Show notes

Andy, Bret, and Bryce dive into what makes Montana’s Two Medicine Formation one of the most scientifically important Late Cretaceous ecosystems in North America. They explain why the formation is named after the Two Medicine River, how volcanic ash and bentonite clay shape fossil preservation, and why baby dinosaur bones, eggs, and nesting sites are unusually common there. The team walks through each member of the formation, the dinosaurs found in them, and how new research is reshaping our understanding of this ancient environment. From hadrosaurs and ceratopsians to raptors, armored dinosaurs, mammals, and pterosaurs, they explore the full menagerie of Two Medicine life and discuss their own ongoing dig at “The Graveyard,” a multitaxic bone bed revealing new species and new mysteries. The result is a lively, informative tour of a formation that continues to surprise paleontologists every year.

Etude 13 LaSalle by ⁠Blue Dot Sessions

Three Montana Dinosaur Center paleontologists - Andy, Bret, and Bryce - introduce themselves, their research specialties, and the running gag that inspired the podcast’s title: asking people for their fourth favorite hat. Each host shares their own answer, establishing the blend of science and unserious banter that frames the show.

The team explains that the podcast grew out of repeated guest requests to bottle the odd, meandering conversations that occur during long hours at the dig site. They describe themselves as “deranged,” “feral,” or otherwise unhinged in a way that emerges when slow, meticulous work sparks off-topic discussions. A story about a guest couple arguing over their “fourth favorite hat” illustrates how the bit took on a life of its own.

The hosts outline the museum’s mission of citizen science, emphasizing public participation in real paleontological fieldwork. They describe the Two Medicine Formation, its fossil richness, and the museum’s long history with the region, including the discovery of the first baby dinosaur fossils. A brief digression about “Rusty,” the museum’s oversized roadside daspletosaurus mascot, further reinforces their playful tone.

They solicit listener input on future topics: ongoing (but confidential) research, upcoming exhibits, paleo news, or entirely tangential debates such as why “Rats Tyrell,” is the best Star Wars character. True to form, the call for suggestions almost immediately devolves into stories about 4D movie theaters, Spongebob motion rides, and childhood bathroom emergencies.

The episode closes by promoting the museum’s fossil dig expedition programs. They describe full-day and half-day options, how to sign up, and how to donate to support research. A final comedic exchange - including a ruined cow joke and a plea for “#JusticeforAndy” - demonstrates exactly the brand of chaotic field chatter the podcast intends to deliver.

Etude 13 LaSalle by Blue Dot Sessions

In today’s episode we wrap up the “Story Time with Dave” 2018 sessions. Montana Dinosaur Center Founder Dave Trexler and now-President Stacia Coverdell talk about the origins of the "Egg Mountain" name, Fran Tannenbaum's discovery of the first intact fossilized eggs in North America, and the issues that Egg Mountain brought to modern paleontology in northcentral Montana.

Show Notes

Since 1995, the Montana Dinosaur Center has provided hands-on educational experiences for the public, promoted research and publications on the objects and information collected; and to collected, preserved, and interpreted for the public, items relating to the physical and cultural heritage of the world.

Follow the Montana Dinosaur Center across social media:

In Today’s episode we continue “Story Time with Dave”. Dave Trexler, our founder and resident paleontologist, talks about the fallout of publicity around the discovery of the baby dinosaur fossils, and what happened locally.

Show Notes

Since 1995, the Montana Dinosaur Center has provided hands-on educational experiences for the public, promoted research and publications on the objects and information collected; and to collected, preserved, and interpreted for the public, items relating to the physical and cultural heritage of the world.

Follow the Montana Dinosaur Center across social media:

In Today’s episode, Stacia Coverdell, President of the Montana Dinosaur Center, interviews Dave Trexler, our founder. Dave talks about meeting Jack Horner, realizing the discovery and significance of the baby bones, and why clear ownership matters in science.

Show Notes

Since 1995, the Montana Dinosaur Center has provided hands-on educational experiences for the public, promoted research and publications on the objects and information collected; and to collected, preserved, and interpreted for the public, items relating to the physical and cultural heritage of the world.

Follow the Montana Dinosaur Center across social media:

In Today’s episode, Stacia Coverdell, President of the Montana Dinosaur Center, interviews Dave Trexler, our founder. Dave talks about how he and his family got involved in Paleontology, and how his mother discovered the first baby dinosaur.

Show notes

In this episode, Dave talks about growing up in rural Montana, his and his mom's interest in dinosaur fossil hunting, and how she discovered the skeleton of the first baby dinosaur.

Follow Montana Dinosaur Center on Social Media: