What does a Congolese rainforest childhood reveal about the roots of human cooperation? In this captivating episode of Talking Apes, we sit down with Dr. Gul Deniz Salali, evolutionary anthropologist at University College London, to explore her groundbreaking research with the BaYaka people of the Congo Basin. Dr. Salali shares intimate insights into how BaYaka children learn through play, observation, and social bonds—offering profound lessons on community, learning, and what it means to grow up human.

Drawing on years of fieldwork, Dr. Salali unpacks how small-scale societies help illuminate our evolutionary past and challenge assumptions about childhood, intelligence, and survival. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersections of culture, evolution, and cognition.

https://www.guldenizsalali.com/

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Are we really the only "talking apes"? Get ready for a mind-blowing episode with Dr. Adriano Reis E Lameira, one of the world’s leading experts on the evolution of speech and language!

Dr. Lameira has spent years deep in the rainforests of Borneo, decoding the vocal mysteries of orangutans. His groundbreaking research challenges long-held beliefs about what separates us from our primate cousins. Can great apes control their voices more than we thought? Do they have the ability to “talk” in ways we've never realized? And what if the roots of language go back further than we ever imagined?

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ape communication, from Rocky the “talking” orangutan to jaw-dropping discoveries about how these incredible primates may even refer to the past! We also explore how scientific bias has shaped our understanding of what makes humans unique, and why it might be time to rethink everything.

Dr. Lameira's Profile at the University of Warwick

Dr. Lameira's Publications on Google Scholar

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Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.

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Hanging with Our Ancestors: Luke Fannin on Climbing, Evolution & Ape Locomotion

Ever wondered why kids instinctively love monkey bars? Or why apes move so deliberately in the trees? In this episode of Talking Apes, biological anthropologist Luke Fannin takes us on a journey through the evolution of climbing, exploring how primates, from ancient hominins to modern chimps, have adapted to life in the canopy.

Luke breaks down the surprising biomechanics of climbing up vs. climbing down, revealing why descending may have played a bigger role in human evolution than we ever imagined. We’ll also uncover how playgrounds, rock climbers, and even early tool-making tie into our primate past. It’s a fascinating deep dive into movement, survival, and the hidden connections between our everyday actions and our evolutionary history.

Explore Luke's publications on his Google Scholar profile.

Read Luke's article: The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey Bars

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Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.

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