I Wish You Were Dead

Ep. 147: Hurricanes & Tropical Storms Oct 23, 2024

With the recent hurricanes in the US, I thought it would be a good time to talk about how these storms work and how they have worked throughout Earth's history.

Hurricane relief information: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/us/hurricane-helene-victims-aid.html

Helpful links for the topic today!

- https://geo.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_California_Davis/GEL_109%3A_Sediments_and_Strata_(Sumner)/09%3A_Draft_Textbook/9.12%3A_Marine_Deposition/9.12.3%3A_Storms

- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025322718300768

- https://youtu.be/nZiwsu7_Oy8?si=zJ_ep0m9daChIqRS

- https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2000801117

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 146: The Science of Politics Oct 09, 2024

Election Season is upon us here in the United States. While Fia is traveling and preparing for Hurricane Milton, Gavin and Mike talk about how politics effects science, and the bad things that happen when politics interferes with science.

Hurricane relief information: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/us/hurricane-helene-victims-aid.html

Check your voter registration here: https://votesaveamerica.com/be-a-voter/

Links mentioned in the pod:

- Chips & Science Act of 2022: https://new.nsf.gov/chips

- Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376/text

- Poll data from 1974-2010: https://www.asanet.org/wp-content/uploads/savvy/images/journals/docs/pdf/asr/Apr12ASRFeature.pdf

- Pew Research poll: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/11/14/americans-trust-in-scientists-positive-views-of-science-continue-to-decline/

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Quick Update On This Episode & Hurricane Helene Oct 02, 2024

We're postponing this episode to give Fia some time to get life in order after Hurricane Helene (she's okay).

In the meantime, check out some ways to contribute to relief efforts if you're able: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/30/us/hurricane-helene-victims-aid.html

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 145: Swamps Sep 18, 2024

Normally this would be a "Fia Takes The Wheel" episode,but she's busy doing science. In honor of that though, Gavin teaches us about swamps and their role in the ecosystems of today and Earth's history!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 144: Mary Anning Sep 04, 2024

Who was the greatest paleontologist ever? We may just get our answer today with our discussion of Mary Anning. The famous fossil collector and early paleontologist lived a tough life that has been often misrepresented over the last 200+ years, so let's talk about her in some detail!

Thanks again to the Common Descent Podcast for giving us a chance to share our platform and direct some new listeners out way! Check out the episode of their Spotlight 2024 series that we joined them for here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4kPrntQEbG8GPKnjjP872x?si=VBCbfv6GRzeaX8xFqhBCgA

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 143: The Rise of Grasses (The Oligocene Epoch) Aug 21, 2024

Continuing our march through Earth's history, today we're talking about the Oligocene Epoch! A time when Earth sure looked a heck of a lot like today, but with some very noticeable differences, like the grass! What do I mean by that? Let's find out!

YouTube Playlist link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAt3VarqxmjVLGbTUnk8ednFMcIGORtli

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 142: Clams & Friends (Bivalves) Aug 07, 2024

Gavin and Fia talk about the best (according to Fia) invertebrates out there; clams and their relatives! Do they live up to the hype? Let's find out!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 141: Parasites and Other Freeloaders Jul 24, 2024

In this particularly gross episode, Gavin talks to Fia about parasites and the various disgusting, albeit very interesting, lifestyles that they live.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 140: Mike Takes The Wheel vol. 14: Death By Baseball (Ray Chapman) Jul 10, 2024

On this episode of Mike Takes The Wheel, Mike tells us about Ray Chapman, the only player to die as the result of a professional baseball game.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 138.5: Tattoos and Dinosaurs w/ Sierra Swenson, Lora Bird, & Rudy Hummel Jul 03, 2024

For this follow-up episode, Gavin is joined by Sierra and Rudy from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, as well as Lora Bird, owner of Nest Art Collective tattoo shop in Denver, Colorado. YouTube lecture that Lora, Sierra and Rudy gave about the tattooing: https://youtu.be/dGg73w5wwOM?feature=shared Denver Museum of Nature & Science socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMNSorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denvermuseumns/?hl=en Twitter: https://x.com/DenverMuseumNS Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@denvermns?lang=en Nest Art Collective tattoo shop: http://instagram.com/nest.art.co Special shout out to Lora's assistant Sydney, without whom Lora would never get anything done. Socials for the artists involved in the project: instagram.com/honestbird instagram.com/satchel.ink instagram.com/ragtime_russ instagram.com/isabump instagram.com/mikriles instagram.com/hailstormtattoos instagram.com/call.me_d.addie instagram.com/farriercreative Madagascar Ankizy Fund website: www.ankizy.org Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topic form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest Form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us an audio message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube Channel⁠

EP. 139: Why YOU Should Be Volunteering Jun 26, 2024

Gavin, Fia, and Mike have had a busy few weeks! Early June is always a busy time for us, because we all volunteer for the same youth leadership organization called HOBY. We've all been volunteering for this organization for over 10 years and in this episode we talk about why we do it, and why you should volunteer in your local communities as well.

HOBY's website: www.hoby.org

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 138: How Not To Do Helicopter Science w/ Dr. Dave Krause & Sierra Swenson Jun 05, 2024

Gavin is joined by a pair of great scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to talk about helicopter science, and how to do international science ethically.

Madagascar Ankizy Fund website: www.ankizy.org

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Update and a Listener Question About Dinosaurs and Presidents May 29, 2024

Our usual episode is postponed until next week due to some scheduling hang ups with the guests for the episode. But! My best-good-friend Tug reached out with a great question about presidents and dinosaurs.

Ep. 137: Angry Birds: The Hawks and Eagles May 15, 2024

Hawks, eagles and their other predatory bird relatives are some of the most iconic and charismatic birds in the world. Let's take a look at what makes them cool, and what we know about how they got that way!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 136: The Smithsonian May 01, 2024

Gavin takes Mike and Fia through the very American history of the largest natural history museum in the world; the National Museum of Natural History, aka The Smithsonian.

Lookup whether your favorite museum has Native American remains that it needs to return home: https://projects.propublica.org/repatriation-nagpra-database/

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 135: Fia Takes The Wheel vol 5: Preserving Nature In Florida Apr 17, 2024

Audio issues aside, Fia tells us about a great preservation area that she's been working in to collect data for her Ph.D! NCAP (or the Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve to its friends) is an area on the Gulf side of Florida with lots of unique biology and even some cool geology!

News link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240410112736.htm

Links from Fia:

- https://publicfiles.dep.state.fl.us/CAMA/plans/Nature-Coast-AP-Management-Plan.pdf

- https://www.aquaticpreservesociety.com/

- https://floridadep.gov/NatureCoastAP

- https://dev.seacar.waterinstitute.usf.edu/datadiscovery/programs/matrix?MA=Nature%20Coast

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 134: The Wonderful World of Ants w/ Dr. Nate Smith Apr 03, 2024

With Mike and Fia away for the week, Gavin talks with Dr. Nathan Smith from Bucknell University about the coolest little creatures on the planet; ants.

Nate's page on Bucknell's website: https://www.bucknell.edu/fac-staff/nathan-smith

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

EP. 133: Are Teeth Bones? Mar 20, 2024

Gavin takes a field trip to the dentist, so let's talk about those bones* in your mouth!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 132: The Largest Animals To Ever Live; Whales Mar 06, 2024

The largest animals to ever exist live among us right now! Let's learn about them!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 131: How Antarctica Got Its Ice: The Eocene Epoch Feb 21, 2024

Gavin takes us through the next slice of Earth's history on our list: the Eocene Epoch! Fia also teaches us about Batman.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 130: Mike Takes The Wheel vol. 13: Budd Dwyer Feb 07, 2024

*CONTENT WARNING* This episode discusses a public suicide of an elected official in the 1980's.

Mike really takes us on a ride for this episode. Meanwhile Gavin complains about home ownership.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 129 James Hutton (Father Of Modern Geology) Jan 24, 2024

Every field of study has an origin story. Today we share the story of one of the founders of modern geology; James Hutton.

Last episode I challenged myself to find an important figure in the history of geology who *wasn't* a horrible racist, and I did!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 128 Ontogeny (Growing Up) Jan 10, 2024

Growing up is an awkward experience for everyone. Luckily, we didn't have to grow any extra legs or have the entire left side of our body become our mouth!

Today we learn about how growing up works across the animal kingdom, and how we tell if a fossil animal is fully grown or not.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 127 Herbivory (How To Eat Plants Without Dying) Dec 27, 2023

Herbivores are often seen as less interesting than carnivores. However, they have to go through a wide array of challenges just to get nutrition from their food without it killing them. Let's learn about how they do it!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 126 After The Dinosaurs (The Paleocene Epoch) Dec 13, 2023

We all know the story of how the dinosaurs became extinct. But what happened afterward? Mike, Gavin, and Fia take a closer look at the post-extinction world of the Paleocene!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 125 Fia Takes The Wheel vol 4: Getting A PhD Nov 29, 2023

Fia talks us through starting a PhD program and how it differs from her experience with her Master's degree!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Off This Week For Thanksgiving Nov 22, 2023

Have a great Thanksgiving (in the US anyway)! We'll be back next week.

Ep. 124 Geckos Nov 08, 2023

Everyone loves geckos! From large insurance companies, to tropical residents all over the world, geckos are a really well-liked group of lizards. But boy, are they weird. Let's learn about them!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 123 The Society Of Vertebrate Paleontology 2023 Oct 25, 2023

This past weekend Gavin presented his Master's thesis at the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology! In this episode we talk about what it's like to present at an academic conference, and some of the cool research shown at SVP this year.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 122 Neandertals And Other Humans Oct 11, 2023

What does it mean to be human? Well from a taxonomic standpoint, it means that you're in the genus Homo. But what really makes us, us? Let's talk about the history of our genus.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 121 From Apes To Humans (Human Evolution) Sep 27, 2023

Human evolution is a marvelous collection of data. We understand human evolution better than basically anything else in paleontology. How did we get such bad backs? Why do we see faces on pieces of toast? It's all in our evolution, so let's take a closer look!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 120 Mike Takes The Wheel vol. 12: The Other People Who Got Shot With JFK Sep 13, 2023

JFK was famously assassinated in November 1963. But did you know that other people were shot along with him? Let's hear from Mike a bit of their stories.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 119 Tails Aug 30, 2023

Tails, the famous side-kick of Sonic The Hedgehog. Also a body part ubiquitous to vertebrate animals. What are they even used for anyway? Let's find out!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 118 The Science Of Student Loans Aug 16, 2023

Science costs money. In many cases, entirely too much money. In a surprise twist of episode topics, Gavin, Mike and Fia talk about their student loan situations, how the American higher education system is going to decrease the quality of science done in the U.S., and how college tuition will soon be over $100,000 per year.

Episode of The Weeds mentioned in the episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SvnOvfCfDSouj8UiAuEm6?si=60b98ab7db944d61

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 117 Louis Agassiz (famous scientist) Aug 02, 2023

Louis Agassiz (1807-1873) was a world-famous geologist, ichthyologist, early paleontologist, glaciologist, and racist. He was foundational in our understanding of fish, and also the Ice Age, and also to the white-supremacist movement in America. Let's learn about his scientific legacy, and how he ruined his legacy with racism.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 116 Ratites (the big birds) Jul 19, 2023

One group of birds stands above all the others...literally! Ratites are a group of (mostly) giant and flightless birds found all across the world. Why did they give up the freedom of the skies for the difficulties of life on the ground? Let's find out!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 115 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 11: Grandma Gatewood Jul 05, 2023

While Gavin is vacationing and Fia is grinding out grad school, Mike tells us about a trailblazing (literally) pioneer in backpacking; "Grandma" Emma Gatewood.

Couldn't find the book for free on Google Books, sorry friends!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 114 The Great Oxidation Event Jun 21, 2023

We all love oxygen. It's what allows us to breathe, and to make energy from the food we eat. However, long, long ago, oxygen was a deadly poison that killed anything that it touched. How did oxygen go from a death cloud to Gavin's favorite element? The Great Oxidation Event!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 113 The End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction (the one that killed the dinosaurs) Jun 07, 2023

This is it. The big one. Well....the 3rd biggest one. What am I talking about? Mass extinctions of course! Today we talk about the End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction, the global catastrophe that killed many species and inspired many movies.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Episode 113 Postponed May 31, 2023

Gavin and Mike wanted to enjoy a holiday, so we're postponing this episode until next week.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 112 Cats (not the musical) May 17, 2023

Cats are everyone's favorite weird little guys. But now that Gavin has FOUR extra weird little guys running around his house, he decided to learn more about them and share with you!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 111 The Duality of Cephalopods May 03, 2023

Cephalopods (Squid, octopus, cuttlefish, nautilus) are one of the most bizarre groups of animals on the planet. They also have simultaneously one of the best, and one of the most terrible fossil records. Let's learn about these weirdos in today's episode!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 110 Mike Takes The Wheel vol. 10: Laika The Space Dog Apr 19, 2023

Humans have been launching stuff into space for nearly a century. Some of that stuff includes dogs. Mike tells us the *tail* of Laika, the Soviet space dog, the first animal to orbit around Earth, who paved the way for future space dogs, and space people.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Ep. 109 How Long Is A Day? Apr 05, 2023

*Everyone* knows that there's 365 days in a year, and 24 hours in a day. Or are there??? In this impromptu episode, Gavin tells Mike about how time gets funky throughout the geologic record.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Episode Links:

Article 1 https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/02/fossilized-coral-calendar-changes-leap-day/471180/

Article 2 https://newatlas.com/science/dinosaurs-shorter-days-longer-years-fossil-shells/

Bivalve Paper https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019PA003723

NASA Animation https://moon.nasa.gov/resources/429/the-moons-orbit-and-rotation/

Ep. 108 The Academy of Natural Sciences w/ Dr. Ted Daeschler Mar 22, 2023

The oldest natural history museum in North America, the Academy of Natural Sciences, is near where Gavin lives, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Some students from Gavin's university took a trip to the Academy for a class this semester, and Gavin tagged along to meet Dr. Ted Daeschler. Dr. Daeschler works on the evolutionary transitions from fish with fins, to land-dwelling animals with limbs, and he was nice enough to join us this episode for an interview!

Dr. Daeschler's website: http://clade.ansp.org/vert_zoology/people/daeschler/?_gl=1*w9snbo*_ga*MjA4MjA0MDE5LjE2Nzk0NDgzODE.*_ga_6KJ1PNLE19*MTY3OTQ0ODM4MS4xLjAuMTY3OTQ0ODM4MS42MC4wLjA.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgFW91jPXc

Epside 108 Delayed Until Next Week Mar 15, 2023

Life is busy, so episode 108 is postponed until next week! Thanks for your patience!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aBasGHTZ88

Ep. 107 The Jurassic Extinction?? Mar 01, 2023

The Jurassic Period is famous for many reasons. Having a Mass Extinction at the end isn't one of them. But should it be?

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aBasGHTZ88

Ep. 106 Sponges Feb 15, 2023

Some animals live more simply than others. In today's episode we talk about the simplest animals of them all; the sponges. From tubes within tubes, to little glass needles, sponges are both more simple and more complex than you might think!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aBasGHTZ88

Ep. 105 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 9: Broken Arrows Feb 01, 2023

We never really know what Mike will deign to bring us in our Mike Takes The Wheel episodes. Today we talk about Broken Arrows, which are much scarier than they sound, and why we're never actually safe from nuclear armageddon.

Links from Mike:

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0c5889f/broken-arrows-the-accidents-that-could-end-the-world
https://www.atomicarchive.com/almanac/broken-arrows/index.html

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aBasGHTZ88

Ep. 104 Theropod Dinosaurs Jan 18, 2023

Theropod dinosaurs are likely the most talked about group of dinosaurs, and probably the most talked about group of (sort of) extinct animals. In today's fairly technical episode, we learn about the group, their history, and their evolution!

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aBasGHTZ88

Ep. 103 Georges Cuvier Jan 04, 2023

Today we look back at one of the founders of many fields of biology, as well as a major figure in paleontology; Georges Cuvier. Having survived the French Revolution, he quickly becomes one of the most revered scientists in the world. It's not all good news from Cuvier though. Don't meet your heroes kids.

Palaeocast Gaming Network video Gavin made about the new Pokemon Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aBasGHTZ88
Sarah Baartman detailed information: https://mansellupham.wordpress.com/
Sarah Baartman Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Baartman

Ep. 102 Grass Dec 21, 2022

Grasses seem like the most bland type of plant don't they? They're everywhere, but never really exciting. WRONG! In this episode, Gavin shares the wonder of grasses and how they shape nearly everything about the world around us.

Ep. 101 Australia Dec 07, 2022

The continent with the weirdest wildlife is a bit of a toss up between South America and the topic of today's episode; Australia! What makes it so weird? Why does it have so many pockets? Also...Gavin's wife Liz subs in for Fia today because of finals week!

Episode 100!!: The History of Paleontology Nov 23, 2022

When you learn about the history of paleontology, you mostly learn about stuff that white people did starting around 1700 or so. However, humans have had a relationship to fossil for MUCH longer than that. Let's explore how different cultures from around the world have thought about fossil through time!

Source Links:

Episode 100 Postponed Nov 16, 2022

100 episodes is a big milestone, and as such, we want the episode to be perfect, so we're taking an extra week to make sure that happens!

Ep. 99 Turtles Nov 09, 2022

The weirdest animals are sometimes the most familiar. In the case of reptiles, that's the turtles! Everyone knows what a turtle is...except scientists! Find out what we DO know about them in this week's episode!

Ep. 98 End-Triassic Mass Extinction Nov 02, 2022

4 Mass Extinctions down...1 to go. Following the near-total destruction that was the end-Permian mass extinction, life had to rebound somehow. Unfortunately for everyone but the dinosaurs, that rebound lead life straight into another mass extinction 50 million years later. Let's learn about it!

Ep. 97 Bats (Spooky Season) Oct 26, 2022

Bats are *the* symbol of spooky season, but is it deserved? Let's learn about bats, their relatives, and how they need our help!

Ep. 96 Fossil Laws Around The World Oct 19, 2022

Fossil collecting is a hobby for many people around the world, but how legal is it? That depends where in the world you live! How legal is it to collect fossils where you live? Maybe you'll find out in today's episode about international fossil laws!

Ep. 95 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 8: The Dead Kennedys Oct 12, 2022

Mike takes the wheel once again to teach Gavin about the music of their childhoods...oh and also some extended members of the Kennedy political dynasty.

Happy National Fossil Day!

Ep. 94 Snakes Oct 05, 2022

Gavin, Mike and Fia talk about the most interesting group of lizards; Snakes! Why don't they have legs? Why don't they have two lungs? Why are people afraid of them? Let's talk about it.

Ep. 93 The Adirondack Mountains feat. Dr. Robert Darling Sep 28, 2022

Gavin and Mike talk to one of Gavin's former professors, Dr. Robert Darling (Dr. Bob), about the Adirondack Mountains! Mike spent the summer hiking in and around them, and wanted to learn more about them, so we brought in an expert!

Ep. 92 Volcanoes Sep 21, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike about the exploding wonders of the planet; volcanoes.

Episode Links:

Ep. 91 Antarctica Sep 14, 2022

Mike is back from the wilderness, and just in time to join Fia to learn about Antarctica, the *most extreme* continent.

Episode Links:

Ep. 90 Fia Takes The Wheel vol. 3: Isle de Jean Charles Sep 07, 2022

Fia tells Gavin about the recent climate-related struggles of a Native American tribe near where she does her field work, and how well-intentioned actions can be taken advantage of.

Ep. 89 The Great Dying (End-Permian Mass Extinction) Aug 31, 2022

Of all the times that life on Earth collectively bit the dust, one bite of dust rises above them all. In this episode, Gavin teaches Fia about the worst mass extinction of complex life on Earth, and how we might be racing to match it today.

Ep. 88 A Wildlife Guide of Pandora (James Cameron's Avatar) Aug 24, 2022

The highest-grossing movie of all-time is getting a sequel this year, and has A TON of really cool biological concepts in it, so Gavin and Fia talk about James Cameron's Avatar, and all of it's bioluminescent glory.

Links to More Information About Pandora:

Archived copy of the Survival Guide to Pandora: https://archive.org/details/avatarconfidenti00mari/page/105/mode/1up?view=theater
Short article published in Trends in Ecology and Evolution: https://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/fulltext/S0169-5347(10)00108-4
Blog Post about Pandoran life by Darren Naish: https://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/01/14/creatures-of-avatar

Ep. 87 Paleoclimate w/ Dr. Lorelei Curtin Aug 19, 2022

Fia and Mike are both out this week, so Gavin has one of his coworkers, Dr. Lorelei Curtin, explain how we study the climate of the ancient past!

Check out Lorelei's info!

Update on Episode 87 (Coming Friday) Aug 17, 2022

Quick update on the episode that would normally be going up today; instead it's going up on Friday.

Ep. 86 Primates Aug 10, 2022

Gavin tells Fia about our hairy, climbing cousins, and how chimps are monkeys actually. Fia teaches Gavin about weird, flat fishes.

Ep. 85 Stingrays, Skates and Banjos Aug 03, 2022

In honor of Shark Week, Gavin teaches Fia about the cousins of sharks; the rays and skates. Oh, and also banjos.

Ep. 84 State Fossils Part 2 Jul 27, 2022

Gavin finishes teaching Fia about state fossils; Mike has returned to the wilds of New York; and Fia teaches Gavin about a *mystery fish* that she found during her field work.

Ubirajara fossil returned to Brazil

Ep. 83 State Fossils Part 1 Jul 20, 2022

Mike's back! And just in time for Gavin to teach him and Fia about state fossils, how some states put in more effort than others (looking at you Florida...), and how local politics can be fun actually.

Ep. 82 Island Evolution w/ Carolyn Kocken & Rudolph Hummel Jul 13, 2022

Fia and Mike are away, so Gavin invites some grad school friends to talk about the funky stuff that islands do with their animals.

Consider installing Tab For A Cause

Ep. 81 The Carboniferous Rainforests Jul 06, 2022

Gavin teaches Fia about the giant forests, salamanders, and insects of the the Carboniferous Period. Fia teaches Gavin about the most naked fish in the Gulf, the Naked Gobi.

Ep. 80 Fia Takes The Wheel Vol. 2: Oysters Need Love Too Jun 29, 2022

Fia tells Gavin about her Master's Thesis project; Mike tells us about his summer adventures.

Ep. 79 Jurassic World: Dominion Jun 22, 2022

Gavin and Fia talk about the new (and hopefully last) movie in the Jurassic Park franchise; Jurassic World: Dominion.

Ep. 78 The Nature Of The Fossil Record Jun 15, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike and Fia about how the fossil record is both better and worse than you think it is. An also how it's like Swiss cheese. Fia teaches Mike and Gavin about Blue Crabs.

Ep. 77 ROAD TRIP!! Jun 08, 2022

Gavin and his wife try not to run out gas on their cross country adventure. Only one them succeeds.

Ep. 76 The Rock Cycle Jun 01, 2022

Gavin Teaches Mike About The Rock Cycle

Ep. 75 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 7: The Buffalo Soldiers May 25, 2022

Mike teaches Gavin and Mike abut Buffalo Soldiers and their complex legacy.

Prehistoric Planet Apple TV + Page

Ep. 74 How Fish Learned To Walk May 18, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike and Fia how fish first learned to walk on land.

Two papers referenced in the episode:

Ep. 73 The American Museum of Natural History May 11, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike and Fia about the collections and the history of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Ep. 72 The Late Devonian Extinction(s)? May 04, 2022

Gavin teaches Fia and COVID Mike about the extinction(s)? at the end of the Devonian Period, one of the "Big 5" mass extinctions. Fia teaches Gavin about how cool cypress trees are.

Ep. 71 Intro To Plants Apr 27, 2022

Gavin teaches Fia about the nemesis of animals: the plants!

Ep. 70 Fia Takes The Wheel: The Rougarou Apr 20, 2022

Fia takes the wheel for the first time and teaches Mike and Gavin about a cool piece of Louisiana swamp culture.

Ep. 69 (N)Ice Age: The Movie Apr 13, 2022

Gavin and Mike review the 2002 movie Ice Age together IN PERSON!!!

Ep. 68 Brachiopods Apr 06, 2022

Gavin tells Mike and Fia about Brachiopods; the Wish .com version of clams.

Ep. 67.5 Who's the New Girl? It's Fia! Mar 30, 2022

Gavin and Mike welcome new co-host Fia to the podcast.

Ep. 67 Nicolas Steno Mar 23, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike and New Co-Host Fia about Nicolas Steno

Ep. 66 The Underrated Silurian Period Mar 16, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike about the supposed "most boring" Period of geologic history, the Silurian.

Ep. 65 The Real Beauty of Camels w/ Dr. Darrin Pagnac Mar 09, 2022

Gavin's old professor Darrin teaches us why camels are actually cool.

Ep. 64 The Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite w/ Jeremy Roberts Mar 02, 2022

Gavin interviews Jeremy B. Roberts about the events that unfolded after dinosaur tracks on federal lands were damaged by construction outside Moab, Utah.

Ep. 63 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 6: Paul Farmer Feb 23, 2022

Mike teaches Gavin about a man who more people should know about; Paul Farmer.

Ep. 62 Amber Feb 16, 2022

Gavin depresses Mike about Amber

Ep. 61 Crocodilians Feb 09, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike the difference between crocodiles and alligators, and a lot of other stuff along the way.

Ep. 60 The Evolution Of Claws Feb 02, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike about those little hooks that your cat uses to ruin the sofa, bear claws (both literal and pastry), and giant dinosaur scythes.

Ep. 59 The Ordovician Extinction Jan 26, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike about the the Ordovician Extinction, and why it sort of didn't matter.

Ep. 58 The Tree Of Life Jan 19, 2022

Gavin teaches Mike why we name things what we do, how language doesn't work if we don't, and why everything is fish.

Download Nussaibah Raja and Emma Dunne's new paper while you can: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01608-8

Ep. 57 The VelociPastor Jan 12, 2022

Gavin and Mike discuss one of the best bad movies of our time

Ep. 56 Manatees Jan 05, 2022

Gavin tells Mike about Manatees and Mike gets confused.

Ep. 55: Farewell To The Calendar: A Holiday Episode Dec 29, 2021

Gavin and Mike look back on and say goodbye to this podcast's biggest mistake

Ep. 54 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 5: Gavin Helps Edition Dec 22, 2021

Mike and Gavin talk about a nerd that saved some lives

Ep. 53 Mammals (from 200 Million to 60 Million) Dec 15, 2021

Mammals were crushed under the feet of our dinosaur oppressors until the big rock came and liberated us. Or so you've been told. In this one Gavin debunks that notion and teaches us why our vision kinda sucks.

Sources:

Ep. 52 How To become A Paleontologist (1-Year Pod-iversary) Dec 08, 2021

Every paleontologist who has interacted with the public has been asked the same question; "How do I become a paleontologist?" For our 1-year anniversary, we listen to eight different paleontologists about how they became paleontologists and some advice for if you want to become one as well.

Links for guests in order of appearance:

Gavin's links:
Gavin's blog
Gavin's Twitter

Dr. Darrin Pagnac's Links:
Darrin's Academic Website

Dr. Chris McRoberts' Links:
Dr. McRoberts' Academic Website

Will Harris' and David Moscato's Links:
The Common Descent Podcast
The Common Descent Podcast Blog
The Common Descent Podcast Twitter

Ep. 51 Snowball Earth Dec 01, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about that time the earth was a snowball. Or, and hear me out here, a slushball.

Sources:

Ep. 50 The Cambrian Explosion Nov 24, 2021

Gavin Teaches Mike about the defining event of the last 550 million years; the Cambrian Explosion! Was it that big of an explosion, or was it more of a pop?

Check out those weird Cambrian critters:

Ep. 49 Paleontology of Pokemon Nov 17, 2021

Yes, there's really science in Pokemon.

Ep. 48 Cows and Related Phenomena Nov 10, 2021

Gavin teaches a very tired Mike what a cow is

Ep. 47 The Biggest Hoax In Paleontology (Piltdown Man) Nov 03, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about the "The Piltdown Man" hoax.

Ep. 46 Rhinos!! Oct 27, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about Rhinos, including disappointing facts facts about how many rhinos have horns.

Ep. 45 Poop! (or Coprolites if You're Fancy) Oct 20, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about poop and how useful it can be when it becomes a fossil.

Ep. 44 So, Like, What Is Evolution Anyways? Oct 13, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike what evolution is, and Mike learns he's wrong about many things.

Ep. 43 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 4: Robert Smalls Oct 06, 2021

Mike teaches Gavin about an interesting man by the name of Robert Smalls.

Ep. 42 Gavin has a Gig Sep 29, 2021

Gavin talks to Mike about his new job and the laws around it

Ep. 41 Plesiosaurs Sep 22, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about Plesiosaurs

Ep. 40 Cryptozoology Sep 15, 2021

Mike and Gavin discuss cryptozoology and the many offshoots of it.

Ep. 39 Plate Tectonics Sep 08, 2021

Gavin teaches Mikes about the science and history of plate tectonics.

Ep. 38 La Brea Tar Pits Sep 01, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about the La Brea Tar Pits.

Ep. 37 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 3: Jeannette Rankin Aug 25, 2021

Mike tell Gavin about Jeannette Rankin, the first women to serve in the House of Representatives.

Ep. 36 Dinosaur: The Movie Aug 18, 2021

Gavin and Mike talk about a Disney movie from a few decades ago. Mike is sad Gavin is leaving New York.

Ep. 35 Mammal Origins Aug 11, 2021

Gavin tells Mike how we went from land dwelling animals to mammals.

Ep. 34 Reef!! With special guest Fia Campanino!! Aug 04, 2021

Gavin and Mike are joined by number 1 fan of the pod and long time friend Fia to talk about reefs and not just the coral kind.

Ep. 33 Decolonizing Paleontology with special guests Dr. Emma Dunne and Nussaïbah Raja Jul 28, 2021

In the best episode we've ever recorded, Gavin and Mike are joined by Dr. Emma Dunne and Nussaïbah Raja to discuss the history and effects of colonization on the field of paleontology.

EP. 32 PETM: Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum Jul 21, 2021

Without an episode on climate change, Gavin tells Mike about the closest thing this planet has ever experienced to our current climate situation. Mike is bit of a downer, and wanted to talk about Fahrenheit for some reason.

Ep. 31.5 Shark Week Bonus Episode Jul 17, 2021

Shark Week sucks. Gavin tells us why.

Ep. 31 Sharks!! Jul 14, 2021

In honor of Shark Week, Gavin teaches the world about sharks. Mike enjoys the hell out of himself.

Ep. 30 Sauropods are huge Jul 07, 2021

Gavin tells Mike why his favorite dinosaur is awesome. Mike agrees.

Ep. 29 The Title is Pterosaurs Jun 30, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about Pterosaurs. They are weird.

Ep. 28 Mike Takes The Wheel Vol. 2: Moses Fleetwood Walker Jun 23, 2021

Mike teaches Gavin about Moses Fleetwood Walker, the second black major league baseball player, and everything that comes along with him.

Ep. 27 Fossil Fuels Jun 16, 2021

You've heard of fossil fuels, but Gavin breaks down what we're actually talking about when we use that term.

Ep. 26 The Elephant Episode Jun 09, 2021

Elephants are weird. Gavin will prove that over the next hour or so.

Ep. 25 The Lizard Episode Jun 02, 2021

Where Gavin teaches Mike why Lizards are a mess.

Ep. 24 New York State Geology May 26, 2021

Gavin is back in New York and wanted to celebrate.

Ep. 23 Living Fossils are Dead May 19, 2021

Where Gavin tells Mike why the term "Living Fossils" is bad and shouldn't be used.

Ep. 22 Geologic Dating May 12, 2021

Where Mike and Gavin talk about how old time on earth is, and why it's that old. Also, dating!

Ep. 21 Flight!! May 05, 2021

Where Gavin teaches Mike why things fly, and why we can't.

Ep. 20 6th Mass Extinction?? Apr 28, 2021

Where Gavin and Mike discuss a decade old paper about whether we are currently living through a mass extinction, and why Gavin is skeptical to say the least.

Ep. 19 Mike Takes The Wheel: Gouverneur Morris Apr 21, 2021

Gavin was busy, so Mike made an episode about one of his favorite dead people, Gouverneur Morris. (*Update* listen to beginning of episode 60 for some new information on Gouverneur Morris.)

Ep. 18 Gavin Has a Masters Degree* Apr 14, 2021

Where Gavin has a masters degree, and then he and and Mike talk about grad school in general.

Ep. 17 The Horse Episode Apr 07, 2021

Where Gavin goes full horse girl.

Ep. 16 The Great American Biotic Interchange Mar 31, 2021

Where Gavin blows Mike's mind for an hour straight on South America

Ep. 15 National Parks Mar 24, 2021

Where Mike and Gavin talk about National Parks and why they're awesome. Also some government stuff thrown in.

Ep. 14 The Publishing Industrial Complex Mar 18, 2021

Gavin teaches Mike about the inside world of how science gets published and how gross it can be.

Ep 13. Dino Buttholes Mar 10, 2021

Some recent news changes our perspective on the dino derriere. What an episode.

Ep. 12 Gavin Has Finished His Masters Thesis* Mar 03, 2021

Gavin has gotten the approval of his advisor to defend his thesis to a group of angry scientists.

No Episode This Week Feb 24, 2021

Gavin is busy, so Mike takes a minute to explain that

Ep. 11 Field Work Part 3 Feb 17, 2021

The conclusion (for now) of our 3 part series on Gavin's time in the field.

Ep. 10 Field Work Part 2 Feb 10, 2021

Gavin is back with more stories of being out in the field.

Ep. 9 600 Million Years in 120 Minutes Feb 03, 2021

Gavin has unfinished business, so Mike has allowed another 60 minutes for him to get to the present day.

Ep. 8 600 Million Years in 60 Minutes!?!? Jan 27, 2021

Where Gavin and Mike try to cover the last 600 million years of earth's history, and are able to actually cover some percentage of that.

Ep. 7 Pleistocene Rewilding Jan 20, 2021

Where Gavin and Mike talk how to bring animals back to places where they used to live.

Ep. 6 The Bone Wars! Jan 13, 2021

Where Gavin and Mike discuss the epic rivalry between Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh.

Ep. 5 You Gotta Know What You're Looking For Jan 06, 2021

When Gavin and Mike discuss the different categories of vertebrates, and Mike is usually wrong.

Links

Axoltl

Ep. 4 Field Work Part 1 Dec 30, 2020

Where Mike and Gavin discuss Gavin's early field work experiences, as well as why field work is important and the problems it presents.

Links:

Bearded Dragon Meme

Places to volunteer for field work
Your Local Museum!
A great resource to find volunteer opportunities by state
A solid Reddit thread about Paleo-Volunteerism

The Laramie Project

Ep. 3 Is Jurassic Park Good? Dec 23, 2020

The good, the bad, and the ugly of the movie that changed Gavin's field of science to this day.

Ep. 2 The Dinosaur Episode Dec 16, 2020

An episode where we learn a brief history of dinosaurs, and discuss why they aren't around anymore (sort of).

Ep. 1 Science Sucks Sometimes Dec 08, 2020

In the first episode of I Wish You Were Dead, we learn how science can suck, we get to know our resident expert Gavin, and we see why he doesn't want to be called an expert.

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