Media Recommendations

Created in part by Hank Green and hosted by Kallie Moore, Michelle Barboza-Ramirez and Blake de Pastino, PBS Eons is the premiere paleontology channel on YouTube right now. They have videos on just about every topic you can imagine!

Join series host Steven Bellenti as he reviews dinosaur toys sent in by viewers, comparing them to the latest fossils and scientific papers, so as to better tell us just exactly how Your Dinosaurs Are Wrong.

From the creator of Sharp Teeth, David James Armbsy’s Dinosauria series is a masterclass in independent animation, delivering stories of dinosaurs on par with the best mainstream documentaries, all in beautiful animation.

While named for creator Ben G. Thomas, his YouTube channel has expanded to include Dougie Jaye and Emilia Evans among the presenters of the species profiles and 7 Days of Science news roundups that define this informative channel.

Prehistoric Road Trip follows Emily Graslie (of The Brain Scoop fame) as she travels around the American West visiting significant fossil sites from various periods in Earth’s history. This informative program is sure to entertain fossil fans of all ages.

Why Dinosaurs? is a feature length documentary by father/son duo Tony & James Pinto, who meet with people around the world, from professional paleontologists to toy collectors, all to answer the question: Why do we love dinosaurs?

Speaking of the best mainstream documentaries, though, I doubt any would dispute that Prehistoric Planet currently holds the crown! You can read my full review for more info, but I can tell you know that you will love it!

My favorite podcast these days, Paleonerds, is hosted by Alaskan artist, Ray Troll, and ventriloquist David Strassman, who interview various experts in paleontology on their specialties within the field. The casual style and jovial hosts make Paleonerds perhaps the most accessible of all the podcasts featured here for paleo newbies.

Another easily accessible podcast for laypeople, I Know Dino (hosted by husband & wife duo Garret & Sabrina) covers multiple topics, from a dino-of-the-day, to the latest paleo news, to occasional interviews. (Check out Sabrina’s book here!)

The delightfully nerdy science rock band, The Amoeba People, in addition to their awesome Fossil Record album, host something of a behind-the-scenes Podcast themed around songs they’ve written. The first half of each episode features a specialist relevant to the song’s theme, while the second half delves into the creative process behind the writing of the song.

My most recent discovery on this list, Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome is also based around interviews with various paleo personalities (including the hosts of Why Dinosaurs?, mentioned above). You can either listen in on your podcast app, or watch certain episodes in video format on their YouTube page, which is where I first stumbled across it.

Paleontologist Dave Hone and writer & comedian Iszi Lawrence team up for the Terrible Lizards podcast, where they talk about dinosaurs, and interview the people who study them.

One of the most highly-regarded podcasts on this list, Palaeocast‘s multiple hosts take turns interviewing different individuals involved in paleo topics, including scientists, paleoartists, and science communicators. The basics of the program are similar to Paleonerds, but for a much more technically-inclined audience. It’s a good way to stretch your science chops!

After years as one of the most popular paleo-themed blogs on the entire internet, the Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs team now have their own podcast! Each episode features both an interview with an important paleo personality, and a review of some vintage dinosaur art.

Hosted by paleontologist Darren Naish and paleoartist John Conway, the TetZoo Podcast represents perhaps the most famous podcast on this list, despite the irregular release schedule of its always busy hosts. It doesn’t strictly focus on paleontology, however, as like its eponymous blog, it covers all things tetrapod, including both living animals, and the occasional diversion into cryptozoology or speculative evolution.

Perhaps the most niche podcast on this list, Palaeo After Dark features paleontologists Curt, Amanda, and James in book club style discussions of important paleontological research, with plenty of alcohol to wash it down. Between the technical language and blue comedy, it certainly caters to a very narrow audience, but I love it to death.

The dynamic duo behind the Mary Anning’s Revenge blog, Amy Atwater & Meaghan Wetherill (also of Geopetal Fabric), are back in action with the Weird & Dead podcast, having their usual fun describing weird stuff from the past.