# Origin Story: Aaron Blaisdell, PhD (Neuroscientist)

Source: https://bylt.co/aaron-blaisdell/
Published: 2022-11-10
Updated: 2024-07-20
Author: Jeff Sarris

---

Watch on

[YouTube](https://youtu.be/RZPs5Me80cU)

//

Listen on

[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-now-with-jeff-sarris/id1513779541?i=1000585785373)

·

[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/5epK2F11IISlv1yTWq9m5x?si=652ca28272774d09)

[![](https://bylt.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/067-Aaron-Blaisdell-1024x576.jpg)](https://youtu.be/RZPs5Me80cU)

Dr. Blaisdell is a Neuroscientist and UCLA Professor where he directs the Comparative Cognition Lab. He’s also cofounder of the Ancestral Health Society and founder of the Journal of Evolution and Health.

This is a fascinating conversation about cognition and what pigeons can teach us about our own brains.

We also talk about ancestral health, the founding of the [Ancestral Health Symposium](https://ancestralhealth.org/), how Aaron’s lab discovered a pigeon creating art, and the Pigeon Art NFT project that lets the pigeons themselves help fund future research.

- [pigeonrat.psych.ucla.edu](https://pigeonrat.psych.ucla.edu/)
- [pigeonart.xyz](https://pigeonart.xyz/)

---

**My Podcasting Gear:** [Cameras, Mics, and Lights](https://bylt.co/av)

---

Enjoying the show? Let me know on Twitter! I’m [@jeffSARRIS](https://twitter.com/jeffSARRIS).

**Do you need help developing your brand and business?** Work with me at [SPYR](https://spyr.me)!

*Mint or collect NFTs from projects that I’ve worked on:*

- **SkullKids: Generations** ([Mint](https://mint.badfroot.com/) | [OpenSea](https://opensea.io/collection/skullkids-generations))
- **The Spoopies** ([Mint](https://spoopies.com))
- **Frootlings** ([Mint](https://frootinvaders.com/) | [OpenSea](https://opensea.io/collection/frootinvaders))
- **Ooglies** ([OpenSea](https://opensea.io/collection/the-ooglies))

Watch Starting Now on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/jeffsarris) or listen and subscribe on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-now/id1513779541), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5TmDRD9EAJPGIM61We9FP3), or wherever you get your podcasts.

---

A huge thanks goes out to Amara Andrew for handling the live video production on Starting Now. Follow what she’s up to or hire her for your video production needs at [mavenbyamara.com](http://mavenbyamara.com)!

---

*Some of the links above may be affiliate links which means that I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.*

---

#### **Love this episode? There’s more**!

[More Episodes](https://bylt.co/show/starting-now) [More Shows](https://bylt.co/shows)