Beyond Blathers

Hammerhead Shark

April 16, 2024 04:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MB

This week we're finally talking about another shark: the hammerhead! Listen to learn more about their iconic head shape, how they're doing in the wild, and much more! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay ...

Ladybug with Dr. Jessica Ware

April 01, 2024 22:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MB

This week we're so excited to be joined by entomologist and evolutionary biologist Dr. Jessica Ware to talk about the ladybug, or ladybird beetle! We also got to talk to Dr. Ware about her PBS show, Insectarium; her experience as a curator; her work as a co-founder of Entomolgists of Color; and so much more! Make sure to check out Insectarium on PBS and the Entomologists of Colour website for more information and resources. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon t...

Pelican

March 18, 2024 21:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

This week we're talking about the pelicans, a genus of eight species of large waterbirds with iconic long beaks and throat pouches! Listen to learn more about their size, distribution, gular pouches, and how they're doing in the wild. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. ...

Pike

March 04, 2024 21:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MB

This week we're talking about a fish that's popular with anglers — the pike! Listen to learn more about their habitats, impressive cold tolerance, and how big they can actually get! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and r...

Moths and Light

February 13, 2024 23:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MB

To celebrate Valentine's Day, we're talking about one of the greatest love stories of all time: moths and light. Why are moths so attracted to light? Listen to find out! This week we're talking about the weird-looking but loveable soft-shelled turtle! Listen to learn more about their long noses, soft shells, and how they're doing in the wild. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! A...

Grizzly Bear

January 22, 2024 08:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MB

This week, we're talking about the grizzly bear! Listen to learn more about this iconic subspecies of brown bear, where they're found, and how they're doing in the wild. This week we're talking about the weird-looking but loveable soft-shelled turtle! Listen to learn more about their long noses, soft shells, and how they're doing in the wild. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! A...

Soft-shelled Turtle

January 08, 2024 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MB

This week we're talking about the weird-looking but loveable soft-shelled turtle! Listen to learn more about their long noses, soft shells, and how they're doing in the wild. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. ...

Sea Cucumber

December 11, 2023 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MB

This week we're talking about the sea cucumber! Listen to learn more about this sea creature that is decidedly not actually a vegetable. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly ...

Parasaurolophus

November 27, 2023 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

This week, we're talking about one of Olivia's favourite dinosaurs: the parasaurolophus! Listen to learn more about their iconic cranial crest and what they used it for! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To st...

Firefly

November 13, 2023 08:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MB

This week we're talking about the luminous, glowy, adorable, romantic firefly! Listen to learn more about this beetle, its larvae, how it glows, and more! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date a...

Mahi-mahi

October 30, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MB

This week we're talking about the mahi-mahi! Listen to learn more about this fast, tasty, and colourful ocean fish! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations...

Zebra Turkeyfish

October 16, 2023 07:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MB

This week we're talking about the zebra turkeyfish, or more commonly known as the lionfish — a popular aquarium fish and rampant invasive species. Listen to learn more! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To sta...

Spider (Part 2): No Way Home

October 09, 2023 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MB

This week we're continuing our chat about spiders! Listen to learn about spider reproduction and to find out which spiders won Olivia's coveted spider awards! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to da...

Spider (Part 1)

October 02, 2023 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33 MB

This week we're celebrating the start of spooky season and finally talking about spiders! Listen to learn more about their fangs, venom, senses, webs, and hunting strategy. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To...

Sea Snail

September 25, 2023 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MB

This week we're following up our episode on whelks by talking about five really cool species of sea snail! From herbivores to carnivores to snails that don't even seem to eat at all, listen to learn more about the diversity of these marine gastropod molluscs! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal st...

Whelks

September 18, 2023 07:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

This week we're talking about the whelks, a large family of sea snails that can be found all over the world and also make pretty yummy sushi! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekl...

Drone Beetle

September 11, 2023 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MB

This week we're talking about the big, loud drone beetle (and chafer beetles in general)! Listen to hear about their sticky feet and shiny elytra, and some of Olivia's stories from the field! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rat...

T. rex: The Story Continues

September 04, 2023 07:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MB

This week we're back with the conclusion to our T. rex series! Listen to hear the rest of the story surrounding Sue the T. rex, and to learn more about tyrannosaurus rex as animals! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and re...

Re-Release: Brachiosaurus

August 28, 2023 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MB

If you listened to last week’s episode on the T. rex, we’re sorry to leave you on a gigantic dinosaur sized cliffhanger for another week, but Olivia got unexpectedly swamped out in the field and we thought we’d take this opportunity to celebrate our 150th episode and look back on one of first dinosaur episodes. But don’t worry, we’ll be back ASAP with the rest of the T. rex story! For now we hope you enjoy the brachiosaurus episode, which we originally recorded in 2021. If you'd like to s...

T. rex

August 21, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

This week we're celebrating our 150th episode (!!!!) with a big creature: the tyrannosaurus rex! Listen to learn about the T. rex, its relatives, and discovery story. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up ...

Ground Squirrel

August 07, 2023 07:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MB

This week we're talking about ground squirrels! What makes a ground squirrel different than a tree squirrel or flying squirrel? Can you really catch the plague from ground squirrels? Listen to find out! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and lea...

Saw Shark

July 31, 2023 07:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MB

This week we're celebrating shark week with an episode on the saw shark! Listen to learn more about their distinctive saw-like rostrum and other cool adaptations! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to...

Summer Catch Up!

July 24, 2023 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MB

We figured it's time to catch up! This week, we're filling you in on what we've been up to this summer, from field work to a writing residency in the mountains! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to d...

Hoverfly with Rachel Pizante

July 17, 2023 07:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MB

This week, Olivia sits down with Rachel Pizante to talk about hoverflies! Rachel is a PhD student at the University of Alberta where she studies pollinators. In this episode you’ll hear two bug nerds talking all about this amazing little bee mimic, sharing their research stories, and just getting way too excited about flies. If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a lo...

House Fly

July 11, 2023 23:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MB

This week, we're talking about an animal you might've seen today: the house fly! Fair warning, this might be the grossest episode we've recorded, but make sure to listen to learn more about this very common creature's life cycle, adaptations, and more! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers ...

Pteranodon with Adele Pentland

June 26, 2023 07:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MB

This week we’re so excited to be joined by returning guest and palaeontologist extraordinaire Adele Pentland to talk about the Pteranodon! Adele is a PhD candidate at Curtin University and a palaeontologist at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History. She also hosts the fabulous new podcast Pals in Palaeo. We had the best time talking to her about this iconic flying reptile and pterosaurs in general, listen to learn more! Make sure to check out the Pals in Palaeo podcast a...

Rainbowfish

June 12, 2023 07:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MB

This week we’re celebrating Pride month with a special episode about the rainbowfish! Listen to learn more about these colourful fish, as well as hear some fun facts about sea creatures who defy the reproductive binary! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive stickers and prints in the mail each month! And you can take a look at our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to su...

Plankton with Joe Hanson

June 05, 2023 07:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MB

This week we are so excited to be joined by Dr. Joe Hanson of PBS's Be Smart, one of our favourite science communication YouTube channels! We got to talk to Joe about plankton, their epic daily migration, his experience making Be Smart, and so much more! Make sure to check out Be Smart on YouTube and watch the episode on diel migration here. And follow Joe on Twitter and Instagram! If you'd like to support the show please check out our Patreon to make a monthly donation and receive sti...

Firefly Squid

May 29, 2023 18:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MB

This week we're talking about the beautiful, bioluminescent firefly squid! Listen to learn more about their iconic yearly migration, how they produce their gorgeous glow, and why they're so mysterious. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagra...

Stegosaurus

May 22, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MB

This week we're talking about one of the most classic dinosaurs of all: the stegosaurus! Listen to learn more about their iconic back plates, small brains, and spiky tails. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't forg...

Coconut Palm

May 15, 2023 07:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MB

This week, we're talking about Cocos nucifera, or the coconut palm! Are palm trees actually trees? Where did coconut palms originate? Listen to learn more! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't forget to check out o...

Spiny Lobster

May 08, 2023 07:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MB

This week we're talking about the spiny lobster! Listen to learn more about their life cycle, conservation, and the strange sound they make! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't forget to check out our TikTok! Be...

Cacti

May 02, 2023 00:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MB

This week we're talking about cacti! Tune in to learn more about this amazingly diverse, exceptionally adapted order of plants. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't forget to check out our TikTok! Beyond Blathers...

Citrus Long-Horned Beetle

April 24, 2023 07:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MB

This week, we're talking about the citrus long-horned beetle, a beautiful insect that can be pretty devastating to trees. Listen to learn more about this beetle's life cycle, how they impact trees, and a bit about pest management! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make ...

Diving

April 17, 2023 07:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MB

In this special episode, Olivia shares her experience scuba diving for the first time and talks about the sea creatures, terrestrial critters, and birds she saw on her trip to Cancún, Mexico! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twit...

Dragonfly with John Acorn

April 10, 2023 07:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MB

This week we're joined by John Acorn the Nature Nut to talk about dragonflies! John is an accomplished researcher, author, science commutator, and instructor at the University of Alberta. He’s also one of Olivia’s thesis supervisors! Tune in to hear this very fun and informative conversation. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To...

Frog (Part 2)

April 03, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MB

This week we're sharing some amazing frog adaptations, including wild mating and parental care stories, gliding frogs, and more! We also talk a bit about frog conservation. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't for...

Frog (Part 1)

March 27, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MB

This week we're continuing our series on frogs with this episode about frog physiology and ecology! How do frogs jump? How do they call? And why?? Listen to learn the answers to these questions and much more! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on I...

Tadpole

March 20, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MB

This week we're kicking off our series on frogs with this episode on the tadpole (and frog eggs)! Many of us probably learned the frog life cycle in elementary school, but did you know tadpoles are actually incredibly diverse? Listen to learn more! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode il...

Diplodocus

March 06, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MB

This week we're talking about one of our favourite sauropods, the Diplodocus! Listen to learn more about this very long dinosaur, its habitat, what it ate, and why it may have needed such a long neck and tail! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on...

Stag Beetle

February 27, 2023 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MB

This week we're talking about a family of beetles that contains about 1,200 species! These insects can get BIG, with impressive mandibles. Listen to learn more about their ecology, reproduction, and why they need such big pincers anyway. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell adorable animal stickers and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations...

Killifish

February 20, 2023 08:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MB

This week we're talking about the tiny killifish! Listen to hear all about their extremely hardy eggs, strange parasites, and the reason scientists love to use them for experiments! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And ...

Valentine's Day Special: Critter Courtship Countdown

February 13, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MB

Today we are celebrating the day of love by sharing our top 11 favourite facts about animal courting from the creatures we’ve talked about in this show, and giving each one a completely arbitrary rating on their mating methods! Listen to hear stories of scorpion stings, pufferfish crop circles, and so much more! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a ...

Diving Beetle

February 06, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

This week we're talking about one of the insects that Olivia is studying for her master's research, the diving beetle! Listen to learn more about how these critters breathe, what they eat, and why their larvae sort of look like aliens! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations,...

Octopus (Part 2)

January 30, 2023 08:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB

We're back with part two of our series on the octopus, nature's master of disguise and quite possibly the strangest, most amazing animal on the planet! Listen to hear tons of stories of this creature's amazing adaptations, shenanigans, distinct personalities, and more. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see...

Octopus (Part 1)

January 23, 2023 08:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MB

This week we're diving into the story of the octopus! Why do octopus have three hearts? Why do they have such short lifecycles? How do they reproduce? Tune in to learn more! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't fo...

Sweet Shrimp

January 16, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MB

This week we're talking about the sweet shrimp, AKA the northern shrimp, northern prawn, pink shrimp, deepwater prawn, etc. Listen to learn more about the difference between shrimp and prawns, northern shrimp conservation, and how much Olivia thinks shrimp costs at the grocery store. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up...

Australopithecus

January 09, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MB

We're back with an exciting new episode for the new year: the Australopithecus! Listen to learn more about this genus of early hominins and how they compare to modern humans. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't f...

Sturgeon (Part 2)

December 12, 2022 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MB

We're back with the final part in our two-part series on the might sturgeon! Listen to learn more about why this majestic fish is so highly endangered. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see our weekly episode illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter. And don't forget to check out our TikTok! Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Ho...

Sturgeon (Part 1)

December 05, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MB

This week we're airing the first part of our two-part series on the iconic sturgeon! This family of fish is the most endangered group of animals in the world and certainly deserve our attention. Tune in this week to learn about their physiology and ecology, and make sure to listen next week to learn about their conservation story! If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store over on Etsy where we sell stickers, sticker sheets, and postcards. Don't forget to subscri...

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