Ologies with Alie Ward

Soft. Hard. Fresh. Aged. Stinky. Illegal. Let’s talk cheese with Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) and Fromologist, Kyra James. We chat about proprietary bacterial slurries, basement caves, cheese knife etiquette, rind eating, vegetarian versus vegan cheeses, cheese history, different warm-blooded animals whose milk is used for cheese, American cheese side-eye, shoe deodorizers, and how to chat up a monger.  And come back next week to learn more about plant-based cheese options, how to properly store cheese, the difference between orange and white cheddar, the grilled sandwich debate, DIY cheese, pricey varieties, squeaky curds, the moon’s composition, how cheese changes your brain chemistry, and the ultimate charcuterie board. Plus: holes and crystals and maggots, oh my!  [Content warning: we discuss dairy and do make acknowledgments of animal rights concerns, and next week we discuss vegan options in more depth. However this episode and expert’s focus isn’t the ethics of dairy farming as a whole, but rather the process of cheesemaking. We do have a future episode planned about plant-based diets.] 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] 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], Speleology (CAVES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/speleology], 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

Let’s light up your life and butt. World-renowned firefly expert Dr. Sara Lewis of Tufts University gives us some updates to her 2021 episode, sharing her love of a bug that many think is merely mythological. Learn how these tiny animals illuminate the night, the dos and don’ts of firefly observation, how to take good firefly photos, femme fatales, pink glowworms, secret languages, artificial lights, what’s up with their population numbers, why Western states can chill out with their lightning bug envy, and how you can ensure the world stays aglow with these beloved bugs. Also: nuptial gifts, both human and lampyridological. Visit Dr. Sara Lewis’s website [http://silentsparks.com/] and follow her on Threads [https://www.threads.net/@silentsparks] Buy her book, Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies [https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691162683/silent-sparks]! A donation went to Fireflyers International [https://fireflyersinternational.net/donate] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/crotalology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Entomology (INSECTS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/entomology], Acaropathology (TICKS & LYME DISEASE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/acaropathology], Forest Entomology (CREEPY CRAWLIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/forestentomology], Odonatology (DRAGONFLIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/odonatology], Native Melittology (INDIGENOUS BEES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/indigenousmelittology], Lepidopterology (BUTTERFLIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/lepidopterology], Cicadology (CICADAS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/cicadology], Dipterology (FLIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/dipterology], Behavioral Ecology (REPRODUCTIVE TRADEOFFS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/behavioralecology] 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://ologiesmerch.com/] has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes, more! 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] Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper [http://jarrettsleeper.com/] of MindJam Media, Steven Ray Morris [http://www.stevenraymorris.com/], 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

Fangs. Rattles. Misconceptions. Crawl out from under your rock for the angelic rattle of one of the world’s most maligned, misunderstood, gorgeous, mysterious, efficient creatures. Herpetology professor, rattlesnake scientist and thus, Crotalologist Dr. Emily Taylor discusses why rattlesnakes deserve our love, the parenthood strategies of rattlers, how to avoid getting bitten, dog rattlesnake training, rattlers’ relationships with squirrels, antivenom, vaccines, mattress trivia, mood snakes and who gets bitten the most. Hint: it’s not hikers.  July 13-19, 2025 celebrate the Inaugural Snake Week [http://snakeweek.org] and check out ProjectRattleCam [https://www.youtube.com/@projectrattlecam] Visit Dr. Taylor’s website [http://www.emilytaylorscience.com/] and follow her on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/emilytaylorscience.com] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/snakeymama/] Buy Dr. Taylor’s book, California Snakes and How to Find Them, on Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/p/books/california-snakes-and-how-to-find-them/20213052] or Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/California-Snakes-How-Find-Them/dp/159714634X] Her latest book, California Lizards and How to Find Them, is also available on Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/p/books/california-lizards-and-how-to-find-them/21558467] and Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/California-Lizards-How-Find-Them/dp/1597146714/] A donation went to The Rattlesnake Conservancy [https://www.savethebuzztails.org/] Emily’s Rattlesnake Perception Survey: take the pre-survey [https://forms.gle/ChdedumN3TMoMmcD8], listen to the episode, then complete the post-survey [https://forms.gle/EBiwcaf8J5UaEvw1A] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/crotalology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Herpetology (REPTILES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/herpetology], Saurology (LIZARDS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/saurology], Fearology (FEAR) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/fearology-pt-1], Sciuridology (SQUIRRELS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/sciuridology], Acaropathology (TICKS & LYME DISEASE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/acaropathology], Forest Entomology (CREEPY CRAWLIES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/forestentomology] 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

Farmed versus wild. Basement shrimp hustles. Mangrove drama. Anthropology. Animal welfare and plant-based diets. Climb aboard to meet UCSB’s super cool dude, researcher and Aquaculture Ecologist, Dr. Ben Halpern. You’ll hear about sustainable food sources, land vs. sea farming, bycatch, shellfish guilt, salmon who wear makeup, global marine populations, ditching iceberg for seaweed, and a gentle nudge toward vegetables. Progress over perfection; every little step counts. Visit the Halpern Lab [https://halpernlab.bren.ucsb.edu/] and browse Dr. Halpern’s publications on ResearchGate [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Benjamin-Halpern-3] A donation went to the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) [https://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/aquacultureecology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Macrophycology (SEAWEED) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/macrophycology], Oceanology (OCEANS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/oceanology], Pectinidology (SCALLOPS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/pectinidology], Ichthyology (FISHES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ichthyology], Carcinology (CRABS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/carcinology], Entomophagy Anthropology (EATING BUGS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/entomophagy-anthropology], Echinology (SEA URCHINS & SAND DOLLARS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/echinology], Ursinology (BEARS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/ursinology], Chickenology (HENS & ROOSTERS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/chickenology], Road Ecology (ROAD KILL) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/roadecology], Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/agnotologyencore], Castorology (BEAVERS), [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/castorology] Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/indigenouscuisinology], Black American Magirology (FOOD, RACE & CULTURE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/blackamericanmagirology] 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

Have you ever read every word of The U.S. Constitution? You don't have to, because I read it with my mouth into your brain in this weird but vital episode on civil liberties. And of course, there are little sidenotes to make sure we both understand it. There has never been a better time to know what your legal protections are.  This episode is a follow up to Nomology (CONSTITUTIONAL LAW) with the legendary law scholar Franita Tolson, the Dean and Carl Mason Franklin Chair in Law USC’s Gould School of Law. Start there for the basics and learn why knowing your rights and using your voice can change the future. Be safe. Stick up for yourself, and each other. Listen to our 2019 episode: Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION) with Franita Tolson [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/nomology] A donation went to the American Civil Liberties Union [https://www.aclu.org/] More episode sources and links [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/macrophycology] Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes [https://pod.link/1746567248] Other episodes you may enjoy: Political Sociology (VOTER TURNOUT & SUPPRESSION) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/politicalsociology], Museology (MUSEUMS) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/museology], Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/agnotologyencore], Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/genocidology], Genealogy (FAMILY TREES) [https://www.alieward.com/ologies/genealogy] 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 Jarrett Sleeper [http://instagram.com/Jarrett_Sleeper] of MindJam Media [http://www.mindjammedia.com/], Steven Ray Morris [https://twitter.com/stevenRayMorris], and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions [http://maitlandaudio.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