Free Daily Podcast Summary
If Objects Could Talk: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Getty
What is Athena's owl doing in the Greek marketplace? How can a clock tell time in the dark? On If Objects Could Talk, art and artifacts leave the museum vault and come alive to share their side of the story. Featuring objects from the Getty Museum collection, each episode introduces listeners to the history, creation, and everyday use of incredible items like an Egyptian cat statue, a Rococo microscope, and a glass flask shaped like a fish. Voice actors and immersive sound design bring these historical fiction tales to life. Find coloring pages, discussion guides, and related activities on the pages for each episode.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 5 days ago11 min
Art Detectives: Cabinet Edition
Fine forgery or authentic antique? Only the skilled detectives at the museum can solve this case!Most cabinets that still exist from the Renaissance are in rough shape—which makes sense for something that’s at least 400 years old. So when curators saw that the Renaissance-style wooden cabinet J. Paul Getty had purchased was in great shape, they suspected it was a more recent copy. But after a visit to an exhibition of other French furniture from the Renaissance, curators saw clues that this fancy furniture might be the real deal after all!Working together with conservators and scientists, the museum analyzed the cabinet further, using dendrochronology, carbon dating, and metal analysis. What did they discover? Find out on this week’s Art Detectives. Like this episode? Head to the website for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star!Teachers, are you working on lessons about how we know history? This episode and its listening guide are great resources for the classroom or to send home to families.If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to leave us a rating or review!These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.///For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
- 1 weeks ago15 min
Small Snail in the Big Cities
This vase might be nearly 10 feet tall and weigh half a ton, but the snail who hangs around its base isn’t intimidated. This plucky guest will tell you all about their enormous home, and how it traveled to three World’s Fairs looking for a buyer.They’re confident that artists can learn a lot from snails—artists need to look at the world slowly to find inspiration, and having a hard shell helps them deal with critical reviews.Learn about World’s Fairs at the end of the 19th century and the creative ways artists have tried to make a living throughout history in this snail’s story.Like this episode? Head to the website for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities, like exploring textures by making artful rubbings. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star!Teachers, are you working on a lesson about World's Fairs or slow looking? This episode and its listening guide are great resources for the classroom or to send home to families.If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to leave us a rating or review!These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
- 2 weeks ago12 min
A Bed Story, Not a Bedtime Story
It’s hard to stay awake when you’re a luxurious, fluffy, silk-covered bed! Our leading lady will try, though, as she reminisces about the many, many hands who worked hard to make her. From the carpenter and gilder (yes, a person whose job is just to turn her gold!) to the upholsterer, in 18th-century France, making a bed was exhausting work!If this bed story tires you out, she’s also got a bedtime story for you. Speaking of beds and many hands reminds her of the classic French fairy tale “The White Cat,” written by Madame d’Aulnoy, the woman who actually invented the term “fairy tale.” So get cozy with your best silk blanket—or whichever is your favorite—and settle in for this bed’s yarn.Like this episode? Head to the website (www.getty.edu/ioct) for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star!Teachers, are you teaching about fairytales and folktales or 18th century France? This episode and its listening guide are great resources for the classroom or to send home to families.If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to leave us a rating or review!These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
- 3 weeks ago12 min
A (Dragon’s) Brief History of Time
This great green dragon takes his position at the top of the clock very seriously. Accompanied by a monkey and a goose, these time guardians ensure there will be no “killing time” on their watch!To demonstrate the value of time, the dragon outlines the history of clocks—from sundials and waterclocks, to medieval clocks with bells, to household mechanical clocks like his. Not only is his clock a marvel of machinery, it’s also an artistic wonder, showcasing the strength and beauty of a special new kind of porcelain. The dragon holds one more trick, too: telling time in the dark. Hear how this talent helped a kid in the middle of the night.Like this episode? Head to the website for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities, like exploring how to measure time.Teachers, are you working on a lesson about telling time and want to explore how people did that in the past? This episode and its listening guide are great resources for the classroom or to send home to families.If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to leave us a rating or review!These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
- Oct 5, 202613 min
A Griffin Sees It All
One giant blue orb dotted with stars, six griffins, 12 zodiac symbols, 18 candle holders, countless crystals—and even a bowl to fill with goldfish! Have you ever seen something so elaborate just hanging from the ceiling?This is the description of an extraordinary chandelier, made around 1819 to hang in a fancy French home, perhaps over a dining table. Imagine eating dinner with a goldfish overhead!In this episode, one of the griffins shares how her bronze body turned to gold, as well as her centuries-old gossip from dinner parties past—including the story of one quiet, observant little girl. For the griffin and the girl, the magic is in noticing the details.Like this episode? Head to the website (www.getty.edu/ioct) for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities, like a recipe for your own mille-fueille. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star! ATeachers, are you teaching about recipes and food across time or French culture in the 19th century? This episode and its listening guide are great resources for the classroom or to send home to families.If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to leave us a rating or review!These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
- Sep 28, 202613 min
Resting Bust Face
Why is The Vexed Man making that scrunched up face? Has he tasted a lemon? Smelled a skunk? Nope—that’s just his thinking face!This intensely tense alabaster sculpture of a head is used to people staring and trying to do their own versions of his extreme expression. Take it from him, though, it feels much nicer to relax than to be so stiff all the time.Hear this sculpture’s story of alabaster carving and 18th-century Vienna, followed by a relaxing breathing exercise—because even if you’re not made of stone, you still might need to loosen up a little!Like this episode? Head to the website (www.getty.edu/ioct) for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities, like a meditation for when you’re feeling particularly vexed. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star!Teachers, do you need a meditation moment? This episode and its listening guide are great resources for the classroom or to send home to families.If you're enjoying the show, don't forget to leave us a rating or review!These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
- Sep 21, 202613 min
Purrquoise the Traveling Cat
As soon as he arrived in Los Angeles, Purrquoise, the turquoise cat, was a star. But this charismatic kitty traveled a long way to get here! Made in China in the 1750s, he moved by ship to France, where he padded around with the rich and famous—like Madame de Pompadour, noted companion of King Louis XV—as well as those who served them. After a few centuries there, he traveled across the Atlantic and settled in at the Getty Museum in 2024.Adjusting to a new culture takes time, an open mind, and an adventurous spirit. Hear about 18th-century trade and travel and the importance of changing perspectives in this adventuresome cat’s tail, er, tale.Like this episode? Head to the website (www.getty.edu/ioct) for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities, like exploring how trade shapes your world. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star! And don't forget to leave us a rating or review!These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
- Sep 14, 202612 min
The Magnificent Microscope and the Fabulous Flea
It’s a knight! It’s a cat! No, it’s a…flea?Picture it: the French countryside, 1751. A young flea prepares for his moment in the spotlight—of a magnificent gold and sharkskin microscope. This compound microscope was the height of scientific knowledge, showcasing both the newest technology and fashionable design. It allowed people—including science lovers like King Louis XV—to discover new worlds in small things.In this first episode of season two, learn about compound microscopes, the Enlightenment, and what “rococo” means.Like this episode? Head to the website (www.getty.edu/ioct) for a listening guide, where you’ll find discussion topics and related activities, like how to create your own journal of the natural world. We also have a coloring page featuring this week’s star! And don't forget to leave us a rating or review.These stories are based on historical research and evidence, but some of the characters and scenarios are fictionalized. If you have questions, write to us or send us a voice memo! You can reach us at PodTeam@getty.edu.For more art history insights, check out our other Getty Podcasts shows at www.getty.edu/podcastsRecording Artists tells artist biographies using archival material from the Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recording-artists/OMMM: Our Museum Mindfulness Meditation merges art history with mindfulness meditations: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/ommm/ReCurrent chronicles the people who shape our culture and keep the past alive: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/recurrent/Art + Ideas showcases interviews with artists, architects, scientists, and cultural luminaries by former Getty President Jim Cuno: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/art-and-ideas/Through its programs—Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Trust—Getty shares and advances the world’s visual art and cultural heritage, both in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Learn more about all we do for art on our website:Getty: https://www.getty.edu/Getty Conservation Institute: https://www.getty.edu/conservation/Getty Foundation: https://www.getty.edu/foundation/Getty Museum: https://www.getty.edu/museum/Getty Research Institute: https://www.getty.edu/research/
Get If Objects Could Talk summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
A History of the World in 100 Objects
A director of the British Museum explores human history through 100 artifacts.
Stories of Art
Art historians explore pivotal moments, artists, and hidden narratives that shaped the history of art.
Art History for All
Explores individual artworks and their broader significance, making art history accessible and meaningful to all audiences.
The Jealous Curator : ART FOR YOUR EAR
The Jealous Curator
Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids
A kid-friendly retelling of ancient Greek myths featuring gods, goddesses, monsters, and heroes.
Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time
Explores the history and meaning of art through the lens of individual materials, from clay to jade to paper.
History Snacks
Quick, engaging history lessons for kids covering empires, heists, lost explorers, and royal rivalries.
The Curious History of Your Home
A domestic historian reveals the hidden and often bizarre origins of everyday household objects.
Sidedoor
A journalist explores hidden stories behind the Smithsonian’s vast collections with experts from diverse fields.
Here for the History
BBC Sounds
Who, When, Wow!
A curious kid travels through time to solve historical mysteries like Atlantis and Bigfoot using critical thinking and humor.
Lights Out Library: Sleep Documentaries
Soothing narrative documentaries on science, history, mythology, and art designed to help listeners relax and fall asleep.
About If Objects Could Talk
What is Athena's owl doing in the Greek marketplace? How can a clock tell time in the dark? On If Objects Could Talk, art and artifacts leave the museum vault and come alive to share their side of the story. Featuring objects from the Getty Museum collection, each episode introduces listeners to the history, creation, and everyday use of incredible items like an Egyptian cat statue, a Rococo microscope, and a glass flask shaped like a fish. Voice actors and immersive sound design bring these historical fiction tales to life. Find coloring pages, discussion guides, and related activities on the pages for each episode.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from If Objects Could Talk in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's If Objects Could Talk daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of If Objects Could Talk as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the If Objects Could Talk podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official If Objects Could Talk product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Getty.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does If Objects Could Talk release new episodes?
If Objects Could Talk publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does If Objects Could Talk cover?
If Objects Could Talk covers topics including Education, Arts, Kids & Family, Family, Visual Arts, Stories for Kids. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting If Objects Could Talk summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.