Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Can I Run Something By You?

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.

Stop in and find out what we'll be getting up to and talking about. I can't wait to run something by you.

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. 

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.