Ologies with Alie Ward

Secret ciphers. Hidden treasure. Enigma breakers. Mysterious manuscripts. And … hog Latin. Cryptology expert and author of “The Code Book,” Simon Singh finally lets me ask him about the small mistakes that lost huge battles, the prison plots of Mary Queen of Scots, a cryptology reality show that I wish existed, the legacy of Alan Turing, Indigenous code-talking war heroes, hiding messages in your skin and guts, the role of A.I. in future deciphering and the possibility of a quantum computing apocalypse. Also: one whole ball of wax that you do not want to get into. Visit Dr. Singh’s website and follow him on Bluesky and X Browse Dr. Singh’s books including The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography, available on Bookshop.org and Amazon A donation went to GiveWell More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Egyptology (ANCIENT EGYPT), Momiology (MUMMIFICATION), Curiology (EMOJI), Graphology (HANDWRITING/FORGERY), Anagnosology (READING), Oneirology (DREAMS), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Architectural Technology (COMPUTER PROGRAMMING), Neurotechnology (AI + BRAIN TECH), Artificial Intelligence Ethicology (WILL A.I. CRASH OUT?), Abstract Mathematology (UH, IS MATH REAL?) 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 Jacob Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Bushy tails! Stinky butts! Faces so cute you weep! Let’s talk foxes – specifically the little grey ones you never knew you loved. Fox behavioral expert, researcher, conservationist, author of “The Road to Fox Hollow” and Urocynologist Bill Leikam chats about fuzzy foxes, baby names, parental strategies, where they live, what they eat, advice for potential pet owners, how to observe foxes, how tiny foxes wound up on islands, which foxes need conservation, Silicon Valley foxes, and why a fox on the couch is worth 1000 in the bush. Also: what do they smell like? And what do they say? Buy Bill’s book: The Road to Fox Hollow A donation went to the Urban Wildlife Research Project. Watch the documentary: The Foxes, my Professors: Bill Leikam and the Grey Foxes of Silicon Valley More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THROUGH TIME), Lupinology (WOLVES), Felinology (CATS), Procyonology (RACCOONS), Lutrinology (OTTERS), Sciuridology (SQUIRRELS), Castorology (BEAVERS), Chickenology (HENS & ROOSTERS), Indigenous Fire Ecology (GOOD FIRE), Nassology (TAXIDERMY), Cynology (DOGS) 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

Shipwrecks. Treasure. Sunken planes. Scuttled submarines. New life forming around old machinery. There’s an -ology for that -- just ask Maritime Archaeologist and wreck nerd Chanelle Zaphiropoulos. This absolutely charming and passionate scuba diver, history buff and antiquities scholar dishes about pirates, warships, admirals worth admiring, and ships ranging in size from water taxis to the Costa Concordia and Titanic. Also world record diving stats, war graves, how owning a fountain pen can be egregious and why a Midwestern coal barge from the 1970’s is worthy of weeping over. Ahoy! Follow Chanelle on Instagram and Bluesky A donation went to Diving with a Purpose More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Oceanology (OCEANS), Forensic Ecology (NATURE DETECTIVE), Cnidariology (CORAL), Classical Archeology (ANCIENT ROME), Disasterology (DISASTERS), Cryoseismology (ICEQUAKES), Domicology (ABANDONED BUILDINGS, RECYCLED HOUSES & GHOST TOWNS) 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 and Steven Ray Morris Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Why would a spider have a frog best friend? Why do they love your shower? Does lemon repel them? Should you rehome them outside? Why so hairy? How do you identify the harmless ones? Which ones get kinky? Hey. This will be fun. If you’re afraid of spiders, this is the best first step to conquering that fear forever. If you love spiders, you’re in good company with Dr. Marshal Hedin, a San Diego State University professor who has dedicated his life to the diverse array of araneids. Also: why they need and deserve your love. Visit the Hedin Lab at SDSU and follow Dr. Hedin on Bluesky, iNaturalist, and Google Scholar A donation went to the San Diego State University Biodiversity Museum More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Kinetic Salticidology (DANCING SPIDERS), Spidroinology (SPIDERWEBS), Fearology (FEAR), Herpetology (REPTILES), Culicidology (MOSQUITOES), Speleology (CAVES), Aperiology (MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY), Scorpiology (SCORPIONS), Entomology (INSECTS), Forest Entomology (CREEPY CRAWLIES) 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

Who’s babysitting AI? Will it steal your job? What happens when you’re rude to a chatbot? Cognitive scientist, Trinity College professor and Artificial Intelligence Ethicologist Dr. Abeba Birhane lets me ask her not-smart questions about legislation around AI, auditing datasets, environmental impacts, booby traps, doorbell narcs, commonly used fallacies, how the “godfathers’ of AI feel about their creation, robots doing your homework, and and whether or not AI is actually the root of all evil. Also: bacon ice cream and why Siri is a girl. Visit Dr. Birhane’s website and follow her on Bluesky and Google Scholar A donation went to The Municipality of Gaza and UNRWA More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Neurotechnology (AI + BRAIN TECH), Architectural Technology (COMPUTER PROGRAMMING), FIELD TRIP: A Hollywood Visit to the Writers Guild Strike Line, Futurology (THE FUTURE), Gizmology (ROBOTS), Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) 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

It’s Part 2 of how to fix your life with hobbies! Pretty much. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure” Julia Hotz explains the science behind forest bathing, how privilege affects accessibility to hobbies and what to do about it, how to figure out what lights you up, how to schedule time for hobbies if you have no time to do hobbies, why I used to call my old job at newspaper Club Karoshi, what if social interaction gives you the willies, what if depression keeps you from doing the things that lift depression, being social without having to spend money or get wasted, why volunteering is such an antidepressant, why rehabs use social prescribing, if protesting is a good hobby, and why you should go take a walk. Also: did I go to the ukulele meeting or chicken out? Listen to Part 1 here Visit Julia’s website and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack Buy her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging A donation went to GrowNYC More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Dolorology (PAIN), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID), Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE), Ergopathology (BURNOUT), Biogerontology (AGING), Canistrumology (BASKET WEAVING), Domestic Phytology (HOUSEPLANTS), Ethnoecology (ETHNOBOTANY/NATIVE PLANTS), Dendrology (TREES) 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

Crafting. Motorcycle repair. Banjo lessons. Hobbies aren’t a reward, but tools to save your mental and physical health. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure,” — and professional Salugenology expert — Julia Hotz explains the science behind going outside, rediscovering what makes you happy, scheduling time for hobbies if you have no time for hobbies, free support, how quarantine affected mental health, what if social interaction gives you the willies, what if depression keeps you from doing the things that lift depression, the scientific deal with cold-plunging, where to volunteer, saving money by joining knitting circle or fishing club, if protesting is a good hobby, how capitalism can literally kill us, and why she hates the title of her own book. Visit Julia’s website and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack Buy her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging A donation went to GrowNYC More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Dolorology (PAIN), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID), Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE), Ergopathology (BURNOUT), Biogerontology (AGING), Canistrumology (BASKET WEAVING), Domestic Phytology (HOUSEPLANTS), Ethnoecology (ETHNOBOTANY/NATIVE PLANTS), Dendrology (TREES) 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

Climate Fervorology (ECO-ADVOCACY WITHOUT IT BEING A BUMMER) with AJR’s Adam Met Cleaner energy! Reasoning with climate deniers! Using fandom to pass policy! And not burning out. Adam Met, of the colossal indie pop band AJR is also a career climate activist, an International Human Rights Law PhD, adjunct professor at Columbia University, and the author of the upcoming book “Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage, Take Action, and Build a Better World.” He joins to chat about breaking through the overwhelm of climate causes, what action actually matters, if petitions even work, what happens to our brains at a rock concert, how human rights and climate policy intersect, if you should drive a gas or an electric car, how to solve problems that are vexing you by not working on them, carbon footprint guilt, the similarities between writing an album and writing a book, and how to do something about climate change without bumming everyone out. It’s possible. Visit Dr. Met’s website and follow him on Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn Pre-order his book releasing June 3, 2025, Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage, Take Action, and Build a Better World, on Bookshop.org or Amazon A donation went to Planet Reimagined More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Meteorology (WEATHER & CLIMATE), Culicidology (MOSQUITOES), Oceanology (OCEANS), Pedagogology (SCIENCE COMMUNICATION) with Bill Nye, Political Sociology (VOTER TURNOUT & SUPPRESSION), Fanthropology (FANDOM), Coffeeology (COFFEE) 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

Landfills! Treasures in the trash! Corporate conspiracies! Composting! An instantly classic conversation with the incredibly knowledgeable, frank and wonderful Dr. Robin Nagle of New York University’s Liberal Studies! She is a clinical professor, author, TED speaker and former New York City sanitation worker and truly the best person on Earth to trash talk with. We cover what you can and can’t actually recycle, sticky mustard bottles, drugs in the trash, Swedish Death Cleaning, mobsters and landfills, Bitcoin in the dump, the future of garbage and exactly how screwed we are. Enjoy. Visit Robin Nagle’s website Follow Robin on Instagram and Bluesky Read Robin’s book Picking Up, an ethnography of New York City's Department of Sanitation A donation was made to the Sanitation Foundation More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Oceanology (OCEANS), Urban Rodentology (SEWER RATS), Space Archaeology (SPACE JUNK), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Futurology (THE FUTURE), Disasterology (DISASTERS), Ursinology (BEARS), Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING), Scatology (POOP), Agnotology (IGNORANCE), Xylology (LUMBER) 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 Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Medieval art memes! Human-faced animals! Drunk monks! And a preponderance of snails. Middle Ages manuscript expert, art history communicator, and Medieval Codicologist Evan Pridmore covers: what those golden illuminated Middle Ages manuscripts were made of, who drew them, why were people sometimes naked in them, what art trends came and went – and what does it say about our history and future, immigration politics, antisemitism, what exactly is a Salisbury steak, and so much more. Also: the perfect tree for your home orchard. Follow Evan on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky Donations went to the World Central Kitchen and the American Civil Liberties Union More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Anthropodermic Biocodicology (HUMAN LEATHER BOOKS), Malacology (SNAILS & SLUGS), Classical Archeology (ANCIENT ROME), Metropolitan Tombology (PARIS CATACOMBS), Museology (MUSEUMS) Encore in Memory of Ronnie Cline, Modern Toichographology (MURALS & STREET ART), Proptology (THEATER & FILM PROPS), Pectinidology (SCALLOPS), Anagnosology (READING), FIELD TRIP: I Go France and Learn Weird France Stuff 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

Visit Tyler Thrasher’s website and follow him on Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok Buy his book, The Universe in 100 Colors, at Bookshop.org or Amazon, and his journal, Grow a Damn Plant Journal See Tyler at San Diego’s Oddities Flea Market March 29 & 30, 2025 A donation went to The Loveland Foundation More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Cycadology (RARE PLANT DRAMA), Dendrology (TREES), Indigenous Pedology (SOIL SCIENCE), Mycology (MUSHROOMS), Pomology (APPLES), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY), Zymology (BEER), FIELD TRIP: I Go France and Learn Weird France Stuff, Carnivorous Phytobiology (MEAT-EATING PLANTS), Suicidology (SUICIDE PREVENTION & AWARENESS), Carobology (NOT-CHOCOLATE TREES), Cicadology (CICADAS), Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS), Tiktokology (THE TIKTOK APP) with Hank Green, Erethizonology (PORCUPINES), Coffeeology (YEP, COFFEE) 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

Long Covid Part 2: Treatments. Studies. Histamines. Hormones. POTS. Clots. Hearts. Hope. Highly-respected Long Covid expert, Dr. Wes Ely, is back for all of your listener questions. We also check in with Physics Girl Diana Cowern on her years-long struggle with the disease. So start with Part 1, and then finish up with this episode addressing all your straggling questions, and great advice for patients and caregivers. Follow Dr. Ely on GoogleScholar Buy Dr. Ely’s book, Every Deep-Drawn Breath, on Bookshop.org or Amazon Donations went to: Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, And Survivorship (CIBS) Center, Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness, and Open Medicine Foundation – Diana Cowern’s favorite cause to support clinical trials More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Surgical Angiology (VEINS & ARTERIES), Cardiology (THE HEART), Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE), Molecular Biology (PROTEINS + SCIENCE COMMUNICATION), Nephrology (KIDNEYS), Diabetology (BLOOD SUGAR) 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

What is Long Covid? Is it real? What does it feel like? Do you have it? And how do you cure it? With fatigue and brain fog, you don’t want to spend hours scrolling through conflicting opinions. So we’ve got you covered with the wonderful and highly-respected pulmonologist and intensive care physician and Long Covid expert, Dr. Wes Ely. So tuck in, breathe deep and let’s load you up with true facts about what Long Covid is, how it differs from other post-viral illnesses, variants and Long Covid risk, why people say it’s not real, advice for caregivers, changing opinions in medicine, similarities to HIV, treatment options, auto-immune issues, POTS, post-exertional malaise, the best way to prevent it. Next week: Part 2 with even more info. Follow Dr. Ely on GoogleScholar and Bluesky Buy Dr. Ely’s book, Every Deep-Drawn Breath, on Bookshop.org or Amazon A donation went to the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, And Survivorship (CIBS) Center More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Surgical Angiology (VEINS & ARTERIES), Cardiology (THE HEART), Disability Sociology (DISABILITY PRIDE), Molecular Biology (PROTEINS + SCIENCE COMMUNICATION), Nephrology (KIDNEYS), Diabetology (BLOOD SUGAR) 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

Nude strangers. Icy roads. Brain rot. True love. Class warfare. Queer visibility. Scripted ad libs. Sociologist, professor, author of the book “True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us,” and straight up Reality TV Sociologist, Dr. Danielle Lindemann studies human behavior through the lens of pop culture and reality TV. Dr. Lindemann lays out the history of the medium, the complexities of why we watch, the effect on society at large, who signs up to be on these shows, how our reactions change to it over time, political consequences of reality TV, and what these shows can teach us about ourselves and each other. Also: the Jackie & Shadow show. Visit Dr. Lindemann’s website and follow her on Bluesky Buy her books including True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us on Bookshop.org or Amazon A donation went to the Pedro Zamora Scholarship More episode sources and links The Jackie & Shadow Show Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: FIELD TRIP: A Hollywood Visit to the Writers Guild Strike Line, Phonology (LINGUISTICS), Kalology (BEAUTY STANDARDS), Matrimoniology (MARRIAGE), Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THROUGH TIME), Fanthropology (FANDOMS) 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

Exactly the inspiration you need. Exactly the perfect time. Pass it on to anyone who loves art and/or speaking up. I went to Comic-Con’s little sister, WonderCon, to moderate a panel on protest art with expert Carol Wells, the founder of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics and C. Andrew Hall, from the Spesh Ep: Functional Magic's Environmental Art episode we did in 2021 about the non-profit he founded. So come along to WonderCon – free admission – as we chat about protest art, different approaches graphically, camouflage among ads, defining propaganda, the tiniest mightiest posters, collectible gig posters for the climate, and how the anti-war movement affected history. Also, short warning, we do discuss a few images of war photojournalism in this episode. Donations were made to the Center for the Study of Political Graphics and Functional Magic Yay! Functional Magic t-shirt Kickstarter! More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Spesh Ep: Functional Magic's Environmental Art, Modern Toichographology (MURALS & STREET ART), FIELD TRIP: I Take You to the Making of a Mural, Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY), Agnotology (WILLFUL IGNORANCE), Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT), Theoretical & Creative Ecology (SCIENCE & ECOPOETRY) 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

It beats. It throws blood. It breaks – but not if Dr. Herman Taylor can help it. He is a physician, professor and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, and an absolute legend. Cardiology is a vast field but Dr. Taylor joined for a 101 on how the heart works, and how to take care of it. Get pumped for valves, tubes, electrical shocks, Grey’s Anatomy glossaries, heavy metal hearts, the effects of long term stress and systemic oppression on the heart, what those blood pressure numbers mean, what to do in an emergency, cardiac disease symptoms, what your heart wants you to eat, how to decipher your cholesterol numbers and why you would want to. Also: the worst heart tattoos out there. Browse Dr. Taylor’s publications on ResearchGate and follow Dr. Matthew Evan Taylor A donation went to the Center for Black Agency and Resilience More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Surgical Angiology (VEINS & ARTERIES), Hematology (BLOOD), BlackAFinSTEM with various Ologists, Black American Magirology (FOOD, RACE & CULTURE), Surgical Oncology (BREAST CANCER), Thyroidology (THYROID GLAND), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Somnology (SLEEP), Chronobiology (CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS), FIELD TRIP: My Butt, a Colonoscopy Ride Along & How-To 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

Barbs. Grunts. Bone caves. Dogs who got too close. We got porcupines, folks. Dr. Tim Bean of Cal Poly is as charming an ologist you can get, fielding questions about porcupine squeaks, stanks, cartoonish noses, and some romantic gestures that will leave you wanting to bleach your brain. We also cover counting quills, male models, flim-flam about quill removal, how to spot a porcupine in the wild, how to gently detain one for research, and so much more. An absolute instant classic. Follow Dr. Bean on Google Scholar and visit the Bean Lab website A donation went to NAFWS: Native American Fish & Wildlife Society More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Castorology (BEAVERS), Lepidopterology (BUTTERFLIES), Ethnocynology (ANCIENT DOGS AND HUMANS), Lupinology (WOLVES), Road Ecology (ROAD KILL) 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

Yes, there is an -ology for that. And yes, we’re airing this episode -– with a ton of 2025 updates -– because it’s never felt more relevant. Dr. Robert Proctor is a Stanford professor of the History of Science and co-edited the book “Agnotology: The Making & Unmaking of Ignorance,” having coined the word 30 years ago. We chat about everything from tobacco marketing, to the sugar lobby, to racial injustice, horse vision, the psychology of the Flat Earther movement, which countries have the highest rates of climate denial, empathy, how to navigate difficult conversations and why it's critical to dismantle the systems of willful ignorance, starting locally. Dr. Robert Proctor’s book: "Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance" His 2021 book: Science and the Production of Ignorance: When the Quest for Knowledge Is Thwarted. Donations in Dr. Proctor’s name went to: SavingBlackLives.org and the Public Health Advocacy Institute An additional donation went to The National Black Law Students Association More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Eschatology (THE APOCALYPSE) 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 Steven Ray Morris and Jarrett Sleeper of Mindjam Media Encore editing by Jake Chaffee and Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions Additional encore producing by Mercedes Maitland Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Do they sweat blood? Will one kill you? What are cocaine hippos? Is Moo Deng… okay? Actual real life Hippopotomologist Dr. Rebecca Lewison explains how hippos have some of the best – and worst – PR. We chat about pet hippos, subspecies, daily diets, the current state of hippo conservation, the absolute chaotic affection we have for pygmy hippos, their role as ecosystem engineers, what’s up with their nostrils, and how to keep a hippo in your pocket. Also: how to flatter your friends into planning a group vacation. Visit the Lewison Lab at SDSU and follow Dr. Lewison on Google Scholar A donation went to The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS) More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Pinnipedology (SEALS & WALRUSES), Wildlife Ecology (FIELDWORK), Cucurbitology (PUMPKINS), Culicidology (MOSQUITOES), Scatology (POOP), Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING) 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

Sad? Cold? Hot? Wired? Blame the thyroid. In your throat there is a butterfly-shaped gland under a shield-shaped Adam’s Apple and it controls how you feel. We asked Thyroidologist and surgeon Dr. Kepal Petal of NYU Langone Hospital about everything from how to decipher TSH to T4 to T3, libido factors, radioactive cats, stress and thyroids, how diet can affect them, flim-flam and how being on TV might save your life. Learn more about Dr. Patel Follow NYU Langone Health on Instagram and YouTube A donation went to The American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) More episode sources and links Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Other episodes you may enjoy: Diabetology (BLOOD SUGAR), Laryngology (VOICE BOXES), Trichology (HAIR), Evolutionary Anthropology (METABOLISMS), Environmental Toxicology (POISONS + TRAIN DERAILMENT) 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 Jacob Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn