The Common Descent Podcast

205 episodes · 4 with AI analysis

Join David and Will as they explore the paleontologists’ perspective on various topics in life and earth history. Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more. Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related to paleontology and evolution. Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by subscribers on Patreon. New episodes with new topics every fortnight!

AI Intelligence · across all analyzed episodes

People · top 20

Companies · top 4

Hachette Harvard Forest University of Tennessee, Knoxville Women's Foundation of Minnesota

Topics · top 10

Gastropod anatomy and physiologyTorsion and detorsion in mollusk developmentRadula structure and functionShell morphology and convergent evolutionPredatory gastropod strategiesCone snail venom and neurotoxinsFreshwater and terrestrial transitionsMesozoic Marine RevolutionGastropod fossil record and paleontologyShell-drilling predation evidence

Analyzed Episodes

Jan 4, 2026

Episode 234 - Snails and Slugs

Gastropod anatomy and physiologyTorsion and detorsion in mollusk developmentRadula structure and function

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Jan 18, 2026

Episode 235 - Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plant adaptations and morphologyAerenchyma tissue and gas exchange in submerged plantsSeagrass meadow ecosystems and biodiversity

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Feb 1, 2026

Episode 236 - Chalicotheres

Chalicothere paleontology and evolutionPerissodactyl phylogenetics and relationshipsConvergent evolution in mammals

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Feb 7, 2026

Pok-É – Lugia

Speculative Evolution of Fictional CreaturesTheropod Dinosaur Anatomy and AdaptationSecondary Aquatic Adaptation in Vertebrates

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