Ologies with Alie Ward

What’s inside that boarded up house? Should you explore an abandoned mall? A vacant factory? And how much of an old house ends up in a landfill? The founder of Domicology, Dr. Rex LaMore of Michigan State University’s Center for Community and Economic Development is an expert on these things and answers any possible question you might have, from ghost towns to hidden house notes, arson, recycling wood, stealing metal and how to leave a better housing situation for future generations. Also: whale poltergeists. More about Dr. Rex LaMoreA donation went to the Peace Education CenterI’ll be at Wondercon: Friday March 24, 6pm panelMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Detroitology (DETROIT), Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE), Environmental Toxicology (POISONS), Xylology (LUMBER), Maritime Archaeology (SHIPWRECKS), Raccoonology and Procyonology (RACCOONS), Field Trip: Natural History Museum, Classical Archaeology (ANCIENT ROME), Metropolitan Tombology (PARIS CATACOMBS), Deltiology (POSTCARDS), Ferroequinology (TRAINS), Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION), Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mark David ChristensonTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Ahh, Daylight Savings Time: does it mess up your brain? What time should you go to bed? Are you sleeping enough? Is shift work really that bad? How dark is dark enough? The wonderful and hilarious Dr. Katherine Hatcher got her PhD in hormones, sleep cycles and circadian rhythms, and helps Alie dissect her terrible sleep habits. We also chat about a tiny magical area in our brains that acts as your body's Big Ben. By the end of the episode, you'll be in footie pajamas eager to change your whole life.Follow Katherine Hatcher on TwitterA donation went to the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science at https://www.sacnas.org/Saatva is the exclusive sponsor of this episode! Head to Saatva.com/ologiesMore episode sources & links at alieward.com/ologies/chronobiologyencoreWondercon: Friday March 24, 6pm panelOther episodes you may enjoy: Somnology (SLEEP), Oneirology (DREAMING), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Fearology (FEAR), Thermophysiology (BODY HEAT), Biogerontology (AGING)Transcripts & bleeped episodesSupport Ologies on Patreon for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, 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

Ichthyology is not easy to say, but fish are easy to love. Dr. Chris Thacker will get you so thrilled to stare into a pond or look up pictures of silvery sea serpent-looking fish friends. Hilariously charming fish expert and LA County Natural History Museum Curator of Ichthyology, Dr. Thacker took Alie to a basement full of several million jars of fish to chat about the worst fish husbands, the weirdest mating behaviors, the scariest fish, the nicest fish, the tiniest fish, how they breathe, how you can help reverse global warming, and whether you should pee in wetsuits. I love her so much and so will you. (For the adult version, the full-length episode is linked below.)Follow Dr. Chris Thacker on TwitterFull-length (not classroom-friendly) episode + tons of science linksA donation went to: SeafoodWatch.orgWondercon: Friday March 24, 6pm panelMore Smologies episodes!Other full-length episodes you may enjoy: Oceanology (OCEANS), Cnidariology (CORALS), Environmental Toxicology (POISONS), Selachimorphology (SHARKS), Elasmobranchology (MORE SHARK STORIES)Sponsors of OlogiesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Steven Ray Morris, Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio, and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaMade possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer, Emily White, & Erin TalbertSmologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Why an episode on Detroit?! It’s got a great story. Standalone, this episode is a fascinating look at a metropolis that swelled and thrived during the auto boom, then declined, and is navigating a rocky rebirth of sorts. Aaron Foley was Detroit’s first official City Storyteller and wrote the book “How to Live In Detroit Without Being a Jackass.” I’ve wanted to have him on Ologies for five years, and we finally sat down to talk about MoTown, car culture, square pizza, $1000 houses, gentrification, urban infrastructure, underground salt mines, amusement park slides, Diana Ross, emerging rappers, and the city’s abandonment issues. Stay tuned for the March 21 Domicology episode on how buildings and neighborhoods decay, and what people – and science – can to do about it. Also, if you’re looking for a book to read, I’m loving Aaron’s debut novel, “Boys Come First,” which he describes as “very Black, very gay, and very Detroit.” Visit Aaron Foley’s website and follow him on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok  Buy Aaron’s debut novel: Boys Come FirstBuy Aaron’s non-fiction books: The Detroit Neighborhood Guidebook and How to Live in Detroit Without Being a JackassA donation went to the Detroit Justice CenterMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Domicology (ABANDONED BUILDINGS — out March 21, 2023), Mythology (STORYTELLING), Genealogy (FAMILY TREES), Maritime Archaeology (SHIPWRECKS), Classical Archaeology (ANCIENT ROME),  Metropolitan Tombology (PARIS CATACOMBS), Deltiology (POSTCARDS), Ferroequinology (TRAINS),  Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION), Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS), Meteorology (WEATHER & CLIMATE), Melaninology (SKIN/HAIR PIGMENT), Futurology (THE FUTURE)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

I’m at the airport and there are hundreds of brain scientists everywhere. So I swallowed my dignity/anxiety and approached strangers about the neuroscience they do. The result is a bushel of info on cravings, sleep, consciousness, addiction, dopamine, monogamy, Ozempic, toxins in your brain and so much more with: Georgia Kirkpatrick, Isabella Montana, Dr. Marissa Co, Chancey Garrett, Noah Millman, Pique Choi, Dr. Barbara Sorg and Elizabeth Plunk. Oops, we just made a bunch of new friends. All thanks to poster tubes, a.k.a: nerdurdurs. A donation went to the Society for Neuroscience at SFN.orgMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Environmental Toxicology (POISONS + TRAIN DERAILMENT), Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS), Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS), Somnology (SLEEP), Traumatology (PTSD), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Oneirology (DREAMS), Personality Psychology (PERSONALITIES), Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Forensic Ecology (NATURE DETECTIVE), Oceanology (OCEANS), Environmental Microbiology (TESTING WASTEWATER)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Chemical spills, historical disasters, water quality, airborne toxic events, clear gasses, White Noise, dead fish, dark clouds, chemistry tests, trench coats, PFAS, phthalates, and the Ohio train derailment that plumed vinyl chloride into the skies of a small Ohio town. The lovely and informative Environmental Toxicologist Dr. Kimberly K. Garrett works at the intersection of chemical safety, public health and environmental justice — and she has cool science tattoos. Also: should I burn incense all the time? Visit Dr. Kimberly K. Garrett’s website and follow her on TwitterA donation went to Group Against Smog & Pollution (GASP)Follow GASP on TwitterMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Forensic Ecology (NATURE DETECTIVE), Oceanology (OCEANS), Meteorology (WEATHER & CLIMATE), Melaninology (SKIN/HAIR PIGMENT), Environmental Microbiology (TESTING WASTEWATER), Secrets, Advice + AMA (LANTERNS, ETC.)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Skin color! Hair texture! Biological anthropology! The incredibly informed and infectiously funny Dr. Tina Lasisi joins to chat sunscreen, ashiness, redheads, light skin, dark skin, in-between skin, beards, UVAs, UVBs, shower habits, cultural colloquialisms, vitiligo, melasma, medical math, ocher, freckles and more. Dr. Lasisi is about to become your new favorite science communication and internet friend. Also: sunscreen, people. Follow Dr. Tina Lasisi on Instagram, TikTok, and TwitterVisit Dr. Lasisi’s websiteA donation went to The Fieldwork InitiativeMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Plumology (FEATHERS), Nephrology (KIDNEYS), Trichology (HAIR),  Cnidariology (CORAL), Kalology (BEAUTY STANDARDS), Scotohylology (DARK MATTER)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions  and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

It’s invisible. It’s mysterious. It’s all around us – and no one knows what it is. Let’s have a fun existential crisis by pondering Dark Matter! The world’s most affable and endearing theoretical particle physicist, Dr. Flip Tanedo of UC Riverside, makes the Large Hadron Collider, Higgs bosons, and neutrinos make sense. Also: Star Trek, space ghosts, vintage insults, supernovas and more. You’ll leave with a newfound wonder and the desire to read physics journals for the secrets of life.Follow Dr. Tanedo on TwitterHis website: Particle.ucr.eduDonations went to: The Point Foundation & Feeding America: Riverside & San BernardinoMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Cosmology (THE UNIVERSE), Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Selenology (THE MOON), Areology (MARS), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Astrobiology (ALIENS), UFOlogy (UNEXPLAINED AERIAL PHENOMENA), Space Archeology (SPACE JUNK)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media, and Mark David ChristensonTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Part 2 is here! Pull up a seat for singing techniques, baby talk, baritones, whistle notes, stroke recovery, vibrato, Julie Andrews, crying jags, throat singing, accents and much more with your new favorite Laryngologist, Dr. Ronda Alexander. We just… we love her so much. Listen to Laryngology Part 1 here Follow Dr. Alexander on Instagram and TwitterA donation went to Myeloma.org and to the Laryngology Education Foundation Health Equity Grant via this linkMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: ADHD Part 1 & Part 2,  Phonology (LINGUISTICS), Rhinology (NOSES), Neuroendocrinology (SEX & GENDER), Gynecology (NETHER HEATH), Urology (CROTCH PARTS, Phallology (PENISES), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Hematology (BLOOD)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media, and Mark David ChristensonTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick ThorburnHPV Vaccine Ditty Remix on SHORT Notice by the Extremely Talented Jason Scardamalia

Voices! Singing! Anxiety busters! Breathing! The absolutely magnetic, charismatic Laryngologist and surgeon Dr. Ronda Alexander makes her long-awaited Ologies debut to chat about why we sound the way we do, hormones and voices, Elvis accents, opera singing, kid voices, turning back time vocally, coughing, sleep apnea, acid reflux, vocal fry, Mariah and more in this stellar two-parter. Come back next week when we answer so many burning questions.Follow Dr. Alexander on Instagram and TwitterA donation went to the Laryngology Education Foundation Health Equity Grant via this linkMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Phonology (LINGUISTICS), Rhinology (NOSES), Neuroendocrinology (SEX & GENDER), Gynecology (NETHER HEATH), Urology (CROTCH PARTS), , Phallology (PENISES), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Hematology (BLOOD)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media, and Mark David ChristensonTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick ThorburnHPV Vaccine Ditty Remix on SHORT Notice by the Extremely Talented Jason Scardamalia

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.2023 CALENDARS ARE FOR SALESupport Joseph’s photography on PatreonVisit Joseph’s website and follow him on Instagram and TwitterA donation went to the American Chronic Pain AssociationFor more links: alieward.com/ologies/aperiologySponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Part 2 is here: Lucid dreaming! Teeth falling out! Medications and dreaming! The source of creativity! Even how to clean your brain. Dr. G. William Domhoff has studied dreams for decades and returns to answer an absolute deluge of questions with his wisdom and aplomb. By the end, you’ll know to sleep better, why it’s important, how to relax like a fish, if cheese alters your subconscious, why your dog flaps their paws during naps, and rejoice about a freshly discovered part of the brain. Ooooh, it’s an instant classic.Dr. G. William Domhoff’s book: The Neurocognitive Theory of DreamingHis website: dreambank.netThis episode is wonderfully sponsored by Saatva.com/ologiesDonation will be made to Worldwide Indigenous Science Network and toward dream research at UC Santa Cruz More episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Somnology (SLEEP), Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS), Personality Psychology (PERSONALITY), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 and Part 2, Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Dendrology (TREES), Thermophysiology (BODY HEAT), Ursinology (BEARS), Cicadology (CICADAS), Opposumology (O/POSSUMS), Chiropterology (BATS)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

WHY do we dream? What do dreams mean? What parts of our brain are working after-hours? We sought out UC Santa Cruz researcher and professor Dr. G. William Domhoff, a world expert on the topic, for this dream-come-true episode. Learn about historical dream research, dream researchers collect dream reports, how neurodivergence affects dreaming, why you should set an alarm to go to bed, how remembering dreams can help solve problems, and more about REM myths! We’ll be back next week to answer all your questions and dig even deeper. Also teeth dreams: WHY. Dr. G. William Domhoff’s book: The Neurocognitive Theory of DreamingHis website: Dreamresearch.netThis episode is wonderfully sponsored by Saatva.com/ologiesA donation will be made toward dream research at UC Santa Cruz More episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Somnology (SLEEP), Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS), Personality Psychology (PERSONALITY), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 and Part 2, Eudemonology (HAPPINESS)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

It’s a weird rambling bonus episode for the lonely week between the holidays and New Years! I thought I’d serve up a mellow hang full of secrets, a retrospective of the things that kept me relatively sane this past year, life hacks, science-backed ways to improve your mood, and a jaunty Q&A from Patrons. It’s not a normal episode, but just a little hello and check-in from your internet dad. Happy 2023, kiddos. Be good to yourself. Follow Alie’s TikTok: A donation went to the Trevor ProjectMore episode sources and links: alieward.com/ologies/bonusama"It's Okay to Be Tired" by Jarrett SleeperOther episodes you may enjoy: Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Awesomeology (GRATITUDE FOR LITTLE THINGS), Field Trip: How to Change Your Life Via the Natural History Museum, Field Trip: I Go France and Learn Weird France Stuff, Life Advice: For anyone who is tired, 100th Episode: Best Advice I’ve gotten from OlogistsSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Another G-rated edit of a classic! This Smologies with Dr. John McCormack of Occidental College is all about evolution, Darwinism, birds, bacteria, natural selection and how our mutations can be our greatest strengths. Also: breaking down terms like genetic drift and Linnaean taxonomy and why Charles Darwin had to face haters under his own roof. (For the adult version, the full-length episode is linked below.)Follow John McCormack on Twitter or the Moore Lab of Zoology on InstagramFull length (not classroom-friendly) episode + tons of science links hereA donation went to: BirdNet.orgMore Smologies episodes! Other full-length episodes you may enjoy: Condorology (CONDORS), Primatology (MONKEYS & APES), Gorillaology (GORILLAS), Ornithology (BIRDS)Sponsors of OlogiesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Steven Ray Morris, Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio, and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaMade possible by work from Noel Dilworth, Susan Hale, Kelly R. Dwyer, Emily White, & Erin TalbertSmologies theme song by Harold Malcolm

Very special episode for a very special cat. The day after the legendary Los Angeles mountain lion P-22 took his last breath, we talked with Natural History Museum wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana about his decade-long study of P-22 after discovering him in Griffith Park. Beth Pratt of #SaveLACougars and the National Wildlife Federation also shares how P-22 fueled her passion for saving this species from extinction — and we hear what one animal meant to millions of Angelenos. Learn all about how a cougar got into a city park, how he survived the journey from home, what he ate, how he captivated the world and how he changed the way  we see urban wildlife. Also: the circumstances that led to his death this week, and the legacy he leaves. This one means a lot to us, so share it if you can. Visit Beth Pratt’s website and follow her on Instagram and TwitterFollow P-22 on InstagramFollow Miguel Ordeñana on InstagramA donation went to the National Wildlife Federation #SaveLACougarsMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Felinology (CATS), Procyonology (RACCOONS), Raccoonology (PROCYANIDS), Cervidology (DEER), Field Trip: How to Change Your Life Via the Natural History Museum, Aperiology (MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Bomb cyclones! Polar vortices! Atmospheric rivers! And rained out barbecues. One of the world’s leading Meteorologists, Dr. Marshall Shepherd – a former NASA scientist and current Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia – is here to field a downpour of questions. We chat about percentages in forecasts, hail, sleet, storm chasing, heatwaves, fluid dynamics, TV weather people, climate change delayism and his favorite weather-themed movies. Also: what not to do with a weather balloon. Follow Dr. Shepherd on Twitter, Instagram or TikTokHis website: http://www.drmarshallshepherd.com/His podcast: Weather GeeksA donation went to: Institute for Sustainable Communities at sustain.orgMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Fulminology (LIGHTNING), Nephology (CLOUDS), Snow Hydrology (SNOW/AVALANCHES), Cryoseismology (ICEQUAKES), Astrobiology (ALIENS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Phenology (FALL/SEASONS), Spesh Ep: Drawdown Design ProjectSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and engineering by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Crosswords! Puzzles! Wordles! Magic? Ah yes, world-renowned Enigmatologist David Kwong drops in to chat about the intersection of sleight of hand and brain games, covering everything from Scrabble strategies to how to get away with a surprise party unsuspected. Also: crosswords and dementia, how puzzles are like hot sauce, a secret group of Hollywood magicians, his most clever clues, cryptic crosswords, international slang, Wordle’s many derivatives, and how to get over your intimidation of all those empty squares. Follow David Kwong on Twitter and Instagram His websiteThe ENIGMAS playing card deck – with puzzles!A donation went to lollipoptheater.orgMore episode sources and linksMore episodes you may enjoy: Etymology (WORD ORIGINS), Mythology (STORYTELLING), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Mark David Christenson & Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

In celebration of Dr. Tom Volk’s life: Mushrooms! Psilocybin! Humongous fungus! Black mold! Foraging! The incredibly charming and warm Dr. Tom Volk, world-renowned mushroom expert, welcomes Alie into his office to dive deep into the underground world of fungal enthusiasts and touch on pathogens and medicinal therapies. Dr. Volk himself was a heart transplant patient, and shared how his life had been changed since a donor saved it. Also: Alie holds his old heart in her hands. Dr. Tom Volk passed away on November 28, 2022 at the age of 63, and this encore is to celebrate his life and his life’s work with you. Dr. Tom Volk's awesome fungus websiteThis week's donations were made to DonateLife.net and The Mycological Society of America and his beloved BlueStars.orgMore episode sources and linksMore episodes you may enjoy: Foraging Ecology (EATING WILD PLANTS) with Alexis Nelson aka @BlackForager, Bryology (MOSS) Encore with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, Cycadology (RARE PLANT DRAMA) with Dr. Nathalie Nagalingum, Dendrology (TREES) with J. Casey Clapp, Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS) with Dr. Crystal DilworthSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray MorrisTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Soil! Dirt! Earth. Dr. Lydia Jennings, aka Native Soil Nerd, breaks down the stuff under our feet and explains everything from mining to why soil can be different colors. Also: medicine from microbes, giving back to the land after extractive processes, collecting samples in urban rivers, elders’ ecological knowledge, planting hot Cheetos, potting soil mysteries, lung fungus, the smell of rain and why gardening makes you happy. Oh and running hundreds of miles for your science. Follow Dr. Lydia Jennings on Twitter @1NativeSoilNerd or on Instagram @llcooljenningsHer website: nativesoilnerd.comDonations went to RisingHearts.org and to Lydia’s film, Will Run for SoilMore episode sources and linksMore episodes you may enjoy: Geology (ROCKS), Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING), Indigenous Fire Ecology (GOOD FIRE), Indigenous Fashionology (NATIVE CLOTHING), Experimental Archeology (OLD TOOLS/ATLATLS), Carnivorous Phytobiology (MEAT-EATING PLANTS), Cycadology (RARE PLANT DRAMA), Bisonology (BUFFALO), Foraging Ecology (EATING WILD PLANTS), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, masks, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Mercedes Maitland & Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam MediaTranscripts by Emily White of The WordaryWebsite by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn