Rephonic
Artwork for Ologies

Ologies with Alie Ward

Alie Ward
Feathers
Evolution
Carcinology
Crabs
Mathematics
Birds
Eugenia Cheng
Scorpions
Consciousness
Penguinology
Ultraviolet Light
Plumology
Climate Change
Nephology
Syndesiology
Arachnology
Death
Near-Death Experiences
Lemurs
Tom Hart

Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes483Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Ologies

Latest Episodes

Fronds. Forest dwellers. Spores. Houseplants. Queer icons. We’ve got ferns. The charming and hilarious professor and author of “Ferns: Lessons in Survival from Earth’s Most Adaptable Plants,” Dr. Fay-Wei Li, tells me all about fern evolution, what fe... more

Note: if you haven’t already heard it, please start with our original, May 2024 episode with Dr. Moses: 

Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) Part 1

A lot has happened since then, and author, scholar and genocide expert Dr. Dirk Moses was kind enough ... more

Bison bison! Not just something to holler into the sky, but also the scientific name for North America's majestic wild bovines. In this encore, we explore a beast that once roamed the plains in the tens of millions. What's up with their humps? On wha... more

We’re back with Dr. R.J. “Rocky” Gutiérrez to answer listeners’ questions on owls. How much wisdom lies behind those big, immovable eyes? Are owls good or bad omens? What’s their proclivity for snatching hats? Is The Staircase owl theory plausible? I... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Dr. Fay-Wei Li
Associate professor and pteridologist
Cornell's Boyce Thompson Institute
Episode: Pteridology (FERNS) with Fay-Wei Li
Dirk Moses
Professor of political science, researcher on genocide, author
City College of New York
Episode: NEW 2025 Interview: Genocidology (CRIMES OF ATROCITY) Part 2 with Dirk Moses
Dan McNulty
Ecologist who studies animal behavior in Yellowstone.
Utah State University
Episode: Bisonology (BUFFALO) Encore with various bisonologists
Boyd Evans
Rancher and husband of Lila Evans.
Episode: Bisonology (BUFFALO) Encore with various bisonologists
Lila Evans
Former member of the Montana House of Representatives.
Episode: Bisonology (BUFFALO) Encore with various bisonologists
Ken Cannon
Research professor of anthropology at Utah State University who studies ancient bison.
Utah State University
Episode: Bisonology (BUFFALO) Encore with various bisonologists
Ralph Joseph Gutiérrez
Owl researcher, professor, and Gordon Gullion endowed chair emeritus at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Episode: Strigiformology (OWLS) Part 1 with R.J. Gutiérrez
Deborah Blum
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian of toxicology.
Episode: Historical Toxicology (OLD TIMEY POISONS) with Deborah Blum
Kenneth MacKendrick
Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of Manitoba and author of 'Evil, A Critical Primer'
University of Manitoba
Episode: Critical Ponerology (WHAT IS “EVIL”?) with Kenneth MacKendrick

Host

Alie Ward
Host of Ologies

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 62.7k ratings
  • Ray of Sunshine

    What a wonderful gem of a podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tacosownmyheart
    United States12 days ago
  • My favourite cosy corner of the internet

    Joyful, nerdy, comforting, and somehow always teaches me something I immediately want to tell a stranger.

    Alie’s humour and curiosity make every episode feel like a cosy science hangout, and the guests are consistently brilliant.

    My only request? Please, please give us an episode with Hannah Fry, she’s basically an Ologies guest waiting to happen, and the world deserves to hear those two nerd out together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chris_Cardiff
    United Kingdom12 days ago
  • Lovely and educational

    Always fun to say “there’s an ology for that?” to myself whenever I see a new podcast get posted.

    Alie gives out great questions and has interesting discussions with the professionals she brings on. All of whom make for interesting characters on their own for a fun and educational podcast listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Traitor Trilobite
    United States13 days ago
  • A must listen!!! Thank you for the OCD episodes

    All of the episodes are wonderfully informational and fun. I’ve loved learned about a wide variety of topics through this podcast, from mummies to discard anthropology. This podcast has several episodes about mental health, and they are very detailed and helped me understand things like OCD and ADHD. The OCD episode actually helped me realize I have OCD (I was just diagnosed!). The ADHD episode helped me understand my partner better. Alie, thank you for all that you do and keep up the good work!... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PeppyGothChick
    United States13 days ago
  • Bisons, Buffalo, & my Sister

    My late younger sister Vicki loved buffalo & was always thrilled when her commute to work gifted her with a buffalo sighting. It happened about once a week. It felt spiritual for her.

    As I listened to the podcast I kept thinking of how much she’d have geeked out.

    Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blue Dot Rose
    United States13 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast receives praise for its variety, catering to different interests and curiosities, often encouraging listeners to explore new areas of knowledge.
There are requests for specific episodes or topics, indicating a dedicated fanbase looking for continued engagement and fresh content.
Many appreciate the host's ability to infuse humor into serious subjects, making complex scientific discussions accessible and enjoyable.
Listeners describe the content as educational, engaging, and entertaining, expressing that they gain valuable knowledge on diverse topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Pteridology (FERNS) with Fay-Wei Li
Q: What makes certain ferns react when touched?
They are not ferns; it's actually a reaction from mimosa plants, which are a different kind of plant.
Pteridology (FERNS) with Fay-Wei Li
Q: What is the best way to cook ostrich ferns?
The best way to cook ostrich ferns is to blanch them first, then add them to butter and shrimp pasta for a crunchy texture.
Bisonology (BUFFALO) Encore with various bisonologists
Q: What about the bison population and where it has been in the last, say, 150 years?
The bison population dramatically decreased but has been recovering, with numbers now significantly higher than they were in the early 1900s.
Bisonology (BUFFALO) Encore with various bisonologists
Q: So how long have you been studying bison?
Ken has been interested in bison since 1987 when he worked for the National Park Service and encountered archaeological sites related to bison.
Historical Toxicology (OLD TIMEY POISONS) with Deborah Blum
Q: Was arsenic just like the gold standard for hundreds of years?
Yes, arsenic was widely used as the perfect poison due to its tasteless and odorless properties, making it an effective method for murder without detection.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Ologies

What is Ologies about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring a diverse array of topics ranging from ecology to human behavior, this podcast stands out by blending humor with deep scientific inquiry. Each episode features engaging discussions with experts who unravel their fields of study, whether it's the life cycle of ferns, the complexities of genocide, or the quirky behaviors of otters. The host guides listeners through these subjects, sharing fascinating anecdotes and insights while keeping the tone lighthearted and accessible. This unique approach not only entertains but also enriches the audience's knowledge, making it a welcomed addition to anyone's playlist who enjoys learning about the quirky and often strange realities of the world.

Where can I find podcast stats for Ologies?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Ologies. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Ologies and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Ologies get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Ologies, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Ologies?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Ologies, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Ologies have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Ologies has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Ologies?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ologies:

1. Smologies with Alie Ward
2. Radiolab
3. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
4. Completely Arbortrary
5. Unexplainable

How many episodes of Ologies are there?

Ologies launched 8 years ago and published 483 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ologies?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Ologies?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Ologies from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Ologies?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Ologies. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Ologies?

Recent guests on Ologies include:

1. Dr. Fay-Wei Li
2. Dirk Moses
3. Dan McNulty
4. Boyd Evans
5. Lila Evans
6. Ken Cannon
7. Ralph Joseph Gutiérrez
8. Deborah Blum

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days