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 weekly 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.
Podcasting since 2023 • 41 episodes
Mothering Wildlife
Latest Episodes
Postpartum is Hard! But so is Being a Working Mom with Carly Hornberger from Smithsonian's National Zoo
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 approach the end of your maternity leave you might find yourself excited to return to work b...
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Episode 41
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57:30
More Than a Mom and Not Just a Zookeeper with Kristine Duplisea of the Fort Worth Zoo
As a working professional, when you suddenly step into the world of motherhood, it can sometimes feel as if you now have two identities. Motherhood, and in the case of most of this podcast's guests, zookeeper. My guest this week, Kr...
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Episode 40
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1:00:31
Working Your Dream Job but Feeling Like You’re Needed at Home with Kristen Beedle, former primate zookeeper
Animal care professionals work so hard to get into the zoo field. Internships, commutes, low pay, time spent away from family and friends - all this because they love what they do and oftentimes consider it their passion. They can’t imagine doi...
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Episode 39
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56:00
Kids Will Work for Chocolate Chips with Sarah Kirkman of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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 two small children and she has a great story about putting her animal training skills to use!...
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Episode 38
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50:02
Penguins, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Comparison with Lindsay Ireland of the Detroit Zoo
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 and then dive into how as a new mom it can be so hard not to compare oneself to other mothers and ...
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Episode 37
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49:18