Asinology (DONKEYS) with Faith Burden

Genealogy (FAMILY TREES) Encore with Stephen Hands

Histories, mysteries, memories and families: it’s time to clamber up our ancestral trees. Author and genealogist Stephen Hanks -- who teaches genealogy classes in Portland, Oregon and has contributed to PBS genealogy documentaries -- sits down to chat in this encore episode about what ignited a passion for learning about his own history. Also: how to find your family through census records, county archives, death certificates and more, plus which DNA tests he’s taken, our most recent common ancestor, and how America can try to heal from its past. Also: capes, detectives and hairy fanny packs.Stephen Hanks books: “1619 -- Twenty Africans [https://www.amazon.com/1619-Twenty-Africans-Discovery-Descendants/product-reviews/1629016578/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews],” and “Akee Tree [https://www.amazon.com/Akee-Tree-Descendants-Ancestors-Plantations/dp/1939995000/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Hanks%2C+Stephen&qid=1581400239&sr=8-2]”Publisher: Inkwater Press [https://inkwater.com/]A donation went to: BlackPast.org [https://www.blackpast.org/]More episodes to celebrate Black History Month  [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/blackhistorymonth]400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic [https://www.alieward.com/ologies-by-topic]Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248]Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors]Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras]Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social]Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies]Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/]Managing Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo]Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Asinology (DONKEYS) with Faith Burden

Tall ears. Huge teeth. Underestimated wit. And vocalizations that would make a songbird envious. Let’s talk donkeys with researcher and Director at The Donkey Sanctuary, Asinologist Dr. Faith Burden. We cover pop culture donkeys, their road to domestication, how much they can carry, whether you should ever saddle up on a donkey, mule genetics, zoo sexism, how to care for a donkey, what their noises mean, milky baths, emperor gossip, squats versus donkey kicks, and why these beautiful beasts deserve all of our love. Follow Dr. Burden on Google Scholar [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KltkcgMAAAAJ&hl=en]Visit The Donkey Sanctuary website [https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/] and follow them on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/donkeysanctuary/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@donkeysanctuary], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/DonkeySanctuary]A donation went to The Donkey Sanctuary [https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/support-us/donate]More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/asinology]Other episodes you may enjoy: Egyptology (ANCIENT EGYPT) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/egyptology], Classical Archeology (ANCIENT ROME) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/classical-archeology], Momiology (MUMMIFICATION) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/momiology], Gastroegyptology (BREAD BAKING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/gastroegyptology], Paleohistology (WHY TEETH EXIST) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/paleohistology], Oreamnology (MOUNTAIN GOATS ARE NOT GOATS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/oreamnology], Chickenology (HENS & ROOSTERS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/chickenology], Mammalogy (MAMMALS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/mammalogy], Fromology (CHEESE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/fromology]400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic [https://www.alieward.com/ologies-by-topic]Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248]Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors]Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras]Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social]Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies]Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/]Managing Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo]Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paleohistology (WHY TEETH EXIST) with Yara Haridy

Excuse me, why do you have teeth? How did they get in your mouth and where did they come from? Let’s ask researcher, tooth enthusiast, and Paleohistologist Dr. Yara Haridy.  She opened up the archives at Chicago’s Field Museum to chat about ancient skulls, drawers of bones, and the evidence that changed how we think about chompers. Drop your jaws as we discuss the origins of teeth, why yours hurt, the long-debated rumors of extinct species, how particle accelerators and paleontology worlds collide, what tools fossil pickers rely on, teeny tiny mysteries, why you should hug a tree before it kills you, and why a catfish might become your overlord. Visit Dr. Yara Haridy’s website [https://yaraharidy.com/] and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/yara_haridy]A donation went to the Sameer Project [https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=34d681f4-120c-4f93-a82c-3f20033cc218]Doodl: Join the Beta! [https://www.doodl.app/join-the-beta]More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/paleohistology]Other episodes you may enjoy: Osteology (SKELETONS/BODY FARMS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/osteology], Selachimorphology (SHARKS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/selachimorphology], Elasmobranchology (MORE SHARK STORIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/elasmobranchology], Paleontology (DINOSAURS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/paleontology], Evolutionary Biology (DARWINISM) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/evolutionary-biology], Functional Morphology (ANATOMY) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/functional-morphology], Genicular Traumatology (BAD KNEES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/knees], Castorology (BEAVERS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/castorology], Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/urbanrodentology], Biomineralogy (SHELLS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/biomineralogy], Scorpiology (SCORPIONS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/scorpiology], Garology (LONG CUTE ANCIENT PATIENT BOOPABLE NIGHTMARE FISH) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/garology]400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic [https://www.alieward.com/ologies-by-topic]Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248]Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors]Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras]Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social]Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies]Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/]Managing Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo]Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marmotology (GROUNDHOGS) with Daniel Blumstein

Tongue twisters. Frosty holidays. Scandals. Big ol’ rodent butts. Let’s talk groundhogs with UCLA conservationist, field biologist, professor and Marmotologist, Dr. Daniel Blumstein. We cover what broadly is a marmot, the Buddhism and paganism of the midwinter slump, marmot parenthood, what they are singing into the wind, how to co-exist with one in your garden, why they don't get stressed about holiday bingeing, the real estate layout of a groundhog lair, how and why we celebrate Groundhog Day, romantic advice you should not take from a marmot, what to do if you want a marmot as a pet, why their blood boggled science, and the wandering etymology behind their aliases. It’s an episode you’ll want to hear over and over. And over. And over. And over. Visit the Blumstein Lab [https://blumsteinlab.eeb.ucla.edu/] and follow Dr. Blumstein on Google Scholar [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=cFbbY_gAAAAJ&hl=en]A donation went to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory [https://www.rmbl.org/]More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/marmotology]Other episodes you may enjoy: Sciuridology (SQUIRRELS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/sciuridology], Hydrochoerology (CAPYBARAS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/hydrochoerology], Castorology (BEAVERS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/castorology], Erethizonology (PORCUPINES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/erethizonology], Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/urbanrodentology], Mammalogy (MAMMALS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/mammalogy], Procyonology (RACCOONS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/procyonology], Lutrinology (OTTERS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/lutrinology], Urocyonology (LITTLE GRAY FOXES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/urocynology], Witchology (WITCHES & WITCHCRAFT) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/witchology], Thermophysiology (BODY HEAT) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/thermophysiology], Acarology (TICKS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/acarology], Vampirology (VAMPIRES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/vampirology], Environmental Toxicology (POISONS + TRAIN DERAILMENT) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/environmentaltoxicology], Road Ecology (ROAD KILL) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/roadecology]400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic [https://www.alieward.com/ologies-by-topic]Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248]Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors]Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras]Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social]Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies]Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/]Managing Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo]Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Venusology (VENUS) with Vicki Hansen

Gassy veils! Orange sunlight! Alien life? It’s the sole goddess of our solar system: Venus. And to tour us through her beauty is the charming and enthusiastic planetary geologist and Venusian expert Dr. Vickie Hansen, a Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. In what is sure to become an instant classic, Vickie will delight you with tales of space probes past and future, dazzling terrain, myths, melting machinery, “noodle data,” analogues to Earth, tectonic misconceptions, and reactions to self-help books that capitalize on our solar geography. Also: what does Venus smell like? Donations went to the Planetary Science Institute [https://www.psi.edu/] and the Nature Conservancy [https://www.nature.org/en-us/]More episode sources and links: alieward.com/ologies/venusology [http://alieward.com/ologies/venusology]Jan. 15, 2026: "Bad Art for Good" Los Angeles event tickets [http://luma.com/fp919u5x]Other episodes you may enjoy: Heliology (THE SUN/ECLIPSES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/heliology], Areology (MARS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/areology], Astrobiology (ALIENS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/astrobiology], Cosmology (THE UNIVERSE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/cosmology], Selenology (THE MOON) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/selenology], Mythology (STORYTELLING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/mythology], Astrobromatology (SPACE FOOD) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/astrobromatology], Black Hole Theory Cosmology (WHAT ARE BLACK HOLES?!) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/blackholetheorycosmology], Scotohylology (DARK MATTER) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/scotohylology], UFOlogy (UNEXPLAINED AERIAL PHENOMENA) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ufology], Space Archaeology (SPACE JUNK) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/spacearchaeology], Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/quantumontology]400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic [https://www.alieward.com/ologies-by-topic]Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248]Sponsors of Ologies [https://alieward.com/ologies-sponsors]Transcripts and bleeped episodes [https://alieward.com/ologies-extras]Become a patron of Ologies [https://www.patreon.com/ologies] for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com [https://www.ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ologies] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/ologies.bsky.social]Follow Alie Ward on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alieward] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@alie_ologies]Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.com/] and Jake Chaffee [https://www.jecmusic.com/]Managing Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo]Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.