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The Common Descent Podcast

Common Descent
Paleontology
Evolution
Dinosaurs
Camouflage
Dragonflies
Filter Feeding
Natural Selection
Eels
Evolutionary Biology
Fossil Record
Odonata
Ecological Niches
Cephalopods
Trilobites
Insects
Behavioral Ecology
Durophagy
Osteophagy
Fish Fossils
Dragons

Join David and Will as they explore the paleontologists’ perspective on various topics in life and earth history. Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more. Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes352Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural SciencesEarth Sciences

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Latest Episodes

Happy New Year!

Please enjoy our annual question-answering marathon, now longer than ever! Thank you so much to everyone who listens, shares, and supports the podcast.

Check out our website blog posts and more: commondescentpodcast.com/

Joi... more

Of all the highly successful and capable flying insects in the world, few are as successful or capable as those in the order Diptera. This episode, we’re joined by special guest Brandon Strauss to discuss the distinctive anatomy and varied habits of ... more

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Today, bony animals are some of the most diverse organisms on Earth, but it wasn’t always that way. This episode, we explore what features distinguish vertebrates from their closest relatives, and we dive into the abundant evidence from genetics, emb... more

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Nearly 400 million years ago, an unusual group of fish gave rise to the first land-dwelling vertebrates. Since then, their descendants have repeatedly moved back into the water. This episode, we explore the many ways these species adapt to the challe... more

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Recent Guests

Brandon Strauss
PhD candidate specializing in forensic entomology
Texas A&M
Episode: Episode 233 - Flies and Mosquitoes
Derek Dinaudin
An outgoing ETSU Master's student and an incoming Arizona State University PhD student, focusing on shrews.
East Tennessee State University
Episode: Episode 222 - Shrews
Dr. Ali Baumgartner
Paleobotanist and expert on ferns
Episode: Episode 215 - Ferns
Astrid Lundberg
Paleontologist and science communicator
Episode: Episode 211 - Edward Drinker Cope
Gabriel Philip Santos
Director of Education and Visitor Engagement at the Alf Museum of Paleontology, newest host of PBS Eons.
Alf Museum of Paleontology
Episode: Spotlight 2024 - Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake, Eons
Blake de Pastino
Co-host of PBS Eons with a background in science journalism.
PBS Eons
Episode: Spotlight 2024 - Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake, Eons
Meaghan Weatherill
Co-host of the Weird and Dead podcast, professor at University of Arizona focusing on statistics, science communication, and game design
University of Arizona
Episode: Spotlight 2024 - Amy and Meaghan, Weird and Dead
Amy Atwater
Education Director at Dinosaur Ridge, avid paleontologist and grant writer
Dinosaur Ridge
Episode: Spotlight 2024 - Amy and Meaghan, Weird and Dead
Dave Marshall
A seasoned paleontology podcaster from the UK with expertise in arthropods and micro-paleontology.
Palaeocast
Episode: Spotlight 2024 - Dave Marshall, Palaeocast

Hosts

David
Co-host known for his engaging discussions on paleontology, evolution, and a lighthearted approach to complex topics.
Will
Co-host recognized for his enthusiasm and expertise in paleontology, he brings humor and clarity to scientific discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Mind expanding

    This podcast is pitched at the perfect level to help us understand the natural world. Apart from just enjoying the conversation between smart people discussing the wonders of the natural environment. I have actually learned so much from listening to the amazing topics covered here. Brilliant work and a big thank you for one of the best things on the internet.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VinnieOC
    United Kingdom12 days ago
  • Loving this

    Just what I was looking for, in depth full fat explorations of all the many branches of life in a friendly genial easy listening package. Major thanks to the creators.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zoyza
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Minecraft series

    Can you make a Spook-E about the science and creatures of Minecraft? Love the podcast, thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sep 22 2022
    Canadaa month ago
  • Minecraft series

    Can you make a Spook-E about the science and creatures of Minecraft?

    Love the podcast, thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sep 22 2022
    Canada3 months ago
  • Incredible!

    I've been binging this podcast since I discovered it a week ago. The hosts are so talented at explaining the topics clearly and with infectious enthusiasm. I'm learning so much, and I’m having a great time listening. Definitely one of my favorite podcasts of all time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sparkmark_abc
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the engaging and humorous presentation of complex scientific topics, making them accessible and enjoyable.
The mix of educational content with interactive segments, like answering Patreon questions, is noted as a unique aspect that fosters community.
Many appreciate the thorough research and the hosts' deep understanding of paleontology and evolution, reflecting positively on the quality of the episodes.
Some feedback mentions a desire for even more diversity in discussed topics, highlighting the audience's eagerness for broader content.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 233 - Flies and Mosquitoes
Q: What groups of animals would you call the most successful or the least successful, and how would you define these terms?
Brandon characterizes beetles as the most successful group due to their vast numbers and diverse habitats. For the least successful, he mentions species that are reliant on humans for survival, like pandas and koalas.
Episode 232 - Vertebrate Origins
Q: With the preservation similarities between the Mesel Pit and the Jeho Biota, is it possible that we're seeing a very specific habitat that could possibly be not at all representative of the respective periods as a whole?
Absolutely. These are unusual habitats, and that's why they're able to preserve these incredible fossil specimens.
Episode 230 - Pachycephalosaurs
Q: What can and can't be inferred about theropod dinosaurs generally from present-day birds?
While birds provide predictive models for certain dinosaur traits, they are specialized, making it challenging to apply insights broadly across non-avian theropods.
Episode 230 - Pachycephalosaurs
Q: Are there any examples of herbivorous lineages of dinosaurs evolving carnivory?
There are no definitive examples of herbivorous groups transitioning to carnivory, but some evidence suggests opportunistic carnivory in some herbivores.
Episode 229 - Myrmecophagy (Ant-Eating)
Q: How can we tell which traits are the convergent ones?
While convergent evolution may produce similar adaptations, each organism retains unique ancestral traits that can be traced back to its lineage, providing clues to discern these differences.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Common Descent Podcast

What is The Common Descent Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the fascinating realm of life and earth history, the content centers on paleontology, evolution, and fossils while maintaining a lighthearted yet educational approach. Each episode showcases a main discussion that is often inspired by listener requests, ensuring relevance to the audience's interests. Alongside this, a news segment highlights recent research in the field of paleontology, enhancing the educational value further. Notably, the podcast blends humor with factual information, making complex scientific concepts accessible. With its focus on community engagement, a segment dedicated to answering Patreon subscriber questions adds a personal touch, fostering a sense of connection with the audience.

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How many listeners does The Common Descent Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Common Descent Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Common Descent Podcast 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 The Common Descent Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Common Descent Podcast:

1. I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast
2. Leaf it to Us
3. The Ancients
4. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
5. History of the World podcast

How many episodes of The Common Descent Podcast are there?

The Common Descent Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 352 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 The Common Descent Podcast?

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.

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What guests have appeared on The Common Descent Podcast?

Recent guests on The Common Descent Podcast include:

1. Brandon Strauss
2. Derek Dinaudin
3. Dr. Ali Baumgartner
4. Astrid Lundberg
5. Gabriel Philip Santos
6. Blake de Pastino
7. Meaghan Weatherill
8. Amy Atwater

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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