Just the Zoo of Us

340: Fiddler Crab

12 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We add another string to our bow by learning about the fiddler crab. We discuss the arc of history bending towards crab, the MogBot 2000, bad dating a...

339: Binturong w/ Rick Schwartz!

04 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest science communicator and ambassador for wildlife Rick Schwartz for a review of the wise old wizards of Asian forests: bintu...

338: Seriema

28 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets her claws out for seriemas. We discuss terror birds, reverse mullets, sickle claws, weird scenes from Jurassic Park, golf ball physics, and...

337: Tree Kangaroos w/ Lisa Dabek!

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, senior conservation scientist at Woodland Park Zoo and founder of the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program Lisa Dabek, as we...

336: Crawfish w/ Jack Koch!

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, technobiologist and professor Jack Koch, for a review of the iconic crustacean known and loved by many names: the crawfish...

335: Sand Cat

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen lets the sand cat out of the bag. We discuss dangerously approaching Hey Arnold, refusal to poop on unfamiliar toilets, blood gushers, a myth of...

Bonus Content Free Samples! (2026)

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Curious about the exclusive bonus content for Maximum Fun members? Enjoy some free samples from special episodes: "All Fun and Games with Isaac," "Jus...

334: Animals in Space w/ Let's Learn Everything!

29 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guests, Ella Hubber and Tom Lum of Let’s Learn Everything, turn our gazes to the skies and talk animals in space. We discuss the fru...

333: Great White Shark

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen jaws away about the great white shark. We discuss making our own planetary rings, performance-enhancing Speedos, how sharks sleep, the White Sha...

Casters on Casters: Teylor Smirl and Ellen Weatherford

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's MaxFunDrive. And here, for the first time, we give you an exclusive look (well, listen) at the craft of podcasting: presenting Casters on Casters...

332: Asian Elephants w/ Kartick Satyanarayan!

16 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, co-founder and CEO of conservation organization Wildlife SOS Kartick Satyanarayan, for a review of Asian elephants. We dis...

331: Jackrabbits

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Follow Ellen down the jackrabbit hole. We discuss facial tilt, satellite dish ears, evolutionary ghosts of predators past, touchdown dances, jackalope...

330: Cryptids w/ the Cryptonaturalist, Jarod K. Anderson!

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & the Cryptonaturalist (Jarod K. Anderson) to talk about the ways that nature and wildlife can inspire our creativity and shape our stories...

329: Coelacanth

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Don't call it a comeback, coelacanth's been here for years. We discuss life on Earth 400 million years ago, a military escort mission, our own fish an...

328: Apollo the African Grey Parrot w/ Dalton Mason!

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & Dalton Mason, creator and bird parent behind Apollo and Frens, for a look into life alongside the world-famous African grey parrot. You m...

327: Mandarin Duck

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen falls in love with the Mandarin duck. We discuss why waterfowl's webbed feet don't freeze in the winter, the evolutionary arms race between male...

326: Moth Flies w/ Emily, your Certified Bug Friend!

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, science communicator and Certified Bug Friend Emily, for a review of the tiny little bugs that fly around your nearest kit...

325: Triops (AKA Tadpole Shrimp)

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen goes on a journey through time and space with Triops, the tadpole shrimp. We discuss book fairs, vernal pools, whether saltwater or freshwater c...

324: Egg-Eating Snake w/ Lyn!

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest artist and reptile keeper Lyn for an up close and personal look at a little snake with a big appetite. We discuss how it fe...

323: Banana Slug

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen takes things slow with the iconic banana slug. We discuss mobile slip 'n' slides, recreationally poisoning yourself, liquid crystals, oobleck, r...

322: The Bird Hall w/ Shannon Hackett & John Bates!

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guests, power couple Shannon Hackett and John Bates from the Field Museum, here to talk about the intersection of science, histor...

321: Norway Lemmings

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen sets the record straight on Norway lemmings, busting over 400 years of myths. We discuss rodent audacity, ecological impacts that can be seen fr...

320: Vinny Thomas's Top 3 Urban Wildlife Species!

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest comedian, writer, and nature enthusiast Vinny Thomas for a review of some of the furry, feathered, and scaly neighbors maki...

319: Tasmanian Devil

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gives the Tasmanian devil his due. We discuss mythbusters, cranial real estate, the masculine urge to bite your fingers off, which came first: t...

318: Jungle Jordan's Top 3 Friend-Shaped Carnivores!

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, wildlife educator and zookeeper Jungle Jordan, as we round up his top 3 friend-shaped carnivores, all the cutest critters ...

317: Sea Angel

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets into the festive spirit with sea angels. We discuss Christian's beachfront disaster, secret tentacles, teeny titan battles, undismissable c...

316: Southern Cassowary w/ Marco Wendt!

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joined Ellen & special guest wildlife ambassador and care specialist Marco Wendt from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for a review of the towering birds...

315: Kinkajou

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen irons out the kinkajous. We discuss Thomas Jefferson's giant moose sidequest, the dessert hypothesis, bad pets, who the real Frankenstein monste...

314: Sarah Suta's Top 3 Dream Comebacks!

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & host of Bizarre Beasts Sarah Suta for a lineup of some animals she’d like to see get a second chance, whether they’re species we’ve...

170: Wild Turkey (REPLAY)

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's re-broadcast of an episode from November of 2022, Ellen goes on an odyssey through history with the wild turkey. We discuss their path ...

313: Turkey Vulture

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen has a bone to pick with turkey vultures. We discuss aura farming, our gripes with the pH scale, a check-in with our resident Dragon Ball Z corre...

312: Common Snapping Turtle w/ Emma Ratway!

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest from the world of wildlife rehabilitation Emma Ratway for a review of the chompy rogues lurking at the bottom of ponds all ...

311: Cleaner Wrasse

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen comes clean about the bluestreak cleaner wrasse. We discuss trust, cheating, fish patriarchy, manipulation, deception, game theory, the prisoner...

310: Lindsay Nikole’s Top 3 Periods of Life on Earth

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, zoology and science communication powerhouse Lindsay Nikole, for a review of some of the animal kingdom’s greatest hits ...

309: Hairy Frog

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets her claws out for the hairy frog. We discuss what the tooth fairy dispatch system is doing with all those teeth, frog gigging, Wolverine lo...

308: Cara Giaimo's Top 3 Surprises from the Animal Kingdom!

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, writer and science journalist Cara Giaimo, for a highlight reel of some of the animal kingdom’s biggest surprises. We di...

307: Jack Jumper Ants

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen jumps to conclusions about jack jumper ants. We discuss Metazooa, is it cake, a menace to public health, lime in the Coke, gamergate, casual abd...

306: A Review of Disgust w/ Nature Disturbed!

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest artist and science communicator behind Nature Disturbed for an appropriate kickoff to the month of all things wretched with...

305: Galápagos Tortoise

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen comes along for the ride with Galápagos tortoises. We discuss how giant tortoises crossed 600 miles of ocean, the superpowers built into their ...

304: Dr. Keriann McGoogan's Top 3 Primatology Stories!

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, primatologist and author Dr. Keriann McGoogan, for primatology storytime! Our guest shares experiences from her time worki...

303: American Dipper w/ Jason Hall!

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & birder and science communicator Jason Hall for a review of a little bird full of big surprises: the American dipper.  We discuss birding...

302: Bigfin Squid

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen demystifies the deep sea-dwelling bigfin squid. We discuss hunting for shipwrecks, life in the trenches, spaghetti noodle fingers, unintentional...

301: Lyrebirds w/ Dr. César Puechmarin!

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, wildlife veterinarian, filmmaker and science communicator Dr César Puechmarin, for a review of Australia’s masters of s...

300: A Badger + Coyote Adventure!

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & Christian team up as a coyote and badger in a cozy duet TTRPG adventure. When a family of skunks accuse a reclusive bobcat of disturbing their...

299: Nightjars

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gives the mysterious wing-clapping nightjars a round of applause. We discuss Pliny the Elder, bird whiskers, what it really means to "raise one'...

298: Katie Goldin's 3 Weirdest Shark Facts!

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & returning guest, science communicator and comedy writer Katie Goldin, for a roundup of her 3 weirdest facts about sharks. We discuss cage...

158: Pallas's Cat & Kiwi (REPLAY)

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's re-broadcast of an episode from September of 2022, Ellen lets Pallas's cat out of the bag & Christian probes into the world of the sens...

297: Red Fox

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen explains what the red fox REALLY says. We discuss a chicken shakedown, the Siberian fox domestication experiment, aim assist, quantum entangleme...

296: Leach's Storm Petrel w/ Melina Watson!

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, marine biologist and seabird wrangler Melina Watson, for a review of the ocean’s bravest little walkerwalkers: Leach’s...

295: Giant Anteater

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen pokes her nose into the giant anteater's business. We discuss Fun Dip, sleeper builds, optical illusions, blankies, the shirshu, and so much mor...

294: Speculative Evolution w/ Roxy Valdez!

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, digital artist and character designer Roxy Valdez, for a multimedia exploration of the intersection where real-world biolo...

293: Rhinoceros & Bird-eating Tarantula

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christian takes charge of rhinoceroses & Ellen gives bird-eating tarantulas a hair-raising review. We discuss unicorns, mmwonk, dragon calls, Ace Vent...

292: Ivan Phillipsen's 3 Weirdest Birds!

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen and acclaimed naturalist Ivan Phillipsen to round up his top 3 weirdest birds. We discuss what makes a bird truly “weird,” the distinct...

291: Kid Questions with Isaac!

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest Isaac answer questions from young listeners! We discuss albinism, whales and dinosaurs, what makes an organism an animal, raccoo...

290: Rabbits w/ Zoe Feigen!

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, veterinarian and rabbit parent Zoe Feigen, for an exposé on rabbits and the secret horrors they’re hiding underneath al...

289: Parrotfish

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen bites off more than she can chew with parrotfish. We discuss the Mohs scale, Korn corn, throat teeth, crystal chainmail, sleeping bags made of s...

288: Corals w/ Jessie Palmer!

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, champion of the reef Jessie Palmer, as we try to save the world one polyp at a time. We discuss coral wars and neural nets...

Extremely Accurate Bird Songs: Mourning Dove

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get your seeds and suet ready because it's time for a feed drop: Ellen joins birding musicians Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby for the debut episode of E...

287: Mexican Jumping Bean Moth & Slow Worm

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen's thinking about those Mexican jumping beans & Christian takes things slow with the slow worm. We discuss bean details, the strategic value of r...

286: A Review of the Animal Kingdom in Miniature w/ Dr. Mark D. Scherz!

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, evolutionary biologist and herpetologist Dr. Mark D. Scherz, for a look through the magnifying glass at miniaturized anima...

285: American Woodcock & Camel Spider

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christian walks to the beat of the American woodcock & Ellen throws shade at camel spiders. We discuss peent, walking with rhythm to attract the worm,...

284: African Pygmy Hedgehog w/ Sarah Bessie!

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, animal care educator and advocate Sarah Bessie (the "Hedge Chef") for a review of the prickly little roly polies: African ...

283: Paddlefish & Pigbutt Worm

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christian is up a creek without a paddlefish & an unusual deep-sea worm becomes the butt of Ellen's jokes. We discuss a previous guest getting electro...

282: Brooke Hartman's Top 3 Cutest Killers!

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, author Brooke Hartman, for a look at some of the animal kingdom’s most deceptively adorable assassins. We discuss evolut...

281: Field Notes (2025)

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & Christian share stories, observations and inspiration from special guest: you! We discuss Benedict Cumberbatch's turkey gang, my squirrel mech...

280: Eastern Gray Squirrel & Budgerigar (aka Parakeet)

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen goes nuts for the eastern gray squirrel & a little bird told Christian about the budgerigar (AKA parakeet). We discuss the MaxFunDrive, Pikachu,...

Ellen joins MFD Spring Break

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not MaxFunDrive without a wild kickoff spectacular! Former real-life VJ and host of MTV's Spring Break 1999, Dave Holmes, takes your favorite M...

279: Brachiosaurus w/ Charles Nye!

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a continuation of our dinosaur double-feature, Ellen is joined by a paleoartist and marine biologist for a review of the ancient giants that towere...

278: Tyrannosaurus Rex (and Modern Dinosaurs) w/ Christian Flores!

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, paleontology educator Christian Flores, review the towering icons of the dinosaur world: Tyrannosaurus rex. We discuss what we ...

277: Kākāpō & Flying Fish

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christian gives a hoot about the owl-faced kākāpō & Ellen draws a line in the ocean over flying fish. We discuss ghosts of selection past, jug band...

276: Jules Léon's Top 3 Pinnipeds!

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & marine biologist Jules Léon for a review of his top 3 favorite pinnipeds. We discuss galumphing, Prada eels, a species made up entirely ...

275: Albatrosses

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Love is literally in the air as Ellen locks in with albatrosses. We discuss aspect ratios, snot gutters, dynamic soaring, romance, divorce, 18th centu...

274: Dr. Alyson Brokaw's Top 3 Bats!

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, bat biologist Dr. Alyson Brokaw, for an up-close look at some of the furry friends fluttering through our night skies. We ...

273: Flying Snakes

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Christian takes to the skies with flying snakes. We discuss the beginning of the Year of the Snake, collapsible teeth, the physics of flight, Dragonol...

272: Dr. Chelsea L. Wood's Top 3 Parasites!

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & parasite ecologist Dr. Chelsea L. Wood for a review of some bizarre and fascinating creatures that, despite their tiny size, impact our w...

271: Box Jellyfish

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen pulls no punches with the box jellyfish. We discuss jellyfish venom, kingslayers, emergency vinegar, what not to do when you get stung, Snell's ...

270: Hazel Dormouse w/ Holly Daniels!

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, ecologist and wildlife photographer Holly Daniels, for a review of a real small wonder: the hazel dormouse. This extra-coz...

269: Christmas Island Red Crab & Elf Owl

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian leaves out milk and cookies for the Christmas Island red crab & Ellen goes for a silent night flight with elf owls. We discuss inside-out lu...

268: Sea Turtles w/ Rushan bin Abdul Rahman!

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & sea turtle ecologist Rushan bin Abdul Rahman for a review of everyone’s favorite hamburger-shaped reptiles. We discuss the life of a se...

267: Wood Frog & Titan Triggerfish

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen chills out with the wood frog & Christian goes ballistic with the titan triggerfish. We discuss cryostasis, the dark forest hypothesis, going Su...

266: Thomas Green's Top 3 Animal Mating Relationships

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, behavioral zoologist and science communicator Thomas Green, for a look at some of the fascinating ways animals get close t...

265: Leafcutter Ants

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets carried away by leafcutter ants. We discuss Disney mistakes, power scaling, farming, domestication, obligate symbiosis, air conditioning, e...

264: Orcas w/ Fred the Orca Man!

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we are joined by science communicator Fred the Orca Man for a review of the iconic wolves of the sea. We discuss whale taxon...

263: American Lobster

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian gets snippy with the American lobster.  We discuss New England, split colors, immortality, flirting with pee, big meaty claws, grocery stor...

97: Sea Otter & Blue-Ringed Octopus (REPLAY)

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's re-broadcast of an episode from May of 2021, Ellen reviews the ocean's most adorable monsters, sea otters, & Christian rates the dazzli...

262: Jumping Slugs w/ Meaghan Wetherell!

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen is joined by biologist/paleontologist Meaghan Wetherell for a review of the slimiest breakdancers in the world: jumping slugs. We discuss scienc...

Bonus Episode Preview: A Review of Vampires

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A free sample of October's bonus episode: a review of vampires!  Head over to https://maximumfun.org/join/ to sign up and get ALL of our bonus conten...

261: Ogre-Faced Spider & Honduran White Bat

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets a really good look at the ogre-faced spider & Christian gets cozy with Honduran white bats. In this festively themed episode, we discuss ep...

260: Ross Seal w/ Griffin McElroy!

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we are joined by comedy podcasting and tabletop roleplaying legend Griffin McElroy for a review of the squishy pugs of the A...

259: Strawberry Poison Dart Frog & Clownfish

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian gets toxic with strawberry poison dart frogs & Ellen just keeps swimming with clownfish. We discuss the final evolution of oof,  extreme mo...

258: Cats w/ Steven Ray Morris!

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, podcasting powerhouse Steven Ray Morris, for a long-anticipated review of those furry little predators that have inspired ...

257: Pygmy Hippopotamus & Harpy Eagle

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen fawns over the viral pygmy hippopotamus & Christian goes big with the harpy eagle. We discuss the evolution of hippos, blood sweat, poocoptering...

256: Dr. Sebastian Echeverri's Top 3 Spiders

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Spider scientist Dr. Sebastian Echeverri returns to share with us his top 3 favorite spiders. We discuss spiders who go from moving like shadows to so...

255: Siamang & Laughing Kookaburra

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian hoots with siamangs & Ellen hollers with laughing kookaburras.  We discuss defying gravity, how screaming fits into any good morning routin...

254: A History of Bugs w/ Lucca's BioHub!

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, science communicator Lucca of Lucca's  BioHub, for a look back on the half-a-billion year history of bugs. We discuss anc...

253: Dung Beetles & Giant Moray Eel

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets the ball rolling with dung beetles & Christian jaws away about the giant moray eel. We discuss tiny boots, field trips to the planetarium, ...

Bugs Need Heroes: The Painbow

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're out traveling this week! In the meantime, please enjoy this episode of Bugs Need Heroes, in which Ellen joined hosts Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimm...

252: Andean Condor w/ Kai Gómez D'hers!

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, biodiversity champion Kai Gómez D'hers, for a journey through the skies of Argentina on some of the biggest wings in the ...

251: Gila Monster & Indian Peacock

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian chews on the Gila monster & Ellen struts her stuff with the Indian peacock. We discuss Christian's Duolingo streak, lizard venom, yet anothe...

250: Rhinoceros Hornbill w/ Sarah Skebba!

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & wildlife educator Sarah Skebba for a review of a modern-day dinosaur with some pretty extreme approaches to life: the rhinoceros hornbill...