Weird & Dead

Amy Atwater and Meaghan Wetherell

A podcast about evolution's most embarrassing and bizarre stories as told by two very gossipy paleontologists. Amy and Meaghan happily dish the details on everything from fossilized dinosaur butts to the secret drama behind naming new species. Time for the hottest tea from prehistory!

#33 in the Top 100 earth sciences All time chart

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Top 10 Weird & Dead Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Weird & Dead episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Weird & Dead for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Weird & Dead episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Bonus Episode: Chameleons

Weird & Dead

12/31/24 • 28 min

Thanks for an excellent first year! Here’s a bonus episode where Amy demonstrates she’s learned more about Chameleons since we started (kinda). Images are on weirdanddead.com CW: Cursing

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The Secret Shame of Dinosaurs (Fossil Names)

Weird & Dead

02/21/24 • 49 min

Did you know that technically, the name ‘dinosaur’ is a rebrand? The original name was a lot more... wrinkly. In this episode we discuss how to name fossils and bring up the funniest fossil names we could find. CW: Cursing. Discussion of European colonization and Native Americans. Many references to genitalia.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Eggs

Weird & Dead

03/13/24 • 46 min

...and then some. From the eggs of the platypus to the eggs of dinosaurs, we’ll talk about how eggs are formed, why humans don’t lay them, and of course, why the egg definitely came before the chicken. CW: Placentas and afterbirth, body fluids, cursing

How Fossil Lemurs Got Across Oceans

Weird & Dead

01/24/24 • 48 min

Throughout time we find evidence that animals made it to other continents seemingly by crossing vast oceans. In this episode we talk all about how animals can survive these strange events of accidental seafaring, and how the odds are always stacked against them. CW: Cruel research methods (not ours!), inbreeding, death.

How to Preserve a Fossil Fish in The Weirdest Way Possible

Weird & Dead

01/31/24 • 37 min

Sometimes paleontology is awe-inspiring. Sometimes it’s gross and hilarious. This episode is at the weird epicenter of all of those things, because it turns out the best preserved fossil sturgeons are found up the rear end of duck-billed dinosaurs. CONTENT WARNINGS: Hemorrhoids, butt jokes, maligning archeologists, misinterpreting a cloaca as a butthole for the purposes [...]

Fossil Forensics

Weird & Dead

09/11/24 • 56 min

Bones are sick – and this time, we mean it literally. From infected bite marks to the ever-prevalent markings of tuberculosis, we’re talking about the signs of illnesses and injuries in fossils and what they tell us about the lives (and deaths) of these animals. CW: Cancer, infections and pus, injuries, animal suffering

The Burgess Shale

Weird & Dead

09/25/24 • 49 min

500 some million years ago the world was full of ‘abnormal shrimp’ and ‘blunt feet’ and other animals that defy comprehensible definitions. In this episode we talk all about the mind-boggling biology and bizarre geology of the Cambrian. CW: Drug references, cursing, dead animals, cavalier jokes at the expense of white men, dick jokes

Thick Thighs and Body Size

Weird & Dead

03/20/24 • 48 min

From dinosaurs to rhinos to bugs, things used to get a whole lot bigger than they seem to today. In this episode we talk all about evolutionary constraints, the narrow set of bumper bars enforced on us by biology. CW: Body fluids. Using the term bug incorrectly (sorry entomologists). Cursing.

Fossil Brainz

Weird & Dead

07/17/24 • 44 min

How much do we really know about the brains of ancient animals? In this episode we dive into the fantastic world of endocasts, aka, brain impressions! CW: soft tissue, cursing, Nanotyrannus, brief mention of the Nazis in regards to Tilly Edinger

Weird & Dead Trailer

Weird & Dead

06/04/24 • 1 min

On this podcast we dish the details on the wildest stories that 500 million years of evolution have to offer. The grosser, the better! That said, this podcast is not intended for kids and is rated E for strong language and crude senses of humor. Season 2 begins 6-19-2024!

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FAQ

How many episodes does Weird & Dead have?

Weird & Dead currently has 23 episodes available.

What topics does Weird & Dead cover?

The podcast is about Earth Sciences, Podcasts and Science.

What is the most popular episode on Weird & Dead?

The episode title 'Bonus Episode: Chameleons' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Weird & Dead?

The average episode length on Weird & Dead is 46 minutes.

How often are episodes of Weird & Dead released?

Episodes of Weird & Dead are typically released every 14 days.

When was the first episode of Weird & Dead?

The first episode of Weird & Dead was released on Jan 24, 2024.

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Weird &amp; Dead

Amy Atwater and Meaghan Wetherell

Top 10 Weird &amp; Dead Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Weird &amp; Dead have?

What topics does Weird &amp; Dead cover?

What is the most popular episode on Weird &amp; Dead?

What is the average episode length on Weird &amp; Dead?

How often are episodes of Weird &amp; Dead released?

When was the first episode of Weird &amp; Dead?

Comments

Weird & Dead

Top 10 Weird & Dead Episodes

How many episodes does Weird & Dead have?

What topics does Weird & Dead cover?

What is the most popular episode on Weird & Dead?

What is the average episode length on Weird & Dead?

How often are episodes of Weird & Dead released?

When was the first episode of Weird & Dead?