313 episodes

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.

Ologies with Alie Ward Alie Ward

    • Science
    • 4.9 • 18.4K Ratings

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.

    Domicology (ABANDONED BUILDINGS, RECYCLED HOUSES & GHOST TOWNS) with Rex LaMore

    Domicology (ABANDONED BUILDINGS, RECYCLED HOUSES & GHOST TOWNS) with Rex LaMore

    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.

    • 1 hr 24 min
    Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS) Encore + 2023 Updates with Katherine Hatcher

    Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS) Encore + 2023 Updates with Katherine Hatcher

    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 Twitter

    A 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/ologies

    More episode sources & links at alieward.com/ologies/chronobiologyencore

    Wondercon: Friday March 24, 6pm panel

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Somnology (SLEEP), Oneirology (DREAMING), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Fearology (FEAR), Thermophysiology (BODY HEAT), Biogerontology (AGING)

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    Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris

    Theme song by Nick Thorburn

    • 1 hr 17 min
    Smologies #20: FISHES with Chris Thacker

    Smologies #20: FISHES with Chris Thacker

    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.

    • 22 min
    Detroitology (DETROIT) with Aaron Foley

    Detroitology (DETROIT) with Aaron Foley

    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.”

    • 1 hr
    Field Trip: An Airport Full of Neuroscientists

    Field Trip: An Airport Full of Neuroscientists

    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.

    • 57 min
    Environmental Toxicology (POISONS + TRAIN DERAILMENT) with Kimberly K. Garrett

    Environmental Toxicology (POISONS + TRAIN DERAILMENT) with Kimberly K. Garrett

    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?

    • 1 hr 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
18.4K Ratings

18.4K Ratings

Zygion ,

B.A. in Ologies

This podcast would make a great syllabus for an undergrad degree. And way more useful than a lot of them.

fatttkattt ,

Get in on this

I honestly don’t know why I slept on this podcast for so long. It would pop up in my suggested list everyday and I’d say ehhh later. I have my comfort podcasts I already listen to and I’m not about to step out from under that blanket. Finally I gave it a shot and wow! Alie Ward has such a kind voice but is also a weirdo goblin like me! She asks wonderfully engaging questions! She asks guests give their pronouns! She features BIPOC ologists! Definitely passes the cozy vibe check.

Kriskassey ,

Perfect for lifting your spirits and growing your brain!

There is nothing more heart warming than listening to exceptionally smart and wonderfully kind people talk about their favourite topics. And Alie just adds so much to the joyousness of every episode.

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