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PODCAST

The Common Descent Podcast

Join David and Will as they explore the paleontologists’ perspective on various topics in life and earth history. Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more. Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related to paleontology and evolution. Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by

science natural sciences

All Episodes

01:35:22

Episode 28 - Charles Darwin

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/02/11

Happy Darwin Day! In honor of Chuck's birthday (Feb 12), we are joined this episode by Dr. Sarah Bray of the Discovering Darwin podcast, to chat about the man whose research and writings laid the groundwork for our modern understanding of biology and evolution: Charles Darwin! In the news: orange crocs, insect evolution, and footprints at NASA! Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:05:00 Main discussion: 00:31:00 Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:

en

01:30:11

Episode 27 - Domestication

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/01/28

This episode, we explore the evolutionary innovation that brought us a diversity of animal companions, from corgis to cattle to cauliflower, and jump-started our species’ rise to world dominance: Domestication. In the news: a colorful new dinosaur, super-ancient butterflies, the evolution of tail weaponry, and migrating whale barnacles. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:02:00 Main discussion: 00:23:30 Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures:

en

01:44:27

Episode 26 - Astrobiology

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2018/01/14

This episode, we look to the stars! Our discussion takes a tour across the field of astrobiology, the broad and thought-provoking science that seeks to answer the questions of how life arises, where it thrives, and where we might find it elsewhere in the universe, incorporating everything from astronomy to paleontology along the way. In the news: Ancient Americans, a frozen baby rhino, unique dinosaur bones, and a surprising shared feature of cells. Time markers: Intro & Announcements:

en

01:40:49

Episode 25 - The Pleistocene Megafaunal Extinction

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/12/31

In this episode, we firmly establish a tradition of extinction-talk! This time, by request, it’s the latest major prehistoric extinction in Earth history, the event that took from us the mammoths, ground sloths, and other giants of the Ice Age, a mass extinction that our own species was around to witness (and perhaps even cause): the Pleistocene Megafaunal Extinction. In the news: mistaken Archaeopteryx identity, ticks with a taste for dinosaurs, evolution of the Tibetan Plateau, and ancient bear

en

01:35:25

Episode 24 - Sloths

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/12/17

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:

en

01:32:46

Episode 23 - Jurassic Park

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/12/03

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

en

01:34:35

Episode 22 - Micropaleontology

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/11/19

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:

en

01:33:56

Episode 21 - Dinosaurs, An Introduction

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/11/05

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/ Follow and Support us

en

01:40:58

Episode 20 - The Scientific Method

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/10/22

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

en

33:56

Diversity in Paleontology - Special Episode

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/10/08

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:

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01:56:50

Episode 19 - Women in Paleontology

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/10/08

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

en

01:33:33

Episode 18B - Human Evolution Part 2

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/09/24

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

en

01:29:46

Episode 18A - Human Evolution Part 1

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/09/24

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

en

01:37:39

Episode 17 - The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology...

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/09/10

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

en

01:35:56

Episode 16 - Cephalopods

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/08/27

This episode, by request, we’re talking about one of our favorite groups of invertebrates! Specifically, invertebrates with big brains and squiggly arms - some with beautiful shells and others with incredible camouflage - and a fantastically rich fossil record stretching back over 500 million years: the cephalopods. In the news: a giant gets a name; a confusing early dinosaur; some really old ice; and a rockstar croc. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:02:00 Main discussion:

en

01:28:38

Episode 15 - The End-Triassic Extinction

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/08/13

This episode, we’re talking mass extinction again! Last time, we touched on the event that ended the Age of Dinosaurs, but this time – by listener request! – we’re discussing the event that started it: patterns and potential causes of the end-Triassic mass extinction. In the news: a colorful armored giant; a surprise apex predator; epigenetics and variation; and some fast-evolving big-headed geckos! Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:04:00 Main discussion: 00:35:00 Check out our

en

01:30:14

Episode 14 - The Gray Fossil Site

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/07/30

This episode, we finally take the time to talk in detail about the dig site we mention more than any other, the site where we both spent many years: the Gray Fossil Site! We discuss the site’s discovery, ongoing work, ancient ecosystem, and some of our own experiences. In the news: the speed of T. rex, warm-blooded evolution, dinosaur sails, and the earliest Australians. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:05:30 Main discussion: 00:31:00 Check out our blog for bonus info and

en

01:22:53

...But We Digress - The History of Earth

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/07/19

And now for something completely different! Just how deep is Deep Time? Exactly how are important events arranged throughout our planet’s history? Which events are recent and which are ancient? In this special episode, we take a tour through Earth History, from beginning to end, one million years per second: a virtual trip through geologic time! Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 Tour Through Time: 00:04:30 Follow and Support us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast

en

01:39:41

Episode 13 - The Fossil Preparation Lab

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/07/16

The episode comes to you from inside the fossil prep lab, where we explore what goes into cleaning, repairing, and generally making fossils ready for study. We are joined by our friend Shawn Haugrud, as well as two of his lab’s head preparators: Shayleigh Maden and Davis Gunnin! In the news: swimming strategies of plesiosaurs, surprise marine mass extinction, a bone-crushing Jurassic croc, and the temperature of dinosaur eggs. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:05:00 Main

en

01:40:13

Episode 12 - The Geologic Time Scale

The Common Descent Podcast ·

2017/07/02

This episode is about the history of the earth, and how we compile all that we know about the ancient past in the great Geologic Time Scale. In the news: the shapes of bird eggs, very ancient amphibians, more dinosaur faces, and the history of hippos. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:03:00 Main discussion: 00:32:00 Patron announcements & question: 01:32:00 Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures: http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/ Follow and Support us on:

en

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