In this engaging episode of 'Fourth Favorite Hat,' listeners are taken on a unique journey that intertwines the realms of paleontology, science communication, and quirky everyday conversations at Montana Dinosaur Center's dig sites. Hosts Andy, Bret, and Bryce, accompanied by guest Abby, delve into the fascinating world of dinosaur digs while also sharing light-hearted banter about their fourth favorite hats. Abby, hailing from Seattle and working at the Pacific Science Center, brings a fresh perspective on science communication, exploring how humor and relatable dialogue can bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding. Her work on a science comedy show, 'Are You Smarter Than a Comedian?' serves as a cornerstone for discussions about the power of storytelling in science. The episode is a charismatic blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and forward-thinking initiatives in making science accessible and enjoyable to a broader audience.

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In this whimsical yet insightful episode of 'Fourth Favorite Hat', we explore the lighter side of paleontology with the team from the Montana Dinosaur Center. Through engaging banter and shared stories, hosts Andy, Bret, and Bryce give us a glimpse into the daily dynamics of dinosaur digs and the science behind these prehistoric beings. From the quiet beauty of ancient ecosystems to the unexpected quirks of fieldwork and phylogenetic analysis, the episode seamlessly mixes humor with science, bridging the gap between the layperson and the fascinating world of paleontology. Additionally, the hosts delve into their personal journeys within paleontology, shedding light on the paths that led them to their current passions within the field.

Etude 13 LaSalle by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of the podcast’s “Meet the Hosts” mini-series, Andy, Bret, and Bryce put the spotlight on Bret and the winding path that pulled him into paleontology through geology. Bret traces it back to childhood: building a “rock museum” in his room (with plenty of help and inspiration from a mom who worked in museums), growing a collection fueled by family and friends bringing rocks home from their travels, and eventually landing on a favorite piece from Antarctica.

From there, the conversation broadens into what Bret actually does today, with a geology-first lens on fossils: sedimentology, reading the rocks around bones, and reconstructing ancient environments. Along the way, the hosts riff on citizen science, why outreach matters, and how surprisingly small the paleontology world can be. Expect plenty of friendly chaos, bad jokes about dodging rocks, and a deep dive into geologic history, including continental drift, Alfred Wegener’s early evidence, and how later ocean mapping helped validate the idea. The episode wraps by teasing next week’s turn in the hot seat: Bryce and the biology side of the paleo equation.

Etude 13 LaSalle by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Dot Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow The Montana Dinosaur Center on Social Media:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Montana Dinosaur Digs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Montana Dinosaur Digs Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠