Ologies with Alie Ward

By: Alie Ward
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    2024 Alie Ward
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Science Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Erethizonology (PORCUPINES) with Tim Bean

    Erethizonology (PORCUPINES) with Tim Bean
    Feb 19 2025

    Barbs. Grunts. Bone caves. Dogs who got too close. We got porcupines, folks. Dr. Tim Bean of Cal Poly is as charming an ologist you can get, fielding questions about porcupine squeaks, stanks, cartoonish noses, and some romantic gestures that will leave you wanting to bleach your brain. We also cover counting quills, male models, flim-flam about quill removal, how to spot a porcupine in the wild, how to gently detain one for research, and so much more. An absolute instant classic.

    Follow Dr. Bean on Google Scholar and visit the Bean Lab website

    A donation went to NAFWS: Native American Fish & Wildlife Society

    More episode sources and links

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Castorology (BEAVERS), Lepidopterology (BUTTERFLIES), Ethnocynology (ANCIENT DOGS AND HUMANS), Lupinology (WOLVES), Road Ecology (ROAD KILL)

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

    OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

    Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

    Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

    Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

    Managing Director: Susan Hale

    Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

    Transcripts by Aveline Malek

    Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

    Theme song by Nick Thorburn
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) Updated Encore with Dr. Robert Proctor

    Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) Updated Encore with Dr. Robert Proctor
    Feb 12 2025
    Yes, there is an -ology for that. And yes, we’re airing this episode -– with a ton of 2025 updates -– because it’s never felt more relevant. Dr. Robert Proctor is a Stanford professor of the History of Science and co-edited the book “Agnotology: The Making & Unmaking of Ignorance,” having coined the word 30 years ago. We chat about everything from tobacco marketing, to the sugar lobby, to racial injustice, horse vision, the psychology of the Flat Earther movement, which countries have the highest rates of climate denial, empathy, how to navigate difficult conversations and why it's critical to dismantle the systems of willful ignorance, starting locally. Dr. Robert Proctor’s book: "Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance"His 2021 book: Science and the Production of Ignorance: When the Quest for Knowledge Is Thwarted.Donations in Dr. Proctor’s name went to: SavingBlackLives.org and the Public Health Advocacy InstituteAn additional donation went to The National Black Law Students AssociationMore episode sources and links, including info on Federal WorkersSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesOther episodes you may “enjoy”: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY), Attention Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Disasterology (DISASTERS), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Phenology (FALL/SEASONS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Selenology (THE MOON), Gemology (STONES & GEMS), Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION), Neurotechnology (AI + BRAIN TECH), Pedagogology (SCIENCE COMMUNICATION) with Bill Nye, Vaccine Infodemiology (COVID-19 IMMUNITY),Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram and BlueskyFollow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTokEditing by Steven Ray Morris and Jarrett Sleeper of Mindjam MediaEncore editing by Jake Chaffee and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio ProductionsAdditional encore producing by Mercedes MaitlandManaging Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Hippopotomology (HIPPOS) with Rebecca Lewison

    Hippopotomology (HIPPOS) with Rebecca Lewison
    Feb 5 2025

    Do they sweat blood? Will one kill you? What are cocaine hippos? Is Moo Deng… okay? Actual real life Hippopotomologist Dr. Rebecca Lewison explains how hippos have some of the best – and worst – PR. We chat about pet hippos, subspecies, daily diets, the current state of hippo conservation, the absolute chaotic affection we have for pygmy hippos, their role as ecosystem engineers, what’s up with their nostrils, and how to keep a hippo in your pocket. Also: how to flatter your friends into planning a group vacation.

    Visit the Lewison Lab at SDSU and follow Dr. Lewison on Google Scholar

    A donation went to The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS)

    More episode sources and links

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Pinnipedology (SEALS & WALRUSES), Wildlife Ecology (FIELDWORK), Cucurbitology (PUMPKINS), Culicidology (MOSQUITOES), Scatology (POOP), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING)

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

    OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

    Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

    Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

    Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

    Managing Director: Susan Hale

    Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

    Transcripts by Aveline Malek

    Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

    Theme song by Nick Thorburn
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins

Featured Article: Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners


Our picks for the best science podcasts run the gamut from general scientific trivia to earth science, outer space, food, plants, the human body, and much more. They're all accessible—any listener can learn about scientific history, breaking science news, and visions for the future from these shows, which often feature interviews with a variety of interesting experts who provide valuable insight, perspective, context, and clarity.

Featured Article Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners

What listeners say about Ologies with Alie Ward

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Profile Image for M Crow

Love Alie

I first ‘met’ Alie on Forever35 pod and my fav murder pod when they had her share her hometown murder - I gave it a try for the ADHD episode and stuck around! Finally a science pod I enjoy and listen to and the Smologies are really great for the family -a benefit that they’re shorter, hold the kids attention longer and we can generally listen to in one car ride.

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Profile Image for Charity Johnston

love science

Recently discovered podcasts and Ologies, so I'm starting from the beginning. Simply amazing! Love the variety.

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Profile Image for Ali M.

always solid and time well listened

been listening for years - it's a delight to get glimpses into the knowledge of so many different folks who have dedicated precious time and energy to learning about their "thing." easily one of my favorite podcasts

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Profile Image for Ivy Luna

Dad Von Podcast Ward a must have in your earhole

LOVE this podcast. Cannot get enough of each topic. Learning something new in every episode that just blows my mind and great humor. I want all the Ologiest to be my friends and Ali to be my big sister. SMITTEN! Okay Bur bye! :-)

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Profile Image for critical consumer

Fascinating!

Having grown up in Florida, near Marineland in St. Augustine, I love dolphins and this episode touched my inner child's curiosity. Taking the deep dive into this subject brought back memories of summer camps at Marineland, watching the dolphins for hours and imagining their conversations. Marineland is no more and now the dolphin center is focused on education rather than entertainment. These wonderful creatures deserve our respect and yes, they will rule the future water world with Kevin Costner as their court jester!! Thanks for another great interview Alie!

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Profile Image for kortney

this is good for your brain.

over and over again, I share with people the amazing personality and all the information that Allie shares with us. she is such a great conduit of information.
My favorite part. another thing I learned over and over again is you don't always know where you are going to end up and to follow your inspiration.
I love when people can't find the worst part about their job.
cup bangs call your crush,we're all going to die anyways.

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Profile Image for Laura Lee Queen Bee 👸🐝

FAVE PODCAST EVER! AND THE HOST...EVEN BETTER!!!

The GOAT podcast for those of us who love to learn, with literally, the BEST host! Everything she says is fun to listen to... she has the greatest sense of humor! A MUST LISTEN for any & everyone!

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Profile Image for Melissa

CANT GET ENOUGH!

I am literally so addicted to this amazing host and her quirky enthusiastic approach to bring all the needed knowledge to the masses! PLEASE keep it up Alie (dad Ward) and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do an episode on Otters and Sloths! its very needed!

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Profile Image for Jessica Trites

Big Brain Life Goals

This Podcast is Big Brain Life Goals. I cannot recommend this podcast enough. Alie is funny, engaging and so refreshing. There are so many different categories to choose from and something for everyone. I think my spouse may divorce me because all I do all day is repeat new things I've learned from this podcast. 110% worth it. Thank you Alie and every amazing scientist on this show!!

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Profile Image for Teresa Friden

Mind blown!

You just proved my kid was right! An aha moment for mom! My kid has anxiety, makes so much more sense now why games are a happy place!

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