Evolution Talk

Charles Darwin's revolutionary observations of Galapagos tortoises and finches, explored how natural selection allows species to adapt over time. From the discovery of the hawk moth in Madagascar, predicted by Darwin, to the groundbreaking discovery of DNA by Rosalind Franklin, Francis Crick, and James Watson, we look at how genetic changes drive evolution.

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Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

Music in this Episode

• Bright White by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Stars are Out by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Challenging Mark Twain's assertion that "man is the only one that lies.", we discover that deception is a widespread evolutionary strategy employed by various species for survival and reproduction.

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

Music in this Episode

• Floating by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Pretty Melody by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Denouement by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Mutinee by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Let's enter the fascinating world of animal communication used by different species. We'll also touch on the evolutionary aspects of these communication systems

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

Music in this Episode

• Frogs by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Odd Wand by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Klink Tale by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

The new season is about to kick and I’m really excited about it.  I’m always looking for ways to expand the show’s reach and science education, and to do so, I’ll need your help. I’d love to go back to a weekly show, be able to fully kick off a supplemental video channel, and provide materials for schools. I’ve also always wanted to bring the newsletter back. The show will always be free for all to enjoy.  To find out how you can help the show achieve it’s goals financially, please visit evolutiontalk.com/support. 

The wonderful thing about islands is they continue to provide insights into the processes that shape life on Earth, reminding us of the incredible adaptability of life and the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems. They demonstrate how isolation, limited resources, and unique environmental pressures can drive the evolution of extraordinary adaptations.

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

Music in this Episode

• Ghost by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Firefly by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Kitten by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Imagine a world where different species live in close partnerships, essential for their survival. Tune in for a journey through millions of years of evolutionary cooperation, proving that in nature, no species is an island.

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

Music in this Episode

• Bright White by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Pink Gradient Hey by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Tra-la-la by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Wook by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Special guest Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins the show to discuss what teachers and educators can do both in and out of the classroom.

Support the NCSE

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

You can also check out the new YouTube channel!

Music in this Episode

• Frogs by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Chipper Dan by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Program Reverie by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Easygoing by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins me to discuss the age-old phrase that evolution is "Only a Theory".  

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

You can also check out the new YouTube channel!

Music in this Episode

• Twinkie by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Jack by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• On a Wing by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

From ancient Conodonts to modern-day rattlesnakes, venom has independently evolved in a diverse array of creatures including snakes, spiders, scorpions, and even mammals like the platypus. Discover how venom serves as both a weapon for predation and a defense mechanism, and learn the crucial differences between venomous and poisonous animals.

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

You can also check out the new YouTube channel!

Music in this Episode

• Saver by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Trader Ho Hey by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Mute Groove by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Skepto by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

In this episode, we delve into Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution by Natural Selection and explore the alternative philosophical perspective of Henri Bergson. While Darwin's mechanistic view emphasizes random mutations and natural selection, Bergson introduces the concept of élan vital—a creative force driving life's complexity and direction.

Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!

Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

You can also check out the new YouTube channel!

Music in this Episode

• Pretty Melody by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Easy Going by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Curious Process by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
• Squiggly Line 1 by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com