A short little episode to tell you about a change we're making to Ologies that I am genuinely very pumped... more

The world is confusing, but there are experts in everything. In our least funny episode ever, we thankfully convinced a... more

They are numerous. They are patient. They are COMING for the United States in droves this spring: They are cicadas.... more

Mustard gossip. Knotweed recipes. Cow parsnips. Serviceberry appreciation. Hogweed warnings. Dead man’s fingers. The incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining Alexis Nikole... more

The thrilling conclusion of PIGEONS, with Columbidologist and author Rosemary Mosco of Bird and Moon comics. It’s wall-to-wall listener questions... more

You love pigeons. You might not know it yet. Espionage! Fancy breeds! Internal GPS! Weird feet! Should you be afraid... more

Do trees have feelings? How do they talk? Which trees can you use to make syrup? Do bananas really grow... more

Come along like a frog in my pocket for an adventure to see an eclipse. After last week’s Heliology episode... more

Sunset flimflam! Auroras! Eclipse tips! Let’s get to know the center of our solar system, the Sun, as the... more

Spine mysteries, face purses, limericks, flim flam, flags, dive bombs, sibling rivalries, and more! The warm and wonderful pelicanologist Juita... more

Taboos. Intolerable foods. Sad songs. Sexy kinks. Candy that looks like poo. Let’s get a little gross, shall we? The... more

Where have I been? What surgery did I have? Am I going to die? I took you along for the... more

Peach fuzz. Chin hairs. Mammalian ponytails. WHY DO THEY HAPPEN. Yale researcher and associate professor Dr. Valerie Horsley stops by... more

Why does clutter happen? How can we get rid of it and how will it affect us psychologically if we... more

Ever poked at roadkill? Watched videos of whales exploding? Drooled over a curio cabinet full of claws & bones? Peered... more

Classical Archaeologist and TV host Dr. Darius Arya is back for a smologized version of this classic episode to... more

Part 2! Black hole suns, black hole movies, wormholes, time travel, matter evaporation, scientists being bitches, risk-taking advice, Italy’s favorite... more

How big are black holes? Is time elastic? What is spacetime foam? Why is there a place called “elsewhere?” Enjoy... more

Ah, charismatic megafauna! Teeth, claws, fur, poop, hibernation, hiking, nature preserves, and living your childhood dreams with Alie’s longtime -ologist... more

CAPYBARAS! Blocky faces. Chill vibes. Spa days. Finally. Hydrochoerologist, Dr. Elizabeth Congdon, leads us into the muddy pond of Rodents... more

Environmental models! Poetry! Scientists who are poets! Novelists who are scientists! Art + science = an actual -ology. Creative... more

This one’s got it all: teeny tiny cellular factories, mitochondrial relevancy, what big smelly vats of poop have to do... more

Let’s explore our human machinery. And talk about Brazilian butt lifts. Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and metabolism researcher Dr. Herman... more

Hairy crabs! Shell swaps! Carcinization! Will we all evolve to be crabs? What’s with having one giant claw? Why would... more

Plumage! Dance battles! Possible holographic disco birds? Natural History Museum of LA ornithology curator Dr. Allison Shultz is a professional... more

Claw hands! Beady eyes! Pinching forces that could crack your skull! Gentleman, scholar, curator of the Natural History Museum’s crustacea... more

The what, where, and who of native plants is … ethnobotany! Which is under the umbrella of Ethnoecology! The wonderful... more

At just 22, Iddris Sandu’s life story was already legendary. This Architectural Technologist learned to program at the age of... more

It’s like a whole episode of secrets. And your questions. And your podmom, Jarrett, hanging out in a guest room... more

Do penguins have flippers or wings? What’s up with pebble gifts? Are they squishy or dense? And why why why... more

How did these tree-hopping furry angels evolve to be the cutest thing in the world, objectively speaking? They have saucer... more

Tunnels of light. Unconditional love. Visions of dead aunts. And a lot of questions. What happens when you die… ... more

Scorpions: the victims of undue shade. A handful of people on planet Earth have a PhD in scorpions and Dr.... more

He’s the guy pointing to a NASA launch behind him, in the most legendary shot in television history. He’s a... more

You like Ologists. Ologists write books. You like books, so let’s dive into a new, curated sampler platter from your... more

Cumulus! Lenticular! Venti sugar-free stratocumulus stratiformis translucidus undulatus! Those light and fluffy things that hang overhead weigh thousands of pounds... more

Math wants to be friends. Let mathematician, author and Abstract Mathematologist Dr. Eugenia Cheng introduce you to a secret world:... more

Deer in headlights! Alligators in crosswalks! A possum in the oven? If you love wildlife, this is a must-listen to... more

Dig in for a bite-sized episode about how native foods aren’t just a part of a past, but an essential... more

November 6-12 is GAR WEEK! What is a gar, you ask? Picture: A long snout. Hundreds of teeth. Scales that... more

What’s on your mind? ZOMBIES. The planet is full of mind-controlling foes, and “Plight of the Living Dead” author Matt... more

Invisible but stronger than steel. Complex architectural marvels. Things that stick to your face. Spiderwebs are much more than just... more

Frankenstein’s Monster! Hungry ghosts! Moaning bloodsuckers! Goat draining goblins. Babadooks. Gorilla-whales. Slasher films. Body horror… and what these folk stories,... more

Green, yellow, striped, red, shiny, russet. Tart, sweet, sour, crunchy. Big, small, wild, heirloom, cultivated. How will you like them... more

PUMPKIN PUMPKIN! Not only a thing to scream while passing a patch, but also the name of the book by... more

More witches! History! Lore! Wardrobes! Movie trivia! And some advice from your elders? Part 2 is here with the wonderful,... more

IT’S HERE. Witches. Not just a witch expert, but also a witch. Author Fio Gede Parma has been a practicing... more

How long can we live? How much of aging is genetics vs. environment? How old are your cells? What can... more

Weird little mouths! Hairy skin tubes! Demon nematodes! Antarctic explorer and Nematologist Dr. Holly Bik charms us into loving deep... more

Sweet! Salty! Umami? What’s up with MSG? Why do you like your coffee black? Come down to flavortown and let’s... more

Dr. Mack returns with a new introduction and updates on… listener questions! The universe, dimensions, asteroid bags and cosmic vertigo... more

The Red Planet. A mysterious dusty orb millions of miles away. Our emergency escape bunker. Alie sits down with Dr.... more

Stars. Black holes. THE GAWDANG UNIVERSE. Astrophysicist and cosmologist Katie Mack (@astrokatie) re-introduces us to this 2017 episode along with... more

Alie takes a teeny tiny break from her vacation to reintroduce you to this laid back, super helpful fan favorite... more

Yep. Here it is. A kid-friendly episode on… poop. Camel poop. Rhino poop. Dog poop. Cat poop. Your poop. The... more

The brilliant and dazzling Helen Zaltzman pops in with some new asides in this encore episode of Ologies. Helen, host... more

Wrapping up our Diabetology 2 parter encore, diabetic diabetologist and wonderful person Dr. Mike Natter, MD is back with a... more

Dr. Mike Natter hosts this encore episode of Ologies (hosted by Alie Ward), it's a classic 2 parter: Diabetology about... more

Listen, kids... give your father a break, okay? Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little... more

Machine poets. ChatGPT fails. Neurological surveillance. Brain implants that treat depression. Is it scary? Cool? Let’s firehose some questions at... more

Flying squirrels. Fox squirrels. Giant squirrels. Tiny ones. Grey ones. Black ones. Fluorescent ones? Alie is losing her mind talking... more

Hi! I’ve been in the hospital with pneumonia! But enjoy this banger of an encore about: Serotonin! Dopamine! Norepinephrine! Neurotransmitters:... more

It’s a kid-friendly episode on … thunder and lightning: very, very frighteningly interesting! Wildfire researcher and lightning scientist Chris Giesige... more

The thrilling conclusion of all-things-emoji! Eggplants, peaches, jumping ska dudes, gray hearts, family emojis, what NOT to text your Southern... more

Thumbs up? Thumbs down. Skulls of joy. And so many expressions of pain and comfort. This, my babies, is the... more

Grab your stuff and hop in our van full of weirdos to check out Boise Idaho’s finest attraction: a 580... more

Ahoy matey, we’ve we’ve brought ye another ensmol’d episode of Ologies (which just means cleaned of filth and cut for... more

Honeybees get all the attention, but native bees are the underbugs to root for. Photographer, author, and National Geographic Explorer... more

They clap. They swim. They have dozens of eyes and 2 million babies. They are scallops. Pectinidologist Dr. Samantha Lynch... more

Here we are with the smol (shorter, cleaner, kid-friendly) version of another Ologies classic, in this case: Mammals. You’re one.... more

Once again: the world is on fire. As wildfires burn across Canada and their smoke pours down the continent, we... more

What’s the difference between Southern cooking and “soul food?” Is there a correct type of mac and cheese? And whose... more

Jump in, we’re going to the Valley to talk to cool, funny screenwriters about ... Artificial intelligence-drafted scripts! Trillion-dollar companies... more

It’s 2-for-1! Ticks AND Lyme: together in one helpful, disgusting, gossipy, empowering episode. This pair of episodes is about tiny,... more

Invisibility cloaks. Transparent frogs. Stealth bombers. Gorilla mischief. Theoretical optical physicist and Invisible Photologist Dr. Greg Gbur joins Alie to... more

How do our bodies build our bodies? What does a stem cell look like? How do they know what to... more

This shorter, kid-safe edit of the classic Herpetology episode features frilly gills, frog tornadoes, legless lizards, and reasons to appreciate... more

Wow. It gets weirder. Military dolphins, dolphins on drugs, sensory deprivation, deciphering dolphin language, the search for alien life, and... more

Giant brains! Communication mysteries! Infamous sensuality! Dolphins are here to blow your relatively tiny mind with their squeaks, clicks, cliques,... more

Come check out my butt with me! 1 in 16 people in the U.S. will have colon cancer, and 0... more

We’re back for Part 2! If you missed Part 1, start there for the chicken basics and then come back... more

Yes, Chickenology is a real word. And we have questions. Such as: should you get a chicken?! Chicken-haver and author... more

A G-rated, kid-safe Smologies edit all about getting your Zzzzzs. Neurologist and somnologist Dr. W. Chris Winter is an expert... more

What’s inside that boarded up house? Should you explore an abandoned mall? A vacant factory? And how much of an... more

Ahh, Daylight Savings Time: does it mess up your brain? What time should you go to bed? Are you sleeping... more

Ichthyology is not easy to say, but fish are easy to love. Dr. Chris Thacker will get you so thrilled... more

Why an episode on Detroit?! It’s got a great story. Standalone, this episode is a fascinating look at a metropolis... more

I’m at the airport and there are hundreds of brain scientists everywhere. So I swallowed my dignity/anxiety and approached strangers... more

Chemical spills, historical disasters, water quality, airborne toxic events, clear gasses, White Noise, dead fish, dark clouds, chemistry tests, trench... more

Skin color! Hair texture! Biological anthropology! The incredibly informed and infectiously funny Dr. Tina Lasisi joins to chat sunscreen, ashiness,... more

It’s invisible. It’s mysterious. It’s all around us – and no one knows what it is. Let’s have a fun... more

Part 2 is here! Pull up a seat for singing techniques, baby talk, baritones, whistle notes, stroke recovery, vibrato, Julie... more

Voices! Singing! Anxiety busters! Breathing! The absolutely magnetic, charismatic Laryngologist and surgeon Dr. Ronda Alexander makes her long-awaited Ologies debut... more

Lights! Cameras! Arachnids! And lizards and bees and beetles. Macro photography is like magic: curved glass gives an entirely new... more

Part 2 is here: Lucid dreaming! Teeth falling out! Medications and dreaming! The source of creativity! Even how to clean... more

WHY do we dream? What do dreams mean? What parts of our brain are working after-hours? We sought out UC... more

It’s a weird rambling bonus episode for the lonely week between the holidays and New Years! I thought I’d serve... more

Another G-rated edit of a classic! This Smologies with Dr. John McCormack of Occidental College is all about evolution, Darwinism,... more

Very special episode for a very special cat. The day after the legendary Los Angeles mountain lion P-22 took his... more

Bomb cyclones! Polar vortices! Atmospheric rivers! And rained out barbecues. One of the world’s leading Meteorologists, Dr. Marshall Shepherd –... more

Crosswords! Puzzles! Wordles! Magic? Ah yes, world-renowned Enigmatologist David Kwong drops in to chat about the intersection of sleight of... more

In celebration of Dr. Tom Volk’s life: Mushrooms! Psilocybin! Humongous fungus! Black mold! Foraging! The incredibly charming and warm Dr.... more

Soil! Dirt! Earth. Dr. Lydia Jennings, aka Native Soil Nerd, breaks down the stuff under our feet and explains everything... more

Kid-friendly and quick! It’s another Smologies G-rated cut of a classic episode. Loosen your belts and tuck a napkin under... more

It’s November and you need chill vibes. And Native American Heritage Month is the perfect time to encore this classic.... more

Landfills! Treasures in the trash! Corporate conspiracies! Composting! An instantly classic conversation with the incredibly knowledgeable, frank and wonderful Dr.... more

A kid-friendly, shortened version of our classic episode on …flags! E. Tory Laitila, a textile expert who has also handled... more

Start with Part 1 for all the folkloric history, superstition, and Dracula basics. And then this Part 2 has vampire... more

Fangs! Capes! Undead bloodlust! Are vampires soul-draining ghouls or a hot prom date? No better person to ask than Indiana... more

We're back with another shorter, cleaner, edition of an Ologies classic, today it's all the way back from Episode 11:... more

Let’s get spooky. Venture below Parisian streets and into the catacombs: hundreds of miles of subterranean tunnels housing millions of... more

Consider this an audio postcard from my first vacation in 13 years. I travel a lot for my other job... more

What’s the customary 5th Anniversary gift? Apparently… WOOD! So we wrangled our favorite sawmill owner/operator of LA’s Angel City Lumber,... more

We’re back! Listen to Part 1 first, then hit this follow-up with your favorite geologist Schmitty Thompson, who answers listener... more

It’s a shorter, swear-free version of the wonderful Genealogy episode with author Stephen Hanks -- who teaches genealogy classes in... more

What is a rock? How big is a boulder? Why are they pretty and heavy? It’s rock talk with a... more

Mountain goats are not goats. And there’s only one living species, Oreamnos americanus. WHAT?? Montana-based wildlife biologist and Oreamnologist Julie... more

How many legs? Why so many legs? What's a millipede versus a centipede? And again WHY SO MANY LEGS. We... more

How do societal structures affect the planet? Why should we get to know our neighbors? What’s the ecological price we... more

If you have a physical body, or know someone who does, this episode is for you! Hello, we’re all going... more

As I round out my bereavement leave following your beloved Grandpod’s passing, we’re serving up a special updated Encore of... more

Hope you dug tortoises because we’re back, shellin’ out the good stuff, with this week’s encore of sea turtles, so... more

We're bringing back one shell of an episode with today's encore. What's a tortoise? What's a turtle? Why do they... more

Nothin' like crackin' open a cold one with the Ologites, amirite? If you like booze, you'll love... fungus! Alie goes... more

A few personal updates from your internet dad and then … WHO ARE WE? This one is a banger, folks.... more

A Smologies kid-friendly version of… ALIENS! EXTRATERRESTRIALS! MARTIANS! The phenomenal Dr. Kevin Peter Hand of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory dishes... more

YOU’RE NOT READY. But it’s time. Otters. Sea otters. River otters. Big beefy otters. Tiny otters. Giant river otters. Otters... more

I NEEDED TO MAKE THIS, OKAY? I needed to get excited about summer wonders. So we toiled over the ultimate... more

Another kid-safe, short episode of Smologies! What IS a coral? Where do they grow and what do they eat and... more

DO NOT YOU SKIP THIS ONE. Listen. Give flies a chance. Everyone loves a bee, but meanwhile flies are out... more

Fresh new episode! Gorillas. These chest-beating, salad-munching, communal living, thick-furred beauties have so many surprises for you. (Don't get this... more

Have you listened to Part 1 yet? No? Go on, git. Here's a link to it! Go do that. Now... more

Bugs are cool! But are they lunch? Entomophagy Anthropologist Dr. Julie Lesnik is an expert on bug eating and enthusiastically... more

Birds do it. Bees do it. Why the hell can't we do it? Called "The Sleep Whisperer," neurologist and sleep... more

Predatory. Sneaky. Deadly. Lifesavers? You think you don’t care about cone snails. But that’s about to change. Conotoxinologists Dr. Sabah... more

We’ve done Nephrology, Gynecology, and Phallology — but nothing prepared us for this. Penis implants. Road trip pees. Kegels. Bidets.... more

Insects humming. Birds squawking. Chainsaws buzzing? What does the rainforest sound like? Or the oceans outside of port cities? Is... more

If you LIVE for drama, you will LOVE dead Romans. Wars, backstabbing, opulence and uprisings: a little something for everyone.... more

THE SQUIDMOBILE HAS ARRIVED. Get in losers; we’re talking cephalopods. Yes, she drives a vehicle with squid all over it... more

Oh boy. This episode may seeeeem crappy but it is certainly not a waste of your time. We’re not kidding,... more

The hedgehogs of the sea: echinoids are spiky, spiny, pokey, be-toothed, venomous, mysterious, gorgeous evolutionary marvels. And Dr. Rich Mooi... more

Flesh hungry plants. The world’s fastest hunters. Botany with brains? Seymour, it’s time to feed because we’re doing meat-eating... more

Pomodoro timers! Bullet journals! Apps, tips, tricks and philosophies. Also: the most mellow episode ever, recorded late at night in... more

The SMOL version of an ep about smol precious creatures, we're talkin' slimy little angels with bellies for feet... literally!... more

Trains. Locomotives. Choochoos. Bullet trains. Hyperloops. Subways. How fast can they go? How did they change American history? Why do... more

Did Part 1 leave you informed and now you need a pep talk? Get ready for an absolute banger of... more

Focus. Productivity. Relationships. Distraction. Neurodiversity. How do you know if you have ADHD? How can you get others to understand... more

Gather round fellow nerds, you’re about to learn about the wildest not a fern not a bush not a cactus... more

Ah, charismatic megafauna! Teeth, claws, fur, hibernation, bear hugs, hiking, cougar attacks, nature preserves, and living your childhood dreams with... more

You have ants. We all have ants, but do we KNOW ants? Get ready for cult-leader queens, bullet ant stings,... more

Bundle up for a smol, classroom-friendly episode with Princeton University evolutionary biologist and Thermophysiologist Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton. You’ll learn about... more

Shoving elk into a dorm room freezer. The wildest tasting rice. Flower bulbs, acorn whoopie pies, frybread debates, mushroom foraging... more

I scream, you scream, we all scream for… a brand new, screaming hot episode of Ologies. Be warned *slaps the... more

Slamming heads together to impress someone: why does this happen? Let’s ask Dr. Nicole Ackermans, whose current job involves receiving... more

Games! Play! Fun! Addiction? Flim-flam? From the origins of tabletop classics to the future of VR, Dr. Jane McGonigal answers... more

Hi, last week I fell down a flight of stairs. Then I went to the hospital. Then I emailed Dr.... more

Here we go: SIX more raccoon experts, because one episode is not enough for the wonders of these terrific trash... more

Tiny hands! Round rumps! Chaos! Compost! Delicious garbage and sweet faces make raccoons as mysterious as they are adored. World... more

Who doesn't love a floppy, slime-filled, hot dog shaped creature of the deep sea? On this Smologies (It's like if... more

How do your knees feel? How do YOU feel about your knees? Buckle up to better your relationship with what... more

From crisp cider to blistering lava, life advice, climate solutions, the comforts of venison stew, cockroaches in orbit, UFO culture,... more

CATS! Kittens. Tigers. Purring. Toys. Litterboxes. We cover it all in this abridged and G-rated Felinology version for Smologites, or... more

Yep -- it’s detective work! But instead of crime scenes, environmental scientist, marine biologist and Forensic Ecologist Dr. Tiara Moore... more

You’re six to ten times LESS likely to catch COVID-19 if you’re vaccinated, and thus less likely to infect others.... more

Wolf howls, wolf packs, wolf history and more! November 23 is the dog appreciation holiday Wolfenoot so we’re dishing up... more

Who’s on it? What’s on it? And why does the interface feel like you’re on a prank show? Scicomm host,... more

PAIN. What is it? Where does it come from? And how can we hurt less? Which hurts more, a kidney... more

Boy howdy... Squid games. We know we weren't the only ones watching Squid Game and thinking, "Do squid play games?"... more

At long last: an episode dedicated to veterinary medicine! Dr. Terrence Ferguson & Dr. Vernard Hodges have been friends for... more

Bidding farewell to the sweetest and spookiest month, we traipse past graves with archeologist, conservator and Taphologist Robyn Lacy. What’s... more

They dance. They flirt. They will steal your heart. They are spiders. Jumping spiders, specifically, and impassioned spider scientist Dr.... more

PART 2: The stunning conclusion of a 3-hour gab session about frickin' bats with America's favorite chiropterologist, Dr. Merlin Tuttle.... more

“People fear most what they understand least." Words of wisdom from explorer/American treasure/bat expert, Dr. Merlin Tuttle. As your internet... more

Crows have funerals? CROWS HAVE FUNERALS. The inky black bird with the big brain warns and maybe mourns around their... more

Grab your fire extinguisher and hang on to your eyebrows, we’re building FIRES today. Now, this is pyrotechnology in the... more

Teeth. Tails. Concentric nipples. This not-at-all-rodent has the distinction of being North America’s sole marsupial and so Alie hunted down... more

How ya like them apples?! Well, liquified. And fermented. Author, podcaster, cider-maker and globally lauded beverage historian Gabe Cook, aka... more

HAPPINESS RESEARCH, straight up. What is happiness? How do our circumstances affect happiness? Why is the word “gratitude” kinda cringey?... more

Art meets science! Problems meet solutions! Climate change meets … hope? In this atypical episode, things get casual as hell... more

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. You loved her Oceanology episode and now she is in your feed to address everyone’s agonizing... more

YA LIKE BEES? You will -- after this short, edited-for-all-ages Smologies cut of our classic Melittology episode featuring President of... more

Cultural burns. Prescribed blazes. A healthy forest. What exactly is “good fire?” Let’s ask Indigenous fire scientist Dr. Amy Christianson,... more

As Smashmouth said, “My world’s on fire, how ‘bout yours?” Why yes, Mr. Mouth, it is, indeed, on fire. As... more

Ohaaay another edited-down, classroom-friendly Smologies! About... toads! Are they frogs? Do they have arms? What do they eat? How long... more

Biological mysteries solved with numbers! Graphs! Patterns!  Data points! Systems biology! You never knew it existed, yet it’s keeping us... more

We’re BACK! With a fresh new episode to light up your life and butt. World renowned firefly expert Dr. Sara... more

Introducing… SMOLOGIES. Smaller, shorter, G-rated episodes cut from your favorite classics. Listen to Smologies in classrooms, around people whose language... more

Yes, a double dose of short, all-ages episodes to launch Smologies! We cleaned up the full version and polished it... more

Lemon sharks! Goblin sharks! Bonnet sharks! Whale sharks! And ...sawfish? WE NEEDED A BIGGER BOAT. One shark episode was not... more

SHAAAARKS. Leading shark researcher Dr. Chris Lowe dishes about bad shark PR, behind-the-scenes Jaws trivia, his thoughts on Sharknado, surfing... more

A special encore as your dad hastily preps to wed your podmom, Jarrett. Refresh your brain about your heart, then... more

UFOs are real. Straight up. There are unidentified objects flying around — but does that mean they’re aliens? Two experts... more

Wasps!? Don’t even THINK of skipping this one, my beautiful chickens. You’re about to change your outlook on the most... more

Lifted restrictions! Discarded masks! Vaxxing & relaxing! Parties. Variant confusion. FOMO while also dreading events. Worry about strangers. Grief for... more

Human-sucking mud holes. Beautiful birdsongs. Early mornings. Eyeball gnats. Stunning vistas. The long-awaited episode with ornithologist Corina Newsome is finally... more

Dongs. Schlongs. Peters. Intromittent organs. Gamete cannons. Biologist, gonad researcher, and Phallologist Dr. Emily Willingham joins to chat about peckers... more

Seals. Sea lions. Walruses. Walrus dongs. Classic Ologies. We sit down with Luis A Hückstädt, PhD and talk about blubber,... more

Ohulloh! This is not your regular Ologies episode (which will come on Tuesday per usual.) It’s actually not an Ologies... more

Mustard gossip. Knotweed recipes. Cow parsnips. Serviceberry appreciation. Hogweed warnings. Dead man’s fingers. The incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining Alexis Nikole... more

Bones. Shells. Reefs. Teeth. Biomineralogy. The wonderful UCLA geochemist Rob Ulrich answers a giant pile of questions such as: How... more

Talking dogs. Rolled Rs. That dangly thing in the back of your throat. Speech impediments. Alternative forms of communication. And... more

Shipwrecks. Treasure. Sunken planes. Scuttled submarines. New life forming around old machinery. There’s an -ology for that -- just ask... more

Real skulls. Fake pistols. Vegan steaks. Onstage bonfires. Cursed productions. Industry secrets and more with the world’s most lovable and... more

Because one bears is not enough bears, SIX more ursinologists join to answer your questions about polar bear fur, monogamy,... more

Grizzlies. Pandas. Black bears. Chonkers. The episode you’ve begged for with scientist, explorer, and Ursinologist Chris Morgan. Why are bear... more

This encore includes tons of previously cut and never-before-heard bonus material (and maybe an eggregious number of sidenotes) about how... more

PART 2 with legit professional Fanthropologist Meredith Levine. In this thrilling conclusion, we take Patreon questions and address stans vs.... more

Why does some music give us butterflies? Why do we loooove certain comic books, social media accounts or TV characters?... more

What’s in pee? Should you donate a kidney to a stranger? Which hurts worse: childbirth or kidney stones? Why are... more

They are numerous. They are patient. They are COMING for the United States in droves this spring: They are cicadas.... more

Yes, an entire episode on butts. Primatologist and anthropologist Natalia Reagan joins to chat about the caboose: why do we... more

This one’s got it all: teeny tiny cellular factories, obscure trivia, historical gossip, sick beats, mitochondrial relevancy, viral popularity, a... more

You might only know carob as not-chocolate, which is a tragedy of its disco-era branding. This tough, gnarly, drought-resistant plant... more

Part 2 is here! Gamestop, #stonks, Universal Basic Income, how to incentivize things that are good for us, whether or... more

Choices! Trade-offs! Money! How much should you save? And how much should stimulus checks be? Don’t be scared by the... more

A LOST EPISODE! Three years in the making, this interview features vials of vile creatures, worm drama, febrile hallucinations, spooning,... more

RATS: They love pizza. They invade taquerias at midnight. They scurry. They cuddle. They outsmart. They inspire movies that inspire... more

The Coronasode we’ve been waiting for! Vaccines. Finally. But what does this mean? As a Vaccine Infodemiologist and science communication... more

Part 2 of a very special duo! The fresh catch-up interview to learn what the world’s most charming and enthusiastic... more

Part 1 of a very special duo: Do trees have feelings? How do they talk? How old can they get?... more

This specific episode was cited in The New Yorker this week, so we’re giving it an encore refresh with bonus... more

A long snout. Hundreds of teeth. Scales that could slice you. What is a gar and should we fear it?... more

Gaze into the cosmos and wonder at broken satellites, retired rockets and shattered contraptions. Archaeologist Dr. Alice Gorman is a... more

Alligators, crocodiles and … a shut-down nuclear weapons plant? The excitement never ends when you’re Laura Kojima, an Alligator Ecotoxicologist.... more

Gratitude: what’s the deal? Does it really make us happier? Even when the world seems terrible? Or is being appreciative... more

Sexy apes: you’re one of them. And Biological Anthropologist Dr. Lara Durgavich joins to chat about everything from monogamy to... more

Fashion! Trends! Not really! This lively chat with Riley Kucheran, an Assistant Professor of Design Leadership at Ryerson University’s School... more

BILL NYE. That’s right. Bill Freakin’ Nye sits down to get grilled by your Dadward (that’s me, Alie) all about... more

HERE IS SOME SAFE, COZY COMFORT: a platter of pumpkins. We have a new episode up this week: Desairology (MORTUARY... more

What happens when you die? Cosmically, no one knows. But cosmetically, Desairologist Monica Torress knows everything. This friendly Phoenix funeral... more

Anthropodermic bibliopegy is a long, fancy way of saying “HUMAN SKIN BOOKS” and the study of confirming or debunking them... more

Spooktober continues with … CrEePy cRawLies. And dark woods and solo hiking and Forest Entomologist Dr. Kristen Wickert a.k.a. KayDubs... more

To kick off SpooOoktober, we’re looking at huge birds that DEVOUR DEATH: the giant, majestic and critically endangered California condor.... more

If you need fuel to get excited about voting: here it is. How low is U.S. voter turnout? And why?... more

Thunder and lightning: very, very frighteningly interesting! Wildfire researcher and lightning scientist Chris Giesige answers questions about thunderclaps and lightning... more

Mammals: you’re one. Your dog is one. So are giant rats. What do we have in common? Nipples. The incredible... more

The spirited, laughy chatter with a duo of deer scientists named Rhiannon continues in the thrilling conclusion with Part 2.... more

What IS a deer? And an elk? And a moose? And a Rhiannon? One thing they all have in common:... more

Tasmanian devils! Quolls! Carnivores! Wait … what is a quoll? In what will become an instant-favorite new episode, Dasyurologist and... more

With some fresh updates, ocean and policy expert Dr. Ayana Johnson guests in an encore presentation of a fan favorite... more