279 episodes

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 Common Descent

    • Science
    • 4.8 • 599 Ratings

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!

    Silver Screen Science - Deep Blue Sea

    Silver Screen Science - Deep Blue Sea

    It’s a new series of Silver Screen Science! As usual, we’re discussing how science is portrayed on the big screen, this time with a new theme: Sharks!
    This time, we’re exploring the monster sharks and suspicious science of a 90s shark classic – Deep Blue Sea.
    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/
    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.

    • 55 min
    Episode 189 - Dromaeosaurs

    Episode 189 - Dromaeosaurs

    This group of predatory dinosaurs includes such famous names as Deinonychus, Microraptor, and Velociraptor, and they’re among the most well-studied and popular dinosaurs of all time. This episode, we’ll discuss what sets these dinosaurs apart, as well the much-discussed and -debated questions surrounding their relationships to birds, their distinctive claws and wings, and their hunting strategies.
    In the news: ant-mimic spiders, fishapod spinal column, early dinosaur growth, and a fossil tapeworm.
    Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:05:20Main discussion, Part 1: 00:33:00Main discussion, Part 2: 01:13:50Patron question: 02:22:05
    Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/
    Links mentioned in the announcements:Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net/ Jewish Voice For Peace: https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/take-action/
    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

    • 2 hr 33 min
    Silver Screen Science - Meg 2: The Trench

    Silver Screen Science - Meg 2: The Trench

    It’s a new series of Silver Screen Science! As usual, we’re discussing how science is portrayed on the big screen, this time with a new theme: Sharks!
    This episode, we’re examining the newest installment in the film series about giant monster ancient sharks – Meg 2: The Trench.
    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/
    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

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Spotlight 2024 - James, Amanda, and Curtis, Palaeo After Dark

    Spotlight 2024 - James, Amanda, and Curtis, Palaeo After Dark

    Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication.
    It’s episode two, and our guests are the hosts of Palaeo After Dark: James, Amanda, and Curtis!
    Find Palaeo After Dark at their website: www.palaeoafterdark.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.

    • 1 hr 4 min
    Episode 188 - Cannibalism

    Episode 188 - Cannibalism

    An animal eating another member of its own species might sound like a rare and abnormal occurrence – and it is often portrayed that way – but cannibalism is actually extremely widespread and common in nature. Some animals are occasional cannibals, while some go so far as to rely on this behavior to fuel proper growth and development. In this episode, we’ll discuss some of the varieties of cannibalism, explore how this behavior has been misunderstood and misconstrued in the past, and investigate some evidence from the fossil record.
    In the news: toothless Cretaceous birds, giant river dolphins, Alaska dinosaurs, and Kermit the temnospondyl.
    Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00|News: 00:05:50Main discussion, Part 1: 00:29:30Main discussion, Part 2: 01:16:45Patron question: 02:09:15
    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
    What's The "T" Stand For?: A Let's Learn-A-Saurus Bookhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYZJ1QLR
    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/

    • 2 hr 20 min
    Episode 187 - Migration

    Episode 187 - Migration

    Among the most spectacular of animal behaviors is migration, the habit of many species to undertake massive journeys, sometimes traveling thousands of kilometers to access food or breeding grounds. This episode, we explore the incredible diversity of migratory behaviors, we examine the functions and adaptations that make migration happen, we discuss how migration is defined, and we investigate some of the tools we can use to identify migration in the distant past.
    In the news: giant crabs, fossil forests, early cephalopods, and mating termites.
    Time markers:Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00News: 00:04:40Main discussion, Part 1: 00:30:15Main discussion, Part 2: 01:26:00Patron question: 01:49:35
    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/
    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/

    • 2 hr 7 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
599 Ratings

599 Ratings

jesseason3 ,

Accessible enough for kids, interesting and detailed enough for adults

Only listen to a few episodes so far, but we love it. The dragonflies episode was particularly good as one of my children is currently in a insect phase. Hopefully they will do an episode on cockroaches!

Frinkus Wimble ,

Wonderful at all levels

This podcast has everything I want out of a paleontology podcast. Good science communication, genuine interest in every topic, and plenty of jokes or references that show scientists are people too. Keep up the great work!

Klunckychris ,

Paleontology!

I’ve always wanted to be a paleontologist since I was a kid and now as an adult in a science field I kind of want to get back into it. So I started listening to many podcasts on paleontology and this one is one of my favorites! Lots of facts and lots of sources and the guests talks are great as well.

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