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Origin Stories

The Leakey Foundation
Human Evolution
Lucy
Neanderthals
Paleoanthropology
Leakey Foundation
Ethiopia
Australopithecus Afarensis
Human Origins
Evolution
Don Johanson
Genetics
The Leakey Foundation
Beads
Hair Morphology
Awash River Basin
Omo River Valley
Chimpanzees
Shanidar Cave
Jennifer Miller
Yiming Wang

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.

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes91Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScienceLife Sciences

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Artwork for Origin Stories

Latest Episodes

2025 was another exciting year in human origins research! In this episode, four scientists and Leakey Foundation grantees (and one podcast host) share their picks for the top discoveries of the year.

Support this show and the science we talk about.... more

YouTube

This episode features two stories from the Science Podcast. First, Science writer Ann Gibbons tells the story of three ancient hominin species that lived side-by-side in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. Then, anthropologist Melanie Beasley discuss... more

This is a story about sweat, survival, speed, and the peculiar ways running may have shaped us as humans. Armed with a hydration vest, a dream, and paleoanthropologist Daniel Lieberman's endurance running hypothesis, filmmaker Nicole Teeny set out to... more

YouTube

After 10 years of exploring the stories behind breakthrough science, it's time to tell our own origin story! In this special anniversary episode, we're flipping the script to share how Origin Stories began. Join us behind the scenes, revisit three mi... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Alexis Alutku
Assistant professor of medicine at UCF
UCF
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Asitandilin Zondra
PhD student interested in fire histories
New York University
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Songhee Lee
Professor of anthropology at UC Riverside
University of California, Riverside
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Anne Stone
Regents professor and anthropological geneticist
Arizona State University
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2025
Ann Gibbons
Writer at Science Magazine specializing in human evolution
Science Magazine
Episode: Origin Stories x The Science Podcast
Melanie Beasley
Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Purdue University
Purdue University
Episode: Origin Stories x The Science Podcast
Nicole Teeny
Documentarian and endurance runner
Episode: Can a Human Outrun a Horse?
Christian Capelli
Molecular anthropologist from the University of Parma in Italy
University of Parma
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2024
Sofia Campacaro
Zooarchaeologist and archaeological science lecturer at the Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Top Human Origins Discoveries of 2024

Host

Meredith Johnson
Host of Origin Stories

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 949 ratings
  • Journeys

    I enjoy the topics they help me make sense of life in so many ways and different levels. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    T4ps
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Maggoty maggots

    Fascinating stuff. Wanted to hurl the entire time but now I know I can eat maggots to survive post apocalypse.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allimiao77
    United States5 months ago
  • Poor delivery

    Interesting topics spoiled by poor delivery. Hosts’ accents/voices are alienating and the narrative is ponderous. Such a pity.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jkynge
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Fascinating

    Great guests and always fascinating information. Love this podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JeanBru
    United States5 months ago
  • Success

    From a persistence hunter point of view you more than proved the theory as soon as you caught up. A hunter wouldn’t have given the animal a chance to get ahead again. Incredible achievement and great story.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sasquatch 365
    Canada6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many reviews commend the quality of guests and the depth of scientific discussions, emphasizing the show's ability to make complex topics accessible.
Overall, the podcast is well-loved for its thought-provoking content and ability to challenge existing understandings about humanity.
Listeners appreciate the insightful exploration of human evolution and the engaging storytelling format, often finding the information fascinating and eye-opening.
There are mixed opinions on the delivery style, with some feeling it could be overly simplistic at times, while others enjoy the relatable narratives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Story of Human Hair
Q: So how did you first get interested in studying hair from an evolutionary perspective?
It all started with a lecture on human skin color variation and how it relates to UV radiation, which sparked her curiosity about hair.
The Story of Human Hair
Q: So if curly hair, tightly coiled hair protects from solar radiation, so well, why doesn't every human have curly hair?
It highlights the complexity of evolutionary traits and how they may not always be beneficial depending on environmental circumstances.
Understanding Neanderthals
Q: What do you hope people will take away from reading your book?
I hope people will feel a connection to the Neanderthals and see the complexity of their lives, understanding that they were other kinds of humans with whom we interacted, who lived vibrant lives.
Understanding Neanderthals
Q: Can you tell me why hearths and the things, the traces they left behind are such an important gateway into the lives of Neanderthals?
Hearths are central to understanding Neanderthal organization and lifestyle; they reveal how Neanderthals managed their resources and structured their living spaces through careful analysis of what was done around the hearths.
Ape Medicine
Q: How do these findings cause you to rethink notions of human uniqueness?
These findings suggest that the roots of pro-social behavior and medicinal use may not be unique to humans.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Origin Stories

What is Origin Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content revolves around the captivating exploration of human evolution, presenting intriguing narratives that combine storytelling with scientific insights. Recent episodes have highlighted extraordinary finds, such as significant hominin discoveries and advanced behaviors in Neanderthals, offering listeners a deep dive into the mechanisms that shaped our ancestry. The podcast uniquely interlaces personal anecdotes and interviews with experts, illuminating the stories behind pioneering research and excavation techniques. This approach has a broad appeal, aiming to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to a diverse audience.

Particularly noteworthy is the podcast's commitment to examining both historical and modern imp... more

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How many listeners does Origin Stories get?

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What are the audience demographics for Origin Stories?

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How many subscribers and views does Origin Stories have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Origin Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Origin Stories:

1. The Common Descent Podcast
2. The Ancients
3. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
4. Tides of History
5. The Ancient World

How many episodes of Origin Stories are there?

Origin Stories launched 11 years ago and published 91 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Origin Stories?

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What guests have appeared on Origin Stories?

Recent guests on Origin Stories include:

1. Alexis Alutku
2. Asitandilin Zondra
3. Songhee Lee
4. Anne Stone
5. Ann Gibbons
6. Melanie Beasley
7. Nicole Teeny
8. Christian Capelli

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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