
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

Jun 16, 2020 • 1h 10min
Neuroendocrinology (SEX & GENDER) Part 1 with Daniel Pfau
How many genders are there? How do you know if you’re queer? Is sexual orientation biological, and if so, how? The amazing Michigan State University neuroscientist and endocrinology researcher Dr. Daniel Pfau joins to share their path in academia finding the perfect research, understanding their own genderqueer identity, what animals in nature exhibit queer behavior, how hormones influence the brain, how important it was for them to find community and why the gender binary isn’t a good fit for a lot of people. They are just charming and kind and wonderful and this episode will help you understand just how many ways there are to be human. Also: smitten meadow mice, Gender Unicorns and Alie as a lion. Happy Pride, y’all.
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

Jun 10, 2020 • 1h 10min
Very Special Episode: BlackAFinSTEM with various Ologists
The most ologists in one Ologies. And maybe my favorite episode ever. #BlackBirdersWeek was such a force that we wanted to keep the energy going by spotlighting not one, but 30 ologists. You’re about to meet 30 new science heroes who are @BlackAFinSTEM and chatting about electric fish snouts, urban birds, falcons, lizards, crocodiles, economics, carnivores, sea turtles, porcupine noses, butt breathing, Ivory Towers, microaggressions, and how being an ally is a learning process we can all get better at. Walk side by side through life as a Black academic and hear their tips to best support them as well as guidance to Black students. Follow and fawn over your 30 glorious new nerd friends.
Follow all of the wonderful people you just heard on Twitter, on this list:
https://twitter.com/i/lists/1270585769720078336?s=20
Follow Joseph Saunder’s gorgeous macro photography
Instagram.com/reelsonwheels
Follow BlackAFinSTEM at Twitter.com/BlackAFinSTEM and Instagram.com/BlackAFinSTEM
A donation will be made to BlackAFinSTEM
Donate to individual members of BlackAFinSTEM
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ib6EvgCV0xn8iBpAX8kA6BZWxgcvofVEZTqU-Xh1bCU/edit
Hiring a wildlife biologist? Reach out to Twitter.com/bellzisbirding
More links at alieward.com/ologies/BlackAFinSTEM
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

Jun 4, 2020 • 1h 8min
Pelicanology (PELICANS) with Juita Martinez
Pelicanologist Juita Martinez shares fieldwork stories, discusses birding, Black Birders Week, pelican behavior & conservation, river rescue mishaps, advocating for inclusivity in outdoor spaces, educational projects for kids, and the fascinating world of pelicans.

May 26, 2020 • 1h 33min
Oikology (DECLUTTERING) with Jamie & Filip Hord + Joe Ferrari
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 episode 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 Hoard 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.
Follow Jamie and Filip Hord at Instagram.com/horderly or at horderly.com
Listen to Dr. Ferrari in the Volitional Psychology (Procrastination) episode and check out his book, “Still Procrastinating?”
A donation went to DressforSuccess.org and challengingdisorganization.org
More links at alieward.com/ologies/oikology
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

May 20, 2020 • 1h 1min
Planariology (VERY COOL WORMS, I PROMISE) with Oné Pagán
Who cares about flatworms? Guess what: you do. Planarian expert Dr. Oné Pagán shares his infectious enthusiasm for the teeny tiny ribbons of flesh that are helping scientists understand addiction, limb regeneration, stem cells, immortality and maybe aliens though probably not aliens. You’re about to be obsessed. We discuss where to find planarians, serendipitous science, taking risks in life, how these worms regrow themselves when they are cut into 279 pieces, marine flatworms, penis fencing, multipurpose mouth tubes, the Unabomber and more. Dr. Pagán is a gem of a human and you’re about to be smitten with flatworms. And him. Trust me.
Follow Dr. Oné Pagán at Twitter.com/baldscientist or check out his blog at baldscientist.wordpress.com
His book, “The First Brain”
A donation went to NoKidHungry.org
More links at alieward.com/ologies/planariology
Song at the end is: 9 Animal Phyla Song
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

May 12, 2020 • 1h 9min
Coronasode: Virology Update (COVID-19) with Shannon Bennett & Mike Natter
What kind of masks should you wear? How many people have had COVID-19 and don’t know? Do antibody tests work? When will we have a vaccine? Is it okay to picnic? Will there be a second wave? You need updates and we’ve got ologists. The wonderful Dr. Shannon Bennett from the first Virology episode joins us again, as well as New York City physician Dr. Mike Natter from the Diabetology episode. These two warm, informed professions dispel rumors, explain what life has been like on the front lines, address medications, describe new symptoms, “proning,” rates of asymptomatic folks, where to wear a mask, how to use gloves and whether or not the balcony saucepan symphonies at 7pm every night delight or annoy them. We’re in this for the long haul folks, but we’ve got each other.
Follow Dr. Mike Natter at Instagram.com/mike.natter or Twitter.com/mike_natter
Dr. Shannon Bennett at twitter.com/microbeexplorer and Instagram.com/microbeexplorer
Donations went to Food Bank for New York and California Academy of Sciences
Check out the podcast Science Vs.
More Ologies Coronasodes: Virology, All (Washed) Hands on Deck
More links at alieward.com/ologies/virology2
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

May 5, 2020 • 1h 11min
Architectural Technology (COMPUTER PROGRAMMING) with Iddris Sandu
Iddris Sandu is only 22, but his life story is 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. We talk coding, web design, holograms, and how programming works and what languages should you learn and why it's important. The designer and entrepreneur also shares his creative process, favorite programming languages, philosophies on future technology and why empathy matters in life and in design. He’s a true inspiration and Alie shamelessly begged him for life advice. Bonus: this one is pretty kid-friendly so spread it around to anyone who needs a new hero.To see some of Iddris’s work, check out www.slabs.oneFollow him at Instagram.com/IddrisSandu and Twitter.com/Iddris_SanduSponsor links: thegreatcoursesplus.com/OLOGIESMore links at alieward.com/ologies/architecturaltechnologyTranscripts & 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 MorrisTheme song by Nick ThorburnSupport the show: http://Patreon.com/ologies

Apr 28, 2020 • 1h 32min
Nassology (TAXIDERMY) with Allis Markham
Glass eyes! Pelts! Antlers! Hides! Bones! Tanning! Hilarious, charming and globally celebrated taxidermist Allis Markham chats about her passion for preserving animals for museums and institutions. She’s won multiple awards for her artful poses and meticulous work as an ethical taxidermist. With her flair for vintage styling, is perhaps the most elegant badass on planet Earth. Learn the process of making museum taxidermy, her favorite pieces she’s ever made, the best diorama halls, how to DIY it at home, the dos and don’ts of picking up roadkill, why she’s not a fan of 'crap taxidermy' and if ...humans could theoretically be ... stuffed. She is a living dream, this woman.
To learn more about Allis and her work, see PreyTaxidermy.com
Follow Allis Markham at Instagram.com/allis and Twitter.com/allismarkham
A donation went to ConservationAmbassadors.org
Sponsor links: kiwico.com/OLOGIES; StitchFix.com/OLOGIES; 1-800 Contacts (1-800-266-8228) or 1800contacts.com
More links at alieward.com/ologies/nassology
“Stuffed” documentary!
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

7 snips
Apr 21, 2020 • 59min
Penguinology (PENGUINS) with Tom Hart
Renown Penguinologist Dr. Tom Hart, a research fellow with Oxford University, talks about life on Antarctica, counting penguin colonies, their behaviors, and why he thinks penguins are stoic and majestic. They also discuss penguins' smell, flippers vs. wings, monogamy, and the origin of the word 'penguin'.

Apr 14, 2020 • 1h 28min
Gastroegyptology (BREAD BAKING) with Seamus Blackley
Sourdough starters! Ancient yeasts! Why we need/knead dough! And why you don't need to buy a starter to start. Polymath, particle physicist, inventor of the Xbox, and truly delightful fermentation nerd Seamus Blackley joins to chat about his kitchen adventures resurrecting dormant yeasts from 4,000 Egyptian baking vessels, plus wild yeasts, the infuriating myth of “yeast scarcity,” the beauty of everyday objects, the debt we owe our ancestors, the joy of getting to know your dough plus tons of tips for newbie and experienced bakers. The first half is all about the history of baking and yeasts and some hot Egyptian gossip, then we roll up our sleeves in the second half for how-tos. Forward this episode to anyone who bakes, who wants to bake, who lovingly feeds their jar of yeasts, who is intimidated by it or who just needs a lesson on how to slow down and enjoy the dormancy period we’re in right now. This episode’s got it all. Including some truly shameless bread puns.
Follow Seamus @SeamusBlackley and here’s one recipe tutorial megathread: https://twitter.com/SeamusBlackley/status/1135328857660305408
Follow: Egyptologist Dr. Serena Love, microbiologist Richard Bowman @RBowman1234
and the coiner of “Gastroegyptology,” Kieran Donnachie
A donation went to Boys and Girls Clubs of America: https://www.bgca.org
Sponsor links: Sakara.com/ologies; Kiwico.com/ologies
More links at alieward.com/ologies/gastroegyptology
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