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In this epsiode I had the pleasure of talking with Chelsea Wood, an Associate Professor at the University of Washington and a dedicated parasitologist. We talk about her middle-grade book, Power to the Parasites. The book provides a comprehensive, scientifically rigorous look at the oft-misunderstood creatures living in, on, and around us. Wood shares how her academic focus shifted from marine conservation to parasitology after discovering the intricate and vital roles these organisms play in global ecosystems.

The core thesis of Wood’s book challenges the assumption that parasites are merely harmful anomalies; rather, they are ancient, ubiquitous, and integral to the natural order. Key insights from the conversation include the evolutionary logic behind complex, multi-host life cycles, the mechanisms by which parasites like Toxoplasma gondii actively manipulate host behavior, and the surprising reality that human-driven ecosystem changes are driving many parasite species toward extinction rather than proliferation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The true definition of parasitism and the evolutionary logic of the r-selection strategy
• Complex, multi-host life cycles (e.g., the Lancet Liver Fluke’s journey from snails to ants to grazing animals)
• Behavioral manipulation and "mind control" by parasites like Toxoplasma gondii
• The unexpected role of parasites in ecosystem balance and wildlife conservation
• The hidden crisis of parasite extinction driven by habitat loss and overfishing
• Tracking historical parasite populations by dissecting century-old museum specimens

Find Chelsea Wood:

• Chelsea's website
• Chelsea on Instagram
• Chelsea's science book recommendations

Book Science:

• Website: https://www.trippcollins.com/podcast.html
• Show notes & transcripts: https://www.trippcollins.com/show-notes
• Check out the Book Science Book Shop on BookShop.org
• Instagram: @booksciencepodcast

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In this episode of the Book Science Podcast, I talk with science and environmental journalist Laura Poppick about her book, Strata: Stories from Deep Time (Illustrations by Sarah Gilman). We explore the geologic lens, a way of seeing the world that transforms ordinary landscapes into a 4.5-billion-year narrative. From the Great Oxygenation Event to the surprising role of mud in Earth history, Laura explains how geologists decode the Earth through layered rock. We also discuss the her "lyric preludes", which use poetry to set the scene. We also talk about stratigraphy as a contemplative, almost meditative practice of paying attention to the planet's oldest archives.

Beyond the science, we delve into the human side of research and the personal sacrifices involved in field work. Drawing on our shared experiences of working abroad, and we reflect on how studying deep time provides a humbling perspective on our own lives. Whether discussing the literal taste of dinosaur bones or the ancient smell of prehistoric lakebeds, this conversation emphasizes that science is a powerful tool for connection, both with each other and with this our only home, the Earth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Great Oxygenation Event (2.4 billion years ago)
• Rise of plants and the evolution of mud/rivers (458 million years ago)
• The Ediacaran period (first visible life)
• Stratigraphy as meditation and mindfulness
• Deep time and Earth's history
• Field work in South Australia and Dingle, Ireland

Find Laura Poppick:

• Laura's website
• Laura's substack
• Laura on bluesky
• Laura's science book recommendations: View the List

Book Science:

• Website: TrippCollins.com
• Show notes & transcripts: https://www.trippcollins.com/episodes
• Check out the Book Science Book Shop on BookShop.org
• Instagram: @booksciencepodcast

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Join me for a special one-year anniversary celebration of Book Science as I sit down with biologist and author Sönke Johnsen to discuss his beautiful book, Into the Great Wide Ocean: Life in the Least Known Habitat on Earth.

In this episode, Sönke takes us on a journey into the pelagic zone—the open ocean that makes up the vast majority of living space on our planet. We explore why this "unbearably beautiful" world looks like it is lit by blue LEDs, the evolutionary marvels of transparency and bioluminescence, and the immense challenges of studying creatures that are effectively invisible.

Sönke shares his philosophy on science communication, explaining why he chose to weave his personal memoir—from his childhood in Pittsburgh to his time on research submersibles—into a text about marine biology. We discuss the "physical pain" of the writing process, why humanizing scientists is essential for public trust, and the deep connection between artistic observation and biological discovery.

Plus: We dive into the "observer effect" of deep-sea research (and why trawling nets is like driving a bulldozer through a café), the spiritual awe of biodiversity, and why Sönke believes that conservation must be driven by love rather than shame.

Topics Covered:

• The visual beauty of the pelagic environment
• Bioluminescence: defense, predation, and communication in the dark
• The intersection of art and science (featuring Alister Hardy)
• Writing as "thought made manifest"
• The difficulty of observing deep-sea behavior without disturbing it
• Why admitting ignorance is a scientist's greatest strength
• Conservation strategies: "We save what we love"

Find Sönke Johnsen:

• Faculty Profile: Duke University
• Book: Into the Great Wide Ocean
• All books mentioned on Book Science: View the List

Book Science:

• Website: TrippCollins.com
• Show notes & transcripts: https://www.trippcollins.com/episodes
• Check out the Book Science Book Shop on BookShop.org
• Instagram: @booksciencepodcast

Support the show