Episode 50, you guys! And today's guest is truly a special one. Not only is she an incredibly remarkable woman, but she’s also going to be the new cohost of The Animal That Changed You season 2! Meet Jenny Franz, founder and president of Better Together Dog Rescue in Massachusetts. She is funny AF, my pal, a badass mom, and obsessed with my Pitbull . You’re going to learn all about Jenny in this episode - how she got into rescuing dogs, what her relationship is like with other animals, and how m...
Jul 20, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Sharon Nuñez is the co-founder and president of Animal Equality - an international organization working with governments, companies, and society at large to end cruelty to animals. She joins the show today to have an incredibly important conversation about animal rights, about animal equality in the truest sense of those words, about what it means to be alive. Sharon shares a behind-the-scenes look into what it takes to work for her nonprofit, and talks about the experiences that undercover inve...
Jul 13, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding and magical experiences available. All we have to do is open our hearts and our homes. When you say yes to a foster dog, not only will you see the positive impact you make in their life, but you will also learn so much about yourself. About what you're capable of. About how good giving feels. You too will change and bloom. In today’s episode, I talk you through the process of bringing home a shelter dog and how you can support and nurture him or her w...
Jul 06, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 48
I’m so excited to be joined by one of the most dedicated animal rights advocates I know, Prabhat Gautam. Prabhat is the founder of the Animal Advocacy Museum, he’s organized and coordinated hundreds of vegan and animal welfare events, and he’s also earned the nickname of "Vegan Godfather!" In today’s episode, Prabhat shares his wisdom on the importance of radical, rigorous kindness and how it's based on the abandonment of judgment. We discuss some of the anger that animal activists might hold, a...
Jun 29, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Okay, I won’t lie, this episode may be a tad … heavy. But it’s important, and there’s still some levity too, I promise! Today’s talk with fellow writer and my dear friend, Chris Dale, is an exercise in honesty and recovery. We don’t hold back as we both revisit some of the most difficult times in our lives. From struggling with addictions to how we found healing, Chris and I reflect on our ongoing journeys and more importantly, how our rescues dogs played an integral role in finding wellness. Ch...
Jun 22, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Welcome back to another episode of The Animal That Changed You! I am so excited to have a chance to chat with my good friend Beth Bellanti. She is, simply put, a beautiful soul. You might wonder what Tito's Handmade Vodka has to do with pets. It might sound like kinda a stretch, but it's not. Beth works with Tito’s Handmade Vodka because the heart of the company is a bunch of dog lovers who work hard and do good. Today we chat about how Tito got into his business, about the power of their partne...
Jun 15, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Hello friendas and friendos! Today I'm taking you on a field trip to the Austin Animal Center where I am lucky enough to volunteer. We’re peeling back the curtain on what it’s like to walk among all those kennels of homeless pets. Maybe you've never been to a shelter before, maybe you have adopted your dog from one but have never been back. Maybe the thought of going scares you or makes you cry. But I'm still bringing the shelter to you because volunteering is all about truth and beauty, and yes...
Jun 08, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 44
You guys know that my two heartbeats are animals and writing. So I'm super excited about today's conversation with none other than author Steven Rowley! This episode explores the overlap between animals and writing, particularly as it pertains to Steven’s incredible work. He shares about his career journey, offers advice for any authors out there who might feel impatient with the process, and provides a hefty does of inspiration by being his witty self. Steven and I also discuss what makes pets ...
Jun 01, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Nicole Patrick is a successful actress, a singer-songwriter, and an animal activist. She is also the founder of Chic Chien Chateau, a boutique non-profit, foster-based pet rescue located in NY and CT . She joins us today to share about her upbringing steeped in the arts and how it lead to loving animals. Hearing her describe how she awakened to the reality of pet stores, puppy mills, and backyard breeders is a story you won't want to miss. And then there was her life-changing experience working ...
May 25, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 42
The founder of TrapKing Humane , an animal welfare non-profit organization helping community cats, is here with us today. Sterling "TrapKing" Davis is a truly impressive, authentic, and beautiful person who left his career in music to follow his heart and help animals. In this episode, Sterling shares his important work with us along with the touching story of the animal who changed him. From what TNR is to why education and inclusion is vital in animal welfare, Sterling gives us a glimpse into ...
May 18, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 41
My husband Eric is back on the show today and we’re keeping things casual! Join us as we daydream and share our vision for the future. We discuss the types of animals I’d love to help and rescue, the type of space I wish to create, and the lifestyle I envision for our family, which he doesn't necessarily see but is kind enough to roll with! I ask Eric some fun questions about what animals he'd let me bring home, he shares his thoughts on rescuing cats, and we agree on how many senior dogs he’d b...
May 11, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Why is there a negative connotation around being a crazy cat person? Why don't more people get involved in Trap-Neuter-Release within their local communities? How can we look at taking care of homeless animals as an addition in our lives? How can we bear uncomfortable, difficult conversations in order to save more lives? These are some of the many questions we explore today with Anna Dickerson-Homan, a cat rescuer and the force behind The Kitten Factory , with all those adorable pictures on Inst...
May 04, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Jamie Wallace Grenier is an angel on this Earth. Big statement, still true! She has turned her land in Central Texas into a haven for animals and children who need connection, compassion, and unconditional love. She’s making a difference in her community by opening her gates at Safe In Austin and inviting in every human and animal who wants to be a part of her sacred space. In this episode, we’re deep-diving into some beautiful topics, including how she has learned to let go of her protectivenes...
Apr 27, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Mark Gagliardi and Hal Lublin from We Got This are here! This dynamic duo of improv performers, actors, and fellow podcast hosts are among the funniest people I've ever talked to. Today we chat about everything animal - from the animals who scare them to the ones that changed their lives. We dive deep into why we chase special relationships with our pets, why some people go gaga for men who love cats, and what actually makes us feel what we feel about animals. One of these hilarious guys also re...
Apr 20, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Surprise! The vets are taking over and they’re here to add a unique perspective to The Animal That Changed You. Dr. Scott and Dr. Mike from The Vets Unleashed are here to share stories all about the animals and patients that changed them. They take a walk down memory lane as Dr. Scott shares about the patient that changed him back when he was a brand new vet. Dr. Mike shares a story of a particular case that has stuck with him for years and how it has changed the way he treats his patients. From...
Apr 13, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 36
We’re back with another solo episode. But today, I’m sharing 3 different stories of dangerous or dumb situations I put myself in because of animals. Although these stories are based on my own experiences, they are general safety tips to follow of what NOT to do! I share some really not smart stuff I did - like getting in a small enclosed space with a stranger, walking into a stranger’s home to help a dog, and failing to know a dog’s limits which are necessary to keep everybody safe. What I'm say...
Apr 06, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Annie Grossman is the co-founder and host of The School for Dogs training center in New York City. She joins us today to share her journey from being a regular dog lover to becoming Manhattan’s go-to dog trainer and a podcaster about all things dog. We cover the importance of understanding the learning theory behind animal behavior and go over many of the ways in which you can bond with your pet, so this episode is a must for anyone who wants to delve into how to better communicate and build tru...
Mar 30, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Naomi Rotenberg, MA, KPA-CTP, FPPE, is a dog trainer and the owner behind Praiseworthy Pets. She's also the host of It's Training Cats & Dogs podcast and a double mom to two humans and a cat-dog pair! Naomi joins us today to share her wisdom on how she helps cats and dogs live together peacefully. She tells us about how she came to be a pet-mom to Rio (the cat) and Uri (the dog), why her education enhanced her pet-training skills, and how she continues to help cat-and-dog families find solut...
Mar 28, 2022•53 min
Sherri Franklin is the founder of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. She was named a CNN Hero in 2016, which emphasizes the impact she’s had on the lives of senior animals and her community overall. She joins us today to talk about her mission to help aging animals. Sherri explains how Muttville began, why she ultimately decided to do something about the animal shelter conditions she'd witnessed, and how she continues to sustain a growing Muttville all these years later. I also ask Sherri an important...
Mar 23, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Zach Skow is the founder of Marley’s Mutts , an incredible dog rescue, and the founder of the Pawsitive Change program, which aims to create opportunities for incarcerated people and pets so that they can find their path home. Zach joins me today to have a heartfelt conversation about recovery, rehabilitation, and the importance of having chances. We discuss how animals, especially dogs, can help us redefine our ideas of family, the value of being in service, and how the 12 Step recovery program...
Mar 16, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Catherine Raven is the author of a beautiful book titled “Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship”. She has a PhD in biology, holds degrees in zoology and botany, and is a former national park ranger. What I'm saying is she is super smart! Just listen to her talk about anthropomorphism, the six kingdoms of life, and where humans and animals fit together to know it's true. Today, Catherine joins the show to talk about what wild animals can teach us about empathy, being, and humanity. To hear her explai...
Mar 09, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 31
This episode is for anybody juggling the duties of being a parent to human children and fur children at the same time, for my double moms and double dads out there! If you're soon-to be a double parent or even a pet mom or dad who has nieces, nephews, or other kids in your life, then this is for you too. Because today's episode is all about instilling and cultivating respect for animals in children. I explain why I think developing a love for animals in our kids is one of the most important gift...
Mar 02, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Downtown Dog Rescue started over 20 years ago by Lori Weise, an animal lover, an advocate for justice, and a woman who wanted to provide a solution to the suffering she saw all around her. People starving, people who were homeless, people trying to do do right by their pets yet lacking in resources and support. Lori didn't set out to fix the whole world at once; she just decided to do something where she could, how she could, one step at a time. From hearing her share her story of the animal who...
Feb 23, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Nicole Navarro is here with us today to talk about rescuing foxes! How cool is that! As the president and founder of Pawsitive Beginnings , a nonprofit organization that saves foxes from fur farms, she shares her story about the animals that changed her and what being around foxes is truly like. From how she secured funding to get her organization started to what respecting and bonding with foxes looks like, Nicole is honest and compassionate, realistic and dedicated to her advocacy for these cu...
Feb 16, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 28
I’m so honored to have none other than Sophie Gamand on the show. Sophie is an animal advocate, artist, and award-winning photographer. You might know her from her stunning, powerful Pit Bull Flower Power series or her Wet Dog series. She does her work pro bono for non-profits, rescues, and shelters to communicate the idea of dogs having agency and she does it through photography. Sophie shares her experience about awakening to the world of rescue in Puerto Rico, her commitment to helping shelte...
Feb 09, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 27
This episode of The Animal That Changed You is not only closest to my heart, but it was the hardest to record. My husband Eric sat down to interview me about my sweet Ophelia. There comes a time when every pet parent has to say goodbye. And today, Eric and I take a walk down memory lane as we honor Ophelia. From how she came into my life, to the lessons she taught me over our 17 years together, to how she changed me, to how this whole podcast started because of her, this is an episode that I kno...
Feb 02, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 26
We’re joined by Non Wels - a supreme empath, feely human, and all-around special soul. Non and I have an honest and important conversation about the importance of setting boundaries as empaths, how the love and special bond with our pets grounds us, and the unique ways that animals can help us in our journeys. You’ll hear Non talk about his very special dog, Scooby, how he changed his life by helping him relinquish the facade he thought he had to hold onto, teaching him to be more present, and t...
Jan 26, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 25
We’re doing things a little differently in this episode. Instead of hearing from one of our amazing guests, you’re going to hear from yours truly. Specifically, you’re in for a treat as I share some zany stories from our greatest hits fosters. From stories of our first foster who flew all the way from Taiwan, two tiny ragamuffin terriers, Shiloh - the beagle who confirmed my deepest fears, and so many more, this episode is a heartwarming walk through memory lane all about the fosters that change...
Jan 19, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 24
I’m incredibly happy to be chatting with the queen of podcasting herself, Alison Rosen. Alison isn’t just a fellow animal lover and dog mom, but she’s also the host of Alison Rosen is Your New Best Friend , and the co-host of Childish . We talk about Alison’s dogs, Oliver and Wendy, in this episode. Alison also tells us about her childhood, why she fell in love with animals, and how she developed a strong sense of empathy and sympathy for people and animals. She also gets real with us as she dis...
Jan 12, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 23
You may know Casey Rose Wilson as a hilarious actress and comedian, but she’s also an animal lover. She’s here today to talk about beagles, senior dogs, beta fish, and what it means o love an animal. From stories of our childhood pets to what it means to raise pet smart children, Casey shares the good, bad, and the ugly of interacting with and caring for our furry family members. Casey shares the story behind her love for beagles, dealing with children who have a fear of dogs, and the darker and...
Jan 05, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 22
