The Common Descent Podcast

This episode, we’re taking a big step back at the concept that underlies everything we talk about on this podcast: the scientific method! Our discussion includes what exactly the method is, why we use it, and what can sometimes get lost in translation.

In the news: fossilized salamander organs, dinosaur proteins (or not), the bizarre comb jellies, and fanged kangaroos.

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

To coincide with Episode 19 of Common Descent, this is a compilation of voices, more than a dozen paleontologists sharing their varied perspectives on the subject of diversity, inclusivity, and inspiration in their favorite field of science.

Big thanks to all who participated!

Find Michelle at Femmes of STEM: https://www.femmesofstem.com/

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

This is a listener-requested topic and a guest episode! We are joined by super-special guest Michelle Barboza-Ramirez of the Femmes of STEM podcast, who is here to help us explore the deep subject of Women in Paleontology. We talk about female scientists past and present, discuss the challenges they face, and reflect on the broad questions of diversity in the field of paleontology and other sciences.

In the news: baby saber-tooths; Triceratops brains; surprises in dinosaur poop; and super-ancient trilobite guts!

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HUGE thanks to Michelle for helping us out! Find her at www.femmesofstem.com!

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

In the second part of our exploration of our own evolutionary past, we focus in on one particular recent group of big-brained, bipedal hominins. We explore their incredible diversity, their clever creations, and the origins of a species that we know better than any other.

In the news: Neanderthal plaque; very surprising footprints; our tiny mysterious cousins; and an ancient sugary secret.

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

This time, by request, we discuss an ancient story so detailed, compelling, and important that we had to split it in two! In part one, we find our own place on the family tree of life, and trace the history and evolutionary innovations of our ancestors and cousins: the early hominins.

In the news: four-flippered swimming; the life of a dodo; weird whale teeth; and the many possible paths of evolution.

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

In this episode, David tells tales of his trip to Calgary for this year’s SVP meeting: research presentations; meeting new people; paleo-field trips in Alberta; and more. If you’re into vertebrate paleontology, this is one of the biggest and more exciting events of the year!

In the news: several hundred research projects presented by paleontologists from all over the world, who came together at the end of August for the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology! We mention just a few of these studies.

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

This episode, by request, we’re talking about one of our favorite groups of invertebrates! Specifically, invertebrates with big brains and squiggly arms - some with beautiful shells and others with incredible camouflage - and a fantastically rich fossil record stretching back over 500 million years: the cephalopods.

In the news: a giant gets a name; a confusing early dinosaur; some really old ice; and a rockstar croc.

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

This episode, we’re talking mass extinction again! Last time, we touched on the event that ended the Age of Dinosaurs, but this time – by listener request! – we’re discussing the event that started it: patterns and potential causes of the end-Triassic mass extinction.

In the news: a colorful armored giant; a surprise apex predator; epigenetics and variation; and some fast-evolving big-headed geckos!

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

This episode, we finally take the time to talk in detail about the dig site we mention more than any other, the site where we both spent many years: the Gray Fossil Site! We discuss the site’s discovery, ongoing work, ancient ecosystem, and some of our own experiences.

In the news: the speed of T. rex, warm-blooded evolution, dinosaur sails, and the earliest Australians.

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.

And now for something completely different!

Just how deep is Deep Time? Exactly how are important events arranged throughout our planet’s history? Which events are recent and which are ancient?

In this special episode, we take a tour through Earth History, from beginning to end, one million years per second: a virtual trip through geologic time!

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The Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome.