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The Common Descent Podcast

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes338Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesEarth SciencesScience

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Latest Episodes

Dodos are probably the single most famous case of recent human-induced extinction. First documented in the late 1500s and extinct within a century, dodos have become a global reminder of the devastating potential of human activity. This episode, we r... more

YouTube

Forests are among the most widespread and diverse biomes on our planet. This episode, we’re joined by our favorite paleobotanist, Dr. Aly Baumgartner, to explore what defines a forest, how these habitats function, and how they differ around the globe... more

YouTube

Most vertebrate animals on land get around on all fours, but some of us have committed to two-legged locomotion. This episode, we explore the various ways animals have evolved bipedalism and the many benefits that come with it. We’ll also take a look... more

YouTube

Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. As our cells constantly divide and reproduce and replicate our DNA, errors and inconsistencies develop, leading to the incredible variation of life that drives evolutionary change. This episode, we explore th... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Dr. Aly Baumgartner
Paleobotanist and co-host of the Leaf it to Us podcast
Leaf it to Us
Episode: Episode 225 - Forests
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 of the podcast, sharing insights on paleontology and engaging with listeners through educational discussions.
Nora Spurling
Host and planner, contributing to discussions around plants and related educational themes.
Will
Co-host of the podcast, engaging in lighthearted and informative discussions on paleontology and other scientific topics.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • This is my favorite podcast. I love the news and each topic they discuss is thoughtfully researched and distilled for a non PhD audience.

    Audible
    5
    onychophora
    United Statesa month ago
  • Addictive in a good way!

    I’ve been binging for almost a month. For any one with an interest in paleontology these guys are awesome!! Dave and Will are very good at using and then explaining the technical terms. Truly can’t recommend this enough!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JerryM12345
    United States2 months ago
  • To rich pea

    Bro likes boring stuff where is ur sigma anyway best pod on par with freaky fauna Friday an infinite monkey cage 🙉🐒🐵🙊🙈🐈🐈‍⬛🐻🐻‍❄️🐷🦬🫏🙀🐍🐝🐐

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Guy25356774
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Listening to your podcast was very fun!

    I love listening to your podcast every night to go to sleep.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Common descent
    United States3 months ago
  • Addictive in a good way!

    I’ve been binging for almost a month. For any one with an interest in paleontology these guys are awesome!! Dave and Will are very good at using and then explaining the technical terms. Truly can’t recommend this enough!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JerryM12345
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging and laid-back style, often finding the hosts entertaining and informative. Many highlight the show's educational value, noting it expands their understanding of complex subjects while being enjoyable to listen to. The enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the hosts are frequently commended, and several reviews reflect a sense of community among the audience. Some listeners also enjoy the balance between humor and serious discussion about scientific topics. A few criticisms mention a perceived overuse of casual expressions and the request for deeper scientific discussions in certain instances.

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 226 - Dodos
Q: Has there ever been fossil evidence of super cool island evolution in a location where a physical island may not exist anymore?
Yes, there are places that once were islands, but now are just part of the continent. For example, during the late Cretaceous, Europe was a bunch of islands, where certain species like Magyarasaurus were discovered.
Episode 225 - Forests
Q: When were there any major plant extinctions? Were there others besides the Carboniferous Rainforest Collapse?
While there are no major plant mass extinctions like in animals, plants have faced serious downturns, particularly in relation to environmental shifts. They may not meet the strict criteria for mass extinctions as defined for animals, but significant losses have certainly occurred.
Episode 224 - Bipedalism
Q: What is the relationship between bipedalism and stereoscopic vision?
There does not seem to be a correlation between bipedalism and stereoscopic vision. Instead, humans developed stereoscopic vision independently, likely as a benefit for navigating a three-dimensional environment, such as moving through trees.
Episode 223 - Mutations
Q: If you could cure, in quotes, one common scientific misconception, what would it be?
A mutant is just an organism that has had a mutation happen. So any organism that has a mutated cell in it, technically, is a mutant.
Episode 222 - Shrews
Q: What are some of the ways that humans are influencing evolution in animals?
Some shrews in urban environments in Europe have lower metabolic rates than shrews from rural areas due to the warmer city climate.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Common Descent Podcast

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

Offering a lighthearted and educational exploration of paleontology, the content includes discussions on a range of topics related to life and Earth history, evolution, and fossils. Each episode features not only a main discussion based on listener requests but also a news segment that highlights recent research in paleontology and evolution. The unique blend of humor and scientific inquiry makes it accessible to both science enthusiasts and casual listeners, engaging audiences in a friendly way. The hosts often invite guests and answer questions from Patreon subscribers, fostering a community feel among dedicated listeners.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Common Descent Podcast?

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

1. Origin Stories
2. Terrible Lizards
3. I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast
4. Geology Bites
5. PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast

How many episodes of The Common Descent Podcast are there?

The Common Descent Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 338 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 The Common Descent Podcast?

Recent guests on The Common Descent Podcast include:

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

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