Alexis Nikole Nelson is full of fascinating and useful info and also wonderfully witty and funny. She is admirable in many ways, for her knowledge and attitude. Wish I could met her. I’m going to look for foraging fellows here in San Diego. She’s also the only reason I might ever consider using TikTok. And Ali’s interview and side comments are intelligent and funny too. I just signed up for Ologies (I’d heard my husband listening to it sometimes in the car but this is the show that really grabbed me). Thank you Alie and Alexis.

Okay Alie, I LOVE your show and find myself captivated by topics that I don’t even know were topics! I’ve told so many people about you and shared episodes with my students, friends, family, and occasionally with strangers! But let’s be real for a moment…you say you read every review and as a Skeptically Oriented Scientist, I find that claim hard to believe! How many reviews do you receive each week? I will forever remain a faithful listener whether or not you read this!

I love this podcast and recommend it to everyone! I’ve been listening since my days of being a nerdy high schooler, on and off through college, and now while I’m at work doing my silly little chemistry (I’m a brewer but do a lot of science for that). Every episode is a delight and gets me excited about something I’d never think to consider. Thank you

Ologies is like a fascinating audio museum, much like my dog’s walks are a smell museum for her nose. And every episode of Ologies is as rich and revealing as every stray trickle of pee is…. to my dog. (Not to me. I don’t smell the pee. I just listen to Ologies. And you should too.)

Smologies are great for kids of multiple ages to learn a ton in a small amount of time! They are really entertaining for a wide range of ages. I appreciate that they are just interesting and not trying to entertain kids with infantile “jokes” that you hear on other kids’ learning podcasts (no shade to those podcasts, they are great for really young kids but my older kids will no listen to them).

I can’t tell you how much I love this podcast. I listen to it in waves. Like none for a month and then 4 episodes in 24 hours. I appreciate Ms.Ward also shares on grief. As a recent member of the worst club in the world, a podcast that my father would have loved brings me so much happiness. Thank you for being curious and compassionate.

Alie your voice is so calming and it just makes me feel so relaxed while I’m learning!! This is the perfect work podcast because it de-stresses me and it’s so educational. 15/5 stars

ALIE! My lovely Fairy Sciencemother!! I literally just came in from gathering lilacs in my backyard (to make lilac jelly) and decided I needed something to listen to while doing the tedious, rewarding task of picking the blossoms. Lo and behold, what pops up but the Alexis Nicole foraging episode!!! What? It was obviously meant to be. Thank you for spreading the good word, I can’t get enough!

Dear Alie, you have filled my ears with so much excitement and joy over the past many years, I love this show so much. From pigeon milk to crow funerals to hag fish slime-the wonders of this universe are absolutely amazing. I was a little disappointed to hear, in your most recent episode on Columbidology, you saying “romance isn’t dead” when discussing pigeon monogamy and your guest referred to their extra pair dalliances as “cheating.” Who says dating more than one pigeon at a time can’t be romantic? May I suggest not putting value judgements on animal relational styles, and perhaps invite you to bring on a relationship expert in the wide world of non-monogamy one day? Jessica Fern is an excellent therapist and author of some great books about non-monogamy, relationships and attachment styles (as one example). I listened to the Matrimoniology episode and would love to hear one about polyamory! Thankfully yours, from someone who you has both cut bangs and texted her crush(es)

I have the amazing opportunity of working with the most endangered and rarest sea turtle species in the world! In doing so, my job requires me to patrol the beaches of the Padre Island National Seashore for 10 hours a day! We are encouraged to download podcasts to listen to while working and this one was recommended to me by a friend who had previously done this job before me. I am so thankful for this podcast and how it has inspired me to keep learning. Check out the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and how awesome they are! Thank you so much Alie! This podcast is what I needed in my life 😄.

No Hyperbole here. I listened to the ADHD episode - was the first one I checked out. Turns out, I’d been living 30 years on this earth undiagnosed. I sought licensed help, got help, and my work has dramatically improved, my marriage has improved, and I feel like a functioning adult (finally). Apart from the fantastic content on birds, flags, and ticks, maybe ologies will change your life too. Thanks Ali!

I listened to the pigeons episodes to entertain me during at 21 mile run. Excellent life choice. 10/10 podcast.

Alie and team, I have been listening to your show and enjoying it so much. Occasionally I share you with my husband and he laughs out loud as I do to your added movie lines or whatever fits best. Keep up the great work. I instagrammed y’all with a request for a hummingbird episode. I am still on a high from having a wild one in my hand that brought happy tears to my eyes. No hummingbird was harmed, just banded. 😊

Five stars.love the quirks and everything about you Allie!thank you for providing the podcast we have today!know-matter where we are in the world we will always love you!me and my family love listening to your smalliogies and ologies!keep up the good work Allie!

I love everything about this podcast! Allie finds the most interesting people and it has been an absolute joy to listen. I love learning about things I likely would have never looked into on my own. I love how fun, quirky, and dedicated Allie is to sharing these topics. I have enjoyed every episode I have listened to and am always recommending this podcast!

Alie is a great interviewer and has many fascinating guests talking about all the science things. Definitely a fav. P.S. Some people can’t distinguish between etymology and entomology. They bug me in ways I can’t put into words.

My goal for this life is to gain as much knowledge about this incredible earth as possible. This podcast does an outstanding job of aiding me in that endeavor, while also being very fun and entertaining and comforting. 5/5, can’t recommend enough :)

By far one of the best podcasts out there. Almost every episode I think to myself “I don’t think I’ll care about that” only to be engrossed by Alie’s superb interviews with such amazing people. I listen to it while I run, while I drive, while I should be doing something productive. Just do yourself a favor and listen. Just listen, you won’t regret it.

So much to comment, too long for Alie to read. I am a retired NASA program manager who worked on multiple space missions, including Artemis. I am an awarded engineers mother of 3 , grammy of 3, and also an enthusiastic fan of all science. And engineering. I love this show on multiple levels: science, experts, diversity, and Alie, who brings out the best in everyone. We need this type of positive, inspiring energy in STEM. I also love how our “Pod Dad” shares real life experiences and words of wisdom for the Smologies. Can you come to dinner in Cleveland? You’re on my top list of guests.

I didn’t just write this review in hopes of hearing it read back to me and into my eardrums by the elegant and delightful Alie Ward. This couldn’t be a better podcast if she tried. Its educational, it’s hilarious, it’s witty, it’s vast in exploration on this planet inside this planet and outer space as well! Who’s needs to travel?? just listen to Alie and her guest dive into the ocean with you for a look at all things whale or into a hole in the ground to meet a tiny bee!! But seriously it’s a part of my weekly routine to tune into a freshly posted Ology. Thank you thank you Alie and team for truly some of the best content available.

This podcast is my go to for fun and facts that fuel my mind and curiosity. There is always some nugget of nutritious mind food in each episode.

I first listened to Alie on Alison Rosen’s podcast. I found her charming, funny, and smart, so I subscribed to Ologies so I could hear more of her. I love this podcast, and have told my students about it so they can laugh and learn as well.

There’s no doubt that this podcast is full of fascinating facts and interviews, but I cannot get past the host’s voice. It grates on my every nerve, and I can’t focus on the content.

How many years until the first Nobel Prize winner thanks their Pod Dad for addicting them to science? Surely not many. I know I would go back in time if given the chance to figure out why pigeons have a protuberance on their beaks!

Can’t believe how much I’ve learned listening to your podcast over the last few months. I have a one hour commute to and from work and I am just laughing and amazed at your depth of knowledge and you are a funny writer and you get the best guests I just love this podcast so much.

I found ologies a couple of years ago during a big mid life transition when I was feeling pretty bummed out by humans. Alie helped drag me out of this slump like the best possible imaginary internet friend / pod dad. Each episode is full of wonderfully nerdy info about the world around us (like did you know ANCIENT LEMURS FLOATED ON GIANT VEGGIE MATS)… and also some good stories about how each of the ologists found their way to doing something that they love. I appreciate the diversity of hosts and topics (yes to witchery, the Constitution and everything in between) and look forward to forever torturing my children with “guess what I learned on ologies” fun facts. Thanks Alie for sharing your joy, wit and ups and downs as we all fly through space together on this little dot called earth.

i wish i would have discovered this podcast sooner! each episode is so delightful and it is single handedly curing all of my life’s issues. each episode of this podcast reminds me how amazing of a world we live in and how lucky we are to learn all about it. i wouldn’t want to learn with anyone else but you alie. ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

Whenever I’m having an angry, sad or tired day I go to this podcast. Whenever I hate my job or feel lost in life, I go to this podcast. I love its wholesome, educational and joyful wonder. What makes you feel better than pigeon facts? Thanks for making sure there is SOMETHING out there that is positive for when you just NEED something to get you through the day. Thank you Ally! Allie? ALI? Sorry, I didn’t pay attention to your spelling before I started writing this and I don’t want to retype and check. I’m sorry 😭

Thank you, Alie, for sharing your surgery story. This episode came up in my feed two nights before I had my own surgery due to possible cancer. I was beyond anxious and hearing your voice that has taught me so much about so much walk through your experience with such vulnerability, candor and humor brought me some peace. I’m so glad you’re ok (I am too!) and thank you for your awesome content.

Since my first-ever podcast listen back in 2005 (This American Life) I have been on a search to find my ideal podcast. There are a lot out there, and nothing, NOTHING, compares to ologies. How did it take me this long? I started listening in December with the near-death experience episode with Bruce Greyson, and I haven’t slowed down since. I am determined to listen to every episode. Also, Alie likes to remind listeners that we’re all going to die—and it’s always satisfying and not scary at all when she says it. It’s a nice little surprise, like if you didn’t realize you were eating pop rocks and you love pop rocks and you love surprises, and POP POP! Beautiful. Thank you Alie, for being the one to finally satisfy my insatiable curiosity about the world. <3

(The reason it’s four stars is because there’s too many smologies ) hi I’m someone. I’m from the ages of 10-13 and I love the podcast. I found it from like scrolling on the podcast thingy and I saw Alie ward and I’m like I remember her from brainchild. So I went into this thinking it was gonna be like “here we have mycology the study of mushroom. Mushrooms provide…” but it was even better than I thought

Can’t say how much it means to hear so many people just geeking out over their passions. Its like spending an hour at a cozy cafe, drinking the perfect hot beverage, and listening in on one delightful conversation after another

Ali Ward's Ologies podcast is my daily brain workout! It's like hitting the intellectual gym without breaking a sweat. Each episode leaves me feeling smarter and more curious about the world. If you want to level up your brainpower while laughing along the way, this podcast is a win!

hi alie!! this podcast is one of my favorite things to fill my ears with throughout the day to make life’s mundane tasks a lot more joyful and interesting. been listening for a couple years now and am always really excited when a new episode comes out. thank you for creating such a lovely podcast and helping me with chores and art projects for the last couple years. cheers to many more <3

Inspired to declutter my tiny dorm room. Inspired to admire the trees and pigeons of my city. Inspiring a significant number of animal poems for my college’s zoology newsletter. Thanks Dadward!

Always entertaining, frequently heartwarming, occasionally existentially terrifying, educational madness. The only place to hear unique phrases, such as “gamete confetti cannon.” I have loved every minute of this.

This podcast is the antacid for my existential dread. Sometimes work is really rough and tedious and listening to all these different guests that are so enthusiastic about their specialties is always a good reminder of the joys and wonders of our world. Alie, please more podcasts about animals, and also slime mold would be cool <3

this is my FAVORITE podcast! i suggest it to students, friends, family, colleagues, professors of my own, and anyone who will stand still long enough to listen to me blab. i’m constantly telling my students about the latest ologists and hoping this podcasts ignites (and expands!) their learning flame as it does mine!

Yes I know I’m late, but I recently listened to the witchology episodes as a practicing witch, and I was so relieved and excited that Alie had such a wonderful expert as Theo on the pod. I had faith in Alie because she always has such amazing folks to speak to and really does her research ramping up to an episode and it shows. But I was incredibly thankful that I felt represented properly. Witchcraft, in my opinion, is represented incorrectly more often than not and it made me so happy that was not the case on this pod. Alie thank you endlesslyyyyyy ily 🫶🏻

I found this pod by chance and it has changed my outlook on so many things. It has made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. I’m an undergraduate science student who found Ologies when I had forgotten why I was studying (and spending all this money) in the first place. By hearing from so many Ologists I was able to put into perspective that I’m just on my way to finding my ology, and can enjoy the process of getting there. This podcast accompanies me on my walks to class and has brought back my love of learning. I reccomend Ologies to anyone who will listen (mostly my roommates) and wish everyone involved continued success.

Alie Ward is awesome host, I’ve learned so much about everything. I run and listen to this podcast and I’m writing to say thanks Alie for making my long distance runs faster and more informed. If only I was an ultra-runner.

Hey I was looking for more podcasts and this one popped up. I listen to This Podcast Will Kill You. I love how you feature so many guests. I love science podcasts, thank you for making these episodes for the public.

3 Things: There is a great poem about capybaras called “Unit of Measure” by Sandra Beasley. I just ran across the word vexillology- the study of flags. If you haven’t already done it, could be interesting. Your episode on near death experiences gave me hope to keep on. I’m not exactly a believer in life after death, but I do believe that the world is made up of wondrous connections. The idea that in the end, we may understand these wonders a little better and find some peace is one of the things that can sustain me.

Alie has been my constant companion on every long dog walk for the past year or so. The joy this show inspires in me has me smiling ear from ear - even when toting a large doggie bag filled with excrement for a mile because I’m too much of a chicken to throw it in a random person’s trash can. From sea worms (the best!) to ADHD, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned from Ologies. I’m very grateful my therapist recommended it many moons ago. Thank you, Alie, and the Ologies team for the constant wonder and excitement you bring to learning. Signed, Looking for trash can

What a great podcast! Thank you Alie! I so enjoyed learning about trees from Casey Clapp! He’s one of my people, tree people. Thank you for searching for such great knowledgeable folks!

I found your podcast one year ago, in the middle of a medical mystery that left me incredibly sick, in lots of pain, and unable to do many things that bring me joy. Your podcast was a reminder of the wonder and curiosity of the world and I place I could go to learn when I couldn’t go many other places. While medical mystery is solved and I am back to l my daily life, your podcast remains a source of joy and a place where, in the best ways possible I am reminded of how much I don’t know and all the delightful things there still are to explore and learn. Thank you for helping me through a tough season! And helping me feel grateful in the better seasons. -Amy

Thank you for helping me know about crazy stuff that I never even knew I needed to know about.

All of it - the episodes, the guests, the production, and, of course, the host. Wonderful like each episode leaves you literally full of it…in a good way 🤓🤘

Ologies is one of those few beautiful things in life that one can count on to make you happy and bedazzle your brain. Infinite love for this podcast.

If it wasn’t for you Alie I wouldn’t know so much about so many things. I especially wouldn’t have known about Dr. William Domhoff’s AMAZING Dream Bank. Nor would I have had the courage to reach out and ask if he’d be interested in my dreams I’ve been writing down since 2007. It was surreal getting to correspond with such a kind, intelligent soul, all of which you seem to be Alie. So thank you and keep up the inspiring work!