FRAMED BY FABLES

Framed by Fables Team
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Life Sciences
  • Updated Semimonthly

What we think we know about animals often comes from the stories we tell. But are wolves really big and bad? Are owls really wise? Framed by Fables puts animal myths, stereotypes, and pop-culture portrayals to the test with real science. Hosted by comedian Helen Hong, each episode features a special guest  and a renowned animal expert, who unpack what’s true and what’s fiction. Every misunderstood animal gets a redemption arc. And every episode ends with a twist you won’t see coming.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago ·  Video

    Who's the ass: us or donkeys? (w/ Bill & Ted's Alex Winter)

    Send us Fan Mail Are donkeys really dumb, stubborn animals? Or did Aesop just give them that reputation? From ancient fables to Jackass, we take a look at how the donkey became the butt of the joke and why the joke may be on us. Comedian Helen Hong and zoologist Jo Wimpenny welcome Alex Winter, known for his starring role in the Bill  & Ted franchise, for a deep dive into the donkey’s surprising history and intelligence. Resources:  Alex Winter's latest films   Trailer for Primetime, out Sept 25,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fHXyqQOKL8 Trailer for Adulthood  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rutRDICG2oE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Full Donkey sounds:  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Z_TASwncqek ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Natural History Museum of Los Angeles events   https://nhm.org/calendar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Connect With Us Website: www.framedbyfables.com Follow on Socials: @framedbyfables Join our e-mail list for bonus content and updates;   LINK Credits Host:  Helen Hong  Animal Expert:  Zoologist Jo Wimpenny   Guest:  Alex Winter, actor-director   Exec Producers: Robin M. Henry, Aaron Mervis  Producer: Emily Orr  Line Producer:  James Lovewell  Editor:  David Toms Set Artwork: Cliff Barrett   Special Thanks:  Second Floor Studio

    Who's the ass: us or donkeys? (w/ Bill & Ted's Alex Winter)

  2. Sep 1 ·  Video

    Wile E. vs. real coyotes: What's the science? (w/Looney Tunes Eric Bauza)

    Send us Fan Mail For many, Wile E. Coyote is the only coyote we know.  But how much is he like a real coyote?  The answers may surprise you.  With Coyote vs. Acme finally out, comedian Helen Hong and wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana welcome iconic Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza back to Framed by Fables to help delve into the cartoon history, the movie and the science facts. Do coyotes  chase roadrunners? Are they really that persistent? Would they use Acme to hunt if they could?   Plus Miguel introduces a surprise animal that might help Wile E. out a lot more than Acme ever could. And, of course, we are treated with Eric's incredible voices along the way.  This is an episode you gotta catch  Beep! Beep!  Connect With Us Website: www.framedbyfables.com Follow on Socials: @framedbyfables Join our e-mail list for bonus content and updates;   LINK Credits Host:  Helen Hong  Animal Expert:  Wildlife Biologist Miguel Ordeñana, from the Natural History Museum LA County.  Guest:  Eric Bauza, Looney Tunes  voice actor  Exec Producers: Robin M. Henry, Aaron Mervis  Producer: Emily Orr  Line Producer:  James Lovewell  Editor:  David Toms Set Artwork: Cliff Barrett   Special Thanks:  Second Floor Studio

    Wile E. vs. real coyotes: What's the science? (w/Looney Tunes Eric Bauza)

  3. Aug 18 ·  Video

    Owls: Whooo said we're wise? (w/ Criminal Minds Kirsten Vangsness)

    Send us Fan Mail Are owls really the wise birds of lore or did they just get that reputation from their association with Athena? We dig into what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to these fascinating birds. Kirsten Vangsness, who plays brainy tech-kitten Penelope Garcia in the Criminal Minds franchise, joins us for a deep dive into all things owl. And joining us for the first time in the co-host chair is Wildlife Biologist Miguel Ordeñana, from the Natural History Museum LA County. He dishes up some surprising owl facts and shows off a pretty impressive owl call. Resources mentioned:   PBS documenatry: Coyote Crossing   PBS documentary: Shared Planet  Natural History Museum of LA community science program  Playful Spotify Owl playlist to complement the episode:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5RSqIjjfbWwpEtCLjsnPaG?si=09iTrNVSTvGC3Yqx25FvjQ Connect With Us Website: www.framedbyfables.com Follow on Socials: @framedbyfables  Credits Host:  Helen Hong  Animal Expert:  Wildlife Biologist Miguel Ordeñana, from the Natural History Museum LA County.  Guest:  Kirsten Vangsness,  who plays Criminal Minds  Penelope Garcia  Exec Producers: Robin M. Henry, Aaron Mervis  Producer: Emily Orr  Line Producer:  James Lovewell  Editor:  David Toms Set Artwork: Cliff Barrett   Special Thanks:  Second Floor Studios

    Owls: Whooo said we're wise? (w/ Criminal Minds Kirsten Vangsness)

  4. Aug 4 ·  Video

    Are birds and bees the right "sex talk" mascots? (w/ Dr. Cara Natterson)

    Send us Fan Mail "The birds and bees" means sex? Really?  We uncover the strange story behind this famous euphemism, explore how birds and bees actually do it, and ask whether they were really the right creatures for the job. Along the way, Dr. Cara Natterson, author, pediatrician and puberty expert, helps us unpack the history of “the talk” and shares how parents and loved ones can have more honest, comfortable conversations with kids about puberty and sex (with or without birds and bees)! Credits Host:  Helen Hong  Animal Expert:  Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny Guest:  Dr. Cara Natterson,  founder and CEO of Less Awkward  https://lessawkward.com/ Exec Producers: Robin M. Henry, Aaron Mervis  Producer: Emily Orr  Line Producer:  James Lovewell  Editor:  David Toms Artwork: Cliff Barrett   Special Thanks:  Second Floor Studios

    Are birds and bees the right "sex talk" mascots? (w/ Dr. Cara Natterson)

  5. Jul 21 ·  Video

    The Wolf : Fact Or Fang Fiction? (w/ Teen Wolf's Melissa Ponzio)

    Send us Fan Mail Wolves have been cast as villains for centuries, but does the science back it up? In this episode, Comedian Helen Hong and Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny are joined by Teen Wolf's Melissa Ponzio aka Mama McCall  to dig into the biology, folklore, and pop‑culture PR disaster that turned a perfectly normal predator into the Big Bad Wolf.  Then Dr. Wimpenny offers a surprising creature that might really be a "wolf in sheep's clothing."   Follow the show so you never miss an episode — and share it with a friend who loves animals, fairy tales, or pop culture. Credits Host:  Helen Hong  Animal Expert:  Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny Guest:  Melissa Ponzio  Exec Producers: Robin M. Henry, Aaron Mervis  Producer: Emily Orr  Line Producer:  James Lovewell  Editor:  Alex Ivany Artwork: Cliff Barrett   Special Thanks:  Second Floor Studios

    The Wolf : Fact Or Fang Fiction? (w/ Teen Wolf's Melissa Ponzio)

  6. Jul 7 ·  Video

    Snakes Tired Of Being Typecast (w/ Hollywood Snake Wrangler Jules Sylvester)

    Send us Fan Mail From the biblical serpent who supposedly got us kicked out of Eden to Hollywood’s endless snake pits and slithering sidekicks, snakes have carried the “evil” label longer than any other animal. In this episode of Framed by Fables, we dig into how that reputation took hold and what real snakes are actually like. Comedian Helen Hong and Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny are joined by Hollywood Snake Wrangler Jules Sylvester, the man behind the serpents in Indiana Jones, Snakes on a Plane, and dozens of other films. Together, they unpack the myths, the science, and the pop‑culture portrayals that turned snakes into storytelling’s OG villains. But here’s the real plot twist: Once snakes get their long‑overdue PR makeover, Jo talks about another animal that actually does have some questionable behaviors (at least in human terms!)  Which one it is may surprise you!   Follow the show so you never miss an episode — and share it with a friend who loves animals, fairy tales, or pop culture. Credits Host:  Helen Hong  Animal Expert:  Dr. Jo Wimpenny Guest: Jules Sylvester  Exec Producers: Robin M. Henry, Aaron Mervis  Producer: Emily Orr  Line Producer:  James Lovewell  Editor:  Alex Ivany Artwork: Cliff Barrett   End Card Music:  Wolves of Glendale  "I'm a Reptile Guy"  Special Thanks:  Second Floor Studios

    Snakes Tired Of Being Typecast (w/ Hollywood Snake Wrangler Jules Sylvester)

  7. Jun 23 ·  Video

    How Did Pigs Get Screwed? w/Eric Bauza (voice of Porky Pig)

    Send us Fan Mail Why do pigs get stuck with all the worst labels? From idioms like “greedy pig,” “filthy pig,” and “pigging out” to the political satire of Animal Farm, pigs have been cast as gluttons, mess-makers, for centuries. In our first full episode of Framed by Fables, we dig into how these ideas took hold  and what real pigs are actually like. Comedian Helen Hong and Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny are joined by Eric Bauza, the Emmy‑winning voice actor behind Looney Tunes’ Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and more. Together, they unpack the history, the science, and the pop‑culture portrayals that shaped pigs’ reputation, all with a comedic twist. And stick around because once pigs are cleared, Jo reveals which animals actually deserve the “dirty,” “greedy,” or “gluttonous” labels. The real culprits will surprise you. 👉 Follow the show so you never miss an episode — and share it with a friend who loves animals, fairy tales, or pop culture. Credits  Host: Helen Hong Animal Expert:  Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny  Guest: Eric Bauza Exec Producers: Robin M. Henry, Aaron Mervis  Producer: Emily Orr  Editor: Alex Ivany Artwork: Cliff Barrett  And Special Thanks to Second Floor Studios and Charlotte Lee

    How Did Pigs Get Screwed? w/Eric Bauza (voice of Porky Pig)

  8. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Framed by Fables: Trailer — The Animals Fairy Tales Got Wrong

    Send us Fan Mail FIRST EPISODE DROPS JUNE 23 -- How Pigs Got Screwed    Fairy tales have been lying about animals for centuries  and we’re finally calling them out. Framed by Fables is a comedy‑meets‑zoology podcast hosted by comedian Helen Hong and zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny, joined each episode by a special guest. This short promo gives you a feel for the show’s playful tone and the humor at the heart of every episode. No previews, no spoilers  just a taste of the fun and the format.  Join us as we fix animal reputations one episode at a time. Follow now so you don't miss an episode.

    Framed by Fables: Trailer — The Animals Fairy Tales Got Wrong

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

What we think we know about animals often comes from the stories we tell. But are wolves really big and bad? Are owls really wise? Framed by Fables puts animal myths, stereotypes, and pop-culture portrayals to the test with real science. Hosted by comedian Helen Hong, each episode features a special guest  and a renowned animal expert, who unpack what’s true and what’s fiction. Every misunderstood animal gets a redemption arc. And every episode ends with a twist you won’t see coming.

Information

  • Creator
    Framed by Fables Team
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 FRAMED BY FABLES
  • Show Website
    FRAMED BY FABLES