Beyond Blathers

This week we're talking about the giant water bug, AKA the giant water scorpion, electric light bug, and toe biter! Listen to find out more about how this "true bug" got its nicknames and why they make such good dads. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store where we sell stickers and postcards featuring Olivia's beautiful illustrations. Don&apos...

This week we're talking about the acorn barnacle, a surprisingly cool and exciting crustacean! Listen to find out more about their life cycle, adaptations, and ... world-record holding penises. Thank you to @zoethecurious on Instagram for suggesting this animal! If you have a suggestion for a critter you'd like us to cover, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram or Twitter ,...

This week we're finally talking about the oarfish, a super long, super mysterious deep sea creature that inspired many a myth. Listen to find out more about the animal behind the legends. If you'd like to support the show, please check out our merch store where we sell stickers and postcards featuring Olivia's beautiful illustrations. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a ra...

This week, we have Dinosaur Provincial Park Interpreter Amanda Rooney on the show to tell us all about the pachycephalosaurus, a very thick-skulled dinosaur. Listen to learn more about these potentially omnivorous dinos, and to find out why they might have had such thick heads! We're also excited to announce the launch of our merch store ! Make sure to check it out and order some stickers and...

This week, we have a special, spooky halloween episode for you—we're finally talking about the scorpion! Listen to find out why the scorpion is basically the Frankenstein's monster of the critter world, how their venom works, and why they're actually a very romantic animal. We're also excited to announce the launch of our merch store ! Make sure to check it out and order some s...

This week we're talking about the hermit crab, a group of over 800 species! Listen to find out some cute (and also gross) facts about these shy guys.  Big thank you to @yesitsbrett on Twitter for suggesting this one! We're also excited to announce the launch of our merch store ! Make sure to check it out and order some stickers and postcards featuring Olivia's beautiful illustration...

This week we have our first guest on the podcast (!!!) to talk about the walking stick, also known as the stick bug! Listen to find out more about these tricky phasmids and the many ways they mimic their environment. You can find the online Bugs 101 course here and follow Ilan's art Instagram @crude_organism ! We're also excited to announce the launch of our merch store ! Make sure to ch...

In this special bonus episode, we're talking all about...ourselves! We thought it would be fun to tell you a bit more about ourselves, including Olivia's favourite animal to work with, Sofia's book recommendations, and which Animal Crossing villagers are our favourites! Want to know more? You can follow Sofia ( @sofia_osborne ) and Olivia ( @Liv_deBee ) on Twitter. We're also e...

This week we're talking about the ankylosaurus, a gentle herbivore giant. Listen to learn more about this dinosaur's intense body armour, clubbed tail, and cow-like lifestyle. We're also excited to announce the launch of our merch store ! Make sure to check it out and order some stickers and postcards featuring Olivia's beautiful illustrations. If you're a new listener, do...

This week we're talking about the weird, wonderful, and ferocious common snapping turtle! Tune in to find out why these turtles snap so aggressively, how to help them cross the road, and other fun facts. Thank you to @TeraTigerStudio on Twitter for the suggestion! If you're a new listener, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see Olivia&...

This week, we're talking about the king salmon, also known as the chinook, a vital keystone species in the Pacific Northwest. Listen to find out more about the king salmon life cycle, why some populations are so endangered, and how other species — particularly the southern resident killer whale — depend on them for survival. If you're a new listener, don't forget to subscribe and le...

This week we're celebrating the start of fall by talking about the monarch butterfly, a classic and beautiful insect. Listen to find out more about their incredible migrations and how to protect them. If you're a new listener, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a rating and review. To stay up to date and see Olivia's gorgeous illustrations, make sure to follow us on Instagr...

This week we're talking about the giant isopod, a deep sea invertebrate that can grow up to 20 inches long! Listen to find out more about these pill-bug-like creatures and cool phrases like "marine snow" and "deep sea gigantism." Thank you to Lee ( @toratameru on Twitter) for suggesting the giant isopod! We're always excited to hear listener suggestions. This is also...

This week we're talking about the archaeopteryx, "the original bird." Listen to find out more about these magpie-like dinosaurs and what they tell us about the relationship between birds and dinosaurs.  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podcast is not associated with Animal Cros...

This week we're talking about the great white shark, misogyny and racism in Discovery Channel's shark week, the killer whales who hunt great whites, shark conservation, and lots more! Check out Dr. Catherine Macdonald's article on misogyny in shark science here and make sure to follow Minorities in Shark Science on Twitter @MISS_Elasmo .  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Ol...

This week we're talking about cicadas — a summery "true bug"that can be as loud as a motorcycle. Listen to find out how and why these bugs make their famous sound.  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podcast is not associated with Animal Crossing or Nintendo, we just love this ga...

This week we're talking about the spinosaurus, a dinosaur at the heart of some current paleontological drama. Listen to find out more about this huge, potentially aquatic dinosaur and how it was discovered.  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podcast is not associated with Animal Crossing...

This week we're talking about the ribbon eel, a mysterious creature of metamorphosis! Listen to find out why eels have scientists so stumped. To find out more, read the full article from The New Yorker here .  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podcast is not associated with Animal Crossin...

This week we're talking about the atlas moth, one of the largest moths in the world! Listen to find out why this moth is so big and why that's pretty rare these days.  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podcast is not associated with Animal Crossing or Nintendo, we just love this game...

This week we're talking about the quetzalcoatlus, a giraffe-sized, bat-like pterosaur with a wingspan the size of a bus! Tune in to find out how these humongous creatures managed to stay in the air and what they might have used their huge beaks for.  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podc...

This week we’re talking about the ocean sunfish, or mola mola, a weird and wonderful creature covered in mucus. Listen to learn more about its amazing adaptations and THROAT TEETH. Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podcast is not associated with Animal Crossing or Nintendo, we just love this g...

This week we’re talking about tiger beetles – one of Olivia’s favourite beetles and a powerful predator. Listen to find out why tiger beetles sprint and stop, and how you can catch one in real life!  Beyond Blathers is hosted and produced by Olivia deBourcier and Sofia Osborne, with art by Olivia deBourcier and music by Max Hoosier. This podcast is not associated with Animal Crossing or Nintendo,...