Best Nerd Forensics Podcasts (2025)

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In the Field: Monitoring Sharks and Manta Rays on a Remote Island (PART 1 - Manta Rays) 53:47

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12d ago53:47

53:47

In this episode of World of Sharks: In the Field, we are learning what it’s like to live and work on a tiny, remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and study sharks and rays in what can be considered one of the most pristine marine environments on earth today. In part 1, we meet the team of the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Ce…

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In the Field: Monitoring Sharks and Manta Rays on a Remote Island (PART 2 - Sharks) 1:00:31

12d ago1:00:31

1:00:31

In part 2 of our 'In the Field' episode with the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre, we are heading to the neighbouring atoll of St Joseph to tag juvenile sharks and take part in their long term mark-recapture study. We'll also be finding out more about the sharks of D'Arros, and heading out at night in search of bull, mako, silvertip…

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BONUS EPISODE - 50 Years On: Was Jaws Really Bad for Sharks? With Amani Webber-Schultz and Chris Pepin-Neff 56:10

1M ago56:10

56:10

We're gonna need a bigger podcast... In honour of the 50th anniversary of the release of Jaws - one of the most iconic shark movies of all time - we are bringing you a very special bonus episode wholly dedicated to the film. Host Isla is joined by two jawsome guests: shark scientist and science communicator Amani Webber-Schultz (@curly_biologist), …

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White Sharks: Secrets of a Top Predator with Dr Alison Kock 1:09:38

2M ago1:09:38

1:09:38

They are the most iconic shark species of all time, known for their strength, hunting prowess, and long-distance travel. But there is a lot more to great white sharks than their reputation. They are not the mindless killers that the movies would have you believe – in fact, they are a highly curious and elusive species who continue to surprise us. A…

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Filling the Gaps to Protect Sharks in Angola with Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares 53:14

2M ago53:14

53:14

This week on the World of Sharks podcast we are meeting Ana Lúcia Furtado Soares, founder of the Angola Elasmo Project - a grassroots initiative focussed on the research and conservation of sharks and rays along the Angolan coast – to discuss the joys and challenges of building a project from scratch, working with data-poor fisheries and the import…

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Forensic Fisheries: Using DNA to Investigate the Trade in Shark Liver Oil with Dr Madeline Green 53:05

3M ago53:05

53:05

The trade in shark liver oil is an invisible threat to sharks. Not only is there limited research on the topic, but liver oil is notoriously difficult to track and trace. Enter Dr Madeline Green, molecular fisheries ecologist and Principle Investigator of the Forensic Fisheries Lab at the University of Tasmania. Madi is working to apply protocols f…

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Hungry Sharks? How a Shark's Digestive System Works 51:54

3M ago51:54

51:54

Spiral intestines! Curly poop! A shark that eats plants! And…turning your stomach inside out because you ate something dodgy?! In this episode we explore the ins and outs of a shark’s digestive system with animal physiologist Dr Samantha Leigh (@sea_science_sam), an expert in all things shark gut. We learn how a shark’s digestive system is designed…

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Epaulette Sharks: The Sharks That Can Walk On Land with Faqih Akbar Algozali 1:00:24

3M ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Why swim when you can just walk from a to b?! This week, we are taking a closer look at the "walking" or epaulette sharks, a group of nine species who have evolved a slightly unusual way of getting around. We're joined by Faqih Akbar Alghozali, co-founder of Elasmobranch Project Indonesia (EPI) and SOSF project leader, who has lots of stories to sh…

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The Fascinating and Weird World of Shark Eggs with Cat Gordon 57:40

4M ago57:40

57:40

Join us for a slightly different easter egg hunt, as we go in search of shark eggcases! From tiny catshark eggcases no bigger than your index finger, to a skate that lays eggs larger than your head and even an egg that looks (and functions) like a corkscrew - we explore them all with Cat Gordon, Senior Conservation Officer for The Shark Trust. And,…

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Electroreception: The Shark's Sixth Sense with Professor Stephen Kajiura 52:12

4M ago52:12

52:12

In this episode, we are exploring the ‘sixth sense’ of sharks – electroreception! We are joined by sensory biologist and shark elasmobranch expert Dr Stephen Kajiura, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to discuss how sharks are able to detect minute electrical signals and use this sense to pinpoi…

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The Lives of Sharks with Dr Dean Grubbs 1:00:31

5M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

How do sharks learn to be a shark? Do they really eat their siblings? Is there such a thing as a shark teenager? How do sharks find a mate? And what happens when they reach old age? In this episode, we answer all these questions and more as we embark on a true deep dive into the lives and life histories of sharks, with elasmobranch expert and SOSF …

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Uncovering The Shark Meat Trade With Dr Divya Karnad and Dr Trisha Gupta 57:30

5M ago57:30

57:30

The shark meat trade is a multi-billion dollar industry. But it receives relatively little attention, and remains understudied. This week, we sit down with conservation scientists Dr Divya Karnad and Dr Trisha Gupta, who have collaborated on research that aims to better understand the drivers and complexities of this trade. Using India as a case st…

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Sharks You Might Never Have Heard Of...With Kristian Parton 1:04:16

6M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

You asked for more episodes on lesser known or slightly more obscure species - so we're kicking off a new season with a whole episode devoted to just that! Host Isla and special guest, scientist and science communicator Kristian Parton (host of the Shark Bytes Youtube channel) challenge themselves to discuss species and sharky facts that even the m…

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In the Field: The Great African Seaforest with Dr Jannes Landschoff 47:48

6M ago47:48

47:48

Dive into the wonders of South Africa's kelp forests on this special episode of World of Sharks. Join us as we head beneath the waves with marine biologist and SOSF project leader Dr Jannes Landschoff, who has dedicated much of his working life to understanding the unique and vast habitat that is the Great African Seaforest. As the only forest of g…

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What's Happening to the World's Sharks and Rays? With Dr Rima Jabado and Alexandra Morata 54:24

8M ago54:24

54:24

We know that globally, sharks and rays are in trouble. But just how bad is it? And can we still do something about it? In this special bonus episode of World of Sharks, host Isla sits down with chair of the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group (IUCN SSC SSG), Rima Jabado, and program officer of the IUCN SSC SSG Alexandra Morata to discuss their latest r…

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The Next Frontier: How AI and Underwater Robots Can Help Us Better Understand Sharks with Martina Lonati 53:29

8M ago53:29

53:29

Sadly, us humans can't spend every hour in the ocean staring at sharks (unfair, right?!). But do you know what can? Robots. UNDERWATER robots. In today's episode, we are diving into the super cool world of ocean tech with research scientist Martina Lonati! Martina seeks to understand how new technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Remot…

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Searching for Sawfish on the Amazonian Coast with Dr Patricia Charvet 1:01:24

9M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

There is a place where the largest and most powerful river in the world meets the Atlantic ocean, and one of the most threatened species of elasmobranch - the largetooth sawfish - finds one of its last refuges on earth. In this episode of World of Sharks, we are joined by shark scientist and conservationist Dr Patricia Charvet, who has dedicated he…

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Lemon Sharks: Baby Sharks That Live in Trees with Jillian Morris-Brake 59:44

9M ago59:44

59:44

When life gives you lemon sharks...make a podcast about them! This week we are answering a request by listener Charlie to devote an episode entirely to warm-water loving Negaprion brevirostris, the lemon shark. And to help us learn everything there is to know about them is marine biologist, educator, author and founder/president of Sharks4Kids, Jil…

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How to Build a Career in Shark Science (Part 2!) Featuring the Guests of Seasons 5 and 6 43:02

10M ago43:02

43:02

Thinking of a career in shark science and conservation? Struggling to find your niche? Found your niche, but trying to advance in your field? Or wondering what on earth to write in that email to the person you admire? We're back with another special episode dedicated to careers with sharks and the ocean. For the last year, we've asked each podcast …

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Capacity Building for Shark Conservation with Dr Andrew Chin 1:02:40

10M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

“Conservation is not drones and DNA samples or pamphlets or computers. It is people, and we should be investing in those people.” In this episode of World of Sharks, we sit down with fisheries scientist, director of the Fish and Fisheries Lab at James Cook University and Save Our Seas Foundation Scientific Advisor Dr Andrew Chin to discuss the chal…

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Megalodon: Inside the Life of a Superpredator with Jack Cooper 1:09:58

11M ago1:09:58

1:09:58

It’s the one you’ve all been waiting for…we’re going back in time to meet the largest shark to have ever existed: Otodus megalodon. Growing up to twenty metres long, with teeth as large as a human hand and jaws that could fit you and a friend (with some room to spare), this apex superpredator continues to capture our attention, despite having been …

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The Importance of Linguistic Diversity in Shark Science with Jaime Penadés and Hettie Brown 1:01:30

11M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Sharks and rays are found all over the world; from the freezing waters of the Arctic to the tropical Indo-Pacific, and just about everywhere else in between. This means that shark conservation is a global effort, spanning multiple countries, cultures, customs and languages. But did you know that 98% of scientific research is published exclusively i…

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Regional Endothermy: The Secret Superpower of the Mackerel Sharks with Dr Haley Dolton 1:02:49

12M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Did you know that some sharks can keep parts of their body warm to allow them to move faster, swim for longer, see more clearly and think better?? Or, that basking sharks have a gigantic heart?! This week we are diving into the fascinating world of shark physiology and anatomy to learn about a special trait only found in a handful of species: regio…

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Failure to Launch: Understanding Reproductive Failure in Turtles and Tortoises with Alessia Lavigne 51:41

12M ago51:41

51:41

This week on the podcast we are taking a brief detour from sharks to explore the fascinating world of turtles and tortoises! We are diving into the research of SOSF project leader and turtle specialist Alessia Lavigne, who has been trying to understand why turtle and tortoise eggs sometimes fail to hatch. Turtles and tortoises (known collectively a…

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Building Safe Spaces for Sharks, and Shark Scientists with Jasmin Graham 58:00

1y ago58:00

58:00

We welcome back shark scientist and CEO/Co-Founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences, Jasmin Graham, and celebrate the release of her new book, Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Scientist. We talk about the incredible adaptations and resilience of sharks, the glorious weirdness of sawfishes - a species Jasmin has worked closely with - and why …

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Libertarian Gubernatorial Candidate Kaiser Leib 24:07

1y ago24:07

24:07

This week, we continue to hear from the candidates running to be Montana’s next governor. Libertarian Kaiser Leib worked as a software developer before starting his stand up comedy production company in Helena. We’ll talk today about how he views taxation, transgender rights, and climate change and how tangible libertarian ideals really are. After …

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In the Field: Basking Sharks with Dr Alexandra McInturf 1:00:28

1y ago1:00:28

1:00:28

We are so excited to share with you a very special bonus episode of World of Sharks! Join us as we head into the field in search of the second largest species of shark in the world: the basking shark. We’ll be heading out on the boat with Dr Alex McInturf (@drsurfnturf), shark scientist at the Chapple Big Fish Lab (@big_fish_lab), SOSF project lead…

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Angel Sharks: Masters of Stealth and Critically Endangered 1:05:31

1y ago1:05:31

1:05:31

This week we are diving into the world of angel sharks, the second most threatened group of elasmobranchs in the world. Joining us is co-founder and co-lead of the Angel Shark Project, Eva Meyers, and project coordinator for the Angel Shark Project: Wales, Jake Davies. In this episode we learn all about angel sharks, their super-powered ability to …

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Ryan Busse & Raph Graybill: "Get Your Montana Back" 36:57

1y ago36:57

36:57

From 1995 to 2020, Ryan Busse worked in the gun industry as the vice president of sales for Kimber America. This sparked his 2021 book, Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America, and a period in his life when he began to question his political beliefs. His sons were 2 of the 16 plaintiffs in Held v. Montana, a landmark clima…

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Around the ocean in 80 sharks with Dr Helen Scales 1:07:26

1y ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Sharks with beards. Deep sea sharks with glow-in-the-dark bellies. Sharks that take on submarines. Sharks that walk instead of swim and rays with a hedge trimmer for a nose…this episode has it all! We explore the fantastic diversity of sharks and their relatives (and of all marine life!) with marine biologist, scientific writer and broadcaster Dr H…

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Exploring Galápagos, the sharkiest place on Earth with Pelayo Salinas de León 58:59

1y ago58:59

58:59

Come with us on a voyage to one of the most remote, biodiverse and "sharkiest" places on the planet with leading expert Pelayo Salinas, co-principal investigator of shark ecology and conservation at the Charles Darwin Foundation and Save Our Seas Foundation project leader. In this episode we go on a dive to observe scalloped hammerheads visiting th…

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Thresher Sharks: The Biomechanics of Tail-Whipping with Jamie Knaub 55:07

1y ago55:07

55:07

Thresher sharks are known for their unusual hunting strategy. They use their long tail like a whip, striking it so fast that it creates a shockwave capable of stunning multiple fish at once! But how does their anatomy support such an extreme movement? In today’s episode we find out! We talk with Jamie Knaub, who researches the biomechanics and vert…

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Protecting sharks and coastal livelihoods with Dr Hollie Booth 49:41

1+ y ago49:41

49:41

Conservation is often more about understanding people than studying the animals we are trying to protect. In this episode we learn from Dr Hollie Booth, research fellow at the University of Oxford, who has worked extensively with small-scale fisheries in Indonesia, the world’s largest shark fishing nation. Hollie’s work aims to disentangle the driv…

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Could climate change affect baby sharks? With Noémie Coulon 49:57

1+ y ago49:57

49:57

The ocean is warming at a rapid pace. This year (2024) began with the highest global Sea Surface Temperature (SST) on record, and scientists are already warning of mass coral bleaching events and other worrying consequences for marine life. But how could rising temperatures impact sharks, particularly in the early stages of life when they are most …

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The mystery of Charlotte, the pregnant stingray with Dr David Shiffman 41:15

1+ y ago41:15

41:15

In February 2024, a round stingray from a small, rural aquarium in the middle of a shopping mall unexpectedly took the world by storm. She was pregnant, but how this had happened was a complete mystery - there were no male stingrays in the tank, nor had there ever been... In this episode we are joined by scientist and science communicator Dr David …

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Tackling the fin trade with CITES with Luke Warwick 55:15

1+ y ago55:15

55:15

The international shark fin trade is a billion-dollar industry. It is also driving declines in shark populations around the world. In this episode, we are joined by Luke Warwick, expert in global shark policy, to learn how CITES - an international agreement between governments to regulate trade in endangered species - could help protect sharks and …

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The acoustic world of sharks: how do they hear? With Dr Lucille Chapuis 57:21

1+ y ago57:21

57:21

Do sharks have ears? Are they good listeners? What are they listening for? Do great white sharks get freaked out by orca sounds? And what kind of music do sharks like?! We cover all this and so much more with bio-acoustician and shark hearing expert, Dr Lucille Chapuis. Join us for a fact-filled episode that includes disco sharks, curious humpbacks…

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Going back in time with shark skin! With Dr Erin Dillon 1:00:24

1+ y ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Time travel. Ancient coral reefs. Shark sleuthing. The AMAZING properties of shark skin...this episode has it all! We're chatting with Dr Erin Dillon, conservation paleobiologist and researcher at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Erin's work uses fossilised shark skin (fancy term: dermal denticles) as a window into the past, to understa…

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The Woman Who Made Me Love Cooking 33:47

1+ y ago33:47

33:47

During the pandemic, I learned to love cooking. I picked up a copy of the Art of Simple Cooking ad started experimenting with salad dressings, pie dough, and breads. My guest today is who I have to thank for that. Alice Waters built her restaurant, Chez Panisse, off of the food culture in France, where she visited at 19, and the values of Maria Mon…

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Why have sharks been so successful? With Dr James Lea 58:44

1+ y ago58:44

58:44

It's our 50th episode!! To celebrate, host Isla is joined by shark scientist and CEO of the Save Our Seas Foundation Dr James Lea to talk about the amazing evolutionary success of sharks and their relatives. We talk about just how much sharks have had thrown at them over the 440 million years they've existed on this planet (super volcanoes, ice age…

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How do I build a career in shark science? Featuring the guests of season 4! 53:41

1+ y ago53:41

53:41

Starting out on your own career journey can be a little daunting, which is why we’ve put together this special episode of World of Sharks, filled with advice, experiences and anecdotes from the guests of season 4. We talk about how to make your dreams of working in shark science and conservation a reality – from how to approach professors, to findi…

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How might pollution impact sharks? With Franco Cristiani 53:24

1+ y ago53:24

53:24

Plastics. Oil spills. Industrial chemicals. Herbicides. Pesticides…the list of substances that we have dumped in the sea is endless. But scientists are only just beginning to understand the true extent of the impact of marine pollutants on marine life. Fish biologist and SOSF project leader Franco Cristiani is investigating the effects of harmful p…

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Translating science into conservation action with Rob Bullock and Henriette Grimmel 57:43

1+ y ago57:43

57:43

We’re heading back to the Seychelles this week to chat with research and programme directors for the Save Our Seas Foundation D’Arros Research Centre (SOSF-DRC), Dr Rob Bullock and Henriette Grimmel! Both Rob and Henriette have lots of experience and knowledge in the application of scientific research to marine policy, spatial planning and conserva…

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Ghost sharks: chimaeras, the sharks’ forgotten cousins with Dr Luz Erandi Saldaña Ruiz 49:05

2y ago49:05

49:05

It's spooky season! And we're taking the opportunity to celebrate some close relatives of sharks and rays who don't get talked about as much as they deserve: the chimaeras. Also known as ghost sharks, spookfish, ratfish and rabbitfish, these ancient creatures glide in the dark of the deep ocean, much of their life shrouded in mystery. Helping us le…

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35: Phantoms and Bad Comedians (Tales From the Crypt Original Movie Double Review) 1:02:44

2y ago1:02:44

1:02:44

Join Millicent Oriana, her co-host Jacob Urban, and SFTM producer Sofía Baca as they discuss two very bad (or should we say *scary* bad) films from none other than the folks from the show with way too much nudity and gore for what otherwise was written like Goosebumps; that's right: Tales From the Crypt. Find out why Dennis Miller is the worst ongo…

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Shark brains: how are they wired? With Dr Kara E. Yopak 59:56

2y ago59:56

59:56

Have you ever wondered what a shark’s brain looks like? How the brain of a goblin shark compares to a mako? What makes a whale shark tick? Or…what it’s like to get a shark brain in the post? These are all things that Dr Kara E. Yopak, shark brain expert and director of the EXCELLENTLY named ZoMBiE lab knows a thing or two about! Kara is interested …

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Saving sharks in the Seychelles with Ellie Moulinie and Dillys Pouponeau 57:19

2y ago57:19

57:19

This week, we are transporting you to a tropical island haven for sharks and rays in the beautiful outer islands of the Seychelles! We will be guided by the wonderful Dillys Pouponeau (@dillyseychelles) and Ellie Moulinie (@miss_tropics), who are research officers at the Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre. D'Arros island and its siste…

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How powerful is a shark’s sense of smell? With Dr Lauren Eve Simonitis 53:32

2y ago53:32

53:32

Sharks have a reputation as 'swimming noses' - but just how well can they smell? This week we are diving into the fascinating world of snoot science with aquatic sensory biologist Dr Lauren Simonitis! Expect the ins and outs of shark noses, along with detours to explore the anti-predator strategies of sea slugs and cuttlefish, a shark that eats its…

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Greenland Sharks: Old, Cold and Fascinating with Dr Julius Nielsen 1:12:03

2y ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Greenland sharks are the world's longest living vertebrate, with a longevity that can be measured in centuries. But what do they do during that long life? In this episode, we speak with scientist and "Greenland Shark Detective" Dr Julius Nielsen, who has studied these mysterious creatures for many years. Julius was part of the first team to estimat…

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34: Holding Out for a Hiroo (Japanese Holdouts) 1:04:05

2y ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Join Millicent Oriana, co-host Jacob Urban, and producer Sofía Baca as they discuss the phenomenon of Japanese holdouts from World War 2. References: "Tokyo Rose", Tokyo, Japan, 09/20/1945, US National Archives on YouTube The Speciality of Infantry/Hohei no honryo(歩兵の本領)[Japanese marching song][+English translation] on YouTube "Bart Gets an Elephan…