Best Common Descent Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 232 - Vertebrate Origins 2:16:20

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6d ago2:16:20

2:16:20

Today, bony animals are some of the most diverse organisms on Earth, but it wasn’t always that way. This episode, we explore what features distinguish vertebrates from their closest relatives, and we dive into the abundant evidence from genetics, embryology, and the fossil record that gives us a glimpse at how our distant ancestors came to be. In t…

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Trinyvale X Strahd - Ep. 17: Battle of the BoyMoms 1:19:35

3d ago1:19:35

1:19:35

To stop a strange ritual, the Triplets travel to the western edge of Barovia and come face-to-face with the Mother of All Evil! Nyack gets a new hat, Jens ruins a card game and Onyx wages maternal combat as the Trinyvale X Strahd Crossover continues! RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL TICKETS ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT! GET YOURS NOW! CREDITS Editing by Brian Murphy P…

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Nanotyrannus is Valid! 1:24:42

4d ago1:24:42

1:24:42

Two separate groups of researchers have independently confirmed that Nanotyrannus is its own genus and not just a juvenile T. rex. Plus a new Nanotyrannus species and another new tyrannosauroid and tyrannosaur injuries. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Calamosaurus, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/C…

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Interfaithing: Jingle Bells, Dreidel Spins & A Patreon Holiday Party!!! 41:15

11d ago41:15

41:15

Episode Summary: In this vibrant and heartfelt episode, hosts Ari and Anna dive deep into how families with interfaith dynamics can navigate and celebrate the holiday season—especially when traditions and values sometimes seem to clash or compete. Starting with lighthearted Thanksgiving recaps (including a family reunion for Anna's dog, Armadillo, …

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Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska with History Dispatches 31:02

11d ago31:02

31:02

Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska was a Polish scientist and the first woman to lead a dinosaur excavation expedition. On her explorations of the Gobi Desert, she discovered many famous animals, including Deinocheirus—a dinosaur that, for decades, was known only by its enormous, terrifying arms & claws. But when we finally found the rest of its body, it turn…

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D&D Court: Squishy Bears, Fishy Crits, and Uncommon Common 1:15:59

11d ago1:15:59

1:15:59

Dungeon Court is back in session! Join Justices Murphy, Tanner and Axford, along with Bailiff Jake, as they pass judgement on your trials at the table! CREDITS: Sound Mixing and Editing by Trevor Lyon Dungeon Court Theme Song by Sam Weiller See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do…

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The most complete pachycephalosaur ever found! 59:47

19d ago59:47

59:47

Zavacephale is both the oldest and most complete pachycephalosaur ever found. Plus three more new dinosaurs and Michele Hollow joins us to discuss Mary Anning. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Stenopelix, links from Michele Hollow, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Stenopelix-Episode-553/ Join us at w…

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Episode 231 - Back to the Water (Secondarily Aquatic Vertebrates) 2:43:14

12d ago2:43:14

2:43:14

Nearly 400 million years ago, an unusual group of fish gave rise to the first land-dwelling vertebrates. Since then, their descendants have repeatedly moved back into the water. This episode, we explore the many ways these species adapt to the challenges of turning a terrestrial body into one that can survive at sea, and we investigate some of the …

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Trinyvale X Strahd - Ep. 16: The Wizard of Wines 1:19:40

24d ago1:19:40

1:19:40

The Triplets receive a crash course in wine-making as the vineyard comes to life and attacks! Nyack gets punch-drunk, Onyx does some gardening and Jens gets to the root of the matter as the Trinyvale X Strahd crossover continues! RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW! CREDITS Editing by Brian Murphy Production and Sound Design by Daniel R…

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Interfaithing: What Does Christian Nationalism have to do with Patrilineal Descent? 53:33

25d ago53:33

53:33

Join Ari and Anna for a dynamic episode of Interfaithing as they tackle the challenges and opportunities of interfaith families embracing two faiths under one roof. This conversation dives deep into building authentic connections, navigating the roadblocks and gifts that religious traditions bring, and finding belonging—especially during the holida…

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Interfaithing: When Your Child Thinks You're Going to Hell 40:09

28d ago40:09

40:09

(Editor's note: This episode is revised from the original released last week to clean up & shorten the introduction. The overall content for the episode is the same.) Rabbi Ari and Rev. Anna tackle one of the most sensitive theological challenges facing interfaith families: the Christian concept of salvation and what it means when one tradition sug…

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What Dinosaurs Ate 1:24:44

1M ago1:24:44

1:24:44

Plus, a new species of megaraptor, Joaquinraptor casali, is one of the most complete ever found. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Dromaeosauroides, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Dromaeosauroides-Episode-552/ Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus content, ad-free episode…

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Trinyvale X Strahd - Ep. 15: Hallowed Ground 1:20:40

1M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

On their way to the winery, the Triplets take a detour to build a new base for their allies! Jens carries on about cars, Nyack signs up for signs and Onyx gets inspired by spires as the Trinyvale X Strahd crossover continues! Get the NaddPod Fan Calendar here! - https://linktr.ee/naddcalendar CREDITS Editing by Brian Murphy Production and Sound Des…

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Episode 230 - Pachycephalosaurs 2:16:08

1M ago2:16:08

2:16:08

The dome-headed dinosaurs are some of the most iconic ancient reptiles, but they’re surprisingly unexplored compared to other dinos. This episode, we explore what makes these dinosaurs unique, what limits our understanding of them, and the many confounding mysteries that paleontologists have been scratching their heads over, including the question …

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D&D Court: Deadly Doors, Bland Backstories, and Strict DMs 1:00:55

1M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

AD-FREE EPISODE FOR $5+ PATRONS! Dungeon Court is back in session! Join Justices Murphy, Tanner and Axford, along with Bailiff Jake, as they pass judgement on your trials at the table! CREDITS: Sound Mixing and Editing by Trevor Lyon Dungeon Court Theme Song by Sam Weiller See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic…

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Interfaithing: Can You Have an Interfaith Bar Mitzvah? 43:57

1M ago43:57

43:57

Rabbi Ari and Reverend Anna tackle one of the most challenging questions facing interfaith families: How do you honor both traditions in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony? This episode centers on a real family—nicknamed "the DeLucabergs"—where a Jewish mother and Italian/Irish father are wrestling with their son's upcoming Bar Mitzvah. As they began pl…

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Silver Screen Science - Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) 1:39:26

1M ago1:39:26

1:39:26

In this special guest episode of Silver Screen Science, we're joined by Sabrina and Garret of I Know Dino to discuss the science and scientists of the newest installment in the Jurassic franchise: Jurassic World: Rebirth! Find more Common Descent: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join Common Descent and I Know Dino on Patreon to support the podcast…

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Jurassic World Rebirth with Common Descent 1:42:10

1M ago1:42:10

1:42:10

We joined the Common Descent podcast for their Silver Screen Science segment. We go through everything Jurassic World Rebirth got right and wrong as well as our nit-picks of the details that got under our skin. Check out the More Thoughts segment at https://www.patreon.com/posts/142875146/ for more. Check out the Common Descent Podcast at commondes…

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Interfaithing: The Next Chapter Starts Now 21:48

1M ago21:48

21:48

Ari and Anna return with an exciting announcement about the evolution of their Interfaithing podcast and project! This episode marks a new chapter as they expand beyond their previous two seasons into broader community-building work, introducing significant developments that will shape the future of interfaith family support. Topics addressed inclu…

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Cute-E – Pikmin 58:40

1M ago58:40

58:40

Welcome … to Cute-E! During our Spook-E series, we speculate on the evolution of monsters from myth and popular media, but we leave out fiction’s more adorable creatures. In Cute-E, we choose cuddlier critters and discuss how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s …

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Trinyvale X Strahd - Ep.14: Burned Out 1:13:46

2M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

Beset by peril on all sides, the Triplets attempt a daring escape. Jens shoots like an elf, Onyx expands the family and Nyack gets the cold shoulder as the Trinyvale X Strahd crossover continues! Get the NaddPod Fan Calendar here! (available November 1st) - https://linktr.ee/naddcalendar CREDITS Editing by Brian Murphy Production and Sound Design b…

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Weird & Dead Treasures 58:44

2M ago58:44

58:44

Amy Atwater, co-host of Weird & Dead joins to discuss some of her favorite fossils and her new book The Fossil Keeper's Treasure. Plus a new ornithomimosaur with big hands, Mexidracon, and monstersaurs For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Mochlodon, links from Amy Atwater, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.co…

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Episode 229 - Myrmecophagy (Ant-Eating) 2:21:06

1M ago2:21:06

2:21:06

Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to mess with ants. But several lineages of animals have evolved to be ant-eating specialists. This episode, we discuss anteaters, the suite of adaptations that allow them to focus on ant-eating, and the variety of other species that have evolved similar adaptations for the same purpose. We explore the evolut…

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Spook-E – Metroids 1:09:00

2M ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo! This episode, we take the hunt a…

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Trinyvale X Strahd - Ep. 13: Something Old 1:08:29

2M ago1:08:29

1:08:29

The Triplets confront the Abbot of St. Markovia and attempt to stop a strange wedding ritual! Jens tests his blade, Nyack bags a big one and Onyx gets a god complex as the Trinyvale X Strahd crossover continues! Subscribe to NaddPod on Patreon! - Patreon.com/Naddpod CREDITS Editing by Brian Murphy Production and Sound Design by Daniel Ramos (@Schub…

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Spook-E – Kremlings 1:02:51

2M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Welcome ... to Spookulative Evolution. Spook-E Season is back! All throughout October, we pick monsters from myth and media and speculate how they – or something like them – could evolve here on Earth, pulling inspiration from real-world species across our planet’s history. This year’s theme is Monsters of Nintendo! This time, we’re sailing with th…

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Herrerasaur Hurrah! 1:00:17

2M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Herrerasaurs are some of the earliest known dinosaurs and these Triassic carnivores have been found all over the world. They're a confusing group, but thanks to pathologies and fossilized poop we know a bit about how they behaved. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Sanjuansaurus, and our fun fact check out https://ikn…

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Adventure Book Theatre: Goosebumps - Night in Werewolf Woods 1:04:00

2M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

The Lore Lords (and Jake) invite you to an evening of Theatre as they swing Werewolf Woods courtesy of the ultimate Lore Lord, R.L. Stein. Join us! For the moon is full and so are our hearts. CREDITS: Sound Mixing and Editing by Trevor Lyon 8-Bit Book Club Theme by Emily Axford See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy …