Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchEpisode 225 - Forests
Episode 339
Forests are among the most widespread and diverse biomes on our planet. This episode, we’re joined by our favorite paleobotanist, Dr. Aly Baumgartner, to explore what defines a forest, how these habi…
Published on 1 day, 4 hours ago
Episode 224 - Bipedalism
Episode 333
Most vertebrate animals on land get around on all fours, but some of us have committed to two-legged locomotion. This episode, we explore the various ways animals have evolved bipedalism and the many…
Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Episode 223 - Mutations
Episode 332
Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. As our cells constantly divide and reproduce and replicate our DNA, errors and inconsistencies develop, leading to the incredible variation of life that driv…
Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago
Episode 222 - Shrews
Episode 331
On the outside, shrews might seem like standard tiny mammals, but their anatomy and lifestyle are highly specialized. This episode, with help from special guest Derek den Ouden, we explore the divers…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Episode 221 - Legless Lizards
Episode 330
Lizards are extremely good at becoming snake-shaped. A long body with small or absent limbs is a shape that has evolved dozens of times across nearly every major lineage of lizards. This episode, we …
Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Episode 220 - Terrestrial Crocs
Episode 329
Today’s crocs are iconic semi-aquatic predators, but their extended family tree features lots of land-dwelling cousins. This episode, we take a tour through croc evolutionary history and explore the …
Published on 2 months, 1 week ago
Episode 219 - Beringia
Episode 328
For over 100 million years, North America and Asia have been connected over the Pacific Ocean through a region called Beringia. The comings and going of plants and animals across this connection have…
Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Episode 218 - Lungs
Episode 327
Take a deep breath and appreciate for a moment the organs that let you do it so efficiently. Lungs are an invaluable tool for life out of the water, and are therefore a favorite topic for paleontolog…
Published on 3 months, 1 week ago
Episode 217 - Bears
Episode 326
Bears are among the most charismatic and impressive mammals. They have large bodies, very flexible lifestyles, and an extensive fossil record that includes some of the best-preserved and largest foss…
Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Episode 216 - Plankton
Episode 325
Just about every body of water on Earth, from oceans to puddles, is home to an ecosystem of tiny drifting organisms. This episode, we discuss what sorts of organisms we might expect to find in a swar…
Published on 4 months ago