Smologies with Alie Ward
by Alie Ward
From the publisher
Ologies → Smologies. It’s all of the science, with none of the swearing! Smologies are shortened, kid-friendly episodes of the award-winning science podcast, Ologies, which covers topics from Toads (Bufology) to the Moon (Selenology) and everything in between.
What Smologies with Alie Ward is recognised for
Top rated
Rated 4.7 stars or better from at least 500 ratings. A fixed bar, not a top-ten slot — some months more shows clear it, some months fewer.
Every distinction here is either computed from the whole catalogue or picked by us and labelled as such. How each one is decided
Good for
Collections Smologies with Alie Ward landed in, based on what its reviews say.
What parents actually say
High confidence · 77 detailed reviewsPlenty of detailed reviews to work from, so these patterns are pretty dependable. We summarise the 77 reviews long enough to describe the show, out of 122 in total — one-line raves don't tell you much.
Why parents put it on
The moments it actually gets used for.
- Great for car ridesTop8
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- “Recently did a road trip through New Mexico with three generations (ages 6 to 71).”
- “Bonus: the parental units also enjoyed the two hour drive.”
- Works at bedtime7
See what they saidHide
- “Smologies is awesome it helps me fall asleep and it is so interesting and fun to listen to also they are good episodes to listen to and I can listen to them every night!😃😃😃😃…”
- “I always fall asleep to this and I loved the wolf and dinosaur episodes!”
- Great voices & acting5
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- “Big fan — I left a review in Ologies about how I thought my unborn child would recognize Alie’s voice more than mine.”
- “Relaxing in bed with Alie Ward’s calming voice yet funny words is now a daily need.”
- Kids ask to replay it5
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- “Thank you so much for the jellyfish episode I stared to like jellyfish when I watched one of those soothing jellyfish videos and got obsessed I looked to see if there was one an…”
- “The best podcast for kids- my kids are obsessed with literally every episode.”
- Parents enjoy it too3
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- “This podcast has become one of the most joyful parts of (my son and i’s) day.”
- “My kids and I are jumping up and down for you and for science.”
- Works for mixed ages3
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- “Thank you so much for making something that was safe for all ages but not childish.”
- “My 9 and 10 year old daughters are obsessed with this show.”
What it's about
What comes up when parents describe it.
- Science & STEMTop18
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- “If you like cool pastel sci-fi stuff You should watch bee and puppycat on Netflix yes there’s no space in puppycat if you’re already watch that that’s really cool.”
- “It helps me understand my science class better (end of year testing is trying to find me).”
- Humor & silliness7
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- “It’s funny, informative, interesting and you will learn things you never thought you needed to know!”
- “Relaxing in bed with Alie Ward’s calming voice yet funny words is now a daily need.”
- Animals & nature6
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- “I always fall asleep to this and I loved the wolf and dinosaur episodes!”
- “Can you please do more animals I understand you don’t really have a choice but we would like that thanks………..you’re so pretty 😭😁😁😁😁😁”
- Original songs & music4
See what they saidHide
- “Ideas ~ music 🎶 ~ outer space 🪐 ~ books 📚 ~ elephants 🐘 ~ adoption ~ Tv 📺 ~ money 💵 ~ school 🏫”
- “Happy to have an alternative to sibling bickering and requests for video game theme music!!”
- Imagination & creativity2
See what they saidHide
- “Before each episode, he pauses and says, “Mum, I wonder how she’s going to introduce the show tonight.” Then he makes up his own hilarious guesses.”
- “NOW (just pretend in your best pretwnding imagination that NOW is in a demonic voice because eh makes it cooler 🙃) Ps #2- your a great person alie ward and i love your show its…”
What it feels like
The mood parents describe.
- EducationalTop21
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- “I want to learn about any thing you upload!”
- “It’s funny, informative, interesting and you will learn things you never thought you needed to know!”
- Funny6
See what they saidHide
- “It’s funny, informative, interesting and you will learn things you never thought you needed to know!”
- “Relaxing in bed with Alie Ward’s calming voice yet funny words is now a daily need.”
- Exciting5
See what they saidHide
- “You’ve made science feel safe, exciting, and fun again, for both of us.”
- “Thanks again, Alie, for an exciting, kid appropriate, and inspiring podcast!”
- Wholesome4
See what they saidHide
- “Thank you so much for making something that was safe for all ages but not childish.”
- “You’ve made science feel safe, exciting, and fun again, for both of us.”
- Calming2
See what they saidHide
- “Thank you so much for the jellyfish episode I stared to like jellyfish when I watched one of those soothing jellyfish videos and got obsessed I looked to see if there was one an…”
- “Relaxing in bed with Alie Ward’s calming voice yet funny words is now a daily need.”
Who's actually listening
From the 13 reviews that name a child's age.
- Tweens (9-12)6
- Early elementary (6-8)5
- Preschool (3-5)2
How to read this: each number is how many reviews raised that topic in their own words — not a percentage or a score. Bars compare topics within a box only, so the longest bar is whatever came up most here, marked Top. The dots above show how much evidence we have, not how good the show is.
This summarises what reviewers said. It isn't our verdict, and we don't write reviews ourselves. See exactly how every number is calculated.
About Smologies with Alie Ward
In the publisher's own words, as they describe the show on its feed.
Ologies → Smologies. It’s all of the science, with none of the swearing! Smologies are shortened, kid-friendly episodes of the award-winning science podcast, Ologies, which covers topics from Toads (Bufology) to the Moon (Selenology) and everything in between. Enjoy clean and witty bite-sized science delights as host Alie Ward asks Ologists of all kinds smart – and sometimes silly – questions. Get to know the charming and diverse array of experts who share not only their wisdom, but also their lived experiences.
Parent reviews (122)
Real reviews from real parents — the ones we gather from public sources link back to where they were written, and the ones written here are marked as such.
Listened to Smologies with Alie Ward?
Tell other parents what you thought. It takes a minute and genuinely helps.
What is your schedule for episodes?
Rob🌴🌸🌹🍄💐🌺🌳🪷🌾🪻🌷🌲🌴💖💖💖🖤🩵🤎🏆🏆🌈
How does the Earth explode? · Oct 2026
@itsjust_agirl (not a real account)
i love this pod!! it helps me fall asleep in like 5 minutes!!!!
There’s a few problems · Sep 2026
Panpridepotato🏳️🌈🥔 here!!
You were great on the show brainchild! You were hilarious!😂
Panpridepotato🏳️🌈🥔 · Sep 2026
Science!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Best podcast ever love science
Lilly, silly · Sep 2026
Hello me —> ٩( ᐛ )و
If you like cool pastel sci-fi stuff You should watch bee and puppycat on Netflix yes there’s no space in puppycat if you’re already watch that that’s really cool. I think it’s a good show. If you end up watching it and liking it because I told you it was good Then let me know 👍😊
♤˚✧₊⁎Toast⁎⁺˳✧༚♤ · Aug 2026
To instaAshly
Oh my god is not exactly a swear sure you might think it is but it.is.not.a.swear!!!!!!!!!!! To Allie ward please make a smologies about cheese!My mom heard it and she said it was awesome so please make one!!!!! I love u on brainchild
Appleblossom(warrior cat OC) · Aug 2026
Insanely amazed
Wow, just wow I love it. It is the best.🙂👍. 👕. 👖
Roo89589 · Aug 2026
amazing
great to calm down when stressed thinking about a cool topic rather than sad emotions.
The bear with a honeycomb ears · Aug 2026
Showing the 120 most recent of 122 reviews we analysed. The summaries above use all of them.
Questions parents ask
What age is Smologies with Alie Ward for?
Smologies with Alie Ward doesn't publish an age range, but based on the ages parents name in their reviews it lands with 3–12-year-olds, most often tweens (9-12) and early elementary (6-8).
How long are Smologies with Alie Ward episodes?
Most episodes run about 26 minutes, so an episode fits comfortably into a school run or a bedtime routine.
Is Smologies with Alie Ward any good?
It holds 4.8 out of 5 from 529 ratings, with 122 written parent reviews, which works out to an A on our scale.
Is Smologies with Alie Ward appropriate for kids?
Smologies with Alie Ward is marked clean, with no explicit content flag. Parents describe it as educational, funny, exciting.
Where can I listen to Smologies with Alie Ward?
Smologies with Alie Ward is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music and other podcast apps. It's free to listen to.
Why do parents recommend Smologies with Alie Ward?
The point that comes up most is "great for car rides" — mentioned in 8 of the 77 reviews we analysed.
Episodes
60 to play, newest first
OWLS with R.J. Gutiérrez
Oct 1, 2026 · 30 min
OWLS. FINALLY. In no particular order: what’s up with their eyes, legs, hoots, nests, necks, barfs? Is it ok to hoot back at them? What do you mean one of their toes is reversible? Go take a walk or sit on a porch in the dusk and make friends with Rocky. Dr. R.J. “Rocky” Gutiérrez is a celebrated researcher, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, a legend in the owl world, and simply one of the loveliest ologists. He’ll take us on a trip next to a river, scrambling up some trees, over rocky terrain and through the forest to learn why owls are so magnetic. Yeah, I called owls the best bird. Not backing down.
BRAIN CHEMICALS with Crystal Dilworth
Sep 25, 2026 · 29 min
Serotonin! Dopamine! Norepinephrine! Neurotransmitters: what's their deal? Dr. Crystal Dilworth, aka Dr. Brain, stops by to have a spirited discussion about how chemical messengers change our moods and behaviors. We chat about sleep, focus, happiness, depression, anxiety, what chemicals drive us to get off the couch, ADHD, the microbiome, and so much more of what goes into making our noggins work they way they do.
SPACE FOOD with Maggie Coblentz
Sep 18, 2026 · 26 min
Dehydrated eggs. Airborne tortillas. Pouches of chicken. Tang. Work up an appetite for space food with artist, designer and Astrobromatologist, Maggie Coblentz. We talk micro-gardening in space, recycled water, dehydrated beef, velcro fatigue, the problem with crumbs in zero gravity, how to make barbecued wings in orbit, and what’s being done to make space food more delicious.
FERNS with Fay-Wei Li
Sep 10, 2026 · 27 min
Fronds. Forest dwellers. Spores. Houseplants. Gametophytes? We’ve got ferns. The charming and hilarious professor, pteridologist and author of “Ferns: Lessons in Survival from Earth’s Most Adaptable Plants,” Dr. Fay-Wei Li, tells me all aboutwhat makes ferns such oddities in the plant world, fern evolution, why they have beef with flowering plants, tips for growing your own fern gully, whether they have roots or rhyzomes or friends, and how ferns could help cool down a warming planet or grow better crops. This episode is, in Fay-Wei’s words, “ferntastic.”
BEAVERS with Rob Rich
Sep 3, 2026 · 28 min
Orange teeth! Multi-purpose tails! Architecture with twigs! Field naturalist, conservationist, wildlife tracker and “beaver believer” Rob Rich works with the National Wildlife Federation’s coordination of the Montana Beaver Working Group and answers all of our Castorological questions about: baby beavers, tooth tools, lodges, dams, the sound of water, the slap of a tail, beavers throughout history and in your dreams forever.
GOOD FIRE with Amy Christianson
Aug 27, 2026 · 29 min
Cultural burns. Prescribed blazes. A healthy forest. What exactly is “good fire?” Let’s ask Indigenous fire scientist Dr. Amy Christianson, who is a co-host of the podcast ...Good Fire. This wonderfully generous and informed scholar took a quick break from her Canadian wilderness vacation to fill me in on Indigenous history, thoughts on cultural burns, flim-flam, evacuations, hunting strategies, land stewardship, learning from Indigenous wildfire fighters, Two-Eyed Seeing and more. Huge thanks to her and Matt Kristoff -- who also hosts the Your Forest Podcast -- for allowing us to use excerpts from their Good Fire interview. Subscribe to both podcasts to get more ecological knowledge in your ears.
WILDFIRES with Gavin Jones
Aug 14, 2026 · 29 min
As Smashmouth said, “My world’s on fire, how ‘bout yours?” Why yes, Mr. Mouth, it is, indeed, on fire. As so many of us around the globe are sharing in this burning sensation, what better time than now to sit down and fire off a lot of questions at Fire Ecologist, Dr. Gavin Jones. We talk about what fire is, how hot it burns, fire trends, tinderboxes, lots and lots of forest fire flim-flam, tolerant wombats, cunning pine cones, thick bark, Indigenous fire stewardship and more. This episode might get you pretty heated but that’ll only release seeds of new ideas and hope, because it's serotinous. That bad joke will make sense after you listen.
WASPS with Eric Eaton
Aug 11, 2026 · 27 min
Wasps!? Don’t even THINK of skipping this one, my beautiful chickens. You’re about to change your outlook on the most maligned winged sky babies, and we are delighted that author, bug dude, and spheksologist Eric Eaton is about to change your mind and fill your heart with respect and appreciation. Hunker down for itty bitty critters, papery nests, stinger myths, bug corsets, gardening secrets, and snack vaults. Get ready to hear about the misunderstood and beautifully diverse world of wasps, from the teeny tiny to the large and legendary. Wasps: they’re not as mean as you think.
DARK MATTER with Flip Tanedo
Jul 31, 2026 · 26 min
It’s invisible. It’s mysterious. It’s all around us – and no one knows what it is. Let’s stretch our brains by pondering Dark Matter! The world’s most affable and endearing theoretical particle physicist, Dr. Flip Tanedo makes matter, energy, and gravity make sense. Also: Galactic origins, space ghosts, multiverses, dimensions, and more. You’ll leave with a newfound wonder and the desire to read physics journals for the secrets of life.
SEA TURTLES with Camryn Allen
Jul 23, 2026 · 29 min
If you think you like sea turtles, get ready to become wildly obsessed with them. Cheloniologist Dr. Camryn Allen met up with Alie on a tropical island (ok, in a hotel room on a tropical island) to chat about flipper slappings, nesting BBs, current surfing, sleeping under water, boopable noses, eggs, hatchlings, mind-boggling navigation, what you can do to help them, and the many mysteries that still remain. Take a deep dive into the world of seartles. Or is it surtles?
TORTOISES with Amanda Hipps
Jul 17, 2026 · 29 min
What's a tortoise? What's a turtle? Why do they live so dang long? What's up with their shells? Wildlife biologist and testudinologist Amanda Hipps studies gopher tortoises and dishes about turtle nomenclature, cliques, roommates, behavior, burrows, evolution and more. If you don't dig tortoises yet, you're about to fall deep into a turtle tunnel in love with them.
TASTE with Gary Beauchamp
Jul 10, 2026 · 27 min
Sweet! Salty! Sour! Umami? Why do some people love their greens more than others? Can something taste “hot?” Come down to flavortown and let’s talk tongues. Gustologist Dr. Gary Beauchamp is a chemosensory scientist and an expert in taste. We chat about tastebud flim-flam, celebrity grade hot wings, super tasters, how much of taste is really smell, acquiring a taste for foods, and whether our four-legged companions have a sweet tooth. Delicious facts, served up hot.