Episodes 375
Avg. Duration 1h 43m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.8 (759)
Since Feb 2017
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
54%
Hosting
feed.podbean.com

About This 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!

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Recent Episodes

Episode 245 - Cycads

Jun 07, 2026 2h 14m

Cycads are cousins of conifers, and although they can be found throughout the modern tropics, they are often considered a visual indicator of prehistory. This episode, Aly joins us to explore what…

Episode 244 - Sea Turtles

May 24, 2026 2h 27m

Most modern turtles are pretty good in the water, but only some are truly ocean-dwellers. This episode, we explore the unique and diverse lifestyles and anatomy of modern sea turtles, then we take a…

Episode 243 - Burrowers

May 10, 2026 2h 22m

A lot of life on Earth happens underground. This episode, we sample the species that have taken to a life of digging in the dirt – and elsewhere – why they do it and what physical adaptations help…

Leaf it to Us Season 2 Trailer

May 01, 2026 2m

Leaf it to Us Season 2 is coming! Episode 1 drops on May 7th!   You can find Leaf it to Us on any podcast platform!  Consider supporting Leaf it to Us on Patreon:…

Silver Screen Science - The Valley of Gwangi (1969)

Apr 30, 2026 1h 12m

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we’re…

Episode 242 - Fire

Apr 26, 2026 2h 29m

Earth is a very flammable world. The combination of heat, oxygen, and burnable plants makes fire a constant feature of our planet. Many modern ecosystems thrive in the presence of fire, and lots of…

Silver Screen Science - One Million Years B.C. (1966)

Apr 23, 2026 1h 19m

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we visit a…

Silver Screen Science - Dinosaur Shorts (Gertie, Slumber Mountain, Fantasia)

Apr 16, 2026 1h 17m

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we compile…

Episode 241 - Digestion

Apr 12, 2026 2h 19m

The world is full of food, but in order to make the most of it, living organisms need to be able to break it down and extract the useful nutrients. This episode, we explore the fundamental process of…

Silver Screen Science - The Lost World (1925)

Apr 09, 2026 1h 15m

Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we start…

Episode 240 - Terror Birds

Mar 29, 2026 2h 42m

For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was home to an incredible group of predatory birds called phorusrhacids, which included some of the largest carnivorous birds of all time. With their giant…

Episode 239 - Nocturnality

Mar 15, 2026 2h 14m

Creatures of the night! The world is a different place in the dark, and a whole array of organisms have adapted to being most active outside of daytime hours. This episode, we’ll explore the regular…

Pok-É – Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza

Mar 07, 2026 1h 7m

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them –…

Patron Mini-Episode Compilation #7

Mar 03, 2026 2h 23m

One of the benefits our Patrons can receive is a personalized mini-episode on an animal of their choice! Every now and then, we throw them together into a compilation for all to enjoy!  As always, an…

Episode 238 - Osteoderms (Skin Bones)

Mar 01, 2026 2h 36m

Some bones are only skin deep! In many species of reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, bones called osteoderms develop within the skin, serving as body armor, additional muscular support, display…

Pok-É – Koraidon and Miraidon

Feb 28, 2026 1h 5m

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them –…

Pok-É – Zygarde

Feb 21, 2026 1h 2m

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them –…

Episode 237 - The Dinosaur Renaissance

Feb 15, 2026 3h 8m

In the mid-to-late 20th Century, dinosaurs received a major makeover in their scientific and popular image. This episode, Riley Black takes us through the timeline of the Dinosaur Renaissance. We…

Pok-É – Giratina

Feb 14, 2026 51m

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them –…

Pok-É – Lugia

Feb 07, 2026 58m

Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them –…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Common Descent Podcast have?

The Common Descent Podcast has published 375 episodes since February 2017, covering topics in Earth Sciences, Education.

Is The Common Descent Podcast still active?

The Common Descent Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 1h 43m.

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