Ologies with Alie Ward

When were glasses invented? What happened back then if your horse stepped on them? How is the digital age changing adults’ and kids’ vision? The first half of this special bonus episode about Optical Technology features the charmingly hilarious director of the Museum of the Eye in San Francisco, Jenny Benjamin. Then we bop over to Houston, Texas for the ultra-knowledgeable real-life optometrist, Dr. Nadia Sledge to chat about the importance of annual exams and where our eyesight is trending in the digital age. Also: dark Roman trivia, Downton Abbey fashion, how online eye tests overlook critical conditions, and how you would have survived in the past without spectacles.  Donations went to Onesight [https://onesight.essilorluxottica.com/give/] and the Museum of the Eye [https://www.aao.org/museum/visit] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/opticaltechnology] Other episodes you may enjoy: Ophthalmology (EYES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ophthalmology], Medieval Codicology (WEIRD OLD MANUSCRIPT ART & MEMES & SNAILS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/medievalcodicology], Experimental Archeology (OLD TOOLS/ATLATLS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/experimentalarcheology], Literary Olfactology (THE POLITICS OF SMELL) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/literaryolfactology], Proptology (THEATER & FILM PROPS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/proptology], Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/disabilitysociology], Funology (YES, FUN) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/funology], Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/salugenology] 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 month OlogiesMerch.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 Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Smell and culture. Scent descriptions in novels. Fragrances and class. Stink and stigmas. We cover it all. Scholar, author, and Literary Olfactologist Dr. Ally Louks burst into the zeitgeist in 2024 with her PhD thesis “Olfactory Ethics: The Politics Of Smell In Modern And Contemporary Prose” and we finally got to sit down and talk about the intersection of art and smell and culture. Breathe in the foul, the fragrant, the peppermint, the tobacco, why motel rooms smell the way they do, the forgotten organ that could control your love life, spices at the root of xenophobia, perfume ads that cruised a movement, obscenity trials, explosions, following your first love and getting the last laugh. Follow Dr. Louks on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/allylouks/?hl=en] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/allylouks.bsky.social] A donation went to UN Crisis Relief’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund [https://crisisrelief.un.org/en/t/opt] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/literaryolfactology] Other episodes you may enjoy: Rhinology (NOSES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/rhinology], Gustology (TASTE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/gustology], Misophonology (DISTRACTING SOUND & NOISE RAGE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/misophonology], Disgustology (REPULSION TO GROSS STUFF) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/disgustology], Coffeeology (YEP, COFFEE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/coffeeology], Black American Magirology (FOOD, RACE & CULTURE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/blackamericanmagirology], Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/indigenouscuisinology], Cosmetology (GLAM/GROOMING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/cosmetology], Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/genocidology] 400+ 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 month OlogiesMerch.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 Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

This one’s all about lived experience: What's it like to have OCD? What’s the therapy all about? How do you support people with it? And how to accept the darkest thoughts that might haunt you. As a bonus to last week’s OCD Neurobiology episode with Dr. Wayne Goodman, the wonderful neuroscientist, board-certified mental health peer specialist, and survivor Uma Chatterjee joins to share her experience living with OCD, and how it inspired a career in research and mental health advocacy. This bonus episode is wall-to-wall heart-warming compassion and real world perspective from someone who cares deeply. OCD is a bitch, but Uma’s a gem.  Ologies episodes, listed by topic [https://www.alieward.com/ologies-by-topic] Visit Uma’s website [https://umarchatterjee.com/] and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/umarchatterjee/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/umarchatterjee], and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/umarchatterjee.bsky.social] Listen to her podcast, A Chat with Uma [https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/umarchatterjee/] A donation went to OCD Wisconsin [https://ocdwisconsin.org/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ocdbonus] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ocdneurobiology], Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/adhd], Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/molecularneurobiology], Volitional Psychology (PROCRASTINATION) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/procrastination], Suicidology (SUICIDE PREVENTION & AWARENESS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/suicidology],  Traumatology (PTSD) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/traumatology], Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/disabilitysociology], Tiktokology (THE TIKTOK APP) with Hank Green [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/tiktokology], Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/psychedeliology] 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 month OlogiesMerch.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 Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Ruminations and reassurances. Checking and counting. Suffering and stigmas. It’s OCD, babes! OCD is now considered one of the most common psychiatric conditions, afflicting 2% to 3% of the general population, and this episode is among our top-requested topics. So we snagged a top-shelf ologist: psychiatrist, researcher, advocate and OCD Neurobiologist, *the* Dr. Wayne Goodman. We cover myths, misconceptions, diagnosis and treatment options for OCD, as well as advice for loved ones. Also: PANDAS, famous folks who are helping break the silence on it, intrusive thoughts, deep brain stimulation, genetic components, links to Tourette’s Syndrome, finding the right doctor, and the behavioral therapy that is the gold standard for OCD.  And surprise! Later this week we’ll have a bonus episode on OCD lived experience with neuroscientist, mental health advocate and OCD-haver, Uma Chatterjee.  View Dr. Goodman’s publications on ResearchGate [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wayne-Goodman] and follow him on Google Scholar [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xd5ejoEAAAAJ&hl=en] A donation went to International OCD Foundation [https://iocdf.org/] Find more episodes you'll like at Ologies.com [www.ologies.com] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ocdneurobiology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/adhd], Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/molecularneurobiology], Volitional Psychology (PROCRASTINATION) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/procrastination], Suicidology (SUICIDE PREVENTION & AWARENESS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/suicidology], Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/postviralepidemiology], Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/disabilitysociology], Gustology (TASTE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/gustology], Oikology (DECLUTTERING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/oikology] 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 month OlogiesMerch.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 Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn

We’re back with molten hot cheese trivia in Part 2 with Fromologist Kyra James of OwnYourFunk.com [http://ownyourfunk.com]. Part 1 covered the foundations and this week we address your listener questions about cows on boats, plant-based cheese options, how to properly store cheese, how cheese changes your brain chemistry, the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, the great grilled cheese debate, DIY cheeses, squeaky curds, Missouri’s cheese caves, the moon’s composition, and the ultimate charcuterie board. Also: holes, and crystals and maggots, oh my! Visit Kyra’s website [https://www.ownyourfunk.com/] and follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ownyourfunk/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyra-james85] Donations went to the Cheese Culture Coalition [https://www.cheeseculturecoalition.org/] and Team Up’s 2025 Building Schools in Kenya [https://goteamup.org/campaign/kenya2025/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/fromology] Find more episodes you'll like at Ologies.com [www.ologies.com] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Gastroegyptology (BREAD BAKING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/gastroegyptology], Food Anthropology (FEASTS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/food-anthropology], Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/criticalecology], Mammalogy (MAMMALS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/mammalogy], Bisonology (BUFFALO) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/bisonology], Zymology (BEER) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/zymology], Gustology (TASTE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/gustology], Disgustology (REPULSION TO GROSS STUFF) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/disgustology], FIELD TRIP: I Go France and Learn Weird France Stuff [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/france] 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 month OlogiesMerch.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 Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek  Website by Kelly R. Dwyer [https://www.kellyrdwyer.com/photo] Theme song by Nick Thorburn