Sanctuary Life Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week's episode of the Sanctuary Life Podcast kicks off our month-long Flocktober Fest with a bang! We're joined by Kyle Behrend, co-founder of Around the Barnyard. Kyle, who has over 12 years of experience at Edgar's Mission Farm Sanctuary in Australia, is on a mission to help sanctuaries save time and focus on their true calling – caring for animals.

Around the Barnyard offers vital resources and cutting-edge AI tools. These tools generate customized content for social media and emails, saving sanctuary staff valuable time. Upcoming AI solutions include personalized chatbots and email filters to assist with common inquiries, all aimed at enhancing efficiency without replacing human workers. Plus, here's exciting news: the public Beta testing for Around the Barnyard opens on October 3rd, giving sanctuaries the chance to experience these game-changing tools firsthand.

One remarkable aspect of these AI tools is their ability to maintain consistent messaging and style, ensuring a unified brand, no matter who's posting. And speaking of connections, Kyle shares a heartwarming story about his special friendship with Hip Hop, a rescued pig who taught us the profound impact farm animals can have on our lives.

Kyle's vision is clear: to empower sanctuaries through Around the Barnyard, allowing them to focus on their critical work. Join us for this inspiring episode as we explore the synergy between technology and heartfelt connections within the sanctuary community during Flocktober Fest!

To stay updated on Around the Barnyard, find them on Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website at aroundthebarnyard.co. https://opensanctuary.org/ for more information on The Open Sanctuary Project which we discuss during the episode.  

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

On this week's episode of the Sanctuary Life Podcast, we dive into the heartwarming world of EPIC Outreach, a remarkable nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded by Jessie Miller in 2015, EPIC Outreach is on a mission to make the world a kinder place for both people and animals.   Discover how in 2019 EPIC Outreach expanded by transforming a 7-acre property into a farm sanctuary, providing a safe haven for a diverse range of rescued animals, from horses and donkeys to dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, bunnies, and Guinea pigs. These animals, once facing uncertain futures, have become ambassadors of kindness, sharing their incredible rescue stories to inspire compassion and empathy.   Journey with us as we explore Jessie Miller's inspiring path into animal rescue and education, driven by a powerful moment in her youth. Learn how storytelling lies at the heart of EPIC Outreach's mission, challenging stereotypes and nurturing empathy by connecting people with the animals through compelling narratives.   EPIC Outreach engages the community in various ways, from interactive sanctuary tours that allow visitors to meet the animals in person to the creation of educational children's books authored and illustrated by Jessie Miller. These books impart valuable lessons about adoption, compassion, and the unique needs of animals, aiming to cultivate kindness in young minds.   But that's not all—EPIC Outreach goes beyond the sanctuary gates, bringing animals into schools to teach children the importance of compassion and care. Tune in to hear how their humane education outreach programs, featuring powerful stories like "Chance's Story," "Oliver's Big Problem," and "Winnie's Tale," have had a profound impact on shifting mindsets and inspiring positive change.   Join us on this heartwarming journey of transformation, compassion, and the power of storytelling as we explore the incredible work of EPIC Outreach. Don't miss this episode of the Sanctuary Life Podcast, where kindness knows no bounds!   To stay updated on EPIC Outreach, find them on Facebook, Instagram, check out the Be Kind TV channel on YouTube, or visit their website at epicoutreach.org. https://epicoutreach.org/programs/ to check out the entire amazing line of children's books.  

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

Historic Williamsburg, Virginia is the home of this week's guest as we welcome Mallory (not Jenna) & Ryan Phillips co-managers of Life With Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary. Life With Pigs' mission is to educate people about the injustices faced by animals and how we can better coexist with our fellow earthlings. It all got started in 2016 when Ryan took a leap rescuing a former breeder pig named Pumpkin. Three pigs, a rabbit, and chicken later Ryan realized his budding microsanctuary had outgrown his condo. 

Learn how a neglected calf named Sophie would be the catalyst to bring together a pair of animal activists that lived thousands of miles apart in a made-for-TV love story with quite the fairy-tail wedding. Hear how a trio of pigs almost crashed the whole wedding by knocking over the cow treats. Hear some common themes throughout Ryan's sanctuary life, like numerous interactions with cows and police. Hear how their outreach has impacted thousands of people by simply taking their pigs and chicken out to places like Colonial Williamsburg and college campuses. Finally, learn how they are using the web-based education platform, Outschool, to educate the next generation about sanctuary life and compassionate living.

To stay updated on Life With Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary, find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at lifewithpigs.com. You can find additional information like where to purchase merchandise or make donations on their Linktree. 

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

This week’s episode takes us to the banks of the Delaware Bay where we meet Steven Podolsky, co-founder of Marley Meadows Animal Sanctuary in Leesburg, New Jersey. Learn how a journey that began in 2017 in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey as “Farm Critter Haven” has blossomed into something much bigger. In 2020 Heather Ailie & Steven Podolsky moved to a peaceful eight-acre property 90 minutes from the original location and a new dream, Marley Meadows Animal Sanctuary, became a reality.

Shortly after arriving at their new location their namesake resident, Marley, a holstein cow, had the tip of his tail ripped off by a branch in the pasture. Find out how Bionic Pets helped make a first of its kind prosthetic tail to help Marley fend off biting bugs. Learn how the children of Marley Meadows Animal Sanctuary helped save the life of an amazing turkey named Terrance who was battling seizures and liver disease. Hear the story of Nectar the chicken and how co-founder Heather is helping make life for this disabled chicken feel as normal as possible. 

To stay updated on Marley Meadows Animal Sanctury, find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at marleymeadowsanimalsanctuary.com. You can find additional information like where to purchase merchandise or make donations on their Linktree. 

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

We are so excited to be back with you for a new episode of the Sanctuary Life Podcast. This week's episode takes was recorded right here at our very own Butterfly Valley Rescue & Sanctuary with co-founder Nikki Feusner. Founded in 2021, Butterfly Valley Rescue & Sanctuary is a compassionate plant-based backyard rescue and microsanctuary for animals in need, specifically special needs animals. Everything we do around here is a little "unconventional" especially when it comes to dealing with our special needs or as we like to call them, limited edition, residents. 

Join us as we discuss some of our most memorable residents, discuss what makes our sanctuary so unique, lessons we learned long before we became a sanctuary, and much more. Follow along as we explore how one small sanctuary nestled in a suburban neighborhood in Louisville, KY is making a big impact, one animal at a time.

To stay updated on Butterfly Valley Rescue & Sanctuary, find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at butterflyvalleyrescue.com. You can find additional information like where to purchase merchandise or make donations on their Linktree. 

This week’s episode takes us to the west coast where we meet Deborah Blum, founder of Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary in Santa Rosa, California. Founded as a non- profit, animal sanctuary in 2017, Goatlandia's mission is “to have fun while helping animals, people, and the planet.” Goatlandia which began at their 2-acre Santa Rosa location began expanding in 2019 when they purchased an additional 20 acres of property in Sebastopol, CA. Goatlandia added an additional 18 acres last year giving them plenty of space to host public outreach events including goat yoga, vegan cooking classes, school tours and more.

Join us as we discuss what took Deborah from careers as a fashion designer, commercial pilot, and owner/operator of several San Francisco restaurants to running an animal sanctuary. Follow along as we explore the latest community outreach programs at Goatlandia including their Blues, Brews and (vegan) BBQ fundraiser and their upcoming "Kids For Compassion" Summer Camp.

To stay updated on Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctury, find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at goatlandia.org. You can find additional information like where to purchase merchandise or make donations on their Linktree. 

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” - Christopher Reeve

This week's episode takes us to Williamstown, New Jersey to meet Eileen Persia, founder of The Troll House Animal Sanctuary. We'll explore this budding new sanctuary and all the obstacle Eileen had to face to make her dream of running a sanctuary possible. Inspired by an amazing pig named Alba at nearby Rancho Relaxo Animal Sanctuary, Eileen instantly went vegan and her sanctuary dream was born. Eileen dream began to take shape in 2018 when she purchased a 7 acre property. However, Eileen couldn't begin to imagine all the challenges she would face in life before eventually making the property home in 2021. Instead of building her dream, she found herself fighting for her life as she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer in September of 2020. She wasn’t finished remodeling the house, in fact, she hadn’t even gotten a chance to move in and she definitely hadn’t gotten to start the sanctuary she dreamt about. Eileen's cancer treatment lasted more than a year, but today she is happy to report she is cancer free. During her treatments Eileen planned, read, attended webinars, and found everything she could do to learn as much as possible about the animals she wanted to help. She has now finally moved into her sanctuary home and has started building the foundation for The Troll House Animal Sanctuary. 

Join us as we discuss what everyday life looks like at the Troll House Animal Sanctuary, how Eileen's plans for the sanctuary changed after her battle with cancer, what advice she give to those interested in starting their own sanctuary, and much more.

To stay updated on The Troll House Animal Sanctuary, find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at tthas.org. You can find additional information like where to purchase merchandise or make donations on their Linktree. 

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

A New York Daily News reporter remarked, “The thoroughbred race horse is a genetic mistake. It runs too fast, its frame is too large, and its legs are far too small. As long as mankind demands that it run at high speeds under stressful conditions, horses will die at racetracks.”

Today we are recording a special episode to have an in depth conversation about the horse racing industry and the fate that awaits race horses when they finish their racing career. This afternoon the 148th Kentucky Derby will be run right here in our hometown of Louisville, KY. More than 150,000 people will pile into Churchill Downs and more than 15 million more will watch from around the world as 20 horses compete in what’s known as the “fastest two minutes in sports.” The unparalleled history, tradition, and unique spectacle of the event draw some of the world’s biggest names each year, but they also continue to bring up conversations about the safety of horse racing. 

Joining us for today’s special episode is Allison Bowling, Co-Founder and President of Red Feather Farm Sanctuary in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Red Feather Farm Sanctuary is home 27 full-time equine residents and 6 off the track equine residents and a number of other species including pigs, goats, turkeys, donkeys, and mini mules. 

To stay updated on Red Feather Farm Sanctuary, find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at redfeatherfarmsanctuary.org. Donation are accepted via their website and on Paypal or Venmo.

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

"It would be great if you could rescue 10 calves, or 80 calves, or 100 calves, but we can't rescue our way out of the problem." In this week's episode we introduce you to Destination Liberation founder Jason Bolalek a man on a mission to rescue calves from dairy farms and finding them forever homes. Bolalek who found himself "always stopping to see the cows," after his move north to Vermont, knew he had to take action after hearing a story about how the farmers killed the male calves." This life changing moment saw him jump right into action and after saving the first pair of calves he founded the rescue organization Destination Liberation. He has gone on to rescue and find homes for 75 unwanted calves. His work was recently showcased in an article by the British newspaper The Guardian.

A recent change has seen Bolalek add an additional title to his resume as he became the Farm Manager & PR Director for Rosie's Animal Sanctuary in Potomac, Maryland. The change allowed Jason to transition to what he calls his "dream job". 

Join us as we learn about a crazy adventure that started with a pair of dairy calves in the back of a rented Nissan Maxima and led activist Jason Bolalek to place calves as far away as Iowa and Florida. Learn what it was that made Bolalek feel such a connection with these dairy calves. Hear about his most memorable rescue and what the future holds not only for Destination Liberation, but for his new home at Rosie's Farm Sanctuary.

To stay updated on Destination Liberation, find them on Facebook and Instagram. 

To stay updated on Rosie's Farm Sanctuary, find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at rosiesfarmsanctuary.org. Donate to Rosie's Farm Sanctuary via Paypal or Venmo by searching for Rosies Farm Sanctuary.

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.

"As of this week there are 29 states with poultry outbreaks and more than 33 million poultry affected." In this week's episode we tackle a topic on the mind's of sanctuaries across the country. Andrea Davis, Director of Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary, Sawyer Kane, co-founder of Foreverland Farm, and Meghan Dibble, co-Founder of Herd and Flock Animal Sanctuary join us for a roundtable discussion about this virus that's wreaking havoc on birds across the country.

Topics include:

• Housing
• Enrichment
• PPE

To stay updated on Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary, find them on Facebook and Instagram. Donate to Broken Shovels via Paypal (brokenshovels@gmail.com) or Venmo (@brokenshovels) or via their website.

To stay updated on Foreverland Farm, find them on Facebook and Instagram. Donate to Foreverland Farm via Paypal (Foreverland@gmail.com) or Venmo (@foreverlandfarm) or check out their website.

To stay updated on Herd and Flock Animal Sanctuary, find them on Facebook and Instagram. Donate to Herd and Flock via Paypal, Venmo (@herdandflock) or Patreon. Find out more information on their website.

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For more information on Butterfly Valley Rescue and Sanctuary visit butterflyvalleyrescue.com.