Best Meaghan Wetherell Podcasts (2025)

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Ep #88 Unearthing Egg Mountain’s Dinosaur Nursery: Field Insights from Montana with John Scannella 1:05:07

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1d ago1:05:07

1:05:07

Dave goes out on a dig at the famous Egg Mountain site in western Montana with Dr. John Scannella, curator of paleontology at the Museum of the Rockies.By paleonerds

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The Glory of Gonopods 48:43

7d ago48:43

48:43

From crazy three-legged millipede fossils to the sexy club hands of spiders, this episode is all about where arthropods put their genitals. Specifically, their chins and feet. Videos and images are on our website weirdanddead.com! CW: Spiders and other arthropods. Cursing. Sex acts only a millipede could dream up.…

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Radioactive Dinos 44:30

21d ago44:30

44:30

Dinosaurs and horses and Amy loudly shouting out radioactive elements to antagonize her husband, oh my! This episode covers the perils lurking behind locked and poorly ventilated cabin doors - specifically, radioactive bones. CW: Cursing, cancer and theoretical nastiness caused by radioactive poisoning, Chernobyl, Meaghan's stuffed up nose…

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Ep #87 Anvil Sharks, Lampreys & Ratfish with Head-Sprouting Teeth featuring Vertebrate Paleontologist Michael Coates 1:19:04

1M ago1:19:04

1:19:04

Ray and Dave explore jaws, fins and fossil fish while tracing the deep origins of vertebrate life with Dr. Michael Coates, Vertebrate Paleontologist and Chair of Organismal Biology and Anatomy Professor at the University of Chicago.By paleonerds

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Bloat & Float 42:49

1M ago42:49

42:49

Ankylosaurs, ichthyosaurs and nonexistent narcissistic krakens! Let's talk about why Ankylosaurs are found upside down, and what really happened at Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park. Time to bloat up & float along. CW: Cursing, Pseudoscience, Dead Animals & Decay

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Fossil Urine 48:58

2M ago48:58

48:58

Time to discuss yet another body secretion that you probably didn't think could fossilize. Urine marks, urine that became rocks, and rocks that formed in urine - we've got it all, baby! CW: Body fluids, cursing, turtles doing horrible physiological things, animal death

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Ep #86 Painting Prehistoric Worlds and Dinosaur Dreams with Mark Hallett 1:04:29

2M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

Ray and Dave talk Sauropods, Smilodons, and Spielberg with artist and paleo visionary Mark Hallett, whose decades of work bring ancient worlds to life.By paleonerds

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Ep #85 Mammoth Tusks, Gomphothere Shovels and Elephant Trunks with Advait Jukar 1:09:31

3M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

Ray and Dave explore the history of all things Elephantidae, including Mammoths, Mastodons, and Gomphotheres, with Advait Jukar, delving into their shovels, tusks, and trunks.By paleonerds

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Ep #84 Turning to Stone: Earthlings on a Dynamic Granite Planet with Marcia Bjornerud 1:17:46

4M ago1:17:46

1:17:46

Ray and Dave go rock hunting through billions of years of Earth's history with Marcia Bjornerud, a structural geologist, inspirational author, and Professor of Geosciences at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.By PaleoNerds

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Ep #83 Diggin' the Beasts of the Badlands 1:03:07

5M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Ray and Dave talk about the amazing fossils and strata found in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, where park ranger Mattison Shreero explains how it all got there and why she absolutely loves her job.By paleonerds

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Ep #82 The Ultimate Paleo Vlogger, That We Know Of 1:06:09

6M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

Ray and Dave discuss the wide-reaching influence of one of YouTube's paleo stars, Lindsay Nikole, who has millions of followers and incredible outreach with her remarkable video series, The History of Life on Earth, as we know it.By paleonerds

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Bonus Episode: Chameleons 28:22

7M ago28:22

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: CursingBy TravelingGeologist

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Bonus Episode: Rugose Corals 26:58

7M ago26:58

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.By TravelingGeologist

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Ep #81 Paleo Nerds at Nebraska's Prairie Pompeii 1:15:15

8M ago1:15:15

1:15:15

Ray takes a road trip with fellow Paleo Nerds to visit the great death assemblage, the "Rhino Pompeii", at the Nebraska Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical ParkBy paleonerds

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Ep #80 Walking Egyptian Whales from the Sahara with Dr. Hesham Sallam 1:00:01

8M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Dave travels to Cairo, Egypt, for a fascinating interview with Dr. Hesham Sallam, Egypt's leading paleontologist and founder of the country's first Vertebrate Paleontology Center. As a fellow Paleo Nerd, Dr. Sallam shares insights into his groundbreaking work, his efforts to bring more women into the field, and the thrilling discoveries shaping Egy…

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Ep #79 Teen Rex and the Triumph of Turtles with Tyler Lyson 1:07:07

9M ago1:07:07

1:07:07

Ray and Dave come out of there shells to talk Turtles and the latest T-Rex discovery with Vertebrate Paleontologist Tyler Lyson.By paleonerds

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Dino Sex 56:03

9M ago56:03

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…

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Fossil Frenemies 54:45

10M ago54:45

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, cursingBy TravelingGeologist

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Ep #78 The Business End of T-Rex with Pete Larson 1:17:53

10M ago1:17:53

1:17:53

Ray and Dave unearth the past with paleontologist Pete Larson, discussing Pete's paleo-nerd journey, his early discoveries, his commercial fossil enterprise, and his insights into controversial dinosaur debates.By paleonerds

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The Burgess Shale 49:07

10M ago49:07

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…

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Fossil Forensics 56:35

11M ago56:35

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…

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Trunks, Snoods, and Other Floppy Face Flesh 1:04:09

11M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

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, urineBy TravelingGeologist

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Ep #77 A Deep Dive Into the Paleostream with Artist Joschua Knüppe 1:07:26

11M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Ray interviews the amazingly prolific German artist Joschua Knüppe who can quick draw an accurate dinosaur while the whole world watches online!By paleonerds

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Polar Dinosaurs 52:32

12M ago52:32

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 animalsBy TravelingGeologist

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The Baculum and the Baubellum 53:53

1y ago53:53

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 animalsBy TravelingGeologist

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Ep 76 The Perfect Piscatorial Fossils of Paris with Dr. Alan Pradel 1:02:49

1y ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Dave flies across the pond and visits Dr. Alan Pradel, curator of fossil fishes at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. Dr Pradel is an expert on early fishes and sharks. Très bon!By paleonerds

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Fossil Brainz 44:41

1y ago44:41

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 EdingerBy TravelingGeologist

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Lingering Fingerlings and Dexterous Dingalings (Vestigial Structures) 56:20

1y ago56:20

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 whalesBy TravelingGeologist

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Ep #75 The Fighting Finbacks of Seymour Texas with Chris Flis 1:07:14

1y ago1:07:14

1:07:14

Ray travels to the Permian and trolls the halls of the Texas Whiteside Museum of Natural History with museum director Chris Flis.By paleonerds

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Things You Didn’t Think a Butthole Could Do 46:06

1y ago46:06

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 abductionBy TravelingGeologist

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Weird & Dead Trailer 1:09

1y ago1:09

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!By TravelingGeologist

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Ep #74 Resurrecting Dinosaurs One Chip at Time with MOR's Cassi Knight 1:03:35

1y ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Dave expands his paleo knowledge with a visit to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, during their exciting Dino's and MOR conference, however, Dave finds a professional Paleo Nerd, Cassi Knight, who's gem of a job is rarely publicized in the museum world.By paleonerds

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Ep #73 Talking Headgear and Spike Tooths with Ed "Dr. Pronghorn" Davis 1:15:27

1+ y ago1:15:27

1:15:27

Ray and Dave learn about the amazing antlers and strange headgear of early hoofed mammals including today's Pronghorn Antelope along with more about the giant Spike Toothed Salmon.By paleonerds

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Becoming Paleontologists 46:59

1+ y ago46:59

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!By TravelingGeologist

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Thick Thighs and Body Size 48:45

1+ y ago48:45

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.By TravelingGeologist

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Ep #72 The Incredible Cretaceous Ceratopsians of Laramidia with Scott Sampson 1:04:50

1+ y ago1:04:50

1:04:50

Ray and Dave double down with celebrated paleontologist, science communicator, and author, Scott Sampson. He’s the Executive Director of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California and is widely known as "Dr. Scott the paleontologist" on the PBS television series, Dinosaur TrainBy paleonerds

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Everything You Wanted To Know About Eggs 46:14

1+ y ago46:14

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, cursingBy TravelingGeologist

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Everything That Ate Our Ancestors 50:11

1+ y ago50:11

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.By TravelingGeologist

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The Science of Fossil Poop and Puke 48:42

1+ y ago48:42

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)…

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The Secret Shame of Dinosaurs (Fossil Names) 49:09

1+ y ago49:09

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.…

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Ep #71 From Fins to Fingers and the Triumph of Our Fishapod Ancestors with Ted Daeschler 1:10:26

1+ y ago1:10:26

1:10:26

Ray and Dave discuss the evolution of tetrapods and finding their 'fishapod' ancestor's fossils in the high Arctic and Antarctica with paleontologist Ted Daeschler.By paleonerds

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Homicidal Earth Burps and Murderous Sky Rocks (All About Extinctions) 47:54

1+ y ago47:54

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.…

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How to Mummify a Dinosaur (and Other Fossil Tips and Tricks) 46:22

1+ y ago46:22

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.…

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How to Preserve a Fossil Fish in The Weirdest Way Possible 37:59

1+ y ago37:59

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 but…

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How Fossil Lemurs Got Across Oceans 48:31

1+ y ago48:31

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.…

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Episode #70 45 Million Years of Camel-Sheep-Pigs with Meaghan Wetherell 1:05:20

1+ y ago1:05:20

1:05:20

Ray and Dave have a fun and very lively interview with Paleontologist and Science Writer, Meaghan Wetherell, an expert on the camel/sheep/pig like Oreodonts and more recently new discoveries from the Holocene/Pleistocene Epochs.By paleonerds

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Episode #69 Murderous Monster Mosasaurs ’n More with Mike Everhart 1:10:14

1+ y ago1:10:14

1:10:14

Ray and Dave talk to Mosasaur expert and "Oceans of Kansas" author Mike Everhart about the marine reptiles that once swam in the ancient ocean where Kansas is today.By PaleoNerds

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Episode #68 Are we not fish? 48:25

1+ y ago48:25

48:25

The Paleo Nerd podcasts hosts, Ray Troll and Dave Strassman, have an engaging and fun conversation about life, paleontology, and the argument that we are truly fishes, physically and metaphorically.By paleonerds

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Episode #67 Dinosaurs Outnumber Us with Steve Brusatte 56:29

2y ago56:29

56:29

Ray and Dave have the most exciting discussion and eye-opening interview with the New York Times bestselling author and prolific paleontologist, Steve Brusatte.By paleonerds

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Episode #66 The 32 Mysterious Symbols of Ice Age Art with Genevieve von Petzinger 1:14:50

2y ago1:14:50

1:14:50

Ray and Dave interview Genevieve von Petzinger, a paleo-anthropologist, speaker, author, and explorer who's been striving to unlock the mysteries of the world's oldest symbols.By paleonerds