Episodes

Originally released October 11, 2022. New Kindred episodes will drop starting in October 2026. In this week's episode from our archives, we speak with Dr. Kristyn Vitale, whose work focuses on companion animal behavior, specifically cat social cognition, cat behavior, and human-cat interaction. Kristyn walks us through why cats can be misunderstood and how we can understand them better, and busting myths that have persisted for far too long. Turns out Spot and Fido aren't the only ones who ca...

Welcome back to Book Club! We are so excited to introduce all of you to Susie Spikol, writer, naturalist, and educator. Susie has written two other books titled The Animal Adventurer’s Guide and The Book of Fairies, but in this episode we are going to be talking with Susie about her latest book Forest Magic for Kids: How to Find Fairies, Make a Secret Fort, and Cook Up an Elfin Picnic. This is such a lovely guide for kids and parents as well for HOW they can play outside no matter where they l...

In this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Katie Barott all about coral and coral reefs! Katie is an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania and head of the Barott Lab, where they study the ecology and physiology of coral symbiosis, researching the small-scale mechanisms in order to understand the ecosystem dynamics of coral. In other words, Katie and her lab are interested in understanding mechanisms on a cellular and microbial level that determine coral responses to climate chan...

In this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Dawn Barlow all about the biggest animal on the planet, the Blue Whale! Dawn is an assistant professor and senior researcher with the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory at the Marine Mammal Institute of Oregon State University. Dawn’s research interests are in the ecology and conservation of pelagic predators, seabirds, and particularly cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). She studies what drives when and where these animals can ...

In this episode, we are speaking with Bob Lynch, or as the world knows him, the Cowboy Cat Wrangler! Bob is a cat colony carer and TNR advocate for over 100 colony cats in the Philadelphia area. And what that means is ultimately he is rescuing, fostering, vetting, TNR advocating (trap/neuter/return) for every colony he takes care of. He is also a huge advocate and educator about and for cat colonies. Bob is dedicating his life and livelihood to keeping cats-living outside-safe, fed, and as hea...

In this episode, we are talking about one of the most important biomes, boreal forests! And to lead us in this conversation, we are speaking with forest ecologist, Dr. Jennifer Baltzer to introduce us to this amazing terrestrial biome! Jennifer is a professor of biology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. She is also the Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change at Wilfrid Laurier, which is a research program focusing on the impacts of climate change resulting in wildfir...

In this episode, Jenn and I have the distinct pleasure of covering the exhibit Botany of Nations, at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, running from March 28th, 2026 through February 14th of 2027! The exhibit offers a culturally layered view of specific North American plants once collected during the famous expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. More importantly, it beautifully centers the voices and perspectives of the Native Nations they came in contact with ...

In this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, 15th President and CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo in its 164th year. Dr. Mogerman is deeply committed to conservation, Philadelphia at large, and connecting our communities to animals in a meaningful and inspiring way. She may be a Chicago gal at heart, but we welcome her here to the City of Brotherly Love and are so excited to learn about what she has been initiating and leading for the past 3 years right here in our very own backyard. ...

In this episode, we are speaking with range ecologist and Buffalo conservationist, Zintkala Rivera from the organisation, Tanka Fund. Zintkala is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and through Tanka Fund, is working to reintroduce buffalo back to native lands, lives, and economies with Native ranchers. Zintkala has a unique combination of skills bringing policy, law, and ecology to buffalo conservation and ranching working with Tanka Fund. And as you’ll hear her explain, bringing back buffalo...

In this week’s episode, we are speaking with Dr. Cara Clancy, senior researcher and social scientist for the Donkey Sanctuary located in Sidmouth, England. In 1973, Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen, after buying a donkey named ‘Naughty Face’, and going on to take in many donkeys after seeing the state of them at a local market, officially started The Donkey Sanctuary. Fast forward to today, and you’ll see the Sanctuary present around the world, fulfilling Dr. Svendsen's dream of helping donkeys across th...

In this week’s episode, we are speaking with Ben Blom of the organization Save The Redwoods League to speak with us all about these wise and wonderful trees. Ben Blom serves as the League’s director of stewardship and restoration and has more than 15 years of restoration and forest management experience. One of Blom’s priorities, and an initiative I was really excited to hear about, is the work he is doing with the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, which is a multi-partner collaboration dedicated...