Welcome to the Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates interview series on radio and

podcast, the show covering all things health, wellness, culture, and more. The show for all

of us who aren't old, we're better.

Each week we'll interview superstars, experts, and ordinary people doing extraordinary things,

all related to this wonderful experience of getting better, not just older.

Now here's your host, the award-winning Paul Vogel-Zang.

Welcome to the Not Old Better Show Smithsonian Associates interview series on radio and

podcast the show where we explore fascinating stories in

insightful perspectives and inspiring journeys that remind us all it's never too late to live a life full of adventure

connection and meaning. I'm Paul Vogel saying and I think you're going to really

enjoy today's episode. I love animals. We are going to talk about the social networks of animals. So picture this. A world

where relationships mean the difference between life and death, where the company you keep determines whether you'll survive the night

or find food for the day. This isn't the latest human drama. It's the hidden reality

of the animal kingdom from bats sharing blood to keep one another alive to birds teaming up to steal a quick meal animals have been forging social networks long before the first human logged onto their social media

account. Our guest today is someone who has spent his life uncovering these incredible stories

of connection and survival.

Smithsonian Associate Dr. Lee Allen Dugatkin

is an evolutionary biologist, a historian of science,

and the author of the fascinating new book,

the well-connected animal, social Networks, and the wondrous complexity of animal societies.

Smithsonian Associate Lee DeGachen will talk about his new book.

He's going to take us on this eye-opening tour of the animal world,

...