Talking Apes

• The Truth About Female Evolution with EVE Author Cat Bohannon | Episode 74

  Join us for a lively, curiosity-filled deep dive with author and researcher Cat Bohannon, whose award-winning book Eve reframes 200 million years of evolution through the female body. Cat brings her signature blend of science, storytelling, and humor to Talking Apes, guiding us through the missing pieces in our evolutionary story and the surprising role that female biology plays in shaping everything from mammal reproduction to primate societies.In this episode, we explore how scientific blind spots took hold, why female behavior and anatomy were overlooked for so long, and what happens when you return the female body to the center of the evolutionary narrative. From gynecology as the original technology to rethinking ape sociality and the hidden histories behind everyday traits, Cat illuminates a world that’s been hiding in plain sight.Expect laughter, big ideas, and a refreshingly human conversation about what our bodies can teach us, and what we’ve missed by ignoring half the story. Watch the full episode on our Apes Like Us YouTube Channel, or listen on our website at talkingapes.org.More about Cat’s work: https://www.catbohannon.comSend us a textSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO. Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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• Uncovering the Hobbit Mystery: What Homo floresiensis Reveals About Us with Dr Matt Tocheri | Episode 73

  Paleoanthropologist Dr. Matt Tocheri joins host Gerry Ellis to explore the remarkable discovery of Homo floresiensis — the so-called Flores “Hobbit” of Indonesia. What does this small-bodied, small-brained human tell us about our own evolutionary story?In this episode of Talking Apes, host Gerry Ellis is joined by paleoanthropologist Dr. Matt Tocheri, one of the world’s leading experts on Homo floresiensis—the small-bodied, small-brained human species nicknamed “the Hobbit.” Discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores, in 2003, this astonishing find continues to reshape what we know about human evolution. Dr. Tocheri shares the story behind the discovery, how the Hobbit lived, and what this mysterious species reveals about what it means to be human. Join us as we explore the science, the controversies, and the wonder of a world once shared by another kind of human.Send us a textSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO. Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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• Inside the Society of Gorillas: World Gorilla Day 2025 with Dr. Robin Morrison | Episode 72

  This World Gorilla Day, Talking Apes kicks off Season 5 with a fascinating guest: behavioral ecologist and evolutionary biologist Robin Morrison.Robin has worked with both mountain and western lowland gorillas, giving her a rare perspective on how these species live, love, and organize their social worlds. From group size to subtle bonds between males and females, she reveals the quiet but powerful ways gorillas build their societies and why those connections matter for conservation.In our conversation, we dive into the evolution of social systems, what gorilla families can teach us about our own, and how understanding their relationships can help protect them. We also explore the challenges of conservation today, from population density in mountain gorillas to the fragile future of lesser-known groups.Learn more: https://robinmorrison.weebly.com/ Listen here: https://globio.org/robinWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7PrtmObK0TUSend us a textSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO. Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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• World Chimpanzee Day with Dr Rachna Reddy | Episode 71

  In this episode of Talking Apes, we follow Dr. Rachna Reddy into the the African rainforest, where the laughter of chimps and the quiet rhythms of bonobo life echo deeper truths about who we are. As a biological anthropologist and co-director of the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project, Rachna’s research focuses on the social bonds that shape us across the lifespan - from infant cuddles to adolescent rebellion and elder respect.We explore the fascinating mentor bonds between young and older chimps, the powerful role of adolescence as a second window of resilience, and what bonobo group dynamics can teach us about navigating life’s transitions. It’s a journey that spans species and the stages of life.Rachna doesn’t just study apes, she listens to them, and in doing so helps us hear ourselves a little more clearly. Tune in for a conversation that’s as thoughtful as it is delightful.More about RachnaNgogo Chimpanzee ProjectSend us a textSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO. Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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• What BaYaka Children Can Teach About Being Human with Dr Deniz Salali | Episode 70

  What does a Congolese rainforest childhood reveal about the roots of human cooperation? In this captivating episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Dr. Gul Deniz Salali, evolutionary anthropologist at University College London, to explore her groundbreaking research with the BaYaka people of the Congo Basin. Dr. Salali shares intimate insights into how BaYaka children learn through play, observation, and social bonds—offering profound lessons on community, learning, and what it means to grow up human.Drawing on years of fieldwork, Dr. Salali unpacks how small-scale societies help illuminate our evolutionary past and challenge assumptions about childhood, intelligence, and survival. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersections of culture, evolution, and cognition.Watch the Video: Rising in the ForestMore about Dr. Deniz Salalihttps://www.guldenizsalali.com/ Send us a textSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO. Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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