Evolution Talk

Charles Darwin's revolutionary observations of Galapagos tortoises and finches, explored how natural selection allows species to adapt over time. From the discovery of the hawk moth in Madagascar, predicted by Darwin, to the groundbreaking discovery of DNA by Rosalind Franklin, Francis Crick, and James Watson, we look at how genetic changes drive evolution. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Bright White by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Stars are Out by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Challenging Mark Twain's assertion that "man is the only one that lies.", we discover that deception is a widespread evolutionary strategy employed by various species for survival and reproduction. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Floating by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Pretty Melody by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Denouement by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Mutinee by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Let's enter the fascinating world of animal communication used by different species. We'll also touch on the evolutionary aspects of these communication systems Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Frogs by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Odd Wand by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Klink Tale by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

The new season is about to kick and I'm really excited about it.  I'm always looking for ways to expand the show's reach and science education, and to do so, I'll need your help. I'd love to go back to a weekly show, be able to fully kick off a supplemental video channel, and provide materials for schools. I've also always wanted to bring the newsletter back. The show will always be free for all to enjoy.  To find out how you can help the show achieve it's goals financially, please visit evolutiontalk.com/support.     

The wonderful thing about islands is they continue to provide insights into the processes that shape life on Earth, reminding us of the incredible adaptability of life and the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems. They demonstrate how isolation, limited resources, and unique environmental pressures can drive the evolution of extraordinary adaptations. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Ghost by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Firefly by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Kitten by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Imagine a world where different species live in close partnerships, essential for their survival. Tune in for a journey through millions of years of evolutionary cooperation, proving that in nature, no species is an island. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Bright White by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Pink Gradient Hey by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Tra-la-la by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Wook by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com    

Special guest Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins the show to discuss what teachers and educators can do both in and out of the classroom. Support the NCSE Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel!   Music in this Episode Frogs by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Chipper Dan by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Program Reverie by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Easygoing by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Blake Touchet from the National Center for Science Education joins me to discuss the age-old phrase that evolution is "Only a Theory".   Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel!   Music in this Episode Twinkie by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Jack by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com On a Wing by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

From ancient Conodonts to modern-day rattlesnakes, venom has independently evolved in a diverse array of creatures including snakes, spiders, scorpions, and even mammals like the platypus. Discover how venom serves as both a weapon for predation and a defense mechanism, and learn the crucial differences between venomous and poisonous animals. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel!   Music in this Episode Saver by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Trader Ho Hey by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Mute Groove by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Skepto by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

In this episode, we delve into Charles Darwin's theory of Evolution by Natural Selection and explore the alternative philosophical perspective of Henri Bergson. While Darwin's mechanistic view emphasizes random mutations and natural selection, Bergson introduces the concept of élan vital—a creative force driving life's complexity and direction. Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel!   Music in this Episode Pretty Melody by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Easy Going by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Curious Process by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Squiggly Line 1 by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

The concept of superposition exists in both quantum mechanics and evolutionary geology. We start with the strange and counterintuitive world of quantum physics, where particles exist in multiple states until observed. Then, we journey back to 1666 where another kind of superpositionwas discovered—this time in rock layers - allowing us to read Earth's history through its geological layers.  Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!   Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel!   Music in this Episode Three Colors by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Submerging Blue-Black by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Floating by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Chimera by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

What if consciousness, much like the architectural 'spandrels' we talked about before, isn't actually crucial to our survival? Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin argued that some traits might just be byproducts, not directly selected for their utility. We'll unravel this thread by retracing the steps of René Descartes on a cold night in 1619 when he conceived ideas that challenged our understanding of reality. Was his revelation in a cozy 'oven' room the birth of modern philosophy, or a deeper insight into the illusions crafted by our own minds? Descartes' meditations prompted us to doubt our senses and the very nature of reality, suggesting that maybe, just maybe, our lives are nothing but elaborate deceptions.  Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming!   Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. You can also check out the new YouTube channel!   Music in this Episode Ghost by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Steppin Into by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Lilywhite by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Do our thoughts serve a purpose, or are they just a byproduct of something deeper? Consciousness studies bridge the realms of philosophy and science. Are we truly aware, or is it all just an illusion? Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Horn Haze by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Gentle Heart by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Grebe by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

In this episode, we delve into the mysterious world of consciousness, a mystery that resides within the depths of our minds. We'll explore the physical and philosophical theories of consciousness, from the brain's intricate processes to the elusive concept of qualia.  Please consider becoming a show Patron to help keep new episodes coming! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Caterpillar Tunnel by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Netherland by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Dark Water by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Kitten by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Twinkle Toes by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

In this episode, we dive deep into the astounding journey of technological evolution, from the Wright brothers' inaugural flight to humanity's giant leap on the moon, and onto the revolutionary frontiers of AI with ChatGPT. Let's contemplate AI's potential to become a new form of life, pondering its future impacts and the ethical dilemmas it presents.  Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Figure & Open AI Collaboration: Video on YouTube Music in this Episode All music AI generated from Suno

I have some exciting news about the show. In addition to this podcast, which will continue with the help of our patrons at Patreon, I am going to produce a YouTube video show. This won't be the audio from the podcast. Instead, it will be an extension of the podcast as a platform for me to continue to educate folks about evolution by natural selection. I'll host both the video channel and the podcast. The channel will introduce new topics and cover some familiar ground in different ways. Evolution Talk Youtube Channel Patreon Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

In this episode, we continue our exploration into the realm of evolutionary psychiatry, a field that seeks to understand the ancient roots of our modern mental health challenges. Are mental disorders "glitches" in our evolutionary programming, where ancient survival strategies may not align with contemporary societal demands? Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Memory Wind by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Submerging Green by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Poor Wayfaring Stranger by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Climbing the Mountain by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Let's dive deep into the fascinating world of Evolutionary Psychiatry, building on our previous exploration of Evolutionary Psychology (from 100 episodes ago!). In that episode we compared the brain to an information processing device shaped by eons of evolution? Today, we venture further from the shore, exploring how our mental software, which evolved for ancient challenges, copes in our modern world. We'll unravel the mysteries of mental disorders through the evolutionary lens, questioning why traits beneficial in our past might be problematic today.    Music in this Episode Memory Wind by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Submerging Green by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Poor Wayfaring Stranger by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Climbing the Mountain by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com  

The "Evolution Talk" podcast needs your help! I have some great ideas for the show and for continuing to bring you free content. The truth is that the expense of keeping the show active and producing new episodes has become prohibitive.   I've researched different funding options, including Kickstarter, sponsorships, and grants for science education.   I've settled on a Patreon. This will enable me to plan for the next season.   More information about how you can help support the show is at EvolutionTalk.com/Support . You can also go directly to Patreon.   In the meantime, there are still over 140 episodes available for your enjoyment!   I appreciate you for all of your support over the years.   Thank you! Rick

Sagan once pondered, "How did the molecules of life arise?" This question, echoing through the annals of scientific history, brings us to today's episode. We've long understood the mechanics of evolution, but the origin of life itself remains a captivating mystery. From Darwin's elegant theory of natural selection to the curious idea of Spontaneous Generation, we'll dive deep into the evolution of thought on life's beginnings. We'll also unravel the groundbreaking Miller-Urey experiment, which mimicked Earth's early conditions to create organic molecules.    Music in this Episode Orchestral Rise & Confusion by Tim Kulig, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11275-orchestral-rise-confusion, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Under The Surface by Tim Kulig, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10639-under-the-surface, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Gamma 135 175 Water Meditations by Tim Kulig, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10713-gamma-135-175-water-meditations, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Psychic Cube by Tim Kulig, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11767-psychic-cube, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Simple Space Score by Tim Kulig, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8867-simple-space-score, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Scorpion Standoff by Tim Kulig, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8471-scorpion-standoff, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Blue Scorpion by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3451-blue-scorpion, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

I wanted to tell you about a couple of projects I have underway outside of the world of science that may interest some of you. One is a podcast, and the other is a YouTube channel, which may turn into a podcast. I'll start with the podcast, and that is Introvert's Almanac. I recently launched this show to talk about the introvert experience, some tips, a bit of advice, and the science behind it (so I guess there's a bit of science involved). If you're an introvert or have a friend or family member who is, please share this with them.  The other project is an extension of a hobby of mine, and that is vinyl records. I launched the YouTube channel “The Joy of Vinyl” last year to explore my appreciation of vinyl records and the audio equipment used to enjoy them. I cover everything from starting a collection, caring for it, and my recommendations for some of the equipment I've encountered on my audio journey. Introvert's Almanac (podcast) Joy of Vinyl (YouTube channel) And as always, thank you for listening.

Our story starts with cells.  Not our cells but the cells of our closest relatives.  The great apes. Within the nucleus of their cells the great apes have 24 chromosome pairs.  We have 23 pairs.  If we share a common ancestor, what happened to the missing chromosomes? Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Firefly by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Crusty Lily by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Horn Haze by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Poof by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Vestigial features and atavistic traits are all evidence of our past.  They are glimpses into a species distant past. We have nature and evolution by natural selection to thank for it. But nature's not perfect.  It makes mistakes.   Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Epiphany by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Floating by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Chimera by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Curious Process by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Tentative Cloud by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

When it comes to personal IDs, we have many.  There's your driver's license, passport, online username, among other human-made forms of proving who you are.  Then there are those that nature gave you that's yours and yours alone.  Like your DNA. And then there are your fingerprints.  Other than leaving incriminating evidence behind if you've committed a crime and weren't careful enough to wipe them away or wear gloves, what are fingerprints good for? Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Swingland by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6625-swingland, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 009 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8224-cinematic-suspense-series-episode-009, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Ambient Bongos by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4726-ambient-bongos, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The Inspector by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9176-the-inspector, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Blue Sky U Liar 106 by Doudoo, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11436-blue-sky-u-liar-106, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license  

Attics aren't the only places you'll find old secrets from the past, begging to be rediscovered or let out. You have them in you as well. I'm not talking about the the type of secrets you keep to yourself and only tell close friends. I'm talking about those like the ones you'll find in old attics.  Secrets you don't even know are there.  These secrets are locked in your DNA. Every once in a while, those secrets come back to haunt us. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Swingland by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6625-swingland, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 009 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8224-cinematic-suspense-series-episode-009, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Ambient Bongos by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4726-ambient-bongos, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The Inspector by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9176-the-inspector, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Blue Sky U Liar 106 by Doudoo, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11436-blue-sky-u-liar-106, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Ants have mastered the art of cooperation.  They have highly organized social structures, caste systems, and with everything they do, they do for the colony.  They are in a sense, a superorganism with each ant contributing to benefit of colony, like cells in a functioning body. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Winjammer by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Mute Groove by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Memory Wind by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Evolution by natural selection is not perfect, nor does it strive to be.  It doesn't strive to be anything at all.  An adaptation that is beneficial under one set of circumstances may be a detriment under another. There are also some wonderful by products - like reading and writing.  Did we evolve to read and write? Once again, imperfection reigns. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Gathering by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Ideas by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com In And Out by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Bright White by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Go Little Car by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

If you've ever heard the phrase "play possum", you may know it means to feign death. It's real thing. Possums do it, as do sharks, ants, and a multitude of other animals. It's a defense mechanisms shaped by evolution. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Go Little Car by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Dinky by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Arp Arc by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Ant Party by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

With the start of a new season of episodes, I thought it appropriate to revisit why I created this podcast in the first place with the question - "Why Teach Evolution?" Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Kingston Town by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Breezin by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Wook by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Mute Groove by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

It's time for a summer break.  There will be some exciting new video content coming up as well.  You can keep up to date on all that is happening at Evolutiontalk.com !   Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

The Homo Naledi have been intriguing scientists since their discovery in 2013, challenging our understanding of early human life. In this episode, we explore the burning question: how did they end up in the incredibly difficult-to-reach Dinaledi chamber? From the possibility of using fire to lighting their way to the evidence of intentional burial, we are slowly uncovering the secrets Homo Naledi left behind. We delve into their potential cognitive abilities, including abstract thinking and symbolic thought, and what their burial rituals could mean about their understanding of mortality. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Whimsy Groove by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4623-whimsy-groove, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Nightdreams by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4132-nightdreams, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Crowd Hammer by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4983-crowd-hammer, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Dive into the mysterious world of Batesian mimicry, where harmless creatures masquerade as dangerous ones to survive. Journey with us from Britain's south coast, where hoverflies fool predators with wasp-like outfits, to the deceptive bands of the scarlet kingsnake in southeastern US. Marvel at the daytime antics of clearwing moths, mistaken for bees, and question the taste of the Viceroy butterfly, a monarch look-alike. As the lines between disguise and reality blur, we explore the intriguing dance of adaptation and survival in the animal kingdom. It's nature's never-ending Halloween party. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Halloween Atmosphere 2018 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3234-halloween-atmosphere-2018, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Ghost Of The Dead Ballerina by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8269-halloween-ghost-of-the-dead-ballerina, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Theme 1 by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4735-halloween-theme-1, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Atmosphere by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/87-halloween-atmosphere, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Haunted House by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6615-halloween-haunted-house, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

When a vibrant caravan of travelers arrives with new foods, traditions, and stories, a sleepy hamlet's culinary landscape is forever altered. We explore how this 'mixing of recipes' changes the DNA menu of a population, much like the newfound dishes in Heritage Hamlet. Here's to a feast for both your mind and your curiosity. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Le Baguette by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4784-le-baguette, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Discover "Fossils, Feuds, and Fantastical Creatures: The Cope and Marsh Saga." Journey back to 1863 Berlin, where Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh kickstart a rivalry for the ages. Originally friends, their bond fractures at a New Jersey fossil quarry, escalating into a public spat that seizes the paleontological world. Tune in for this thrilling ride into history, dinosaurs, and the power of human rivalry. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Meanwhile in Bavaria by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4028-meanwhile-in-bavaria. License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Lost In The Dark by Steven OBrien, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10010-lost-in-the-dark, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Summer Swing 2018 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3160-summer-swing-2018, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Tick Tock Tick Tock Quarantine Time by WinnieTheMoog, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6145-tick-tock-tick-tock-quarantine-time, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Jazzy Comping 1 by Agnese Valmaggia, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7330-jazzy-comping-1, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Jazzi 3 by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8069-jazzi-3, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

You can get 25% off the Evolution Talk book at Amazon!  The discount is good until June 8th.  If you buy one let me know what you think! Have a great week! Rick Link to Evolution Talk book: https://amzn.to/3MJTJ9h

From the quiet roads of New Hampshire, where snapping turtles are more common than lizards, to the depths of our evolutionary past, we'll grapple with the idea that we may still carry a piece of our reptilian ancestors within us. But don't be too quick to believe popular pop-psychology. We'll explore what the Triune Brain model tells us about our so-called "reptilian brain" and how it shapes our instinctual responses. We'll question if there's a lurking Allosaurus within our minds or if it's just an oversimplification of a complex organ. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Frogs by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Go Little Car by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Twinkle Toes by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com

Using the metaphor of a simple beat evolving into a complex symphony, we explore how small-scale genetic changes within populations give rise to new species. From microevolution to macroevolution. Here, the role of natural selection is handed over to the discerning ears of different audiences to select the music that survives and evolves. From a simple beat to a grand symphony, we trace the evolution of life. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.   Music in this Episode Jazzi by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6469-jazzi, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Road Trip by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9761-road-trip, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Trickster by Phat Sounds, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Midsummer's Night In The Woods by Justin Allan Arnold, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10882-midsummers-night-in-the-woods, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license We Love Punk Rock by WinnieTheMoog, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6369-we-love-punk-rock, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Summer Swing 2018 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3160-summer-swing-2018, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license  

In this episode, the focus is on macroevolution, which deals with larger scale evolutionary changes compared to microevolution. Macroevolutionary changes can give rise to new species, and its results can be seen in the fossil record. By piecing together fossils, researchers can observe macroevolutionary patterns, predict transitional organisms, and even locate potential fossil sites. Whales provide a compelling look at macroevolution, as their evolution from land-dwelling mammals to aquatic giants is documented in the fossil record. The journey of whales, from the wolf-sized Pakicetus to the fully aquatic Basilosaurus, showcases the power of macroevolution. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

The constant dance of microevolution is driven by alleles, different versions of genes that determine traits. Sexual reproduction results in organisms inheriting a unique combination of genetic material from both parents, creating genetic diversity within a population. New alleles can appear through mutations or gene flow between populations. The dance of alleles will continue, introducing new traits and variations in the ongoing story of evolution. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

In 2015,a spelunker named Joachim Kreiselmaier discovered a troglobite, a species that lives in underground environments, in the Danube-Aach cave system in South Germany. This small, pale fish had an elongated body, large nostrils, and minuscule, non-functional eyes. It was the first species of cave fish found in Europe and was related to loaches from the nearby Danube River. These cave fish lost their eyesight and pigmentation not because they stopped needing them, but due to evolution by natural selection.  Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

On September 15, 1835, the Galapagos Islands welcomed the arrival of a ship that had traversed South America, offering a strikingly different landscape. The vessel, HMS Beagle, still had just over a year before it would return to England. Aboard the ship was a young naturalist named Charles Darwin, who was unaware that his brief five-week exploration of the Galapagos Archipelago would ultimately inspire him to pen a world-altering book. This work would revolutionize our comprehension of the origins and diversity of the countless species that have existed and continue to exist on Earth. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.

It can be straightforward to confuse facts and theories, but they remain distinct entities. Asserting that evolutoion by natural selection is not a fact does not diminish its significance as a theoretical framework. The theory is founded on empirical evidence and provides a deeper understanding of the subject matter.  Scientific theories evolve over time as new evidence and discoveries emerge. They continue to be refined and expanded as our knowledge of the natural world grows. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.