Ologies with Alie Ward

Anne Copeland, author of "Pumpkin, Pumpkin," dives into the enchanting world of pumpkins, exploring their folklore and history. She shares whimsical anecdotes about their connection to Halloween and even the origins of the Jack-o'-lantern. Anne discusses how to make pumpkins last longer and reveals the secret medicinal properties of pumpkin seeds. Listeners will also hear about creative pumpkin use, including proposal ideas, and the joys of autumn traditions, celebrating all things gourd-related in a delightful chat.

What happens when you die? Cosmically, no one knows. But cosmetically, Desairologist Monica Torress knows everything. This friendly Phoenix funeral director shares her secrets for giving the dearly departed the greatest glam on their “special day.” She chats practical preservation techniques, spooky questions, her influences, the newest make-up lines, formaldehyde, mourning and grief, and how to make sure you look like *you* -- or Dolly Parton -- when your loved ones say their goodbyes. Also: her most memorable cases and JUST the pep talk you needed to follow your dreams. Follow Monica Torres at Instagram.com/coldhandshosts and Twitter.com/coldhandshosts NXT Gen Mortuary Support: nxtgenmortuarysupport.com A donation went to the Hi Precious Scholarship: nxtgenmortuarysupport.com/scholarship/ Sponsors of Ologies: alieward.com/ologies-sponsors More links at alieward.com/ologies/desairology 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Anthropodermic bibliopegy is a long, fancy way of saying “HUMAN SKIN BOOKS” and the study of confirming or debunking them is … Anthropodermic Biocodicology. For this skin-crawling, history-trawling Spooktober episode, we chat with the absolutely wonderful and charming medical librarian and expert of books bound in human skin, Megan Rosenbloom. Also on the line: analytical chemist Dr. Daniel Kirby, who discusses how books are tested to confirm if they are, in fact, human leather. Why would someone make these? What’s in between the covers? Whose skin is it? What do they smell like? And what can they tell us about our culture and our past?Rosenbloom has just released her book “Dark Archives” and gives us a peek into the world she’s come to know so well. Listen under a blanket or with a nightlight on, though. It’ll give you goosebumps. Follow Megan Rosenbloom at Instagram.com/libraryatnight and Twitter.com/libraryatnight Buy Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin anywhere books are sold! Megan Rosenbloom’s website: https://meganrosenbloom.com/ A donation went to: BlackMamasMatter.org More links at alieward.com/ologies/anthropodermicbiocodicology 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Kristen Wickert, also known as KayDubs the Hiking Scientist, is a forest entomologist and plant pathologist passionate about tree-bug interactions. She talks about navigating the creepy crawly world, sharing tales of Moth Man, the challenges of invasive species, and tips for dealing with pesky mosquitoes. Listeners learn the significance of cicadas, the joy of safe mushroom foraging, and the importance of understanding and coexisting with forest insects. Kristen’s infectious enthusiasm inspires a deeper connection with nature and the outdoors.

To kick off SpooOoktober, we’re looking at huge birds that DEVOUR DEATH: the giant, majestic and critically endangered California condor. Condorologist Dr. Jonathan C. Hall’s work helps monitor populations, tracks flight data, and keeps tabs on how well this small population is rebounding after going extinct in the wild in 1987. We chat carcasses, wingspans, beaks, bald heads, and more. By the end, you’ll want to gaze at the skies hoping for a sighting. Also: condor romance gossip! And accomplices vs. allyship. Dr. Hall is just amazing. Dr. Jonathan C. Hall’s website https://bit.ly/DrJCH Follow him at Twitter.com/outtherejch and Instagram.com/outtherejch A donation went to: www.blackinappalachia.org Sponsors of the show: www.alieward.com/ologies-sponsors More links at alieward.com/ologies/condorology Condor Cam on Ventana Wildlife Society site: https://www.ventanaws.org/condor_cam.html 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

If you need fuel to get excited about voting: here it is. How low is U.S. voter turnout? And why? Are mail-in ballots safe? Should you vote early? How has voter suppression worked in the past -- and the present -- to skew elections? Oooh, buckle up as the wonderful Dr. Mindy Romero, a Political Sociologist and founding director of USC’s Center for Inclusive Democracy, chats about what drives us to the polls, what keeps us away, how to celebrate election day, and why every single vote actually does matter. By the end, you’ll have a voting plan for the November 3rd presidential election, and maybe a shopping list that includes postage stamps and apple cider. Maybe some Fireball. Ps: VOTE. You deserve it. Learn more about Dr. Romero’s Center for Inclusive Democracy at cid.usc.edu, and follow them at https://twitter.com/CID_USC Dr. Romero tweets at https://twitter.com/mindysromero Resources for voting: Vote.org New York Times state-by-state info on voting Donations went to themarshallproject.org & commoncause.org Sponsors of the show: www.alieward.com/ologies-sponsors For more links: alieward.com/ologies/politicalsociology 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Thunder and lightning: very, very frighteningly interesting! Wildfire researcher and lightning scientist Chris Giesige answers questions about thunderclaps and lightning flashes in a laid back way that will put him at the top of your Fulminologist list. He explains everything from clouds to positive and negative charges, volcanic lightning, fire tornadoes, getting struck by lightning, fractal scars, sprites, elves, how many gigawatts in a lightning strike, and how to enjoy a storm without getting zapped. Also, heartbreak vs. heart damage from electricity. Follow Chris at Twitter.com/Cgiesige39 or Instagram.com/chrisgiesige A donation went to International Relief Teams: irteams.org and Westcats.com Sponsors of the show: www.alieward.com/ologies-sponsors For more links: alieward.com/ologies/fulminology 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 uh...bikinis? 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Mammals: you’re one. Your dog is one. So are giant rats. What do we have in common? Nipples. The incredible Southern Illinois University professor, researcher, science communicator and mammalogist Dr. Danielle N. Lee joins to chat about everything from nature’s parenting styles to hairy bellies, milk glands, nip counts, how a meteor paved the way for our existence, her favorite mammals and the mysteries of the platypus. An episode years in the making, Alie barely keeps her cool as Dr. Lee gives insight and perspective on what it means to be a human and a mammal. Also, we chat about Black Mammalogists week Sept. 13-19 and the important pivots that changed her career path. Follow Dr. Danielle N. Lee at Twitter.com/DNLee5 or Instagram.com/DNLee5 September 13-19 is Black Mammalogists Week! https://blackmammalogists.com/ A donation went to semsuccess.org Follow SEM Link at Twitter.com/semlink For more links: alieward.com/ologies/mammalogy 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 uh...bikinis? 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

The spirited, laughy chatter with a duo of deer scientists named Rhiannon continues in the thrilling conclusion with Part 2. Buckle up for listener questions addressing everything from social structure to hunting to Chronic Wasting Disease to how *not* to hit a deer with your car. Also the weirdest animal fact Alie has ever learned in the history of Ologies. Soul-rattling. And if you missed Part 1, circle back and catch up to learn all about ungulates and deer and moose and elk and fawns and … some Stevie Nicks trivia and Welsh mythology for good measure. These episodes may change the way you look at our furry backyard friends forever. Rhiannon Kirton: https://twitter.com/rhiannon_kirton https://www.instagram.com/rhi_kirton/ https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/rhiannon-kirton/ Rhiannon Jakopak: https://twitter.com/rhiacoon https://www.instagram.com/rhiacoon/ Jakopakresearch.wordpress.com September 14-19: Black Mammalogists Week: https://blackmammalogists.com/ September 20: Free Atlatl Making Workshop by Angelo Robledo: 9/20, 10am-1pm Pacific Time: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqLMRT1PPLslrJyG5srbokkWrof3XFujIDEC2RzzrRaQ4LJA/viewform A donation went to: The American Society of Mammalogists -- Sponsored Membership Fund: https://asm.wildapricot.org/Donate For more links: alieward.com/ologies/cervidology “Howdy, I’m John Ware!” kids’ book: https://redbarnbooks.ca/products/john-ware 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 uh...bikinis? 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

What IS a deer? And an elk? And a moose? And a Rhiannon? One thing they all have in common: cervidology. Buckle up for some spirited, laughy chatter with a duo of deer scientists. They dish all about Welsh mythology and their field trips into the remote, gorgeous wilderness. They’ll explain what to do if you find a fawn, if you should feed backyard deer, what deer population numbers are like, hunting, ungulates, being a first-generation scientist and more. This episode is a quick overview and then the real fireworks are next week: in Part 2 we answer some questions with BANANAS facts that will stay burned in your brain until the end of time. Trust me. Rhiannon Kirton: https://twitter.com/rhiannon_kirton https://www.instagram.com/rhi_kirton/ https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/rhiannon-kirton/ Rhiannon Jakopak: https://twitter.com/rhiacoon https://www.instagram.com/rhiacoon/ jakopakresearch.wordpress.com September 14-19: Black Mammalogists Week: https://blackmammalogists.com/ September 20: Free Atlatl Making Workshop by Angelo Robledo: 9/20, 10am-1pm Pacific Time: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqLMRT1PPLslrJyG5srbokkWrof3XFujIDEC2RzzrRaQ4LJA/viewform A donation went to: The American Society of Mammalogists -- Sponsored Membership Fund: https://asm.wildapricot.org/Donate For more links: alieward.com/ologies/cervidology 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 uh...bikinis? 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 Theme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies