Podcast · Tech & Science

The Common Descent Podcast

by Common Descent · English · Tech & Science

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 2 hr 20 min
Latest: 3 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

3 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 42 min

Spook-E - Xenomorphs

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate 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 Aliens! Where better to begin than with the quintessential big screen terrors from beyond the stars? How might Earth-based evolution produce a human-hunting monster that’s equal parts predator and parasitoid? Our creatures to create this time: Xenomorphs. Join the Common Descent Discord server for…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E382 · 27 Sep 2026 · 2 hr 43 min

Episode 253 - Kangaroos

Kangaroos – and their wallaroo and wallaby cousins – are some of the most recognizable, charismatic, and impressively strange mammals on the planet. This episode, we explore the surprising diversity of this group, we discuss how they manage to be world’s pre-eminent hoppers, and we delve into some of their unexpected fossil relatives. In the news: warm tyrannosaurs, sea star ancestors, traveling dinosaurs, and new cats. Time Markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:06:35Main discussion, Part 1: 00:50:30Main discussion, Part 2: 01:36:40Patron question: 02:32:45 Join us on Patreon to…
E381 · 13 Sep 2026 · 2 hr 11 min

Episode 252 - The Ice Age

About 10% of the Earth’s land surface is currently covered in persistent glacial ice, but for most of Earth history, that number was much closer to zero. This episode, we explore what happens when ice overtakes our planet and how we investigate icy conditions of the distant past, and we’ll take a close look at the most recent (and ongoing) global climate event that we commonly call the Ice Age. In the news: distant space objects, snake embryos, Jurassic chirps, and polar dinosaur nests. Time Markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:05:35Main discussion, Part 1: 00:40:35Main…
E380 · 30 Aug 2026 · 2 hr 44 min

Episode 251 - The Sun

The Sun is kind of a big deal. It is the center of our solar system, around which all other objects revolve, and its heat and light are responsible for the life-supporting conditions here on Earth. This episode, we take a close look at how the Sun actually works and what makes it different from other stars. Then, we track the lifetime of the Sun, exploring how it originally formed, how it has changed over its lifetime, and how it will eventually burn out. In the news: carnivorous plants, ancient burrowers, live birth, and reptile metabolism. Time Markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News:…
E379 · 16 Aug 2026 · 2 hr 22 min

Episode 250 - Camels

Large, herbivorous mammals come in many shapes and sizes, but few are as famously unusual as camels. This episode, we explore the surprising adaptations of Old World and New World camelids, from the dromedaries of Middle Eastern deserts to the llamas of the Andean highlands. Then, we take a tour through their fossil record to investigate the many forms this family took on the way to our modern diversity. In the news: stomach stones, aquatic reptiles, tiny dinosaurs, and a Poop Explosion. Time Markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:06:20Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:30Main…
E378 · 2 Aug 2026 · 2 hr 57 min

Episode 249 - Sexual Dimorphism

In most animal species, there are differences in the anatomy, behavior, and lifestyle of male and female individuals. In this episode, we explore the incredible variety of these differences and the equally incredible blurry areas between the sexes, we investigate the evolutionary processes behind these features, and we examine the constant and confounding discussion about whether or not we can spot sexual dimorphism in the fossil record. In the news: The Story of Birds, early snakes, and early archosaurs. Time Markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:05:40Main discussion, Part 1:…
E377 · 19 Jul 2026 · 2 hr 56 min

Episode 248 - Big Cats

Felines come in all shapes and sizes, but only a handful of them are large enough and in charge enough to have earned the title of “Big Cats.” This episode, we’re joined by special guest Lindsay Nikole as we take a tour through the surprising diversity of the “official” and “unofficial” big cats, and we explore how their evolutionary past has shaped this impressive assortment of apex predators. Find more of Lindsay here: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayNikole And shout-out to the Cheetah Conservation Fund: https://cheetah.org/ In the news: giant sharks, early movements, Cretaceous fruits,…
E376 · 16 Jul 2026 · 57 min

Snake Stuff with Ali Ashraf

Happy Snake Month! In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Ali Ashraf to talk about his research on the distribution and evolution of water snakes! This month only! Join the Snakes & Crocs Tier on our Patreon to receive a Snake Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation!www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast This year, our donations are going toward:Save the Snakeshttps://savethesnakes.org/The Crocodile Research Coalitionhttps://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/The Natural Resources Defense…
E375 · 5 Jul 2026 · 3 hr 16 min

Episode 247 – Vipers

Happy Snake Month! Some of the most fascinating, famous, and dangerous snakes on the planet belong to the family Viperidae. Vipers include some of the world’s most specialized ambush hunters, and they are one of the most diverse and successful groups of snakes. This episode, we take a tour through the many visages of vipers, we explore their unique adaptations from head to tail, and we investigate the deep history that led them to their incredible modern success. In the news: colorful crocs, pregnant mussels, tiny migration, and surprising snakes. Time markers: Intro & Announcements:…
E374 · 21 Jun 2026 · 2 hr 24 min

Episode 246 - Gharials

Happy Croc Month! Most living crocodilian species look pretty similar overall – that’s why there are so many tips for telling alligators from crocodiles – but one group really stands out with their bulging eyes and remarkably slender snouts. This episode, we explore the various features and habits that make gharials unique among crocs, and which have caused no end of confusion for scientists trying to sort out their evolutionary history. And, of course, we’ll take a trip into the fossil record to visit some of the most extraordinary long-snouted crocs of the distant past. In the news:…
E373 · 17 Jun 2026 · 57 min

Croc Chat with Maddie Turala

Happy Croc Month! In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Maddie Turala to talk about her research on estimating body size in fossil alligators! This month only! Join the Crocs & Snakes Tier on our Patreon to receive a Croc Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation!www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast This year, our donations are going toward:The Crocodile Research Coalitionhttps://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/Save the Snakeshttps://savethesnakes.org/The Natural Resources Defense Councilhttps://www.nrdc.org/…
E372 · 7 Jun 2026 · 2 hr 15 min

Episode 245 - Cycads

Cycads are cousins of conifers, and although they can be found throughout the modern tropics, they are often considered a visual indicator of prehistory. This episode, Aly joins us to explore what sets cycads apart from other plants, what we know of their deep history, and whether they truly deserve their reputation as dinosaur food. In the news: toothless crocs, Arctic mammals, turtle relations, and crater life. Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:10:35Main discussion, Part 1: 00:41:00Main discussion, Part 2: 01:25:55Patron question: 02:00:45 Check out our website for this…
E371 · 24 May 2026 · 2 hr 28 min

Episode 244 - Sea Turtles

Most modern turtles are pretty good in the water, but only some are truly ocean-dwellers. This episode, we explore the unique and diverse lifestyles and anatomy of modern sea turtles, then we take a tour of turtles through time, visiting the surprising number of ancient lineages that have taken to the seas and the surprising forms some of them have taken. In the news: twisted jaws, early centipedes, Ediacaran microbes, and Neanderthal teeth Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:04:45Main discussion, Part 1: 00:43:50Main discussion, Part 2: 01:30:10Patron question: 02:14:60…
E370 · 10 May 2026 · 2 hr 23 min

Episode 243 - Burrowers

A lot of life on Earth happens underground. This episode, we sample the species that have taken to a life of digging in the dirt – and elsewhere – why they do it and what physical adaptations help them along the way. Then, we’ll take a tour of burrows in the fossil record and explore what clues paleontologists can use to determine which ancient critter constructed a given burrow. In the news: malaria history, false octopus, pterosaur tracks, and giant octopus. Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:05:55Main discussion, Part 1: 00:45:05Main discussion, Part 2: 01:17:55Patron…
E369 · 1 May 2026 · 2 min

Leaf it to Us Season 2 Trailer

Leaf it to Us Season 2 is coming! Episode 1 drops on May 7th! You can find Leaf it to Us on any podcast platform! Consider supporting Leaf it to Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leafittouspod And connect with the community in these places: https://linktr.ee/leafittouspod The Leaf it to Us theme song is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at https://devours.bandcamp.com/
E368 · 30 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

Silver Screen Science - The Valley of Gwangi (1969)

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we’re wrapping things up with a tale of cowboys and dinosaurs in The Valley of Gwangi! 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 Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by…
E367 · 26 Apr 2026 · 2 hr 30 min

Episode 242 - Fire

Earth is a very flammable world. The combination of heat, oxygen, and burnable plants makes fire a constant feature of our planet. Many modern ecosystems thrive in the presence of fire, and lots of plant and animal species have adapted to avoid or take advantage of the flames. This episode, we explore the diverse topic of fire ecology, and we take a tour through the deep history of fire on Earth. In the news: Triassic crocs, anglerfish lures, behavior and evolution, and synapsid babies. Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:06:30Main discussion, Part 1: 00:48:25Main…
E366 · 23 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

Silver Screen Science - One Million Years B.C. (1966)

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we visit a classic of mid-century caveman-versus-dinosaur cinema, with One Million Years B.C. 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 Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species”…
E365 · 16 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 18 min

Silver Screen Science - Dinosaur Shorts (Gertie, Slumber Mountain, Fantasia)

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we compile and compare a handful of dino-themed short films from the early days of dinosaur movies: Gertie the Dinosaur, The Ghost of Slumber Mountain, and the Rite of Spring segment from Disney’s Fantasia. 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 Lots more…
E364 · 12 Apr 2026 · 2 hr 20 min

Episode 241 - Digestion

The world is full of food, but in order to make the most of it, living organisms need to be able to break it down and extract the useful nutrients. This episode, we explore the fundamental process of digestion and the many, many ways that life has adapted this process to various diets. And we’ll take a look at what the fossil record has to tell us about ancient diets and the evolutionary history of digestive systems. In the news: predator bites, coelacanth lungs, Cambrian claws, and squid evolution. Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:05:55Main discussion, Part 1:…
E363 · 9 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

Silver Screen Science - The Lost World (1925)

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we start things off with the great grand-daddy of dinosaur movies: The Lost World (1925). 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 Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by…
E362 · 29 Mar 2026 · 2 hr 42 min

Episode 240 - Terror Birds

For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was home to an incredible group of predatory birds called phorusrhacids, which included some of the largest carnivorous birds of all time. With their giant axe-like beaks and powerful clawed legs, these giants have gained the nickname “terror birds.” This episode, we explore what makes these birds unique, how they varied across their diversity, and what exactly they were doing with all those terrifying tools. In the news: a bitten plesiosaur, wildflower adaptation, a new croc, and dinosaur parents. Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News:…
E361 · 15 Mar 2026 · 2 hr 14 min

Episode 239 - Nocturnality

Creatures of the night! The world is a different place in the dark, and a whole array of organisms have adapted to being most active outside of daytime hours. This episode, we’ll explore the regular traits that allow nocturnal animals to get by, we’ll discuss some of the ways nocturnal evolution has shaped living species, and we’ll investigate which – if any – of these traits we can identify in the fossil record. In the news: snake hormones, Australian amphibians, ancient microbes, and baby dinosaurs. Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:07:25Main discussion, Part 1:…
E355 · 7 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 7 min

Pok-É – Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we take on the super-ancient Pokémon of Hoenn. How could natural selection result in masters of the sea, land, and sky embroiled in an endless feud? Our creatures to create this time: Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Pok-É discussion!…
E359 · 3 Mar 2026 · 2 hr 24 min

Patron Mini-Episode Compilation #7

One of the benefits our Patrons can receive is a personalized mini-episode on an animal of their choice! Every now and then, we throw them together into a compilation for all to enjoy! As always, an enormous thanks to all of our wonderful Patrons! Time markers:Basal Ornithopods for Aaron: 00:02:00Orangutans for Justin: 00:22:30Tardigrades for Jeff: 00:54:25Trilobites for Timpaxew: 01:16:55Rauisuchians for Ryan: 01:36:45Ravens for Bogdraw: 01:56:15 Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Got a topic you want to hear…
E360 · 1 Mar 2026 · 2 hr 36 min

Episode 238 - Osteoderms (Skin Bones)

Some bones are only skin deep! In many species of reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, bones called osteoderms develop within the skin, serving as body armor, additional muscular support, display features, or any number of other functions. This episode, we explore the extraordinary diversity of osteoderm anatomy, we take a tour through the many and varied osteoderms of Earth history, and we investigate a long list of hypothesized functions for these unusual bones. In the news: reptile skin, dinosaur quills, dinosaur bites, and cannibal snakes. Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News:…
E354 · 28 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 6 min

Pok-É – Koraidon and Miraidon

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we take a tour of the Paradox Pokémon. Where on the tree of life could we find a pair of dragons built for battle and all-terrain travel? Our creatures to create this time: Koraidon and Miraidon. Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Pok-É discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev Join…
E353 · 21 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 3 min

Pok-É – Zygarde

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we grapple with the Order Pokémon. What biological explanations can we find for an ecological guardian of many, many faces? Our creature to create this time: Zygarde. Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Pok-É discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev Join us on Patreon to support the…
E358 · 15 Feb 2026 · 3 hr 8 min

Episode 237 - The Dinosaur Renaissance

In the mid-to-late 20th Century, dinosaurs received a major makeover in their scientific and popular image. This episode, Riley Black takes us through the timeline of the Dinosaur Renaissance. We discuss some of the big scientific milestones and the various players which brought dinosaurs into their modern era, and we’ll explore the early signs and lingering notes of this historic shift. In the news: sleepy jellyfish, fast mammals, bird beaks, and dinosaur diets. Find Riley in these places:https://rileyblack.net/…
E352 · 14 Feb 2026 · 51 min

Pok-É – Giratina

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we confront the Renegade Pokémon. From what ancestors might we get a many-limbed monster from a parallel world? Our creature to create this time: Giratina. Join the Common Descent Discord server for more Pok-É discussion! https://discord.gg/CwPBxdh9Ev Join us on Patreon to support the podcast…

About The Common Descent Podcast

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!

The Common Descent Podcast is a English tech & science podcast from Common Descent. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Common Descent
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 2 hr 20 min
Latest episode: 3 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1207586509

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