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Artwork for Origin Stories

Origin Stories

The Leakey Foundation
Human Evolution
Neanderthals
Lucy
Paleoanthropology
Leakey Foundation
Ethiopia
Australopithecus Afarensis
Human Origins
Evolution
Don Johanson
Homo Erectus
The Leakey Foundation
Genetics
Beads
Hair Morphology
Omo River Valley
Awash River Basin
Chimpanzees
Shanidar Cave
Orangutan

Explore human evolution one story at a time. This award-winning show blends storytelling with science that will change your understanding of who we are.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes92Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural SciencesLife Sciences

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Artwork for Origin Stories

Latest Episodes

Biruté Mary Galdikas passed away on March 24, 2026, at the age of 79. She spent more than 50 years studying orangutans in Borneo and fighting to protect them. Before she began her work, orangutans were the least understood of the great apes. She chan... more

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2025 was another exciting year in human origins research! In this episode, four scientists and Leakey Foundation grantees (and one podcast host) share their picks for the top discoveries of the year.

Support this show and the science we talk about.... more

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This episode features two stories from the Science Podcast. First, Science writer Ann Gibbons tells the story of three ancient hominin species that lived side-by-side in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. Then, anthropologist Melanie Beasley discuss... more

This is a story about sweat, survival, speed, and the peculiar ways running may have shaped us as humans. Armed with a hydration vest, a dream, and paleoanthropologist Daniel Lieberman's endurance running hypothesis, filmmaker Nicole Teeny set out to... more

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Recent Guests

Biruté Mary Galdikas
Primatologist, founder of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI)
Orangutan Foundation International
Episode: Biruté Mary Galdikas - A Life Among Orangutans
Alexis Alutku
Assistant professor of medicine at UCF
UCF
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Asitandilin Zondra
PhD student interested in fire histories
New York University
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Songhee Lee
Professor of anthropology at UC Riverside
University of California, Riverside
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Anne Stone
Regents professor and anthropological geneticist
Arizona State University
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Ann Gibbons
Writer at Science Magazine specializing in human evolution
Science Magazine
Episode: Origin Stories x The Science Podcast
Melanie Beasley
Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Purdue University
Purdue University
Episode: Origin Stories x The Science Podcast
Nicole Teeny
Documentarian and endurance runner
Episode: Can a Human Outrun a Horse?
Christian Capelli
Molecular anthropologist from the University of Parma in Italy
University of Parma
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2024

Host

Meredith Johnson
Host of Origin Stories; long-running science communicator with focus on human evolution and conservation stories.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 962 ratings
  • I love this podcast

    Eagerly awaiting more episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bonedaddy96
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good but …

    Good podcast, but the male host needs to lose his vocal fry affectation. Really annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    unvoyageur
    United States2 months ago
  • Journeys

    I enjoy the topics they help me make sense of life in so many ways and different levels. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    T4ps
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Maggoty maggots

    Fascinating stuff. Wanted to hurl the entire time but now I know I can eat maggots to survive post apocalypse.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allimiao77
    United States8 months ago
  • Poor delivery

    Interesting topics spoiled by poor delivery. Hosts’ accents/voices are alienating and the narrative is ponderous. Such a pity.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jkynge
    United Kingdom8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the consistent quality of guests and compelling storytelling.
Some reviews critique delivery or voice tone, but topics routinely satisfy science-curious audiences.
Fans frequently mention the show's ability to connect ancient findings with modern questions.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Story of Human Hair
Q: So how did you first get interested in studying hair from an evolutionary perspective?
It all started with a lecture on human skin color variation and how it relates to UV radiation, which sparked her curiosity about hair.
The Story of Human Hair
Q: So if curly hair, tightly coiled hair protects from solar radiation, so well, why doesn't every human have curly hair?
It highlights the complexity of evolutionary traits and how they may not always be beneficial depending on environmental circumstances.
Understanding Neanderthals
Q: What do you hope people will take away from reading your book?
I hope people will feel a connection to the Neanderthals and see the complexity of their lives, understanding that they were other kinds of humans with whom we interacted, who lived vibrant lives.
Understanding Neanderthals
Q: Can you tell me why hearths and the things, the traces they left behind are such an important gateway into the lives of Neanderthals?
Hearths are central to understanding Neanderthal organization and lifestyle; they reveal how Neanderthals managed their resources and structured their living spaces through careful analysis of what was done around the hearths.
Ape Medicine
Q: How do these findings cause you to rethink notions of human uniqueness?
These findings suggest that the roots of pro-social behavior and medicinal use may not be unique to humans.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About Origin Stories

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

A biology- and history-forward show exploring human evolution through narrative storytelling and expert insight. Episodes typically feature renowned researchers and commentators discussing major discoveries, methodological debates, and the human story behind evolution, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and real-world impact. Notable strengths include high-quality guests, clear storytelling, and a knack for connecting ancient science to contemporary questions; occasional critique centers on voice delivery or pacing. Whether you're a science-minded listener or a professional seeking credible science communication, this program tends to deliver engaging, well-researched conversations with occasional live-history flair that can appeal to ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Origin Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Origin Stories:

1. The Common Descent Podcast
2. The Ancients
3. Terrible Lizards
4. In Our Time
5. Tides of History

How many episodes of Origin Stories are there?

Origin Stories launched 11 years ago and published 92 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Origin Stories?

Recent guests on Origin Stories include:

1. Biruté Mary Galdikas
2. Alexis Alutku
3. Asitandilin Zondra
4. Songhee Lee
5. Anne Stone
6. Ann Gibbons
7. Melanie Beasley
8. Nicole Teeny

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.

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