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!

I tried it because my wife recommended it. I stay because of how excited you are to share every single ology with us. Secret at the end of the review... I saw totality in a Bucee's parking lot in Temple Texas. I didn't cry. I did choke up listening to your experience afterwards.

Well done Alie - your courage is unmatched. I’m always smarter after hearing your work, especially since you shared your experience. The fear is often worse than the reality. Carry on 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Iceland ‘26, that’s my plan! Can you even imagine?!

Well not that intense, but I have listen to 5 of podcasts and have enjoyed all of them! Thank you!

The perfect podcast, everyone else go home

I’ve been listening to ologies for a while, but always on my commute and I never had a moment to review before my ADHD took over. I’m sitting in my car listening to the eclipse field trip episode which I had to finish before going into work with tears in my eyes and was like ok I need to say something right now because this is amazing 🥹 I traveled to Vermont to see totality with a handful of friends and family in their back yard, and reliving the geeky joy of it through Alie’s adventure brought it all back in the best way. It somehow strengthened the memories of what we saw and felt during what was really such a brief moment in time. This review probably makes no sense at all but basically this is the best podcast and I’m so glad you got to see it Alie and maybe I’ll see you in Iceland in 2026 for the next one! 🩷 Your fellow umbraphile, Zee.

Thanks to ologies, I was able to have a casual conversation with a random person about periodical cicadas. Turns out, he witnessed Brood X the last time they emerged in 2004. I was able to distinguish between periodical and annual cicadas and talk about how cool they are!!! I never thought I’d be advocating for bugs, but thanks to ol’ dad Ward, I’m enjoying all sorts of stuff! I started listening because I’m a senior Biology student on the Pre-Med track, and I keep listening to hear about trees and bugs and fashion and stuff!! I love your show, keep it up! P.S. I wrote this review YEARS ago and I forgot about it! I kept myself from being dead last in a trivia night at a bar thanks to that cicada episode 🤣. I came back here to write about how moving these last two field trip episodes have been. You’ve moved me to tears talking about the fragility of life, facing your anxiety and mortality, and finding joy with loved ones in times of hardship. You are a phenomenal storyteller, and I’m so happy to be on this journey with you as a random pod child somewhere in the void (currently North Carolina). Thank you for all that you do. You’re an inspiration!

What started as an occasional listen to pique my curiosity has become a go-to when I need a dose of amazement, hilarity, reflection, and a good cathartic cry I somehow never see coming. I am still swallowing the lump in my throat from -Ologies most recent Field Trip episode on this year’s eclipse as I type, scheming on my own umbraphile moment with the people I love in 2026. I know you’re reading this Alie, so I want you to know that your sacrifice of missing the 2017 eclipse to start a humble little podcast has changed people’s lives — my own included, as I am a terrified 30something back in school to go from a career as a cocktail bartender to a midwife (surely Midwife-ology could be an episode?). -Ologies has inspired me to make my corner of this wonderous, weird planet a little better for future generations, and might inspire you to do the same, dear listeners. Cheers to your health, Dad Ward; I am glad we get to keep your sparkling sincerity around for many years, and moments of awe, to come. PS: fwiw, I loved the Witchology episodes. A hex upon the haters.

Love this podcast. Alie’s enthusiasm, well-researched asides, and willingness to be vulnerable make my curious heart happy. As a newer listener, I am really enjoying diving into the back catalogue of tasty topics. From one Reese’s-peanut-butter-cup-loving-elective-redhead to another, thank you for making this podcast!

I have listened to this show for a while. Today, I fell in love with the show. I, too, got to experience totality for the first time on Monday. It was incredible. Listening to you all experience the eclipse made my heart full. We bicycles around our hometown (Indianapolis) and then found an empty park to watch the show. It was perfectly clear. So lucky!! My sisters and I are planning to chase one together. Thank you for the show. I love my ologies time.

This podcast makes my life better everyday. I’m going through a stressful time and this podcast is a happy bright spot in my day. The combination of Alie’s delightful (perfect amount of swearing) personality and the Ologists’s amazing knowledge about so many fun things is magical. I love this podcast so much. Thanks for being a bright spot in my day and making me smarter. -Lisa

You know how sometimes, there is a famous person who is clearly intelligent and talented and hardworking, but also just seems like they must be genuinely KIND? (Not that we can actually know. Parasocial relationships aren’t real. But it would really be surprising if that person was ever found kicking puppies.) Ologies host Alie Ward has that energy. She’s such a skilled interviewer and host. The very best episodes are the ones where the expert matches Alie’s humor and charisma…check out the Corvid Thanatology episode about crow funerals with Kaeli Swift and the Delphinology episode about dolphins with Justin Gregg. (Even if the particular episode topic or expert isn’t exactly my cup of tea, I still usually find myself entertained and informed. If you just found this podcast and are trying a few episodes, do yourself a favor and don’t give up if you happen to pick one or two that don’t click with you.)

i’m currently making my family listen to the heliology episode on the way home from seeing the eclipse, and not only do i love the show but now my family does too <3 thank you for keeping this chemist’s (me) love of science alive in every day life (and now my family’s too!) :)

Clever, kind, thoughtful, and someone I wish was my personal friend! ADHD is our superpower! Thank you for both elevating learning while at the same time bringing it to a level that everyone can understand. You make me laugh, cry, and always learn. I’m constantly amazed at your interviews- WOW! Thank you for making this listener feel better every time I listen.

Ologies is like a bag of salty crunchy potatoes chips that, despite my better judgement, I won’t stop eating till I’ve emptied the bag and dumped the crumbs down my shirt trying to get that last little bit of salt. Please never stop making content. We love you, father pod.

Hi Aly! I’m always pleasantly surprised about what I learn and what I become interested in. My apartment has never been so clean! P.S. I thought I invented the Fancy Nancy sleep trick. My favorite category is thinking of characters of whatever book I’m reading or series I’m watching. P.P.S. Is there an ology for symbiotic relationships in nature? I wanna listen to that episode!

Super fun with so many amazing facts and the experts are so excited to share about their topics and answer the kinds of questions we all have but would be embarrassed to ask afraid in case we will appear silly. Questions about bear poops, what is the difference between a pirate and a corsair, some carnivorous animals don't eat meat. I didn’t know I needed to know but I needed to know!

This show brings me so much joy and solace. I am so grateful for this wondrous, fun, and exclusive place to learn, laugh, and cry. I find myself thinking most often if the pomology episode as I work with produce (is there an ology for cruciferous vegetables?((Does Cruciferous share a root word with Crucify?!))) I cannot say enough good things about this this podcast, seriously. Heal well from your Surgery, Pod Dad! Secret that will mostly remain a secret for idea theft reasons: I had a space based dream last night, and it gave me an idea for an Ologies based table top RPG. I sent an email. Reply to that if you’re interested:)