Why Humans Walk Upright with Dr. Carol Ward | Episode 75

Have you ever wondered how we became the upright, big-brained, tool-wielding species we are today? In this fascinating episode of Talking Apes, Gerry Ellis sits down with Dr. Carol Ward - Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences at the University of Missouri - to explore the origins of humanity and our ape relatives.From fossil digs in Kenya to 3D-scanning ancient bones, Carol reveals how every discovery adds another piece to the incredible puzzle of our evolution. Why did we stand up? What did climate change have to do with it? And how do new technologies, like CT imaging and protein analysis, help us read messages hidden in fossils millions of years old?Join us for a joyful, insightful conversation about curiosity, science, and what fossils can still teach us about who we are, and where we’re headed. Listen and learn more: https://globio.org/carol/Send us a textSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.Support the showBuy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCHSend 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

Have you ever wondered how we became the upright, big-brained, tool-wielding species we are today? In this fascinating episode of Talking Apes, Gerry Ellis sits down with Dr. Carol Ward - Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences at the University of Missouri - to explore the origins of humanity and our ape relatives.From fossil digs in Kenya to 3D-scanning ancient bones, Carol reveals how every discovery adds another piece to the incredible puzzle of our evolution. Why did we stand up? What did climate change have to do with it? And how do new technologies, like CT imaging and protein analysis, help us read messages hidden in fossils millions of years old?Join us for a joyful, insightful conversation about curiosity, science, and what fossils can still teach us about who we are, and where we’re headed.Watch on YouTube: [youtube link]Listen and learn more: https://globio.org/carol/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

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

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

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

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

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

Are we really the only "talking apes"?  Get ready for a mind-blowing episode with Dr. Adriano Reis E Lameira, one of the world’s leading experts on the evolution of speech and language! Dr. Lameira has spent years deep in the rainforests of Borneo, decoding the vocal mysteries of orangutans. His groundbreaking research challenges long-held beliefs about what separates us from our primate cousins. Can great apes control their voices more than we thought? Do they have the ability to “talk” in ways we've never realized? And what if the roots of language go back further than we ever imagined? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ape communication, from Rocky the “talking” orangutan to jaw-dropping discoveries about how these incredible primates may even refer to the past! We also explore how scientific bias has shaped our understanding of what makes humans unique, and why it might be time to rethink everything.Dr. Lameira's Profile at the University of WarwickDr. Lameira's Publications on Google ScholarSend 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

Hanging with Our Ancestors: Luke Fannin on Climbing, Evolution & Ape LocomotionEver wondered why kids instinctively love monkey bars? Or why apes move so deliberately in the trees? In this episode of Talking Apes, biological anthropologist Luke Fannin takes us on a journey through the evolution of climbing, exploring how primates, from ancient hominins to modern chimps, have adapted to life in the canopy.Luke breaks down the surprising biomechanics of climbing up vs. climbing down, revealing why descending may have played a bigger role in human evolution than we ever imagined. We’ll also uncover how playgrounds, rock climbers, and even early tool-making tie into our primate past. It’s a fascinating deep dive into movement, survival, and the hidden connections between our everyday actions and our evolutionary history.Explore Luke's publications on his Google Scholar profile.Read Luke's article: The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey BarsSend 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

                                The Amazing People Behind Jane Goodall What does it take to lead one of the most iconic conservation organizations in the world? In this episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Anna Rathmann, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, to find out. With a background spanning international conservation, business, and storytelling, Anna brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to carry forward Jane Goodall’s legacy—and build on it for the future.From her work with National Geographic to directing the Great Plains Conservation Foundation, Anna’s career has been all about connecting people to the planet. In our conversation, she shares how JGI is adapting to meet the challenges of modern conservation, and why listening—to science, to communities, and to each other—is more vital than ever. You’ll also hear Anna reflect on what drew her into this work in the first place, and what continues to keep her inspired, even in the face of tough environmental realities.Whether you’re curious about conservation leadership, passionate about protecting biodiversity, or simply want to hear thoughtful reflections from someone working at the intersection of hope and action, this one’s for you. Learn more about the Jane Goodall Institute: janegoodall.org Follow JGI USA on Instagram: @janegoodallinstAbout the JGI:The Jane Goodall Institute's worldwide recognition is undeniable. What started with chimpanzee research has become a international nonprofit with global impact. Through programs like Roots & Shoots it has inspired multiple generations to see the future with hope and a call to action. Joining Talking Apes to share it all is the Jane Goodall Institue's (JGI) Executive Director Anna Rathmann. Jane Goodall for more than 60 years has been spreading a message of conservation hope, inspiring action by generations of youth and the young at heart. Anna Rathmann embodies that same energy and drive, guiding the JGI in the USA as well as through the work of the 26 affiliates in countries around the world.More with Anna Rathmann at JGIMore about the work of Jane Goodal InstitueSend 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