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.
Bryology (MOSS) Encore with Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer
It’s November and you need chill vibes. And Native American Heritage Month is the perfect time to encore this classic. World-renowned author, botanist, Indigenous ecology professor and bryologist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of “Gathering Moss” and “Braiding Sweetgrass,” talks about her passion for moss. Cozy up for the most beautifully doled-out information about hidden worlds, overlooked mysteries, botanical drama, forests in miniature, Native peoples’ uses for moss and philosophies about science and ecology. Dr. Kimmerer will change the way you see mosses forever, will inspire you to wear a loupe on a rope, and will soothe your soul with her beautiful voice and prose. Also bathmats, lawns and smoothies made of moss? We discuss.
Follow Dr. Kimmerer at facebook.com/braidingsweetgrass
Look for her books at independent bookstores or wherever books are sold (including Amazon): “Braiding Sweetgrass” and “Gathering Moss”
Donations went to the ESF’s Center for Native Peoples and the Environment and American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
More links at alieward.com/ologies/bryology
Other episodes you may enjoy: Indigenous Cuisinology (NATIVE COOKING) with Mariah Gladstone of Indigikitchen, Indigenous Fire Ecology (GOOD FIRE) with Amy Christianson, Indigenous Fashionology (NATIVE CLOTHING) with Riley Kucheran, Experimental Archeology (OLD TOOLS/ATLATLS) with Angelo Robledo, Carnivorous Phytobiology (MEAT-EATING PLANTS) with Hali’a Eastburn, Cycadology (RARE PLANT DRAMA) with Dr. Nathalie Nagalingum, Bisonology (BUFFALO) with various bisonologists,Foraging Ecology (EATING WILD PLANTS) with @BlackForager, Alexis Nikole Nelson, Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT) with Dr. Suzanne Pierre
Transcripts and bleeped episodes
Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes
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Sound editing by Jarrett Sleeper of MindJam Media
Transcripts by Emily White of The Wordary
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn