Maria chats with The Sultan of Garbage author Brian Belefant about how we can all do our part--even if it's small--to reduce waste in our everyday lives! Although fiction, the book shares four tips on how to reduce waste: repurpose materials (be creative!); create "free piles"; donate rather than throw away; think about your purchases. To learn more about Brian, go to BELEFANT.COM .
Maria chats with Certified Clinical Pet Nutritionist & Bow Wow Lab's Chief Nutrition Officer Johnna Devereaux about preventing your pet from choking! Did you know there are CPR classes for animals? Listen and learn what to do and how to prevent your pet from choking.
Maria chats with Will Zweigart, founder of Flatbush Cat s and Flatbush Veterinary Clinic in Brooklyn NY. Flatbush Cats focuses on solving the problem of cat overpopulation. Will has innovative ideas and solutions that will hopefully expand to all five boroughs in NYC and then be a model for other communities around the country. Learn more at flatbushcats.org.
Maria chats with Jim Kessler, Director of Instruction and Training at The Seeing Eye in Morristown NJ. The Seeing Eye has been training and providing dogs to people since 1929, and celebrated their 95th Anniversary last year! Give a listen and learn all about this amazing organization. You can volunteer, donate, or other ways you can help: SEEINGEYE.ORG.
Maria chats with naturalist Charles Hood--a poet, essayist and photographer, about his latest book Nature At Night: Discover The Hidden World That Comes Alive After Dark . Charles takes us on a journey into the dark--as most of us are sleeping--and teaches us about the nocturnal world through descriptions and stunning photos. The night time awakens and we are there to observe it through Nature At Night !
In-studio guests Kimberly Cassar and Adrienne Maglione from NYLABONE chat with Maria about Nylabone's 70th Anniversary and all that they're doing this year to celebrate!! For every Nylabone bought, another is donated to a shelter! Their goal is to help get shelter pets across the country adopted; they're partnered with Best Friends Animal Society. Plus you can win prizes from Nylabone too. It's May and that means PET MONTH at Walmart and Best Friends Animal Society! Walmart is hosting on-site ad...
Maria chats with returning guest Ornithologist and bird expert Andrew Farnsworth about Spring migration from south to north; how you can enjoy birds this time of year and what you should do if you find a bird that fell out of its nest!
Maria chats with science writer and naturalist Ryan Mandelbaum about his book WILD NYC . As Ryan says everyone thinks of New York City as a concrete jungle, but "it's full of amazing wildlife"! Between the info, photos, amazing artwork by Chelsea Beck, and the chapter of Field Trips, YOUR next trip should be to New York City! More info: ryanmandelbaum.com
Maria chats with Pawsitive Beginnings founder Nicole Navarro. In existence for five years, Pawsitive Beginnings gives permanent homes to foxes rescued from the fur trade. (Many come from fur farms where they're deemed "inadequate") Btw 100% of donations go to the foxes! pawsitivebeginnings.org
Maria chats with herb farmer, author and gardening expert Bevin Cohen about his latest book Herbs In Every Season: 48 Edible and Medicinal Herbs for the Kitchen, Garden, and Apothecary , which just came out! Learn about herbs you eat daily or even ones that you never tried before with recipes, plus info about their medicinal qualities! Learn more at smallhousefarm.com .
Maria chats with Skool Dogs co-founder Brandon Womack. Skool Dogs are highly trained dogs that can detect ammunition, firearms, explosives and more! As their website states "First Patrolmen, then cameras, and Now Skool Dog s" They patrol schools across America. Listen and Learn! For more info: SKOOLDOGS.COM
Maria chats with Bodega Cats of New York Founder Dan Rimada about all the cats we see in our local bodegas, delis, and corner stores! Dan started a petition to protect these cats and the stores they live in. Did you ever hear of Cats About Town Tours ? Dan is a co-founder! If you LOVE cats (and I know you do) give a listen! And Sign the petition too CLICK HERE FOR THE PETITION. bodegacatsofnewyork.com catsabouttowntours.com...
In 2016, Heather and Gil Johnson left their home in New Jersey and relocated to Mexico. Maria chats with Heather: After seeing so many homeless dogs and "Pinto"--a broken starving dog--Heather and Gil knew what their mission had to be: helping these homeless strays. To date, they're spayed and neutered over 8050 animals and have placed over 300 adoptions!! Give a listen and learn all about Beach Dog Rescue. Learn more and donate too: beachdogrescue...
Maria chats with returning guest Roseanne Parry about her latest book A Wolf Called Fire, a story inspired by the real wolves of the American West, especially Wolf 8 who was at Yellowstone National Park as a pup and later became a successful pack leader. Although the book is aimed at middle-school children, if you love dogs and their behavior, you will enjoy this book!
Maria chats with ecologist, biologist and bat scientist Dr. Alyson Brokaw about her book The Weird and Wonderful World of Bats! Give a listen and I'll bet you will learn something about bats (and why they're actually pretty cool and not scary at all!) that you never knew! Dr. Brokaw has a blog about bats too alysonbrokaw.com.
Maria chats with Funny For Fido founder and president Justin Silver about the upcoming fundraiser on February 19th at The Cutting Room in NYC. 2025 is their 20th anniversary!! Comedians from Jerry Seinfeld to Jim Gaffigan have performed to support. Funny For Fido' s (they're a 501c3) yearly fundraiser raises money for animal rescues with 100% of the profits going to veterinary care; food; training; transportation; housing and more. If you're not in the NYC area, Funny For Fido has great merch to...
Maria chats with Mark Rowlands--author, professor and chair of the philosophy department at the University of Miami. Mark's latest book The Word of Dog: What Our Canine Companions Can Teach Us About Living A Good Life which teaches us that we can live a better life if we just live our lives like dogs do with a lack of self-examination. As Mark writes "The life of a dog is a voyage and not a plan"!
Maria chats with renowned scientist, explorer and author Neil Shubin about his latest book Ends of the Earth , which will be out Feb 4th. Neil has been exploring the north and south poles for over three decades! So much can be learned from ice, rocks, and nature which helps us understand the planet and our future.
Maria chats with Ami Cullen, Director of Equestrian Operations at the C Lazy U Ranch in CO, and author of Running Free . Running Free tells the story of how 200 horses at the ranch had to be relocated when the East Troublesome Fire hit. Although fictionalized, the story is based on what really happened and how ranchers across the state helped save the horses.
Maria chats with author Paula Whyman about her latest book Bad Naturalist , a true story of Paula's purchase of 200 acres of mountaintop in the Blue Ridge mountains, in an attempt to restore a farmland to its natural habitat. Fascinating and educational, we follow Paula's as she and her husband deal with challenges and solutions! Get the book at paulawhyman.com.
Maria chats with tv biologist and wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin and The Brady Hunter Foundation's Josh Fox about CBS's New Saturday morning show Extraordinary World with Jeff Corwin, which premieres this Saturday January 4th! (check your local listings) The show focuses on animal welfare around the world! And is underwritten by The Brady Hunter Foundation which supports animal-rescue efforts. Give a listen and learn about the show; and don't forget to watch Saturday mornings! On CBS and P...
Maria chats with returning vet Dr. Andrew Torchia from Heart of Chelsea ( heartofchelsea.com ) to discuss safety tips for your pets. With the upcoming holidays, there's stuff in your home that could be deadly to your cat or dog! Give a listen and Keep your pets safe this holiday season and always!! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year from Maria's Mutts & Stuff !! New episodes in January!...
Maria chats with writer and editor Michele C. Hollow about her book Jurassic Girl, the true story of Mary Anning, a 12 year old fossil hunter in the early 1800s (!!) who grew up to be a famous paleontologist. The book follows Mary's journey as she and her family discover the skeleton of the first ichthyosaurus, a now extinct fish lizard. You can find Jurassic Girl wherever books are sold, especially bookshop.org .
Maria chats with Melissa Mezzalira, Founder & CEO of CatsEssentials , a brand dedicated to making natural products for your pets. Their beds are organic and toxin-free which means better for your cats (who sleep and sleep!) Melissa says: "Healthy Sleep is as Important as Healthy Nutrition"! Give a listen and check out their products at CATSESSENTIALS.COM
Maria chats with Pilots To The Rescue Founder Michael Schneider. Michael's passion started from good parenting--he grew up with rescued animals! Then when he sky-dived...things happened! PTTR is a non-profit that transports animals from under-resourced shelters to adoption centers where the animals can find homes. They've helped transport pets affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. And recently relocated 32 sea turtles! Pilots To The Rescue survives on donations. Learn more at pilotstotheresc...
Maria chats once again with undercover animal investigator Pete Paxton. They discuss Pete's latest undercover work with livestock animal auctions, as they happen across America with cattle, sheep and goats! News broke on VOX, Apple News etc They also discuss wet markets and more. Pete makes us open our eyes to atrocities that many people choose to ignore because they're horrific, but as animal lovers we must be aware. Learn more and you can donate too! seedlivestockauctions.org....
Maria chats with Dr. Anna Massey, Director of Emergency & Critical Care at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. Anna also has a very informative (and entertaining!) blog The Blended Vet ! She shares her expertise and pet knowledge, from puppy care to pet loss with Maria. Give a listen and check out theblendedvet.com.
Maria chats with returning guest MUTT' s creator Patrick McDonnell. Last they spoke, Guard Dog was freed and adopted: his chain was broken 11/30/23 and then he was adopted 12/14/23. And now Breaking The Chain, The Guard Dog Story book is available! MUTTS is also celebrating its 30th Anniversary (9/5/94) and you can follow year-by-year at MUTTS.COM. Patrick's work is currently showing at the Arts Council of Princeton NJ until Dec.7th....
Maria chats with Positive Tail's Erica Kubersky and Kathy Galotti, plus VERG's (Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group) Dr Brett Levtizke about " Let's FIX NYC ": November is spay & neuter month at Positive Tails ! They discuss the benefits of spaying and neutering your pets, plus other topics! And their fundraiser is Sunday Dec 15th at 6pm. Learn More at POSITIVETAILS.ORG !
Maria chats with author Bruce Cameron about his latest novel My Three Dogs , a heartwarming story about three dogs: Riggs, Archie and Luna, who find themselves out of their home when a tragedy happens...and how they find their way back! (Bruce's books A Dog's Purpose and A Dog's Way Home are also major motion pictures! I'm sure My Three Dogs will be a movie as well) Give a listen, it'll make you smile just as the book does! For more on Bruce CLICK HERE!...
