Evolution Talk

Rick Coste

Everything you wanted to know about evolution by natural selection in short, easy to digest, episodes. Hosted, and produced by writer Rick Coste.

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167 episodes
Updated July 20

Episodes167

Newest first

Dec 11, 2023 · 11 min
The Case of the Missing Chromosomes
Our story starts with cells. Not our cells but the cells of our closest relatives. The great apes. Within the nucleus of their cells the great apes have 24 chromosome pairs. We have 23 pairs. If we share a common ancestor, what happened to the missing chromosomes? Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Firefly by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Crusty Lily by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Horn Haze by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Poof by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
Nov 27, 2023 · 13 min
Suboptimal Design
Vestigial features and atavistic traits are all evidence of our past. They are glimpses into a species distant past. We have nature and evolution by natural selection to thank for it. But nature's not perfect. It makes mistakes. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Epiphany by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Floating by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Chimera by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Curious Process by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Tentative Cloud by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
Nov 13, 2023 · 13 min
About Those Fingerprints
When it comes to personal IDs, we have many. There's your driver's license, passport, online username, among other human-made forms of proving who you are. Then there are those that nature gave you that's yours and yours alone. Like your DNA. And then there are your fingerprints. Other than leaving incriminating evidence behind if you've committed a crime and weren't careful enough to wipe them away or wear gloves, what are fingerprints good for? Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Swingland by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6625-swingland, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 009 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8224-cinematic-suspense-series-episode-009, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Ambient Bongos by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4726-ambient-bongos, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The Inspector by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9176-the-inspector, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Blue Sky U Liar 106 by Doudoo, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11436-blue-sky-u-liar-106, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Oct 30, 2023 · 10 min
What's Old is New Again
Attics aren't the only places you'll find old secrets from the past, begging to be rediscovered or let out. You have them in you as well. I'm not talking about the the type of secrets you keep to yourself and only tell close friends. I'm talking about those like the ones you'll find in old attics. Secrets you don't even know are there. These secrets are locked in your DNA. Every once in a while, those secrets come back to haunt us. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Swingland by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6625-swingland, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 009 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8224-cinematic-suspense-series-episode-009, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Ambient Bongos by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4726-ambient-bongos, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The Inspector by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9176-the-inspector, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Blue Sky U Liar 106 by Doudoo, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11436-blue-sky-u-liar-106, Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Oct 16, 2023 · 10 min
The Ants Have It
Ants have mastered the art of cooperation. They have highly organized social structures, caste systems, and with everything they do, they do for the colony. They are in a sense, a superorganism with each ant contributing to benefit of colony, like cells in a functioning body. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Winjammer by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Mute Groove by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Memory Wind by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
Oct 2, 2023 · 15 min
Reading, Writing, & Evolution
Evolution by natural selection is not perfect, nor does it strive to be. It doesn't strive to be anything at all. An adaptation that is beneficial under one set of circumstances may be a detriment under another. There are also some wonderful by products - like reading and writing. Did we evolve to read and write? Once again, imperfection reigns. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Gathering by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Ideas by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com In And Out by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Bright White by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Go Little Car by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
Sep 18, 2023 · 9 min
Playing Dead
If you've ever heard the phrase "play possum", you may know it means to feign death. It's real thing. Possums do it, as do sharks, ants, and a multitude of other animals. It's a defense mechanisms shaped by evolution. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Go Little Car by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Dinky by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Arp Arc by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Ant Party by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
Sep 4, 2023 · 11 min
Why Teach Evolution?
With the start of a new season of episodes, I thought it appropriate to revisit why I created this podcast in the first place with the question - "Why Teach Evolution?" Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Kingston Town by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Breezin by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Wook by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Mute Groove by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
Jun 26, 2023 · 55 sec
Summer Break
It's time for a summer break. There will be some exciting new video content coming up as well. You can keep up to date on all that is happening at Evolutiontalk.com ! Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.
Jun 19, 2023 · 12 min
Did the Homo Naledi Bury Their Dead?
The Homo Naledi have been intriguing scientists since their discovery in 2013, challenging our understanding of early human life. In this episode, we explore the burning question: how did they end up in the incredibly difficult-to-reach Dinaledi chamber? From the possibility of using fire to lighting their way to the evidence of intentional burial, we are slowly uncovering the secrets Homo Naledi left behind. We delve into their potential cognitive abilities, including abstract thinking and symbolic thought, and what their burial rituals could mean about their understanding of mortality. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Whimsy Groove by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4623-whimsy-groove, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Nightdreams by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4132-nightdreams, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Crowd Hammer by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4983-crowd-hammer, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jun 12, 2023 · 10 min
Nature's Halloween Party
Dive into the mysterious world of Batesian mimicry, where harmless creatures masquerade as dangerous ones to survive. Journey with us from Britain's south coast, where hoverflies fool predators with wasp-like outfits, to the deceptive bands of the scarlet kingsnake in southeastern US. Marvel at the daytime antics of clearwing moths, mistaken for bees, and question the taste of the Viceroy butterfly, a monarch look-alike. As the lines between disguise and reality blur, we explore the intriguing dance of adaptation and survival in the animal kingdom. It's nature's never-ending Halloween party. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Halloween Atmosphere 2018 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3234-halloween-atmosphere-2018, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Ghost Of The Dead Ballerina by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8269-halloween-ghost-of-the-dead-ballerina, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Theme 1 by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4735-halloween-theme-1, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Atmosphere by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/87-halloween-atmosphere, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Halloween Haunted House by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6615-halloween-haunted-house, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Jun 5, 2023 · 8 min
Gene Flow: The Recipe of Life
When a vibrant caravan of travelers arrives with new foods, traditions, and stories, a sleepy hamlet's culinary landscape is forever altered. We explore how this 'mixing of recipes' changes the DNA menu of a population, much like the newfound dishes in Heritage Hamlet. Here's to a feast for both your mind and your curiosity. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Le Baguette by Alexander Nakarada, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4784-le-baguette, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
May 29, 2023 · 14 min
The Bone Wars
Discover "Fossils, Feuds, and Fantastical Creatures: The Cope and Marsh Saga." Journey back to 1863 Berlin, where Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh kickstart a rivalry for the ages. Originally friends, their bond fractures at a New Jersey fossil quarry, escalating into a public spat that seizes the paleontological world. Tune in for this thrilling ride into history, dinosaurs, and the power of human rivalry. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Meanwhile in Bavaria by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4028-meanwhile-in-bavaria. License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Lost In The Dark by Steven OBrien, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10010-lost-in-the-dark, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Summer Swing 2018 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3160-summer-swing-2018, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Tick Tock Tick Tock Quarantine Time by WinnieTheMoog, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6145-tick-tock-tick-tock-quarantine-time, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Jazzy Comping 1 by Agnese Valmaggia, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7330-jazzy-comping-1, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Jazzi 3 by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8069-jazzi-3, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
May 23, 2023 · 27 sec
Get 25% off the Evolution Talk Book until June 8!
You can get 25% off the Evolution Talk book at Amazon! The discount is good until June 8th. If you buy one let me know what you think! Have a great week! Rick Link to Evolution Talk book: https://amzn.to/3MJTJ9h
May 22, 2023 · 10 min
Our Reptilian Brain?
From the quiet roads of New Hampshire, where snapping turtles are more common than lizards, to the depths of our evolutionary past, we'll grapple with the idea that we may still carry a piece of our reptilian ancestors within us. But don't be too quick to believe popular pop-psychology. We'll explore what the Triune Brain model tells us about our so-called "reptilian brain" and how it shapes our instinctual responses. We'll question if there's a lurking Allosaurus within our minds or if it's just an oversimplification of a complex organ. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Frogs by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Go Little Car by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com Twinkle Toes by Podington Bear, License (CC BY 3.0): Artist website: soundofpicture.com
May 15, 2023 · 9 min
It's All One Song
Using the metaphor of a simple beat evolving into a complex symphony, we explore how small-scale genetic changes within populations give rise to new species. From microevolution to macroevolution. Here, the role of natural selection is handed over to the discerning ears of different audiences to select the music that survives and evolves. From a simple beat to a grand symphony, we trace the evolution of life. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy. Music in this Episode Jazzi by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6469-jazzi, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Road Trip by Frank Schroeter, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9761-road-trip, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Trickster by Phat Sounds, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Midsummer's Night In The Woods by Justin Allan Arnold, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10882-midsummers-night-in-the-woods, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license We Love Punk Rock by WinnieTheMoog, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6369-we-love-punk-rock, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Summer Swing 2018 by Sascha Ende, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3160-summer-swing-2018, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod, Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama, License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
May 8, 2023 · 10 min
The Grand Tapestry of Macroevolution
In this episode, the focus is on macroevolution, which deals with larger scale evolutionary changes compared to microevolution. Macroevolutionary changes can give rise to new species, and its results can be seen in the fossil record. By piecing together fossils, researchers can observe macroevolutionary patterns, predict transitional organisms, and even locate potential fossil sites. Whales provide a compelling look at macroevolution, as their evolution from land-dwelling mammals to aquatic giants is documented in the fossil record. The journey of whales, from the wolf-sized Pakicetus to the fully aquatic Basilosaurus, showcases the power of macroevolution. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.
May 1, 2023 · 10 min
The Dance of the Alleles
The constant dance of microevolution is driven by alleles, different versions of genes that determine traits. Sexual reproduction results in organisms inheriting a unique combination of genetic material from both parents, creating genetic diversity within a population. New alleles can appear through mutations or gene flow between populations. The dance of alleles will continue, introducing new traits and variations in the ongoing story of evolution. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.
Apr 24, 2023 · 10 min
Where There Is No Light
In 2015,a spelunker named Joachim Kreiselmaier discovered a troglobite, a species that lives in underground environments, in the Danube-Aach cave system in South Germany. This small, pale fish had an elongated body, large nostrils, and minuscule, non-functional eyes. It was the first species of cave fish found in Europe and was related to loaches from the nearby Danube River. These cave fish lost their eyesight and pigmentation not because they stopped needing them, but due to evolution by natural selection. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.
Apr 17, 2023 · 10 min
The Galapagos & Adaptive Radiation
On September 15, 1835, the Galapagos Islands welcomed the arrival of a ship that had traversed South America, offering a strikingly different landscape. The vessel, HMS Beagle, still had just over a year before it would return to England. Aboard the ship was a young naturalist named Charles Darwin, who was unaware that his brief five-week exploration of the Galapagos Archipelago would ultimately inspire him to pen a world-altering book. This work would revolutionize our comprehension of the origins and diversity of the countless species that have existed and continue to exist on Earth. Evolution Talk is also a book! You can find links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and others on the front page of EvolutionTalk.com, or call your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy.