Shows / Mothering Wildlife
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.
Episodes
Mothering WildlifeBalance?! What Balance?! We Don’t Do Moms Any Favors by Calling it a Work/Life Balance with LynnLee Schmidt from Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Send me a message! My guest this week is LynnLee Schmidt, Integrator at Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Numerous roles within the zoological field have given LynnLee…
Mothering WildlifeZookeeper and Mother: Same, Same, But Different...But Are They Really That Different?! with Chandler Hammack from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Chandler Hammack, a carnivore keeper at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. As a wife to an active duty Coast Guard husband…
Mothering WildlifeEvery Pregnancy is Different with Randi Toynton from Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Send me a message! My guest this week is Randi Toynton, a Senior Animal Care Specialist at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Randi is a mom of 4 at the time of this…
Mothering WildlifeBirth of the Mothering Wildlife Podcast, a Blast From the Past
Send me a message! This week I’m re-running the very first Mothering Wildlife Podcast episode which includes my conversation with Whitlee Turner. At the time…
Mothering WildlifeRaising Kids Without a Village; A Dedicated Episode with Briana Schmidt from Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium and Jessi Gorman from the Fort Worth Zoo
Send me a message! This week we have another dedicated episode on one topic of motherhood, not having a "village" to help you raise your children. My guests…
Mothering WildlifePostpartum Depression and Anxiety; A Dedicated Episode with Tegan Noel and Sarah Ross
Send me a message! This week we have another dedicated episode on one topic a lot of listeners will be familiar with; postpartum depression and anxiety. I'm…
Mothering WildlifePregnancy and Childbirth Complications; A Dedicated Episode with Carolyn Kelly from the St. Louis Zoo and Caroline Adams formerly of the Zoo in Forest Park
Send me a message! This week's episode is another dedicated episode on one topic - pregnancy and childbirth complications. I bring together two guests; Carolyn…
Mothering WildlifeFrom Orcas to Orangutans with Carley Gonzalez from the Topeka Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Carley Gonzalez, an Animal Curator, from the Topeka Zoo. While Carley currently spends all of her time working with…
Mothering WildlifeTwo IVF Journeys; A Dedicated Episode on the Topic with Kaitlyn Fulmer from the Memphis Zoo and LeShea Cochu from the Chattanooga Zoo
Send me a message! This week's episode is a little different. I wanted to bring together two moms within the zoo field who have IVF as part of their motherhood…
Mothering WildlifeA New Baby and a New Role with Ricki Roemer from the Caldwell Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Ricki Roemer, a Supervisor in the Mammals 2 Department at the Caldwell Zoo. At the time of our interview Ricki was…
Mothering WildlifeFrom Zookeeper, to Mom, to Making the Anonymous Animals Known with Alexis Fitch from Animals Anonymous Apparel
Send me a message! My guest this week is Alexis Fitch from Animals Anonymous Apparel! Alexis started her career as a zookeeper, however ultimately decided to…
Mothering WildlifeBody Image During Pregnancy with Paige Tamayo from the Dallas Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Paige Tamayo, a Lead Zoologist at the Dallas Zoo. Paige and I know each other and used to work together when I was at…
Mothering WildlifeThe Primal Instincts of Motherhood with Clare Belden-Walker from the Seneca Park Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Clare Belden-Walker, an animal keeper at the Seneca Park Zoo. Clare's great love is primates, and she tells us all…
Mothering WildlifeHow Pregnancy and Motherhood Impacts Your Team with Charley Shepherd from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Send me a message! My guest this week is Charley Shepherd, a Senior Mammal Care Specialist at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, FL. At the time…
Mothering WildlifeAdapting to Different Roles Through Networking with Loren Berry from the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK)
Send me a message! This week, my guest is Loren Berry, a woman who wears many hats within the zoo and aquarium field! A former zookeeper for 17 years, Loren…
Mothering WildlifeThe "Wet Perspective" on Working Motherhood with Briana Schmidt from Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
Send me a message! This week I talk to Briana Schmidt, a Lead Aquarist at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. Briana offers the "wet…
Mothering WildlifeLearning to Live Your New Norm with Jessica Lelesch from the Akron Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Jessica Lelesch, the lead keeper over the Akrons Zoo's hoofstock and primate team. Like the episode title suggests…
- Mothering Wildlife
My Motherhood Journey with Mothering Wildlife Podcast Host Elizabeth Johnson
Send me a message! This week, I am sharing my story! As host of the Mothering Wildlife Podcast, I have been so thankful to all my guests for sharing their…
- Mothering Wildlife
Boundaries and Balance Are So Important with Kayla Freeman from Blank Park Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Kayla Freeman, the Large Mammal Supervisor at Blank Park Zoo. She cares for a variety of large hoofstock, including…
- Mothering Wildlife
Identity Shifts - Embracing Both “Zookeeper” and “Mom” During Different Seasons of Life with Sarah Radecker of the Houston Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Sarah Radecker, a Wildlife Connections Supervisor at the Houston Zoo. Sarah manages a team of 21 keepers while…
- Mothering Wildlife
Military Moves and Mom Life with Channing Milchuck of Zoo Atlanta
Send me a message! My guest this week is Channing Milchuck, a Primate Swing Keeper from Zoo Atlanta. Channing and I talk about how being a zookeeper is a…
- Mothering Wildlife
Raising Raptors and Children with Abbey Krumrie from River Valley Raptors
Send me a message! My guest this week is Abbey Krumrie from River Valley Raptors, an awesome organization in Wisconsin dedicated to not only educating their…
- Mothering Wildlife
Finding Your Flippers as a Leader and Mom with Hallie Torre from the Aquarium of Niagara
Send me a message! This week, I talk to Hallie Torre, Curator of Marine Mammals and Birds at the Aquarium of Niagara. Hallie chats about life as a marine…
- Mothering Wildlife
“Baby Tonka” - When Our Kids Become Part of Our Zoo Community with Wendy Boulger of Zoo Knoxville
Send me a message! This week, I talk to Wendy Boulger, a zookeeper from Zoo Knoxville. Her almost 11-month-old (at the time) daughter, Marcy, even joins us for…
- Mothering Wildlife
Personal Lives Are Important with Kim Castrucci from the Brevard Zoo
Send me a message! In this episode, I talk with Kim Castrucci, Curator of Animals at the Brevard Zoo, about her journey to becoming an animal care leader — and…
- Mothering Wildlife
Relearning Roles After Postpartum with LeShea Cochu from Chattanooga Zoo
Send me a message! This week's guest is LeShea Cochu, Animal Care Supervisor of Birds, Mammals, and Ambassadors at the Chattanooga Zoo. She is also freshly…
- Mothering Wildlife
When Skills at Work as an Animal Hospital Keeper Serve You in Your Mom Life with Morgan Duffy from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Send me a message! Join me this week as I talk to Morgan Duffy, an Animal Hospital Keeper at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. As a hospital keeper, Morgan…
- Mothering Wildlife
"Your Identity as a Human Changes When You Have a Baby" with Jess Sorrentino from Cheetah Conservation Fund
Send me a message! My guest this week is Jess Sorrentino, a Development Associate (and cheetah enthusiast!) for the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Her current role…
- Mothering Wildlife
The Animal Instincts of Motherhood with Carolyn Mikulskis of the Greensboro Science Center
Send me a message! My guest this week is Carolyn Mikulskis, Assistant Curator at the Greensboro Science Center. Carolyn and I chat about a variety of topics…
- Mothering Wildlife
Zookeeper Doula with Caitlin Rodriguez from Blessed Mother Birth Services
Send me a message! My guest this week is Caitlin Rodriguez, a doula who owns Blessed Mother Birth Services in the Dallas/Forth Worth area of Texas. When I…
- Mothering Wildlife
How To Be A Herpetologist Hero and Raise Children with Amie Mercado from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Send me a message! My guest this week, Amie Mercado, is a Senior Herpetology Care Specialist at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. She offers a new perspective…
- Mothering Wildlife
An IVF Journey While Being a Zookeeper with Kirsti Mahon of the Naples Zoo
Send me a message! This week, my guest, Kirsti Mahon, and I dive into her journey to become a mother. A journey that includes IVF, a hurricane, and the best…
- Mothering Wildlife
Advocating While Pregnant and Navigating Upon Your Return to Work with Chelsie Bedingfield from the Sacramento Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Chelsie Bedingfield, an ungulate keeper at the Sacramento Zoo. Her and I really dive into what a zookeeper's daily…
- Mothering Wildlife
Patiently Waiting, Observing, Validating Feelings, and Then Finding Solutions - At Home and at the Zoo with Katie Hall from Minnesota Zoo
Send me a message! Join me this week as I talk to Katie Hall, the Director of Animal Behavior and Wellbeing at the Minnesota Zoo. The first part of our…
- Mothering Wildlife
Nothing Can Really Prepare You for Motherhood or Even the Feelings of Postpartum with Andrea Porch of Sedgwick County Zoo
Send me a message! This week my guest, Andrea Porch, and I have a great conversation about the postpartum period. So much about the postpartum period is not…
- Mothering Wildlife
From Crustacean Enthusiast to Aquarist Mom with Caroline Dyer of Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
Send me a message! My guest this week, Caroline, is not only a crustacean enthusiast but an amazing aquarist mom from Canada! Her and I talk about all things…
- Mothering Wildlife
Can Being a Zookeeper Help You Find Balance as a Mom? with Leanne Parker of Niabi Zoo
Send me a message! We talk a lot about the “zookeeper identity” on this podcast - how being a zookeeper can infiltrate into so many areas of your life. My…
- Mothering Wildlife
My Job is Such a Huge Part of My Life, Could I Be a Mom and Do This Too? with Kaylee Franklin of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Send me a message! As a working parent, you might have asked yourself the question, "Can I be a mom and do this job too?" My guest this week, Kaylee, asked…
- Mothering Wildlife
Everything is a Season; Seasons of Motherhood, Seasons of your Career, and Seasons of Work/Life Balance with Melissa Farr Dacumos of Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week is Melissa Farr Dacumos, Associate Director of Animal Care at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Her and I spent a fair amount of time…
- Mothering Wildlife
Postpartum is Hard! But so is Being a Working Mom with Carly Hornberger from Smithsonian's National Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week, Carly, and I talk about the postpartum period. There are so many changes that occur during that "4th trimester". As you…
- Mothering Wildlife
More Than a Mom and Not Just a Zookeeper with Kristine Duplisea of the Fort Worth Zoo
Send me a message! As a working professional, when you suddenly step into the world of motherhood, it can sometimes feel as if you now have two identities…
- Mothering Wildlife
Working Your Dream Job but Feeling Like You’re Needed at Home with Kristen Beedle, former primate zookeeper
Send me a message! Animal care professionals work so hard to get into the zoo field. Internships, commutes, low pay, time spent away from family and friends -…
- Mothering Wildlife
Kids Will Work for Chocolate Chips with Sarah Kirkman of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Send me a message! Can you train your kids the same way you train zoo animals? My guest this week, Sarah Kirkman, is a zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo and mom to…
- Mothering Wildlife
Penguins, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Comparison with Lindsay Ireland of the Detroit Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week, Lindsay Ireland, is a penguin keeper at the Detroit Zoo. We talk a bit about being pregnant while working with penguins…
- Mothering Wildlife
Zoo Podcasters Unite! with Jon Rossi from the Rossifari Podcast, and Chris Jenkins from the NEI TEC Talk Podcast
Send me a message! Join me this week for something a little bit different - Zoological Podcast Summit 2024! Myself, Jon Rossi from the Rossifari Podcast and…
- Mothering Wildlife
Kids as a Catalyst for Change and Finding a Family First Culture in a Facility with Courtney Janney of the Memphis Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week, Courtney Janney, and I spent so much time talking about women in leadership and how having children changed her…
- Mothering Wildlife
Just Don't Drop the Glass Balls with Dr. Lizzy Arnett-Chinn from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Send me a message! Often, we feel like we are juggling so many things in life - kids, work, to-do lists, projects, etc. My guest this week, Dr. Lizzy…
- Mothering Wildlife
An IVF Journey as a Zookeeper with Former Zookeeper Tarah Carpenter
Send me a message! My guest this week, Tarah, and I dive a little bit into her journey with IVF to become a mom. At the time, she was the only mom amongst…
- Mothering Wildlife
The Mixed Bag of Emotions During Maternity Leave with Alyson Proveaux of the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Send me a message! Maternity leave can be uncharted territory for new moms! My guest this week, Alyson, and I explore the emotions of maternity leave. Some…
- Mothering Wildlife
Still at the Zoo! But Doing Something Different with Carolyn Kelly from the St. Louis Zoo
Send me a message! Children can be the catalyst for many changes in our lives and sometimes they are the reason why we seek out new roles in our careers. We've…
- Mothering Wildlife
A New Baby AND a New Role! with Kendra Bottini of the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Send me a message! Sometimes change happens gradually and sometimes it happens within a short span of time. My guest this week, Kendra Bottini, knows what it…
- Mothering Wildlife
Doing What's Best for You with Allison Malkowski of the Dakota Zoo
Send me a message! We hear so much advice as parents - how much time to take after baby arrives, when to call out from work, etc. However, only you know what…
- Mothering Wildlife
Advocating for Your Child and Parenting the Best Way for Your Family with Adrienne John of Turtle Bay Exploration Park
Send me a message! Every parent has to make the decision about what is best for their family and how they are going to parent. Sometimes those decisions are…
- Mothering Wildlife
You’re Not Alone! Motherhood Transforms Everything - Your Body, Your Brain, Your Life with Kristy Edelen of the Georgia Aquarium
Send me a message! What did you expect motherhood to be like? Was it easier or harder than you imagined? What surprised you the most? As my guest this week…
- Mothering Wildlife
Moms as Managers, Normalizing Support in the Workplace with Nikki Smith, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Send me a message! As a new mom in the workplace, having a supportive manager upon your return can make a time in life that feels chaotic and hard, feel calmer…
- Mothering Wildlife
Transitioning in Your Career Can Be So Hard But Also So Worth It with Carey Richard, former Curator of Marine Mammals
Send me a message! Sometimes you find that some of the skills you've gained in your career are also transferable to another field completely! My guest this…
- Mothering Wildlife
Creating the Next Generation of Conservationists with Jenny Curtis of edZOOcation
Send me a message! This week I talk to a mom who turned her passion for wildlife conservation and education into a business. Jenny Curtis founded edZOOcation…
- Mothering Wildlife
Moms and Mental Health Support with Hannah Fullmer and Shannon McKinney of GRAZE, Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees
Send me a message! moms more prone to compassion fatigue and burnout mom guilt changing priorities that made you want to leave your career Find GRAZE at all of…
- Mothering Wildlife
From Mothering Your Children to “Momming” Your Coworkers, You Can’t Turn Motherhood Off with Alecia Benware of the North Carolina Zoo
Send me a message! My guest this week, Alecia Benware, transitioned into the zoo field from the banking industry when her son was just 10 months old. We talk…
- Mothering Wildlife
From Zoo Vet Tech to "Tech Teaching" Her Kids with Molly Waller, former Zoo Veterinary Technician
Send me a message! Join me this week as I talk to Molly Waller, a former zoological veterinary technician as she shares her journey as a working mom. We talk…