
234 episodes

Species mackenmurphy.org
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- Science
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4.8 • 513 Ratings
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"The host, Macken Murphy, is able to condense vast chunks of information into engaging and digestible episodes. Fact-filled and fun."
— The New York Times
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Updates | 1.15.23
I'm extremely busy and, unfortunately, pausing production on Species, at least for most of this month. If you sent me a donation in January and you want a refund, contact me through mackenmurphy.org, and I will be sure to send it back to you. My sincerest apologies.
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Master of Puppets | Dr. Robert Plomin
"DNA isn't all that matters, but it matters more than everything else put together."
—Dr. Robert Plomin
Blueprint: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262039161/blueprint/
Plomin is one of history's most important psychologists and a pioneer in the field of behavioral genetics. He is a research professor at King's College London, best known for his work on twins. In this podcast, Plomin explains how we know that genes impact our behavior, clarifies all the common confusions about the field, and pushes back against some of Macken's criticisms. Enjoy. -
Updates | 12.18.22
TikTok @mackenmurphy: https://www.tiktok.com/@mackenmurphy
YouTube @murphymacken (I would buy the @mackenmurphy handle from you, if you have it): https://www.youtube.com/@murphymacken -
Mimic Octopus
Nature's greatest shapeshifter, the mimic octopus is known for their spectacular impersonations of other species.
Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CrxPPq4mAJpmmQTFIh51KzoHa1SZZv5C4dF-KyFB0ik/edit?usp=sharing -
Gossiping for Mates | Dr. Tania Reynolds
Women compete vigorously over mates but do so more subtly than men. In this episode, Dr. Tania Reynolds teaches us how women use gossip to win mates. Additionally, we discuss friendship, thinness, and the evolution of homosexuality, among other subjects.
Tania Reynolds is an assistant professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of New Mexico. Her research examines how intrasexual competition and cooperation contribute to psychological and behavioral sex differences. She investigates how pressures for humans' ancestors to select advantageous social allies—and be selected in return—contribute to modern-day preferences, biases, and behaviors.
Connect with Dr. Reynolds on Twitter @TaniaArline, and keep up with her work using the links below:
Department webpage: https://psych.unm.edu/people/faculty/profile/tania-reynolds.html
Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tania-Reynolds
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Vegetarian Spider
This spider, Bagheera kiplingi, prefers a plant-based diet. Come learn about trees that pay ant security guards in gold, The Jungle Book, and an exceptional animal on this episode of Species.
Bibliography:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSUztDqSZWt1IM_IA9JnkFVqRZ14pd6YHCPQlu2jz4E/edit?usp=sharing
Customer Reviews
Favorite podcast ever
Hi I’m Cillian and I’m 7 years old and live in Arlington, VA. I started listening to your show a month ago and can’t stop. I’ve learned a lot. I want to make a request, could you do an episode about mega mouth sharks? Thanks!
My favorite time waster
I listen to your podcast while I’m working, and it’s something I always look forward to every time an episode releases. I’m a huge fan of the shift to interviews on evolutionary and genetic behavior on the human species. However I would like to see an episode on the Dumbo Octopus!
Brilliant!
One of the best science podcasts we’ve ever experienced! Always succinct and interesting!