Talking Apes

This episode explores aspects of primate behavior, including non-reproductive sexual behaviors, from a scientific and evolutionary perspective. Some listeners may find parts of the discussion sensitive.
This week on Talking Apes, Gerry Ellis is joined by evolutionary biologist Dr Matilda Brindle for one of our most fascinating, funny, and unexpectedly revealing conversations yet.
From kissing to masturbation, Neanderthals to bonobos, Matilda takes us deep into the evolutionary roots of behaviours many of us assume are uniquely human. Her research asks bold questions: Why do we kiss? Did our ancestors kiss too? And what can chimpanzees and bonobos teach us about the origins of intimacy, attraction, and social bonding?
Packed with brilliant science, sharp humour, and some wonderfully eyebrow-raising moments, this episode explores how behaviours we often treat as taboo are in fact deeply rooted in the primate family tree. It is thought-provoking, wildly entertaining, and might just change the way you think about being human.
Watch first on YouTube:
youtube.com/apeslikeus
Listen on the website:
talkingapes.org
More from Dr Brindle:
https://www.matildabrindle.com/
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Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
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Welcome to our Earth Day 2026 Special. 
What happens when cutting-edge technology meets community-led conservation? In this episode of Talking Apes, Gerry Ellis sits down with Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute, to explore how data, people, and innovation are reshaping the future of conservation.
From satellite imagery and AI to village-led land-use planning, Lilian shares how his work in Tanzania revealed a stark reality: while protected forests were recovering, chimpanzee habitats beyond park boundaries were rapidly disappearing. That discovery helped spark a powerful shift toward conservation that works with communities, not around them.
This is a fascinating, hopeful conversation about technology, trust, and the human side of conservation. If you care about wildlife, climate, and the future of our planet, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it really takes to create lasting change.
Watch on YouTube
Listen on our website

Learn more 
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Environmental storytelling has never been more important. In this episode of Talking Apes, Gerry Ellis sits down with journalist and podcast host Mike DiGirolamo, the voice behind Mongabay’s flagship podcast, The Mongabay Newscast.
Mike spends his days speaking with scientists, conservationists, and investigative reporters working on the frontlines of climate change, biodiversity loss, and global conservation. In this fascinating conversation, he shares what it is like to sit on the other side of the microphone, and how storytelling, journalism, and long-form interviews can help audiences understand some of the most urgent environmental challenges facing our planet.
From uncovering hidden environmental crimes to translating complex scientific research for a global audience, Mike explains why narrative matters in environmental journalism and how podcasts are becoming powerful tools for connecting people to the natural world. If you care about conservation, science communication, or the future of environmental reporting, this episode is not to be missed.
Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/ApesLikeUs
Or listen on our website:
https://talkingapes.org
Learn more about Mongabay:
https://news.mongabay.com
Listen to Mongabay Podcast:
https://news.mongabay.com/podcasts/

Read Mike's Op-Ed:
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/08/dont-quit-a-podcasters-charge-to-listeners-fellow-humans-commentary/
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Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
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How did human language evolve and what can our closest relatives teach us about its origins? In this episode of Talking Apes, Gerry Ellis sits down with primatologist Katie Slocombe to explore the fascinating world of chimpanzee communication and what it reveals about the evolution of language itself.
Katie has spent decades studying how chimpanzees communicate in both wild and captive settings. From food calls and alarm signals to complex vocal combinations and gestures, chimpanzee communication is far richer and more nuanced than many people realize. In this conversation, Katie explains how scientists investigate the building blocks of language by comparing humans with other primates and what surprising discoveries researchers are making about chimp cognition and social communication.
The discussion ranges from snake alarm calls in the forests of Africa to whether chimpanzees might have dialects, and why young human children are so uniquely motivated to share information. It is a thought-provoking and engaging conversation about one of the biggest questions in science: how language evolved and what it means for understanding ourselves.
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Katie's research profile
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Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
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This week on Talking Apes, we record on site in the rainforests of Cameroon at Ape Action Africa’s Mefou Sanctuary, where art and primate conservation intersect. Our guest is primate portrait artist Robin Huffman, who left a career in New York City interior design to become a full-time sanctuary volunteer and internationally recognized wildlife artist.
Robin first arrived at Ape Action Africa in 2007 after raising funds, taking French lessons, and stepping far outside her comfort zone to care for orphaned primates. What began as volunteer work repairing sanctuary signs unexpectedly evolved into a calling. Today, she is known for her enormous, lifelike primate portraits that capture not only the detail of fur and eyes, but the personality and story of each individual she paints.
In this conversation, Robin shares how she left behind what she calls the golden handcuffs of corporate life to dedicate herself fully to primate welfare. We talk about painting gorilla Jenga on site during our visit, the emotional story behind her monumental Lesula portrait, and why she believes art can turn viewers into messengers for primates. It is a heartfelt, inspiring look at creativity, courage, and conservation in action.
Watch the full on site filmed episode here
Listen on our website

Explore Robin’s artwork: https://www.robinhuffmanart.com
Ape Action Africa: https://www.apeactionafrica.org
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Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
Support the show 
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