Origin Stories

389

Explore human evolution one story at a time. This award-winning show blends storytelling with science that will change your understanding of who we are.

Recent Episodes
  • Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2024
    Dec 24, 2024 – 37:27
  • Lucy
    Nov 27, 2024 – 28:56
  • Ape Medicine
    Oct 8, 2024 – 23:51
  • The First Story
    Aug 30, 2024 – 29:23
  • Understanding Neanderthals
    Jun 6, 2024 – 43:09
  • The Story of Human Hair
    Apr 30, 2024 – 35:27
  • The Musical Ape
    Apr 2, 2024 – 26:54
  • Custodian of the Ancestors
    Feb 27, 2024 – 32:49
  • A Brief History of Bling
    Jan 31, 2024 – 26:38
  • Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2023
    Dec 27, 2023 – 44:01
  • Siblings
    Oct 31, 2023 – 30:33
  • Fatherhood
    Sep 26, 2023 – 30:13
  • Motherhood
    Aug 29, 2023 – 29:35
  • Boomplaas Cave - Bonus Interview
    Aug 2, 2023 – 34:08
  • Field School Diaries
    Jul 6, 2023 – 33:13
  • The Hobbit
    May 30, 2023 – 30:14
  • A Giganto Mystery
    Mar 28, 2023 – 27:21
  • The New Metabolism
    Mar 1, 2023 – 27:32
  • Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2022
    Jan 31, 2023 – 35:05
  • Origin Stories is back!
    Jan 24, 2023 – 01:49
  • First Steps at Laetoli
    May 17, 2022 – 27:11
  • Discovering Us
    Feb 25, 2022 – 23:21
  • Episode 59: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2021
    Dec 21, 2021 – 31:16
  • Episode 58: Biruté Mary Galdikas - 50 Years with Orangutans
    Nov 9, 2021 – 33:48
  • Entre Chien et Loup: How Dogs Began
    Oct 5, 2021 – 54:02
  • Bonus Episode: Short and Sweat
    Sep 29, 2021 – 17:30
  • Episode 55: Monkeys Get Creative
    Jul 7, 2021 – 22:40
  • Episode 54: The Obstetrical Dilemma
    Jun 4, 2021 – 34:42
  • Sleep and the Moon
    May 7, 2021 – 28:27
  • How to Study an Endangered Species
    Mar 27, 2021 – 28:02
  • Episode 51: The Teeth Remember
    Mar 2, 2021 – 20:35
  • Episode 50: Understanding Neanderthals
    Feb 1, 2021 – 43:19
  • Episode 49: Exercise
    Dec 31, 2020 – 36:23
  • Episode 48: Ancestor (rerelease)
    Nov 27, 2020 – 25:26
  • Episode 47: Skin
    Nov 3, 2020 – 01:07:50
  • Episode 46: Interview with María Martinón-Torres
    Sep 30, 2020 – 09:38
  • Episode 45: Detective of the Dead
    Aug 28, 2020 – 40:39
  • Episode 44: Custodian of the Ancestors
    Jul 30, 2020 – 33:40
  • We Eat Bugs
    May 29, 2020 – 28:35
  • Episode 42: The Cave Punan
    Apr 8, 2020 – 34:40
  • Episode 41: Tribes Old and New
    Feb 29, 2020 – 22:58
  • Episode 40: The Denisovans
    Nov 28, 2019 – 31:48
  • Piltdown Man
    Oct 31, 2019 – 37:00
  • Episode 38: From the Archive - Louis Leakey
    Aug 7, 2019 – 31:56
  • Episode 37: From the Archive - Mary Leakey
    Jun 14, 2019 – 46:24
  • Episode 36: From the Archive - Tepilit Ole Saitoti
    Mar 14, 2019 – 56:13
  • Episode 35: From the Archive - Raymond Dart
    Feb 14, 2019 – 31:44
  • Episode 34: From the Archive - Margaret Mead
    Jan 10, 2019 – 51:41
  • Episode 33: From the Archive - Dian Fossey
    Dec 13, 2018 – 54:01
  • Episode 32: From the Archive - Carl Sagan
    Nov 29, 2018 – 48:06
Recent Reviews
  • Sara1265
    Great podcast!
    I just started listening to this podcast and it is amazing! I have always found human evolution fascinating, I’m so glad I stumbled upon it!
  • Leupold Vortex
    Really gets you thinking
    This is a podcast that stays with me days/weeks/ even years later. Each episode challenges me to think about who we are as humans and has totally flipped what I always thought the answers were.
  • Delfizzo
    Love it!
    I stumbled upon this show a couple of days ago, and I’m so glad the stories are amazing and eye opening. So many aha moments. You won’t regret listening to its episodes!
  • Jra4776
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Just found this podcast and I love it. Extremely fascinating & educational. Definitely recommend
  • yoga.aha
    Fascinating & factual!
    Fascinating & excellent & factual.
  • Dee bothell
    Amazing
    My new obsession!! So fascinating
  • Joey Bari
    Awesome keep them coming.
    Awesome keep them coming.
  • AustinHomebrew
    Every Episode
    Every Episode is clear, full of relevant content and enjoyable to listen to. One of my favorites. I was glad to see them resume after Dr. Leakey’s passing ( rest in peace ).
  • cjrf99
    Incredible podcast
    I absolutely love this podcast, and I was so sad when new episodes weren’t coming out. It’s absolutely fascinating and brings me closer to the natural world. I hope content continues long into the future.
  • ginnibug70
    I’m in love!
    Insanely Awesome!!!! Can’t express how great this podcast is. Phenomenal
  • djsnndk
    Beautiful podcast
    Fascinating topics. I can even get my 5 year old to pay attention and wonder with me about our ancestors from days gone by
  • Amy555
    Best human origins podcast
    Origin Stories is full of fascinating, thought-provoking episodes about what it means to be human. No other podcast compares when it comes to exploring humanity’s ancient past. This has quickly become one of my favorite science podcasts!
  • CAMarathonRunner
    Simply captivating
    Excellent episodes about who, where, and why we are. Interesting topics, engaging guests, and informative, science-based content. Episodes are not too long and (mostly) move along clearly and concisely with discussions and explanations. Would love to have new episodes more often and at a regular frequency. Highly recommended for teachers, students, and anthropology enthusiasts!
  • sciencepyar
    Love this
    Very inspirational
  • Bran L K
    Fantastic podcast!
    Great podcast! Highly recommended!
  • Rebekah Kohlhepp
    My favorite podcast
    I love Origin Stories. Strange as it may sounds I think the podcast in general is very soothing, from the narrator’s voice to the educational content. This is seriously underrated!!
  • Fizzimajig
    So interesting and entertaining!
    I got hooked and sucked in from the 1st episode!
  • Gobks
    Great
    Wonderful science, captivating storytelling, great links, and sound design is first class.
  • Paul Cronan
    Absolutely excellent
    Thoughtful, deep stories that are always full of discovery and surprise.
  • StamfordNewby
    Always interesting
    My favorite episode is still the Rising Star ep.
  • jbish0
    Highly recommend to every hominin
    I highly enjoy this podcast for engaging topics throughout paleoanthropology, diverse perspectives in the displine and keeping current with new discoveries. As a teaching assistant, I recommend this to all of my students and even assign extra credit for those who want to learn more outside of the classroom. I recommend this for everyone intresed in what makes us human.
  • pacsmanager
    Super Interesting
    I always learn something new when listening. I find the topics super interesting and I always discover something new. I would recommend this to anyone that likes to learn new things about us as humans.
  • Halfdanr
    Awesome podcast!
    All the episodes are easy to listen to and understand even if you don’t have a background in science. But they always manage to pack a ton pf fascinating stuff in every episode! I‘ve learned so much.
  • Bulldogyrocks
    Amazing
    Even if you don’t consider yourself an academic or an expert or anything like that. Everybody will love this podcast. The lack of reviews are criminal.
  • bah da boom
    Archaeology student here
    Hi, as someone who works full time and returned to school full time as an archaeology major, this show reignites my spark for archaeology when I’m feeling overwhelmed with all the work. Its the perfect length for breaks between class and work. It’s also making me drift into a specific discipline of archaeology..
  • Schmitzilla
    ORIGIN
    I love this podcast, its well thought out and the story telling is wonderful. I haven't found a better Science podcast out there yet. Keep em coming!
  • Maurice Frank
    An Outstanding Science Podcast!
    Origins is one of my favorite science podcasts. It's one of the few to focus on biological anthropolgy, especially primate research. The topics are fascinating and covered in depth. The first person researcher pespective makes the stories more human an interesting. And the production quality is top notch. Highly recommended!
  • CaseyJude
    Always interesting- it's about us!
    When I occasionally feel apathy, Origin Stories restores my faith in fellow humans. I look forward to this every week-every episode is well crafted & interesting. I follow up on the interwebs to learn more about the guests. I am so thankful to The Leakey Foundation for this weekly escape & recharge. I think a bi-weekly podcast should be explored! That's how much I love this!
  • Gakgakg
    Well-produced
    So informative because it's relevant! The best educators entertain while they teach, and this surprising podcast does just that. Without gimmicks.
  • Bortles23
    Understand yourself by understanding science
    I just listened to Epsiode 15: The Grandmother Hypothesis and my mind is blown! More, more, more!!
  • Kwistofo
    Great Podcast
    It can be challenging finding interesting and accurate material or media for biological anthropology and human evolution. This is a great podcast for that though. Some day I hope Origin Stories produces a few episodes about DNA or forensics. The molecular side of biological anthropology is the coolest!
  • Sam1012938475
    This podcast is awesome!
    I love the study of the medical basis of evolution. As a medical student, this also helps me conceptualize why our body has become the way it is! So fascinating:)
  • basketrabbit
    Excellent!
    An informative podcast on interesting topics with great scripting, editing, production, and pacing.
  • Miz Luv
    Almost always fascinating
    I just wish they'd publish more often and more regularly!
  • Annie Ohhhh
    For human evolution junkies
    This is an interesting and well-grounded discussion of different aspects of human evolution. I'm really enjoying it. (And I can't listen to politics podcasts all day...)
  • octavehigher
    Great podcast!
    Great podcast!
  • Selchiesinger
    Fascinating!
    Since I just found out about this gem, I was able to binge, and thus kept happy as a clam during my last cleaning job!
  • katerenn
    Fascinating!
    I love this podcast! It makes anthropology accessible, fun to listen to, and incredibly thought provoking. Of course, it’s also very educational. Very well done and interesting show!
  • Paulie Joe
    Fascinating topics and fresh perspectives
    Wonderful podcast. I listened to all 9 existing episodes in one afternoon. Although this is a field I know well, I gained new insight with each show. It's not just the same old retelling of the usual, tired topics. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to hear the next episode.
  • frenchathart
    Yes, add more podcasts!
    Hello, you asked if we enjoyed the last podcast and said you may be able to add more instead of making us wait a month in-between casts. The answer is yes. I love this podcast, please add more!
  • JoelM44
    Wonderful podcast.
    Fantastic stories from a variety of sources on endlessly fascinating topics. The production quality is second to none of all podcasts I've heard (8-10 per week). My only complaint is that I want more, just don't sacrifice the excellent quality for quantity. Thank you for the show.
  • Jalonzo444
    Fabulous. Interesting. Professionally Produced
    Great new podcast. Can't wait for each new episode.
  • Leighana1933
    Fascinating!
    Fascinating and well-produced podcast!
  • jazzlvr16
    3 cheers for women-hosted STEM podcasts!
    I am so excited that Origin Stories and Transistor exist! I adore Radiolab, but it's always slightly disturbing to me how few women they bring on the show. Here's to fresh perspectives and voices.
  • rfbranch
    Solid Addition to your podcast repertoire
    I downloaded an episode after seeing it in new & noteworthy. The storytelling is very well done, with high production value: think Serial or Invisibilia. Also, I like the fact the show is shorter so it’s a nice fit for when you’re out running errands, going for a run or the like. It’s great to complement things you might already be listening to.
  • Jan963
    A keeper!
    I listen to a lot of pod cast. Most are not keepers This one is. I am looking forward to the next one! And many more.
  • Okto_scoo
    More! More!
    I spend almost all my drive time listening to podcasts, and I can't wait to hear more episodes of this one. I never got beyond basic Anthropology in school, but the whole topic of who we are, and how we got to be the way we are is fascinating. The host and her guests have made a great start at bringing the discoveries down to us normal people, without being to simplistic. There have been two fantastic episodes that leave me wanting so many more. I keep refreshing my feed to see if a new episode has dropped. Check it out, I bet you'll like it.
  • CashAndKerri
    Great podcast
    What a great new podcast. Both of the first episodes have been fascinating and presented so that even I can understand them. The only thing I want is for the episodes to be longer. Hopefully as it gets more established, it will.
  • Beejk
    SO COOL!
    Great distillation of science and stories
  • Doom in a box
    Good job!
    The producer and host is my mom, I'm so proud of her for creating such a great podcast. And happy that other people like the first episode so much.
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