Bonus Episode: How to Beat Perfectionism and Make a Quilt
March 5, 2026
Quilting advice from listeners focuses heavily on overcoming perfectionism by starting small, embracing imperfections, and utilizing secondhand materials to reduce consumption.
ENCORE Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?) with Adam Becker
March 4, 2026
Quantum Ontology is the study of what quantum physics tells us about the fundamental nature of being, which remains unclear despite the theory being nearly a century old.
Culcitology (QUILTS) with Luke Haynes, Olivia Joseph, and Joe Cunningham
February 26, 2026
A quilt is technically defined as three layers—a quilt top, batting, and a backing—held together by quilting stitches, distinguishing it from a simple bedspread.
Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES) with Ted Stankowich
February 19, 2026
Mammals with more elaborate morphological defenses, such as armor or spines, tend to have relatively smaller brain sizes due to energetic trade-offs.
Bonus Episode: ICYMI Moments of 2025 with newly beloved Ologists
February 17, 2026
Dog paw odor, often described as smelling like corn chips or Fritos, is caused by a combination of *
Venereology (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS) with Ina Park
February 11, 2026
The terminology shift from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) reflects the scientific understanding that many infections are asymptomatic and do not cause disease.
Genealogy (FAMILY TREES) Encore with Stephen Hands
February 4, 2026
Genealogy research, especially before digitization, heavily relied on 'old school' methods like visiting physical archives to examine microfiche and paper records, such as the National Archives in Seattle for Pacific Northwest history.
Asinology (DONKEYS) with Faith Burden
January 28, 2026
Donkeys are highly intelligent, thoughtful animals whose perceived stubbornness stems from an evolutionary adaptation to freeze or fight rather than flee danger, unlike horses.
Paleohistology (WHY TEETH EXIST) with Yara Haridy
January 21, 2026
The earliest mineralized structures resembling teeth, called odontodes, appeared on the outside of fish scales and dermal bone around 455 million years ago, long before they were located inside the mouth.
Marmotology (GROUNDHOGS) with Daniel Blumstein
January 14, 2026
Groundhogs are one of 15 species of marmots, which are the largest true hibernators known to actively suppress their metabolism and temperature during torpor.
Venusology (VENUS) with Vicki Hansen
January 7, 2026
Venus is a crucial comparative planet for understanding Earth's early history because it is similar in size and density but lacks plate tectonics, preserving a geological 'baby book' that Earth's active tectonics have destroyed.
Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 2 Encore with How to ADHD, Black Girl Lost Keys, Jahla Osborne + more
December 31, 2025
The spike in recent ADHD diagnoses is partly due to increased mental health awareness and the fact that societal demands, especially during the pandemic, overwhelmed existing coping mechanisms for many previously undiagnosed individuals.
Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 Encore with Russell Barkley
December 24, 2025
ADHD is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder, not just a quirk, linked to a significant reduction in estimated life expectancy due to increased risk of accidental death and suicide.
Ornithorhynchology (PLATYPUSES) with Tahneal Hawke
December 18, 2025
The platypus's bill is a highly sensitive organ containing 50,000 electroreceptors and mechanoreceptors, allowing it to hunt prey underwater with its eyes and ears closed.
Bonus Episode: Nutritional Microbiology (GUT HEALTH & DIET) with Miguel Freitas and Elaine Hsiao
December 15, 2025
The scientific understanding of the gut microbiome has shifted from questioning *
Astrobromatology (SPACE FOOD) with Maggie Coblentz
December 10, 2025
The field of Astrobromatology, or space food, is an interdisciplinary endeavor where design and science intersect to address the unique challenges of human sustenance in zero gravity.
Pteridology (FERNS) with Fay-Wei Li
December 3, 2025
Ferns are uniquely defined by their two independent generations: the diploid sporophyte (the visible fern) and the tiny, heart-shaped, free-living haploid gametophyte, which is where sexual reproduction occurs.
NEW 2025 Interview: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) Part 2 with Dirk Moses
November 27, 2025
Many scholars observe a transition in the conflict in Gaza from a military objective (neutralizing Hamas) to a genocidal objective (destruction of Palestinian society), though the exact timing of this shift is debated.
Bisonology (BUFFALO) Encore with various bisonologists
November 19, 2025
The terms "bison" and "buffalo" are largely interchangeable when referring to the North American species, though taxonomically, "bison" is preferred by scientists like Dr. Ken Cannon.
Strigiformology (OWLS) Part 2 with R. J. Gutiérrez
November 13, 2025
Owls possess a reversible outer toe allowing for a secure 2-2 or 3-1 talon configuration, and talon size is adapted to the typical prey size of the species.
Strigiformology (OWLS) Part 1 with R.J. Gutiérrez
November 5, 2025
Owls possess a triangular skull structure, with their perceived round head shape being an illusion created by large, fixed, tubular eyes held in place by a bony scleral ring, and a large, feathery facial disc.
Historical Toxicology (OLD TIMEY POISONS) with Deborah Blum
October 29, 2025
The terms "toxin" and "poison" are not interchangeable, as toxins generally refer to plant or naturally occurring poisons, while metallic poisons like arsenic are chemically distinct.
Critical Ponerology (WHAT IS “EVIL”?) with Kenneth MacKendrick
October 22, 2025
Critical Ponerology, as studied by Dr. Kenneth MacKendrick, focuses less on the existential reality of evil and more on how humans use the *
Bonus Episode: COCKROACH MILK with Joshua Benoit and Sinead English
October 20, 2025
The Pacific beetle roach (*
Blattodeology (YES, COCKROACHES) with Dominic Evangelista
October 15, 2025
Termites are scientifically classified as eusocial cockroaches, representing a highly organized subgroup within the order Blattodea.
Haunted Hydrology (SPOOKY LAKES) with Geo Rutherford
October 8, 2025
A lake is defined simply as a body of water surrounded by land, meaning technically large salty bodies like the Caspian Sea qualify as lakes, and the fate of evaporating salty lakes like the Great Salt Lake and Salton Sea is to become toxic salt flats.
Serpopsychology (WHAT’S CREEPY?) with Frank McAndrew
October 1, 2025
Creepiness is fundamentally defined by uncertainty and ambiguity, acting as a precursor to fear where the brain is hyper-vigilant trying to determine if a situation or person presents a threat.
Revolutionology (REBELLIONS & SOCIAL CHANGE) with Jack Goldstone
September 24, 2025
Revolutions are complex processes driven by a combination of sustained mass mobilization and a government's loss of support from its elites, particularly the military, rather than solely by widespread public suffering.
Human Technomorphology (SWAPPING OUT BODY PARTS) with Mary Roach
September 17, 2025
Mary Roach's book writing process often begins with a compelling "nugget" or anecdote, around which she then builds the larger narrative, as exemplified by the "video toilet" leading to "Packing for Mars."
Ceramology (POTTERY) with Potted History’s Graham Taylor & Sarah Lord Taylor
September 10, 2025
Ceramics, encompassing pottery and glass, are defined by their inorganic, non-metallic nature, molded and hardened at high temperatures, with clay's unique platelet structure enabling its malleability.