Weird & Dead

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A podcast about evolution's most embarrassing and bizarre stories as told by two very gossipy paleontologists. Amy and Meaghan happily dish the details on everything from fossilized dinosaur butts to the secret drama behind naming new species. Time for the hottest tea from prehistory!

TravelingGeologist


    • Dec 31, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 46 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Weird & Dead

    Bonus Episode: Chameleons

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 28:22


    Thanks for an excellent first year! Here’s a bonus episode where Amy demonstrates she’s learned more about Chameleons since we started (kinda). Images are on weirdanddead.com CW: Cursing

    Bonus Episode: Chameleons

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 28:22


    Thanks for an excellent first year! Here’s a bonus episode where Amy demonstrates she’s learned more about Chameleons since we started (kinda). Images are on weirdanddead.com CW: Cursing

    Bonus Episode: Rugose Corals

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 26:58


    Meaghan loses her mind about how gross rugose corals are. Try evolving something that doesn’t involve genetically manipulating your babies, you lonely jellyfish-emulating losers. CW: cursing. Gagging noises.

    Bonus Episode: Rugose Corals

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 26:58


    Meaghan loses her mind about how gross rugose corals are. Try evolving something that doesn’t involve genetically manipulating your babies, you lonely jellyfish-emulating losers. CW: cursing. Gagging noises.

    Dino Sex

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 56:03


    It may not have happened in lakes but it certainly did happen – so how? Let's dive into fossilized cloacas, theoretical genitals, and the impracticalities of sexing a dinosaur. CW: sexual content, genitalia, brief discussions of nonconsensual sex between animals, Nanotyrannus, making fun of old white men

    Dino Sex

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 56:03


    It may not have happened in lakes but it certainly did happen – so how? Let's dive into fossilized cloacas, theoretical genitals, and the impracticalities of sexing a dinosaur. CW: sexual content, genitalia, brief discussions of nonconsensual sex between animals, Nanotyrannus, making fun of old white men

    Fossil Frenemies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 54:45


    From friends to enemies to roommates (to lovers??), we discuss classic examples of animals found fossilized together, how that happens, and how some of the interpretations are… a stretch. CW: Animal death, dead babies, lubed holes, incest, cursing

    Fossil Frenemies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 54:46


    From friends to enemies to roommates (to lovers??), we discuss classic examples of animals found fossilized together, how that happens, and how some of the interpretations are… a stretch. CW: Animal death, dead babies, lubed holes, incest, cursing

    The Burgess Shale

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 49:07


    500 some million years ago the world was full of ‘abnormal shrimp' and ‘blunt feet' and other animals that defy comprehensible definitions. In this episode we talk all about the mind-boggling biology and bizarre geology of the Cambrian. CW: Drug references, cursing, dead animals, cavalier jokes at the expense of white men, dick jokes

    The Burgess Shale

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 49:07


    500 some million years ago the world was full of ‘abnormal shrimp' and ‘blunt feet' and other animals that defy comprehensible definitions. In this episode we talk all about the mind-boggling biology and bizarre geology of the Cambrian. CW: Drug references, cursing, dead animals, cavalier jokes at the expense of white men, dick jokes

    Fossil Forensics

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 56:35


    Bones are sick – and this time, we mean it literally. From infected bite marks to the ever-prevalent markings of tuberculosis, we’re talking about the signs of illnesses and injuries in fossils and what they tell us about the lives (and deaths) of these animals. CW: Cancer, infections and pus, injuries, animal suffering

    Fossil Forensics

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 56:36


    Bones are sick – and this time, we mean it literally. From infected bite marks to the ever-prevalent markings of tuberculosis, we’re talking about the signs of illnesses and injuries in fossils and what they tell us about the lives (and deaths) of these animals. CW: Cancer, infections and pus, injuries, animal suffering

    Trunks, Snoods, and Other Floppy Face Flesh

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 64:09


    Did Diplodocus have a trunk? Did T. rex have a wobbly turkey neck? This week's episode is all about fleshy face flaps and their uses, and how to detect them in the fossil record. CW: Animal death, cursing, making fun of dinosaurs, urine

    Trunks, Snoods, and Other Floppy Face Flesh

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 64:10


    Did Diplodocus have a trunk? Did T. rex have a wobbly turkey neck? This week's episode is all about fleshy face flaps and their uses, and how to detect them in the fossil record. CW: Animal death, cursing, making fun of dinosaurs, urine

    Polar Dinosaurs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 52:32


    There were dinosaurs in Antarctica and Alaska – but what did it look like when they lived there? Was it cold? Was it dark? Did they stay there year round? Also, Meaghan learns how magnets work (finally). CW: cursing, death of people and animals

    Polar Dinosaurs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 52:33


    There were dinosaurs in Antarctica and Alaska – but what did it look like when they lived there? Was it cold? Was it dark? Did they stay there year round? Also, Meaghan learns how magnets work (finally). CW: cursing, death of people and animals

    The Baculum and the Baubellum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 53:53


    Sometimes boners have actual bones! This episode is all about the evolution, use, and occasional loss of/damage to genital bones in both male and female animals. CW: Cursing, genitalia, brief mention of non-consensual sexual behavior in animals

    baculum
    The Baculum and the Baubellum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 53:54


    Sometimes boners have actual bones! This episode is all about the evolution, use, and occasional loss of/damage to genital bones in both male and female animals. CW: Cursing, genitalia, brief mention of non-consensual sexual behavior in animals

    baculum
    Fossil Brainz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 44:41


    How much do we really know about the brains of ancient animals? In this episode we dive into the fantastic world of endocasts, aka, brain impressions! CW: soft tissue, cursing, Nanotyrannus, brief mention of the Nazis in regards to Tilly Edinger

    Fossil Brainz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 44:42


    How much do we really know about the brains of ancient animals? In this episode we dive into the fantastic world of endocasts, aka, brain impressions! CW: soft tissue, cursing, Nanotyrannus, brief mention of the Nazis in regards to Tilly Edinger

    Lingering Fingerlings and Dexterous Dingalings (Vestigial Structures)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 56:20


    Today we’re answering the big questions, like why do whales have hips when they don’t have legs? And why did Tyrannosaurus rex have such tiny tiny arms? CW: Genitalia, cursing, discussion of unwanted sexual contact in whales

    Lingering Fingerlings and Dexterous Dingalings (Vestigial Structures)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 56:21


    Today we’re answering the big questions, like why do whales have hips when they don’t have legs? And why did Tyrannosaurus rex have such tiny tiny arms? CW: Genitalia, cursing, discussion of unwanted sexual contact in whales

    Things You Didn't Think a Butthole Could Do

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 46:06


    From the anal chimneys of crinoids to the tushy lungs of turtles, this episode covers all the weird things that buttholes can do… but shouldn't. CW: Buttholes, cursing, poop, tobacco use, alien abduction

    Things You Didn’t Think a Butthole Could Do

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 46:07


    From the anal chimneys of crinoids to the tushy lungs of turtles, this episode covers all the weird things that buttholes can do… but shouldn’t.  CW: Buttholes, cursing, poop, tobacco use, alien abduction

    Weird & Dead Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 1:09


    On this podcast we dish the details on the wildest stories that 500 million years of evolution have to offer. The grosser, the better! That said, this podcast is not intended for kids and is rated E for strong language and crude senses of humor. Season 2 begins 6-19-2024!

    Weird & Dead Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 1:10


    On this podcast we dish the details on the wildest stories that 500 million years of evolution have to offer. The grosser, the better! That said, this podcast is not intended for kids and is rated E for strong language and crude senses of humor. Season 2 begins 6-19-2024!

    Becoming Paleontologists

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 46:59


    For our final episode of season 1 we go into detail on how the two of us met, how we got into paleontology, and the various twists and turns that have made up our two careers. CW: Cursing. Yep, that's all this time – we were surprised too!

    Becoming Paleontologists

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 46:59


    For our final episode of season 1 we go into detail on how the two of us met, how we got into paleontology, and the various twists and turns that have made up our two careers. CW: Cursing. Yep, that's all this time – we were surprised too!

    Thick Thighs and Body Size

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 48:45


    From dinosaurs to rhinos to bugs, things used to get a whole lot bigger than they seem to today. In this episode we talk all about evolutionary constraints, the narrow set of bumper bars enforced on us by biology. CW: Body fluids. Using the term bug incorrectly (sorry entomologists). Cursing.

    Thick Thighs and Body Size

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 48:45


    From dinosaurs to rhinos to bugs, things used to get a whole lot bigger than they seem to today. In this episode we talk all about evolutionary constraints, the narrow set of bumper bars enforced on us by biology. CW: Body fluids. Using the term bug incorrectly (sorry entomologists). Cursing.

    Everything You Wanted To Know About Eggs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 46:14


    …and then some. From the eggs of the platypus to the eggs of dinosaurs, we'll talk about how eggs are formed, why humans don't lay them, and of course, why the egg definitely came before the chicken. CW: Placentas and afterbirth, body fluids, cursing

    Everything You Wanted To Know About Eggs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 46:15


    …and then some. From the eggs of the platypus to the eggs of dinosaurs, we'll talk about how eggs are formed, why humans don't lay them, and of course, why the egg definitely came before the chicken. CW: Placentas and afterbirth, body fluids, cursing

    Everything That Ate Our Ancestors

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 50:11


    It's time to be more afraid of seals, everyone. And hyenas. And tigers. And… birds? And big crocodiles. Really, the deeper you go into human history, the longer that list of fears gets – and on this episode, we go real, real deep.  CW: death, dead bodies, being hunted, cannibalism.

    Everything That Ate Our Ancestors

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 50:12


    It's time to be more afraid of seals, everyone. And hyenas. And tigers. And… birds? And big crocodiles. Really, the deeper you go into human history, the longer that list of fears gets – and on this episode, we go real, real deep.  CW: death, dead bodies, being hunted, cannibalism.

    The Science of Fossil Poop and Puke

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 48:42


    Trace fossils are an incredible resource to understand behavior… even behavior those animals wish maybe there wasn’t a record of. From the results of terrible food poisoning to the fossil equivalent of a xeroxed buttocks, trace fossils record some animals’ most humiliating moments. CW: Everything in the title, cursing, stomach stones (bezoars)

    The Science of Fossil Poop and Puke

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 48:42


    Trace fossils are an incredible resource to understand behavior… even behavior those animals wish maybe there wasn’t a record of. From the results of terrible food poisoning to the fossil equivalent of a xeroxed buttocks, trace fossils record some animals’ most humiliating moments. CW: Everything in the title, cursing, stomach stones (bezoars)

    The Secret Shame of Dinosaurs (Fossil Names)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 49:09


    Did you know that technically, the name ‘dinosaur’ is a rebrand? The original name was a lot more… wrinkly. In this episode we discuss how to name fossils and bring up the funniest fossil names we could find.  CW: Cursing. Discussion of European colonization and Native Americans. Many references to genitalia.

    The Secret Shame of Dinosaurs (Fossil Names)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 49:09


    Did you know that technically, the name ‘dinosaur’ is a rebrand? The original name was a lot more… wrinkly. In this episode we discuss how to name fossils and bring up the funniest fossil names we could find.  CW: Cursing. Discussion of European colonization and Native Americans. Many references to genitalia.

    Homicidal Earth Burps and Murderous Sky Rocks (All About Extinctions)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 47:54


    Asteroids, volcanoes, and sex lakes – in this episode we discuss the varied and sometimes hilarious hypotheses of why animals have gone extinct. CW: Extinctions/animal death, toxic shock syndrome, menstruation, serial killers, suicide in reference to having to do geochronology. Referring to non-avian dinosaurs as just dinosaurs.

    Homicidal Earth Burps and Murderous Sky Rocks (All About Extinctions)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 47:54


    Asteroids, volcanoes, and sex lakes – in this episode we discuss the varied and sometimes hilarious hypotheses of why animals have gone extinct. CW: Extinctions/animal death, toxic shock syndrome, menstruation, serial killers, suicide in reference to having to do geochronology. Referring to non-avian dinosaurs as just dinosaurs.

    How to Mummify a Dinosaur (and Other Fossil Tips and Tricks)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 46:22


    While usually it’s just the hard bits that fossilize, occasionally the fossil record can preserve things like skin, organs, blood and more. This episode talks about what happens when soft tissue fossilizes, and what weird things scientists have done upon finding it. CW: Dead animals/babies, eating gross things, blood and gushy body bits, placentas.

    How to Mummify a Dinosaur (and Other Fossil Tips and Tricks)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 46:22


    While usually it’s just the hard bits that fossilize, occasionally the fossil record can preserve things like skin, organs, blood and more. This episode talks about what happens when soft tissue fossilizes, and what weird things scientists have done upon finding it. CW: Dead animals/babies, eating gross things, blood and gushy body bits, placentas.

    How to Preserve a Fossil Fish in The Weirdest Way Possible

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 37:59


    Sometimes paleontology is awe-inspiring. Sometimes it’s gross and hilarious. This episode is at the weird epicenter of all of those things, because it turns out the best preserved fossil sturgeons are found up the rear end of duck-billed dinosaurs. CONTENT WARNINGS: Hemorrhoids, butt jokes, maligning archeologists, misinterpreting a cloaca as a butthole for the purposes […]

    How to Preserve a Fossil Fish in The Weirdest Way Possible

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 37:59


    Sometimes paleontology is awe-inspiring. Sometimes it’s gross and hilarious. This episode is at the weird epicenter of all of those things, because it turns out the best preserved fossil sturgeons are found up the rear end of duck-billed dinosaurs. CONTENT WARNINGS: Hemorrhoids, butt jokes, maligning archeologists, misinterpreting a cloaca as a butthole for the purposes […]

    How Fossil Lemurs Got Across Oceans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 48:31


    Throughout time we find evidence that animals made it to other continents seemingly by crossing vast oceans. In this episode we talk all about how animals can survive these strange events of accidental seafaring, and how the odds are always stacked against them. CW: Cruel research methods (not ours!), inbreeding, death.

    How Fossil Lemurs Got Across Oceans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 48:32


    Throughout time we find evidence that certain animals made it across vast oceans to other continents, seemingly by crossing the seas. In this episode we talk all about how animals can survive these strange events of accidental seafaring, and how the odds are always stacked against them.CONTENT WARNINGS: Discussion of cruel research methods (not ours!), […]

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