Social anxiety icebreakers. Third spaces. Slumber parties with old friends. Helping out strangers. And why primates are wired to be better connected than we are now. Dr. Nicholas Epley – a distinguished Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Chicago and the author of “A Little More Social” – explains how important social activity is for physical and mental health, why people are experiencing a friendship recession, how texting affects your hormones, how seeing other cultures can shape your life, the world’s friendliest cities, and the low expectations keeping us feeling lonely. Also: don’t be afraid to pick up the phone. 

Visit Dr. Epley’s website

Buy his books, A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection and Mindwise: Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want

A donation went to Ruby’s Rainbow

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Awe Psychology (WONDER), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Awesomeology (GRATITUDE FOR LITTLE THINGS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Syndesiology (CONNECTIONS), Mythology (STORYTELLING)

Jarrett Sleeper’s “30 Words for Love – a long poem” 

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

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Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

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Scoville units. Nightshades. Hot ones. Sweet ones. Scandalous data. Pull up a seat for a wild, hot ride through New Mexico. Pepper expert, horticulturist, and Capsicumologist Dr. Paul “The Chileman” Bosland of New Mexico State’s Chile Pepper Institute dishes up stories of how chile peppers got from the wild into your mouth, what parts of peppers are the hottest, why mild peppers don’t get enough credit, how to grow peppers at home, how to recover from the burn, some lore behind your favorite hot sauces, red vs. green, Guinness World Records, Ig Nobel Prizes, why you can’t handle peppers but your mom can, hot foods in hot places, seeds, walls, piths, myths, bigger lips, pepper roulette, and so much more. Also: I abuse myself with Ashes to Ashes. 

Follow Dr. Bosland on Google Scholar

A donation went to NMSU Chile Pepper Institute

Visit the Chile Pepper Institute website and online store and follow them on Instagram

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Gustology (TASTE), Evolutionary Anthropology (METABOLISM), Thermophysiology (BODY HEAT), Dolorology (PAIN), Foraging Ecology (EATING WILD PLANTS) with @BlackForager, Ethnoecology (ETHNOBOTANY/NATIVE PLANTS), Pomology (APPLES), Cucurbitology (PUMPKINS), Scatology (POOP), Allergology (ALLERGIES), Optical Technology (HISTORY OF EYEGLASSES + MODERN DAY VISION), Ophthalmology (EYES), Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION), Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What is your Roman Empire? It’s about to be this episode. What causes the big dogs to stumble and fall? Do societies collapse suddenly, or would one notice as it happens? What *is* a complex society – and is it better than a simple one? Depends on who you ask, and we went straight to the source: the legendary anthropologist, scholar, historian and author of “The Collapse of Complex Societies,” Dr. Joseph Tainter. New obsession awaits you in the fall of the Roman Empire, cities lost to the desert dust, diminishing returns, fiddling amid the flames, the worst beard in history, fossil fuels, fertilizer, bread, circus, hanging chads, and if you should go live on a small goat farm. Happy 250th birthday to the currently United States of America!

Follow Dr. Tainter on Google Scholar

Buy his book, The Collapse of Complex Societies

A donation went to Utah State University's Ecology Center

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Classical Archeology (ANCIENT ROME), Revolutionology (REBELLIONS & SOCIAL CHANGE), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Nomology (THE CONSTITUTION), Genealogy (FAMILY TREES), Agnotology (IGNORANCE), Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY), Syndesiology (CONNECTIONS), Space Archaeology (SPACE JUNK), Astrobromatology (SPACE FOOD), Paternology (FATHERHOOD)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The promised follow up bonus episode to our biomusicology episode with theoretical, neuro- and biomusicologist Dr David Bashwiner. This one is guest hosted by Podmother Jarrett Sleeper and we steer the discussion more toward the process of creating music, where creativity comes from, the relationship between theory, technique, and creativity, how to unleash or access one’s own creativity, synthesizers, whether new sounds are possible, emulation vs simulation, music as it exists in nature, whether or not animals use instruments, why we know the instinctively the difference between purring and growling, and perhaps a bit about the effects of drugs on mixing?

Visit Dr. Bashwiner’s website and follow him on Google Scholar

You can find Jarrett on Instagram and Bandcamp

A donation went to Gaza Hand of Salvation Initiative

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY), Mnemonology (MEMORY), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Ornithology (BIRDS), Mantodeology (PRAYING MANTISES), Primatology (APES & MONKEYS), Misophonology (DISTRACTING SOUND & NOISE RAGE), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Funology (YES, FUN)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Music. Emotion. Brain waves. Whale songs. Toadfish. Distant moons. Loud apes. And why it’s worth it to practice piano. Brilliant and warm musician and assistant professor at Albuquerque's University of New Mexico, Dr. David Bashwiner is a theoretical, neuro- and biomusicologist. Settling into his office (with a baby grand) we covered everything from bird songs to aquatic echolocation, how scales work, major vs. minor keys and their impact on the brain, music therapies, white noise, binaural beats, mole crickets, fandom as identity, spider guitar strings, Baby Mozart, so-called perfect pitch, and so much more. Stay tuned for a bonus episode hosted by Podmother Jarrett Sleeper about getting more creative musically. Go bang on something. Hard. 

Visit Dr. Bashwiner’s website and follow him on Google Scholar

A donation went to APS International High School

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Mnemonology (MEMORY), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Ornithology (BIRDS), Mantodeology (PRAYING MANTISES), Primatology (APES & MONKEYS), Misophonology (DISTRACTING SOUND & NOISE RAGE), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Funology (YES, FUN)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will changing your sunscreen save coral reefs? What even IS a coral? Where do they grow and what do they eat and why are they so pretty? Is it reefs or reeves? The wonderful and charming coral biologist and cnidariologist Shayle Matsuda takes time out of his busy schedule during a coral spawning event to chat about how magical and beautiful coral can be and why reef health is important. Also: whether or not "Finding Nemo" got coral right, making transitions during grad school, and how to pursue your ambitions while being bravely authentic. He'll quickly become your favorite cnidariologist.

Catch up with Dr. Shayle Matsuda’s work at the Shedd Aquarium’s Center for Conservation and Research

Shayle's blog post about coral spawning

Donations went to paepaeoheeia.org and pointfoundation.org

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Pride Month: Guests to Know and Love, Oceanology (OCEANS), Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES), FIELD TRIP: A Hawaiian Breadfruit Rev'ULUtion, Climate Fervorology (ECO-ADVOCACY WITHOUT IT BEING A BUMMER, Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Macrophycology (SEAWEED), Biomineralogy (SHELLS), Nudibranchology (GLAMOROUS SEA SLUGS), Echinology (SEA URCHINS & SAND DOLLARS), Medusology (JELLYFISH), Cheloniology (SEA TURTLES), Selachimorphology (SHARKS), Teuthology (SQUIDS), Carcinology (CRABS), Ichthyology (FISHES)

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Editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media, Steven Ray Morris, Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

DADS. What makes a good one? What if you had a bad one? And how can fatherhood turn the tides on toxic masculinity? Also: diapers. The brilliant USC research psychologist,  fatherhood expert, and thus Paternologist Dr. Darby Saxbe covers everything from prehistoric family systems to social media expectations as we chat about male hormones during and after pregnancy, division of labor, dad bods, gorillas, TV dads, seahorses, trans dads, oxytocin, gender reveals, and how it truly takes a community to raise a kid. Her brand new book is  “Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How it Shapes Men's Lives,” and it’s great reading for anyone who was the result of a sperm and egg. Including frogs.

Visit Dr. Saxbe’s website and follow her on Instagram, Bluesky, Substack, and YouTube

Buy her book, Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives

A donation went to Homeboy Industries

Zach Bogart’s “Oh hey” cataloguer site ohheyitsthe.site

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Pride Month: Guests to Know and Love, Genealogy (FAMILY TREES), Matrimoniology (MARRIAGE), Evolutionary Biology (DARWINISM), Trolleyology (MORAL DILEMMAS + THE TROLLEY PROBLEM), Personality Psychology (PERSONALITIES), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Neuroendocrinology (SEX & GENDER), Sexology (SEX), Biogerontology (AGING), Mammalogy (MAMMALS), Dasyurology (TASMANIAN DEVILS)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

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Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

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Awe?! You can study this? You can, and it turns out it’s really important for our mental health. Dr. Dacher Keltner, the legendary UC Berkeley psychology professor, author, and founding director of the Greater Good Science Center, lent us some time to chat about his research into what makes us feel awe, and how that sense of vastness can make our lives and relationships richer. From spending some time under starry skies, to walking past ancient ruins, to listening to a favorite song, these big and little moments can help us feel smaller in the best way. Also: hop into a mosh pit. 

Visit Dr. Keltner’s website

Buy his book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, on Bookshop.org or Amazon

Listen to his series, Cities of Awe, on the Science of Happiness podcast

A donation went to the Bay Area Freedom Collective

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Awesomeology (GRATITUDE FOR LITTLE THINGS), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS), Museology (MUSEUMS), Fanthropology (FANDOM), FIELD TRIP: I Chase the 2024 Eclipse with Umbraphiles, FIELD TRIP: How to Change Your Life via the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wineries vs. vineyards. Metal vs. oak. DIY wine. Carbonic fermentation situations? Enologists 

Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribó – co-owners of the boutique California winery Camins2Dreams – join us to chat about how grapes are harvested, why some are juiced with the stems, Indigenous perspectives on wine making, weird balloon chambers, wooden teabags, labcoat envy, tips for making your own wines, how they met and the surprising story of how they became a married duo in life and work. This couple needs a rom-com made in their honor. Raise a glass.

Visit Tara and Mireia’s winery, Camins 2 Dreams

Follow Camins 2 Dreams on Instagram

A donation went to House of Pride & Equality

Other episodes you may enjoy: Zymology (BEER), Mixology (COCKTAILS), Ciderology (DELICIOUS APPLE BEVERAGES), Pomology (APPLES), Coffeeology (YEP, COFFEE), Fromology (CHEESE), Gastroegyptology (BREAD BAKING), Food Anthropology (FEASTS), Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING), Black American Magirology (FOOD, RACE & CULTURE), Melittology (BEES), Gustology (TASTE), Disgustology (REPULSION TO GROSS STUFF)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To chill or not to chill? That is the question. And then a bunch more questions. Thankfully, author, winemaker, sommelier, and Enology expert, André Hueston Mack is on hand to explain Old World vs. New World wines, corks vs. caps, red, rosé, orange, and white wines, stemware, judging a wine by its label, the best glass of wine he’s ever tasted, needless snobbery, aeration, decanting, and what those legs are doing dancing around your glass. Also: how to open a bottle with no corkscrew. Next week: how to make wine. Stay tuned. 

Visit André’s website and follow him on Instagram and Threads

Shop André’s wines at Maison Noir Wines

Buy his book, 99 Bottles: A Black Sheep’s Guide to Life-Changing Wines, on Bookshop.org or Amazon

Pre-order his upcoming book, Wine for Good Times: A Guide for Curious Drinkers, on Bookshop.org or Amazon (publishing February 23, 2027)

A donation went to Food Bank for NYC

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Zymology (BEER), Mixology (COCKTAILS), Ciderology (DELICIOUS APPLE BEVERAGES), Pomology (APPLES), Coffeeology (YEP, COFFEE), Fromology (CHEESE), Gastroegyptology (BREAD BAKING), Food Anthropology (FEASTS), Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING), Black American Magirology (FOOD, RACE & CULTURE), Melittology (BEES), Gustology (TASTE), Disgustology (REPULSION TO GROSS STUFF)

400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

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Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen. Sometimes we like to shake it up. So while we’re finishing up next week’s episode, I decided to open a sound file and spilled only secrets. This was an exercise in just chilling with you, and not editing a thing. Think of it as my exposure therapy + life advice and embarrassing tales from me, your actual biological father from the internet. Is it too long? Too bad! Is it too boring? I don’t know! But in these uncertain times, it’s important to remember that showing up is what matters. I don’t know, probably. 

A donation went to the Hand of Salvation Initiative

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Oikology (DECLUTTERING), Entomophagy Anthropology (EATING INSECTS), Disgustology (REPULSION), Enigmatology (WORD GAMES), Political Sociology (VOTER TURNOUT & SUPPRESSION)

400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

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Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek 

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.