FRAMED BY FABLES | Animals & Pop Culture | Podcast Guru

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What we think we know about animals often comes from the stories we tell. But are wolves really big and bad? Are owls really wise? Framed by Fables puts animal myths, stereotypes, and pop-culture portrayals to the test with real science. Hosted by comedian Helen Hong, each episode features a special guest and a renowned animal expert who reveal the surprising truth about animal behavior, debunk common misconceptions, and explore what science really tells us about the creatures we think we know. From misunderstood wildlife to unexpected animal facts, every episode challenges what you thought you knew. And every episode ends with a twist you won't see coming.

Recent Episodes

Bats Don’t Suck (And Other Facts) w/ Halloween scholar Lisa Morton

Send us Fan Mail Bats don’t suck but their reputation does. 🦇 On Framed by Fables, host and comedian Helen Hong teams up with wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana and special guest Lisa Morton, acclaimed author, Halloween expert, and paranormal historian, to explore the fascinating world of bats through a pop culture lens. From bat facts and vampire lore to Halloween history and the origins of our spooky associations, this episode digs into how these remarkable animals became cultural icons....

44 MIN

Spiders: The Creepy, the Crazy & the Completely True (w/ phobia expert Dr. Eda Gorbis)

Send us Fan Mail Why can a tiny spider send an otherwise fearless person into a full-blown panic? Little Miss Muffet was driven away by a spider. But Peter Parker got his Spiderman superpowers from one. Somewhere between the nursery rhyme and Marvel Comics, spiders became both creatures to fear and creatures to envy. From intricate spider webs and extraordinary hunting techniques to venom and sensory systems that help spiders navigate their world, these arachnids are f...

44 MIN

What's The REAL Truth About Rabbits? (w/The Bunny Museum founders)

Send us Fan Mail What do Bugs Bunny, the Easter Bunny, Playboy, the Tortoise and the Hare, and pregnancy tests have in common? More than you might think. Helen Hong goes down the rabbit hole with Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski, founders of The Bunny Museum, and wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana to explore the surprisingly strange world of rabbits. We get into the stories, characters, traditions and cultural associations that made rabbits such a familiar part of our lives, while also diggi...

40 MIN

Who's the ass: us or donkeys? (w/ Bill & Ted's Alex Winter)

Send us Fan Mail Are donkeys really dumb, stubborn animals? Or did Aesop just give them that reputation? From ancient fables to Jackass, we take a look at how the donkey became the butt of the joke and why the joke may be on us. Comedian Helen Hong and zoologist Jo Wimpenny welcome Alex Winter, known for his starring role in the Bill & Ted franchise, for a deep dive into the donkey’s surprising history and intelligence. Resources: Alex Winter's latest films Trailer fo...

35 MIN

Wile E. vs. real coyotes: What's the science? (w/Looney Tunes Eric Bauza)

Send us Fan Mail For many, Wile E. Coyote is the only coyote we know. But how much is he like a real coyote? The answers may surprise you. With Coyote vs. Acme finally out, comedian Helen Hong and wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana welcome iconic Looney Tunes voice actor Eric Bauza back to Framed by Fables to help delve into the cartoon history, the movie and the science facts. Do coyotes chase roadrunners? Are they really that persistent? Would they use Acme to hunt i...

40 MIN