
Ologies with Alie Ward
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.
Latest episodes

Aug 25, 2020 • 1h 7min
Dasyurology (TASMANIAN DEVILS) with Jarrah Dale
Tasmanian devils! Quolls! Carnivores! Wait … what is a quoll? In what will become an instant-favorite new episode, Dasyurologist and Australian critter scientist Jarrah Dale joins from Down-Down Under to discuss his work at Oxford University studying the ecology of misunderstood boofy bush babes. Alie learns about everything from the Tasmanian landscape to Looney Toons to flim flam, karaoke shrieking, wallaby standoffs, the most Australian afternoon ever, Tim Tam slams, moms with the munchies, teat shortages,Tassie tumors that are shrinking populations, and more. Also: Jarrah has perhaps the best laugh ever.Follow Jarrah Dale on Twitter and InstagramA donation went to: Save the Tasmanian Devil Program AppealAs well as Firesticks https://www.firesticks.org.au/donate/For more links: alieward.com/ologies/dasyurologyTranscripts & 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 uh...bikinis? 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 MorrisTheme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Aug 18, 2020 • 1h 21min
Oceanology (THE OCEAN) with Ayana Johnson: Encore Presentation
Ocean and policy expert, Dr. Ayana Johnson, discusses the wonders and challenges of the ocean. From weird ocean trivia to the sad stuff like ocean health, climate change, acidification, and pollution, she provides tools and information to help understand and save our friend, the World Ocean. Topics include coral reefs, sustainable seafood choices, scuba diving vs. snorkeling, the impact of plastic waste, and a garbage gobbling machine called the Trash Wheel.

Aug 11, 2020 • 1h 45min
Experimental Archaeology (OLD TOOLS/ATLATLS) with Angelo Robledo
Spears! Sharp rocks! Ancient blades, bows and arrows and ...atlatls? What’s an atlatl? Experimental Archaeologist and decades-long ancient tool enthusiast Angelo Robledo is as passionate as an ologist can get. You likely have never heard of an atlatl, but by the end of the episode you’ll be carving one out of old lumber. Also covered: early axes, Indigenous traditions of Central and South America, ancient graffiti, tales of field work, archeology heroes, what to do if you find artifacts on a hike, and the physics of how far you can lob ancient weaponry, plus: the World Atlatl Association.
Follow Angelo Robledo at Twitter.com/idigit1st or Instagram.com/idigit1st
Check out the World Atlatl Association at WorldAtlAtl.org
A donation went to Black Trowel Collective:https://blacktrowelcollective.wordpress.com/
Listen to Angelo's podcast, Sample Excavator
Instagram.com/sampleexcavator and Twitter.com/sampleexcavator
For more links: alieward.com/ologies/experimentalarchaeology
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

Aug 4, 2020 • 1h 14min
Toxinology (JELLYFISH VENOM) with Anna Klompen
Jellyfish stings: what are they and why do they hurt? And who studies them? Toxinologist Anna Klompen, that’s who. Speaking from her lab in Kansas, surrounded by jellies, the self-described professional jellyfish nerd invites us into her scientific Polyp Parlor to chat about barbs, neurotoxins, quick sting fixes, panty hose, the deadliest jellies, the harmless ones, pee, her favorite moments in science and the species that have her heart forever. Also: how and why to “find a way.”
Anna Klompen’s jellyfish venom website gelatinoussting.com
Follow her at Twitter.com/gelatinoussting or Instagram.com/gelatinoussting
A donation went to SkypeAScientist.org
Look at this Jelly Cam! https://www.vanaqua.org/visit/live-cams-jelly-cam
Sponsor links: kiwico.com/ologies
For more links: alieward.com/ologies/toxinology
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

Jul 30, 2020 • 1h 31min
Medusology (JELLYFISH) with Rebecca Helm
What even *is* a jellyfish?! How do they eat? What are they made of? Can we eat them? Your new favorite Medusologist, Dr. Rebecca Helm, is a ray of human sunshine in the depths of the deep sea. Truly one of the finest biology conversations you may ever hear. Get ready for PacMan ghosts, pet jellyfish, the biggest and smallest jellies, new band names, live medusas, secret formulas to incite jellyfish puberty, and the lengths that she will go to to see a jelly bloom. And next week, your ears will fill with Toxinology as we explore jellyfish VENOM. Duck into the Polyp Parlor; this is a duo not to be missed.
Dr. Rebecca Helm’s Jellyfish Blog and website: https://jellybiologist.com/
Follow her at Twitter.com/rebeccarhelm or twitter.com/rebeccarhelm
A donation went to The Vancouver Aquarium: www.vanaqua.org
Look at their Jelly Cam! https://www.vanaqua.org/visit/live-cams-jelly-cam
Sponsor links: kiwico.com/ologies
For more links: alieward.com/ologies/medusology
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 Thorburn
Support the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Jul 23, 2020 • 35min
Minisode: Listeners Interview Alie
Update! This episode posted on Tuesday per usual, then somehow un-published itself! Weird. Harrumph!
It’s been a rough week for ol' Dadward VonPodcast, including a technical difficulty that left her behind, so she asked listeners if they would rather have a bizzaro minisode that involved a 30-40 minute rant about raw tomatoes or an AMA, and guess what: here’s both, sort of. There was quite a bit of rambling an editing to make it a minisode, but we hope you enjoy.
This is just a weird summer porch hangout, answering your most asked questions about everything from relationships to work process, procrastination, tips to younger selves, potato recipes and more. So sit back and enjoy this, a big glass of lemonade made from the lemons that bonked Alie in the face.
A donation will go to a soon-to-be-announced science grant project.
Sponsor links: hellofresh.com/80ologies; stitchfix.com/ologies
For more links: alieward.com/ologies/aperiology
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

Jul 15, 2020 • 1h 24min
Aperiology (MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY) with Joseph Saunders
Lights! Cameras! Arachnids! And lizards and bees and beetles. Macro photography is like magic: curved glass gives an entirely new take on the world, from dust on a cricket’s brow to a curious mantid stare to the elegant symmetry of spider whiskers. Joseph Saunders is an Oklahoma-based wildlife photographer whose larger-than-life photos of bugs and reptiles will make you realize just how little we appreciate the creatures on our window sills and skittering up our porches. We talk shop about cameras, bug hunts, lenses, patience, Moth Week, BlackAFinSTEM, and also getting into nature with different mobility concerns. Alie is a shameless, rabid fan of Joseph and asked Patrons to help concoct an -ology to describe the art + science of his macro photography. Aperiology now exists to describe the tiny aperture used to keep these creatures in focus, and the huge world it opens up to us.
Support Joseph’s photography at Patreon.com/jdmonroe
Joseph’s website: https://paraherpetologica.com/
Follow Joseph at www.instagram.com/reelsonwheels
Follow him at Twitter.com/jdmonroe210 or twitter.com/BlackAFinSTEM
A donation went to the American Chronic Pain Association: www.theacpa.org/
Sponsor links: kiwico.com/ologies;
For more links: alieward.com/ologies/aperiology
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

Jul 8, 2020 • 1h 8min
Agnotology (IGNORANCE) with Robert Proctor
Dr. Robert Proctor, a Stanford professor and co-editor of "Agnotology: The Making & Unmaking of Ignorance," explores the roots of willful ignorance and misinformation. He discusses the harmful effects of tobacco marketing and the sugar lobby, as well as the psychology behind movements like Flat Earthers. Proctor emphasizes the need for empathy in navigating difficult conversations about climate change and racism. He encourages listeners to confront ignorance in the digital age and advocate for societal change through awareness and education.

Jun 30, 2020 • 1h 13min
Bryology (MOSS) with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer
An instant classic. You’ll listen on repeat as world-renowned author, botanist, Indigenous ecology professor and bryologist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer talks about her passion for moss. Cozy up for the most beautifully doled-out information about hidden worlds, overlooked mysteries, botanical drama, forests in miniature, Native peoples’ uses for moss and philosophies about science and ecology. Dr. Kimmerer, author of “Gathering Moss” and “Braiding Sweetgrass,” will change the way you see mosses forever, will inspire you to wear a loupe on a rope, and will soothe your soul with her beautiful voice and prose. Also bathmats, lawns and smoothies made of moss? We discuss.
Follow Dr. Kimmerer at facebook.com/braidingsweetgrass
Look for her books at independent bookstores or wherever books are sold (including Amazon): “Braiding Sweetgrass” and “Gathering Moss”
Donations went to the ESF’s Center for Native Peoples and the Environment and American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Sponsor links: kiwico.com/ologies; hellotushy.com/ologies
More links at alieward.com/ologies/bryology
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

Jun 23, 2020 • 57min
Neuroendocrinology (SEX & GENDER) Part 2 with Daniel Pfau
The wonderful neuroscientist and endocrinology researcher Dr. Daniel Pfau is back for Part 2 to answer listener mail about how hormones affect our moods, the variation of gender expression, queer lizards, how a strict gender binary is harmful to entire populations, hormone replacement therapy, hormones in sports, gender dysphoria, additional info on the Gender Unicorn and more. They remain just charming and kind and this episode will help you further understand just how many ways there are to be human. Also: it’s okay to take a mental health day once in a while.
Follow Dr. Daniel Pfau at Twitter.com/endokweer
A donation went to MarshaP.org
Sponsor links: HelloFresh.com/ologies60; Behr.com/express; LinkedIn.com/ologies
More links at alieward.com/ologies/Neuroendocrinology
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 STIIIICKERS!
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