Ologies with Alie Ward

19,855
All Genres #50Science #3

Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • Suzyskis
    Every Episode: Wow, just WOW!
    From the first episode I found to the episodes I went back in history to hear to the episodes that I don’t think I want to hear (ants and later flies, for example), you have kept me learning, cocking my head in wonder, getting inspired (climate ferventology, outdoor grazing [can’t remember the name right now]) so many times, recommending to friends, sharing odd tidbits with friends/colleagues/patients/families, and overall entertained. Thank you for keeping me on my neurological toes.
  • ericaE87
    making me smarter and more knowledgeable!
    with every single episode of ologies, i truly feel my knowledge of the world is expanding. it makes me feel good about myself to listen to this podcast, which isn’t something i can say about the other podcasts i listen to, honestly. (at least not in the same way.) even the episodes that at first seem unappealing (like for example the one about garbage) end up being a nice surprise that truly enlightens me in ways i didn’t even realize were possible! therefore this podcast deserves ALL the stars, it is the best podcast of all podcasts. i love how insanely informative and entertaining it is, simultaneously. Allie has a talent of making anything interesting and I just love her so much for that! i hope she is taking care of herself and resting, bc we need her longevity! and not to burn out! 😉 thank you for doing what you do Allie! it’s such a pleasure to have found such a special podcast that makes me feel so happy to listen to.
  • MaiTaiWeini
    Love ologies, swears and all
    Swear words do not offend me. If that is what people are getting out of this, they need to go head over to smologies for those G rated episodes. I learned so much by listening to this podcast over months. I love it so much more than I did science class and I’m so glad Alie Ward has created it. Thank you so much, Alie. You have continued my education in the funnest, easiest way possible as a 35-year-old woman I feel enlightened every time I tune in.
  • Threestarmom
    Education and Entertainment galore
    This is such a great podcast, so interesting, the experts are amazing and Alie is witty and brilliantly adds humor to all of it. Bravo, and thanks for the smiles!
  • Ferocious chicken leg
    Maya Rose
    Me and my dad listen to almost every episode, and will talk about how cool that week’s topic is. I appreciate the context and explanations that Dadward gives us, so I never am confused or feel like I don’t understand. Amazing show!!!
  • Bad at pseudonyms
    Awesome podcast, minor snake correlation
    Ologies is my all around favorite podcast. It provides me with a steady stream of cool science facts to share in lieu of small talk, and has been playing both times I found asleep/comatose snakes in the woods. (Given my habit of listening to Ologies on hikes it’s almost certainly coincidental, but it’s still kinda funny.) All anecdotal snake correlations aside, this podcast is AWESOME. It’s like a tour of assorted scientific rabbit holes guided by the experts themselves with a host who’s as enthusiastic about it as they are. I’d highly recommend it for anyone who’s interested in science! P.S. Both snakes ended up being okay.
  • ___clownash
    Love love love
    I’ve been listening for a few years and have always loved your podcast. Recently I accepted a job as a forester, and I realized I was a bit nervous about being in the woods by myself. I was worried I might not be suited for this job. And yes, I do understand how silly that is given my career pursuit - but I didn’t realize how creepy and eerie the woods can be! What I want to say is that last week I decided to put on your podcast while I’m walking around, alone, in the middle of nowhere and you gave truly made all my anxieties go away. It’s become so peaceful for me to be out here with your voice in the background. Thank you so much 🥲
  • onesharpcatcus
    Fave sentence, fave pod
    “Sponsors? Why sponsors?” When I say this along with Alie I know I’ve packed in enough knowledge to go info dump onto my coworkers for the day. A glorious morning routine
  • Briikg
    Bringing back my love for knowledge
    This whole show made me miss school. Yes, I loved school. It allows me to go back into learning with out breaking my bank account again in tuition. Thank you for supporting and fueling my hyper fixations.
  • TByrd137
    I love the added fun facts from Ali thru the episodes
    The best thing about this podcast (beside going over really interesting topics, good pacing, and fun questions), Ali always looks up things that I would say “ah ya I’ll look that up later.” She puts it all in one episode. You have a side thought… no worries…she thought of it, looked it up, and added it right into the podcast at the right time. That’s my fav. A lot of times I listen without service, so she does the googling for me and I love it.
  • CaptainOswald
    LOVE!!!
    I can’t believe I waited so many years to listen to this. This podcast fills a void I didn’t know I had. I will now proceed to listen to it five times in a row and make it my entire identity.
  • theduckydahlia
    Happily embracing the sad inner goblins
    I love this show. The host is genuine and hilarious. I now entertain my mom and coworkers with fun animal facts and other knowledge I’ve been gifted with by this show. Alie says things like “sad inner goblins” and has other witty and dorky asides and wordplay that make me laugh. Keep dropping those f-bombs and being you bc I’m one of the many who are here for it.
  • AlfieRomero
    Drunk spewing
    It seems that every time I get drunk and goto a bar I walk around and ask/tell people about your podcast. I’m a park ranger and everyone of our rangers religiously listen to you! Thanks for being curious!
  • Kristen R Koons
    There’s An Ology for That
    I’ve been listening since Volcanos came out, even my kids listen (whether they want to or not) so going through life now - to the zoo, the park, to school and I keep hearing myself saying “there’s an ology for that!” Feel free to use that Alie, I would buy a shirt with that on it. There has never been an episode I haven’t been fully invested in and look forward to every new episode.
  • Sarabel2010
    An awesome way to learn!
    Hi Alie! I’m a 14 year old homeschooler who is always looking for ways to learn, and when I found your podcast a few months ago, it opened me up to so many new things, engaging me in ways I hadn’t before. I really appreciate your view on such a wide range of topics, and your guests always grasp my attention. Thanks for creating an outlet for learning and curiosity! P.S: I would love to see an episode on Cosmology or Enzymology. 😁
  • 🍣🍜🍝🍛🥟🍤🍤🥟🍨🦄
    Death Doula of JoAnn’s
    During a recent shift working the cash register in my role as a Death Doula of JoAnn Fabrics, I was ringing up a person who was buying a snail mug. I shared that I had just been listening to an Ologies podcast about mediaeval snails and she lit up! “Oh, with Ali Ward?! I haven’t heard that one yet!”When I mentioned that you have ties to Montana she actually squealed. We both hope to happen upon you in the wilds of our Big Sky country some day. Your show has armed my shy self with the confidence to pepper strangers with odd bits of information and now I have much more interesting conversations. Thanks for that and I give Ologies allllll the stars in the Big Sky. RIP JoAnn’s, the world is a lesser place without you.
  • EffinVanner
    Mortal joy
    Have you ever been sad that you can’t live a million years so that you could dedicate a lifetime to researching and learning all of the things? This is the podcast for you! You can live vicariously through all of the people you are wildly jealous of on account of their super cool jobs and brains.
  • StotheL
    Simply Amazing
    This podcast is a breath of fresh air in a climate filled with misinformation. Science for the win!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Sandysnark
    Love
    Alie, thank you for doing an episode on long COVID when so many people are ignoring it and our government is actively declaring it doesn’t exist. This made me feel seen and cared for as a part of your audience.
  • NCSellers
    Late to the party but hooked!
    I just started listening to Ologies last year and I’m addicted. It’s exactly what I need when I can’t listen to anymore current events and just want to laugh while learning fun facts. The hippo episode saved this Sunday afternoon for me. Thanks, Allie, you’re my favorite!
  • Corrie Arnold
    Life changing!!
    If you’re looking for a podcast that might change your life, this one is it! I use to LOVE science when I was younger but eventually found myself in marketing as an adult bc I thought I wouldn’t be able to pursue science. But after listening to this podcast, I fell back in love with science and have since worked with animals from dogs and bunnies to penguins and stingrays! Alie Ward is an energetic host and brings great guests on the show no matter what your jam is! Love it!
  • ASAPDan
    The most ASMR podcast without being ASMR
    Listening to Alie talk each week about an intelligent topic by an informed smart person is enough for 5 stars. What makes this podcast so perfect is Alie. Listening to her talk and be witty is like listening to the audio version of warm tea with a little honey. Just cozy and perfect, calming and reassuring. Thanks Alie, this is what perfect content is.
  • Sydneyntb
    My fav bed time listen
    I’m a vet tech — the animal and medical episodes speak to my soul!! I love listening before bed. Alie has such a lovely personality
  • Binnie World Service
    Fr fr love this sherlock
    Talked to my math teacher about ethiopian blends of coffee today. All of my teachers and friends recognise me as the girl who knows all these random tid bits of info now. Makes nyt connections better.
  • StopForcingMeToReview
    Science, Sass, and Inspiring Facts.
    Ologies is an absolute gem of a podcast—an exuberant, hilarious, and heartfelt journey into the wild and wonderful world of science. Host Alie Ward brings an infectious enthusiasm and razor-sharp wit to every episode, making even the most obscure disciplines feel immediately fascinating and accessible.
  • endofsuffering
    Listening to Medieval Codicology while I cook
    And I just wanted to let you know how much I’m enjoying it (a lot!). I’ve been listening to Ologies for years and it introduced me to so many cool facts and inspired a number of poems I wrote for my university’s zoology newsletter. Thanks Dadward!
  • Snakes 🐍 rule
    Awesome (even for a kid)
    I’m 11 years old and love this podcast. No, I’m not kidding. No I do not listen to smologies. No, I do not listen to the bleeped ones. Yes, I actually understand it. This podcast is awesome and amazing and funny and helps me be smarter than my friends. My teacher does trivia every Friday and my team always wins because of this podcast. It would be really awesome to hear my review on the podcast but it’s totally 100% fine if u can’t/ won’t. Byeeeeeeee.
  • ~Payne~
    I will force anyone I can to listen to this
    I love this podcast so much, because I just love learning about stuff. But boy does it grind my gears to think of how many niche careers my high school guidance counselor never told me about. The first episode I listened to was about lightning. I thought, “you can be an expert in lightning??” Dude said he got his degree in “fire science.” Like, I’m sorry, do you mean you’re a WIZARD? 1000/10, this podcast will both entertain you and peak your curiosity about subjects you never thought you’d be interested in.
  • Jo mo Jo
    Houseplants
    This is the best of the best as a retired indoor landscape caregiver I love so much of this one it validates my life long experience with indoor gardens Thanks for every episode but this right now is my joyous moment
  • Goosermd
    House plants + profanity = ❤️
    Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love Ologies more, Alie did the houseplants episode. I’ve slowly developed more of a green thumb over the past decade, but this episode validated my incredible difficulty with succulents, while discussing one of my favorite topics:”.
  • RempelFisher
    Ologies wins at Trivia (and everything)
    I’ve been listening to ologies for a couple of years and promised myself I would write a review once I finally caught up. Instead, last night at bar trivia, I helped my team get a winning answer (what is the study of eggs? Oology, obviously) all thanks to ologies and ol’ dad Ward. Hopefully I’ll get caught up soon and maybe hear my review!
  • wellAwarrior
    Outstanding
    I really don’t know how this could be any better, week after week after week. 1000 thank yous.
  • Captain_k8
    Amazing!
    I was waiting till I was caught up on episodes before I left a review, but then Alie made an episode about House Plants and I did a VERY perceptible butt dance. The content is top notch and the way Alie breaks concepts down to be relatable and memorable is beyond amazing. The best podcast to learn factoids that will forever leave your coworkers thinking you are a lunatic with an extremely adhd interest in science and the world. Thank you for all that you do Alie!
  • Brienne doesn’t know GoT
    Who would you invite to dinner? Solved!
    I finally have an answer to the evergreen question, who would you invite to dinner? I’ll invite Alie Ward. Standing invitation to dinner at my house, Alie! Let’s talk native plants. Or butterflies, or birds, or video games, or photography, or ….
  • TimM651
    Best Science Podcast
    Truly, the best science podcast out there. I have a commute of an hour or more and Alie never misses. Even when I find myself not interested in a topic, she makes it palatable. The worst thing about it is the show notes: you thought you were done, well here’s five more episodes you might like. Seriously, give it a listen. I proudly display my ologies merc everywhere I go and awkwardly find myself interjecting in conversations “oh there is an episode of ologies about that…”
  • UnfortunatelyNon
    Thank you!
    Great podcast!! The most recent 3 (LC x2, trash TV) were well done, and highlighted ologies that I thought were pretty niche to me. I’m excited to see more people get introduced to these fascinating (if sometimes scary) subjects.
  • MandyCPA
    Ologies forever!
    Alie has been a great companion on commutes, errands and long drives for so many years. She has enlightened me and my family and my friends. I have quoted the show so often that my family cheered when opened a sweatshirt at Christmas
  • Bob's Opinions
    Wonderful
    Fascinating and fun, you'll leave this show feeling happier and full of fun facts
  • IkeaTableKolvek
    Exactly what I'm looking for.
    This podcast is amazing, covering all the bases that I wanted. It talks about a large variety of topics, providing a layman's comprehension of a variety of topics in a witty manner with a healthy amount of humor sprinkled in to keep you engaged and heard. I love how down to earth the host is, and how aware she is of her viewer base, which makes it just that much better. 10/10.
  • Crave good stories
    Love this podcast!
    A friend recommended this podcast and I’m so glad he did - it is engrossing, enlightening, engaging - and - entertaining! The topics are fascinating and Alie is an awesome host.
  • MandyF135
    Invaluable
    As a 28 year old who is still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, this podcast is an invaluable resource. Thank you for helping open my eyes to careers and resources that I never knew existed 🤯🥰🫶
  • NLMChitown
    Thank you
    The episode on Diabetology was so helpful for me and my 13 yr old daughter recently diagnosed with T1D. Dr Natter was real yet cheerful and hopeful and so generous with his life story.
  • bco32
    Face for Television
    Normally I am nervous to look up a picture of a podcast host because the vision in my head breaks, but Alie is the only podcast host that I knew would be hot when I looked up a pic !
  • fancy.leo
    My Comfort Podcast
    I have been listening to Ologies for three years now, always returning with love in my heart and curiosity in my mind. Alie is the most approachable, silly, delightful, and educational host. I frequently feel like I know her in real life, and that she has guided me through tough questions about my ADHD, my experiences with grief, and even my curiosities about butt stuff. I listen to this show on drives, while I clean my home, while knitting sweaters, and lately while I style my mannequin head in cosmetology school (I’m serious). The show is a soft, safe place for me to land. I always learn something new, and I always feel refreshed after an episode. Thank you Alie for creating my favorite podcast ever, I will always adore Ologies.
  • Nora-but-not-McInerny
    Alie on Hot Ones would be the greatest interview crossover of all time
    I absolutely love this show and all the reviews are true. You might think you have no interest in a topic, but wind up captivated by the guests’ knowledge and the host’s thoughtful questions. I am constantly recommending specific episodes to people. I would like to humbly request that Alie be a guest on the show Hot Ones because you and Sean would make the most incredible interview of all time!!
  • Dabriza
    Love
    Ologies was recommended to me by a match on a dating site. I think it’s awesome, so I thought we would get along, but let’s just say that if Alie needs an expert for an episode about ghosts, I’m qualified. My new relationship with Ologies is by far the best thing I’ve gotten from a dating app. Right swipe for sure.
  • Ashley at the Library
    So so fun!
    I love listening to Ologies (and Smologies with my little), I think my favorite is the tardigrade episode ♥️ Thanks for being awesome and sharing all the fun science Alie Ward 🧪 🧬
  • wildwilderness
    What a bummer
    Some episodes are great and packed full of fun science facts and interesting conversations. However, some like the most recent are packed full of neurotic and delusional comments from the host, which discredits the science element of her show. Quite the let down.
  • naomiiilovesfish
    Yikes
    I would love a science podcast that’s impartial and unbiased. It’s informative but you have to think twice about everything you hear because it’s just this lady trying to push her ide(ologies) in any way possible. The pronouns at the start of every episode is a little annoying, but I would still listen if that was the extent of the political push. If this was a podcast skewed more right than left the hate would be unimaginable.
  • fattysgirl71717
    Proptology
    I have this thing where if I find a podcast I start at the very beginning and I have to listen to every episode in order so I’m catching up. It’s taking a while, but I had to review now because the guy in the proptology episode is literally like one of the best people you’ve ever had on and I hope that he reads this and knows how special he is. Also, your podcast is the best podcast. You ask the best questions and I’m so grateful that this exists.
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