
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

Feb 4, 2020 • 57min
Nephology (CLOUDS) with Rachel Storer
Discover the fascinating world of clouds in this entertaining podcast. Topics include cloud formation, types, storm chasing, unusual formations, cloud seeding, and even cloud tattoos. The hosts also discuss meteorology, language learning apps, multivitamin health hacks, and answer listener questions. Get ready for an engaging and informative episode!

Jan 28, 2020 • 1h 20min
Diabetology (BLOOD SUGAR) Part 2 with Dr. Mike Natter, MD
Join Dr. Mike Natter, a passionate diabetologist advocating for affordable insulin, as he dives into the fascinating world of blood sugar management. He shares eye-opening insights about the cost of insulin, the impact of stress on glucose levels, and the role of diet in diabetes care. Discover the surprising benefits of keeping frosting handy and the emotional connections formed through patient care. Plus, learn about advances in pancreas transplants and the unique alert capabilities of diabetic dogs, making this conversation both informative and entertaining!

Jan 21, 2020 • 59min
Diabetology (BLOOD SUGAR) Part 1 with Dr. Mike Natter, MD
Dr. Mike Natter, a dedicated diabetologist with over 25 years of experience, discusses the fascinating world of blood sugar regulation. He explores how blood sugar affects mood and behavior, the distinctions between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and the ongoing debate between keto and vegan diets. Listeners will enjoy anecdotes about cyborg organs and the emotional impacts of diabetes, along with practical advice for managing relationships with diabetic loved ones. Plus, there's a cheeky nod to celebrity health trends!

Jan 15, 2020 • 1h 32min
Bisonology (BUFFALO) with various bisonologists
Bison bison! Not just something to holler into the sky, but also the scientific name for North America's majestic wild bovines that once roamed the plains in the tens of millions. What's up with their humps? On what occasion do they wear capes? What noises do they make? How many are out there? What are the best ways to help them? In this special episode, you get 4x the usual number of ologists as we talk to archeologist Dr. Ken Cannon, wildlife biologist Dr. Dan McNulty, Alie's cousin Boyd and his wife Lila Evans, of the Blackfeet Tribe, who are bison ranchers based in Northern Montana. Also, once and for all: is it buffalo or bison? And can Alie hug one?A donation went to: InterTribal Bison Council (ITBC)More episode sources & linksSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts & bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTheme song by Nick Thorburn

4 snips
Jan 7, 2020 • 1h 29min
Futurology (THE FUTURE) with Rose Eveleth
Rose Eveleth, a professional futurologist and host of Flash Forward, dives into the fascinating possibilities and challenges of our future. She tackles everything from the ethics of gene editing to the impact of automation on jobs. The conversation also includes engaging insights on the role of sci-fi in shaping societal views and how we can build community resilience in the face of climate change. Despite the dire topics, Rose offers a hopeful perspective on making the future brighter for everyone.

Dec 31, 2019 • 58min
Fearology Pt. 2 (FEAR) with Mary Poffenroth -- Encore Presentation
Mary Poffenroth, a biologist and fear expert, dives deep into the nature of fear, discussing its impact on personal growth and mental health. She shares her own terrifying encounters in the wilderness, highlighting how curiosity often leads to fear. The conversation uncovers fascinating facts about common fears, from snakes in toilets to the effects of stress on skin health. Poffenroth emphasizes that successful people leverage fear for growth and encourages listeners to embrace their anxieties to live richer, fuller lives.

Dec 24, 2019 • 1h 13min
Fearology Pt. 1 (FEAR) with Mary Poffenroth -- Encore Presentation
Mary Poffenroth, a San Jose State University instructor and TEDx speaker, dives deep into fear's biology and sociology. She discusses how our brains react to perceived threats and the crucial difference between stress and fear. Personal anecdotes highlight fear's role in growth and societal isolation. Poffenroth introduces the RIA strategy—Recognize, Identify, Address—to manage fear and explores the interplay between fear and anger in emotional expression. This enlightening conversation empowers listeners to confront fears and cultivate healthier emotional responses.

Dec 18, 2019 • 57min
Audiobook Mixtape: Gift Ideas from the Ologists’ Brains
Need holiday gift ideas? GET BOOKS. This episode is like an audiobook… but also a mixtape? It's got a little bit of everything, from cozy cabin tales to dark caves to our own reflections, how your atoms will be recycled, New Year’s resolutions, cat training, dog rescues, battling past demons, aging, the apocalypse, crime TV and even Egyptian boobytraps. Alie has wanted to deliver excerpts from ologists’ books for over a year but she let them pile up for an even bigger compilation. Consider this like a refresher of some episodes you’ve loved, a teaser for ones you haven’t yet heard, and a sneak preview of books written by the pod’s beloved guests. To get your hands on some of these titles, go to alieward.com/ologies/bookworm for info and links.A donation went to 826LASponsors of OlogiesTranscripts & bleeped episodesSupport Ologies on Patreon for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Dec 10, 2019 • 1h 13min
Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS) with Katherine Hatcher
Katherine Hatcher, a PhD candidate and chronobiologist at the University of Illinois, shares her expertise on circadian rhythms and sleep cycles. She reveals the effects of light exposure on sleep quality and how modern lifestyles disrupt our natural rhythms. Katherine dives into the unique sleeping habits of animals and the impact of shift work on health. She provides insights into managing sleep hygiene and emphasizes the importance of establishing consistent routines for better well-being, encouraging listeners to embrace the power of good sleep.

Dec 3, 2019 • 1h 5min
Phonology (LINGUISTICS) with Nicole Holliday — Encore Presentation
Join Nicole Holliday, an Assistant Professor of Linguistics at Pomona College, as she dives into the fascinating world of phonology. She explores how intonation and pitch shape our identities and relationships, weaving through topics like vocal fry and code switching. Discover the cultural implications of slang, particularly African American Language, and the dynamics of 'Black Twitter.' With humor, they even tackle the debate over the greatest rapper and the social nuances of communication, all while underscoring the importance of linguistic diversity.