Jennifer McElwain Joins Blindboy for a Conversation on the Evolution of Life on Earth
Professor Jennifer McElwain recently joined Blindboy for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of plants, mass extinction events, and how life on Earth has literally terraformed our planet over deep time – shaping the atmosphere, climate, and environments we depend on today.
The discussion beautifully echoes the themes at the heart of our Terraform Project, where we explore how plants have driven planetary change throughout Earth’s history and what that can teach us about future climate resilience and life beyond Earth.
True to Blindboy’s unique and creative interview style, the conversation is anything but conventional — curious, humorous, and thought-provoking, bringing complex plant science to life in a way that’s accessible and engaging. Professor McElwain’s reflections highlight how studying ancient ecosystems not only deepens our understanding of the past but also offers powerful insights into how living systems shape planetary environments.
It’s not every day you hear palaeobotany, climate science, and philosophical musings on humanity’s place in the universe all in one podcast episode.
Listen and read (transcript available):