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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 to paleontology and evolution. Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by subscribers on Patreon. New episodes with new topics every fortnight!
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
Our high-level Patreon supporters get to request a topic for their very own mini-episode! For the sixth time, we’ve put the latest bunch together for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you as always to our incredible Patrons of all levels for keeping the podcast going!
Intro: 00:00:00
Ambulocetus for Ambulocetus – 00:01:45
Abelisaurs for Quinn – 00:18:30
Capybaras for Melissa – 00:41:22
Pelicans for Johnathan – 01:02:05
Pikas for Hana – 01:31:45
Wooly rhinos for Eric – 01:51:25
Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Saturday Mar 15, 2025
Saturday Mar 15, 2025
Leave a carcass or a log or a pile of poop out in the wild long enough and it will break down into its component parts. Decomposers are an often-overlooked but essential component of ecosystems past and present. This episode, we explore the varied processes of decomposition and how scientists study decomposers and use that information. We’ll also discuss the importance of decomposition to the fossil record, as well as how we can identify signs of decomposers from the distant past.
In the news: temnospondyl extinction, hot crocs, foraging birds, narwhal tusks, and giant flying squirrels.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:55
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:44:45
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:28:05
Patron question: 02:12:30
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
After you’ve listened to the Leaf it to Us pilot episode, enjoy this follow-up discussion where Nora, Aly, and David share their thoughts about that first episode and the upcoming season of the new podcast.
You can contact us – and find more from Common Descent – here: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at http://devours.bandcamp.com
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Enjoy this special preview of the upcoming podcast Leaf it to Us, hosted by Nora Spurling and Dr. Aly Baumgartner. In this pilot episode, they discuss the fascinating phenomenon of sex-changing trees!
The first season of Leaf it to Us is in the works, and we’re excited to hear your feedback for this pilot episode. Please reach out to us and let us know what you think!
You can contact us and find more from Common Descent here: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at http://devours.bandcamp.com
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
When vertebrates first moved onto land, they gave rise to a variety of amphibious tetrapods. The most diverse and successful of these were temnospondyls, which were some of the most important species in early land and freshwater environments. This episode, we’ll explore temnospondyls’ evolutionary history, their ecological variety, and their mysterious connection to modern amphibians.
In the news: domesticating dogs, early birds, color evolution, and changing seeds.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:07:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:32:30
Main discussion, Part 2: 00:53:15
Patron question: 01:32:30
Resources:
Resources for Researchers and Scholars Under Threat in the US: https://www.nationalacademies.org/chr/committee-on-human-rights
Erin in the Morning: https://www.erininthemorning.com/
Fill out our Listener Survey here: https://forms.gle/CSoZaCbGN2DsRLTR6
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
E. D. Cope is one of the most recognizable and notorious names in paleontology history. He did some of the most important early work in vertebrate paleontology, he was one half of the dueling duo in the infamous Bone Wars, he named some of the most famous fossil animals, and he was profoundly irresponsible and unethical with his science. This episode, we’re joined by Astrid Lundberg to explore the life and legacy of Edward Cope, investigating such questions as: How did he get his start? What lasting contributions did he make to paleontology? And what was wrong with this guy?
In the news: giant small pterosaurs, plesiosaur skin, bat teeth, and African isotopes.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:50
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:44:15
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:36:10
Patron question: 02:26:30
Find Astrid as OddPride on TikTok and BlueSky and Astrid_Lundberg on Instagram and YouTube.
And you can support her at www.patreon.com/OddPride
Resources:
California Fire Foundation: https://www.cafirefoundation.org/
TransLifeline: https://translifeline.org/
Fill out our Listener Survey here: https://forms.gle/CSoZaCbGN2DsRLTR6
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
Saturday Feb 01, 2025
Saturday Feb 01, 2025
The evolution of mineralized tissues is responsible not only for the incredible success and diversity of vertebrate animals, but also for their extraordinarily informative fossil record. This episode, we explore the detailed anatomy of bones and their deep evolutionary history, we touch on some of the ways they’re important for paleontology, and we take some time to discuss the secrets that can be found inside of ancient bones.
In the news: croc vs pterosaur, hominin diets, ears and gills, and reptile food.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:08:45
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:41:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:26:00
Patron question: 02:12:45
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Check out our new series, Briks with Bask!
https://youtu.be/5JQEDeNwVS0
Fill out our Listener Survey here:
https://forms.gle/8h1gBtTRhgun55BZ6
Listen to us on Gaming With Science:
https://www.gamingwithscience.net/e/s2e01-holotype-paleontology/
Rewatch our 8-Year Anniversary Livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/live/N7ZJFNazP6E
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Saturday Jan 18, 2025
Saturday Jan 18, 2025
You might know them as ghost sharks, rat fish, or spook fish. Chimaeras are close cousins of sharks and rays, equipped with distinctive and unusual features in their fins, teeth, and reproductive structures. In today’s oceans, chimaeras are rare and easy to miss, but their extended family includes some of the most diverse and iconic fish of the Paleozoic seas. In this episode, we’ll explore the traits that set chimaeras apart, we’ll take a tour through their ancient relatives, and we’ll investigate what their most famous cousins were doing with their strange spiral rows of teeth.
In the news: Baltic herrings, Cambrian arms race, pterosaur tails, and early dinosaurs.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:06:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:40:25
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:16:45
Patron question: 02:20:00
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
Saturday Jan 04, 2025
Saturday Jan 04, 2025
Southern Africa is home to an incredible sequence of geologic formations that span more than 100 million years of Earth history. These rocks, collectively called the Karoo Supergroup, are an extraordinary resource for studying evolution and extinction across the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic Eras. This episode, we’ll explore the deep history of this vast geologic resource, and we’ll sample some of the discoveries that have been made there.
In the news: dormancy evolution, Pangaean amphibians, regeneration genes, and Neanderthal fossil collectors.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:03:55
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:36:00
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:04:30
Patron question: 01:33:30
Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Happy New Year!
Welcome back to our annual, traditional question-answering marathon!
As always, a big thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this Q&A, everyone who has listened and shared and engaged with us throughout the year, and especially to our Patrons, who make this podcast possible.
See you in 2025!
Check out our website for our blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org