Ologies with Alie Ward-logo

Ologies with Alie Ward

Science Podcasts

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.

Location:

United States

Description:

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.

Language:

English


Episodes

Disgustology (REPULSION TO GROSS STUFF) with Paul Rozin

3/27/2024
Taboos. Intolerable foods. Sad songs. Sexy kinks. Candy that looks like poo. Let’s get a little gross, shall we? The foremost expert in disgust, Dr. Paul Rozin, chats about the emotions related to revulsion – and BOY HOWDY do we cover some ground. Why do some things gross us out and others don’t? Can we change that? Learn how research psychologists study disgust, from butterflies to bigotry, and from pranks to power dynamics. Maybe don’t eat lunch while you listen, but definitely tune in to learn how to conquer some fears. Browse Dr. Rozin’s publications on Google Scholar Donations went to InterAct Theatre Company and the International OCD Foundation More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Personality Psychology (PERSONALITIES), Scatology (POOP), Gelotology (LAUGHTER), Gustology (TASTE), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 & Part 2, Dipterology (FLIES), Chickenology (HENS & ROOSTERS), FIELD TRIP: Alie’s Mystery Surgery Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:29:21

Field Trip: Alie’s Mystery Surgery!

3/21/2024
Where have I been? What surgery did I have? Am I going to die? I took you along for the whole wacky, sometimes scary process in hopes it might help someone and urge you all to draft up your wills and call your doctors if anything seems weird. If you think this thing has *nothing* to do with your own life, you’ll learn why it very much indeed does. Cryptic! What am I, a princess? Tune in for the journey of the last few months behind the scenes at Dadward HQ. And thank you for all of the support, for reals. Onward! More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: FIELD TRIP: My Butt, A Colonoscopy Ride-Along & How To, Gynecology (NETHER HEALTH), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 & Part 2, Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Traumatology (PTSD), Dolorology (PAIN), Urology (CROTCH PARTS), Phallology (PENISES), Surgical Oncology (BREAST CANCER), Genicular Traumatology (BAD KNEES) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:00:47:07

Smologies #40: HAIR with Valerie Horsley

3/18/2024
Peach fuzz. Chin hairs. Mammalian ponytails. WHY DO THEY HAPPEN. Yale researcher and associate professor Dr. Valerie Horsley stops by California to chat with Alie about the nature of hair and what it has to do with skin and nails, stem cells, how it grows, why some of us have curly hair or straight hair or thin hair or thick hair, and why we love and hate and need our hair as animals. Dr. Valerie Horsely is on Facebook The Horsely Lab at Yale More episode sources & links Full-length (*not* G-rated) Trichology episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on X and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on X and Instagram Sound editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Steven Ray Morris Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Duration:00:25:10

Oikology (DECLUTTERING) Encore with Jamie & Filip Hord + Joe Ferrari

3/12/2024
Why does clutter happen? How can we get rid of it and how will it affect us psychologically if we do? Buckle up for an encore that will lift your spirits and quite possibly change your life. We all have unfolded piles of laundry, that closet we don’t want to open, a tornado of papers on our desk that seems impossible to sort through. Enter: Oikology, the science of keeping things contained. Alie hunted down world-famous professional organizers, Jamie & Filip Hord of Horderly to chat about -- FIRST OFF-- their name, plus gender and messes, when to call in a pro to help, the step-by-step process to tackle the entropy in your home and life, what do do about gifts you don’t want, what tools you might need, the KonMari method, how to overcome the emotional attachment to objects, and why decluttering becomes addictive. We also called in the big guns, research psychologist Dr. Joe Ferrari of DePaul university, to share his research on clutter, its psychological causes and effects, if the “spark joy” method works for everyone, when to call a professional organizer and how many pants is too many pants. Also: dispatches from my own front lines. This episode already changed my own life… and closet. Visit Jamie and Filip Hord’s website and follow them on Instagram, X. and YouTube Listen to Dr. Ferrari in the Volitional Psychology (PROCRASTINATION) episode and check out his book: Still Procrastinating? Donations went to Dress for Success and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization More episode sources & links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 & Part 2, LIFE ADVICE, Volitional Psychology (PROCRASTINATION), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE), Disinfectology (BLEACH) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:32:46

Functional Morphology (ANATOMY) Encore with Joy Reidenberg

3/5/2024
Ever poked at roadkill? Watched videos of whales exploding? Drooled over a curio cabinet full of claws & bones? Peered into a jar with a pickled toad? Then this one is for you. Whether you’ve heard it before or are new to this classic ep, you’re sure to be delighted by this Ologist’s storytelling. Arguably the world's most famous comparative anatomist (and pretty-much-also functional morphologist) Dr. Joy Reidenberg pulls up a chair at Mt. Sinai Hospital to talk about her fascinating backstory, exploding whales, taxidermied chipmunks, dead toadfish, animal's weird anatomy and its function and how it might help human health. She is absolutely amazing and you will become obsessed with her work. Dr. Joy Reidenberg on X & Facebook Browse her publications on ResearchGate More episode sources & links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Evolutionary Biology (DARWINISM), Veterinary Biology (CRITTER FIXING), Nassology (TAXIDERMY), Road Ecology (ROAD KILL), Acoustic Ecology (NATURE RECORDINGS), Procyonology (RACCOONS), Lemurology (LEMURS), Delphinology (DOLPHINS), Ichthyology (FISHES), Mammalogy (MAMMALS), Ornithology (BIRDS) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Steven Ray Morris Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:11:41

Smologies #39: ANCIENT ROME with Darius Arya

3/2/2024
Classical Archaeologist and TV host Dr. Darius Arya is back for a smologized version of this classic episode to dish about priceless garbage piles, pottery graveyards, tomb discoveries, what's under European cities, ancient spa days, ingenious construction methods, and unlikely laundry techniques. Plus, what did ancient romans use before toilet paper - and perhaps more importantly, WHY?? Dr. Darius Arya's website, Twitter and Instagram A donation was made to AncientRomeLive.org Full-length (*not* G-rated) Classical Archaeology episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Sound editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Steven Ray Morris Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Duration:00:25:05

Black Hole Theory Cosmology (WHAT ARE BLACK HOLES?!) Part 2 with Ronald Gamble, Jr.

2/28/2024
Part 2! Black hole suns, black hole movies, wormholes, time travel, matter evaporation, scientists being bitches, risk-taking advice, Italy’s favorite pastry, and more await you. NASA Goddard Theoretical Astrophysicist and Black Hole Theory Cosmologist Dr. Ronald Gamble, Jr. is back for the conclusion of black hole basics and how theories get made and what’s on the (event) horizon for future astrophysicists to solve. Also: what do we do with our space anxiety?! Visit Dr. Ronald Gamble’s website and follow him on Instagram, X, and Google Scholar Donations went to TheScienceHaven.org More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Scotohylology (DARK MATTER), Cosmology (THE UNIVERSE), Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?), UFOlogy (UNEXPLAINED AERIAL PHENOMENA), Astrobiology (ALIENS), Abstract Mathematology (UH, IS MATH REAL?), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Radiology (X-RAY VISION), Invisible Photology (INVISIBILITY CLOAKS), Molecular Biology (PROTEINS) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:09:41

Black Hole Theory Cosmology (WHAT ARE BLACK HOLES?!) Part 1 with Ronald Gamble, Jr.

2/21/2024
How big are black holes? Is time elastic? What is spacetime foam? Why is there a place called “elsewhere?” Enjoy this dazzling two-parter that starts with the absolute basics with NASA’s Goddard Theoretical Astrophysicist and Black Hole Theory Cosmologist Dr. Ronald Gamble, Jr. We talk busting of flim-flam, how do we image them, what's the most giant dense book you can buy about them, where do trad goths fit into this episode, does my dog exist, how astrophysics is like drawing, and the greatest gift he could give his mom. Also what you have in common with an annulus. Visit Dr. Ronald Gamble’s website and follow him on Instagram, X, and Google Scholar More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Scotohylology (DARK MATTER), Cosmology (THE UNIVERSE), Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?), Abstract Mathematology (UH, IS MATH REAL?), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Radiology (X-RAY VISION), Invisible Photology (INVISIBILITY CLOAKS) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:00:48:59

Smologies #38: CARNIVORES with Rae Wynn-Grant

2/17/2024
Ah, charismatic megafauna! Teeth, claws, fur, poop, hibernation, hiking, nature preserves, and living your childhood dreams with Alie’s longtime -ologist crush, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. The large carnivore ecologist, researcher and TV presenter tells us all about her field work, what it’s like to stuff a baby bear in your coat, carnivore microbiomes, how well carnivores can taste and smell their food (and yours), how smart the average bear really is and more. Also: Is there such thing as a vegetarian carnivore?! We love her. Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant’s website, Twitter, and Instagram Listen to Dr. Wynn-Grant’s podcast, Going Wild A donation went to Black Outside Full-length (*not* G-rated) Carnivore Ecology episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Duration:00:25:16

Hydrochoerology (CAPYBARAS) with Elizabeth Congdon

2/14/2024
CAPYBARAS! Blocky faces. Chill vibes. Spa days. Finally. Hydrochoerologist, Dr. Elizabeth Congdon, leads us into the muddy pond of Rodents of Unusual Size, weird feet, pet questions, interspecies snuggles, capybara cafes, natural habitats, escaped capybara, a fossil record that will rock you, and what the Pope thinks of them. An instant classic that you’ll want to enjoy on repeat. Y’all, CAPYBARAS. I repeat: Capybaras. Read Dr. Congdon’s publications on ResearchGate A donation went to Edgewater Animal Shelter More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS), Cervidology (DEER), Acaropathology (TICKS & LYME DISEASE) Updated Mega Encore, Scatology (POOP), Mammalogy (MAMMALS), Lutrinology (OTTERS), Sciuridology (SQUIRRELS), Mycology (MUSHROOMS) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:17:21

Theoretical & Creative Ecology (SCIENCE & ECOPOETRY) with Madhur Anand

2/7/2024
Environmental models! Poetry! Scientists who are poets! Novelists who are scientists! Art + science = an actual -ology. Creative Ecologist, climate scientist, theoretical ecologist, author and celebrated poet Dr. Madhur Anand sits on a porch with me on an island to chat about storytelling, narratives in science, forest beetles, carbon stability, human motives, hip waders, technology meets nature, absurdity, identity, overcoming writer’s or scientist’s' block, and how accepting ourselves can be contagious. Forecast: you begin jotting down poems on envelopes. Visit the Anand Lab in Global Ecological Change & Sustainability and follow Dr. Anand on Google Scholar and X Buy Madhur Anand’s collections of poems A New Index for Predicting Catastrophes (2015) and Parasitic Oscillations (2022), and her book of prose This Red Line Goes Straight to Your Heart (2020) A donation went to Rare Charitable Reserve More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Pedagogology (SCIENCE COMMUNICATION) with Bill Nye, Molecular Biology + SciComm with Raven ‘the Science Maven’ Baxter, Indigenous Fire Ecology (GOOD FIRE), Pyrotechnology (FIREMAKING), Fire Ecology (WILDFIRES), Oceanology Encore (THE OCEAN),Enigmatology (WORD PUZZLES), Syndesiology (CONNECTIONS) with James Burke Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:00:57:03

Smologies #37: PROTEINS + DNA with Raven “The Science Maven” Baxter

2/3/2024
This one’s got it all: teeny tiny cellular factories, mitochondrial relevancy, what big smelly vats of poop have to do with curing cancer, how many trips to the sun your unravelled DNA could make, and mysteries of the brain. Dr. Raven The Science Maven has a background in molecular biology and a Ph.D in Science Communication, which she puts to work while Alie generally does her best to suppress high pitched noises of excitement. Learn to appreciate your proteins and pick up some noodle analogies while you’re here. That’s so Maven! Follow Raven on Instagram and Twitter Visit Raven's website and YouTube channel A donation went to Project for Awesome Full-length (*not* G-rated) Molecular Biology episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Sound editing by Steven Ray Morris, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Duration:00:25:23

Evolutionary Anthropology (METABOLISM) with Herman Pontzer

1/31/2024
*Content warning up top: This episode discusses sensitive themes like diet culture, caloric intake, the psychological & physical effects of food restriction and includes many listeners’ personal experience with the term “obesity." It may be triggering for those with a history of or sensitivity to disordered eating. We also discuss the Body Mass Index, still used by medical professionals, but acknowledged by many sociologists to be rooted in structural oppression.* Let’s explore our human machinery. And talk about Brazilian butt lifts. Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology and metabolism researcher Dr. Herman Pontzer gives us the data on mitochondrial backstories, muscle mass and hormones, our expanding brains, the flaws of the Body Mass Index, humans’ relationships with nutrition, why crash dieting can change your metabolism, perspectives on sticky medical terms, isotope magic, how much exercise hunter gatherers get, carnivore diets, scales, and what to do if you're grappling with sadness. Visit the Pontzer Lab website Browse Dr. Pontzer’s papers on ResearchGate and follow him on Instagram and X Buy Dr. Pontzer’s book, Burn: New Research Blows the Lid Off How We Really Burn Calories, Stay Healthy, and Lose Weight A donation went to Hadza Fund More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Pyrotechnology (FIREMAKING), Entomophagy Anthropology (EATING BUGS), Kalology (BEAUTY STANDARDS), Genicular Traumatology (BAD KNEES) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Instagram and X Follow @AlieWard on Instagram and X Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Transcripts by Aveline Malek and The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:24:18

Carcinology (CRABS) Part 2 with Adam Wall

1/24/2024
Hairy crabs! Shell swaps! Carcinization! Will we all evolve to be crabs? What’s with having one giant claw? Why would a crab stab you? Adam Wall, a carcinologist at the Natural History Museum of LA covers all of this and more in this thrilling conclusion of our two-part episode on crabs. Also: did the Little Mermaid get it right, and does Adam enjoy being interviewed? Listen to the end to find out. And if you missed Part 1, listen here. Part 1 covers: Claw hands! Beady eyes! Pinching forces that could crack your skull! The tiniest to the most hauntingly giant crabs, discovering new species, crabs that are NOT crabs, sea monkeys, hairy crabs, hermit crabs, crab dongs, crab butts, crab butters, the secret history of secret Maryland spices, Amelia Earhart rumors, giant invasive crabs in Norway, behind the scenes Hollywood crabs, and so much more. View Adam’s papers on ResearchGate Find him barely ever posting on Twitter A donation went to NHM.org’s Marine Biodiversity Center’s fairy shrimp research Consider a $5 or $10 birthday donation to SkypeAScientist.com More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Teuthology (SQUIDS), Teuthological Ludology (ACTUAL SQUID GAMES), Phallology (PENISES), Scorpiology (SCORPIONS), Pectinidology (SCALLOPS), Echinology (SEA URCHINS & SAND DOLLARS), Scatology (POOP), Biomineralogy (SHELLS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Lutrinology (OTTERS), Conotoxinology (CONE SNAIL VENOM), Cheloniology (SEA TURTLES), Cnidariology (CORAL) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, stickers, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:00:50:52

Smologies #36: FEATHERS with Allison Shultz

1/20/2024
Plumage! Dance battles! Possible holographic disco birds? Natural History Museum of LA ornithology curator Dr. Allison Shultz is a professional plumologist aka feather expert. We visit the museum’s collection of rare specimens and chat about everything from fossilized dinosaur feathers to peacock tails, the fanciest roosters, quill pens, pigments, flight feathers, the blackest black birds, and why birdwatching is like seeing tiny purple raccoons zoom overhead. Birds: like Pokemon Go but weirder. Visit Dr. Allison Shultz’s website and follow her on Twitter Full-length (*not* G-rated) Plumology episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Sound editing by Steven Ray Morris, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Duration:00:25:34

Carcinology (CRABS) Part 1 with Adam Wall

1/16/2024
Claw hands! Beady eyes! Pinching forces that could crack your skull! Gentleman, scholar, curator of the Natural History Museum’s crustacea collection and Carcinologist Adam Wall takes us on a tour of the museum’s crab bunker to discuss everything from the tiniest to the most hauntingly giant crabs, discovering new species, crabs that are NOT crabs, sea monkeys, hairy crabs, hermit crabs, crab dongs, crab butts, crab butters, the secret history of secret Maryland spices, Amelia Earhart rumors, giant invasive crabs in Norway, behind the scenes Hollywood crabs, and so much more. So dazzling and comprehensive and weird – we had to crack this episode in two. Make sure to catch next week’s. View Adam’s papers on ResearchGate Find him barely ever posting on Twitter A donation went to NHM.org’s Marine Biodiversity Center’s fairy shrimp research More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Pectinidology (SCALLOPS), Echinology (SEA URCHINS & SAND DOLLARS), Scatology (POOP), Biomineralogy (SHELLS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Lutrinology (OTTERS), Conotoxinology (CONE SNAIL VENOM), Cheloniology (SEA TURTLES), Cnidariology (CORAL) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, stickers, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:08:07

Ethnoecology (ETHNOBOTANY/NATIVE PLANTS) with Leigh Joseph

1/9/2024
The what, where, and who of native plants is … ethnobotany! Which is under the umbrella of Ethnoecology! The wonderful botanist Leigh Joseph shares what steered her to this field, how she includes her Squamish First Nation community in her research, and how we relate to plants – both native and invasive. She’ll chat about how to identify plants, Latin names vs. traditional names, how knowledge is passed down or silenced, the chilling history that inspired some of her work, uses for barks and berries and saps and teas, pharmaceuticals derived from Indigenous knowledge, ceremonial plants, the dos and absolutely do-nots of harvesting, skin remedies, white sage, and so much more. Also what should I put on my face? Visit Leigh Joseph’s website and follow her on Instagram Buy her book: Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness Shop Leigh’s plant-based beauty brand: Skwálwen Botanicals Donations went to Indigenous Climate Action and Seeding Sovereignty More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Foraging Ecology (EATING WILD PLANTS) with @BlackForager, Alexis Nikole Nelson, Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING), Smologies #31: INDIGENOUS COOKING, Indigenous Pedology (SOIL SCIENCE), Bryology (MOSS) with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, Dendrology (TREES), Wildlife Ecology (FIELDWORK), Urology (CROTCH PARTS), Nephrology (KIDNEYS), Carnivorous Phytobiology (MEAT-EATING PLANTS) Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, stickers, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:19:27

Smologies #35: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING with Iddris Sandu

1/4/2024
At just 22, Iddris Sandu’s life story was already legendary. This Architectural Technologist learned to program at the age of 11 and has worked with everyone from Kanye West to Nipsey Hussle to Space X. In this episode from 2020 we talk coding, holograms, what ancient flutes have to do with computers, how programming works and why it's important. The designer and entrepreneur also shares his favorite programming languages, philosophies on future technology and why we should all strive to be dynamic rather than single-minded. He’s a true inspiration and Alie shamelessly begged him for life advice. Follow Iddris on Instagram and Twitter Visit Spatial Labs, the tech company founded by Iddris Full-length (*not* G-rated) Architectural Technology episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Sound editing by Steven Ray Morris, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Duration:00:25:05

Alieology (YOUR HOST): an Ask-Me-Anything Goofy Hang

12/27/2023
It’s like a whole episode of secrets. And your questions. And your podmom, Jarrett, hanging out in a guest room answering all kinds of inquiries. This week between the holidays I thought I’d take it easy and dip into the mail bag to explain my free-range childhood, the goth days, podcasting tips, favorite bugs, hair dye, yellow sweaters, episodes that have never aired, how I find my guests, how many hours each episode takes, and who our dog loves the most. Cozy up and let’s become goofy together. A donation went to Dogs Without Borders Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Field Trip: How to Change Your Life Via the Natural History Museum, LIFE ADVICE Encore: For anyone who is tired & needs some hacks, Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Scotohylolgy (DARK MATTER), Quasithanatology (NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES), Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?) More about Jarrett Sleeper of Mind Jam Media Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Emily White of The Wordary Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Duration:01:47:42

Smologies #34: PENGUINS with Tom Hart

12/23/2023
Do penguins have flippers or wings? What’s up with pebble gifts? Are they squishy or dense? And why why why are they so cute? We sit down with renowned penguinologist Dr. Tom Hart, a research fellow with Oxford University, to chat all about life on Antarctica, penguin cities, icy cuddle parties, ocean camouflage and how to become a flightless bird. Dr. Hart is your new favorite penguinologist. Follow Penguin Watch on Twitter Help count penguins -- for science! Donations went to PenguinWatch.org and TRASS for mangrove planting Full-length (*not* G-rated) Penguinology episode + tons of science links More kid-friendly Smologies episodes! Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes! Follow @Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @AlieWard on Twitter and Instagram Sound editing by Steven Ray Morris, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Made possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer, Emily White, & Erin Talbert Smologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Duration:00:25:06