Ologies with Alie Ward cover art

Ologies with Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

By: Alie Ward
Listen for free

About this listen

 Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.2026 Alie Ward Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 2 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly

    Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 2 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly
    Apr 15 2026
    Neurodivergence and weed. Munchie remedies. Long term toking. The Entourage Effect. Drag a bean bag into the circle and kick back for Part 2 of Cannabinology with UCLA’s Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Dr. Ziva Cooper and Smith College cannabis anthropologist Dr. Caroline Melly. We’ll probe the great mystery and misfortune of hyperemesis, the effect of THC on memory and neuroplasticity, why edibles sometimes send you to a distant galaxy, CBD and inflammation, the risks of psychosis, older vs. younger brains and cannabis, a guy named Rick Simpson, how much weed is the right amount of weed, and if any studies warrant further research. Heads up: they do. Follow Dr. Cooper on Google Scholar Visit the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids website Follow Dr. Melly on Google Scholar A donation went to Last Prisoner Project More episode sources and links Other episodes you may enjoy: Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS), Dolorology (PAIN), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Mnemonology (MEMORY), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD), Traumatology (PTSD), Somnology (SLEEP), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Quasithanatology (NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES), Oneirology (DREAMS), Surgical Angiology (VEINS & ARTERIES), Cardiology (THE HEART) 400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies onInstagram andBluesky Follow Alie Ward onInstagram andTikTok Editing by Mercedes Maitland ofMaitland Audio Productions andJake Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website byKelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 1 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly

    Cannabinology (MARIJUANA) Part 1 with Ziva Cooper and Caroline Melly
    Apr 8 2026
    Gummies vs. pre-rolls. THC vs. CBD. Indica vs. sativa. Hemp vs. marijuana. Dad grass vs. modern trees. This extended 2-part deep dive with UCLA’s Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Dr. Ziva Cooper and Smith College cannabis anthropologist Dr. Caroline Melly covers the storied history of the weed’s trek across continents, the endocannabinoid system, the “bliss” molecule, brain receptors, cancer therapeutics, edible mishaps, the munchies, legalization, titration, addiction, kief, hash, dabs, shatter, strains, and so much more. Follow Dr. Cooper on Google Scholar Visit the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids website Follow Dr. Melly on Google Scholar A donation went to Last Prisoner Project More episode sources and links Other episodes you may enjoy: Psychedeliology (HALLUCINOGENS), Dolorology (PAIN), Mnemonology (MEMORY), Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Neurobiology (OCD), Molecular Neurobiology (BRAIN CHEMICALS), Traumatology (PTSD), Somnology (SLEEP), Eudemonology (HAPPINESS), Neuropathology (CONCUSSIONS), Neuropathoimmunology (MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS), Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE), Addictionology (ADDICTION), Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES), Quasithanatology (NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES), Oneirology (DREAMS) 400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes Sponsors of Ologies Transcripts and bleeped episodes Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes! Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee Managing Director: Susan Hale Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth Transcripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. Dwyer Theme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Nudibranchology (GLAMOROUS SEA SLUGS) with Jessica Goodheart and Terry Gosliner

    Nudibranchology (GLAMOROUS SEA SLUGS) with Jessica Goodheart and Terry Gosliner
    Apr 1 2026

    Discovery. Drama. Diversity. Design inspo. Let’s squirm into the sea grass and the tidal crevices with California Academy of Sciences legend Dr. Terry Gosliner and the American Museum of Natural History’s Dr. Jessica Goodheart to discover bunny horns, finger backs, stolen weaponry, “buttflowers,” doomed first dates, high fashion, tiny eyes, gender fluidity, “Finding Nemo” cameos, the boardgame you need, and how your phone can warm a scientists heart just by slipping on a windbreaker and looking for beautiful things.

    Visit the Goodheart Lab and follow Dr. Goodheart on Google Scholar

    Visit the Gosliner Slug Lab and follow Dr. Gosliner on Google Scholar

    Donations went to California Academy of Sciences and oSTEM

    More episode sources and links

    Other episodes you may enjoy: Malacology (SNAILS & SLUGS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Cnidariology (CORAL), Medusology (JELLYFISH), Biomineralogy (SHELLS), Zoohoplology (ANIMAL DEFENSES), Ophthalmology (EYES), Optical Technology (HISTORY OF EYEGLASSES + MODERN DAY VISION)

    400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

    Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

    Sponsors of Ologies

    Transcripts and bleeped episodes

    Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

    OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

    Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

    Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

    Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

    Managing Director: Susan Hale

    Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

    Transcripts by Aveline Malek

    Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

    Theme song by Nick Thorburn


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
All stars
Most relevant
this is THE BEST podcast series I've ever come across. I've been listening to Dadward (Allie) for over a year now and I've learnt so much from these podcasts! The range of sciences that she shares with us is amazing and the interviews are always amazing with so many great questions, facts and secrets. it's gives me life, so yeah if u wanna learn about THE MOST random things, like trains, and cicadas and planet saving tech, then tune it.

If you aren't listening you should be

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A range of fascinating subjects, all set forth by experts with Alie Ward asking all the questions we all want to know and are afraid to, in case we look stupid. Never thought I could be interested in so many random ologies, and yet not one of these shows have I found boring. This is the podcast I tell everyone to listen to, and when moving to audible, it was the one podcast I knew had to be available to me here, or it wasn't worth paying for the subscription!

Great stuff, Alie! I know you read all these, so be aware of my huge respect for you, love for the podcast, and admiration for the idea in the first place.

Probably the best podcast I've heard

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I get so excited about each new episode of Ologies and Psyche Williams-Forson was brilliant and certainly food for thought.

Ologies are just brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
its like my inner child (brain?heart?) has been brought back to life. i spend my days learning, reading, watching, thinking and INTERESTED in the world again. thank you for filling me with energy (facts, stories) which i am sharing with literally anyone who will listen xxx

this is the best podcast

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I love this podcast. It makes me giggle, it makes me learn, it makes my commute so much better. Thank you Alie !!

Best podcast I’ve listened to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews