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Discussion thread: Antarctica episode is published! (Patreon)

Published:
2026-04-30 21:47:58
Edited:
2026-05-05 07:11:10
Imported:
2026-04

Content

*This episode is published and ready to hear wherever you get podcasts. Let's talk about it.*

Let’s go to frickin Antarctica, mmmmkay? 

We've got all your answers about freezing temperatures, tiny flecks of plastic, bears, big red parkas, ice sheets, and microscopic signs of life. 

NatGeo Explorer and Antarcticologist Ariel Waldman hosts the PBS series “Life Unearthed” and we cover so much vast, frozen ground in this one – including “Should I try to visit Antarctica?”

Also: why you should cold email someone. Like, today. 

Did you listen? What did you think, dearest Patrons? Also the secret at the end is still holding strong. 

Okay let’s talk in the comments,

Father of Wardpod

Files

Antarcticology (ANTARCTIC RESEARCH) with Ariel Waldman - alie ward

Mile-thick ice. Dry, rocky valleys. Tiny creatures. Red parkas. Seal mummies. We're going to Antarctica with National Geographic Explorer, microscopic photographer, and Antarcticologist Ariel Waldman. She hosts the gorgeous PBS series "Life Unearthed" and answers a blizzard of questions about campin

Comments

Diana Staresinic-Deane

I just listened to this episode! I was surprised when Ariel said that some tartigrades are herbivores and eat bacteria. Are bacteria considered plants? I think I haven't given that much thought.

Lily Bee

I really appreciated the convo about women’s workwear/cold gear being so hard to source. I only work outside in the northeastern US but I also struggle with this so much. Don’t get me started on gear for when I was pregnant 🙄

Ariel Waldman

Hi all! So happy to have you all tune into this episode 👋❤️

Alie Ward

Oooooh, that must get chilly! Got any parka reccs?

Fiona McLaughlin

Ariel is such an inspiration! I love hearing about an artist/scientist who honed what she’s good at and let the world know until she landed the coolest job ever!! I’m definitely going to have to send some cold emails now…

Diana Staresinic-Deane

I listened to it when it first posted, but now I may need to listen to it again!

Livia Keene

Loved this episode! My friend Sydney met Ariel at Lake Fryxell when she was working there :)

Melissa Quinn

Three and a half minutes in and I've already learned something I didn't know - the Arctic and Antarctica are actually named after Ursa Major? That's awesome! That worked out so well for the polar bears!

Ariel Waldman

Oh awesome! I remember. Hi to Sydney!

bebau

The fact that all US poop on antarctica gets shipped to LA is getting added to my list of fun facts (as someone who lives in LA)

Kendric Beachey

Thanks so much for this episode. I listened to it while mowing the lawn in Kansas City, and did a fist pump upon hearing that Dr. Waldman was originally from here!

A. Ortega

I pretty much had Allie’s reaction to the emails! WHAT?! Then immediately wondered if there was an age limit for trying to get a job that would send me to Antártica

Doug Paice

Life goals. One minute you don't know a thing exists, the next it's something you desperately want to do

Ariel Waldman

It is indeed a fun and gross fact!

Katrina MacWhirter

I always had a dream of one day seeing/experiencing Antarctica, I have one ikea shelf cubby thingie stuffed full of picture books and books on Antarctic exploration and science. Unfortunately I have a rare mast cell condition that makes me allergic to the world, and cold has recently been added to the list of things that cause anaphylactic reactions. Darn, there goes my little plan to raise that $30,000 USD to secure a place on that cruise/science mission on the refurbished Russian ice breaker… an actual real cruise offered by a scientific team to help raise funds for further studies… $30,000 sounds like a lot, but the trip was going to last 3 months and included, if I recall correctly, a bunk in a room shared with three-five other people, time on the deck whenever you wanted to observe the sights and experiments, except if you were asked to stay below, and allotted time for questions. (… unfortunately I lost the bookmark for that offer, after saving it for years… but I doubt it still exists, I found this at least twenty years ago…) However, I do wonder if people living there experience fewer allergies?

Tanisha

I wish you would post the audio podcast here so you can add photos from the ologists and their specialties. I’d love to see some of the amazing things they see

Jim

And it has to be returned to its Point Of Origin (POO).

Jim

I was able to go as a tourist (study abroad, but basically tourism) 15 years ago. Wonderful experience!

retterhardt

This episode was awesome! It really brought out that little kid in me who spent all their time watching animal planet and national geographic, climbing trees and playing in the dirt. Maybe it was the sense of wonder about the natural world? Anyway, thanks, y'all!

R. Brennan

A bit late to the party, but it was so interesting to hear about those creatures that wring out themselves to survive because this is exactly how the Trisolarans in Three Body Problem survive their unstable eras! I wonder if this is how the author got his inspiration from Amazing episode as always and Ariel is a treasure!