Chris and Cristina talk pandemics and welcome back Dr. Taylor Van Doren, a biocultural pandemic researcher investigating social inequalities, demography, and population health during and after pandemic events. As an NSF OPP Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Alaska Anchorage in the Institute of Circumpolar Health Studies, her focus is the dem…

Dr Mansi Srivastava of Harvard University joins Chris and Courtney to talk about her research on regeneration throughout evolution.-----------------------------------------------------------------Dr. Srivastava's research focuses on understanding the evolution of animal development and regeneration. Her group utilizes the three-banded panther worm,…

Our new Co-producer, Anahí Ruderman, is joined by Christopher to co-host this episode with Dr. Luciano Valenzuela. He is a researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina (CONICET). He specializes in the use of stable isotopes in Anthropology, Ecology, and Forensic Science in his research at the School of Socia…

Chris checks in with Dr. Adam Johnson to discuss javelinas and their impact on humans. Dr. Johnson is an environmental anthropologist whose current work engages human-animal relations. His current project explores human-javelina relations in Texas, including affective relationships between javelinas and property owners, tourist-javelina encounters …

The SoS Team puts one of their own in the hot seat as Courtney and Cristina interview Dr. Christopher Lynn about his book Transcendental Medication: The Evolution of Mind, Culture, and Healing. His book offers a unique perspective on why human brains evolved to have consciousness, yet we spend much of our time trying to reduce our awareness. It out…

From the New York Times Best Selling Authors of “The Genius of Dogs,” Vannessa Woods and Brian Hare, comes “Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog.”Chris and his trusty co-host Eric unpack “dognition” with Vanessa, a research scientist who runs a “Puppy Kindergarten” at Duke University. She also happens to be an award-winning jo…

In this episode Iris shares about her own menarche experience and takes you on a journey sharing her vision around first blood. Topics covered Iris' own journey The journey of menarche Restoring menarche's place in our cyclical continuum Society vs menarche and our cycles Tips and tools and so much more! Where to find Iris ⁠Iris' website⁠ ⁠Iris' In…

Special guest hosts Cristina and Miguel Ochoa unpack the nutritional ecology with Dr. Hugo Azcorra-Pérez, a human biologist at Centro de Investigaciones Silvio Zavala, Universidad Modelo, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. He is interested in the biology of populations during the early stages of growth and development and how environmental factors and interg…

Chris and Courtney host Claire Gold, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she studies the life histories and diet of the women and children from a Medieval Italian population. Claire received her MA in Biological Anthropology from the State University of New York, Binghamton, where s…

In this episode Iris sits down with Kate Pope, who is a mom, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner as well as Certified GAPS Practitioner. This conversation sheds a light on the role of food both for moms and babies, and its impact on the microbiome of both. Get ready for amazing tips to support your health, and how to best start solids for your baby, a…

In this episode Iris shares about her own preconception and fertility journey and gives you easy-to-implement tips for your journey. Topics covered Iris' own journey Charting your cycle and collecting direct fertility signs How, what and when you eat Transitioning to an animal-based diet How to robustly ovulate + how to support that Muscle building…

Chris and Cristina interview Taiye Winful, a PhD Candidate at Vanderbilt University, who studies stress and embodiment in African and other Black populations. Taiye completed her bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology from Loyola University Chicago and MA degree in Anthropology from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Taiye’s Master’s th…

In this episode Iris sits down with her friend Kyra de Vreeze. Kyra is a naturopath and Iris has always been impressed by how she grows her own food and built her regenerative life from scratch - in collaboration with the Earth. To honor Earth Day, we're sharing this episode this week. Hopefully this episode is as inspiring for you as it was for Ir…

How can marmosets inform human birth experiences? Are there really four types of human pelvises? What happens when primates birth litters?Prof. Julienne Rutherford joins Chris and Eric to answer these questions and more!Find the articles discussed on this episode via the following citations:Rutherford, J.N., Ross, C.N., Ziegler, T., Burke, L.A., St…

(This episode is in Dutch as it contains a Dutch research announcement for the Dutch audience) In deze aflevering stelt Renee een super vet project voor wat ze gaat doen, en waar ik he-le-maal achter sta. Ik zal eerlijk zijn: in het begin stond ik er een beetje sceptisch in maar na zelf aan de slag te gaan met frequenties ben ik he-le-maal om (je h…

Prof. Lesley Gregoricka joins Chris and Eric to explain her work in the field of bioarchaeology. Topics include everything from strontium isotope analysis to the ethics of legacy collections of human remains. Stick around for a diversion to King Cakes and Mardis Gras.The article discussed on this episode can be found via this citation:Gregoricka, L…

Chris and Eric catch up with Dr. Melanie Martin, an Associate Professor in the University of Washington Department of Anthropology, whose research examines biocultural influences on health, growth, and development across the life course. In addition to being the Co-PI of the Biodemography Lab at the University of Washington Center for Studies in De…

This is a very raw and vulnerable episode on my journey with ADHD and how I felt after I received my diagnosis. This is a personal story and my hope is that other people who have ADHD recognize themselves in this feels less alone in their journeys. This is by no means an episode that you can use to self-diagnose, rather, it is an encouragement to s…

Listeners, please welcome Prof. Ben Trumble to the show! Prof. Trumble joins us to talk about his fascinating research on how oral health can affect cardiovascular disease risk and cognitive health later in life.Find the publication discussed in today’s episode via this citation:Benjamin C Trumble, Matthew Schwartz, Andrew T Ozga, Gary T Schwartz, …

Cara and guest co-host Cristina sit down with Dr. Chris Kuzawa, the John D. MacArthur Professor & Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. He uses principles from anthropology and evolutionary biology to gain insights into the biological and health impacts of human developmental plasticity. His primary field r…

Listeners, please welcome Dr. Eric Griffith to the show ...as a guest! In this episode, Eric takes a break from producing to talk about his research regarding human variation in dementia. Find the publication discussed in today’s episode via this citation:Griffith EE. (2023). “Recruiting Participants for Dementia Research Without Saying ‘Dementia’:…

In this episode Iris sits down with Sarah Thompson, a certified functional medicine practitioner who has specialized in maternity care. Honestly - this whole episode will blow your mind! She shares with us why preconception is so crucial and how preconception time determines pregnancy and birth outcomes. Topics covered functional medicine in matern…

In this episode Iris sits down with Samantha - the founder of Oryx Desert salt, mother and entrepreneur. Samantha's story is wildly inspiring and she shared so much wisdom about salt and the importance for our bodies. Topics covered: -Samantha's inspiring journey and story -What we need to know about mainstream types of salt -What desert salt is an…

Listeners, please welcome Dr. Sheina Lew-Levy to the show! In this episode Prof. Lew-Levy discusses the importance of social learning among children to the study of evolution. Stick around for some gardening tips!Find the publication discussed in today’s episode via these citations:Pretelli, Ilaria, Alyssa N. Crittenden, Edmond Dounias, Sagan Frian…

Special Edition HBA Fellow take-over! HBA Junior Fellows Eric Griffith and Courtney Manthey-Pierce co-host this season's final episode with Dr. Meradeth Snow. Dr. Snow is an Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Anthropology at the University of Montana. There, she and her research team analyze ancient and degraded DNA for anthropological and forensi…

Cara is solo hosting this episode! She is joined by Dr. Charles Roseman to discuss the finer points of why/how "adaptionist" thinking can lead us all down scientific dead ends. Bonus fun: We also learn a little bit about squirrels and nicotine withdrawal. You know Chris was sorry to miss this episode!*******************************The Scientific Am…

Chris and special guest co-host Courtney Manthey-Peirce interview Dimitris Xygalatas, author of Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living. Associate Professor in Anthropology and Psychological Sciences at the University of Connecticut and head of the Experimental Anthropology Lab, Dimitris is an anthropologist and cognitive scient…

Listeners, please welcome Ed Hagen to the show! In this episode Prof. Hagen discusses his research on self medication and parasites.Prof. Hagen joins our regular host, Prof. Chris Lynn, as well as returning guest host Cristina Gildee.Find the publication discussed in today’s episode via this citation:Hagen, E. H., Blackwell, A. D., Lightner, A. D.,…

Listeners, please welcome Achsah Dorsey to the show! In this episode Prof. Dorsey discusses her research on childhood anemia in Peru and casually tosses in an excellent airplane turbulence metaphor to describe human physiology. Stick around for the ABBA shout-out.Prof. Dorsey joins our regular host, Prof. Chris Lynn, as well as returning guest host…

This week, Chris and guest co-host Cristina catch up with Georgia Scott, a master's student studying bioarchaeology at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her research interests focus on mortuary practices and treatment of the deceased, both past and present. Georgia received her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Montana State University and has…

In this episode Iris sits down with Sarah who is a Mother, Student Midwife, Birth Doula, and International Spirit Baby Intuitive. Have a listen to this beautiful conversation Which Is full of magic and wisdom. Topics covered: -Sarah's personal journey with birth -Sarah's journey with spirit baby reading -What spirit babies are -How to connect and c…

Chris and Cristina sit down with Dr. Molly Fox, Associate Professor of Anthropology and of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA. She studies the evolutionary context of chronic disease and the biosocial relationships between grandmothers, mothers, and children.Her current research projects investigate (1) the biological embedding of immigr…

Dee Jolly, PhD student in anthropology at the University of Oregon, joins Cara and Courtney to discuss how stigma affects the health of trans and gender diverse people.Dee is currently a 2nd year PhD student, working with Prof. Zachary DuBois. They finished their undergraduate studies at the University of Florida in 2016 and then earned a Master's …

Cara and Chris chat with Dr. Rob Tennyson, a Postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State University and a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Sociology Department at the University of Utah, who received his PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of Washington in 2022. His research focuses on psychosocial stress, …

Welcome to Bizarro World, Sausage of Science listeners! Cara is on the show today ...as a guest! She is joined by Sarah Lacy to discuss their recent American Anthropologist articles "Woman the hunter: The physiological evidence" and "Woman the hunter: The archaeological evidence."Also, please welcome guest host, and HBA webmaster, Courtney Manthey-…

In this episode Iris sits down with friend and fellow plant nerd Shinta Lempers. Shinta is the founder of Heal Mary - a high quality ethically sourced CBD brand. They dive into everything you have always wanted to know about the endocannabinoid system, CBD and the connection with women's/cyclical health and so much more! Topics covered: -Shinta's p…

Twice the Caras! Cara and Cristina interview Dr. Cara Wall-Scheffler, professor and co-chair of Biology at Seattle Pacific University and an affiliate professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on the evolution of human sexual dimorphism, particularly in the context of balancing the pressures o…

Prof. Liz Mallott of Washington University in St. Louis joins Chris and Cristina to talk about her research on the human microbiome.-----------------------------------------------------------------Dr. Liz Mallott is an assistant professor of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis. Professor Mallott’s research examines how social and environm…

Season 6 premiere. Cara’s back! Chris and Cara chat with Dr. Saige Kelmelis, a biological anthropologist specializing in bioarchaeology, paleodemography, paleoepidemiology, and forensic anthropology. Her research involves the study of human skeletal and dental remains to reconstruct aspects of life, health, disease, identity, and demography. She in…

In this episode, Iris sits down with one of her mentors, Nicole Jardim. There is so much to cover when you put 2 hormonal health geeks in one room! We cover a wide range of topics but the most important thing about this conversation is the passion both carry for cyclical health across the lifespan. We cover the following topics: -Nicole's journey a…

The show is currently on summer hiatus as most of our staff work on their research.New episodes will be back in the fall.In the meantime, we have a special bonus episode of the podcast. Prof. Joseph L. Graves Jr. of North Carolina A&T University reads an excerpt from his book A Voice in the Wilderness: A Pioneering Biologist Explains How Evolution …

This episode is a little different than what you're used to on here. Iris shares about how joining a water priestess retreat in France changed her life in so many ways. Topics covered How Iris decided to join this retreat The magic of timing of our bodies The sacredness of water and natural springs The power of women harmonizing Having ADHD in soci…

In this episode Iris sits down her Cycle Seeds team member Suzanne to chat about the journey to become a Certified Holistic Hormone & Cycle Coach. Topics covered Why Iris created the HHCC training What the HHCC training is Who the HHCC training is for How you know whether this training is for you The importance of Holistic Hormone & Cycle Coaching …

Anwesha Pan joins Chris and Mallika to talk about her work on famine and fecundability in Bangladesh as well as the connection between neighborhood-level family poverty and ovarian reserve.This is the season finale -- please check back in the fall for new content! Thank you to Mallika for filling in as co-host this season!--------------------------…

In this episode Iris sits down with fertility expert Miranda Myles. And honestly.. it will most likely BLOW. YOUR. MIND. The topics of sperm health and male fertility are often not talked about, and not taken into consideration when it comes to conceiving - while they're really 50% of the story. With this episode, we have aimed to open a compassion…

Chris welcomes guest co-host, Cristina Gildee, to chat with Sofiya Shreyer, a Ph.D. student in the Anthropology Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Sofiya is passionate about increasing research and education on menopause and other understudied women's health issues, such as PCOS, endometriosis, and sexual wellness. Under the gui…

In this episode Iris sits down with holistic OBGYN Dr. Nathan Riley - and phewww this is such a deep vulnerable conversation! Nathan is such a wealth of wisdom and a breath of fresh air in the sometimes heavy field of gynecology. Topics covered: Nathan’s journey through med school and as an OBGYN What is holism and why is it important How to unders…

Chris and Mallika sit down with Sean Prall, an Assistant Professor and evolutionary anthropologist at the University of Missouri. His interests center on human health and reproduction, reproductive decision-making, and evolutionary ecology. He examines costs and trade-offs associated with investments in reproduction. He utilizes a combination of qu…

Drs. Karen Rosenberg and Wenda Trevathan join the show to discuss their work examining the evolution of human childbirth and infant helplessness. They also preview some of the content that will appear in their forthcoming (untitled) book. Title suggestions are welcome!Information about their previous publication Costly and Cute can be found here: h…

In this episode Iris sits down with Samantha Zipporah, who is a midwife, author and educator. This conversation invites you to think about the natural process of pregnancy loss in a whole different way. Get ready for a super vulnerable yet empowering conversation that can spark inspiration to start similar conversations in your own community. Topic…