In this episode, I unpack what "no-kill" actually means-not as a slogan, but as a sytem shaped by time, space, law, and community responsibility.

We talk about how shelters reach no-kill status, why foster programs matter so much, how intake laws shape what shelters can do, and why shelters often carry the weight of upstream failures.

This is a conversation about animal welfare, shared responsibility, and what real progress actually requires.

Can I Run Something By You? explores animal welfare, conservation, and the systems we build around them.

Ever wondered what it takes to become a zookeeper? In this episode, I share my own winding path into the field- a "figure-it-out-as-I-go" journey that isn't the one I would recommend today. From unexpected turns to lessons learned, I talk about what aspiring keepers can really expect (including how much of the job actually comes down to working well with people) plus a few honest tips for getting your foot in the door and thriving once you're in.

What happens when a non-traditional older American student from Arizona State University and a University of Botswana student share a tent in the Okavango Delta? In this episode, I sit down with my tentmate, Oné, to relive our time together in the Botswana course and talk about her fascinating graduate research on elephants returning to the wild after being in managed care. From camp life laughs to conservation insights, this conversation captures the heart of what it means to connect across cultures in one of the most remarkable places on earth.

This episode is different. It's personal.

In this brief episode, I want to share the story of Elok, a Sumatran orangutan who changed my life. From the moment I first met him as an ornery 8 yr old juvenile, to the bond we built over the years, and the heartbreak of losing him too soon- Elok's story is one of love, loss, and what it means to form deep connections with animals.

Along the way, I reflect on the paradox of working in animal care: being told not to project or anthropomorphize, while knowing it's our very humanness that makes us stewards and protectors. Sometimes that same longing for connection drives poor choices , like keeping them as pets. This episode is about grief, resilience, and the relationships that shape us- even when they break our hearts.

Thank you for listening. This one is for Elok.

In this first part of my conversation with Bob Ingersoll- longtime advocate, author, and central voice in the documentary, Project NIM- we talk about the role of home, friendship, and persistence in a life dedicated to chimpanzees and animal welfare. Bob reflects on his early days as a graduate student, the lasting impact of his graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma's Institute for Primate Studies in Norman, and the lasting impact of Project NIM on the broader conversation around research, captivity, and the way we view great apes.

This is Part 1 of a two-part interview. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Bob dives deeper into his career milestones, advocacy work, and what keeps him moving forward.

In this episode, I sit down with my little sister, Heather, a sea lion trainer and founder of Seadog Animal Training in Houston. We dive into her journey from working with sea lions to launching her own full-service training and boarding business. Along the way we talk about what it's like to share a career path as sisters, how we support each other through tough cases and the realities of animal care, and why Heather is so passionate about helping both pets and their people. If you are in Houston, check out Seadog Animal Training for all of your pet behavior, training, and boarding needs.

I recently returned from a field course to the Okavango Delta in Botswana as a study abroad course through Arizona State University. After 30 years post high school graduation I was set to finally take my last undergraduate class and make it to Africa. With more than 25 years in the animal field, this was going to be the ultimate way to complete my degree. But Botswana and this course changed everything.

After much consideration as to who I should first interview for the podcast it occurred to me that the perfect guests were currently leaving their fishing lures and muddy clothes all over my house. We currently have a pet snake at large somewhere in my home. We've all decided he'll show up eventually...but that is the crux of our existence. Tune in and meet my feral children.