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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
Saturday Oct 26, 2024
Saturday Oct 26, 2024
Mice, rats, beavers, and more! Rodents are some of the most diverse and successful mammals on the planet. This episode, we discuss what traits make rodents special, and we explore their incredible living diversity. Then we’ll take a trip to the past to investigate early rodent evolution, some highlights of their fossil record, and some of their ancient competitors.
In the news: Arthropleura’s head, raptorial birds, dinosaur eggs, and evolution education.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:50
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:38:25
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:28:15
Patron question: 02:14:25
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 Oct 26, 2024
Saturday Oct 26, 2024
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
October is Spook-E Season on Common Descent! Each episode, we pick monsters from fiction and fable and ponder how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Tiny Monsters.
This episode, there’s trouble afoot. How could biological processes generate ornery little fiends with gruesome headgear? Our creatures to create this time: Redcaps.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Saturday Oct 19, 2024
Saturday Oct 19, 2024
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
October is Spook-E Season on Common Descent! Each episode, we pick monsters from fiction and fable and ponder how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Tiny Monsters.
This episode, things heat up a bit. What selective pressures might lead to the evolution of skittering creatures with a fondness for fire? Our creatures to create this time: the mythical Salamanders.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Saturday Oct 12, 2024
Saturday Oct 12, 2024
It’s the final part of our fungal trilogy!
Fungi and animals interact in a wide variety of ways, from parasitism to partnership to predation. This episode, we explore how fungi and animals have evolved alongside each other and the adaptations they have developed to take advantage of each other, and we’ll examine how far back we can find these fungus-animal interactions in the fossil record.
In the news: pterosaur feet, sauropod tails, a Cretaceous crater, and fossil fireflies.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:13:20
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:44:10
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:35:15
Patron question: 02:42:00
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 Oct 12, 2024
Saturday Oct 12, 2024
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
October is Spook-E Season on Common Descent! Each episode, we pick monsters from fiction and fable and ponder how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Tiny Monsters.
This episode, we explore a favorite of fanciful fables. How might natural selection produce diminutive humanoids with a knack for mischief and mayhem? Our creatures to create this time: Fairies.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org
Saturday Oct 05, 2024
Saturday Oct 05, 2024
Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution.
October is Spook-E Season on Common Descent! Each episode, we pick monsters from fiction and fable and ponder how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Tiny Monsters.
This episode, we’ve chosen a modern classic. How might we evolve adorable fluffy critters that transform into dangerous troublemakers? Our creatures to create this time: Gremlins.
Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Spook-E discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
More ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication.
This episode, we’re joined by one of the longest-running paleo-podcast hosts around: Dave Marshall from Palaeocast!
Find Palaeocast here:
https://www.palaeocast.com/
Connect with Common Descent: https://linktr.ee/common_descent
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/
We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.
Saturday Sep 28, 2024
Saturday Sep 28, 2024
Our fungal celebration continues!
The relationship between fungi and plants is one of the most famous and consequential connections in biological history. This episode, Aly is here to help us explore how fungi and plants work together and work against each other, what we know about the deep history of their relationship, and how fungi and plants together have shaped the world as we know it.
Fungi will return…
In the news: toothy birds, polar forests, coelacanth evolution, and a Pennsylvanian lagerstatte.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:07:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:36:40
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:40:15
Patron question: 02:40:30
Follow Aly online at @PaleoLorax
And go check out Flora Funga Podcast at www.florafungapodcast.com and on social media at @florafungapodcast
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
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Mini-episodes are rewards for our high-level supporters on Patreon, each one focusing on a requested topic for a specific Patron. From time to time, we combine a bunch of these and release them as a bundle for all our listeners to enjoy. Enjoy!
A huge thanks as always to our Patrons for their kind contributions to our education efforts.
Intro: 00:00:00
T. rex for Sam – 00:02:02
Okapis for Sarah May – 00:30:00
Cicadas for Danielle – 00:48:43
Ants for Robert – 01:13:40
Polychaetes for Joshua – 01:39:01
Pangolins for KitKat – 02:04:28
Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and perhaps request your own mini-episode!
https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast
Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/
We’re an Audible Affiliate Partner! Use this link for a 30-day free trial to Audible: https://www.audibletrial.com/CommonDescent
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 Sep 14, 2024
Saturday Sep 14, 2024
Here it is! The most requested episode topic in the history of the podcast!
Fungi are everywhere. This episode, we explore how fungi work, what makes them different from other organisms, and how they achieve a wide variety of lifestyles all over the world. We’ll also look back at their evolutionary history and fossil record to explore some of the most significant fungal moments of Earth’s past.
Fungi will return…
In the news: dinosaur teeth, pterosaur flight, bit bones, and ancient thylacines.
Time markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:08:30
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:39:15
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:38:30
Patron question: 02:29:35
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