
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

91 snips
Oct 31, 2017 • 1h 23min
Thanatology (DEATH & DYING) with Cole Imperi
Hoooo boy. We're all up in death and dying's bizness and to Alie's shock, it's not a bummer. Confront and perhaps OVERCOME existential anxiety as we discuss not only the science of death but the nature and goddamn beauty of life. Everything from burial methods, the latest in eco funerals, what a funeral director hates most, how gnomes die, and how to regret less. Meet your new favorite thanatologist and oddly, get the guts to be the you you want to be.For more on Cole ImperiMore episode resources & linksTees, mugs, totes available at ologiesmerch.comFollow @ologies on Twitter and Instagram Follow @alieward on Twitter and Instagram Support the show on PatreonMusic by Nick ThorburnProduction by Steven Ray Morris

Oct 24, 2017 • 8min
Minisode: Fall Ologies! ... Fallogies?
It's hot and Alie is nostalgic for fall. So here's a mini episode on the world's best autumn ologies to cozy up your week. Considerate blood bats, pumpkin hacks, leaf phenology, and ... Real. Life. ZombiesMore episode info and linksFollow Ologies on Twitter and InstagramShirts, tees, more at OlogiesMerch.comMusic by Nick ThorburnSupport the show on Patreon

16 snips
Oct 18, 2017 • 40min
Horology (WATCHES) with Cameron Weiss
Million-dollar watches, World War II's role in watchmaking, and how much caffeine a watchmaker drinks. Twenty-something horologist Cameron Weiss also dishes about mechanical vs. quartz, little tiny springs, patience, S-Town and the history of timekeeping. Also we address rap lyrics and some existential boolsheet.More info on Cameron's watchesMore episode sources and linksSupport the show on PatreonT-shirts, mugs, etc. at ologiesmerch.comFollow Ologies on Twitter and InstagramMusic by Nick Thorburn

14 snips
Oct 10, 2017 • 56min
Gemology (CRYSTALS & GEMS) with Kelly Sitek
Professional gemologist Kelly Sitek talks about adventures in mining, the chemical composition of different gems, breaks down the test taking process for gemology and gives advice on haunted stones. We also spill some tea on cultured pearls and address the psychology and neurological merits of crystals/the placebo effect. Whether you are a staunch skeptic or all about woo-woo, you may end up shoving a crystal down your pants just for good luck. A.k.a. neural top-down control of physiology.Follow Kelly Sitek on Instagram More episode links and infoFollow Ologies on Twitter and Instagram Shirts, mugs, etc. OlogiesMerch.comSupport the show on Patreon

30 snips
Oct 4, 2017 • 48min
Paleontology (DINOSAURS) with Michael Habib
Did Ross Gellar ruin being a paleontologist? What's the hot goss on dino feathers? How did some dinos have four wings and which costs more: a used sedan or a dinosaur? Featuring guest Michael Habib of the Natural History Museum of LA County. Also covered: why Alie used to feel meh about dinos (DON'T JUDGE) and the realities of cloning. Oh and penis implants.Tees, mugs, totes available at ologiesmerch.comFollow Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow Alie on Twitter and Instagram Support the show on Patreon Music by Nick ThorburnEditing/production by Jason Scardamalia

93 snips
Sep 26, 2017 • 1h 16min
Primatology (MONKEYS & APES) with Kate Gilmore
Settle in with Alie Ward and guest Kate Gilmore, a professional primatologist and lead keeper of the great apes and Old World monkeys at the Los Angeles Zoo. Learn about chimpanzee mating, why zookeepers don't wear FitBits, primate DRAAAMA, the erroneous philosophy behind truck nuts and what happens in the middle the night at the zoo. Also get some good info on primate conservation and how to be a friend to orangutans.More info including links on ape conservationBecome a patron on PatreonShirts now available at OlogiesMerch.comFollow Ologies on Twitter and InstagramMusic by Nick ThorburnMixing and final production by Jason Scardamalia

40 snips
Sep 19, 2017 • 57min
Volcanology (VOLCANOES) with Jess Phoenix
In this first episode of Ologies, Alie Ward chats with volcanologist Jess Phoenix who also happens to be running for Congress. Learn how hot magma is, how volcanoes are formed, how screwed the Pacific Northwest is, what thrills Jess about volcanoes, and what to do if surrounded by horse bandits. Also: some valuable information about haunted lava tubes.Follow Ologies on Instagram and TwitterFollow Jess Phoenix on TwitterMore episode info and linksSupport the show on PatreonMusic by Nick ThorburnProduction by Jason Scardamalia and Steven Ray Morris

Sep 4, 2017 • 5min
Episode 0
Comedy podcaster and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people dumb questions to learn about their professional obsessions.Music: Nick ThorburnProduction: Jason Scardamalia, Dustin Marshall, Steven Ray MorrisFollow @ologies on Instagram and TwitterSupport the show on Patreon