Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What if your companion didn’t just arrive by chance, but by choice? We sit down with Abhigna Vaidya—a business analyst whose lifelong curiosity about astronomy, birding, and kriya yoga opened into animal communication—to explore a world where animals, plants, and even places speak with purpose. Abhigna shares the pivotal night a Himalayan mountain dog appeared on a dark trail and led him home, and how that wonder grew into a practice grounded in attention, humility, and surprising validation. We dive deep into soul contracts—the unseen agreements through which animals offer care, receive healing, or even carry our burdens. With clarity and compassion, Abhigna explains why some animals go “lost” versus “missing,” how cats often wait for calmer energy before returning, and why a dog might choose a new home if his or her needs aren’t being met. The stories are specific and human: open a balcony door at 2 a.m., adjust a sleeping spot, resolve household tension, and watch how the relationship shifts. Telepathy here isn’t magic; it’s a mindful way of noticing, asking, and acting. We explore the science of plant communication and forest intelligence—plants signalling wasps for defence, mother trees feeding and instructing saplings through mycorrhizal networks. 

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael W. Fox, a pioneering veterinarian, ethologist, and longtime advocate for the welfare and dignity of animals. With a career spanning more than six decades, Dr. Fox’s work has profoundly influenced how we understand and relate to animals - ethically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Dr. Fox shares what inspired him to become a veterinarian, reflecting on his lifelong commitment to healing the fractured relationship between humans and the natural world. Together, we explore what humanity must do to restore balance, compassion, and kinship with the beings we share this planet with - and how doing so will also help us heal ourselves.

Drawing on his friendships with visionaries like Thomas Berry and Paul Winter, and his experiences learning from Indigenous elders, Dr. Fox brings a rare depth of wisdom to this conversation. His insights remind us that caring for animals is not only an act of service but also a path to spiritual renewal and reconnection with the Earth.

In this episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, we are joined by the incredible wildlife photographer Dan Elster, whose work captures the raw, authentic moments of animals in the wild. Dan’s unique approach to wildlife photography goes beyond just snapping a picture - he shares how he establishes a deep, respectful connection with the beings he photographs, often creating a silent space that allows for the magic to happen in the interaction.

We dive into the process behind his photography, discussing how patience and presence play crucial roles in forging these meaningful connections with wildlife. Dan reflects on some of his most profound encounters, including a powerful story of a mother bear and her cubs, as well as the deeply personal lessons he’s learned about human-animal connections and the importance of understanding animals as individuals with distinct personalities.

In this episode, we also explore the complexities of anthropomorphism in wildlife photography, examining how attributing human emotions to animals can shape our understanding of them. Dan also shares his thoughts on how he thinks animals might perceive humans in their space and how we can show up for them in ways that are respectful and non-threatening.

With a deep commitment to conservation and education, Dan hopes his photography inspires others to connect with the natural world in a more meaningful and respectful way. He shares advice on cultivating stillness and presence in our interactions with animals and the environment, helping us all take steps toward a more mindful, compassionate relationship with wildlife.

Catch the full episode to hear about Dan’s transformative experiences in the wild and the profound lessons animals have to offer.

Check out Dan's incredible photography HERE.

He has a beautiful collection of greeting cards with his amazing photography, and he donates a portion of all proceeds to conservation efforts. Click HERE to see his unique and stunning greeting cards.

Dan is also very active on Facebook, where he shares about his adventures with wildlife photography.

In this episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, we are joined by the incredible Kristina Hunter, founder of the Eco-Impact Academy, and a passionate advocate for sustainability and personal wellbeing. Kristina has dedicated over 20 years to teaching about environmental sustainability and green building, and she believes that the health of the planet, our communities, and ourselves are all interconnected. Kristina’s work centres around the deep connection between personal healing and healing the earth. She shares her powerful belief that sustainable living starts with taking care of our own wellbeing—because a healthy planet begins with healthy people.

In our conversation, Kristina unpacks her innovative work with Eco-Impact Academy, and the importance of addressing eco-anxiety. She also reflects on her time teaching on the land in Churchill, Manitoba, and how connecting with nature enhances our learning and understanding of the world.

Kristina also opens up about her evolving perspective on animal communication, sharing how her scientific background initially made her skeptical, but how she’s become more open to the idea of intuitive connections with nature and animals. Her story about grieving the loss of a tree in her neighbourhood and her experience connecting with an animal after the passing of her beloved dog, Maddie, are powerful examples of the emotional and spiritual ties that bind us to the natural world.

This episode is a beautiful reminder of the importance of integrating personal health with environmental sustainability and how emotions play a critical role in our journey toward a more compassionate and sustainable world.

Listen now to hear Kristina’s inspiring insights on sustainability, wellbeing, and the importance of recognizing our emotional connection to nature.

Check out Kristina's work on her website HERE.

Kristina also has an amazing newsletter and a podcast that are incredible resources for anyone who is looking to live a more eco-conscious life.

In this special episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, Avantika shares a significant life change—her move to Belgium to pursue her PhD. This marks the beginning of a new academic chapter, one that aligns closely with her personal aspirations and her grandfather’s legacy. Avantika reflects on the excitement and challenges of this new adventure and the personal significance of this step in her journey.

Her upcoming research will be with the ANICOM project—a groundbreaking study on intuitive interspecies communication (IIC), funded by the European Research Council. The project, led by Prof. Vanessa Wijngaarden at the University of Liège (Belgium) explores the practices of animal communicators and how they engage in two-way communication with animals. With a multidisciplinary team and fieldwork across 8 countries, the ANICOM project aims to develop new methods for engaging with non-human animals as full research participants. Avantika discusses her involvement with this project and how it will contribute to the development of "dialogic multispecies methods," combining insights from animal cognition, Indigenous knowledge, biosemiotics, and new materialism.

Join Barbara and Avantika as they talk about the intersection of personal growth, academic pursuit, and professional passion. This episode is about honouring the past, embracing the future, and forging a path toward a more inclusive and interconnected world where humans and animals communicate on equal terms.

Listen now to hear more about Avantika’s exciting new chapter in Belgium and her commitment to advancing research on animal communication through the ANICOM project.

Click HERE for more information about the ANICOM project.

Avantika will also be sharing snippets of her journey during this process on her Instagram account. 

In this episode, we share a conversation with me (Avantika Mathur) on Dani Fankhauser's Spirit Doggies Podcast.

Here's a little bit more about the episode, from that podcast:

"If your first thought was that animal communication doesn't exactly sound science-based, you wouldn't be alone.

This week's guest combined her drive for a purposeful career with her academic roots to become a leader in the field of animal communication research. She set aside her own initial doubts and put on her researcher hat to find out.

This interview absolutely blew my mind! There's already so much work underway in understanding and making practical use of animal communication, on both small and large scales.

Avantika Mathur is an academic researcher with a master of science in Global Health, co-host of the Animals & Us podcast, and is currently completing a research fellowship focused on Intuitive Interspecies Communication. She's a trailblazer in this space, both in coordinating events and editing for academic journals on the topic.

Learn more about the podcast here: ⁠dogdeities.com

In this episode: 

• Avantika's career pivot into studying animal communication
• Adoption story of her first dog, Simba
• The current academic research around animal communication
• What humans can learn from animals, and their perception of us and our contributions to the globe (!!)
• How intuitive interspecies communication (IIC) can help address major global issues like climate change, without fear or shame tactics"

In this  episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, we welcome the wonderful Dr. Estella Carolye Kuchta, a passionate researcher and educator. With her recent PhD completion, Dr. Kuchta explores the transformative potential of love in our understanding of the natural world and our connections with it.

Join us as we jump into her fascinating research on intuitive interspecies communication (IIC) and how love serves as a vital bridge in fostering deeper connections with animals, particularly trees. Dr. Kuchta shares her insights on how each being possesses intrinsic value, not only for their contributions to our lives but simply for existing.

Here’s what we talked about:

• The Role of Love in Interspecies Communication: Dr. Kuchta shared her research on how love enables intuitive communication with animals, particularly trees. She believes that by tuning into love, we can become more responsible and caring members of Earth.
  
  
• Re-envisioning Education: We discussed the need for a paradigm shift in educational practices, moving beyond traditional "green" initiatives to address the deeper values embedded in our systems.
  
  
• Messages from Trees: Dr. Kuchta revealed the insights she received from trees about how to communicate with them and the important messages they want to share with humanity.
  
  
• Skepticism and Fear: She shared a story about a friend who transitioned from skepticism to understanding, highlighting the often-fear-based roots of skepticism regarding intuitive communication.
  
  
• Future Vision for Education: Dr. Kuchta articulated her vision for integrating love and environmental awareness into educational systems, emphasizing the importance of changing how we think about our relationships with nature.

About Dr. Kuchta:
Dr. Estella Carolye Kuchta teaches ecocriticism and research writing at Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. Her doctoral research investigated the epistemological potential of love and the redefining of love from an ecological perspective. She is the coauthor with Sean Blenkinsop of Ecologizing Education: Nature-Centered Teaching for Cultural Change (Cornell, 2024). Her ecocritical research into Canadian love stories resulted in the novel Finding the Daydreamer(Elm Books, 2020). She has worked as a research assistant to Dr. Gabor Maté (MD), an editor for Susila Dharma International, and an intern for the CBC Radio, and is a long-time member of the International Love Research Network and the interfaith group Subud. 

In this episode of Animals & Us - Voices of a New Paradigm, we are joined by the renowned Dr. Marc Bekoff, an animal behavior specialist. With a rich background that includes collaboration with the iconic Jane Goodall, Dr. Bekoff shares his profound insights into the emotional lives of animals and their spiritual connections with humans.

We delve into topics such as intuitive interspecies communication, the intrinsic value of all living beings, and how recognizing animals' spiritual experiences can transform public perceptions and policies around animal rights and welfare. Dr. Bekoff discusses the powerful bonds we share with our animal companions and how these relationships can foster deeper understanding and compassion.

What we talked about:

1. The spiritual lives of animals: Dr. Bekoff shared his insights into how animals experience what we would consider spiritual moments—a topic he has explored in his essays like "Do Animals Have Spiritual Experiences? Yes, They Do."
   
   
2. Animal emotions: We tackled the age-old question, "Do animals have emotions?" (Spoiler: Yes, they do!), and discussed why these emotional lives are so important to understanding animals’ intrinsic value.
   
   
3. Skepticism from the scientific community: Dr. Bekoff reflected on the skepticism he’s faced over the years, particularly from the scientific community. But the tides are shifting—more people are opening their minds to the reality of animal emotions and spirituality.
   
   
4. Spirituality and conservation: We also explored how acknowledging the spiritual side of animals can shift the way we approach conservation and animal rights. How does this deeper connection lead to a greater drive for protecting the fellow beings we share our home with?
   
   
5. Collaboration with Dr. Jane Goodall: Dr. Bekoff shared the story of how he met and began working with Dr. Jane Goodall, one of the greatest champions of animal welfare.

About Dr. Marc Bekoff:

A professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Marc has published 31 books (or 41, depending on how you count multi-volume encyclopedias). He has won many awards for his research on animal behavior, animal emotions (cognitive ethology), compassionate conservation, and animal protection, has worked closely with Jane Goodall as co-chair of the ethics committee of the Jane Goodall Institute, and is a former Guggenheim Fellow. He also works closely with inmates at the Boulder County Jail. 

In June 2022, Marc was recognized as a Hero by the Academy of Dog Trainers. His books include The Animals' Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age, Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do, Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible, and A Dog's World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans. Marc’s latest books are Dogs Demystified: An A to Z Guide to All Things Canine, the second edition of The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter, and 

In this episode, we sit down with Miki Jacobs, an acclaimed psychic medium, spiritual counselor, and author, to dive deep into the profound connections between humans, animals, and the spiritual world. Miki shares her extraordinary journey—from growing up in a conservative Jewish household and serving in the Israeli army, to discovering her spiritual calling after moving to the United States and leaving her corporate career behind.

Miki delves into the key themes of her latest book, *Sacred Wild: The Spiritual World of Animals, Including Pets, and Its Interconnections with Ours*. She explains how animals are not only our companions but also spiritual equals, helping us evolve on our soul’s journey. We explore what it means for animals to have soul missions, and the deep spiritual bond that transcends life and death. 

We also discuss what happens after one passes. Miki channels messages of comfort and healing from departed pets, offering solace to those grieving their loss. Her unique perspective on soulmates, soul contracts, and reincarnation sheds light on the timeless connections we share with both animals and humans alike.

Join us for an inspiring conversation that will give you food for thought on how you view your relationship with animals and how to open your heart to the spiritual wisdom they offer. Miki’s work is a testament to the deep love, guidance, and healing that animals bring into our lives, both in the physical realm and beyond.

Find out more about Miki here:
https://mikijacobs.com

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Vanessa Wijngaarden, a passionate researcher with a curious mind and a love for animals. She's a social anthropologist and filmmaker who has spent years studying the lives of indigenous communities, particularly in East-African Maasailand. Her award-winning documentaries have shed light on the rich cultural lives of the Maasai people and their deep connection to their environment and animals.

In this episode, Vanessa shares her fascinating journey into the world of intuitive interspecies communication (IIC). We talk about her research with animal communicators across Europe and Africa, exploring how different cultures perceive and practice IIC. Vanessa also discusses her groundbreaking new research project, "Animal Communicators: Intuitive Communication as a Key to Dialogic Multispecies Methods," which aims to bridge the gap between nature and culture by engaging animals as active participants in research.

Join us as Vanessa shares the challenges she has faced, and the profound insights she has gained. From her time with the Maasai to her current work on IIC, Vanessa's story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to understanding the world around us.

Whether you're an academic, a practitioner of animal communication, or simply curious about the possibilities of intuitive connections with animals, we hope you will leave this episode feeling curious, excited and inspired about what's on the horizon with IIC research. Tune in to hear Vanessa's unique perspective and learn more about the exciting future of interspecies communication. She talks about her advice for those who want to explore their own IIC abilities, her vision for the future of her research, and how you can connect with her and follow her innovative work.