How to Coexist with Snakes: Myths, Facts, and Safety Tips

The Great Ape Approach to "Work/Life Balance"

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] In this episode, host Rick explores the true meaning of life balance by comparing human life to that of great apes, emphasizing that life is about relationships, health, play, wealth, and spirituality, not just work and personal life. He challenges the conventional work-life balance concept and encourages a holistic view of life’s many elements. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] If you find a sick or injured animal, please connect with someone who can help: Animal Help Now [https://ahnow.org/] Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

Elizabeth Johnson on Balancing Wildlife Work and Parenthood

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] Elizabeth Johnson shares her journey of starting the Mothering Wildlife podcast, exploring the unique challenges faced by moms in the zoo and conservation field. Our conversation on Animals, Nature, and You covers physical, mental, and emotional challenges, societal pressures, and the importance of community support for working mothers in niche professions. Link to Mothering Wildlife podcast [https://motheringwildlife.buzzsprout.com/] Mothering Wildlife: Telling the stories of moms who work in zoo, wildlife, vet, and conservation organizations.  Working with wildlife brings a unique set of challenges for working mothers.  Join me every other week as I interview moms working primarily in the zoo field as we discuss their journey as moms, navigating the mental, emotional, and often physical challenges that come with caring for wildlife and caring for kids. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] Mothering Wildlife podcast on IG [https://www.instagram.com/motheringwildlife] Email Elizabeth: MotheringWildlife@gmail.com Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

Be On The Look Out: Young Wildlife in Urban Spaces

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] In this episode, host Rick Schwartz shares insights on wildlife behavior, specifically focusing on the young animals we tend to see out and about this time of year. Rick is always happy to encourage everyone to take the time to observe wildlife; as long as it is from a safe and respectable distance. After all, observations often lead to better understanding and appreciation of the wildlife and world around us. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] If you find a sick or injured animal, please connect with someone who can help: Animal Help Now [https://ahnow.org/] Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

The Power of Pet Therapy: The Human/Animal Connection

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] Discover the transformative power of pet therapy as Robin Cohen from Helen Woodward Animal Center shares stories that bring joy, and foster profound human-animal connections. Whether it’s a children finding comfort in an unexpected animal encounter, or a someone reconnecting to memories of a pet skunk from the past; this episode reveals how animals not only heal but also teach us compassion, patience, and trust. Guest Robin Cohen, with over three decades of experience at Helen Woodward Animal Center, highlights the surprising science behind pet therapy’s physical and emotional benefits—from blood pressure drops to reduced aggression in at-risk youth. She shares inspiring stories of animals like a snake that helped a fearful man conquer his phobia, and a dog's loving intuition that helped comfort a man and his family. Robin explains how organizations worldwide can replicate programs like theirs through accessible training, volunteer efforts, and community education, emphasizing that every animal, regardless of species, has the potential to change lives. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] Links for Helen Woodward Animal Center... Website: AnimalCenter.org [https://animalcenter.org/] Helen Woodward Animal Cenetr Pet Encounter Therapy [https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/pet-encounter-therapy/] HWAC on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/animalcntr6461] HWAC on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hwac/] HWAC on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/helenwoodwardanimalcenter/] HWAC on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/helen-woodward-animal-center/] HWAC on Tik Tok [ https://www.tiktok.com/@hwanimalcenter] Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

Why Nature is Essential to Our Well-Being

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2557474/fan_mail/new] In this 10 Minute Tuesday, host Rick Schwartz shares his "Is this even real life"experiences from a recent trip to the Redwoods. And he explores the scientific benefits of nature on well-being, and emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with the natural world for our health, not just conservation. Animals, Nature, and You on IG [https://www.instagram.com/animalsnatureandyou] Links for Mentioned... Redwoods Rising on IG [https://www.instagram.com/redwoodsrising] Save the Redwoods League [https://www.savetheredwoods.org/] Sequoia Park Zoo [https://www.redwoodzoo.org/] Find Griff Griffith here [https://griffgriffith.info/] Animals, Nature, and You Episode with Griff Griffith [https://animalsnatureandyou.buzzsprout.com/2557474/episodes/18864116] Links to Studies Mentioned: Exposure and Connectedness to Nature [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494424002056] Noticing Nature: Individual and Social Benefits [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2016.1221126?scroll=top&needAccess=true] Find Rick here: ZoologyRick.com [https://www.zoologyrick.com/] Rick's social media stuff... Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/zoologyrick] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RickSchwartz] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ZoologyRick] Threads [https://www.threads.com/@zoologyrick] BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/zoologyrick.bsky.social] Podcast Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop Artist: Burgberg Used with Full Music Standard Lic.