Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.
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This episode delves into pteridology with Dr. Fay-Wei Li, unraveling the complex life cycle and evolutionary history of ferns, including their ancient dominance and modern adaptations. They explore topics like edible and toxic ferns, the genomics behind their massive chromosome counts, and their surprising role in climate history. The discussion also covers the cultural impact of ferns, conservation efforts, and practical tips for fern care, highlighting the dedicated community of fern enthusiasts.
Note: if you haven’t already heard it, please start with our original, May 2024 episode with Dr. Moses: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) Part 1 A lot has happened since then, and author, scholar and genocide expert Dr. Dirk Moses was kind enough to return for a 2025 episode. We cover how public and legal sentiment has changed since our first episode, and discuss his recent paper, “Introduction: Gaza and the Problems of Genocide Studies,” which includes a roundtable discussion with dozens of exp...
Bison bison! Not just something to holler into the sky, but also the scientific name for North America's majestic wild bovines. In this encore, we explore a beast that once roamed the plains in the tens of millions. What's up with their humps? On what occasion do they wear capes? What noises do they make? How many are out there? What are the best ways to help them? In this special episode, you get 4x the usual number of ologists as we talk to archeologist Dr. Ken Cannon, wildlife biologist Dr. D...
We’re back with Dr. R.J. “Rocky” Gutiérrez to answer listeners’ questions on owls. How much wisdom lies behind those big, immovable eyes? Are owls good or bad omens? What’s their proclivity for snatching hats? Is The Staircase owl theory plausible? Is it ok to hoot back at them? What do you mean one of their toes is reversible? This episode’s got the answers, plus info on owl migration, conservation, burrowing, disco dancing, and more. Follow Dr. Gutiérrez on Google Scholar Donations went to the...
Join Alie Ward and renowned owl expert Dr. R.J. "Rocky" Gutiérrez for an illuminating first part of their discussion on owls. They explore Rocky's personal journey into owl research, the complex conservation issues surrounding species like the spotted owl, and the incredible biological adaptations that allow owls to conquer the night. Topics include their unique vision, silent flight, specialized hearing, nesting habits, and the surprising science behind owl pellets. This episode offers a captivating look into the challenges and wonders of studying these enigmatic birds.
Metal poisons. Odorless ones. Toxic plants. Iocane powder, arsenic, old lace, poisons as self-defense, black mirrors, Aqua Tofanas, movie myths, and the start of testing for that which ails or kills you: we’ve got Historical Toxicology with Pulitzer Prize-winning science author & chemistry connoisseur Deborah Blum. She wrote the beloved “Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York” and takes us through a spooky walk in time, when chemistry was magic an...
What is evil? Who is evil? Does evil exist? Who decides? Can we scream over turkey at grandma’s house? Let’s chat Critical Ponerology with scholar, professor, author of Evil: A Critical Primer, and a gem of a person, Dr. Kenneth MacKendrick of the University of Manitoba. He’s been teaching courses on the notion of evil for 25 years and it’s a much deeper rabbit hole than you’d ever expect. So rub your fingers together and enjoy a discussion about different cultural approaches to evil, if your to...
Join host Alie Ward and entomologists Dr. Joshua Benoit and Dr. Sinead English in a fascinating discussion about the Pacific beetle cockroach, the only known species to produce milk. This episode explores the unique phenomenon of live birth and nursing in some insects, the incredible nutritional density of cockroach milk, and the challenges of its potential commercialization. Discover the anatomical wonders and evolutionary reasons behind this surprising insect behavior.
Dazzling colors. Remote habitats. Gentle parenting. Fantastic genitalia. And yeah, swimming through sewers to surprise you. It’s cockroaches and I promise you will find something to love about them in this chat with cockroach evangelist and Blattodeologist Dr. Dominic Evangelista. Which are the prettiest? Are roaches better at raising kids than you? How do roach scientists feel about the ones in kitchens? How does one catch a cockroach in a dark rainforest? Can roaches pull a Ratatouille and ste...
Mudbank bones. River wrecks. Salty seas. Pink ponds. Poison dust devils. Steamy streams.. It’s Haunted Hydrology with your favorite Spooky Lakes ambassador, the artist and author Geo Rutherford who is widely known as Geodesaurus. Geo covers the dark history of The Great Lakes, a stump that controls the weather, the what and why of a good lagoon, the field excursions she’s been on for research, the lakes she wants to see the most, and how a drought can shiver your spine. It’s a Spooktober spectac...
Alie Ward and serpopsychologist Dr. Frank McAndrew delve into what makes things creepy, distinguishing it from fear as an unsettling ambiguity. They discuss the evolutionary basis for our "creep detectors," how researchers study these sensations, and why certain things like clowns, dolls, or specific social behaviors trigger a creepy response. The conversation also touches on the Uncanny Valley, the role of confirmation bias, neurodivergence, and the fine line between playful fear and genuine threat, offering insights into how to navigate and understand this universal human experience.
Storming the Bastille. Facing off with tanks. Canceling a streaming subscription. We’re talking protests, boycotts, insurrections, and demonstrations. Scholar, professor, and actual real life Revolutionologist Dr. Jack Goldstone lays out the whys – and the hows. What revolts have been the gold standard? How has social media impacted social change? What happens when you install the wrong new leader? Does non-violent protest work? And how does one go about orchestrating big social change? Also: de...
This episode features a captivating discussion with acclaimed science writer Mary Roach, author of "Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy." She shares insights into her unique research methods, delving into topics like elective amputation, the ethical considerations of using gene-tweaked pig organs for transplantation, and the innovative world of 3D bioprinting. Roach also reveals bizarre, little-known scientific facts and reflects on the challenges and deeply rewarding human aspects of her work, making complex science accessible and entertaining.
In this 8th-anniversary special, Alie Ward hosts master potters Graham and Sarah Taylor of Potted History to delve into ceramology. They discuss the historical and scientific aspects of pottery, distinguishing between ceramics, clay types, and glazes. The episode uncovers the evolution of ceramic forms from ancient figurines to industrial production, revealing practical reasons behind designs like pointed amphorae and the significance of materials like bone china.
Neurons. Immune systems. MRIs. Weed gummies? One of the greats in neurology, Dr. Aaron Boster, takes time to chat all about Multiple Sclerosis, a neurological autoimmune disease close to our hearts. Alie’s mom, your grammapod a.k.a. Fancy Nancy, was diagnosed with MS over two decades ago, and this episode explores in depth the factors that can cause MS, therapies that do – and don’t – show promise, how diet, exercise and mindfulness actually can help folks who have MS, the oftentimes agonizing j...
YOU’RE NOT READY. But it’s time. Otters. Sea otters. River otters. Big beefy otters. Tiny otters. Giant river otters. Otters chasing you down the street. Dr. Chris J. Law, a professional Lutrinologist, shares tales about coastal vs. inland otters, otter terrorism, magical teeth, lustrous fur, rock pockets, kelp naps, otter terrorism, cautionary motherhood, toxic relationships, hand holding and why otters make you trust them, despite the fact that you should perhaps not trust an otter. Visit Dr. ...
Dr. Joshua Greene, a Harvard psychology professor and "trolleyologist," delves into the classic trolley problem and its variations, dissecting the psychological and neurological underpinnings of moral decisions. He contrasts utilitarianism and Kantian ethics, explains Peter Singer's "Drowning Child" argument, and discusses how evolutionary "bugs" influence our responses to global suffering. The episode also highlights the Giving Multiplier platform for effective charity and the "Let's Tango" game, a scientific effort to reduce political animosity through cooperative engagement.
The info storm continues! Part 1 covered the anatomy of a cyclonic storm, the bizarre histories behind the category system, and where hurricanes come from, but this week’s conclusion with Matt Lanza and Dr. Kim Wood gets you covered on emergency preparation for any disaster occasion, climate change trends and despair, the latest on the government funding drama, if you should trust a waffle house more than a weather person, and literally what is on the horizon in the future. Also: Sharpiegate. Re...
Hurricanes. Typhoons. Cyclones. Tropical storms. Tropical depressions. What does it all MEAAAN? Let’s dive in. Career meteorologists Dr. Kim Wood of the University of Arizona and Space City Weather’s Matt Lanza join for a two-guest two-parter to address the “deadlier” female-named hurricanes, why hurricane season happens, the category system, where hurricanes come from, why they have eyes, and how we track cyclones’ paths so we can stay out of them. Next week we’ll be back with Kim and Matt to c...
This bonus episode delves into the history of optical technology, from the invention of eyeglasses to their social perception, with Jenny Benjamin of the Museum of the Eye. Optometrist Dr. Nadia Sledge then discusses modern vision, including the rise of myopia, the impact of digital devices, and the importance of annual eye exams for all ages. Discover practical tips for maintaining eye health and understanding vision changes.
Literary Olfactologist Dr. Ally Louks delves into the politics of smell in modern and contemporary prose. She explores how authors use scent to convey character, class, and social dynamics, discussing everything from the subtle olfactory cues in "Lolita" to the societal stigmas associated with bodily and food odors. The episode also touches on the science of smell, its role in memory and emotion, and how personal experiences, including the loss of smell, shape our appreciation of it.
In this bonus episode, neurobiologist Uma Chatterjee candidly shares her lifelong battle with OCD, from early misdiagnosis to her academic pursuit of understanding the disorder. She details the insidious nature of intrusive thoughts, mental compulsions, and the pitfalls of reassurance-seeking, emphasizing the critical role of specialized Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. Uma also discusses the exciting potential of psychedelics to enhance ERP's effectiveness and advocates for greater awareness, compassion, and appropriate treatment for individuals and families impacted by OCD.
Host Alie Ward delves into Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with pioneering neurobiologist Dr. Wayne Goodman, who co-founded the International OCD Foundation and developed the Y-BOCS scale. They discuss OCD's true prevalence, distinct types beyond contamination fears, and the nuances of obsessions and compulsions, including mental rituals. The conversation also explores genetic links, comorbidities, breakthrough treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation, and the gold standard behavioral therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, offering practical insights and debunking common myths.
We’re back with molten hot cheese trivia in Part 2 with Fromologist Kyra James of OwnYourFunk.com . Part 1 covered the foundations and this week we address your listener questions about cows on boats, plant-based cheese options, how to properly store cheese, how cheese changes your brain chemistry, the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, the great grilled cheese debate, DIY cheeses, squeaky curds, Missouri’s cheese caves, the moon’s composition, and the ultimate charcuterie board. Also: holes...
Soft. Hard. Fresh. Aged. Stinky. Illegal. Let’s talk cheese with Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) and Fromologist, Kyra James. We chat about proprietary bacterial slurries, basement caves, cheese knife etiquette, rind eating, vegetarian versus vegan cheeses, cheese history, different warm-blooded animals whose milk is used for cheese, American cheese side-eye, shoe deodorizers, and how to chat up a monger. And come back next week to learn more about plant-based cheese options, how to properly...
Let’s light up your life and butt. World-renowned firefly expert Dr. Sara Lewis of Tufts University gives us some updates to her 2021 episode, sharing her love of a bug that many think is merely mythological. Learn how these tiny animals illuminate the night, the dos and don’ts of firefly observation, how to take good firefly photos, femme fatales, pink glowworms, secret languages, artificial lights, what’s up with their population numbers, why Western states can chill out with their lightning b...
Fangs. Rattles. Misconceptions. Crawl out from under your rock for the angelic rattle of one of the world’s most maligned, misunderstood, gorgeous, mysterious, efficient creatures. Herpetology professor, rattlesnake scientist and thus, Crotalologist Dr. Emily Taylor discusses why rattlesnakes deserve our love, the parenthood strategies of rattlers, how to avoid getting bitten, dog rattlesnake training, rattlers’ relationships with squirrels, antivenom, vaccines, mattress trivia, mood snakes and ...
Farmed versus wild. Basement shrimp hustles. Mangrove drama. Anthropology. Animal welfare and plant-based diets. Climb aboard to meet UCSB’s super cool dude, researcher and Aquaculture Ecologist, Dr. Ben Halpern. You’ll hear about sustainable food sources, land vs. sea farming, bycatch, shellfish guilt, salmon who wear makeup, global marine populations, ditching iceberg for seaweed, and a gentle nudge toward vegetables. Progress over perfection; every little step counts. Visit the Halpern Lab an...
Dive deep into the United States Constitution with Alie Ward as she reads and explains the full text, including the Preamble, Articles, and all 27 Amendments. Building on a previous episode about Constitutional Law (Nomology), this installment offers crucial context and understanding of civil liberties, rights, and the structure of American government.
Join five leading macrophycologists to explore the fascinating world of seaweed, from its unique biology and evolution—it's not a plant!—to its varied habitats across the globe. The episode discusses the surprising science behind its colors, its complex reproductive cycles, and its increasing importance in sustainable food and bioplastic industries. Experts also weigh in on seaweed's potential to combat climate change and address issues like sargassum blooms.
