"Talking Animals" is a 30-minute radio show about animals and animal issues broadcast each month on WMNF (88.5 FM), a 70,000-watt, community-oriented NPR station in Tampa, Florida. Hosted by Duncan Strauss, "Talking Animals" (http://www.talkinganimals.net/) is a fast-paced program that features animal songs, animal comedy, animal news & announcements, a quick quiz, "Name That Animal Tune"--but the chief element of each show is the interview we conduct with some notable figure in the animal world, or someone prominent in another field who holds legitimate ties to animal welfare.
Which means guests ranging from PETA honcho INGRID NEWKIRK and pioneering horse trainer MONTY ROBERTS to TRIUMPH THE INSULT COMIC DOG and Jethro Tull's IAN ANDERSON, from JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU and "Animal Liberation" author/philosopher PETER SINGER to actress/big cat benefactor TIPPI HEDREN and "Simpsons" co-creator SAM SIMON--roaming across the conversational landscape from animal rights to zoos and sanctuaries...to the environmental impact of carnivore/omnivore diets (relative to vegetarian/vegan ones)...to ocean inhabitants and aquatic concerns...to lions, tigers and other big cats...to animal adoption and spay/neuter.
Other guests of national or international prominence--discussing animal rescue, pets, farm animals, factory farming, animal behavior, human behavior (including autism), elephants, animal neglect and abuse, pet trusts, dogs, the plight of circus animals, and much more--include PAT DERBY, GENE BAUR (nee BAUSTON), PAUL WATSON, TEMPLE GRANDIN, JANEANE GAROFALO, JOHN DOE, CAROL BUCKLEY, KINKY FRIEDMAN, ALISON GIANOTTO, JOHN GROGAN, NELLIE MCKAY, DAN MATHEWS, MERRILL MARKOE, GREG GINN, CHUCK TRAISI, MARGARET CHO, MICHAEL MOUNTAIN, DAN PIRARO, et al.
Deborah Howard, founder of the Companion Animal Protection Society
Deborah Howard, founder of the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS)–self-described as “the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals from cruelty in pet shops and puppy/kitten mills”—recalls how, in 1989, her disgust upon visiting an Atlanta pet store, and her ensuing examination of the deplorable conditions, led to launching CAPS. Howard recounts […]
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1/31/2024 • 0
Dr. Daniel Promislow, principal investigator of The Dog Aging Project
Dr. Daniel Promislow–a biogerontologist, professor at the University of Washington, and principal investigator of The Dog Aging Project, a long-term study of health and longevity in dogs—recounts the genesis of the Project. **NOTE: There is static on the line during the first portion of the interview; it does clear up. He explains that it was […]
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1/24/2024 • 0
Jessica Kelly, co-leader of Cat Trap Fever
Jessica Kelly—who, along with Sue Rountree, runs Cat Trap Fever, a nonprofit focused on improving the lives of feral cats, chiefly in Pinellas County—recounts the “hodgepodge” of jobs she held before devoting herself to long days of TNVR: Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return. Kelly’s jobs included teenage waitress, traveling with the carnival, and ballet instructor. But […]
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1/17/2024 • 0
Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer” 9th Edition
As we’ve done eight times prior—spanning the better part of three years–today’s program involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the show-length feature, “Ask The Trainer.” Listeners are invited to call or email questions about their dogs or cats, particularly involving behavioral issues or training concerns. The Trainer these listeners have an […]
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1/10/2024 • 0
The Annual Holiday Animal Song special
I once again set aside the customary “Talking Animals” format to deliver the Annual Holiday Animal Song special—that is, a show almost entirely devoted to Holiday-oriented animal tunes. As has been required in the past, and as I acknowledged while over-explaining this program’s premise (over-explaining the premise has become its own tradition—one of this show’s […]
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12/20/2023 • 0
Jason Schramm, founder of VegMovies
Jason Schramm–a web developer and founder of Veg Groups, where he creates websites intended to help people go vegan, stay vegan, or become informed on vegan-oriented events, or films, on his VegMovies site—notes that he got deeply into computers as a seventh grader. While he was drawn as a youngster to exploring some aspects of […]
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12/13/2023 • 0
Mark E. Hauber, ornithologist & author of “Bird Day: A Story of 24 Hours and 24 Avian Lives”
Mark E. Hauber—professor, ornithologist, and author of “Bird Day: A Story of 24 Hours and 24 Avian Lives”—recalls becoming seriously interested in birds at age four or five. This was in his native Hungary, where, as that little boy, he dragged his mother to view the Spring Migration. His passion for birds was precocious and […]
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12/6/2023 • 0
Jill Horstmann, founder of Squirrelly AF Rescue
Jill Horstmann–founder of Squirrelly AF Rescue, a squirrel-focused rescue and rehabilitation operation she runs at her St. Petersburg home—recalls growing up in Wisconsin, where she was that neighborhood kid who tended to injured or ill critters. But it’s hardly been a straight line from Jill Horstmann, Kid Animal Rescuer to Jill Horstmann, Adult Animal Rescuer—though […]
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11/29/2023 • 0
Dr. Justin Perrault, VP of research, Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Dr. Justin Perrault–vice president of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC), a nonprofit sea turtle research, rehabilitation, education, and conservation operation in Juno Beach, FL—recalls the early, pioneering work on sea turtles performed by Juno resident Eleanor Fletcher, establishing the beginnings of what became LMC. Perrault unspools what became an overlapping narrative of his academic […]
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11/16/2023 • 0
Carey Theil & Rory Goree, greyhound devotees
Carey Theil, executive director of GREY2K USA Worldwide, the largest greyhound protection organization in the world, and Rory Goree, who for many years ran the largest industry-funded greyhound adoption group, Greyhound Pets of America, explain how–as former enemies in the battle to end greyhound racing–they transformed into allies. Goree and Theil (co-author–with Christine Dorchak, GREY2K […]
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11/8/2023 • 0
Dr. Faraz Harsini, biomedical scientist and veganism advocate
Dr. Faraz Harsini–biomedical scientist and speaker at the 2023 Tampa Bay Veg Fest—remembers growing up in Iran, including a possible foreshadowing of his future activism, when participating in a student protest of the country’s leadership resulted in his being chased by someone wielding a machete. Harsini left the country at 22, recalling being mystified and […]
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11/1/2023 • 0
Pete Walsh, platypus partisan
Pete Walsh–who lives in Tasmania, where he found himself becoming deeply concerned about the plight of local platypuses in the capital city of Hobart, part of narrative that unfolds in […]
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10/18/2023 • 0
Ann Paul, an organizer of the 2023 Florida Birding and Nature Festival
Ann Paul–an organizer of the Florida Birding and Nature Festival, a multifaceted, multi-day extravaganza, scheduled to take place Oct. 12-15, in and around Apollo Beach, Florida—revisits, at my request, the […]
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10/11/2023 • 0
RaeAnna Saks, founder of The Little Cats’ Rescue
RaeAnna Saks–founder and CEO of The Little Cats’ Rescue, the New Port Richey cat rescue and sanctuary—recalls the first cat she loved and felt truly connected with. But, Saks points […]
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9/20/2023 • 0
A Discussion All About Making Homemade Dog Food
Today’s program was unusual in a few ways, not least that I interviewed more guests than usual—and that those guests consisted of family (Karen Allanson, my wife’s cousin) and friends […]
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9/13/2023 • 0
Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer” 8th Edition
As we’ve done seven times prior—spanning about two years–today’s program involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the show-length feature, “Ask The Trainer.” Listeners are […]
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9/6/2023 • 0
Mark Meyers, founder of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
Mark Meyers–founder and executive director of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, the largest donkey rescue operation in the U.S.—recalls how it all began, when he and his wife brought home a […]
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8/30/2023 • 0
Dr. Catherine Macdonald, shark expert
Dr. Catherine Macdonald–a marine conservation biologist and assistant professor at the University of Miami, who conducts, and oversees, research on sharks—recalls a childhood less enamored of the sea, at first, […]
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8/23/2023 • 0
Scott Blais, co-founder of Global Sanctuary for Elephants
Scott Blais–co-founder of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants, whose initial facility is the Elephant Sanctuary Brazil (ESB); he also co-founded The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee—starts by attempting to field my […]
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8/16/2023 • 0
Temple Grandin, autistic animal scientist
Dr. Temple Grandin–who truly wears multiple hats: fervent activist for autistic people, longtime professor of animal science at Colorado State University, expert on animal behavior, prolific author, tireless lecturer—discusses her […]
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8/9/2023 • 0
Kim Caswell, president of Skyway Cats, Inc.
Kim Caswell–president of the Skyway Cats Inc., a nonprofit operated by a cadre of volunteers who feed and care for a feral cat colony in a distinctive location, the South […]
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8/2/2023 • 0
Gene Baur, co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary
Gene Baur–co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, which Baur helped launch in 1986—responds to the observation that, nearly 40 years later, he could be excused if some days felt “same […]
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7/19/2023 • 0
Susan Hanus, executive director of Cat Depot
Susan Hanus–executive director of Cat Depot, a unique feline-only shelter in Sarasota—recalls when she first became a cat person. Hanus has remained staunchly feline-friendly ever since, though, she explains, she […]
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7/12/2023 • 0
Kathy Finelli, director of Gainesville Rabbit Rescue
Kathy Finelli–the director of Gainesville Rabbit Rescue (GRR), a nonprofit organization founded in 1998 by two University of Florida students—recalls how her involvement with GRR began 20-plus years ago, when […]
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7/5/2023 • 0
Valerie Benka, Director of Programs for the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs
Valerie Benka–the Director of Programs for the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D)—recalls being someone who was nuts about animals from the time she was a kid, growing […]
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6/21/2023 • 0
pattrice jones, co-founder of VINE Sanctuary
pattrice jones–co-founder of VINE Sanctuary, sprawling across 100 acres in Springfield, Vermont, and a self-described “LGBTQ-led farmed animal sanctuary”—spontaneously describes instances of talking animals’ activity by resident roosters that very […]
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6/14/2023 • 0
Donna Kalil, python hunter
Donna Kalil–a python removal contractor (aka “python hunter”)—recalls growing up in Venezuela, with close proximity to the jungle helping cultivate a lifelong passion for snakes and other wildlife. In 1969, […]
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5/31/2023 • 0
Jane O’Hara, animal advocate and artist
Jane O’Hara, the animal advocate and artist–whose paintings tend to celebrate animals or explore animal issues—recalls a regular upbringing, amidst conventional companion animals. Only some years later, O’Hara adds, did […]
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5/24/2023 • 0
Susan Tellem, executive director of American Tortoise Rescue
Susan Tellem–executive director of American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a nonprofit established in 1990 for the protection of all species of turtles and tortoises—recalls that she began helping animals in cat […]
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5/17/2023 • 0
Diana Goodrich, co-director of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Diana Goodrich–co-director of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, located not far from Seattle, and housing 15 chimps—says she can’t recall a time she didn’t want to work with animals. Goodrich traces […]
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5/10/2023 • 0
Eleanor Spicer Rice, author of “Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World”
Eleanor Spicer Rice, PhD–an entomologist by training, and the author of multiple books, focused on ants and spiders—recounts how she came to write a book about microbes, “Unseen Jungle: The […]
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5/3/2023 • 0
Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer” 7th Edition
As we’ve done six times prior—spanning nearly two years–today’s show involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the extended feature, “Ask The Trainer.” Listeners are […]
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4/26/2023 • 0
Dr. Jane Goodall
Dr. Jane Goodall–the ethologist, activist, and conservationist who rose to international attention in the 1960s, propelled by her pioneering work studying chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania—offers her current impressions of young […]
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4/5/2023 • 0
John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island
John Di Leonardo–president of Humane Long Island, an animal advocacy organization there, where he also oversees its international Duck Defenders project—recalls growing up without family pets, but deeply fascinated by […]
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3/29/2023 • 0
Miyoko Chu, senior director of communications at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Miyoko Chu– senior director of communications at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology—recalls an outing at age 10 or so with her father, to San Francisco’s Chinatown, where they performed a […]
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3/22/2023 • 0
Rick Yocum, executive director, the Humane Society of Manatee County
Rick Yocum–executive director of the Humane Society of Manatee County (HSMC), established more than 50 years ago, and now a truly multifaceted operation—traces his career path to his current job, […]
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3/15/2023 • 0
Alene Anello, founder and president of Legal Impact for Chickens
Alene Anello–founder and president of Legal Impact for Chickens (LIC), a nonprofit dedicated to bringing lawsuits that benefit chickens—recalls growing up in a family with plenty of animals, mostly dogs. […]
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3/8/2023 • 0
Amy P. Kight, executive director of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
Amy P. Kight, executive director of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, discusses the Sanctuary, its imminent relocation, some resident animals, the recent fatal gator attack in Fort Pierce, and more.
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3/1/2023 • 0
Annette Wrubleski, founder of Laughing Pig Sanctuary
Annette Wrubleski is founder and president of the Laughing Pig Sanctuary, a refuge in Bartow, Florida providing a permanent home for elderly and abused pigs
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2/15/2023 • 0
Kelly Crandall, graduate student whose research yielded inadvertent, important results
Kelly Crandall is a graduate student at Southern Illinois University (SIU) whose research focusing on one raccoons and opossums inadvertently yielded results about the Burmese python, a rampant invasive species in south Florida.
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2/8/2023 • 0
Paul Watson, Captain Paul Watson Foundation
Captain Paul Watson–a major figure for decades in the realm of animal rights, he founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in 1977—describes what he sees as the initial events that […]
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2/1/2023 • 0
Kate Benjamin, Top Cat at Hauspanther
Kate Benjamin–whom I suggested you could call a cat lady while noting, in this case, the term would be strictly intended as a compliment, given the scope of her expertise […]
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1/25/2023 • 0
April Goodwin, attorney & founder of The Goodwin Firm
April Goodwin, an attorney and founder of Largo-based The Goodwin Firm, a law firm specializing in pet law services
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1/18/2023 • 0
Kathleen Edwards: In-Studio at WMNF For Performance and Conversation
Singer-songwriter-animal champion discusses becoming a part-time St. Pete resident, dogs, siamese cats--and performs four songs.
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1/11/2023 • 0
The Talking Animals Annual Holiday Animal Song Special
This morning, I once again set aside the customary “Talking Animals” format to deliver the Talking Animals Annual Holiday Animal Song special—that is, a show entirely devoted to Holiday-oriented animal […]
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12/21/2022 • 0
Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer” 6th Edition
As we’ve done five times prior, today’s show involved setting aside the usual “Talking Animals” format in order to present the extended feature, “Ask The Trainer,” in which listeners are […]
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12/14/2022 • 0
Tom Mustill, author of “How To Speak Whale: A Voyage into the Future of Animal Communication”
Tom Mustill, who’s a biologist, filmmaker, and author, discusses how he’s forever primarily identified by a 2015 incident: while kayaking with a friend, a humpback whale breached, landing on the pair.
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12/7/2022 • 0
Alexis Telfair-Garcia, social worker at Austin Pets Alive!
Alexis Telfair-Garcia–a social worker recently hired at the Austin, TX animal shelter, Austin Pets Alive! (APA!)—recalls growing up in a family that prized community service, perhaps telegraphing her pursuit of […]
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11/30/2022 • 0
Emily McCormack, Animal Curator at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Emily McCormack—the Animal Curator at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), a sanctuary in Eureka Springs, Arkansas housing 94 animals (mostly big cats, plus bears)—recalls being infatuated with tigers since childhood, […]
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11/23/2022 • 0
Steve Koyle, founder & CEO of Elephant Care Unchained
Steve Koyle, who has two decades of experience working with elephants, discusses his experiences, including founding Elephant Care Unchained, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating elephant cruelty and improving their welfare across multiple countries.
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11/16/2022 • 0
Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers, plant-based doctor
Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers, who runs a medical clinic in Chattanooga, Tenn. called The Essence of Health Wellness Clinic, describes her plant-based, concierge-style medical practice.
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11/2/2022 • 0
Duncan P. Forgey, author of “Flyin’ Kai: A Pelican’s Tale”
Author Duncan Forgey discusses his inventive novel featuring a pelican hero and protect-environment themes.
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10/26/2022 • 0
Ann Paul, an organizer of the Florida Birding and Nature Festival
Ann Paul, an organizer of the Florida Birding and Nature Festival, outlines some of the Festival's field trips, seminars, and lectures.
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10/19/2022 • 0
Dr. Eric Eisenman, founder of International Veterinary Outreach (IVO)
Dr. Eric Eisenman discusses founding International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), which provides veterinary services and training to rural areas in countries sorely lacking both.
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10/5/2022 • 0
Father Andrew Heyes, Rector of St. Clement’s Church & Dog Nut
Father Andrew Heyes is the dog-loving Rector of St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Tampa, an unusually animal-friendly church
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9/28/2022 • 0
John Turner, President of Project PUP
John Turner—the president of Project PUP (Pets Uplifting People), which, since 1984 has offered visits by therapy dogs to nursing homes, rehab centers, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and other locales, […]
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9/14/2022 • 0
Allison Argo: Director of Acclaimed Animal Films
Allison Argo, a writer-director who, over the course of a 25-year career, has specialized in making often-acclaimed films about animals.
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9/7/2022 • 0
Katrina Shadix, founder of Bear Warriors United
Katrina Shadix is founder of Bear Warriors United (BWU), whose mission includes preserving and protecting bears in Florida
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8/31/2022 • 0
Ed Yong, author of An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
Ed Yong—a science journalist, staff writer at The Atlantic, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for his coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and author, most recently of An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
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8/24/2022 • 0
Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist–“Ask The Trainer” 5th Edition
We reprised “Ask The Trainer,” in which listeners are invited to call or email questions for dog trainer Glen Hatchell to answer about their dogs or cats, particularly involving behavioral issues.
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8/17/2022 • 0
Samantha Wishman & Christina Thomas, co-directors of “Free Puppies!”
Christina Thomas and Samantha Wishman are co-directors of “Free Puppies!,” a documentary examining rescue dogs being regularly transported from the South to the North for adoption, probing deeper into why the South is a repository for so many homeless dogs.
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8/3/2022 • 0
Don Argott, co-director of “The Bond”
Don Argott–co-director of “The Bond,” a four-part wildlife series streaming on DiscoveryPlus, examining the singular animal-human connection forged amongst four folks and critters (kangaroo, dolphin, goat, cheetah), from disparate backgrounds […]
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7/27/2022 • 0
Katherine McGill & Kate MacFall: discussing proposed changes to Florida’s trapping regulations
Two experts on Florida wildlife, Katherine McGill and Kate MacFall, discuss proposed changes to the state's trapping regulations
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7/20/2022 • 0
Kimberly Carroll, Toronto-based animal activist, leader, and consultant
Kimberly Carroll— a veteran Toronto-based animal activist, leader, and consultant—recalls growing up in Manitoba, a sensitive child with a precocious connection to animals, yet like her family members and most […]
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7/13/2022 • 0
Spencer Conover, Assistant Director of Pasco County Animal Services
Spencer Conover— Assistant Director of Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS), whose work has received national acclaim, partly accounting for his being viewed as a rising star in the animal shelter […]
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7/6/2022 • 0
Mark Reinfeld, vegan chef, author & educator
Mark Reinfeld— the award-winning vegan chef and author of numerous books, including “Healing The Vegan Way: Plant-Based Eating for Optimal Health and Wellness”—returns to the show, this time offering more […]
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6/29/2022 • 0
Callers and Emailers as Guests
Every year or two, I jettison the chief component of the “Talking Animals” format—a longform interview with a single guest—to offer a debate or some other multi-guest panel discussion. As […]
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6/22/2022 • 0
Ally Burguieres, opossum advocate and rehabilitator
Ally Burguieres— an opossum advocate and rehabilitator, whose passion to protect and serve, and heal, these marsupials is reflected in a recent HuffPost piece and in her new book, “Possums […]
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6/15/2022 • 0
Rebekah Keat and Siri Lindley, activists working to end horse slaughter
Rebekah Keat and Siri Lindley—highly vocal (and highly effective, as it turns out) advocates for ending horse slaughter—recall a pivotal horse, Savannah, who served as a catalyst for their advocacy. […]
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6/1/2022 • 0
Vincent Kelner, director of “A Taste of Whale”
Vincent Kelner—writer-director of “A Taste of Whale,” a documentary examining the “grind,” Faroe Islanders’ ritual slaughter of pilot whales, but an intricate film with a lot more on its mind […]
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5/25/2022 • 0
Tricia Gorham, chair of the College of Veterinary Technology at St. Petersburg College
Tricia Gorham–chair of the College of Veterinary Technology at St. Petersburg College, and a practicing veterinary technician since 1991—discusses her love of animals extending back to childhood, and how she […]
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5/18/2022 • 0
Sy Montgomery, author of “The Hawk’s Way: Encounters with Fierce Beauty”
Sy Montgomery—the bestselling author of 30-plus books, including “The Soul of an Octopus” and “The Good Good Pig”—discusses what prompted the exploration of raptors and falconry at the core of […]
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5/11/2022 • 0
Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice, author, entomologist, pigeon proponent
Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice—a North Carolina-based entomologist and author of books on ants and spiders, who, as the product of a family activity, has developed a passion for pigeons and […]
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5/4/2022 • 0
Helaine Olen, opinion writer for The Washington Post
Helaine Olen— an opinion writer for The Washington Post, an expert on personal finance, and author or co-author of books, including “The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have To […]
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4/27/2022 • 0
Phil Jenni, executive director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) in Minnesota
Phil Jenni—executive director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) in Minnesota, considered the world’s busiest wildlife hospital—addresses how that “world’s busiest” title is determined, noting that it’s the product of […]
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4/20/2022 • 0
Glen Hatchell: dog trainer, behaviorist: “Ask The Trainer” IV
As we’ve done three times prior, today’s show involved setting aside the customary “Talking Animals” format in order to present the extended feature, “Ask The Trainer,” in which listeners are […]
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4/13/2022 • 0
Danielle Hall, wildlife ecologist
Danielle Hall—a wildlife ecologist, who, drawing on her professional expertise and her longtime personal passion for animals, has stepped into an intense human-versus-animal battle that’s erupted over vultures in a […]
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4/6/2022 • 0
Liz Marshall, director of “Meat The Future”
Liz Marshall—a documentary director whose latest film, “Meat The Future,” examines the realm of “cultivated meat,” generated in a lab setting, from animal cells, but these animals remain unharmed—explains the […]
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3/30/2022 • 0
Dr. Heather Johnston, Medical Director at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
Dr. Heather Johnston—a veterinarian who serves as the Medical Director at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, a multifaceted operation in Jupiter, Florida that, in celebration of March being Women’s History Month, is […]
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3/23/2022 • 0
Patrick Battuello, the founder of Horseracing Wrongs
Patrick Battuello—the founder and president of Horseracing Wrongs, an organization formed in 2013, and based in Albany, New York, which seeks to end horse racing–describes an unexceptional childhood when it […]
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3/9/2022 • 0
Dr. Steven Amstrup, chief scientist for Polar Bears International
Dr. Steven Amstrup—chief scientist for Polar Bears International, a polar bear conservation organization; before joining PBI, he was a research wildlife biologist with the United States Geological Survey at the […]
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3/2/2022 • 0
Tori Linder, a producer of “Saving The Florida Wildlife Corridor”
Tori Linder—a producer of “Saving The Florida Wildlife Corridor,” a documentary that travels through the titular Corridor, the 18 million-acre, statewide network of public preserves and private working lands, while […]
The post Tori Linder, a producer of “Saving The Florida Wildlife Corridor” first appeared on Talking Animals.
2/23/2022 • 0
Nellie McKay, singer-writer-actor-animal advocate
Nellie McKay—the singer-writer-actor-animal advocate who first appeared on “Talking Animals” in April of 2004, when her debut album, “Get Away From Me,” was generating rave reviews and buzz galore, partly […]
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2/9/2022 • 0
Dan Piraro, creator of comic strip “Bizarro” and graphic novel “Peyote Cowboy”
Dan Piraro—creator of the innovative, acclaimed, and much-beloved comic strip, “Bizarro,” which he’s drawn for more than 35 years, and in which animals (talking, and otherwise) often play a central […]
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2/2/2022 • 0
Dr. Matt Johnson, professor at Humboldt State University, overseeing study involving using owls versus rodenticides
Dr. Matt Johnson—a professor at Humboldt State University, in the school’s Department of Wildlife, who’s overseeing an extended research study gauging the effectiveness of using owls, versus rodenticides, to remove […]
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1/26/2022 • 0
Dr. Dani McVety-Leinen, founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, and Ross Taylor, photojournalist-filmmaker
Dr. Dani McVety-Leinen and Ross Taylor—founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, and one of two filmmakers who created the documentary “The Hardest Day,” respectively—discuss how the film was conceived, […]
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1/21/2022 • 0
Steven M. Wise, founder and president of the Nonhuman Rights Project
Steven M. Wise—founder and president of the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP); an attorney, author, and legal scholar, Wise is leading NhRP’s pioneering effort to free an elephant named Happy from […]
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1/12/2022 • 0
Dr. Lisa Wiese, associate professor of Nursing at Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, at Florida Atlantic University
Dr. Lisa Wiese—associate professor of Nursing at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and co-author of a study conducted recently at FAU, which found […]
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1/5/2022 • 0
Ellen Quinlan, executive director of the Darbster Foundation
Ellen Quinlan—executive director of the Darbster Foundation (& Darbster Rescue), whose chief mission involves plucking cats and dogs from crowded south Florida shelters, and finding homes for them in the […]
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12/29/2021 • 0
Annual Christmas Animal Song Special
This morning, I once again set aside the customary “Talking Animals” format to deliver the Annual Christmas Animal Song special—that is, a show almost entirely devoted to Holiday-oriented animal tunes. […]
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12/15/2021 • 0
Dee Boersma, penguin researcher extraordinaire
Dee Boersma—a biologist and professor at the University of Washington who’s been studying penguins for decades, including Galapagos penguins for 50 years; in a piece some years ago examining her […]
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