Why Do We Kiss? The Evolution of Sex and Bonding in Apes with Dr Matilda Brindle | Episode 81

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/apeslikeusListen on the website:talkingapes.orgMore from Dr Brindle:https://www.matildabrindle.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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 YouTubeListen on our websiteLearn more SEND AN EARTH DAY E-CardSend us Fan MailSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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/ApesLikeUsOr listen on our website:https://talkingapes.orgLearn more about Mongabay:https://news.mongabay.comListen 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/Send us Fan MailSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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.Watch the full episode on YouTubeKatie's research profileSend us Fan MailSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

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 hereListen on our websiteExplore Robin’s artwork: https://www.robinhuffmanart.comApe Action Africa: https://www.apeactionafrica.orgSend us Fan MailSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH

Bonobos may be our closest living relatives, but we still have so much to learn about and from them. In this episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Ariel Rogers, Executive Director of Friends of Bonobos, and evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Brian Hare to explore the remarkable social world of bonobos and why their survival matters now more than ever.From decades of research at Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the day-to-day realities of running a frontline conservation organization, this conversation weaves together science, storytelling, and on-the-ground action. Ariel and Brian share insights into bonobo anatomy, behavior, cooperation, and what these peaceful primates can teach us about humanity’s own evolutionary story.We also dive into the challenges facing bonobos today, and the hope found in community-led conservation, ethical research, and long-term commitment. Thoughtful, curious, and full of perspective, this episode is a celebration of connection, compassion, and the power of understanding our closest relatives.Watch on YouTube: [youtube link]Listen on our website: https://globio.org/Ariel-BrianLearn more about Friends of Bonobos: https://www.bonobos.orgSend us Fan MailSupport 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. 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 Fan MailSupport 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 Fan MailSupport 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 Fan MailSupport the showTalking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.Support the show Buy us a coffee to say thanks!BUY OUR MERCH