Tom is joined by wildlife gardener Joel Ashton to think about invertebrates in relation to garden spaces. We talk about invertebrate habitats, the role of invertebrates within ecosystems, and consider what we can do to make our gardens more condusive to invertebrate life and therefore life more broadly. If you have no garden, fear not! There's something for you here. In this episode, the garden becomes a lense through which we can consider wider implications: our own relationship with wild...

What's it like to live with between 300 and 400 spiders? In this episode, we think about the relationships that exist between people and spiders, discovering what it's like to care for and value these creatures which are so contentious to the general public. Tom chats with Tea Francis, spider-person, spider-advocate, spider-keeper, to learn how to care for spiders, and to gain a fresh perspective on our eight-legged mates. We also explore the connection between spider care and...

In this episode, we take a critical look at the relationships which we have built with invertebrates. What is it that makes invertebrates frightening and disgusting to so many, yet completely fascinating to others? Tom is joined by Jeffrey Lockwood, author of 'The Infested Mind', to question whether fear of invertebrates is a cultural phenomenon, or something built into the human psyche. We examine the 'six great fears' that can be considered the root of entomophobia, discover the 'cookie...

The woodlouse is an familiar, unobstrusive little creature - dull, grey and unassuming. What if we defy that expectation? In this episode we lift up a log, and enter the incredible world of the woodlouse. Tom chats with scientist Eleanor Drinkwater about her research in the field of woodlouse personality, as well as woodlouse diversity, the challenges faced by terrestial crustaceans and a great deal more. Come and hear about the bacteria which turns male woodlice female, about the woodlice...

Note the inverted commas, pincer-like, around the title. In this episode, we discuss 'crabs' - the various animals that end up under the 'crab' umbrella. Tom chats 'crabs' with Mark Losavio, diver, eduactor and marine biologist. We talk all things crab, and also discuss working in aquariums, teaching children about the ocean, and Mark shares his perspective on being a black man in marine science.

Octopus, squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. In this episode, we immerse oursles in the bizarre and wonderful world of the cephalopods. Tom is joined by Nemo, scientist, science communicator and krakenologist, to discuss these remarkable molluscs. We chat about cephalopod diversity, cephalopod intelligence, cephalopod senses and so much more. We also examine what cephalopods have meant to humans, from seafaring tales of the kraken to monstrous visions of life beyond the stars.

Spiders are animals of great cultural heft - divisive and evocative. In this episode, we will focus on what a spider is, and how a spider lives. Tom is joined by Professor Mariella Herberstien, behavioural ecologist, arachnologist and Eurovision Song Contest devotee to discuss the incredible lives of spiders. We discuss social behaviour in spiders, the sensory world of spiders, deceptive behaviour and the functions of webs. If you'd like to get in touch please contact...

Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' begins, 'I intend to speak of forms changed into new entities'. In this podcast, we do just that. In this episode, we learn about insect metamorphosis, how it occurs, and how we as humans relate to this strange process. Tom speaks with Connor Butler, scientist and ecologist, about insect transformation and lifecycles, with particular focus on Dung Beetles. Connor also runs us through the transformative lifecycles of frogs and other amhpibians (as a comparative...

Another buzzing episode. In this episode, Tom speaks with entomologist Charlotte Alberts about Assassin flies, and about flies more broadly. We learn all about the intruiging, deadly world of the Assassin Flies, what defines them and how they live, whilst also touching on the fly order (diptera) more broadly. As well as learning about flies as animals, we also consider the fraught nature of our relationship with flies, and have a chance to reflect on what it means to value and care about the...

Cockroaches are not well liked. They have become symbols of dillapidation and decay. In this episode, we will see what we can learn about cockroaches, when we give ourselves permission to be fascinated by them. Tom speaks with Professor Dominic Evangelista, a cockroach expert to learn more about these (perhaps) misunderstood creatures. In this episode, we also speak about EntoPOC, a fantastic initiative which Dominic is a part of, striving to provide people of colour with access to...

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside. In this episode, Tom speaks with Elizabeth Mills of Marine Mumbles about her passion for rockpooling, and the animals that can be find at the shore. We discuss an incredible range of creatures, from seaside favourites like crabs and barnacles, to the less familiar...

What is flying ant day? What are they up to? In this episode, Tom is joined by Miles Maxcer, myrmecologist and director of The Ant Network to discuss the phenomenon of Flying Ant Day, and the fascinating science behind it. We discuss the life cycle of an ant colony, and look at some of the ways different species of ant found and develop their colonies.

What we talk about when we talk about bugs. What is a bug? What is it really? In this first episode, Tom chats with Professor Colin Favret about the true bugs (the hemiptera). Learn what defines the true bugs, the etymology of the word bug, and about the lives of aphids, pond skaters, bed bugs and more.

If it lacks a backbone, we're interested. In this podcast, we are exploring the world of invertebrates, discovering the amazing lives they lead, and thinking carefully about our relationhips with these much-maligned creatures. With the help of experts, we are lifting stones, peering into the water and grubbing in the filth.