Discovering Us

By The Leakey Foundation

Ashley Judd explores the thrilling stories behind important scientific discoveries in a new 12-episode series based on the book "Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins."... more

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FAQs about Discovering Us:

How many episodes does Discovering Us have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.

Discovering Us episodes:

September 26, 2022Secrets of the Orangutan Cycle
There are only five kinds of great apes alive today. Chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and us. Among the non-human apes, orangutans are unique. Orangutans live only in Asia - in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. They’re intelligent, solitary animals that feed mostly on fruit. There is a lot we can learn from them - but it’s not an easy job.
Further learning
Cheryl Knott's orangutan research
Erin Vogel's orangutan research
Lunch Break Science episode on how orangutans learn
Origin Stories podcast with Biruté Mary Galdikas
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
11min
September 26, 2022Born and Evolved to Run
One of the enduring mysteries in human evolution is the question of how and when humans evolved our unusually large brains. Another mystery is how and why we started moving around on two legs. This episode of Discovering Us explores both of these questions by exploring the human ability to run over long distances.
Further reading
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
8min
September 26, 2022The Hobbit
In this episode, Ashley Judd tells the story of a startling discovery on the island of Flores. Deep inside a remote, limestone cave with a high, arched ceiling, researchers uncovered fossils of an ancient human species unlike any other. This discovery added a new member to the human family tree and shook up our understanding of human evolution.
Further reading:
Homo floresiensis - Smithsonian
Making sense of the small-bodied fossils from Flores
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
11min
September 26, 2022The Pit of Bones
It takes a special kind of detective work to figure out the story of how we became human. This episode takes us to a unique fossil site in Spain where scientists go back through time - finding clues in a rich fossil record that stretches over hundreds and thousands of years. They are uncovering a story with twists and turns that are more dramatic and mysterious than an Agatha Christie novel.
Further reading (and listening)
Origin Stories: Detective of the Dead
Atapuerca, UNESCO World Heritage Site
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
9min
September 26, 2022Unexpected Ardi
In this episode, Ashley Judd tells the story of the discovery of a fascinating fossil of a female that lived 4.4-million-years ago. This unexpected find opened up a new window into the very early evolution of the human species.
Further reading
Ardipithecus ramidus - Smithsonian
Ardipithecus ramidus - Science
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
8min
September 26, 2022The African Milk Trail
There are some mysteries about human evolution that can’t be answered by looking at fossils or our closest living primate relatives. In this episode, you’ll learn how scientists used genetic research to explain how humans came to be the only mammals who continue to drink milk - even after we’re grown.
Further reading
Milk tolerance evolved more than once
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
9min
September 26, 2022Ambush at the Lake
In this episode of Discovering Us, Ashley Judd takes you to Ice Age Europe, where a stunning discovery paints a picture of how early humans survived in a harsh and highly competitive landscape.
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
9min
September 26, 2022The Lion Man
One thing that’s special about humans is the way we express ourselves through art and music. Ancient humans were no different. The art they left on cave walls and carved in stone lives on. It gives us a profound connection to our ancestors and their creative, complex lives. In this episode, Ashley Judd explores some of the earliest art ever discovered.
Further reading:
The Lion Man: An Ice Age Masterpiece
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
9min
September 26, 2022The People of the Rock
Neanderthals lived from around 400,000 years ago to around 40,000 years ago. Scientists are still working to understand how and why Neanderthals went extinct. This episode takes you to the island of Gibraltar–where researchers think the very last surviving population of Neanderthals lived and died.
Further reading (and listening):
Gorham's Cave - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Origin Stories: Neanderthals
Origin Stories: Understanding Neanderthals
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
11min
September 26, 2022Inside Baboon Minds
Why are humans such social creatures? In this episode, Ashley Judd explores the origins of social behavior by taking you inside the minds of a troop of baboons living in Botswana’s Okovango Delta.
Further reading (and listening)
Baboon Metaphysics: The Evolution of a Social Mind
Origin Stories - Being a Nice Animal -podcast episode
Lunch Break Science
About The Leakey Foundation
The Leakey Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and sharing discoveries. The Foundation was established in 1968 to fund work at the forefront of fossil and primate studies and provide opportunities for a global community of scientists. Learn more at leakeyfoundation.org.
Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins
In 50 lively and up-to-the-minute essays illustrated with full-color photographs, Discovering Us: 50 Great Discoveries in Human Origins presents stories of the most exciting and groundbreaking surprises revealed by human origins research.
Prepared in consultation with leading experts and written by Evan Hadingham, senior science editor for NOVA, Discovering Us features stunning photographs, some taken at the actual moment that groundbreaking discoveries were made. The book presents a highly accessible account of the latest scientific insights into the ultimate question of humanity’s origins. Discovering Us was published by Signature Books.
Find Discovering Us at your local library, bookstore, or amazon.com.
Show Credits:
Narrated by Ashley Judd
Hosted by Meredith Johnson
Written by Evan Hadingham
Script edits by Sharal Camisa Smith and Meredith Johnson
Recorded and mixed by Dave Hagen, Dark Horse Recording
Host recording by Kerry Fogarty
Trailer produced by Ray Pang
Cover art by Élisabeth Daynes
Cover design by Jason Francis, Signature Books
Music “Ode to Seven” by Our Many Stars licensed from Marmoset Music
Discovering Us was made possible by generous support from Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.
...more
11min

FAQs about Discovering Us:

How many episodes does Discovering Us have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.

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