Launching September 8, 2025, Getty is proud to introduce its first-ever family podcast, If Objects Could Talk—a fun, imaginative, and educational audio experience that brings ancient artifacts to life for curious young minds.
Designed for kids and families, If Objects Could Talk unlocks the hidden lives of museum objects through engaging storytelling and surprising historical facts. Did you know that ancient Romans used crushed eggshells for toothpaste? Or that Egyptians shaved their eyebrows in mourning—for their cats? These are just a few of the fascinating tidbits listeners will discover as they journey through time with artifacts from Getty’s antiquities collection.
Each episode features imaginative storytelling, vibrant voice acting, and immersive sound design, bringing the hidden lives of ancient artifacts to life—revealing the surprising and often humorous history behind them. From an Egyptian cat statue to a fish-shaped glass flask and ancient dice, kids will explore how these items were created, used, and cherished in daily life thousands of years ago.
Perfect for road trips, daily commutes, bedtime, or quiet time, the podcast offers screen-free entertainment that also enriches listening comprehension, builds vocabulary, and sparks curiosity. Beyond the facts, the storytelling format fosters empathy, emotional growth, and self-confidence—making If Objects Could Talk as enriching as it is entertaining.
Producer Zoe Goldman, who has two kids of her own, knows that art and museums can feel a little intimidating for families. “Making this podcast, we kept the focus on sharing a love of learning through art. We want to encourage families to have fun first and foremost as they approach new conversations and ways of engaging with art in and out of a museum.”
Listen to the trailer here
Episodes
101: Snake Charm on Your Arm
How does a snake bracelet celebrate her favorite holiday? Learn about gold jewelry, the meaning of snakes for ancient Egyptians, and the Roman holiday of Saturnalia from this snake who knows all the best secrets!
102: All’s Fair in Love and Games
Does this acrobatic astragalos (an ancient kind of dice) have what it takes to win the big game? Learn about the twists and turns of ancient game play and how sheep knucklebones aren’t so different from modern dice.
103: A Very Brave Owl
What dangers await Athena’s brave and loyal owl at the Greek marketplace? This Athenian coin shares his take on how money was made and used in ancient Greek city states—and how different states had different rules around the agora, or marketplace, that could sometimes get you into trouble!
104: Light on Your Feet
A pair of feet lights up the scene—literally. This feet-shaped lamp knows he’s a little silly, but he’s got some seriously important work to do! Hear about how ancient houses were designed and lit in a time before you could just flip a switch.
105: I’m Ready for My Closeup Meow
This Egyptian cat statuette is here to set the record straight. Yes, she’s a little bit of a diva, but don’t all cats deserve to be worshiped? No, she’s not really the goddess Bastet, just an offering to her, thank you very much. And no, she’s certainly no phony! Hear about the role of cats in ancient Egypt and how this statuette proved her age, with a little help from some conservation scientists.
106: Schooled by a Fish
Blowing glass is just like blowing bubbles, sort of. This glass fish flask is used to leading a school (she is a fish, after all!), so she’ll teach you all about Roman glassblowing and ancient apprenticeships—as well as the importance of creativity and kindness.
107: Lar, Help Us!
Start your day the Roman way with an offering to this pocket-sized household demigod called a Lar. Follow along with a family’s daily rituals and routines and hear how this Lar protected two young boys from getting into trouble.
108: A Water Jug Spills the Tea
One of the three women on this hydria (water jug) gives us a peek at some old-fashioned water cooler gossip. At a time before indoor plumbing, the water fountain was a center of urban life—so these ladies got to hear it all!
109: Dude, Where’s My Sheep?
This dancing satyr—half goat, half man, all prankster—is on the move, sealing important documents that travel across Etruria, a pre-Roman civilization. With his good-luck scarab on his back, he travels to help a birthday girl’s wish come true and only get them into a little bit of trouble playing “hide the sheep.”
110: The Case of the Missing…Me?!
Like a noir detective, this key with a horsehead handle becomes embroiled in a mysterious disappearance—her very own! Help her investigate the blacksmith’s workshop and solve the case so she can open her special box again.
If Objects Could Talk will be available on all major podcast platforms on September 8, 2025. For more information, visit https://www.getty.edu/
Learn more about the entire slate of Getty Podcasts at https://www.getty.edu/
Getty is a leading global arts organization committed to the exhibition, conservation, and understanding of the world’s artistic and cultural heritage. Based in Los Angeles, Getty’s Foundation, Conservation Institute, Museum, and Research Institute work collaboratively with partners around the world. Getty shares art, knowledge, and resources online at Getty.edu and welcomes the public for free at its Getty Center and the Getty Villa.
The J. Paul Getty Museum collects Greek and Roman antiquities, European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts to 1900, as well as photographs from around the world to the present day. The Museum's mission is to display and interpret its collections, and present important loan exhibitions and publications for the enjoyment and education of visitors locally and internationally. This is supported by an active program of research, conservation, and public programs that seek to deepen our knowledge of and connection to works of art.
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