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Ologies with Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

Alie Ward

Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.

  • 1 hour 25 minutes
    Meleagrology (TURKEYS) with Cyler Conrad

    Wattles. Snoods. Struts. Vibes. It’s not November, which is exactly why we’re putting this episode out. All day every day, turkeys are out there like beanbags with stick legs. Let’s take a moment, or 90 minutes, with Archaeologist, Meleagrologist, and turkey researcher,  Dr. Cyler Conrad. We’ll find out if they can fly, do they like to kiss, where did they get their audacity, turkeys versus my car door, if they can survive a rainstorm, the deep connections between Indigenous cultures and North American turkeys, creepy turkeys, alternative universes, if one can eat turkey eggs, where do they nest, what’s up with the wishbone and so many inconvenient facts that will have you questioning what you thought you knew about these so-called thunder chickens. 

    Follow Dr. Conrad on Google Scholar

    A donation went to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Chickenology (HENS & ROOSTERS), Condorology (CONDORS & VULTURES), Ornithology (BIRDS), Food Anthropology (FEASTS), Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING), Plumology (FEATHERS), Indigenous Pedology (SOIL SCIENCE), Oology (EGGS), Experimental Archeology (OLD TOOLS/ATLATLS), Araneology (SPIDERS)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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.

    6 May 2026, 8:27 am
  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    Antarcticology (ANTARCTIC RESEARCH) with Ariel Waldman

    Mile-thick ice. Dry, rocky valleys. Tiny creatures. Red parkas. Seal mummies. We’re going to Antarctica with National Geographic Explorer, microscopic photographer, and Antarcticologist Ariel Waldman. She hosts the gorgeous PBS series “Life Unearthed” and answers a blizzard of questions about camping in the middle of an ice sheet, hauling microscopes to the ends of the Earth, what’s living in a drop of melted snow, potty protocols, microplastics, and the research that happens on a giant continent that carries many mysteries. Also: why you should cold email someone. Like, today. 

    Visit Ariel’s website and follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Bluesky

    Watch Life Unearthed with Ariel Waldman on PBS 

    A donation went to the San Francisco Microscopical Society

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Cryoseismology (ICEQUAKES), Oceanology (OCEANS), Snow Hydrology (SNOW/AVALANCHES), Tardigradology (TINY SEMI-INDESTRUCTIBLE WATER BEAR MOSS PIGLET CREATURES CALLED TARDIGRADES), Penguinology (PENGUINS), Pinnipedology (SEALS & WALRUSES), Dipterology (FLIES), Carcinology (CRABS), Ursinology (BEARS), Astrobiology (ALIENS), Thermophysiology (BODY HEAT)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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.

    29 April 2026, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 42 minutes
    Dolorology (PAIN) Encore with Rachel Zoffness

    In an encore of one of our top episodes ever, Dr. Zoffness is back to chat about her brand new book, Tell Me Where It Hurts.

    PAIN. What is it? Where does it come from? And how can we hurt less? Which hurts more, a kidney stone or heartache? Why does chronic pain persist? Can we turn down our pain dials? To answer these huge questions, pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness enthusiastically explains the brain, pain and how to retrain it. She is an unabashed neuronerd and a ray of hope in a field that is misunderstood, neglected and under-explained. A true life-changer of a person. 

    Follow Dr. Rachel Zoffness on Bluesky and Instagram

    Her new book Tell Me Where It Hurts on Bookshop.org and Amazon

    Her website, which has a resource page with a ton of free info: zoffness.com

    A donation was made to The Trevor Project

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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

    Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media & Steven Ray Morris & Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions & Jake Chaffee

    Managing Director: Susan Hale

    Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

    Transcripts by Aveline Malek and Emily White of The Wordary

    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.

    22 April 2026, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 33 minutes
    Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 2 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly

    Neurodivergence and weed. Munchie remedies. Long term toking. The Entourage Effect. Drag a bean bag into the circle and kick back for Part 2 of Cannabinology with UCLA’s Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Dr. Ziva Cooper and Smith College cannabis anthropologist Dr. Caroline Melly. We’ll probe the great mystery and misfortune of hyperemesis, the effect of THC on memory and neuroplasticity, why edibles sometimes send you to a distant galaxy, CBD and inflammation, the risks of psychosis, older vs. younger brains and cannabis, a guy named Rick Simpson, how much weed is the right amount of weed, and if any studies warrant further research. Heads up: they do.

    Follow Dr. Cooper on Google Scholar

    Visit the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids website

    Follow Dr. Melly on Google Scholar

    A donation went to Last Prisoner Project

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS), Dolorology (PAIN), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Mnemonology (MEMORY), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD), Traumatology (PTSD), Somnology (SLEEP), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Quasithanatology (NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES), Oneirology (DREAMS), Surgical Angiology (VEINS & ARTERIES), Cardiology (THE HEART)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

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

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

    Follow Ologies onInstagram andBluesky

    Follow Alie Ward onInstagram andTikTok

    Editing by Mercedes Maitland ofMaitland Audio Productions andJake Chaffee

    Managing Director: Susan Hale

    Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

    Transcripts by Aveline Malek

    Website byKelly 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.

    15 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 20 minutes
    Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 1 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly

    Gummies vs. pre-rolls. THC vs. CBD. Indica vs. sativa. Hemp vs. marijuana. Dad grass vs. modern trees. This extended 2-part deep dive with UCLA’s Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Dr. Ziva Cooper and Smith College cannabis anthropologist Dr. Caroline Melly covers the storied history of the weed’s trek across continents, the endocannabinoid system,  the “bliss” molecule, brain receptors, cancer therapeutics, edible mishaps, the munchies, legalization, titration, addiction, kief, hash, dabs, shatter, strains, and so much more. 

    Follow Dr. Cooper on Google Scholar

    Visit the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids website

    Follow Dr. Melly on Google Scholar

    A donation went to Last Prisoner Project

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS), Dolorology (PAIN), Mnemonology (MEMORY), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Traumatology (PTSD), Somnology (SLEEP), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES),  Quasithanatology (NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES), Oneirology (DREAMS)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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.

    8 April 2026, 5:40 pm
  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    Nudibranchology (GLAMOROUS SEA SLUGS) with Jessica Goodheart and Terry Gosliner

    Discovery. Drama. Diversity. Design inspo. Let’s squirm into the sea grass and the tidal crevices with California Academy of Sciences legend Dr. Terry Gosliner and the American Museum of Natural History’s Dr. Jessica Goodheart to discover bunny horns, finger backs, stolen weaponry, “buttflowers,” doomed first dates, high fashion, tiny eyes, gender fluidity, “Finding Nemo” cameos, the boardgame you need, and how your phone can warm a scientists heart just by slipping on a windbreaker and looking for beautiful things.

    Visit the Goodheart Lab and follow Dr. Goodheart on Google Scholar

    Visit the Gosliner Slug Lab and follow Dr. Gosliner on Google Scholar

    Donations went to California Academy of Sciences and oSTEM

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Malacology (SNAILS & SLUGS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Cnidariology (CORAL), Medusology (JELLYFISH), Biomineralogy (SHELLS), Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES), Ophthalmology (EYES), Optical Technology (HISTORY OF EYEGLASSES + MODERN DAY VISION)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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.

    1 April 2026, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 25 minutes
    Megafelinology (SNOW LEOPARDS + OTHER BIG CATS) with Imogene Cancellare

    Cheetahs. Tigers. Jaguars. Pumas. Panthers. Snow leopards. How big is a big cat? And who decides? Let’s ask the charming wildlife biologist, science communicator, and Megafelinologist Dr. Imogene Cancellare. She shares tales of remote field work, snow-capped mountains, narrow escapes, camera trap revelations, DNA discoveries, brinks of extinction, if big cats like big boxes, why tails can be bobbed, lioness manes, big cat attacks, and making huge biscuits. Also: how to make your cats *Obsessed* with you. 

    Visit Dr. Cancellare’s website and follow her on Instagram, Bluesky, and Google Scholar

    A donation went to the Snow Leopard Trust

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Felinology (CATS), Carnivore Ecology (LIONS, TIGERS, & BEARS), Scatology (POOP), Mammalogy (MAMMALS), Eco-Odorology (SCIENCE-SNIFFING DOGS), Confectionology (CANDY), Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THROUGH TIME), Lupinology (WOLVES), Wildlife Ecology (FIELDWORK)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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.

    25 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    Allergology (ALLERGIES) with Zachary Rubin

    Dander enemies. Gluten intolerances. Runny noses. Shellfish bummers. Skin prick tests. Epipen pockets. Allergies? WE GOT ‘EM, folks. And we’ve got double board-certified allergist, immunologist, and author of the New York Times Bestseller “All About Allergies” Dr. Zachary Rubin. The Doc takes a quick break from his many demanding jobs to let me pepper him with questions about sneezing, allergy shots, Benadryl naps, home testing vs. office visits, oral challenges, unfriendly fruits, street tree sexism, and so much more. We’ve been itching to do this one for a while, so get it in your system ASAP.

    Follow Dr. Rubin on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube

    Buy his book, All About Allergies: Everything You Need to Know About Asthma, Food Allergies, Hay Fever and More on Amazon or Bookshop.org

    A donation went to Red Sneakers for Oakley

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Rhinology (NOSES), Ophthalmology (EYES), Dendrology (TREES), Phenology (FALL/SEASONS), Fromology (CHEESE), Entomology (INSECTS), Melittology (BEES), Culicidology (MOSQUITOES), Spheksology (WASPS), Plumology (FEATHERS), Carobology (NOT-CHOCOLATE TREES)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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.

    18 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 37 minutes 16 seconds
    Field Trip: My Butt, a Colonoscopy Ride Along & How-To Encore

    Come check out my butt with me (again)! 1 in 16 people in the U.S. will have colon cancer, and 0 in 16 want to talk about getting a camera up your guts to check things out. I am one of them, but after losing loved ones to colon cancer – and staring down the barrel of my first-ever colonoscope — I recorded tips, tricks, taste tests, foggy drug hazes, bar room advice, and finally my surprising results. It may save a life. Possibly yours. 

    Find out more about colorectal cancer here

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Coloproctology (COLON CANCER + BUTT FUN), Gluteology (BUTTS), Scatology (POOP), Radiology (X-RAY VISION), FIELD TRIP: Alie’s Mystery Surgery, Venereology (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS), Urology (CROTCH PARTS), Gynecology (NETHER HEALTH), Phallology (PENISES), Sexology (SEX), Microbiology (GUT BIOME), Nephrology (KIDNEYS), Surgical Oncology (BREAST CANCER)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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, Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media and Mark David Christenson

    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.

    17 March 2026, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 27 minutes
    Coloproctology (COLON CANCER + BUTT FUN) with Carmen Fong

    So, you don’t want colon cancer, but you DO want buttsex secrets? Have we got an episode for you. Coloprotocolgist Dr. Carmen Fong charms us in a brand-new episode about prostate orgasms, shady polyps, fibermaxxing, colon cancer branding, butt plugs, heartburn, douches, bidets, farts, vacation constipation in the nation, ostomy awareness, second sphincters, Crown Jewels, pregnancy agonies, ‘roids, fissures, fixes, endometriosis, diverticulitis, IBS, hydrotherapy, a shocking shower revelation, and how a blissful colonoscopy could change and save your life.  

    This one pairs great with our Field Trip: My Butt, a Colonoscopy Ride Along and How-To

    Visit Dr. Fong’s website and follow her on Instagram and TikTok

    Buy her book, Constipation Nation: What To Know When You Can’t Go, on Bookshop.org or Amazon

    A donation went to Fight Colorectal Cancer

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: FIELD TRIP: My Butt, a Colonoscopy Ride Along & How-To, Gluteology (BUTTS), Scatology (POOP), Microbiology (GUT BIOME), Urology (CROTCH PARTS), Gynecology (NETHER HEALTH), Radiology (X-RAY VISION), FIELD TRIP: Alie’s Mystery Surgery, Venereology (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS), Coffeeology (YEP, COFFEE)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    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.

    11 March 2026, 9:47 pm
  • 34 minutes 55 seconds
    Bonus Episode: How to Beat Perfectionism and Make a Quilt

    Our Culcitology (QUILTS) episode taught you why quilts are agents of rebellion, community, and chill vibes all in one. This bonus episode  will tell you how to start and how to dive into anything creative without freaking out first, featuring advice from Joe Cunningham and Kule Haynes, plus dozens of friendly Ologies listeners/quilters. Cut up some scraps, pick up a needle,  and make something. You never know where it might lead you, and who it could help in the future. Including you, kiddo. 

    Luke Haynes Ologies quilt pattern

    The quilt Luke made for Alie!


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

    5 March 2026, 8:00 am
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