The Common Descent Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 24 - Sloths Dec 17, 2017

Show notes

This episode, by listener request, is all about sloths! We explore their bizarre family tree, their adorable and internet-favorite living representatives, and their diverse and truly incredible ancient members.

In the news: pterosaur eggs, a bizarre swimming dinosaur, the plight of paleontological monuments, and the ears of plesiosaurs.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:30
Main discussion: 00:33:00

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePRXHEnZmTGum2r1l2mduw

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 23 - Jurassic Park Dec 03, 2017

Show notes

Hold onto your butts … in this episode, we celebrate the intersection of science and popular culture with a discussion about the biggest dinosaur movie of all time, what makes it unique, and the incredible effect it had on the real-life world of paleontology: Jurassic Park.

In the news: a new Jurassic glider, Tasmanian stromatolites, the world’s longest dinosaur trackway, and a tool for tracking fossils.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:30
Main discussion: 00:28:00

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 22 - Micropaleontology Nov 19, 2017

Show notes

This episode, we take a super up-close look at the tiniest components of the fossil record, the microscopic remains that are so essential to our understanding of earth history, and the field of study devoted to them: Micropaleontology.

In the news: daytime mammals, unusual dinosaur teeth, the dinosaur family tree (again), and dead male mammoths.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:01:30
Main discussion: 00:27:00

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 21 - Dinosaurs, An Introduction Nov 04, 2017

Show notes

There is no group of prehistoric creatures more iconic, more widely-studied, or more requested by our listeners, than the subject of this episode! This time, it's a brief introduction to Dinosaurs.

In the news: colorful dinosaurs, the rise of big herbivores, an Indian ichthyosaur, and saber-tooth DNA.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:04:00
Main discussion: 00:29:00

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 20 - The Scientific Method Oct 21, 2017

Show notes

This episode, we’re taking a big step back at the concept that underlies everything we talk about on this podcast: the scientific method! Our discussion includes what exactly the method is, why we use it, and what can sometimes get lost in translation.

In the news: fossilized salamander organs, dinosaur proteins (or not), the bizarre comb jellies, and fanged kangaroos.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:02:00
Main discussion: 00:29:30

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Diversity in Paleontology - Special Episode Oct 08, 2017

Show notes

To coincide with Episode 19 of Common Descent, this is a compilation of voices, more than a dozen paleontologists sharing their varied perspectives on the subject of diversity, inclusivity, and inspiration in their favorite field of science.

Big thanks to all who participated!

Find Michelle at Femmes of STEM: https://www.femmesofstem.com/

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 19 - Women in Paleontology Oct 08, 2017

Show notes

This is a listener-requested topic and a guest episode! We are joined by super-special guest Michelle Barboza-Ramirez of the Femmes of STEM podcast, who is here to help us explore the deep subject of Women in Paleontology. We talk about female scientists past and present, discuss the challenges they face, and reflect on the broad questions of diversity in the field of paleontology and other sciences.

In the news: baby saber-tooths; Triceratops brains; surprises in dinosaur poop; and super-ancient trilobite guts!

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:30
Main discussion: 00:31:30

HUGE thanks to Michelle for helping us out! Find her at www.femmesofstem.com!

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 18B - Human Evolution Part 2 Sep 23, 2017

Show notes

In the second part of our exploration of our own evolutionary past, we focus in on one particular recent group of big-brained, bipedal hominins. We explore their incredible diversity, their clever creations, and the origins of a species that we know better than any other.

In the news: Neanderthal plaque; very surprising footprints; our tiny mysterious cousins; and an ancient sugary secret.

Time markers:
Intro & Recap: 00:00:00
Main discussion: 00:03:30
News: 01:03:00

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 18A - Human Evolution Part 1 Sep 23, 2017

Show notes

This time, by request, we discuss an ancient story so detailed, compelling, and important that we had to split it in two! In part one, we find our own place on the family tree of life, and trace the history and evolutionary innovations of our ancestors and cousins: the early hominins.

In the news: four-flippered swimming; the life of a dodo; weird whale teeth; and the many possible paths of evolution.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:03:30
Main discussion: 00:33:30

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Episode 17 - The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) Sep 10, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, David tells tales of his trip to Calgary for this year’s SVP meeting: research presentations; meeting new people; paleo-field trips in Alberta; and more. If you’re into vertebrate paleontology, this is one of the biggest and more exciting events of the year!

In the news: several hundred research projects presented by paleontologists from all over the world, who came together at the end of August for the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology! We mention just a few of these studies.

Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
Main discussion (with News throughout): 00:04:00

Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:
http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/

Follow and Support us on:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/
PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcast

The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.
More music like this at http://ocremix.org.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Common Descent Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected