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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 13 minutes
    Enology Part 2 (HOW TO MAKE WINE) with Tara Gomez & Mireia Taribó

    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)

    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.

    27 May 2026, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 14 minutes
    Enology Methodology (HOW TO DRINK WINE) with André Hueston Mack

    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

    More episode sources and links

    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

    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.

    20 May 2026, 7:00 am
  • 53 minutes 1 second
    Special Episode: Wall to Wall Secrets, Sorry!

    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

    More episode sources and links

    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

    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.

    14 May 2026, 7:00 am
  • 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
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