FRAMED BY FABLES
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 unpack what’s true and what’s fiction. Every misunderstood animal gets a redemption arc. And every episode ends with a twist you won’t see coming.
Episodes
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 intelligenc...
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...
Are owls really the wise birds of lore or did they just get that reputation from their association with Athena? We dig into what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to these fascinating birds. Kirsten Vangsness, who plays brainy tech-kitten Penelope Garcia in the Criminal Minds franchise, joins us for a deep dive into all things owl. And joining us for the first time in the co-host chair is Wildlife ...
"The birds and bees" means sex? Really? We uncover the strange story behind this famous euphemism, explore how birds and bees actually do it, and ask whether they were really the right creatures for the job. Along the way, Dr. Cara Natterson, author, pediatrician and puberty expert, helps us unpack the history of “the talk” and shares how parents and loved ones can have more honest, comfortable con...
Wolves have been cast as villains for centuries, but does the science back it up? In this episode, Comedian Helen Hong and Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny are joined by Teen Wolf's Melissa Ponzio aka Mama McCall to dig into the biology, folklore, and pop‑culture PR disaster that turned a perfectly normal predator into the Big Bad Wolf.
Then Dr. Wimpenny offers a surprising creature that might really be a "wolf ...
From the biblical serpent who supposedly got us kicked out of Eden to Hollywood’s endless snake pits and slithering sidekicks, snakes have carried the “evil” label longer than any other animal. In this episode of Framed by Fables, we dig into how that reputation took hold and what real snakes are actually like.
Comedian Helen Hong and Zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny are joined by Hollywood Snake Wrangler ...
Why do pigs get stuck with all the worst labels? From idioms like “greedy pig,” “filthy pig,” and “pigging out” to the political satire of Animal Farm, pigs have been cast as gluttons, mess-makers, for centuries. In our first full episode of Framed by Fables, we dig into how these ideas took hold and what real pigs are actually like.
Comedian Helen Hong and Zoologist Dr. Jo W...
FIRST EPISODE DROPS JUNE 23 -- How Pigs Got Screwed
Fairy tales have been lying about animals for centuries and we’re finally calling them out. Framed by Fables is a comedy‑meets‑zoology podcast hosted by comedian Helen Hong and zoologist Dr. Jo Wimpenny, joined each episode by a special guest.
This short promo gives you a feel for the show’s playful tone and the humor at the h...
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