Send us a text

Episode 4 of Series 15: Animal Communications - Transcript

The discussion dives into the often misunderstood social behaviors and communication methods of reptiles, from chemical and tactile cues to visual displays. The episode also explores ethical considerations in reptile pet ownership, conservation challenges, and groundbreaking research on reptile emotions and personalities.

Guest Bios: Dr. Julia Riley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Mount Allison University (MtA) and a Canada Research Chair in Integrative Wildlife Ecology. She leads the Integrative Ecology Lab that aims to increase our knowledge of amphibian and reptile behaviour, evolution, and ecology, as well as aid in the conservation of these imperiled taxa. She was a postdoctoral fellow at University of New South Wales in Australia, Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Her research has broadly fit into the fields of behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, and herpetology.

Dr. Emily Taylor is a professor of biological sciences at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she conducts research on the physiology, ecology, and conservation biology of reptiles and amphibians with her students. She is the author of the California Herping Guides. Learn more at EmilyTaylorScience.com and follow her on social media @snakeymama.

Book Recommendations: An Immense World by Ed Yong, The Overstory by Richard Powers, Snakes and Snake Hunting by Carl Kauffeld

Related Links: From Strange by Nature Podcast, Please Fish Don't Eat Me

109. How Do Aboriginal and Bengali Stories Shape Cultural Understanding of Nature? with Dipanwita Pal, PhD. (S12)

31: Attitudes Towards Animals with Matti Wilks (S5)

www.jonathanbalcombe.com
What a Fish Knows (NYTimes bestseller)
Super Fly (National Outdoor Book Award winner)
Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish (illustrated children's book)

Support the show

Show Credits⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Read the Blog! (Guest profiles, book recommendations, trailers and more!)

What to start your own podcast in he Animal Advocacy or Animal Welfare Space? Check out my ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Mentoring Services⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Patron! ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the Newsletter

Send us a text

Winter Special with Dr. Nunro Henrique Franco!

The conversation covers ethical frameworks, the importance of transparency through pre-registration and non-technical summaries, and the impact of public trust on scientific practice. They also explore the philosophical perspectives that shape animal research ethics and emphasize the role of scientists in advancing animal welfare.

Guest Bio: Nuno Henrique Franco has degrees in Natural Sciences and Teaching (BSc + MSc), Animal Biology (BSc Hons), Basic Studies in Veterinary Sciences (BSc) and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Nuno is a researcher at the i3S (University of Porto) on the topics of laboratory animal welfare, animal ethics and the 3Rs, scientific quality, thermoregulation, veterinary education, and other topics. He is vice-president of the Portuguese Society for Laboratory Animal Science (SPCAL), Past-President of the E.U. Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS), and President of the Animal Research Tomorrow society. He sits on the Animal Welfare Body of the i3S and of the U.Porto faculty of medicine, and founded and coordinates the Portuguese Network of Animal Welfare Bodies – RedeORBEA.

For Nuno's Book recommendation see Episode 134

Related Links:

E21: Spring Special! Hal Herzog: On the the Past, Present, and Future of Anthrozoology

119. April Special! What Does the Future Hold for Human-Animal Studies? with Dr. Ken Shapiro

84: How To Build a Bond With a New Dog with Stacey Colino and Jen Golbeck (December Special!)

www.jonathanbalcombe.com
What a Fish Knows (NYTimes bestseller)
Super Fly (National Outdoor Book Award winner)
Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish (illustrated children's book)

Support the show

Show Credits⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Read the Blog! (Guest profiles, book recommendations, trailers and more!)

What to start your own podcast in he Animal Advocacy or Animal Welfare Space? Check out my ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Mentoring Services⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Patron! ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the Newsletter

Send us a text

Episode 3 of series 15: Animal Communications Transcript

From energetic impressions to emotional insights, Maribeth shares how she supports guardians through behavioral challenges, end‑of‑life transitions, and the deep bonds we form with our animal companions.

Maribeth Coye Decker is an intuitive animal communicator, energy healer, and retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander. After becoming a Reiki Master, Maribeth discovered her ability to connect intuitively with animals — a skill that grew into her life’s work. She now helps people understand their animals’ emotional and energetic needs, navigate behavioral challenges, and find peace during end‑of‑life transitions.

Maribeth is the author of Peace in Passing: Comfort for Loving Humans During Animal Transitions, and she offers courses, consultations, and resources through her practice, Sacred Grove. Her work focuses on strengthening the bond between humans and the animals they love, including those who have passed on.

Website: https://sacredgrove.com

Guest Book recommendations: Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home: And Other Unexplained Powers of Animals by Rupert Sheldrake doctor.

Related Links:

107. October Special! Ghost Dogs and The Anthropology of Paranormal Pets with Researcher and Author, Jen Golbeck

101. Burn Zone (S11: Animals of the Maui Wildfires)

70: Beyond Symbolism: Understanding Animals as Ancestors with Author, Ben Stimpson (S7)

Support the show

Show Credits⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Read the Blog! (Guest profiles, book recommendations, trailers and more!)

What to start your own podcast in he Animal Advocacy or Animal Welfare Space? Check out my ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Mentoring Services⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Patron! ⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the Newsletter