If Objects Could Talk

Going for Glory: A History of the Ancient Olympics

You probably know that the Olympics started in ancient Greece, but did you know that they started as just a single running race? Or that the athletes—all male—competed naked and covered in oil? As the world gears up to watch athletes from nearly 100 countries compete in ice skating and bob sledding (two sports the Greeks would have been shocked at!), we had to know more about where the Olympics came from nearly 3000 years ago! Learn all about the early Olympic games in this bonus conversation with archaeologist Shelby Brown. Visit the episode website for images of art that teach us about Greek athletic competitions and for an episode transcript.Read more about the ancient Olympics and other Greek athletic competitions on Getty's website: https://www.getty.edu/news/the-getty-villa-guide-to-the-ancient-olympics/

Introducing Constant Wonder Kids: Do Plants Think?

This season on If Objects Could Talk we imagined what would happen if museum objects could talk. But have you ever wondered if plants could talk? To dig into this question, we’re sharing an episode from Constant Wonder Kids. Through a conversation with science writer Zoë Schlanger, this episode investigates how plants seem to communicate, hear, see, and even think! Constant Wonder Kids is a family-friendly podcast that sparks curiosity about plants, animals, and natural phenomena. Through conversations with scientists, explorers, and artists, Constant Wonder Kids helps kids (and the adults who love them) discover ways to feel awe and wonder in the natural world. To learn more, visit https://www.byuradio.org/constant-wonder-kids. 

Your Ultimate Saturnalia Gift Guide!

From bad poetry and papyrus to candles and boar, give the gifts any Roman would love to receive with our Ultimate Saturnalia Gift Guide! (Cue the air horns.)In this special episode, a carved doll has combed the ancient literature to bring you timeless gift advice for the holiday season. Io Saturnalia!For a listening guide filled with Roman-inspired DIY gifts, images, and more, visit getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/.

Culture Kids Collab: You're Invited to an Ancient Roman Dinner Party! (Part 2)

This week we’re sharing part two of our collaboration with the Culture Kids podcast. (Head back to the feed for part one if you haven't listened yet!)Asher and his mom Kristen join If Objects Could Talk producer Zoe on the Culture Train Time Machine for an unforgettable visit to ancient Rome. Together, they tiptoe into a glowing triclinium, the Roman dining room, to watch a real dinner party happening over two thousand years ago!You’ll discover how ancient Romans lit up the night, what they wore to make room for dinner, and what foods they ate.Hear more from Culture Kids on your favorite podcast app and at https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/.

Culture Kids Collab: Culture Train Time Travel to Ancient Rome! (Part 1)

This week we’re sharing a collaboration with the Culture Kids podcast. Asher and his mom Kristen join If Objects Could Talk producer Zoe at the Getty Villa Museum to learn about Roman dinner parties—then we travel back in time to experience one! In this two part series, you’ll learn more about how and what the Romans ate—especially when they wanted to show off to their friends. You’ll discover how ancient Romans reclined on couches while eating, what dishes and cups looked like in the ancient world, why people often ate with their hands, and how paintings inspired by Egypt became popular decorations inside Roman homes.Hear more from Culture Kids on your favorite podcast app and at https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/. And tune in for part two, coming soon!