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HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast

Houston Museum of Natural Science

A museum is only as special as the treasures it watches over. For the Houston Museum of Natural Science, that’s more than 2.5 million objects. Each of these amazing items -- from hulking dinosaur mummies to delicate butterfly wings and intricately carved seashells -- has a story.

Got an object you’d like to learn more about? How about a science question you’ve been dying to ask? Let us know at podcasts@hmns.org.
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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 36 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • May 19 · 21 min

    Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation

    The Freedom Plane National Tour is making its way across the United States and has landed in Houston, Texas. These 9 historic documents that helped forge our nation as we know it will be on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science until May...

  • March 16 · 21 min

    "Mom, could you fix this victim for an open-casket?"

    My sweet mother is a funeral director and world-renowned restorative artist. In this episode, I walk her around our "Death by Natural Causes" exhibit to discuss how she might prepare a few of the victims for an open-casket...or if it is even...

  • February 9 · 39 min

    Radioactive Fossils

    Is their any truth to the idea that fossils can be radioactive? Colin Diggins is a paleontologist and our paleontology laboratory manager here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Enjoy the fascinating conversation! Show Notes: Manganese in the...

  • January 5 · 29 min

    Minerals & Geology with Alex Ruff

    Scientists can be found everywhere in the museum. Alex Ruff may seem like a mild-mannered Building Manger here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, but he is actually an expert in minerals and geology...with the credentials to boot. Enjoy this...

  • Nov 1, 2025 · 37 min

    Terracotta Warriors

    They march once more, this time to Houston 📍 Explore World of the Terracotta Warriors, opening November 14. See ancient China’s unification under Qin Shi Huang brought to life through rare artifacts and stunning craftsmanship. World of the...

  • Sep 15, 2025 · 54 min

    The Science & History of Bourbon

    Even if you do not drink it, the science and history behind bourbon is infused with notes of wonder, curiosity, and fascination. Bourbon expert Randy Bruner helps us to get acquainted with its enchanting history, as well as tips for those interested...

  • Sep 9, 2025 · 48 min

    Ever Wondered How Asteroids Get Their Names?

    Have you ever noticed asteroid names and wondered how they came to be? Let's go to the HMNS George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park and talk to astronomer Tracy Knauss to learn all about it...and much more! George Observatory...

  • Jul 1, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min

    Let's call this a kind of...Mummification "Orientation"

    Kat Havens joins the podcast in our beautiful Hall of Ancient Egypt to discuss the, well, gutwrenching process of mummification! Website: https://www.hmns.org/ eMail: Podcasts@HMNS.org The smell of a mummy:...

  • Jun 2, 2025 · 58 min

    Fennec Foxes & How We Care for Our Animals

    Our new exhibit "Extreme Animals Alive" showcases the superhero-like adaptations of some awesome animals. In this episode, we talk about Fennec Foxes specifically, and the blood, sweat, tears, and dedication that goes into caring for the animals in...

  • Apr 2, 2025 · 12 min

    Quantum Computing: A Qubit Crash Course

    While Ai is the current hype, even thinking about Quantum Computing can seem daunting, if not ominous...honestly. So here is a crash course in qubits to hopefully help ease us into an initial pursuit of understanding. Deeper dive into Quantum...

  • Mar 1, 2025 · 34 min

    Dinosaur Conspiracies & Misconceptions with James Washington

    Who is allowed to dig for fossils? What do you do with fossils that are found? Why don't I find fossils in my yard? Are fossils a hoax? Are fossils radioactive? James Washington and "Mental Curator" Johnny Hemberger discuss some interesting dinosaur...

  • Feb 28, 2025 · 34 min

    Killer Asteroids & Planetary Ponderings

    HMNS Curator of Astronomy, Dr. Carolyn Sumners joins "Mental Curator" Johnny Hemberger to discuss the likelihood of asteroid 2024 YR4 impacting Earth in 2032, the upcoming lunar eclipse, the "planetary parade", our MA2 Mercury Capsule, and much more!...

  • Jan 1, 2025 · 32 min

    Fossil Preparation, "From the Grave to the Cradle"

    In this episode of the HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast, we discuss and show you how a fossil comes out of the actual dirt to be prepared and displayed in such a breathtaking manor. Video version https://youtu.be/hm8wk950Exs 0:00 Intro 0:32 Fossil Gar Prep...

  • Dec 1, 2024 · 14 min

    How dinosaur diseases make them more real and relatable.

    Unfortunately, a lot of us have suffered through the agony of disease either in ourlselves, in those we care about, or in our beloved pets. Yet, in a meaningul way, it is this suffering that can make extinct creatures, like dinosaurs, become as real...

  • Nov 1, 2024 · 29 min

    What can modern animals teach us about extinct dinosaurs?

    Is it scientifically feasible to hypothesize about the behaviors and habits of extinct animals based on the behaviors of modern animals? I sit down with our Paleontology Lab Manager, Collin Diggins (and special guest) to discuss just that! Email us:...

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes