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 education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 381 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Common Descent Podcast, a education show with 381 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #379

  Episode 250 - Camels

  Aug 15, 20262h 22m

  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: 00:00:00 News: 00:06:20 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:30 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:21:40 Patron question: 02:11:05 Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ 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

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  Episode #378

  Episode 249 - Sexual Dimorphism

  Aug 1, 20262h 57m

  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: 00:00:00 News: 00:05:40 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:42:45 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:34:40 Patron question: 02:45:00 Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ 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

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  Episode #377

  Episode 248 - Big Cats

  Jul 18, 20262h 56m

  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, and snake venoms. Time Markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:06:55 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:46:15 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:43:00 Patron question: 02:42:05 Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ 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

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  Episode #376

  Snake Stuff with Ali Ashraf

  Jul 16, 202657 min

  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 Snakes https://savethesnakes.org/ The Crocodile Research Coalition https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/ The Natural Resources Defense Council https://www.nrdc.org/ 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

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  Episode #375

  Episode 247 – Vipers

  Jul 4, 20263h 16m

  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: 00:00:00 News: 00:04:45 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:40:25 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:26:15 Patron question: 03:04:40 With the help of our Patrons, we’ll be donating this year to: Save the Snakes https://savethesnakes.org/ The Crocodile Research Coalition https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/ The Natural Resources Defense Council https://www.nrdc.org/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ 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

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