Discover what factors helped Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” become the world’s most famous painting. -- More than 500 years after its creation, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” is arguably the world’s most famous painting. Many scholars consider it an outstanding work of Renaissance art— but history is full of great paintings. So, how did this particular portrait skyrocket to unprecedented fame? Noah Charney explores the factors that helped create a worldwide sensation. Lesson by Noah Charney, directed by Avi Ofer.

Odin, the king of Asgard, was plagued by nightmares. Three fearsome figures haunted his dreams: a massive, writhing shadow; a shambling, rotting corpse; and worst of all, a monstrous beast with a deadly bite. Though their true forms were unknown to him, he could tell they were related to Asgard’s most persistent problem: Loki. Iseult Gillespie details the myth of Loki's secret children. Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Layron DeJarnette, Gumboyo.

Explore the paradox of welfare programs, and learn how they inadvertently reinforce generational poverty, and what we can do to fix them. -- Imagine that you’ve been unemployed for months. Government benefit programs have helped you cover your expenses, but you’re barely getting by. Finally, you receive a paycheck— but there’s a catch. Your new job pays enough to disqualify you from benefit programs, but not enough to cover your costs. So how do we design benefit programs that don’t penalize you for working? Ann-Helén Bay investigates. Lesson by Ann-Helén Bay, directed by Avi Ofer.Explore the paradox of welfare programs, and learn how they inadvertently reinforce generational poverty, and what we can do to fix them. -- Imagine that you’ve been unemployed for months. Government benefit programs have helped you cover your expenses, but you’re barely getting by. Finally, you receive a paycheck— but there’s a catch. Your new job pays enough to disqualify you from benefit programs, but

Dig into the science of soy, and discover what makes soybeans such versatile plants and whether it’s healthy for you and the planet. -- Soybeans have been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years, and have since spread across the globe. Today, soy is in so many foods that most people consume it every day without even knowing it. So, what makes soybeans so versatile? And is our global obsession healthy or harmful? Francesca Bot explores why this single plant is used in everything from mayonnaise to biodegradable plastic. Lesson by Francesca Bot, directed by Frederico Pinto, Hype CG.

Trace the history of the eugenics movement in the US, and discover how the belief in ideal genetics led to forced sterilizations. -- Since ancient Greece, humans have controlled populations via reproduction, retaining some traits and removing others. But in the 19th century, a new scientific movement dedicated to this endeavor emerged: eugenics. Scientists believed they could improve society by ensuring that only desirable traits were passed down. Alexandra Minna Stern and Natalie Lira detail the history of eugenics in the US. Lesson by Alexandra Minna Stern and Natalie Lira, directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet.

Learn how to spot some of the most common signs of emotional abuse and what you can do if someone is experiencing these behaviors. -- Emotional abuse can be incredibly damaging, increasing a person’s chances of developing depression and anxiety. But these behaviors can be subtle and difficult to spot, both from within and outside a relationship. It also often makes people doubt their perceptions of their own mistreatment. How can we recognize these patterns in real life? Viann Nguyen-Feng shares common signs of emotional abuse. Lesson by Viann Nguyen-Feng, directed by Yael Reisfeld.

Explore the science of solar storms, and find out why they occur and just how prepared we are for a major event. -- In September 1859, miners following the Colorado gold rush woke up to another sunny day. Or so they thought. To their surprise, they soon discovered it was actually 1am and the sky wasn’t lit by the sun, but rather by brilliant drapes of light. The blazing glow was a solar storm— the largest in recorded history. So what exactly is a solar storm? Fabio Paccuci explains this astrophysical phenomena. Lesson by Fabio Pacucci, directed by Nick Hilditch.

Travel around the world to visit some of nature’s most incredible snakes: vipers, and find out which are the most dangerous. -- As of 2021, there are 368 species of viper worldwide. The name comes from the term viviparity, which means giving birth to live young. Vipers are often highly venomous, with two hollow, extra long fangs that unfold into imposing weapons when the viper prepares to strike. So, which are the most dangerous? Andrew Whitworth travels around the world to visit some of nature’s most incredible snakes. Lesson by Andrew Whitworth, directed by Billie Baxter.

Dig into the Greek myth of Persephone, who is abducted by Hades and is only allowed to leave the underworld every spring. -- One day, Persephone was frolicking in a meadow with the nymph, Cyane. As they admired a flower, they noticed it tremble in the ground. Suddenly, the earth split, and a terrifying figure arose. It was Hades, god of the underworld. He wrenched Persephone from Cyane, dragged her into his inky chariot, and blasted back through the earth. Iseult Gillespie shares the myth of the goddess of spring. Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by KERO Animation Studio.

Dig into the genetic adaptations of cockroaches, and find out what makes it so hard to get rid of these tenacious creatures. -- In ancient Egypt, there was a spell that declared, “Be far from me, O vile cockroach.” Thousands of years later, we’re still trying to oust these insects. But from poison traps to brandished slippers, cockroaches seem to weather just about everything we throw at them. So, what makes cockroaches so hard to kill? Ameya Gondhalekar digs into the genetic wonders of this troublingly tenacious creature. Lesson by Ameya Gondhalekar, directed by Irida Zhonga.

ravel through the history of mapmaking and discover what big mistakes cartographers made about the world’s geography. -- For thousands of years, people made both functional maps and what are known as cosmographies, illustrating the earth and its position in the cosmos, often including constellations, gods, and mythic locations. These maps were meant to depict the world's geography, but weren't necessarily useful for navigation and contained some glaring mistakes. Kayla Wolf shares mapmaking’s biggest blunders. Lesson by Kayla Wolf, directed by Serin İnan, Kozmonot Animation Studio.

Dig into the science of how heart transplants happen, how donors are matched and find out how this complex surgery saves lives. -- Your heart beats more than 100,000 times a day. In just a minute, it pumps over five liters of blood throughout your body. But unlike skin and bones, the heart has a limited ability to repair itself. So if this organ is severely damaged, there’s often only one medical solution: replacing it. Roni Shanoada explores how this complex and intricate procedure works. Lesson by Roni Shanoada, directed by Alexia Roider, Zedem Media.

Discover what colors are the most rare to see in nature, and how physics and evolution drive their scarcity. -- Plants, animals, or minerals found in nature bear almost every color imaginable. There are two factors that influence what hues you see in the wild: physics and evolution. So, which colors are you least likely to see in the natural world? Victoria Hwang explores one of nature’s rarest spectacles. Lesson by Victoria Hwang, directed by Tamara Bogovac, Artrake Studio.

Explore the incredible adaptations of Elysia chlorotica, a species of sea slug that can photosynthesize food. -- The species of slug known as Elysia chlorotica may not look like much— it resembles a bright green leaf— but it’s one of the most extraordinary creatures on our planet. Living in marshes along the coast of North America, it can go about a year without eating. During that time, it lives like a plant. How is this possible? Luka Seamus Wright digs into the incredible adaptations of these mixotrophs. Lesson by Luka Seamus Wright, directed by Denis Chapon.

Explore the specialized anatomy that allows parrots to talk, scream, curse, and recite facts like humans. -- Whether they’re belting Beyoncé, head-banging to classic rock, or rattling off curse words at zoo-goers, parrots are constantly astounding us. They are among the only animals that produce human speech, and some parrots do it almost uncannily well. How is this possible? Grace Smith-Vidaurre and Tim Wright dig into the anatomy that allows parrots to talk, scream, curse, and recite facts. Lesson by Grace Smith-Vidaurre and Tim Wright, directed by Anton Bogaty.

Discover the shortcomings of using GDP to measure a country’s well-being, and what alternatives can be used to gauge quality of life. -- What’s the best country to live in? Is it the one with the best food? The longest life expectancy? The best weather? For the past 70 years, most governments have relied heavily on a single number: the Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. But it was never intended for its current purpose; and some argue that we are addicted to making it grow. Explore the different ways countries measure quality of life. Directed by Xenia Galchin, AIM Creative Studios.

Discover how alcohol impacts your body’s processes and causes hangovers, and find out what causes the most common hangover symptoms. -- The molecule responsible for hangovers is ethanol, which we colloquially refer to as alcohol. Ethanol is present in all alcoholic beverages, and generally speaking, the more ethanol, the greater the potential for a hangover. So, how exactly does alcohol cause a hangover— and is there any way to prevent one? Judy Grisel explores the surprising ways that alcohol affects the body. Lesson by Judy Grisel, directed by Anton Bogaty.

Discover the extraordinary capabilities of hagfish, the slime-producing fish that has survived on Earth for over 300 million years. -- In 2017, a truck screeched to a halt. One of its containers slid off, hit a car, and spilled its contents— thousands of kilograms of hagfish. The result of this accident was an absolute mess: the highway was coated in a thick slime that took the fire department 7 hours to clear. How did these creatures create this stupendous supply of slime? Noah R. Bressman and Douglas Fudge investigate. Lesson by Noah R. Bressman and Douglas Fudge, directed by Denys Spolitak.

Explore the common causes and treatments of yeast infections, which affect 3 out of every 4 people with a vagina. -- The vagina harbors hundreds of different kinds of microorganisms. Candida yeasts are usually present in small quantities and most of the time, these fungi are harmless. But, under certain conditions, Candida yeasts can cause infections. One species in particular is the usual culprit of vaginal yeast infections. So, how exactly does a yeast infection happen? Liesbeth Demuyser investigates. Lesson by Liesbeth Demuyser, directed by Mette Ilene Holmriis, The Animation Workshop.

Dig into the 4 biggest existential risks that threaten the survival of humanity, and explore how we can safeguard our future. -- With the invention of the atomic bomb, humanity gained the power to destroy itself for the first time in our history. Since then, our risk of either extinction or the collapse of civilization has steadily increased. Just how likely are we to destroy ourselves? And what poses the greatest threat to our survival? Dig into four existential threats and explore how we can safeguard our future. Directed by Reza Riahi.

Dig into how foreign corporations exploit African nations like Mali for their gold mining, and often rob them of proper compensation. -- In 2020, Mali produced over 71 tons of gold— an amount worth billions of dollars. But Mali saw only $850 million dollars from that gold. And this situation isn’t unique: a number of other gold-rich countries in Africa aren’t seeing the income they should given the price of gold. So, what’s going on? Lyla Latif digs into how foreign corporations exploit African nations for their resources. Lesson by Lyla Latif, directed by Jeffig Le Bars, Jet Propulsion.

Discover the tradition of worm grunting, and find out why earthworms come to the surface when they sense vibrations in the earth. -- In the middle of Florida’s Apalachicola National Forest, a bizarre, almost magical scene is unraveling. Sliding a metal strip over a wooden stake, a master summoner is sending deep croaking noises reverberating throughout the area. And, as if in a trance, hundreds of earthworms begin emerging from the soil. What’s going on? Kenny Coogan explores the tradition known as worm grunting. Lesson by Kenny Coogan, directed by Martina Meštrović.

Dig into the science of touchscreens, and find out the difference between the two most common types: capacitive and resistive. -- In 2010, South Korea experienced a particularly cold winter. People couldn’t activate their smartphones while wearing gloves, so they began wielding snack sausages— causing one company to see a 40% rise in sausage sales. So, what could sausages do that gloves couldn’t? In other words, how do touchscreens actually work? Charles Wallace and Sajan Saini dig into the science of touchscreens. Lesson by Charles Wallace and Sajan Saini, directed by Luis Torres, Mr. Flama.

Trace the history and evolution of the Spanish language, from its origins in the 3rd century BCE to modern day. -- Beginning in the third century BCE, the Romans conquered the Iberian peninsula. This period gave rise to several regional languages in the area that’s now Spain, including Castilian, Catalan, and Galician. One of these would become Spanish— but not for another 1,500 years. Those years tell the origin story of what’s become a global modern language. Ilan Stavans traces the evolution of Spanish. Lesson by Ilan Stavans, directed by Hernando Bahamon, Globizco Studios.

Discover the scientific process art conservators use to restore centuries-old paintings and fix the damage of past restorations. -- Prior to the mid-20th century, art restorers took a heavy-handed approach, often drastically altering paintings in the name of “improving” art. Today, they focus on keeping the original work intact with minimal intervention, and must regularly contend with past modifications. So, how is damaged artwork repaired? Noah Charney explains the painstaking process of restoring priceless artifacts. Lesson by Noah Charney, directed by Michael Kalopaidis, Zedem Media.

Trace the rise and fall of the Islamic Empire, from the prophet Muhammad in the 7th century to the sacking of Baghdad. -- In the 7th century CE, the prophet Muhammad united the people of the Arabian Peninsula through the formation of Islam. Over the next 30 years, caliphs conquered vast areas beyond Arabia, including their mighty neighbors the Persians and Byzantines. But an empire this vast was at risk of conflict and fracture. Petra Sijpesteijn and Birte Kristiansen detail the rise and fall of the Islamic Empire. Lesson by Petra Sijpesteijn & Birte Kristiansen, directed by Elahe Baloochi, Fardi Mahmoodi.

Is infinite economic growth possible on a planet with finite resources? Explore how countries can balance efficiency with sustainability. -- Many economists think that an eternally growing economy is necessary to keep improving people’s lives, and that if the global economy stops growing, people would fight more over the fixed amount of value that exists, rather than working to generate new value. Which raises the question: is infinite growth possible on a finite planet? Explore how economies can balance efficiency with sustainability. Directed by Kevin Herrmann, AIM Creative Studios.

Get to know the life and works of poet Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved woman who became one of colonial America’s most famous writers. -- In 1775, General George Washington received a poem from one of colonial America’s most famous writers. Its verses praised the burgeoning revolution, invoking the goddess of their new nation to aid the general’s cause. But this ode to liberty wasn’t written by some aloof aristocratic admirer. Its author was a young enslaved Black woman. Charita Gainey details the works of poet Phillis Wheatley. Lesson by Charita Gainey, directed by Gavin Edwards, Movult.

Dig into Agatha Christie’s writing style to find out how she crafted her mystery novels and how to employ these strategies in your own work. -- With almost 100 mystery novels, each one a cleverly constructed puzzle box of clues, misdirection, and human drama, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. Her eccentric detectives, clever clues, and simplified suspects have stumped countless readers over the last century. So, how did she craft these perfect crimes? Jamie Bernthal dissects the writing of Agatha Christie. Lesson by Jamie Bernthal, directed by Totem Creative.

How do you know you’re a person who has lived your life, rather than a just-formed brain full of artificial memories, momentarily hallucinating a reality that doesn’t actually exist? That may sound absurd, but it’s kept several generations of top cosmologists up at night. They call it: the Boltzmann brain paradox. Fabio Pacucci explores this mind-numbing thought experiment. Lesson by Fabio Pacucci, directed by Skirmanta Jakaitė, Art Shot.

Take a look inside the conehead termite colony as a queen begins her reign as one of the longest living insects in the animal kingdom. -- A single determined termite braves countless threats to participate in the only flight of her lifetime. She evades the onslaught of predators as she lands, flips off her wings, secretes pheromones, and attracts a mate. But she's not alone. Unlike most termite species, conehead termite colonies can have multiple queens and kings. Barbara L. Thorne details the reign and duties of termite royalty. Lesson by Barbara L. Thorne, directed by Thomas Johnson Volda.

Dig into the experiment known as the lost wallet test, and find out the surprising results of this study of honesty. -- Picture this: you’re working a shift in a hotel lobby when someone approaches the front desk. They found a lost wallet around the corner, but they’re in a rush and don’t have time to follow up. Looking at the wallet you see it contains a key, grocery list, about $13, and three business cards you assume belong to the wallet’s owner. So, what do you do? Dig into the infamous lost wallet experiment. Directed by Maryna Buchynska, and action creative agency.

Explore the benefits and drawbacks of the gig economy, and find out the key factors of becoming a successful freelancer. -- A 2016 survey of freelancers in six countries found that those who freelance by choice– 70% of respondents– were happier than people in traditional jobs, specifically when it came to things like independence and flexibility in terms of where and when they work. So what does it take to be a successful freelancer? Explore the benefits and drawbacks of the gig economy.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Greek philosopher Plato recounted the legend of the Ring of Gyges in “Republic.” The story of the ring surfaces as the philosopher, Socrates, and his student discuss why people act justly: is it because it’s what’s right? Or because it’s a convention that’s enforced through punishment and reward? Alex Gendler shares the allegory of the ill-gotten, magical ring.

Enter the mind of a bored teenager to discover what happens in the brain when we daydream and find out what purpose it serves. -- On a daily basis, you spend between a third and half of your waking hours daydreaming. That may sound like a huge waste of time, but scientists think it must have some purpose, or humans wouldn’t have evolved to do so much of it. So, what exactly happens in the brain while you daydream? Elizabeth Cox takes a closer look at the science of daydreaming through the mind of a teenager.

Dig into the myth of Baucis and Philemon, a couple who unknowingly showed the gods hospitality after their neighbors refused. -- It was dark when two mysterious, shrouded figures appeared in a hillside village. The strangers knocked on every door in town, asking for food and shelter. But, again and again, they were turned away. Soon, there was just one door left: that of a small, thatched shack. Would the owners help the visitors — or spurn them? Iseult Gillespie shares the myth of Baucis and Philemon. Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action creative agency.

Dig into what happens to your brain during adolescence that changes how you value, understand, and connect to friends. -- If it seems like friendships formed in adolescence are particularly special, that's because they are. Childhood, adolescent, and adult friendships all manifest differently in part because the brain works in different ways at those stages of life. During adolescence, there are changes in the way you value, understand, and connect to friends. Shannon Odell explores the neuroscience of friendship. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Biljana Labović.

Get to know the different kinds of co-ops, how they work, and how they differ from traditional companies. -- Co-ops are a big part of the global economy: they employ 10% of the world’s workforce and over two trillion dollars flow through their doors every year. At a co-op, there’s no single person with overarching, top-down power over everyone else, like a CEO at a traditional company. So what exactly is a co-op and how does it work? Explore the different types of cooperatives and how they operate.

Is it possible to lose weight fast— in a healthy way? Dig into how different forms of dieting affect your body. -- In the wealthiest circles of Victorian England, dieters would swallow an unhatched tapeworm and let it grow inside them by consuming undigested meals. And while modern fad diets aren’t usually this extreme, they do promise similar results; specifically, losing weight fast. So, are there any fast diets that do work? And are any of them actually healthy for you? Hei Man Chan investigates.

You and your team of scientists are trapped on Mars. Can you figure out how to survive on the desert planet? -- Today is the anniversary of the best-worst day of your life. The best part was discovering a subterranean city on Mars. The worst part was when you lost contact with Earth. You and the other 99 scientists have spent the year engineering your survival, but you’re almost out of water and solutions. Can you figure out how the last civilization lived on this desert planet? Henri Picciotto shows how.

Discover the myth of Bellerophon, the hero who battled and killed the Chimera monster atop the winged horse Pegasus. -- Shielded from the gorgon’s stone gaze, Perseus crept through Medusa’s cave. When he reached her, he drew his sickle and brought it down on her neck. From Medusa's neck sprung two children. One was a giant wielding a golden sword; the other was the magnificent, winged horse, Pegasus. No bridle could contain him— until one fateful day. Iseult Gillespie details the myth of the hero Bellerophon.

Dig into the Romeo and Juliet Effect, which describes the tendency to find someone more desirable when met by parental opposition. -- In 1972, psychologists at the University of Colorado surveyed 140 couples to determine whether a relationship facing parental disapproval was more likely to strengthen or crumble under the pressure. Can long-term success of a romantic relationship be predicted by the perceived approval or disapproval of the couple’s friends and family? Dig into the trend known as the Romeo and Juliet Effect. Directed by Maryna Buchynska, and action creative agency.

Dig into the delicate balancing act of how power grids supply energy to the world and how renewable energy factors into this process. -- In 1967, Homer Loutzenheuser flipped a switch and connected the power grids of the United States, forming one interconnected machine. Today, the US power grid is the world’s largest machine, containing more than 7,300 electricity-generating plants. So how exactly do these power plants work? Henry Richardson digs into the delicate balancing act of how power grids supply us energy. Lesson by Henry Richardson, directed by Anna Benner.

Explore how economic inequality can be measured and how it is impacted by different governmental policy choices. -- Income and wealth inequality are not new. In fact, economists and historians who have charted economic inequality throughout history haven’t found a single society without it. Which raises a bleak question: is inequality … inevitable? Explore how economic inequality can be measured and how it is impacted by different governmental policy choices. Directed by Natália Azevedo Andrade, AIM Creative Studios.

Explore how the ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramid, a tomb created for Pharaoh Khufu which took over 20 years to complete. -- As soon as Pharaoh Khufu ascended the throne circa 2575 BCE, work on his eternal resting place began. The structure’s architect, Hemiunu, determined he would need 20 years to finish the royal tomb. But what he could not predict was that this monument would remain the world’s tallest manmade structure for over 3,800 years. Soraya Field Fiorio digs into the construction of the Great Pyramid. Lesson by Soraya Field Fiorio, directed by Luísa M H Copetti, Hype CG.

At what age are you smartest? Dig into how your brain development affects your skills at different stages of your life. -- Tomorrow is the annual Brain Clash — a decathlon of mental challenges, trivia competitions, and puzzles. Amir needs a smart and capable teammate and must choose between three people; all of different ages and talents. So, who should Amir choose for the contest? Shannon Odell breaks down the idea of “smart” and explores how our brain development impacts our skills at various stages of our lives. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Biljana Labović.

Dig into the two main ways we fight the viruses that cause the common cold, and find out if it’s possible to create a cure. -- On average, adults catch more than 150 colds throughout their lives. Even with similar symptoms, the cause could be different each time. Common colds are caused by at least 8 different families of virus, each of which can have its own subtypes. How can so many different viruses cause the same illness? And is a cure even possible? Explore the two main strategies we employ to fight viruses. Directed by Anton Bogaty.

Mumbling fantastical gibberish; devouring blocks of cheese in the nude; peeing in places that aren’t toilets; and jumping out of windows. These are all things people have reportedly done while sleepwalking, a behavior that can be dangerous in some cases. It’s estimated that around 18% of people sleepwalk at least once in their lives. So, what exactly is sleepwalking? Emmanuel During investigates. Lesson by Emmanuel During, directed by Laura Jayne Hodkin.

The report you’ve been putting off is due tomorrow. It’s time to buckle down, open your computer ... and check your phone. Maybe watch your favorite YouTube channel? Or maybe you should just start in the morning? This is the cycle of procrastination. So, why do we procrastinate when we know it’s bad for us? Explore how your body triggers a procrastination response, and how you can break the cycle. Directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action agency.

Explore the different types of capitalism, how they operate, and how they impact issues like climate change and rising inequality. -- People have become increasingly worried that the threats we face today, like climate change and rising inequality, can’t be solved by a capitalist economic system. So, is that true? And if it is, can we fix capitalism or do we need to tear the system down and build a new one from scratch? Explore the different types of capitalism and the role it plays in our society. Directed by Lorenzo Mercanti, AIM Creative Studios.

There’s a vaccine being developed now that would protect you against every strain of the flu— even ones that don’t exist yet. But influenza is constantly mutating, so is a universal vaccine even possible? And how do you design a vaccine that will be effective against future strains? Explore how scientists are developing new ways to help our immune systems fight viruses. Directed by Igor Coric, Artrake Studio.

To protect against a possible resurgence of smallpox, the US government is funding research to improve treatments and vaccines. And since it’s unethical to expose people to a highly lethal virus, labs are using monkeys as research subjects. But is it right to harm these animals to protect humanity from a potential threat? Rebecca L. Walker takes a look at this classic ethical dilemma. Lesson by Rebecca L. Walker, directed by Sharon Colman.

We tend to think of pandemics as unlikely events, but disease outbreaks are surprisingly common. Over the past 400 years, the longest stretch of time without a documented outbreak was just four years. So, what’s the probability of experiencing another world-changing pandemic in your lifetime? Explore the likelihood of a future pandemic and the steps we can take to reduce its destructiveness. Directed by Igor Coric, Artrake Studio.

Despite their iridescent colors and smooth shapes, pearls are actually made of the exact same material as the craggy shell that surrounds them. Pearls, urchin spines, the shells of mussels, snails and clams, even coral— all these structures are made out of the same chemical compound: calcium carbonate. So how does this single ingredient form such a vast array of materials? Rob Ulrich investigates. Lesson by Rob Ulrich, directed by Ivana Bošnjak.

One day a pair of brothers working together as shoemakers had an explosive fight that split the family business in two. Over the coming years, this disagreement divided their town— residents and businesses chose sides. Could such a serious divide really be about shoes? Doesn’t it take more significant differences to produce this degree of conflict? Jay Van Bavel and Dominic Packer investigate. Lesson by Jay Van Bavel and Dominic Packer, directed by Arvind Singh Jeena, Totem Creative.

It’s easy to tell when someone’s not paying attention, but it can be surprisingly tricky to know what good listening looks like. Good listening is one of the most important things we can do to improve our relationships, develop our worldview, and potentially change people’s minds. So what can we do to become better listeners? Dig into different strategies that can improve your listening skills. Directed by Maryna Buchynska, and action agency.

The year is 1656. Your body is wracked by violent chills. Your head pounds and you're too weak to sit up. In your feverish state, you see a strange-looking man wearing a beak-like mask, his body covered from head to toe. Without seeing his face, you know: you have the plague. So, where did these iconic outfits come from? Stephanie Honchell Smith explores the history of plague doctors. Directed by Anton Bogaty.

Can we call any economy “healthy” in the face of dwindling resources and growing inequality? What if we cut off our addiction to endless growth, and used a new compass for modern prosperity? One such compass is known as “doughnut economics,” which aims to meet the needs of people without overshooting Earth's ecological limits. Explore how this model reframes our economic systems. Directed by Vicente Nirō, AIM Creative Studios.

It’s 1631. Mumtaz Mahal, beloved wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, is giving birth to their 14th child. A healthy girl is born, but Mumtaz dies soon after. Sobbing uncontrollably, the emperor decides to build a tomb worthy of his queen: a replica of paradise to embody their love and project the power of the Mughal Empire for all time. Stephanie Honchell Smith details the construction of the Taj Mahal. Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Jeff Le Bars, Jet Propulsion.

In the coming years, artificial intelligence is probably going to change your life— and likely the entire world. But people have a hard time agreeing on exactly how AI will affect our society. Can we build AI systems that help us fix the world? Or are we doomed to a robotic takeover? Explore the limitations of artificial intelligence and the possibility of creating human-compatible technology. Directed by Christoph Sarow, AIM Creative Studios.

Love is often described as heartwarming, heart-wrenching, or even heartbreaking— and your brain is responsible for all these feelings. The journey from first spark to the last tear is guided by a symphony of neurochemicals and brain systems. Shannon Odell explores what happens in your brain when you fall in love, how it responds to a relationship, and how it reacts to a breakup. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Biljana Labović.

In the 1600s, an expansive autonomous settlement called Palmares reached its height in Brazil. It was founded and led by people escaping from slavery, also called maroons. It was one of the world’s largest maroon communities, its population reaching beyond 10,000— and its citizens were at constant war with colonial forces. Marc Adam Hertzman & Flavio dos Santos Gomes tell the story of Palmares. Lesson by Marc Adam Hertzman & Flavio dos Santos Gomes, directed by Mateus Moretto, Visorama.

Over the years, people have come up with some truly awful apologies. From classic non-apologies, to evasive excuses, and flimsy corporate promises, it’s all too easy to give a bad apology. Good apologies generally share certain elements, and considering these factors can help you make amends in a variety of situations. Explore what to do— and not to do— in order to deliver an authentic apology. Directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action agency.

While we often talk about puberty’s effect on the body, what gets overlooked are the fascinating changes that happen in the brain. Puberty, in fact, begins in the brain, and lasts as long as five years. And during this extended process, the brain undergoes its own transformation, thanks to estrogen and testosterone. Shannon Odell details what we know— and still don’t know— about puberty. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Biljana Labović.

Viruses are wildly successful organisms. There are about 100 million times as many virus particles on Earth as there are stars in the observable universe. Even so, viruses can and do go extinct. So, what is the possibility of the virus that causes COVID-19 going extinct? Explore the three main ways viruses can be driven to extinction. Directed by Anton Bogaty.