# The Common Descent Podcast

A podcast by Common Descent. 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!

Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/commondescentpodcast/feed.xml

## Latest episodes

- [Episode 255 - Plant Origins](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/04fa0f3b987e) (2026-10-25, 139 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qbsapsif4zkaeqbn/Episode_255_Plant_Origins.mp3
- [Spook-E - Andalites](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/4dd2fbae7dea) (2026-10-24, 54 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/afckkt55e72pbzr2/Spook_E_Andalites.mp3
- [Spook-E - Headcrabs](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/ea8d04f92d9b) (2026-10-17, 71 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7e5yf9brq5maxtmb/Spook_E_Headcrabs.mp3
- [Episode 254 - Abelisaurs](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/590fed730ffc) (2026-10-11, 134 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9ngnx8i36mj4e7cu/Episode_254_Abelisaurs.mp3
- [Spook-E - Greys](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/0dbb35f6e41e) (2026-10-10, 63 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5chm8kh7rn6b3shk/Spook-E_Greys.mp3
- [Spook-E - Xenomorphs](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/1462febcf19e) (2026-10-03, 103 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9gs2d6td255fbj6f/Spook-E_Xenomorphs.mp3
- [Episode 253 - Kangaroos](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/faa8e73e77e4) (2026-09-27, 164 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/rpr768j2p9d2gijw/Episode_253_Kangaroos.mp3
- [Episode 252 - The Ice Age](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/756f05961521) (2026-09-13, 131 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/uitzkfgetrj9k5tt/Episode_252_Ice_Ages.mp3
- [Episode 251 - The Sun](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/809598c245d5) (2026-08-30, 165 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pct2jrkeav7ue9hb/Episode_251_The_Sun.mp3
- [Episode 250 - Camels](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/0be8a5010cd4) (2026-08-16, 142 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/3pwci6gpgxnqwaqm/Episode_250_Camels.mp3
- [Episode 249 - Sexual Dimorphism](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/21850a88d3c8) (2026-08-02, 178 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7rvxdagg2cu6iqjr/Episode_249_Sexual_Dimorphism.mp3
- [Episode 248 - Big Cats](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/9980c97b5a4d) (2026-07-19, 177 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/uinwf5t3j6wnv8jx/Episode_248_Big_Cats.mp3
- [Snake Stuff with Ali Ashraf](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/f25a5c92ab6c) (2026-07-16, 58 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/dme9d24yrih2atqx/Snake_Stuff_with_Ali_Ashraf7pif4.mp3
- [Episode 247 – Vipers](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/1441c4a4a2cc) (2026-07-05, 197 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/brbrzrp3ccgasjuw/Episode_247_Vipers.mp3
- [Episode 246 - Gharials](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/77c58546ff3b) (2026-06-21, 145 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/b6e7984m9gngyu9g/Episode_246_Gharials.mp3
- [Croc Chat with Maddie Turala](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/55c0812ed0cc) (2026-06-17, 58 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/n79nnxekyhq66efr/Croc_Chat_2026ari5e.mp3
- [Episode 245 - Cycads](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/e74c7d554d5e) (2026-06-07, 135 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/3c3ihj2pnnt9w837/Episode_245_Cycads.mp3
- [Episode 244 - Sea Turtles](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/f8570ea33892) (2026-05-24, 148 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ezqbuf326me2kgip/Episode_244_Sea_Turtles.mp3
- [Episode 243 - Burrowers](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/8ce27adc6722) (2026-05-10, 143 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/sy88ba4mj67epvh2/Episode_243_Burrowers.mp3
- [Leaf it to Us Season 2 Trailer](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/4d1feaf72965) (2026-05-01, 3 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wb278em6pjxv7zi9/Trailer.mp3
- [Silver Screen Science - The Valley of Gwangi (1969)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/f369525d8049) (2026-04-30, 73 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/wc5fiexwe9pjcg26/Silver_Screen_Science_The_Valley_of_Gwangi_1969.mp3
- [Episode 242 - Fire](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/748aa0c0c902) (2026-04-26, 150 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/rbpsku2hrahsjed8/Episode_242_Fire.mp3
- [Silver Screen Science - One Million Years B.C. (1966)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/2b6dbbe0f369) (2026-04-23, 80 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/shiep4jg8y4zpq26/Silver_Screen_Science_One_Million_Years_BC_1966.mp3
- [Silver Screen Science - Dinosaur Shorts (Gertie, Slumber Mountain, Fantasia)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/04b5e4425206) (2026-04-16, 78 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5ga23beqauiqpgft/Silver_Screen_Science_Dinosaur_Shorts.mp3
- [Episode 241 - Digestion](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/b608df99f8c3) (2026-04-12, 140 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qeeunrf3ppqg9krg/Episode_241_Digestion.mp3
- [Silver Screen Science - The Lost World (1925)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/040d9884f2a4) (2026-04-09, 76 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/zu6vd7hn556ydhwh/Silver_Screen_Science_The_Lost_World_1925.mp3
- [Episode 240 - Terror Birds](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/41e437bfc9c4) (2026-03-29, 163 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/venfsmnzjberb7b7/Episode_240_Terror_Birds.mp3
- [Episode 239 - Nocturnality](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/b38b077f956b) (2026-03-15, 135 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/mrrp5mjxj97jhee9/Episode_239_Nocturnality.mp3
- [Pok-É – Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/9afbb89cd8b5) (2026-03-07, 68 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/3hyjn5yhghfe6rif/Episode_5_Weather_Trio.mp3
- [Patron Mini-Episode Compilation #7](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/66351c25fd04) (2026-03-03, 144 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/bnt5vcz8sk96xm27/Patron_Compilation_7.mp3
- [Episode 238 - Osteoderms (Skin Bones)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/7be1a29c341e) (2026-03-01, 157 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/duf2sswg2mqu9pua/Episode_238_Osteoderms_Skin_Bones.mp3
- [Pok-É – Koraidon and Miraidon](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/b03e440f101d) (2026-02-28, 66 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6xid7gg6yq7gd6ze/Episode_4_Koraidon_Miraidon.mp3
- [Pok-É – Zygarde](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/efdafe91e483) (2026-02-21, 63 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qkx4kfiedimwb4sy/Episode_3_Zygarde.mp3
- [Episode 237 - The Dinosaur Renaissance](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/e68e1aea324d) (2026-02-15, 189 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/t4pef4yy8c3kgzip/Episode_237_Dinosaur_Renaissance.mp3
- [Pok-É – Giratina](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/4bc5eb8a81d8) (2026-02-14, 52 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/xum67m2ggnhfu438/Episode_2_Giratina.mp3
- [Pok-É – Lugia](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/cd4a9b7f44af) (2026-02-07, 59 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/qxpfenetts23hmeh/Episode_1_Lugia.mp3
- [Episode 236 - Chalicotheres](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/bce687860052) (2026-02-01, 122 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/cnpanavvmk3bhum3/Episode_236_Chalicotheres9z0a5.mp3
- [Episode 235 - Aquatic Plants](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/66989055235b) (2026-01-18, 158 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/hwhyqbyhuwjszwdc/Episode_235_-_Aquatic_Plants637zn.mp3
- [Episode 234 - Snails and Slugs](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/3f7b5c3cb723) (2026-01-04, 144 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ui3hy5bw8fi654k3/Episode_234_Snails_and_Slugs.mp3
- [End of the Year Q&A 2025](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/451b29890e22) (2025-12-31, 352 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/shv7ewa7vvjeq5qa/End_of_the_Year_Q_A_202574rxa.mp3
- [Episode 233 - Flies and Mosquitoes](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/eefb62d4f113) (2025-12-21, 162 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6fm6uy38hmaqsnrx/Episode_233_Flies_and_Mosquitoes.mp3
- [Episode 232 - Vertebrate Origins](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/b1ae7138ea8b) (2025-12-07, 137 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ut8yrcvweacsqpcp/Episode_232_Vertebrate_Origins.mp3
- [Episode 231 - Back to the Water (Secondarily Aquatic Vertebrates)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/9de7fdd4d805) (2025-11-23, 164 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/m278t7kqpv9sx9vw/Episode_231_Back_to_the_Water_Secondarily_Aquatic_Vertebrates.mp3
- [Episode 230 - Pachycephalosaurs](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/38a88db3c0e3) (2025-11-09, 137 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9qa2i5u2jmhv3vv7/Episode_230_Pachycephalosaurs.mp3
- [Silver Screen Science - Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/c2d7a5a4eead) (2025-11-05, 100 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/gbz6hmfaknj4jaqb/Silver_Screen_Science_Jurassic_Park_Rebith_2025.mp3
- [Cute-E – Pikmin](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/827d67a50c8c) (2025-11-01, 59 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pz9e7zi4yfax82er/Spook_E_Pikmin.mp3
- [Episode 229 - Myrmecophagy (Ant-Eating)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/d1c993c927cf) (2025-10-26, 142 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/sinjhh8hht2jf9yn/Episode_229_Myrmecophagy_Ant-Eating.mp3
- [Spook-E – Metroids](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/49ae3704182b) (2025-10-25, 69 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/sx3479k3izqk4uwd/Spook_E_Metroids.mp3
- [Spook-E – Kremlings](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/5a661b6fede0) (2025-10-18, 63 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/75mhh8hq2u45iqjm/Spook_E_Kremlings.mp3
- [Episode 228 - Dinosaur Provincial Park](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1207586509/6f1624449b2a) (2025-10-12, 116 min): audio https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/g5dhcqmfnd5rv4xn/Episode_228_Dinosaur_Provincial_Park.mp3

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them.