Talking Apes
GLOBIO
<p>A primate podcast examining the world of great apes - chimps, gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and humans. Our remarkable guests are at the forefront of science and conservation, exploring our brains, evolution, anatomy, disease, wildlife, biodiversity, and the ecosystems we all depend on for survival. Visit our official website: talkingapes.org<br><br>Talking Apes is a program of the nonprofit GLOBIO. <br><br></p>
- 1 hour 20 minutesBONOBOS: More Than Just Sex - with Ariel Rogers & Dr. Brian Hare | Episode 76
Bonobos may be our closest living relatives, but we still have so much to learn about and from them. In this episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Ariel Rogers, Executive Director of Friends of Bonobos, and evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Brian Hare to explore the remarkable social world of bonobos and why their survival matters now more than ever.
From decades of research at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the day-to-day realities of running a frontline conservation organization, this conversation weaves together science, storytelling, and on-the-ground action. Ariel and Brian share insights into bonobo anatomy, behavior, cooperation, and what these peaceful primates can teach us about humanity’s own evolutionary story.
We also dive into the challenges facing bonobos today, and the hope found in community-led conservation, ethical research, and long-term commitment. Thoughtful, curious, and full of perspective, this episode is a celebration of connection, compassion, and the power of understanding our closest relatives.
Watch on YouTube: [youtube link]
Listen on our website: https://globio.org/Ariel-Brian
Learn more about Friends of Bonobos: https://www.bonobos.orgTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH14 February 2026, 12:00 pm - 1 hour 20 minutesWhy Humans Walk Upright with Dr. Carol Ward | Episode 75
Have you ever wondered how we became the upright, big-brained, tool-wielding species we are today? In this fascinating episode of Talking Apes, Gerry Ellis sits down with Dr. Carol Ward - Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences at the University of Missouri - to explore the origins of humanity and our ape relatives.
From fossil digs in Kenya to 3D-scanning ancient bones, Carol reveals how every discovery adds another piece to the incredible puzzle of our evolution. Why did we stand up? What did climate change have to do with it? And how do new technologies, like CT imaging and protein analysis, help us read messages hidden in fossils millions of years old?
Join us for a joyful, insightful conversation about curiosity, science, and what fossils can still teach us about who we are, and where we’re headed.
Listen and learn more: https://globio.org/carol/Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCHTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH21 January 2026, 4:00 pm - 1 hour 24 minutesThe Truth About Female Evolution with EVE Author Cat Bohannon | Episode 74
Join us for a lively, curiosity-filled deep dive with author and researcher Cat Bohannon, whose award-winning book Eve reframes 200 million years of evolution through the female body. Cat brings her signature blend of science, storytelling, and humor to Talking Apes, guiding us through the missing pieces in our evolutionary story and the surprising role that female biology plays in shaping everything from mammal reproduction to primate societies.
In this episode, we explore how scientific blind spots took hold, why female behavior and anatomy were overlooked for so long, and what happens when you return the female body to the center of the evolutionary narrative. From gynecology as the original technology to rethinking ape sociality and the hidden histories behind everyday traits, Cat illuminates a world that’s been hiding in plain sight.
Expect laughter, big ideas, and a refreshingly human conversation about what our bodies can teach us, and what we’ve missed by ignoring half the story. Watch the full episode on our Apes Like Us YouTube Channel, or listen on our website at talkingapes.org
.
More about Cat’s work: https://www.catbohannon.comTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH5 December 2025, 12:00 pm - 1 hour 45 minutesUncovering the Hobbit Mystery: What Homo floresiensis Reveals About Us with Dr Matt Tocheri | Episode 73
Paleoanthropologist Dr. Matt Tocheri joins host Gerry Ellis to explore the remarkable discovery of Homo floresiensis — the so-called Flores “Hobbit” of Indonesia. What does this small-bodied, small-brained human tell us about our own evolutionary story?
In this episode of Talking Apes, host Gerry Ellis is joined by paleoanthropologist Dr. Matt Tocheri, one of the world’s leading experts on Homo floresiensis—the small-bodied, small-brained human species nicknamed “the Hobbit.” Discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores, in 2003, this astonishing find continues to reshape what we know about human evolution. Dr. Tocheri shares the story behind the discovery, how the Hobbit lived, and what this mysterious species reveals about what it means to be human. Join us as we explore the science, the controversies, and the wonder of a world once shared by another kind of human.
Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH16 October 2025, 6:00 pm - 1 hour 12 minutesInside the Society of Gorillas: World Gorilla Day 2025 with Dr. Robin Morrison | Episode 72
This World Gorilla Day, Talking Apes kicks off Season 5 with a fascinating guest: behavioral ecologist and evolutionary biologist Robin Morrison.
Robin has worked with both mountain and western lowland gorillas, giving her a rare perspective on how these species live, love, and organize their social worlds. From group size to subtle bonds between males and females, she reveals the quiet but powerful ways gorillas build their societies and why those connections matter for conservation.
In our conversation, we dive into the evolution of social systems, what gorilla families can teach us about our own, and how understanding their relationships can help protect them. We also explore the challenges of conservation today, from population density in mountain gorillas to the fragile future of lesser-known groups.
Learn more: https://robinmorrison.weebly.com/
Listen here: https://globio.org/robin
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7PrtmObK0TUTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH24 September 2025, 8:00 am - 1 hour 9 minutesWorld Chimpanzee Day with Dr Rachna Reddy | Episode 71
In this episode of Talking Apes, we follow Dr. Rachna Reddy into the the African rainforest, where the laughter of chimps and the quiet rhythms of bonobo life echo deeper truths about who we are. As a biological anthropologist and co-director of the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project, Rachna’s research focuses on the social bonds that shape us across the lifespan - from infant cuddles to adolescent rebellion and elder respect.
We explore the fascinating mentor bonds between young and older chimps, the powerful role of adolescence as a second window of resilience, and what bonobo group dynamics can teach us about navigating life’s transitions. It’s a journey that spans species and the stages of life.
Rachna doesn’t just study apes, she listens to them, and in doing so helps us hear ourselves a little more clearly. Tune in for a conversation that’s as thoughtful as it is delightful.
More about Rachna
Ngogo Chimpanzee ProjectTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH14 July 2025, 7:00 am - 1 hour 22 minutesWhat BaYaka Children Can Teach About Being Human with Dr Deniz Salali | Episode 70
What does a Congolese rainforest childhood reveal about the roots of human cooperation? In this captivating episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Dr. Gul Deniz Salali, evolutionary anthropologist at University College London, to explore her groundbreaking research with the BaYaka people of the Congo Basin. Dr. Salali shares intimate insights into how BaYaka children learn through play, observation, and social bonds—offering profound lessons on community, learning, and what it means to grow up human.
Drawing on years of fieldwork, Dr. Salali unpacks how small-scale societies help illuminate our evolutionary past and challenge assumptions about childhood, intelligence, and survival. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersections of culture, evolution, and cognition.
Watch the Video: Rising in the Forest
More about Dr. Deniz Salali
https://www.guldenizsalali.com/Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH24 June 2025, 8:00 am - 1 hour 23 minutesTalking Apes, Yes, All Apes! with Dr. Adriano Lameira | Episode 69
Are we really the only "talking apes"? Get ready for a mind-blowing episode with Dr. Adriano Reis E Lameira, one of the world’s leading experts on the evolution of speech and language!
Dr. Lameira has spent years deep in the rainforests of Borneo, decoding the vocal mysteries of orangutans. His groundbreaking research challenges long-held beliefs about what separates us from our primate cousins. Can great apes control their voices more than we thought? Do they have the ability to “talk” in ways we've never realized? And what if the roots of language go back further than we ever imagined?
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ape communication, from Rocky the “talking” orangutan to jaw-dropping discoveries about how these incredible primates may even refer to the past! We also explore how scientific bias has shaped our understanding of what makes humans unique, and why it might be time to rethink everything.Dr. Lameira's Profile at the University of Warwick
Dr. Lameira's Publications on Google ScholarTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH10 June 2025, 12:00 pm - 1 hour 11 minutesThe Climbing Secret Behind Monkey Bars with Luke Fannin | Episode 68
Hanging with Our Ancestors: Luke Fannin on Climbing, Evolution & Ape Locomotion
Ever wondered why kids instinctively love monkey bars? Or why apes move so deliberately in the trees? In this episode of Talking Apes, biological anthropologist Luke Fannin takes us on a journey through the evolution of climbing, exploring how primates, from ancient hominins to modern chimps, have adapted to life in the canopy.
Luke breaks down the surprising biomechanics of climbing up vs. climbing down, revealing why descending may have played a bigger role in human evolution than we ever imagined. We’ll also uncover how playgrounds, rock climbers, and even early tool-making tie into our primate past. It’s a fascinating deep dive into movement, survival, and the hidden connections between our everyday actions and our evolutionary history.
Explore Luke's publications on his Google Scholar profile.
Read Luke's article: The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey Bars
Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH13 May 2025, 11:00 am - 1 hour 31 secondsHappy EARTH DAY! With Jane Goodall Institute's Anna Rathmann | Episode 67
The Amazing People Behind Jane Goodall
What does it take to lead one of the most iconic conservation organizations in the world? In this episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Anna Rathmann, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, to find out. With a background spanning international conservation, business, and storytelling, Anna brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to carry forward Jane Goodall’s legacy—and build on it for the future.
From her work with National Geographic to directing the Great Plains Conservation Foundation, Anna’s career has been all about connecting people to the planet. In our conversation, she shares how JGI is adapting to meet the challenges of modern conservation, and why listening—to science, to communities, and to each other—is more vital than ever. You’ll also hear Anna reflect on what drew her into this work in the first place, and what continues to keep her inspired, even in the face of tough environmental realities.
Whether you’re curious about conservation leadership, passionate about protecting biodiversity, or simply want to hear thoughtful reflections from someone working at the intersection of hope and action, this one’s for you.
Learn more about the Jane Goodall Institute: janegoodall.org
Follow JGI USA on Instagram: @janegoodallinstAbout the JGI:
The Jane Goodall Institute's worldwide recognition is undeniable. What started with chimpanzee research has become a international nonprofit with global impact. Through programs like Roots & Shoots it has inspired multiple generations to see the future with hope and a call to action. Joining Talking Apes to share it all is the Jane Goodall Institue's (JGI) Executive Director Anna Rathmann.
Jane Goodall for more than 60 years has been spreading a message of conservation hope, inspiring action by generations of youth and the young at heart. Anna Rathmann embodies that same energy and drive, guiding the JGI in the USA as well as through the work of the 26 affiliates in countries around the world.
More with Anna Rathmann at JGI
More about the work of Jane Goodal Institue
Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH22 April 2025, 2:00 pm - 1 hour 11 minutesIUCN’s Role in Saving Our Planet with Sean Southey | Episode 66
Earth Month Special: A Deep Dive into Global Conservation with Sean Southey
“This is our global education moment. This is the time to champion. This is the time to be noisy. This is the time to dream.”
What if we told you there’s a conservation powerhouse that’s been quietly shaping environmental policies, protecting endangered species, and inspiring global action for over 75 years—but most people have never heard of it? In this Earth Month special of Talking Apes, Gerry sits down with Sean Southey, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation and a lifelong champion for nature, to uncover the incredible story of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
From the IUCN Red List (the world’s go-to guide on endangered species) to its role in shaping major environmental policies, Sean reveals how this under-the-radar organization has influenced everything from wildlife trade regulations (CITES) to nature-based education initiatives. But conservation isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. Sean shares powerful stories of how simple, community-driven efforts can transform conservation, from opening up wildlife experiences to local children in Kenya to bringing nature into classrooms worldwide.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, an aspiring conservationist, or just curious about how global environmental decisions are made, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights, inspiring stories, and a call to action. Tune in to learn how YOU can be part of the movement to protect our planet.
Get involved in the IUCN’s work
Explore the Canadian Wildlife Federation
Sean is Chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Commission on Education and Communication (CEC). In this role, he has worked tirelessly to enhance IUCN’s use of strategic communications for social change. This has included a lead role in designing and implementing IUCN’s #NatureForAll campaign.
Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show
Buy us a coffee to say thanks!
BUY OUR MERCH8 April 2025, 9:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App