Barks and Biomes – Season 1, Episode 1: Welcome
Length: 13:11

In this welcome episode of Barks and Biomes, Helen asks a deceptively simple question: what is the “best” food for pets, people and wildlife if we care about health, longevity and the planet we share? From muddy English country lanes and Amazon rivers to Florida’s algae‑closed beaches, she weaves together stories of dogs, jaguars and humans to show how invisible microbiomes, land use and deforestation connect our bowls, our bodies and our biomes. As a mature animal science student, Helen shares why she started the podcast, why nutrition and microbes are fundamental to life on Earth, and how tech, tradition and natural behaviour all intersect in animal and human wellbeing. She closes with a happy  fact about stingless bees in Peru gaining legal protection, and invites you to join a community that’s curious, compassionate and ready to rethink what we feed, how we live, and how we protect the ecosystems that keep us alive.

EcoJurisprudence (2025) ‘Perú National Law: stingless bees a matter of national interest’, EcoJurisprudence Monitor, 8 January. Available at: https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/peru-national-law-stingless-bees-a-matter-of-national-interest/

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Disclaimer 

Barks and Biomes is for education and storytelling only. The stories and examples in this episode are Helen’s own, and any science mentioned comes from published research and trusted sources listed in the show notes. This podcast is not a substitute for medical, nutritional or veterinary advice – always speak to a qualified professional about your own or your animals’ health.

BARKS & BIOMES
Episode 2– The Power of Connection: Community, Longevity, and a Very Unlikely Friendship in the Amazon
Runtime: 14 mins 13 secs

In this episode Helen explores how community shapes health – in humans, dogs, and even wild animals. From a small Italian-American town where neighbourly connection seemed to protect hearts, to Okinawan moai friendship groups, we look at why strong social ties sit alongside food and movement as a key piece of the longevity puzzle. Helen then dives into the gut–brain axis to unpack how stress and loneliness can disturb our microbiome and mood chemicals like serotonin, GABA and dopamine – and how life with a dog, plus a good dog park chat, might help bring things back into balance. Finally, we travel to the Peruvian Amazon, where camera traps have caught an ocelot and an opossum calmly strolling together at night, hinting at a surprising cross-species partnership and reminding us how much of social life in nature we still have to discover.

LINKS & REFERENCES

1. The Roseto Effect – social ties and the 50% survival figure (Isa Robinson Nutrition):
   https://isarobinsonnutrition.co.uk/blog/rosetoeffect
2. The Roseto Effect – meta-analyses and survival statistics explained (Ali Zaidi MD):
   https://www.alizaidimd.com/post/the-rosetto-effect
3. Palo Alto teen suicide cluster – CDC investigation (ABC News):
   https://abcnews.go.com/Health/disturbing-suicide-cluster-prompts-cdc-start-investigation-palo/story?id=36953874
4. Ocelots and opossums in the Peruvian Amazon – the original research paper:
   Camerlenghi et al. (2025). Beyond predator and prey: first evidence of an association between ocelot and opossum individuals. Ecosphere.
   https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70322

ENJOYED THIS EPISODE?
Please share it with a friend or fellow animal lover, follow Barks & Biomes on Facebook, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. It really does help the show grow – thank you so much.

DISCLAIMER
The content of Barks & Biomes is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or veterinary advice. Helen is an animal science student, not a qualified clinician. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a diagnosis for you or your pet. Always consult a qualified GP, registered nutritionist, holistic health practitioner, or vet before making any changes to your own or your pet's health, diet, or supplement routine.