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Artwork for Origin Stories

Origin Stories

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

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.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes95Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesLife SciencesScience

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Artwork for Origin Stories

Latest Episodes

Around 23,000 years ago, people walked along an ancient lakeshore in what is now White Sands National Park, New Mexico. The tracks they left behind have pushed back the dates of known human occupation of the Americas by thousands of years. In this ep... more

YouTube

What does evolutionary science tell us about what we should eat? In this episode, Harvard paleoanthropologist and author Daniel Lieberman joins us to discuss food, health, human evolution, and his new book, "Fed Up: What Evolution Reveals About Food,... more

YouTube

Humans are the only animals that get dressed every day. Clothing is one of our most important inventions, yet we rarely even think about it as a technology. Nina Jablonski joins us to explore when and why our ancestors started wearing clothes, and wh... more

YouTube

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

YouTube

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Recent Guests

David Bustos
White Sands National Park manager of cultural and natural resources
White Sands National Park
Episode: The White Sands Footprints
Kathleen Springer
United States Geological Survey research geologist
United States Geological Survey
Episode: The White Sands Footprints
Sally Reynolds
Paleoecologist and footprint expert at Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University
Episode: The White Sands Footprints
Jeff Pagati
United States Geological Survey research geologist specializing in radiocarbon dating methods
United States Geological Survey
Episode: The White Sands Footprints
Susan Zimmerman
Geochronologist at the Berkeley Geochronology Center and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Berkeley Geochronology Center
Episode: The White Sands Footprints
Ed Jolie
Archaeologist and professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona, and citizen of the Muskogee Nation of Oklahoma
University of Arizona
Episode: The White Sands Footprints
Kim Charlie
Acoma Pueblo member and partner on the White Sands Footprint Project
White Sands Footprint Project
Episode: The White Sands Footprints
Daniel Lieberman
Paleoanthropologist and author
Harvard University
Episode: What Should We Eat? Evolution, Diet, and Health
Nina Jablonski
Paleoanthropologist, Leakey Foundation grantee, Professor Emerita at Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
Episode: The Not So Naked Ape: The Origins of Clothing

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 1k ratings
  • Great storytelling

    This is a very informative and honestly inspiring podcast. Especially in a lot of the older episodes there’s great story telling. I really enjoyed binge listening to this podcast and was very disappointed to have hit the end.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RedQueen97
    United States5 months ago
  • I love this podcast

    Eagerly awaiting more episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bonedaddy96
    United States8 months ago
  • Good but …

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    unvoyageur
    United States9 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 Kingdoma year 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 Statesa year 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 White Sands Footprints
Q: How did humans get so far south at this time, and what does it all mean?
Researchers discuss possible routes and timing, including movement along the Pacific coast or arrival before the ice sheets became barriers. The discovery also prompts questions about migration chronology and how archaeology evaluates evidence.
The White Sands Footprints
Q: If these mysterious footprints were human, who left them and when?
The research team identified the tracks as human and dated surrounding seeds, pollen, and sediment. Multiple methods and independent studies supported an age of roughly 21,000 to 23,000 years.
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.

Audience Metrics

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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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How many subscribers and views does Origin Stories have?

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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. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
4. The Supermassive Podcast
5. The Science of Everything Podcast

How many episodes of Origin Stories are there?

Origin Stories launched 12 years ago and published 95 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 Origin Stories?

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What guests have appeared on Origin Stories?

Recent guests on Origin Stories include:

1. David Bustos
2. Kathleen Springer
3. Sally Reynolds
4. Jeff Pagati
5. Susan Zimmerman
6. Ed Jolie
7. Kim Charlie
8. Daniel Lieberman

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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