: Caring for Oscar
Natalie gets a chance to show her dog, Oscar, some much needed love.

American Journey: Santa Cruz
Toby and her grandfather spend some time in the litte-big town of Santa Cruz, California. They visit the boardwalk, ride some rollercoasters, and meet a homeless man with a moving past.

Big Talk: Too-Helpful Dads, "Children"
In Big Talk, listeners ask questions about the funny things grown-ups do. One listener complains that whenever she tries to do something hard, her dad jumps in to help. But she usually wants to figure it out herself! Another listener feels like she's getting too old to be called a "child."

Turning Points: Nikola Tesla
Laura goes back to 1933 to speak with inventor Nikola Tesla, who pioneered radio and electricity. They talk about electricity, Thomas Edison, overcoming disappointment, the difference between an inventor and a discoverer, and the power of imagination.

The Count: Italian
Because you never know when you're going to have to count to 10 in Italian.

Boom Radio: Ring Tones
Chloe sounds off about cell-phone ring tones.

Schmave's Elevator: Elected
At first, all Dave knows about Rosie is that she's the only girl on his baseball team. Then he discovers that she's also been doing something else: running for president. Of America. No matter that she's only 10. For months she's been knocking on doors, asking people what kind of help they need. But she didn't just promise to help them -- she actually does, doing people's laundry, babysitting, running errands and more. Dave winds up being her campaign manager, watching with astonishment what happens next.

Big Idea: Trade (#1)
This Big Idea kicks off our 4 part series on trade. We begin with early barter and the transition to money, and go all the way to modern globalization. Along the way, we talk about supply and demand, how markets regulate prices, advertising, eBay and outsourcing. We conclude that we can't stop change, but it is our responsibility to learn about it, prepare for it, and manage it well.

Jokes

News Update: A girl who lives in a tree. Socks that don't smell.
In this news update, we tell you about a girl in California who is living in a tree. Also learn about a new invention -- socks that don't get smelly.

Widget and Whack: Torque
Turning bolts and closing doors, Widget and Whack explore the idea of torque.

Big Talk: Slow Dads, Mom's Mad
In each episode of Big Talk, our listeners ask us questions about the funny things grown-ups do. One listener writes that her dad makes her get ready in a hurry while he takes a long time. Another wonders about getting her mom mad.

Turning Points: Henri Matisse
An untalented young law clerk discovers a love for painting. "From that time on, I did not lead my life; life led me," Henri Matisse recalls. Laura goes back in time to 1920 for this interview, and catches Matisse at the end of a day of painting. He suggests that there are different ideas of beauty, and that he wants to paint not what things look like, but what they mean. He talks about his love of color, the meaning of open windows, his experience in WWI, and the uncertainty and challenges of exploring something new.

The Count: Icelandic
Learn to count to 10 in Icelandic -- because you just never know!

Boom Radio: Eating Baby (Carrots)
Chloe remarks on a disturbing trend -- baby carrots in school lunches! She muses on the ethical questions surrounding the harvesting of carrots 'before their time.'

Tucker Jones: Tucker Jones and the Treehouse
Kid detective Tucker Jones investigates a mysterious tree-house.

Power Up: Football
A girl and her dad practice throwing and catching a football. She soon surprises everyone by joining the game at recess. Now she plays all the time.

Big Idea: Peace Corps
In this Big Idea, Hayley interviews Nick -- a Boomerang Kid from way back -- about his time serving in Peru with the Peace Corps. We hear about his daily routine, the friends he made, and what he misses. When people from very different places come together, there can be problems and misunderstandings -- but also magic.

Jokes

Sounds: The Typewriter
Typewriters -- now theres a whole set of sounds we don't hear much anymore. Dave muses on how writing felt different then.

News Update: Hamsters, chess masters, hypoallergenic cats.
In the news recently: a hamster on a plane -- a chess master taking too many potty breaks -- and genetically engineered cats.

Natural Wonder: Platypus
If we told you that there's an animal with fur, a duck bill, four webbed feet and the tail of a beaver, would you believe us? What if we told you that its bill can detect electricity, and that it defends itself with poison? Come to the outback of Eastern Australia and meet -- the platypus.

Big Talk: Stressed Moms and OJ Straight-from-the-Jug Dads
In each episode of Big Talk, our listeners ask us questions about the funny things grown-ups do. In this episode, one listener asks why his mom always finishes what she's doing before answering his questions. Another listener says her dad gives her a dollar every time he drinks directly from the OJ -- should she milk it for all its worth?

Turning Points: Pablo Neruda
Laura goes back to 1965 to speak with Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. They talk about travel, bullies, politics, language barriers, and the love and power of words.

Boom Radio: Cameras and Homework
Our Boom Radio DJ Chloe has heard about a new technology, and she's got big ideas about how to use it -- on her homework.

Schmave's Elevator: Doc Forrest
When Dave Schmave was a kid, doctors would not only come to your house -- they might even sit up with you through a rough night. Dave's brother had kidney problems that made him really sick, so Doc Forrest was a fixture at their house. One day, the tables turn, and Doc Forrest is the one who needs help. Dave rides out on his bicycle to find him.

Power Up: Bright Green
A girl paints her own room and her parents -- when they get over their shock -- are proud of her.

Big Idea: Immigration
From the Mayflower, to Ellis Island, to a Honduran boy named Enrique who risked his life to join his mother, America has a long history of immigration. Hayley and the King of Complicated Stuff dive into this difficult issue. They explain the idea of a 'melting pot,' the illegal immigration controversy, and tell the amazing story of Enrique.

Jokes

The Count: French
You never know when you're going to have to count to 10 in French -- so let's learn!

Widget and Whack: Force and Momentum
To explain force and momentum, Widget and Whack use examples from Spider Man, airbags and boxing.