AquatiZoo podcast - podcast cover

AquatiZoo podcast

Lori Sempleaquatizoo.libsyn.com
A look into the inner workings of a zoo or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Leadership, management, and career details that might interest someone who might be looking for a change or just might be curious about their favorite animal-related facilities!
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Quiet Quitting

You may have heard about it from news and social media, but quiet quitting is not exactly a new technique. Today we discuss what it is, how behavior change for the employee and the employer might help, and why it should be avoided. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Sep 23, 202230 min

Exhibit Construction

Today we touch upon the history of zoo and aquarium exhibit design, what we're considering when deciding on how exhibits will be executed and function, as some of the fabrication techniques we use in our institutions. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Sep 16, 202231 min

The Cost of Rehiring

Desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Before anyone gets too far into making financial decisions that might impact employees directly, consider the long-term costs. It's more than just money. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Sep 09, 202231 min

Managing Guest Expectations

It's impossible to please anyone, but most good zoos and aquariums have a general idea of what most guests intend to see and experience when they visit our facilities. How do we prepare and decide what to do? www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Sep 02, 202231 min

Not the Military

You may never have noticed how many words and phrases with military-based roots have found their way into average business vernacular. Just how does this impact our cultures, practices, and results? We discuss it all today! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Aug 26, 202230 min

Reproductive Health in Zoos and Aquariums

It's surprisingly complicated to manage animal populations in aquariums and zoos, but we do have a myriad of tools available. It's important to maintain healthy populations that will continue to thrive into the future, and today we discuss how we make these sorts of plans and decisions. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Aug 19, 202230 min

Dangers of Entitlement

Ever work around someone who believes that things should be made easier or better for them at the expense of everyone else? You may have been dealing with a person exhibiting entitlement issues. Today we discuss how to recognize this problem and what to do. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Aug 12, 202230 min

Superstitions in Zoos and Aquariums

Yes, it sounds strange. Yes, we like science. But hey! We're human! Superstitions sometimes arise even in aquariums and zoos. Whether generated from within or contending with existing cultural beliefs in other parts of the world, superstitions have a part to play in our institutional operations. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Aug 05, 202230 min

Happy Staff Means Happy Guests

While it isn't a difficult concept to grasp, it's sometimes an easy one to forget. Keeping employees content on the job helps to ensure that guests, customers, and clients are pleased with the business as well. Today we discuss the importance of happy staff in the workplace. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jul 29, 202231 min

Summers and Holidays

It's this time of year in the northern hemisphere when many of our institutions are at their busiest. Just how do we go about preparing for the influx of visitors and what might we do different now than through the rest of the year? Today we discuss busy summers and holidays at your favorite aquarium or zoo! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jul 22, 202230 min

Distinguishing Oneself

It can be difficult in a group of high performers to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Can you avoid a common pitfall? Do you have to kill you soul to get ahead? Short answer, no. Let's talk about it! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jul 15, 202231 min

Changing Careers

Given that people are switching up jobs and careers at a high rate lately, how feasible might it be to work in animal care after having a previous career? There are some things to know before you jump in, but it's possible and encouraged! Today we discuss the ins and outs of making animal care a new primary job. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jul 08, 202231 min

High Performers

They're some of the most valuable people in the workplace, but how does one go about recognizing them? Today we discuss high performers, their traits, and other things to be aware of when building your bench of capable coworkers. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jul 01, 202230 min

Zoo and Aquarium Leadership

What should someone expect when they've worked their way through the ranks to the top of the animal care group at their zoo or aquarium? It's a different sort of challenge, but one worth undertaking... if you've got the right mindset. Let's talk about zoo and aquarium leadership! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jun 24, 202230 min

Motivation vs. Inspiration

Shockingly, when it comes to the workplace, motivation and inspiration are two different things. Both need to be considered for the well being of the people working, and occasionally, they overlap. Today we discuss the similarities and differences of motivation and inspiration. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jun 17, 202230 min

Full-Time Aquarists and Keepers

There's a degree of understanding about what an internship or part-time animal care position might entail, but what about full-time aquarists and keepers? Today we discuss what to understand and expect in a full-time position in an aquarium or zoo. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jun 10, 202231 min

Social Accountability

While personal responsibility is an important part of decision making in the workplace, social accountability should be considered as well. How will your decisions affect others? Will they impact coworkers, customers, or animals? Today we discuss the weight of social accountability. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com https://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple...

Jun 03, 202229 min

Part-Time Keepers and Aquarists

Part-time positions as zookeepers and aquarists can be a fantastic opportunity to explore an exciting and unique workplace. There are benefits for both the institution and the individual, though the situation is not quite perfect. Today we discuss the pros and cons of part-time work as an aquarist or zookeeper. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

May 27, 202231 min

Personal Responsibility

Some of us find it easy to place blame. It's more difficult to accept personal responsibility for some of our circumstances. While it may not be fun, it is important to learn the skills of reframing one's mindset and accepting that we can make changes in our lives. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

May 20, 202230 min

Zoo and Aquarium Internships

Is it a great learning opportunity for students? Yes! Is it perfect? No. There are many wonderful reasons that internships exist and benefit students, institutions, and schools, but there's a lot of room for improvement. Today, we take a hard look at internships at zoos and aquariums. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

May 13, 202231 min

Speaking with Clarity

There are several common words with ambiguous meanings that we use in conversation regularly. Have you taken a moment to check if you're communicating effectively? Today we discuss how to avoid confusion and make things easier for everyone understand. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

May 06, 202230 min

Animal Rehabilitation

When an animal gets sick or injured, do you know where, how, and why rehabilitation is done? Who is best equipped to deal with these wild animals in a tough spot? Today we discuss the ins and outs of animal rehabilitation. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com (Also, I'm aware of the audio anomaly that occurs roughly halfway through the episode for a few seconds. I apologize for the inconvenience!)...

Apr 29, 202230 min

Toxic Positivity

Who would have thought that positivity could ever be a bad thing? It can be very sneaky, but when positive thinking is used as a weapon in the workplace, things can get complicated. Learn to recognize and react to toxic positivity! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

Apr 22, 202230 min

Exhibit Refurbishments

It's an unfortunate reality for any institution that desires to remain relevant and in top condition... we have to spruce things up sometimes! The decisions surrounding closures are weighed heavily, but we try to make the best choices for the animals, our guests, and our staff. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

Apr 15, 202230 min

Carrying Baggage

If you've ever wondered why you've gotten such a strange reaction to a typical work discussion or activity, you may have accidentally uncovered some baggage carried by a coworker. Today we discuss how past experiences shape our view of the world and how they can impact the current situations in our lives. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

Apr 08, 202230 min

Resiliency Training

There are a lot of sights, sounds, and experiences that an animal will encounter at an aquarium or zoo. Did you know that we have ways of preparing animals for these challenges? Today we discuss the importance and methods to train an animal to be resilient and live their best lives. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

Apr 01, 202230 min

Step it up, Leaders!

Businesses, institutions, and leaders are faced with the challenge of navigating through the great resignation with their integrity and practices intact. How might that be done? Who will come out on top? Today we discuss how leaders can step it up! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

Mar 25, 202230 min

Education vs. Entertainment

It takes a rather large amount of effort for aquariums and zoos to walk the line between education and entertainment. How do we fit both into our exhibits and programs? Is one more important than the other? Today we discuss walking the line between two seemingly opposing worlds. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

Mar 18, 202229 min

Staying Curious

It's tempting to allow only those thoughts and opinions with which we agree to enter our consciousness while rejecting all else. It's dangerous and debilitating to surround ourselves exclusively with people who think and act the same way we do. Stay curious and be ready to amend your thoughts! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com...

Mar 11, 202229 min

Accessibility

It's important that we design our exhibits, programs, and institutions for all to enjoy. Anyone who enters our institution should feel confident that they will learn, be entertained, and share an experience regardless of an ailment, injury, or disability. Just how do we do it and how do we improve?

Mar 04, 202230 min
Hosted on Libsyn
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android