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Discussion thread: Human Technomorphology with Mary Roach is ready to hear! (Patreon)

Published:
2025-09-17 17:15:20
Imported:
2026-06

Content

This episode is published and ready to hear wherever you get podcasts.

It's Mary Roach. And it's me, freaking out about talking to her. The absolute legend science writer of Stiff, Bonk, Gulp, and Packing for Mars and more chats about swapping out human body parts and her new book, Replaceable You, which I devoured.

https://www.alieward.com/ologies/humantechnomorphology

We spend the first half talking about her approach to science writing (and writers' block,) the aspects of science that most fascinate her, and how to ask questions without holding back. We also tackle your questions about bone implants, pig organs, having sex in a lab, gene-edited critters, pluripotent stem cells, elective amputation and a flurry of other topics.

Let's chat about it in the comments below! Has anyone else read her books? Anyone about to dive in for the first time?

Have I mentioned I love her?

Okay cool,

Alie of the Dadwards

Files

Human Technomorphology (SWAPPING OUT BODY PARTS) with Mary Roach - alie ward

Pigs with human kidneys. Iron lungs. Bionic prostheses. And bendable genitals. Mary Roach is here, and Alie is freaking out. Over the last two decades, this science icon has written seven New York Times bestsellers, including Stiff , Bonk , Gulp , and Packing for Mars .

Comments

Sarah Forte

I LOVE Mary Roach! Stiff is my favorite - currently reading Fuzz. So excited to listen to this episode!

Janet Pettit

This was the first time hearing about Mary Roach…which book would people suggest for an intro read? It was a great episode, Alie. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

g0ose0nTheLo0se

Newish listener as of 4 months ago, have gotten through hundreds, but this is top 3 for sure! To have such a breadth of knowledge, a humility in research, and reverence to science—while also being a straight up badass—that’s the shit!

Rezz

So there's this manga artist, Masamune Shiro, it has an awesome Sci-Fi/cyberpunk story that I think here wrote in the '80s. And part of it included a pig farm owned by a company that was using them to grow human organs! But also if I remember correctly, the brains of the pigs were also hooked up to the net and being used for AI! And of course they became sentient and revolted 😱

Rezz

Anyhow I read this as a kid, and now we're here in the future 😬

Alie Ward

Stiff is her first one, so I'd say start there. It's about what happens when we become cadavers. If that's toooo skeevy for you, Bonk is a great start, too.

Alie Ward

To live on the Earth as Mary walks it is a privilege indeed.

Alie Ward

YEP HERE WE ARE. We are somehow in the 1930s and the future at the same time.

Wendy Fick

Ahhhh!! I love Mary Roach! Can't wait to listen! 😍😍😍

Obilot

I looove Mary Roach! Stiff was my FAVORITE! Tied with Packing for Mars! This new book is totally on my list. [Plural of phalanges=phalanx. Bet I’m not the only one who said that; also who really cares... 🤓]

Deanna Wood

FINALLY MARY ROACH!!! I just discovered that she had a new book out yesterday (how did I not know!?!?) and today she’s everywhere and on all my podcasts!

Anastasia Press

What a delight to be introduced to her! I laughed out loud when she was talking about the the smell of laser cauterization.

Citizen OfXee

Yay! Mary Roach! Packing fo rMars was my intro to her writing, and still a top fave. Just finished Spook. So excited to learn about her new book and what an absolute dorkfest to hear Alie and Mary chatting. love love love.

Janet Pettit

Is there truly such a thing as too skeevy? I will let you know! I just downloaded the audio book😁

Neal Greenstein

This is Interesting to me….when I read Technomorphology….it made me think it has something to do with implantable devices. I have Inspire….the sleep apnea implant. Basically I involuntarily stick my tongue out while I sleep…..my tongue sticks out a little….then relaxes….then sticks out a little again. My throat expands too, like a frog…. I have a probe that shocks my tongue, so it moves forward to open my airway while I sleep. Weird, right? I might just put in my ear buds and listen right in the living room (I usually listen while driving)

Dave Brewer

The latest episode of 99% Invisible is also an interview with Mary.

SusieBruisie

I lovelovelove Mary Roach's books ~ fascinating! The detail to the subject certainly highlights her research to the book in my hands, and with grins & giggles. 'Stiff' and 'Packing for Mars' may be my 2 most faves thus far. Looking forward to reading Replacable You!

Alie Ward

She is on a book tour (understandably) and the interview was embargoed until the release date, which is today

Alie Ward

Whoa!! How is it working for you? That's so cool.

Alie Ward

Yep, interviews were embargoed until the release date! We recorded in late August.

Alie Ward

Thank you for that! I had no idea. Something sounded wrong but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Alie Ward

She's the greatest. So wonderful.

Neal Greenstein

It seems to be working. I feel more clearheaded and on top of myself. I haven’t had a follow up sleep study yet (it’s going to be in the lab-not at home like I’ve done three times already). I’m geeking out over the in lab sleep study. I’m excited for it…

Brynn Balcom

I’m SO excited for this!! I love her books.

Dave Brewer

No shade to Roman Mars, but this episode was much more informative than his.

Dave Brewer

When Mary mentioned the questions asked of potential organ and tissue donors, there is an overlap between those and what’s asked of blood donors, which made me realize that blood transfusions are related to transplants, but transfusions have been around long enough to have the kinks mostly ironed out and be pretty much mundane, which I assume will be the case with transplants and xeno- organs in the future. And if I can beat the drum for a pet cause, there’s always a need for whole blood, plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. So if you’re able to donate, be a mensch and get yourself to your local blood bank. Plus there’s always free cookies at the end.

Lauren Seibert

As a prosthetist, I’m so excited for this episode and shouting out the Amputee Coalition!!! They’re super important right now more than ever and the budget cuts are not helping 🙃

Sue Taylor

My favorite Mary Roach book is Fuzz, animals breaking the law. Listening to her book My Planet now. I love her so much. Alie Ward and Mary Roach together in a podcast! OMG I can't wait. 2 heros in one place. So much love. You guys are my retirement plan. Love and thanks, from Suitcase Sue , Dawson City, Yukon, Canada

Janet Pettit

I’d like to know how that’s working for you too… amazing what they think of now!

Gordon Haas

She is also on the latest episode of "Talk Nerdy" podcast, hosted by Alie's friend, Dr. Cara Santa Maria. (Who is also part of the Skeptics' Guide To The Universe.).

aguycalledshane

Great episode, gotta buy all her books, and you are, as she told you, the Queen of SciCom.

Margaret Downs

This was SO fun! I somehow have only a passing familiarity with Mary Roach, and I'll absolutely be checking out her work now. Loved, loved, loved the ending!!! I also would've cried.

Isabelle Collyer

Oh my god I only subscribed yesterday and this feels like a special thanks to me, personally. I read three of her books in three days only pausing to stare into middle distance and try to process what I'd read, and Spook fundamentally changed how I talk to people about ghosts and flimflam!

Alex Minor

Just started the episode! My wife made fun of how excited I am.

Alex Minor

ALIE WARD ASKED MY QUESTION! MARY ROACH said it was a great question, gave a great answer - bugs on cocaine. This lead to an aside, a rabbit hole dig, and a chance to pitch 3 prior episodes. This has made my day. Just visited Mary Roach’s site to see where I can find a signed copy, and This is a Bookstore right here in Kalamazoo, MI is listed! I’ll be picking it up tomorrow. Day, month, maybe year made.

Susan G

Omg I haven't read any of her books but now I need to read all of them! What a great interview. Also agreeing with Mary Roach! You are the goddess of science communication!

The LKs

Great episode! Also for what it’s worth, veterinary surgeon here and we absolutely talk about the smell of cautery and don’t find it

Lauren Seibert

Also as a follow up, I love that they talk about activity specific prosthetics for sports. HOWEVER, insurance is not required to cover these and so it’s all out of pocket expenses. There’s an awesome organization called So Everybody Can Move and they are working with state legislations to change this! Check them out: https://soeverybodycanmove.org

Nick A

This is the first time I've had the same guest on two different podcasts at the same time (this and Sean Carroll's Mindscape) and it was fun seeing how some of the same stories were told differently for the two audiences. Great interviews on both shows!

Wandering Wyatt

I LOOOOOOVE THAT YOU INTERVIEWED MARY ROACH!!! (Said in a loud off-key sing songy voice)

Wandering Wyatt

Oh and I love the Duran Duran reference and quick clip. #genxer

roni 💥

huge day for freaky people (MEEEEEE)

Elinor Wahl

So Alie, how did it feel to be called 'the goddess of science communication' by Mary Roach? 🥰

Elinor Wahl

Mary Roach is likely doing a form of press junket for 'Replaceable You' - I heard her on yet another recent podcast, the September 4th episode of Atlas Obscura

Elinor Wahl

It also made it into an episode of 'Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex', though only the part about organ farming

Elinor Wahl

Do authors normally list where you can find signed copies of works?

Alex Minor

Yes, you can usually find it on their site. Mary Roach has it in hers.

Andrew McVay

I had minor surgery on an eyelid and not only smelled the cauterization, but saw the smoke drift up in front of my eye… 😬😣

Anastasia Press

And what's the verdict??? Did it smell kind of pleasant?

Allison Clark

I looooved this conversation. My dad had a freak heart attack when he was 43. The loss was obviously devastating, but I take so much comfort in the fact that his donation helped over 80 people all across the country.

Julian Di Donato

I’m sad about missing the chance to ask Mary a question! I’ve been utterly captivated by her writing ever since I read “Stiff” a long time ago. I’ve shared her books with everyone, just like I constantly tell people about Ologies.

Emily Krieger

just listened and omg the coked-out corpse insects!!!!!!!! build a book around that--how human rec drugs influence the rest of the animal kingdom?

Emily Krieger

i LOVE the questions Mary asks!! she is brave, asks the people's questions, and we are all better for it👏 great to hear you two in convo✨