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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Smologies #6: WOLVES with Bridgett vonHoldt
Wolf howls, wolf packs, wolf history and more! November 23 is the dog appreciation holiday Wolfenoot so we’re dishing up a puppy-sized and kid-friendly Smologies with lupinologist and Princeton professor Dr. Brigette vonHoldt. Learn about wolf populations, canine family dynamics, Game of Thrones direwolves, if wolves howl at the moon, myths and truths about alphas, and how you can help our lupine friends. More links at alieward.com/smologies/wolvesThe uncut, adult version is up at: Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get podcasts.The vonHoldt Lab: https://vonholdt.princeton.eduBenefunder for Dr. vonHoldtA donation went to: https://redwolves.com/newsite/Sponsor links: alieward.com/ologies-sponsorsTranscripts & bleeped full episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extrasBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and STIIIICKERS!Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisSmologies theme song by Harold MalcolmSpecial thanks to Susan Hale, Boni Dutch, Noel Dilworth, Shannon Feltus, Caleb Patton, Kelly Dwyer and Emily White.
Tiktokology (THE TIKTOK APP) with Hank Green
Who’s on it? What’s on it? And why does the interface feel like you’re on a prank show? Scicomm host, vlogger, author, internet friend, and TikTok-maker Hank Green stops in to chat about learning the language of the algorithm, dopamine, duets, data concerns, idealized selves, self-expression, mental health, authenticity, work/ life boundaries. And just a bunch of milk. Follow Hank at TikTok.com/@hankgreen1, Twitter.com/HankGreen, https://www.instagram.com/hankgreen/Alie Dadward aka me on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologiesMorelinks at alieward.com/ologies/tiktokologyGet Hank’s books: “An Absolutely Remarkable Thing”https://bookshop.org/books/an-absolutely-remarkable-thing/9781524743468“A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor” https://bookshop.org/books/a-beautifully-foolish-endeavor/9781524743475His website: https://hankgreen.com/A donation was made to pih.orgSponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsorsTranscripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extrasBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/
Dolorology (PAIN) with Rachel Zoffness
PAIN. What is it? Where does it come from? And how can we hurt less? Which hurts more, a kidney stone or heartache? Why does chronic pain persist? Can we turn down our pain dials? To answer these huge questions, pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness enthusiastically explains the brain, pain and how to retrain it. She is an unabashed neuronerd and a ray of hope in a field that is misunderstood, neglected and under-explained. A true life-changer of a person. Follow Dr. Rachel Zoffness at Twitter.com/drzoffness and Instagram.com/TheRealDocZoff Her Pain Management Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Management-Workbook-Powerful-Mindfulness/dp/1684036445Her website, which has a resource page with a ton of free info: zoffness.com. A donation was made to https://www.thetrevorproject.org /Sponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsorsTranscripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extrasBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/
Teuthological Ludology (SQUID GAMES) with Sarah McAnulty
Boy howdy... Squid games. We know we weren't the only ones watching Squid Game and thinking, "Do squid play games?" Hence we combined the study of squids (teuthology) and games (ludology) to make Teuthological Ludology with everyone's favorite squid expert: Dr. Sarah McAnulty from the 2018 Teuthology episode. We reunited on mic to discuss things like shapeshifting, flirtatious trickery, living fishing lure, siphon squirts, weird things found in shark stomachs, and cephalopods who are downright dicks to fish. All wrapped up in the most shameless pun ever.TEXT "SQUIDS!" TO THIS NUMBER 1-833-724-8398 or 1-833-SCI-TEXTFollow Dr. Sara McAnulty at @SarahMackAttack on Twitter or InstagramLearn more about Skype a Scientist at https://www.skypeascientist.com/More links up at alieward.com/ologies/teuthologicalludologySponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsorsTranscripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extrasBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/
Smologies #5: VETERINARY BIOLOGY with Vernard Hodges & Terrence Ferguson
This is the shorter, cleaner, smologized version of our full length Veterinary Biology episode https://www.alieward.com/ologies/veterinarybiologyAt long last: an episode dedicated to veterinary medicine! Dr. Terrence Ferguson & Dr. Vernard Hodges have been friends for nearly 30 years and have co-owned their rural Georgia veterinary clinic, Critter Fixers, for over 20 years. The two wonderful buddies talk about getting accepted into vet school, caring for spiders & camels & lizards & toads & kittens & doggos, the weirdest things they’ve extracted from animal tummies, if our pets love us back, keeping kidneys healthy, grain-free diets, what to do if your (Alie’s) dog is plumping up by a few pounds, what they wish animal owners knew, when it’s time to let go vs. keep treating a pet, the daily rollercoaster of emotions that come with vet med -- and their charming, informative new show “Critter Fixers: Country Vets” on NatGeo Wild.FULL EPISODE AT: alieward.com/ologies/veterinarybiologyMore SmOlogies episodes waiting for you at: alieward.com/smologiesWatch “Critter Fixers: Country Vets” on National GeographicTheir vet practice: critterfixerveterinaryhospital.comFollow Dr. Hodges & Dr. FergusonA donation went to: ittakesavillagefoundation.comTranscripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extrasBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and STIIIICKERS!Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisSmologies theme song by Harold MalcolmSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies
Taphology (GRAVESITES) with Robyn S. Lacy
Bidding farewell to the sweetest and spookiest month, we traipse past graves with archeologist, conservator and Taphologist Robyn Lacy. What’s the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery? Is it wrong to picnic in one? And can tombstone scrubbing help the world and soothe your living soul? Plus, font trends on headstones, old-timey gravestone emojis, a coffin-within-a-coffin, the best epitaphs and knowing the difference between slate, marble, and granite monuments. To celebrate Halloween, stop by the cemetery gates to do zinckies with your best ghosties. (That will make sense later.) Robyn S. Lacy’s website: spadeandthegrave.comFollow her @graveyard_arch on Twitter and InstagramGravestone conservation info: blackcatcemeterypreservation.wordpress.comA donation went to UNICEF Canada's COVID-19 vaccine initiative: https://www.unicef.ca/en/what-we-do/donate-to-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2df-h92Svs5lURmjea4qsq-8P6xbeieDajBFbQPfkHvQYjNGHhPzOePJkHalloween Scavenger Hunt info: https://www.talkdeath.com/talkdeath-halloween-cemetery-scavenger-hunt/More links up at alieward.com/ologiesSponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsorsTranscripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extrasBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/
Kinetic Salticidology (DANCING SPIDERS) with Sebastian Echeverri
They dance. They flirt. They will steal your heart. They are spiders. Jumping spiders, specifically, and impassioned spider scientist Dr. Sebastian Echeverri is on board to tell you all about their sexy dances. How far can a jumping spider jump? What makes a good spider dancer? Why are they so cute? Can you sample their mating drumming and make a sick industrial-EDM track that feels like you’re in a Berlin discotheque? Buckle up for the grooviest Spooktober of your life. BUY the sick track “Habronattus: Multimodal Display” https://ologies.bandcamp.com/releasesCreated by www.jasonscardamalia.com/ and featuring recordings by Dr. Damian Elias with proceeds going toward spider research Dr. Sebastian Echeverri’s website https://www.spiderdaynightlive.com/Follow Dr. Sebastian Echeverri: twitter.com/spiderdayNight and https://www.instagram.com/spiderdaynightliveDonations went to: www.entopoc.org/ and Xerces.orgMore links and info at alieward.com/ologies/dancingspidersSponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsorsTranscripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extrasBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/
Chiropterology Part 2 (BATS) Encore with Merlin Tuttle
PART 2: The stunning conclusion of a 3-hour gab session about frickin' bats with America's favorite chiropterologist, Dr. Merlin Tuttle. Learn about bat conversations, their close friendships, surprising dongs, where they keep their nipples, how to go bat spotting after the sun sets, more myths and misconceptions about bat danger, perhaps the grossest thing Merlin has ever put in his mouth, how to hang up a bat house for maximum bat party funtimes, the latest on white nose syndrome and how it feels to get slapped by a bat. Once again: Indiana Jones can get bent because Dr. Merlin Tuttle is the hero this nation needs. Learn more about bats & Dr. Merlin Tuttle's photography & work in conservation:www.MerlinTuttle.orgDr. Merlin Tuttle's bat books: www.merlintuttle.org/category/books/Social media links:www.instagram.com/merlintuttlephotowww.twitter.com/merlinsbatswww.facebook.com/MerlinTuttlesBatConservationSponsor links: kiwi.com/ologies; calm.com/ologies; hellofresh.com/ologies9, code: Ologies9; mytruition.com/ologies;More links up at alieward.com/ologies/chiropterologyBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and STIIIICKERS!Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTheme song by Nick Thorburn
Chiropterology (BATS) Encore with Merlin Tuttle
“People fear most what they understand least." Words of wisdom from explorer/American treasure/bat expert, Dr. Merlin Tuttle. As your internet dad/host takes care of her surgically recuperating husband this week, we revisit her visit to Austin. In 2019, Alie headed to the bat capital and sat down with the legendary chiropterologist to discuss wild field stories and close calls and caves and comebacks and bat chatter and what a bat actually is and how big they get and what's up with their smushy noses, why folks are so frightened by them, the evolution of flight, echolocation, getting a bat out of your house, how they sleep upside down, which ones guzzle blood, and the latest on white nose syndrome -- which is not a drug problem. Sit back with a cup of tea or something stronger and get ready for adventure. Indiana Jones can get bent because Dr. Merlin Tuttle is the hero this nation needs.More Spooktober episodes! alieward.com/ologies/spooktober2021Learn more about bats & Dr. Merlin Tuttle's photography & work in conservation:www.MerlinTuttle.orgA donation was made to: www.MerlinTuttle.orgDr. Merlin Tuttle's bat books: www.merlintuttle.org/category/books/Social media links:www.instagram.com/merlintuttlephotowww.twitter.com/merlinsbatswww.facebook.com/MerlinTuttlesBatConservationSponsor links: alieward.com/ologies-sponsors More links up at alieward.com/ologies/chiropterologyBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes, masks and STIIIICKERS!Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologiesFollow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWardSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTheme song by Nick Thorburn
Corvid Thanatology (CROW FUNERALS) Encore with Kaeli Swift
Crows have funerals? CROWS HAVE FUNERALS. The inky black bird with the big brain warns and maybe mourns around their fallen friends and Dr. Kaeli Swift is here to tell us all about it. As an avid wildlife researcher and corvid specialist, she's observed death behaviors that will shock you to your bones and ruffle your hackles -- while somehow also making you cry about peanuts. Also: so much inspiration to keep being yourself and to work hard toward what you love. She is a hero. Dr. Kaeli Swift's Blog, YouTube, Twitter & InstagramBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologiesOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter or InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter or InstagramMore links at www.alieward.comSound editing by Steven Ray Morris
Pyrotechnology (FIREMAKING) with Ellery Frahm
Grab your fire extinguisher and hang on to your eyebrows, we’re building FIRES today. Now, this is pyrotechnology in the anthropological sense; the kind covered in hair metal concert venue liability insurance will have to wait for another day, no no, these are the kind your ancestors made. Get ready for sharp rocks, hairy jello, sooty caves, glowing coals, iron sparks, burnt feet, wolf skulls, fluffy fungus, molten metal, ember tending and more with Yale anthropologist and pyrotechnologist, Dr. Ellery Frahm. Follow Dr. Frahm at https://twitter.com/elleryfrahm https://www.elleryfrahm.com/ Donations went to: https://www.armeniafund.org/ More links and info at alieward.com/ologies/pyrotechnology Sponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsors Transcripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extras Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologies OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologies Follow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWard Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Transcripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/ Website by https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/Support the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies
Opossumology (O/POSSUMS) with Lisa Walsh
Teeth. Tails. Concentric nipples. This not-at-all-rodent has the distinction of being North America’s sole marsupial and so Alie hunted down lauded Opossumologist Dr. Lisa Walsh and launched an absolute torrent of giddy questions. How many ticks do they really eat, can we keep them as pets, how do we all convincingly feign death, opossum vs. possum, fingerprints, orphaned babies, the best possum jokes, the worst ones, venom immunity, bifurcated dongs, space portal vageens, being equally ugly and adorable, the rise of the memes, why we scream at our own asses, and more. Open a space in your heart for these critters. Follow Dr. Walsh at Twitter.com/spoutsoffacts , Donations went to: https://www.kidneyfund.org/ & https://opossumsocietyus.org/ More links and info at alieward.com/ologies/opossumology Sponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsors Transcripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extras Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologies OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologies Follow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWard Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Transcripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/ Website by https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/Support the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies
Ciderology (DELICIOUS APPLE BEVERAGE) with Gabe Cook
How ya like them apples?! Well, liquified. And fermented. Author, podcaster, cider-maker and globally lauded beverage historian Gabe Cook, aka The Ciderologist, is an enthusiastic champion of this tragically overlooked drink, and he joins with a bushel full of facts, well-spun yarns and tasting tips. Belly up for a foaming glass of friendly competition, bucolic farmhouses, DIY cider tips, film flam busters, cider recommendations from a pro, and a little ASMR. Cider: that cool friend in the corner who is too shy to boast about itself, so its wingman speaks up. His website: https://www.theciderologist.com/ Follow him at https://twitter.com/theciderologist and https://www.instagram.com/ciderologist First book, Ciderology: https://www.amazon.com/Ciderology-History-Heritage-Craft-Revolution/dp/1846015650 His NEW book, Modern British Ciders: https://camra.org.uk/modern-british-cider/ A donation went to: https://tinychanges.com/ More links and info at alieward.com/ologies/ciderology Sponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsors Transcripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extras Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologies OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologies Follow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWard Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Transcripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/ Website by https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/Support the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies
Eudemonology (HAPPINESS) with Laurie Santos
HAPPINESS RESEARCH, straight up. What is happiness? How do our circumstances affect happiness? Why is the word “gratitude” kinda cringey? What can we do to feel better? Should we feel guilty for feeling happy? When is positivity “toxic?” Yale cognitive scientist, Eudemonologist, and host of The Happiness Lab podcast Dr. Laurie Santos chats about how scientists measure human happiness and what their research has shown helps achieve it, even during the worst of times. Also: silver medal face & countering counterfactuals, which will make sense when you listen. Follow Dr. Lauri Santos https://instagram.com/lauriesantosofficial Her podcast: https://www.happinesslab.fm Donations went to DonorsChoose.org More links and info at alieward.com/ologies/eudemonology Sponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsors Transcripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extras Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologies OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologies Follow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWard Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Transcripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/ Website by https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/Support the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies
Spesh Ep: Drawdown Design Project with C. Andrew Hall
Art meets science! Problems meet solutions! Climate change meets … hope? In this atypical episode, things get casual as hell as Alie sits down to talk about the Drawdown Design Project: an illustration non-profit started by filmmaker, Emmy-nominated television editor and longtime friend Andy Hall. When he’s not having to edit Alie on Innovation Nation, Andy is the founder and creative director of the Drawdown Design Project, which commissioned some of the world’s most sought-after artists to illustrate climate solutions outlined by Drawdown.org. What resulted was the just-released limited-edition 200 print run of ENGAGE, EMPOWER, CULTIVATE and ELECTRIFY. Andy walks me through the passion, the production and the process of raising money for rainforests while making something gorgeous and uplifting. Also: I used to serve snacks on film sets. Get one of the 200 limited-edition Drawdown Design Project prints: https://drawdowndesignproject.org/donate Follow www.Instagram.com/DrawdownDesignProject and maybe win a poster! More info on climate solutions at www.Drawdown.org A donation went to: https://www.rainforestcoalition.org/ More about the illustrators: https://drawdowndesignproject.org/illustrators ENGAGE by Brian Steely https://www.steelyworks.com/ CULTIVATE by Tula Lotay https://www.instagram.com/tulalotay/ EMPOWER by Khary Randolph https://www.instagram.com/kharyrandolph/ ELECTRIFY by Malleus https://www.instagram.com/malleusdelic/ More links at alieward.com/ologies/drawdowndesignproject Sponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsors Transcripts & bleeped episodes at: alieward.com/ologies-extras Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month: www.Patreon.com/ologies OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes and now… MASKS. Hi. Yes. Follow twitter.com/ologies or instagram.com/ologies Follow twitter.com/AlieWard or instagram.com/AlieWard Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Transcripts by Emily White of www.thewordary.com/ Website by https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/Support the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies