This podcast is the most delightful balance between cute witty comedy, science, learning and fun facts. Always puts me in the best mood and I learn something new every episode.

The best episode is the Jack London episode so far! I had to stop listening to the most recent episode and start from the beginning to feel complete. Even though Alie missed a *ding* in a Jack London mention, I still love this podcast.

Guys I do not exaggerate when I say that this podcast will save your life! I’m a new fan who has been listening to the podcasts from oldest to newest and I just finished the epidemiology episode. It was such an eerie podcast to listen to during COVID times, but SO SO SO informative. I firmly believe that we could have bet COVID a while ago if everyone just listened to that episode.

Thank you Alie for making science fun. I’ve always loved it, but your podcast has expanded my love for it.

I love this podcast. I can’t decide if I love the content or the host more so we will say it’s a combination of the two. You can learn about ALL THE THINGS. There’s even kid friendly versions of the episodes. Do I play them in my classroom during our science block while the kids are cutting and gluing assignments in their notebooks? Maybe. Do I listen to full episodes in the shower, while doing dishes, or on my way to work? Also maybe.

You should maybe do this too.

As a person who can never stop learning but ran out of money for any more degrees, I loveee this podcast. I’ve learned so much about so many new subjects. I wish this podcast would’ve existed before I chose my career path, but maybe not because I would just want to do everything. Thank you Alie! You’re a knowledge goddess.

It is powerful to learn from those of who have such passion for their field. This show finds individuals who’s passion will make you fall in love with what they are passionate about regardless of how boring you might think it is at the start of the podcast. Thank you for bringing these people into my life.

I’m in awe at how this podcast manages to get a whole community to rally around even the most niche, off-the-wall fields of study every week without fail. And nothing compares to running into an Ologite in the wild: I recently went in for a fairly scary doctor’s appointment, and though I was all nerves and trembles, I was delighted to see the medical assistant wearing an Ologies t-shirt. We had A Moment™️. It was very sweet. After getting a bit of shocking news, I was more than grateful to have already bonded in dorkdom with the very sweet fellow Ologite, who handled my flustered mess like a real champ. I’ve had my fair share of really bad healthcare experiences, but they held space and offered comfort and helped address the stigma and misconceptions around whatever the heck my body was up to. And ain’t that the Ologies ethos? Myth-bustin’, empathy havin’, space makin’? This podcast transcends all the puns and cloacas and dumb questions and smart people and the fascinating minutiae of a range of topics that I’d never even thought to think about. (And B., if you’re reading/listening, thank you for being lovely as heck amid my Big Feelings. I am okay, and you helped me get there.)

Ologies gives me a brain boner. The wondrous combination of information and entertainment gives me mental climax every time I listen…wow!

Just started listening about a week ago, and I’m currently listening from the beginning. Call me a nerd but I actually yelled when I saw that one of the episodes was on phonology! As a linguistics student specifically studying phonology I was overjoyed to hear about a topic I care so much about. And my sister absolutely loved the shark episode as well :) Keep being great, internet dad Alie!

My kids love this type of content so it’s very disappointing that the host has to swear - it doesn’t add any value to the show and excludes a great group that would otherwise love to listen.

I don’t like birds, they freak me out. But when Alie Ward talks to someone about them I’m sucked into a whirlwind of fascinating learning and it is an ABSOLUTE JOY, and I think about it everytime a local raven (crow?) appears to be using a cross walk. I thought sharks were cool but they’re also AMAZING! Fear, bees, trees? Yes! Tell me more! Thank you PodDad, for being my portable discovery learning fun times.

Your old dad Alie makes any topic interesting. I'm started listening to the oldest episodes first and somehow just got to the 100th episode. I love Alie's enthusiasm and fun asides. The only thing that bothers me is the editing is a bit sketchy sometimes. On some episodes, the same clip sometimes repeats a second time randomly. I know Alie credits Steven Rey Morris with the editing, but he's not doing a great job. I can't take any stars away for that because the show is so good. Keep it up Alie! Burbye.

This podcast gets me through tedious work days and also makes my brain happy because Alie is so funny. Keep it up Dad Ward!!

I love listening to Ologies going to and from work. It’s calming and exciting at the same time. Love Alie’s voice and listening to her thorough and adorable way of interviewing people.

I attribute this podcast for helping me thru the pain while running the 2021 London Marathon, which I ran just 1 week after also doing the Berlin Marathon (hence the pain). The Pyrothecnology episode was the third podcast I listened during the race, and by the time it ended I was probably near the 20 mile mark, so in order to continue to distract me from the pain on my legs I imagine having a conversation with Miss Ward commenting on the race, including a very dad joke when passing Buckingham Palace of one of us saying “fancy house. I wonder if someone famous lives there”.

I decided to write this review about the analgesic properties of this podcast after listening to last week episode about Dolorology, the lessons of which I will take in consideration in my general medical practice.

Dr. Gabriel E. Sucre

P.S.: may I be bold as to suggest a future episode about the science of marathons, whatever that it might be (probably a combination of different ones like kinesiology, sports psychology, and others).

My favorite podcast! Thank you for talking about the most interesting and helpful things: and the episode on pain was so fascinating, loved it. Stay weird!

I can’t remember how I came across the ologies podcast but I’m so glad I did. I’m still binging the never ending library of knowledge and wisdom. Ol’ dad ward never fails to educate us and make us laugh in the same instance. I share the things I learn and always guide folks to this here podcast with the guarantee that they will learn way more then they ever did in school. So many topic I thought, hmm idk bout this one only to kick myself after the fact thinking, alright alright you got me that was a good one. For what it’s worth, I just switched back to apple from an android and google doesn’t allow ratings so you best believe the first thing I did was come give the podcast a glowing recommendation. Thank you ma’am for not giving up on your dream.

this is so cool to listen to while I can! I feel like Alie is my best friend!

I binge listen at work and you’re podcast is the main reason I love going in, ok let’s be honest the only reason. I feel so smart learning all of these thing I had no clue on but they’re hilarious and insightful so I forgot that I’m learning. I’ve never written a review before on anything but we’ll here I am. Great job! Excited to keep listening!

I have been a huge Ologies fan for a few years and always learn something new. Lately I’ve been doing interviews with professors and students as I apply for PhD programs. After dozens of these I find myself running out of questions but with plenty of time on the clock. The answer? I just think “what would Alie Ward do next?” and always find a good question that moves it forward. Thanks for teaching me everything from how to trick my brain to be happier, weird animal mating habits, and how to interview smart people!

Alie Ward, affectionately known as your podcast-dad, or dad ward, for her quirky, punny humor, has become the inner-child voice in my head and someone I frequently tell strangers about, as if I know her and have coffee with her weekly. (In my DREAMS).This series will invigorate your love for knowledge and learning, self improvement and open mindedness . there are absolutely zero “science” pre-requisites needed to devour each and every episode, and feel like an expert on super niche subjects an hour later. Alie is the most down to earth person, while also shining the brightest light on everyone she meets. So REAL and kind, the mission behind this show is charitable and is honestly changing, and healing the world. alie , I love you, let’s actually get coffee sometime, my treat! - Beth

Thank you for having Dr. Zoffness (sp?) on this show. I’ve been struggling with chronic coccyx pain for over 8 years now and it’s been a soul-sucking nightmare. It IS incredibly isolating and exhausting. When she kept saying that chronic pain is treatable and not to lose hope, that hit me right in the feels because after years of trying everything I could find, I had definitely lost hope. I literally had a surgeon tell me that it was probably never going to get any better - that f*%k-wad. I bought her workbook and look forward to feeling hopeful again.

Longtime listener, first time commenter here. I’ve loved Ologies for ages and totally nerd out on all the topics. It’s my happy place. But I was finally moved to post a review today when my 8yo and I listened to the Smologies “Paleontology” episode on our way to get his first vaccine dose. As the intro started and Dadward introduced herself, my small person piped up, “Alie Ward?! That’s my science friend!” He had recently binge-watched all the Brainchild episodes and was tickled to hear Alie on the podcast. He is a HUGE fan! Thanks for including shorter eps that my short-attention-span kidlet and I can enjoy together. We love our Science Friend!

I love this podcast to pieces!! Allie, you are a beautiful and witty woman of science and you leave me feeling enlightened every time. It’s also so amazing to have a place where I can learn and enjoy learning without due dates and grades to ruin the fun. But also, Father Ward, you need to stop being so good because after every episode I feel so passionate about the subject that I want to change my major. Very dangerous, but I listen every week anyways. Love you and the amazing work you do!

Very interesting show. Interesting guests and interviews. Thank you for making the “clean” version that I can listen with my kids.

However, the podcast needs some editing help. Sometimes the level is too low. Sometimes the host’s level is fine, but the guess is barely legible. Last show, about pain, had a lot of loops.

I love this podcast! I first learned about it on a Fbook group about pollinators. I have learned SO much since subscribing! I sent the wasp episode to a friend, the mushrooms one AND just sent the pain episode to three people in my family today. Love Ologies 4evr! 💜

Alie (aka dad ward) is interested in all the ologies. And she will make you interested too. Even in ologies that sound “meh”. Why are you still reading the review? Go check it out.

Alie Ward’s “Ologies” podcast brings to light sciences you may not have been aware of and speaks with the experts! I learned about the sciences behind fandom, octopuses, nature photography and, in the most recent episode, pain. I learn something new each and every episode and Alie keeps the subject entertaining and informative. This is a “good for you” podcast that is actually good!

(And Alie, please keep reading the ad copies yourself. Your copy is better than the ones done by someone else…)

Ologies is a little piece of nerd joy every week. It makes you want to be her friend, and ask smart people nerdy questions. I found it a year ago and I’m working my way through the archives. Choose a topic and take a listen, you will not be disappointed.

You know when you go to pick up your coffee and it’s perfect? Freshly brewed, just the right temp, exact right amount of cream and sugar? Alie Ward and Ologies is the perfect cup of coffee. Relevant, smart, and funny. What more do you need in a podcast?

Love this show so much. Love hearing people just nerd out about things they love. Especially loved the episode on pain. (I’m an ER doc and it honestly will affect how I treat patients with chronic pain in my daily practice.)

I enjoyed this show till she started asking everyone for their pronouns

This podcast is amazing!! i listen to it all the time :) This podcast teaches me new things everytime i listen to it. i kid you not i’ll be working out at the gym while listening to different ways we can help our ocean survive! This is my favorite thing everrr

BEST podcast for my adhd encyclopedic heart! I am a senior in collegé and the only ~CaREer gOaL~ I’m 100% sure about is becoming a fan favorite ologist. Thanks for constantly reminding me how cool earth is. Also my greatest fear is having my comment read on an episode I skipped,,, so if you choose it… pls PLEASE read it for something AWESOME :) like electromagnetic wavelengths? idk or cannabis, just saying!

*sings*

Old Von Podward has a podcast

O-L-O-G-Y

And on that pod she had some facts

O-L-O-G-Y

With a science fact here, and a science fact there

Here a fact, there a fact, everywhere a science fact

Old Von Podward has a podcast

O-L-O-G-Y

(I can’t prove it but I even wrote this before Smologies was published)

This podcast has quite literally changed my life. I deal with adhd and cptsd, which means that silence and boredom do things to my brain that are just the opposite of rootin tootin. Episodes of Ologies are like smooth, magical, executive-function-enabling jazz for my brain. Whether I need something fascinating so I can take care of the house or something comforting to pull me out of post-flashback sads, the dulcet voice of my father, Alie Ward, is always sure to make my day better. Thank you for teaching me new things and making my brain a chiller place to be.

Twelve year old boy humor meets Hermoine Granger in science class meets constantly realizing other people have way cooler jobs than you. Ologies is delightful, insightful, and a kick in the butt to not wait around to explore the things you love and think are cool.

Life is stressful when you’re helplessly experiencing the industrial-human fueled mass extinction…and trying to find a job, career, love and fulfillment and sometimes I need a gd break.

I don’t know a better life release valve than Ologies. My happy place is a learning environment and I’m enthralled every episode and able to muster the gumpshin for one more day. I learned my patronus is a musk deer and I have you (and two Rhiannons) to thank!

10/10 recommend! Amazing podcast full of weird and wonderful facts that you’ll immediately want to share. I got my dad to listen, and his favorite episode is the one on butts. I would have to agree.

I have been listening to Ologies with Alie Ward to practice my English. I improved my English skills and learned a lot of interesting science so far! Thank you so much for making this podcast Alie Ward! -Myook His

I listen to a lot of podcasts, but never have I listened to one that makes me laugh so hard with joy I cry during almost every episode. Maybe that says more about me than your podcast but I find it quite the endorsement. Each ologist feeds my brain wonderful nuggets of information I did not know existed so thank you for Alie Ward for coaxing these blessings out of them. Anyone who wants to know something about anything should listen to this.

If it wasn’t for you Alie I wouldn’t know so much about random topics. Man I love that you have the curiosity to look for these ologists and ask them so many question.

I have learned so much from this 5-star banger of a podcast. It opens my eyes every day to the wonder of all the things around us, reminds me to be grateful I get to experience this world as a sentient bunch of very lucky atoms, and teaches me to stay curious, playful and open.

I’ve been saving my review for this particular day because it’s Alie’s birthday !!! I’ve had a reminder in my calendar for almost a year. Happy birthday, Alie! And it’s also my birthday! I’m so glad to share it with the best podcast Dad. Thank you, Alie and Ologies crew, for making a show that makes me feel like every episode is a perfect, surprising, lovely gift—each week!!!

I love this podcast. I’ve listened for years and it’s taken me so long to write how wonderful Alie and her work are, and for this I apologize. Thank you for giving me exciting new facts to share with my students (I’m a World Language teacher) and helping clear up misconceptions for the younger generations. Also, if you ever want a “polyglotologist” on the show (study of learning 6+ languages, I am super game.

After 20 years of taking, ugh who knows how many, 911 calls and listening to hundreds of people on public safety radios, I started riding around in silence. My ears just hurt after listening to panicked voices and constant yelling. Picture the Grinch grumping about the noise from Whoville.

On an impromptu trip to AZ over the summer, my partners’ sister suggested I give Ologies a try and it was the best advice ever. Alie has a voice that is comforting, like warm soup in my ears and now I am thankful that I have an hour+ commute to my new job.

Ologies is making me a more interesting person as I share all of the fun new facts I am learning with everyone I talk to. Thanks, Dad Ward!

Thank you for making a lot of “boring” subjects so fun and enjoyable to listen to!! I’m absolutely hooked!!

I love Ologies and I love Alie Ward. I was coming down from a psychedelic high on Wednesday and felt like I needed to hear something comforting while relaxing in my sweats and fuzzy socks. I put on the episode on Sparklebuttology and I don’t know if it was the sparkly imagery, Alie’s voice, or the sheer fact that I live in a world where someone would make content just so we can learn about things we would never otherwise learn, but I cried out of gratefulness. Thanks Ali ❤️ 100/100 would recommend.

This podcast! Just when I’m starting to feel sad or cynical about life, I’ll listen to an episode about Tasmanian devils and hear their call and the ologists laugh and feel the wonder of the world open up to me again and beg me to be motivated by life and not saddened by it. We need more scientists and science communicators out there doing this good work. I hope to join the ranks soon thanks to this podcast. Bats and cave ecology here I come! Thanks alie for your genius brain, and incredible interviews and charming asides, they are so needed. Now onto the next episode!!

I don’t know how good ol’ Dad Ward comes up with some of her explanatory analogies! They are hilariously understandable, always informative, and frankly, scientific and comedic genius. Alie presents information in a digestible way & has great chemistry with all of the amazing Ologists that she hosts. I would love to study all different fields of science & life, but since I can’t, Ologies gives me the best educational & hilarious content I could ask for! I finish every episode wondering if I should go back to school. She’s so good at getting you engaged & interested in literally any topic.

Also, her disdain for raw tomatoes is also the best explanation for why is also hate raw tomatoes. We’re bonded.