Best Common Descent Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 231 - Back to the Water (Secondarily Aquatic Vertebrates) 2:43:14

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11d ago2:43:14

2:43:14

Nearly 400 million years ago, an unusual group of fish gave rise to the first land-dwelling vertebrates. Since then, their descendants have repeatedly moved back into the water. This episode, we explore the many ways these species adapt to the challenges of turning a terrestrial body into one that can survive at sea, and we investigate some of the …

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Jurassic World Rebirth with Common Descent 1:42:10

28d ago1:42:10

1:42:10

We joined the Common Descent podcast for their Silver Screen Science segment. We go through everything Jurassic World Rebirth got right and wrong as well as our nit-picks of the details that got under our skin. Check out the More Thoughts segment at https://www.patreon.com/posts/142875146/ for more. Check out the Common Descent Podcast at commondes…

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Trump and Hegseth distance themselves from follow-on strike on suspected drug boat 4:44

6h ago4:44

4:44

The first attack in the Trump administration’s campaign in the Caribbean has become the most contentious. A U.S. official tells PBS News the military struck an alleged drug boat four times on September 2. President Trump and Pete Hegseth defended the attack, but also distanced themselves from the follow-on strike that targeted people who weren’t ki…

1
Witkoff and Kushner meet with Putin for latest talks to end Russia’s war with Ukraine 2:35

6h ago2:35

2:35

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday. They were there for the latest round of negotiations on a plan to end Russia's war with Ukraine. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…

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News Wrap: ICE plans operation targeting Somali immigrants in Minnesota 5:49

7h ago5:49

5:49

In our news wrap Tuesday, the Trump administration is preparing an immigration enforcement operation that would primarily target hundreds of undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota, Michael Dell pledged a $6.25 billion donation to the Trump administration with the funds designated for investment accounts for children and Pope Leo completed his …

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‘From Hell to Heaven’: American describes teen son’s release from Israeli jail 8:58

7h ago8:58

8:58

The day before Thanksgiving was the real celebration for an American family living in the occupied West Bank. Mohammed Ibrahim was released after nearly 10 months in an Israeli prison. The 16-year-old was arrested in February for allegedly throwing stones at Israeli vehicles. His family was unable to speak with or see him for his entire detention. …

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More 4-year colleges offer 2-year degrees to reach new groups of students 8:22

7h ago8:22

8:22

About one in four college students is both first-generation and from low-income backgrounds, making the path to a college degree especially challenging. At Boston College’s Messina College, a new, two-year, fully residential associates degree program, a wide range of support is helping change that. John Yang visited the campus to learn more as part…

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Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz celebrate Black contemporary art in ‘Giants’ exhibition 9:31

7h ago9:31

9:31

"Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” is an exhibition celebrating the contributions of Black contemporary artists, spanning 20th-century icons to today’s emerging talent. Geoff Bennett spoke with the musical power couple behind the exhibition about the meaning behind this expansive collection. It’s part of our arts …

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Elementary school journalists work to reverse falling test scores 5:10

18h ago5:10

5:10

In Providence, Rhode Island, public schools have long faced scrutiny over low test scores, crumbling buildings and persistent challenges communicating with bilingual families. But one city elementary school is pushing back against that narrative, thanks to a team of young journalists. Ben Berke of Ocean State Media reports for our arts and culture …

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These 5th grade journalists challenge perceptions of their city’s schools 5:10

18h ago5:10

5:10

In Providence, Rhode Island, public schools have long faced scrutiny over low test scores, crumbling buildings and persistent challenges communicating with bilingual families. But one city elementary school is pushing back against that narrative, thanks to a team of young journalists. Ben Berke of Ocean State Media reports for our arts and culture …

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The point of being human, according to Nick Offerman 29:50

13h ago29:50

29:50

Geoff Bennett talks with comedian and actor Nick Offerman about his love of woodworking, how it shapes his acting, and his dream role. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacyBy PBS News

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White House says U.S. fired twice at alleged drug boat, raising bipartisan legal concerns 3:58

1d ago3:58

3:58

The White House confirmed that the military fired twice at a suspected drug boat during its campaign of airstrikes in the Caribbean. A source familiar with what happened tells PBS News that a second strike in early September came despite the military knowing there were survivors in the water. That has sparked bipartisan concern that strikes like th…

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‘That 2nd strike was a violation of the laws of war,’ former senior military lawyer says 6:16

20h ago6:16

6:16

For perspective on the U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats and the legal concerns, Geoff Bennett spoke with retired Maj. Gen. Steven Lepper. He served as the Air Force's Deputy Judge Advocate General, and as such, was the service's second-highest-ranking uniformed lawyer. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funde…

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News Wrap: White House says Trump’s MRI was focused on heart and abdomen 5:29

1d ago5:29

5:29

In our news wrap Monday, the White House says that a recent MRI performed on President Trump was a preventative screening focused on both his heart and abdomen, a federal appeals court ruled that Alina Habba has been serving unlawfully as the U.S. attorney in New Jersey and a West Virginia National Guard member shot last week in Washington has show…

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Trump declines to mark World AIDS Day as funding cuts threaten HIV-prevention efforts 7:46

1d ago7:46

7:46

Communities across the globe commemorated World AIDS Day, reaffirming a commitment to end an epidemic that has killed more than 44 million. But this year, for the first time in decades, the U.S. government decided not to mark the occasion, and the Trump administration has reportedly barred agencies from commemorating or participating. William Brang…

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Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the political reaction to Trump’s boat strikes 9:16

20h ago9:16

9:16

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including lawmakers on both sides of the aisle search for answers on how the military carried out strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats, President Trump's picks for U.S. attorney jobs and a special election in Tenn…

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Rise of crisis pregnancy centers highlights shift in anti-abortion movement 9:31

1d ago9:31

9:31

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving faith-based pregnancy centers in New Jersey. The organization is hoping to block the state from investigating whether they misled women into believing the centers offered abortions. The case highlights an effort to crack down on so-called crisis pregnancy centers. Special correspondent Sarah…

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A Brief But Spectacular take on leadership and community through farming 2:41

1d ago2:41

2:41

In this season of gathering around the table, we hear from self-proclaimed proud “AG youth” Anixia Davila from Salinas Valley, California, known as the “salad bowl of the world." Davila shares her Brief But Spectacular take on what she’s learned about leadership, responsibility and community through farming. PBS News is supported by - https://www.p…

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Peace remains elusive for Lebanese Christians as Pope Leo visits war-torn country 6:53

3d ago6:53

6:53

On his first international trip as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is carrying a message of unity and peace to the Middle East. Sunday in Lebanon, he challenged leaders to be true peacemakers and set aside their differences. It’s a precarious time in the country, which faces deep domestic political divisions and regular Israeli strikes in the south. Special …

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News Wrap: Netanyahu asks Israel’s president for pardon amid corruption trial 2:01

16h ago2:01

2:01

In our news wrap Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu asked the country’s president for a pardon in the midst of his corruption trial, Homeland Security Secretary Noem said the Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members appears to have adopted radical ideas while in the U.S., and severe winter weather is interrupting million…

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Former USAID employees keep dismantled agency’s life-saving work afloat 6:20

2d ago6:20

6:20

When the U.S. Agency for International Development shut down, more than 80% of its programs were cancelled. In an attempt to keep the most cost-effective and life-saving projects up and running, two laid-off agency employees created a website to match donors with threatened programs. Ali Rogin speaks with founders Caitlin Tulloch and Rob Rosenbaum …

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The story behind one man’s historic descent of Mount Everest on skis 6:01

14h ago6:01

6:01

When adventurers talk about Mount Everest, most often it's about climbing the world's highest peak. In October, Jim Morrison became the first person to ski down Everest’s most dangerous route. The feat was chronicled by mountaineer and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin for an upcoming National Geographic documentary. John Yang speaks with …

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News Wrap: Trump declares Venezuela’s airspace ‘closed’ after weeks of escalating tensions 2:22

4d ago2:22

2:22

In our news wrap Saturday, Trump declared Venezuela’s airspace to be considered closed despite not having the legal authority to do so, Russia carried out deadly drone and missile attacks overnight in Ukraine, the FAA ordered airlines to update software in a widely used aircraft, and acclaimed British playwright Tom Stoppard died at age 88. PBS New…

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Whooping cough cases remain elevated as vaccination rates drop 5:36

3d ago5:36

5:36

As friends and family gather this holiday season, there’s a warning for new parents. The CDC says cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, remain elevated this year. An unvaccinated infant died from the illness in Kentucky this week, while other states across the country are also experiencing a surge of cases. Ali Rogin speaks with pediatric infectio…

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Millions of full-time workers are struggling to afford a place to live. Here’s why 5:43

3d ago5:43

5:43

The skyrocketing cost of living has left millions of people struggling to afford a place to live despite working at full-time jobs or a number of part-time jobs. Journalist Brian Goldstone, author of “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America,” joins Ali Rogin to discuss this growing nationwide crisis. PBS News is supported by - htt…

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Top Zelenskyy aide resigns in midst of Ukraine corruption scandal 4:18

4d ago4:18

4:18

A political earthquake in Ukraine has taken place as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andrii Yermak, the country’s second-most-powerful person, was forced to resign amid a corruption scandal. This comes as Ukraine is enmeshed in negotiations with the Trump administration on a possible end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Jack Hewson joins …

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Questions emerge about National Guard shooter’s motives and the impact on immigrants 2:24

4d ago2:24

2:24

More details are coming to light about the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members that happened earlier this week blocks from the White House. New questions are also emerging about the motives of the shooter, and what the attack could mean for immigrants across the country. White House correspondent Liz Landers has the story. PBS News…

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The Common Descent Podcast

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1
I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast

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1
Common Sense with Wes and Matt

Wes and Matt

1
Interfaithing: Why families can embrace two faiths under one roof

Ari Saks & Anna DeWeese

1
PBS News Hour - Segments

PBS News

1
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Loyal Books

1
Episode 231 - Back to the Water (Secondarily Aquatic Vertebrates) 2:43:14

1
Jurassic World Rebirth with Common Descent 1:42:10

1
Trump and Hegseth distance themselves from follow-on strike on suspected drug boat 4:44

1
Witkoff and Kushner meet with Putin for latest talks to end Russia’s war with Ukraine 2:35

1
News Wrap: ICE plans operation targeting Somali immigrants in Minnesota 5:49

1
‘From Hell to Heaven’: American describes teen son’s release from Israeli jail 8:58

1
More 4-year colleges offer 2-year degrees to reach new groups of students 8:22

1
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz celebrate Black contemporary art in ‘Giants’ exhibition 9:31

1
Elementary school journalists work to reverse falling test scores 5:10

1
These 5th grade journalists challenge perceptions of their city’s schools 5:10

1
The point of being human, according to Nick Offerman 29:50

1
White House says U.S. fired twice at alleged drug boat, raising bipartisan legal concerns 3:58

1
‘That 2nd strike was a violation of the laws of war,’ former senior military lawyer says 6:16

1
News Wrap: White House says Trump’s MRI was focused on heart and abdomen 5:29

1
Trump declines to mark World AIDS Day as funding cuts threaten HIV-prevention efforts 7:46

1
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the political reaction to Trump’s boat strikes 9:16

1
Rise of crisis pregnancy centers highlights shift in anti-abortion movement 9:31

1
A Brief But Spectacular take on leadership and community through farming 2:41

1
Peace remains elusive for Lebanese Christians as Pope Leo visits war-torn country 6:53

1
News Wrap: Netanyahu asks Israel’s president for pardon amid corruption trial 2:01

1
Former USAID employees keep dismantled agency’s life-saving work afloat 6:20

1
The story behind one man’s historic descent of Mount Everest on skis 6:01

1
News Wrap: Trump declares Venezuela’s airspace ‘closed’ after weeks of escalating tensions 2:22

1
Whooping cough cases remain elevated as vaccination rates drop 5:36

1
Millions of full-time workers are struggling to afford a place to live. Here’s why 5:43

1
Top Zelenskyy aide resigns in midst of Ukraine corruption scandal 4:18

1
Questions emerge about National Guard shooter’s motives and the impact on immigrants 2:24