The Ecological Bestiary

Welcome to The Ecological Bestiary, the podcast that treats the D&D Monster Manual like a real-world field guide... because the real world is magical too. Join our adventuring party as we bridge the gap between tabletop role-playing games and real-world science:

Kevin (Urban Ecologist & Professor)
Mike (High School Science Teacher & Forever DM)
Rachel (Climate Educator & Business Owner)
Cassie (Social Scientist & Wildlife Expert)

Each expedition, we track down a classic fantasy creature to dissect its fictional ecology and connect it to real-world biology, behavior, and conservation. How would a Gelatinous Cube actually digest its prey? What real-world fungal networks explain the Myconids?

Whether you are a Dungeon Master looking for richer worldbuilding, a science educator searching for engaging classroom hooks, or a nature lover who enjoys nerd culture, pull up a chair at our tavern.

Grab your dice and your field journal. Keep exploring, because the real world is magical too!