My guest this week is Alexis Fitch from Animals Anonymous Apparel! Alexis started her career as a zookeeper, however ultimately decided to leave the field with the birth of her first child and started an amazing apparel company dedicated to making the anonymous animals known. 

Animals Anonymous offers a wide variety of apparel, tumblers, decals, and more all designed by Alexis herself with the help of images submitted to her, often by zookeepers, of the animals and species that they work with! Alexis's passion though is education and she feels strongly about spreading the message about species that are less known. She believes that every species has a story worth telling and hopes that her apparel can start conversations about wildlife conservation. In fact, Animals Anonymous has currently donated over $300,000 to wildlife conservation. 

Alexis's advice is simple; do the thing and do it scared. From zookeeper, to mom, to small business owner making a difference for wildlife, Alexis believes that if you want to do something you should just dive right in. 

We talk about being a small business owner and a mom and how she manages to make both work. Alexis has four children and shares her stories of how she was back to work within days of giving birth, worked as a breastfeeding mom, and how she has managed to grow a business and online presence. 

Check out Animals Anonymous Apparel here: animalsanonymousapparel.com

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 Dallas. She joined my team in the Middle Wilds right before I moved back to Florida. Having both gone to the same college (although many years apart), we originally bonded over that, however I have loved seeing her career blossom and her start to grow her family. 

I reached out to Paige after I saw her post a video on Facebook talking about body image during pregnancy and how more people should be talking about it...and I agree! Our bodies are amazing and grow human beings; however, that doesn't mean that we can't feel a certain way about what is happening (very quickly) to our bodies and how that makes us feel. Sometimes those changes bring up feelings about our bodies from the past. Sometimes they bring up feelings we didn't know we had about our bodies, and learning how to live in this new body, whether during pregnancy or postpartum, is hard and often feels shameful and frustrating.

I'm so appreciative to Paige for sharing her feelings and experiences on this topic! She very candidly shares her struggles with her own body image during pregnancy and she talks about how to support someone who might be struggling during pregnancy. She also shares how she has tried to support her inner dialogue by reminding herself that she's in a hard season right now, but that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 about her journey into zookeeping through the world of primate conservation!

Pregnant zookeepers do some amazing things at work while pregnant and Clare shares stories about how she navigated pregnancy at work, doing physical labor almost up until her due date, and then helping to watch videos of their new mother giraffe until she finally went out on leave.

Clare shares stories about being pregnant with severe morning sickness and trying to train new keepers to shift animals while navigating needing to run to the bathroom. She talks about how she adjusted her mindset to just accept being sick, instead of dreading it as a way to cope. 

Even more since becoming a mom, Clare loves to observe maternal behavior in primates. She even feels that being able to observe non-human primates "mother" their offspring has helped her in her own motherhood journey. We talk a bit about co-sleeping with our children and really leaning into our instincts when it comes to mothering them, especially early on.

We also talk about Clare's postpartum period and how she advocated for herself to get the time she needed to be able to return to work, which included an additional month of leave as well as a gradual return to work in the form of half days and a reduced schedule. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week is Charley Shepherd, a Senior Mammal Care Specialist at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, FL. 

At the time of this interview, Charley was pregnant! She and I talk about the differences between her first and second pregnancy. With both, she had to learn how to navigate restrictions and the guilt that came with knowing she had physical limitations that impacted her team. Sometimes it feels like coworkers, especially those who don't have children or don't want children, have a hard time understanding or are less enthusiastic about accepting the fact that, as a pregnant person, you will be less able to contribute to certain tasks. It's hard to feel like your personal decisions are impacting everyone on your team at work. 

We also talk about getting ready to go from one child to two, and what she is nervous and concerned about. Postpartum depression was part of her journey with her first child, and that is something she is worried will come back with the second. With her first, she was dismissed by the first doctor she saw, but was able to advocate for herself to see another doctor who really listened to what she was saying and was able to help her - something which she says she is so thankful for and tells that doctor all the time! Advocating can be hard, especially when you're already in a fragile mental or emotional state!

Finally, we talk about trying to find that elusive work/life balance and Charley shares what has been helpful for her. However, she does admit that being the senior-most person on her team has her struggling sometimes with maintaining that balance!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 now serves as the Chapter Development Manager for the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK). Additionally, through the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund (KACF), a conservation organization founded by a former coworker at the Denver Zoo, she serves as an Educator and the Event Coordinator for the organization's main fundraising gala, Katie's Night.

Loren was still a hoofstock keeper when she became a mom, and we reminisce about her pregnancies, maternity leaves, first visitors at the hospital after giving birth (hers were zookeeper friends!), and her postpartum periods. 

We then talk about her transition out of animal care into her current roles. She loves that the roles she has now have allowed her to stay connected to the zoo field, but admits it was hard to leave and came with many emotions! 

Finally, we talk about conservation traveling for extended periods of time and how Loren and her family prep for her to be gone and communicate while she is away. 

Check out the links below for more info about the two organizations mentioned in this episode:

American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK)

Katie Adamson Conservation Fund (KACF)

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

This week I talk to Briana Schmidt, a Lead Aquarist at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. Briana offers the "wet perspective" of being a working mom in the zoo and aquarium field. My guests are often of the "terrestrial" sort and today Briana and I dive in to what it is like to be an aquarist and a mom.

Briana gives us the low down on what it's like to work as a pregnant aquarist and how hard it was for her to not be in the water at work while she was pregnant. We even discuss, at length, maternity clothes and the struggles of finding what to wear when there is a uniform policy! Why don't maternity pants have pockets or belt loops! Side note, Briana came up with a great solution to this challenge.

Briana also discusses her postpartum life and how hard it is to have a newborn and feeling like you're not sure what to do; feeling hypervigilant but super tired and how most of us look back on that time and don't even recognize ourselves in that version of us. 

Finally, we talk about the realities of our schedules in this field and how she tries to think of her time with her son as quality over quantity to help her get through those times when she is feeling sad about how much she works and how little times she feels like she has with her family.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week is Jessica Lelesch, the lead keeper over the Akrons Zoo's hoofstock and primate team. 

Like the episode title suggests, Jessica and I talk about a variety of subjects that all lead into living a new “norm” once you become a mother…and especially a working mother!

Jessica and I talk about having babies during COVID, when your birth plan doesn’t go as planned, and the feelings surrounding going back to work after maternity leave; all topics that definitely require you to learn how to adjust to new routines and new norms.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 stories, so I thought it was about time that I shared my own. 

Join me as I dive into my professional journey from zookeeper to registrar. I recount all the facilities and roles that I've held in the past 20 years, including those at the Naples Zoo, Dallas Zoo, and Longneck Manor.

I also talk a bit about my children and how a couple of nights ago, I sat at my dinner table and had a moment where I realized I needed to deal with my emotions surrounding whether or not I am done having children. My two boys, 10 and 5, have been the lights of my life, and I talk very candidly about both my postpartum periods and the struggles I endured - from breastfeeding to intrusive thoughts, and returning to work.

I hope my story is as comforting as those stories of my guests. This podcast has been so important in creating a community of moms within the zoo field, sharing each other's challenges and successes, and allowing one to feel a little less alone. Enjoy! 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week is Kayla Freeman, the Large Mammal Supervisor at Blank Park Zoo. She cares for a variety of large hoofstock, including rhino, giraffe, camel, and okapi. As a working supervisor, she spends a good portion of her week out in the field, working with the animals. However, she is able to dedicate one day to doing office work. Like so many others in a working supervisory role, Kayla is busy! She shares that efficiency and time management are so critical!

Kayla is a mom to three, but when Kayla started working at Blank Park Zoo she was 20 weeks pregnant with her first child. Kayla and I talk very candidly about the postpartum period. She shares how different each of her postpartum periods were and she opens up about her struggles during her third postpartum and how it made her realize that she needed to take care of herself and her mental health. 

Now that her children are getting a little older, Kayla is working towards being involved in the larger AZA community. She feels that her capacity to focus on professional involvement has changed, especially since she has been able to set boundaries around what she is involved in by asking, "What commitments are involved?" This is such a great question to set expectations up front when starting to involve yourself in larger professional projects!

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week is Sarah Radecker, a Wildlife Connections Supervisor at the Houston Zoo. Sarah manages a team of 21 keepers while overseeing a very diverse animal collection, including reptiles, small mammals like mongoose and meerkats, and ambassador animals!  

Sarah and I dive into the postpartum period and what it is like to return to work. We talk about how it feels easier to return to a job you are passionate about as well as how returning to a team with other moms can really help the transition. 

Sarah's journey in the zoo field also includes a brief amount of time spent working out of the field. We talk about the emotions that come with stepping away from that "zookeeper" identity and how reframing her mindset helped with that pivot to something new. She made an intentional choice to focus on motherhood during this time, and she shares how she embraced that - as well as how she ultimately made her way back to the zoo!

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 second career for her. She started in vet medicine and spent almost a decade doing that before transitioning into being an animal keeper. 

We also spend a fair amount of time talking  about what it is like to have a husband in the Navy and how that has impacted their family life and the start of her zookeeping career.

Channing has great advice for other moms in the zoo field: she always tries to put family first and makes sure that she feels positive about her home life because that makes her then feel more energized at work. Prior to having children she would not have considered herself an organized person but now she is and she says it has been a game changer. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week is Abbey Krumrie from River Valley Raptors, an awesome organization in Wisconsin dedicated to not only educating their local community about raptors and their cool adaptations, but how to protect the habitats they live in right there in their local area. She and her husband started River Valley Raptors together and have since proved that you can incorporate children into your professional life by making River Valley Raptors a family affair!

While Abbey and I spoke about pregnancy while hunting with falcons, breastfeeding in the field (she even tells a great story!), and how working with animals helped her to follow her own maternal instincts around cosleeping, the theme that kept coming up in conversation was about having your kids join your life rather than changing your life for your kids.  She tells numerous stories about incorporating her kids into her life and job, from her daughter helping her with the birds to babywearing her son during an educational program. She's even had moms who were attending her programs come up to her afterwards to express support for how she is incorporating motherhood into her job and life.

Check out River Valley Raptors at https://www.rivervalleyraptors.org/

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 mammal trainer turned manager and mom of two—everything from working with seals and sea lions while pregnant to figuring out daycare, maternity leave, and finding herself again at work. 

Hallie opens up about both of her pregnancies, how she adapted her role while working with seals, sea lions, and penguins, and what it was like returning after maternity leave. Knowing that she had a job to return to that she was passionate about helped her to return to work after her maternity leave. She reflects on learning to balance her passion for her career with the mental load of motherhood, daycare, and the unpredictable demands of this field.

As a manager, Hallie shares how becoming a mother reshaped her leadership style, making her more patient and empathetic. She discusses supporting her staff’s work–life boundaries and normalizing the fact that people have personal lives that are important. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 the interview! 

Wendy and I touch base on a variety of topics - from the challenges of postpartum to pumping at work to trying to jump back and forth between the two mindsets of "work life" and "mom life", especially when also trying to focus on safely working with dangerous animals!

Wendy also shares how she has dealt with sleepless nights and how she was able to advocate for her position to go part-time; something that was a game changer for her in trying to "catch up" on her sleep.  We've talked about advocating for yourself on the podcast before, so it's nice to hear how Wendy was able to have those conversations with her facility.

Finally, listen out for Wendy's story about how her daughter got the nickname "Baby Tonka" - a sweet testament to the community within the zoo field and how zookeepers can truly be like family. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 how becoming a mom changed everything about the way she leads and lives.

Kim and I talk a lot about being a leader within the zoo field and recognizing that personal lives are important.  She discusses the challenges of navigating pregnancy and motherhood in a demanding field, the importance of supportive leadership, and the lessons she’s learned about flexibility, empathy, and trusting your team.

She also shares heartwarming stories about her spirited three-year-old daughter, Leah, her deep affection for Grevy’s zebras, and how her love for animals continues to shape her as both a leader and a parent, helping her to create a workplace where caregivers can thrive.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

This week's guest is LeShea Cochu, Animal Care Supervisor of Birds, Mammals, and Ambassadors at the Chattanooga Zoo. She is also freshly postpartum and had only been back to work for a few weeks at the time of this interview!

LeShea shares how early in her career working with elephants and giraffes, a workplace injury unexpectedly led her from large mammals to smaller ambassador species—a change that, while difficult, ultimately revealed her true passion for education and outreach.

Now, as a supervisor at the Chattanooga Zoo, she manages more than twenty staff members while navigating the challenges of leadership and the ever-changing rhythms of zoo life.

LeShea opens up about becoming a mom later in life, fertility struggles, and the realities of being postpartum while working in the zoo field.  She shares insights on returning to work postpartum, setting boundaries, and finding purpose amid the chaos of raising two young boys and managing a dynamic zoo team. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 gets to see and take care of so many different species - from those entering into quarantine upon arrival at the zoo to those needing treatment due to injury or illness. 

Morgan and I talk about how her job, working in the Animal Hospital, has impacted her motherhood journey. From finding out she was pregnant shortly after starting, to having to sit out certain procedures due to pregnancy, and now navigating having two small children with the emotional load of caring for animals and keepers alike, sometimes during very stressful or sad times. The life of a hospital keeper is never the same two days in a row!

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week is Jess Sorrentino, a Development Associate (and cheetah enthusiast!) for the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Her current role primarily involves building partnerships with zoos; however, last year, she helped to organize the Global Cheetah Summit, and she occasionally balances travel with remote work. With a background in animal care as a zookeeper, she transitioned into conservation work by staying in touch with Cheetah Conservation Fund after an internship there, volunteering when possible, and seizing opportunities (like caring for confiscated cubs in Somaliland!).   

Jess candidly discusses the challenges of being a working mom — from navigating pregnancy as a keeper, to balancing childcare, to managing emotions and the emotional load of parenting a spirited toddler. 

Her advice to other moms in the field: don’t compare yourself to others, trust your gut when making career decisions, and prioritize the fleeting moments of childhood.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week is Carolyn Mikulskis, Assistant Curator at the Greensboro Science Center. Carolyn and I chat about a variety of topics, including how your priorities can change once you become a mother. One day you’re living that “zoo life”, throwing all your energy into your career and the next you have a baby at home and you’re questioning how you can possibly go back to work. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 first met Caitlin, I totally fangirled over her - why, you might ask?  Well, Caitlin was not only a zookeeper but also a doula when I met her in 2017!!  In my eyes, she was living my dream and had the best of both worlds; an awesome zookeeper job AND was helping mamas welcome their little ones into the world.  I've mentioned before on the podcast that I've often thought about becoming a doula, and I was just so starstruck by the fact that Caitlin was a doula AND a zookeeper!!  I poured my heart out to her over lunch one day at work and found her to be so supportive.  We recently reconnected and I thought she would be the perfect guest to talk about this amazing profession!  

If you've ever wondered what a doula is, what it's like to be a doula, or how to become one, then this episode is for you!  Caitlin's story of how and why she became a doula is so selfless and amazing and definitely worth a listen.  We also talk about how she juggled being at work as a zookeeper and still being available to attend her clients' births; something I was always so curious about!

Connect with Caitlin here: https://www.facebook.com/blessedmotherbirthservices

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week, Amie Mercado, is a Senior Herpetology Care Specialist at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  

She offers a new perspective on being a pregnant animal care specialist.  What do zoo guests think when they see a pregnant person doing "dangerous" things?  In Amie's case, working with venomous snakes or feeding alligators.  In this world of social media, does doing these roles while pregnant open you up to criticism?

Amie helped to organize a conference for iguana specialists last year.  As a working mom, she spent a lot of time in and out of work organizing all the details.  We talk a bit about how to balance professional opportunities when your children need you.  You don't have to justify your decision for how and at what level you are involved, either! 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 outcome ever - a beautiful baby girl!

Kirsti candidly shares her journey, from the support she received at work, to how pregnancy affected her role as an Ambassador Animal Field Supervisor, to ultimately how she pivoted to a new role that allowed her to have a better work/life balance.

Kirsti's journey to motherhood is not the only thing we chat about.  A year ago, Kirsti transitioned away from animal care to being the zoo's Animal Registrar.  This was a game changer in her ability to leave work at the end of the day and helped her focus more on being present as a mom at the end of the day.  

Have I mentioned how awesome it is to be a zoo registrar?!?! (seriously, best job ever).

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 roles and responsibilities are, and then what it is like to be a pregnant zookeeper doing those tasks.  Chelsie talks about how she really had to learn to advocate for herself while pregnant.  It wasn't that she didn't want to do certain tasks; it was that she physically couldn't, and she ultimately didn't want to compromise the health of her baby while working in the hot California summer.  It can be hard to communicate that to your team, especially when they are not in the same season of life and might not understand.

We also talk about pumping at work and Chelsie shares her tricks of the trade - what pump she uses as well as what she uses to store her milk at work!  Coming back to work as a pumping mom often means you have different priorities than when you left.  Now you're responsible for making sure you can make enough milk to feed your baby!  Sometimes this can leave you asking, "Where do I fit in now that I'm back?"   Team dynamics change, animals change, coworkers have had successes in training, and as much as you want to walk back into your work life, you sometimes feel as if your priorities are now different than your coworkers.  

Finally, I'd like to pose the question to listeners: Do working moms thrive better as moms when they get to use work as a way to "fill their cup"?  Chelsie and I talk a bit about this and how the postpartum period can often leave you wanting or needing to return to work for the sake of your mental health.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 conversation really dives into the responsibilities of her role at the zoo.  Roles like hers have become more prevalent in the zoo field and are truly encompassing the future of animal care.  So, if you want a great, quick conversation on this topic, listen up right at the beginning!

Katie's husband is also in the conservation world and spends a significant portion of his time in Madagascar.  Katie and I talked about the skills she had to really lean into, like time management and babywearing, when he was away and she was solo parenting.  In fact, she tells the story of how he almost didn't make it out of Madagascar and home as the world shut down at the beginning on Covid!  Her second son had also just started daycare two days before everything shut down.  We talked a lot about Covid and how it not only impacted her family but also impacted moms in general.

Towards the end of our conversation, we talk about how kids are so much more capable of doing things than what we give them credit for, as well as how important it is to give kids the ability to play and make their own decisions.

Finally, enjoy Katie's advice to other moms in the field - don't overcommit yourself!  

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

This week my guest, Andrea Porch, and I have a great conversation about the postpartum period. So much about the postpartum period is not discussed openly but it can be such an important conversation to hold publicly. Women can feel alone in their feelings. Sometimes hearing other women talk about their experiences can be so validating. 

We also talk about being a pregnant zookeeper and feeling like the weak link at work, as well as Andrea’s experience recovering from a c-section and working as an exclusively pumping mom. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 aquarist, including what it's like to be a pregnant aquarist and the restrictions she had during her pregnancy.  She shares a great story about a sand tiger shark procedure that occurred during her pregnancy and how it impacted her.

We also talk a bit about the difference between parental, or maternity, leave laws in Canada versus the United States.  She had two pregnancies pretty close in succession to each other, which meant she had to cut her first leave short (due to some Canadian leave eligibility laws), however, the amount of time and pay available to Canadian parents is amazing compared to what the United States federally mandates.

Finally, listen towards the end for her amazing story about Noodle the octopus.  So many in the animal care field have special moments with animals (it's a big reason why we do the job we do) and Caroline's story is no exception.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 guest this week, Leanne, and I talk about this and about how to balance that with a “mom identity” as well.  She talks about how she feels that being a zookeeper helped her to find balance as a mom!

We also talk about the difference between going back to work after your first child and going back to work after your second.  Are you more prepared to go back the second time? Are the experiences the same?

Finally, we chat a bit about how being a parent changes the way you relate to coworkers.  Sometimes it makes you more patient and empathetic! 

Also, enjoy my son, Arlo, 4, at the end of the episode as we talk about my job and what I work with!

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 herself that question before becoming a mom.  It's a valid question to ask and one that is also tough to answer!  Often, zookeepers have a reputation of living, eating, and breathing their career.  Is there room in that world for another role?

Kaylee and I talk about this and so much more!  Does raising baby animals help you with human newborn care?  Is cosleeping a game changer for working parents?  Is it hard to trust you intuition?  Listen as we dive into these topics!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 talking about pregnancy while working in animal care, her postpartum period during Covid, and returning to work as a breastfeeding mama (cue the pumping challenges and stories!) She shares a few stories that I’m sure others can relate to!

Melissa’s professional journey also includes a break! Although it was induced by Covid, Melissa is a great example of how once you’ve left the zoo field, it is possible to return.  This is such a topic of conversation amongst working zoo moms; the nervousness to step away or branch into something new for fear that you’ll never be able to return to animal care once you’ve left.  However, Melissa, along with other moms this podcast has interviewed, proves that it is possible!

Finally, we also talk about that controversial topic - work/life balance.  Is it possible?  Melissa’s perspective is that it is seasonal and inevitably you will flow back and forth between priorities.  However, everything in motherhood is seasonal right?  You’re always in one “season” or another!

Thank you so much to Melissa for sharing her journey and her stories!  

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 but also guilty about having to leave your child.  You've just gotten into a rhythm of being a mom and then you get thrown back into work and trying to figure out how to merge that new mom life with your work life can be hard!  Especially when you have to navigate a new normal at work in the form of pumping - how to pump, where to pump, and when to pump.  Can you ever really figure it out?

As a primate keeper, Carly has some amazing experiences training gorillas for maternal behaviors and she and I also talk a bit about primate behaviors and whether or not great apes can sense pregnancy changes in pregnant women.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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, Kristine Duplisea, and I talk a little bit about this.  We also talk about how maternity leave can feel so isolating, especially if you don't have a "village" to help you out.  We put so much emphasis on learning how to be a mom prior to having a baby that after their arrival it often seems that we forget about the immense amount of support that new parents, especially mothers, need.  

Returning to work has its own set of challenges to navigate, especially if you are a pumping mom.  Kristine and I talk about navigating finding the time to pump at work and trying to find the balance between the bigger picture of needing to provide food for your child and the responsibilities of your job, in that very moment, that need to be finished before you can take time to pump. 

Finally, Kristine and I also talk about the self-inflicted guilt that comes with taking your child to daycare on your day off.  Time alone is so precious to some, but it sometimes comes with a side of guilt as we feel bad for sending our child to daycare when we know we are capable of taking care of them at home.  

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 doing anything  else.  My guest this week, Kristen, and I talk about how it feels to be working your dream job but also feel like you hate leaving your kid to do it. 

Kristen has definitely worked hard to make it work throughout her career.  From being a mom during her internship to living far from where she worked, she has recently considered whether her dream is the best for her family; and thus, she recently decided to step away from being a zookeeper for a bit. 

We talk about the emotions that come from leaving something you worked so hard to  obtain.  When around her amazing coworkers and animals, she loved her job, but as soon as she stepped away from the good things at work she would think about everything she was missing at home.  Her and I talk about feeling like she was “being split in half”.  A feeling I can also relate to as a working mom - and one that we have discussed on the podcast before because so many women also feel like they have two different identities; zookeeper and mom. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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!

How zookeeper skills transfer over to one’s mom life is not the only thing Sarah and I talk about though. We talk a little about whether it is harder to go back to work after the first kid or after the second. Everyone has different experiences and there are definitely things you are already prepared for with the second kid but going back to work after the first is a whole new world!

Sarah has great advice to find the other moms where you work. It can feel so good to connect with other professionals that understand what you are going through and who just “get it” about all the weird and stressful things in motherhood.  It just makes you feel less alone!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 your baby to other babies. As a new mom, Lindsay found herself researching everything but realized that having her mom nearby helped keep her grounded and confident that she didn’t have to do the same as everyone else. 

We also talk about the finances of  daycare vs. deciding to stay home because all of your paycheck will just go to pay for daycare. Most in the zookeeping profession would feel it’s “worth it” to have their paycheck go entirely to daycare because they love their job so much. Lindsay and I talk about why zookeepers tend to embrace the persona of zookeeper wholeheartedly and see it as an identity. 

Finally, we talk a bit about schedules (hers is a rotating off schedule) and how that impacts family life and scheduling family vacations and events. It can be hard for extended family to understand how your schedule works and why you can’t make plans very far in advance. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Join me this week for something a little bit different - Zoological Podcast Summit 2024!  
Myself, Jon Rossi from the Rossifari Podcast and Chris Jenkins from the NEI TEC Talk Podcast spend some time talking about hosting zoo-focused podcasts.  Each one of us fills a very niche role within the zoo podcast world.  Jon interviews and highlights amazing zoo, aquarium, and conservation professionals while Chris co-hosts the NEI TEC Talk Podcast which focuses on animal behavior and training (his co-host Ari Bailey was on an episode of Mothering Wildlife, episode 18!).  We talk about how the idea for our podcasts came to be, what goes in to making them, what it's like to meet listeners in real life, and a variety of other "podcasty" things.  It's a long one but interesting! And it was a ton of fun to get to chat with these two!

Make sure you subscribe to and support their podcasts as well!  Both Rossifari and NEI TEC Talk can be found wherever you listen to Mothering Wildlife!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week, Courtney Janney, and I spent so much time talking about women in leadership and how having children changed her professional priorities.  When her first daughter was born, her new attitude about work/life balance pervaded her team and she quit playing the competitive game with her coworkers which allowed her and her teammates to start trusting each other more.  She feels like this made management see her more as a leader and it helped pave her way to leadership opportunities.

We also talk a lot about adjusting to being back at work after parental leave; she always advises new moms to give themselves time to adjust to being back at work because a new normal will take a while to click into place - for her it took about the same amount of time that she was out on leave to be back at work before she started feeling like her new normal was set.  This also meant that she had to decide that she wasn't going to feel guilty about leaving her daughter at daycare.

Courtney is a big advocate for finding the facility and culture that is right for you.  If your needs aren't being met, then advocate for yourself and either look for a facility that can provide or attempt to create the changes yourself. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 Arnett-Chinn, has a great way of looking at how to prioritize all the things she is juggling.  It's simple, really - just don't drop the glass balls.  

She once heard this phrase about "glass balls" and ever since it has really stuck with her and helped her to figure out how to spend her time and split her emotional resources.  One day your "glass ball" might be a sick kid and the next it might be an animal at work.  They are always changing, and we are always juggling, but learning how to prioritize can make a world of difference!

Lizzy and I also talk about her move across country as she recently started a new zoo vet job.  Anyone who has had to start a new job with children in tow can relate to the struggles of enrolling kids in school and finding daycares!  

Lastly, we talk about the changing views towards burnout and compassion fatigue in the zoo and veterinary fields.  Veterinarians are no strangers to both burnout and compassion fatigue and Lizzy has had to recognize when she is suffering from both and work to make changes to help herself overcome them.

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 animal care staff at her facility. We also talk a bit about what it’s like to be the only mom on staff and to worry that you’re putting other staff out when you inevitably need to leave or have to call out due to your children. The guilt of having to do that can be hard. 

Tarah ultimately left the field when her husband’s job took them to another state and now she helps with a local sea turtle conservation organization to get her animal “fix”. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Maternity leave can be uncharted territory for new moms! My guest this week, Alyson, and I explore the emotions of maternity leave. Some women feel anxiety about stepping away from their job for months knowing that, especially in the zoo field, other (animal) lives are at stake and our duties might be pushed to other teammates.  At some facilities our jobs are so teammate oriented that it's hard when a member of your team is gone for a chunk of time, like maternity leave. 

Alyson and I also talk a bit about the grief that can be felt during maternity leave. Grieving the loss of your identity, your pre-kid life, etc. Becoming a parent brings so many changes to one’s life!

Alyson’s biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to speak up and ask for what you need - whether it's with your day to day tasks or in the bigger picture.  You have the right to change your mind too! Advocate for yourself and see if you can find a way to make what you need happen.

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 talked a lot on the podcast about women who have transitioned into new roles after becoming a mom - whether at their same facility or even to positions in completely new fields.  These role changes can be hard and even emotional as we sometimes feel like our entire identity is changing as well. 
My guest this week, Carolyn, recently hesitantly transitioned into a new role at the zoo she works for.  The decision to move away from daily animal care (something she LOVED) and into something new wasn't easy but ultimately the change has had many positive effects on her family - and she's even learned to love and embrace the new responsibilities and "perks" of this new role as she gets to see a different side of the zoo!

Carolyn also mentioned that she has written many books!  Check out Carolyn's website! Carolyn Mueller (carolynelizabethmueller.com)

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Sometimes change happens gradually and sometimes it happens within a short span of time. My guest this week, Kendra Bottini, knows what it feels like to have many life changes happening all at once!  She had a baby, came back from maternity leave, and then got promoted to a Curator position shortly after her return!  Sometimes when the opportunity is there you go for it! 

Kendra and I also talk a bit about cosleeping with your child. The world of infant sleep is so polarizing, however, given the nature of an animal care professional’s job and the natural history knowledge we obtain about species in our care, it’s hard not to see the connection between animals sleeping with their offspring and the human desire to do the same.

Kendra’s biggest piece of advice is to remember to set aside time for family, but to also give yourself the opportunity to still love your job.  It IS feasible to have kids and work in the zoo field.  You'll always find a way - you might have to think outiside the box but as animals keepers we are often used to this! 

If you're interested in the book Kendra mentioned, Sweet Sleep, I've linked it here -
Sweet Sleep - La Leche League International (llli.org)

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 you need and what is best for you.  And this might be different from the norm!  Can we agree as moms and society to let new moms call the shots?!  My guest this week. Allison Malkowski, and I talk about exactly this.  Use your paid time off when you need it and recognize what you need to help yourself through trying times and ask for it.  Work will continue to be there.

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 hard but they always include considering the needs of your child. My guest this week, Adrienne John, and I talk about her journey as a mom to a child with autism.  The roles she’s held throughout her career as an animal care professional and trainer have helped her in her mothering journey as she has tried to apply those techniques to navigating the world of her son. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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, Kristy Edelen, and I discuss, motherhood is transformative in so many ways. Your body, your brain, your mental health, your emotions…you may have noticed some or all of these changes!  If you felt overwhelmed by any of it, you’re not alone. There are so many other mothers and resources available to those who are experiencing postpartum changes.

Kristy has great advice for those new moms - you’re doing so much better than you think you!  So, reach out for help if you need it!  Because you deserve it.

For fun! 👉🏼 Kristy mentioned a great song she loves to sing with her daughter about boundaries. I’ve linked it here:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aSFvJbSQdA4&vl=en

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 and give you more confidence. At a time when your routine is completely different than it was months ago, you’re potentially navigating pumping, and emotions are running high, a good manager can make all the difference. 

My guest this week, Nikki Smith, tries to provide this support for her staff. She had an amazing manager when she was a young mom that made all the difference and now she’s paying it forward.  

Nikki and I also talk a lot about the zoo industry in general, so it's a great episode for the best of both worlds!

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Sometimes you find that some of the skills you've gained in your career are also transferable to another field completely!  My guest this week was able to take skills from her previous job at an aquarium to an adjacent field - which allowed her to actually have a better work/life balance as her son grew older.

As a mom, she also found that she was able to be a more empathetic manager.  

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

This week I talk to a mom who turned her passion for wildlife conservation and education into a business.  Jenny Curtis founded edZOOcation, as a way to bring together all of her passions - wildlife conservation, conservation education, and teaching little children.  The company offers subscription boxes in three age categories that provide children with a box each month dedicated to learning about an endangered species.  The boxes include a stuffed animal, craft, recipe, book, and more!

In her professional journey, Jenny has always let wildlife conservation and education guide her course.  She graduated from Moorpark College, served as a professor at Moorpark, operated her own educational outreach business and finally created edZOOcation.  We talk about how after becoming a mother she wasn't quite sure how to manage her strong work ethic and professional passions with family.  It took her many years of trial and error and, finally, entrepreneurship to figure out that teaching children about wildlife conservation and building edZOOcation was what would bring about that harmony in her life.

As a mom who is also a business owner in the wildlife arena, Jenny has learned to slow down and truly take time for herself.  She admits to wanting to jump into everything all at once and her and I talk a lot about how she manages that work/life balance. 

Website: edZOOcation Subscription Boxes
Instagram: @edzoocation_box
Facebook: edZOOcation Subscription Box
Pinterest: edZOOcation

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 the places and links below:
GRAZE website
GRAZE Facebook page
GRAZE LinkedIn page  
Email Shannon, Hannah or Erin here: grazee@zoomentalhealthsupport.com

Join GRAZE's FREE virtual support group on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30pm EST if you would like to connect to other people in the zoo and aquarium industry. Details on their website.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 about how that transition brought her better work/life balance and a much more supportive environment, especially during Covid when, as a registrar, she was working from home and pregnant with her second child.  

As a mom, you develop certain mannerisms and ways of communicating with your children that sometimes become very second nature.  Alecia and I talk about how those tendencies to "mother" come out at work.  From worrying about your coworkers at conferences to accidentally telling them, "No!" in your best mom voice, it seems that once you become a mother you sometimes subconsciously "adopt" those around you into your care.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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 about the impact our jobs have on our kids.  She would often take her daughter to work and believes her daughter being able to observe those tough situations, like sick animals, has made her resilient.  We also talk about the vet tech world in general and what it was like to be pregnant having the responsibilities that tech’s have. She has stepped away from her career for this season of life and we talk about the bittersweet feelings that come with stepping away and losing the companionship that comes with work.  However, as a stay-at-home mom she finds managing the mental load of parenting a little bit easier because her brain isn't keeping as many "vet tech things" like medication dosages, and calculations in it as it used to so there is more room for "mom things"!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Join me this week as I talk to Julie Taylor, a naturalist who spends most of her days on a large boat interpreting wildlife off the coast of Maine.  We talk about the challenges of trying to find the balance between work and home and how having a great support system at work, especially when you work with other parents, can relieve some of that anxiety.  Children often give us a different perspective of work/life balance.  It can be hard to scale back and change your own personal expectations of how much time you can dedicate to work after a child; especially if your job is one that you put a lot of time and effort into pre-kid.  

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Sometimes we are so heavily involved in our workplace role that we worry if they will be able to carry on without us when we need to take time away. Join me this week as I talk to Katie Gries of Ochsner Park Zoo.  A small facility, Katie is involved with almost every aspect as a Zoo Manager.  We talk about how guilt can set in when we feel like our absence is creating more work for others and worry how it impacts the animals in our care.  It can feel hard to step away after the birth of your child when so many living beings (humans and animals alike) rely on you!  Sometimes you just need to take it day by day and remember that it all will go on without you. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

The science of behavior change has many applications; whether it is in your professional career with animal care and welfare or at home with your children!  Join my guest this week, Arianna Bailey, and I as we discuss how her career in animal training and behavior change has influenced her perspective on motherhood. We also talk about thinking outside the traditional box of childcare and the emotions that come with navigating leaving your baby in the first few days and months after returning to work.

Arianna provided her contact information in the episode but you can also find it here:
a.bailey@naturalencounters.com
Home - Natural Encounters

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

It doesn't matter if you're an orangutan or human mom, all moms need a little bit of help sometimes. When an orangutan at the Denver Zoo started showing signs of discomfort associated with early pregnancy, a fellow (human) mom stepped in to help.  Join my guest this week, Cindy Cossaboon, and I as we talk about how a tea she drank in early pregnancy was also useful for one of the orangutan's at the Denver Zoo. 

To check out the video of "Eirina" the orangutan drinking her pregnancy tea, originally posted on the Denver Zoo's Facebook page, click here: https://fb.watch/nV9Z7l3F9O/

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Have you ever had to just tell yourself, “We’ll make it through”. Motherhood can throw all sorts of wild cards our way - from changing home routines to limitations at work to unexpected situations. It can feel like we’re just along for the wild ride and maybe sometimes all we can do is just try to make it through. Join my guest Traci Cameron, an aquarist from SEA LIFE Kansas City, and I as we talk about all this and more. 

I’m so thankful to Traci for being open and willing to share her entire story, including a pregnancy loss she had earlier this year. Please know that if you are not in a place where this is something you want to hear talked about you are more than welcome to fast forward or skip ahead to the next part of the interview. We discuss this topic around 29:00 to 36:00 ❤️

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

If you’re a breastfeeding mama who has had to pump at work you know the weird and challenging places we often try to accomplish this task. My guest this week, Ashlee O’Connor, knows all too well what it’s like to pump “in the wild”. As a wildlife biologist she pumped on swamp buggies and boats and shares her pumping stories during our conversation. 

We also talk about a topic near and dear to my heart; struggling with that internal pull one feels between their two worlds: mom life and your professional desires. How does one deal with the feeling of wanting to focus solely on motherhood and not feeling like they will be “wasting” all the time and energy they have put into their professional life thus far? Ashlee has some great insight into how she navigated this in her own life. 

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Motherhood looks different for everyone. From the journey to become a mom, to the support network you have (or don’t), all the way to how you manage the balance between work and home. Join me this week as I talk to Barbara Suhn of the Oregon Zoo. We talk about all this and more!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

If you have had a long journey into the zoo field you will relate with this week's guest, Laura, as she spends the first bit of the episode telling her zoo story!  Her tenacity paid off, but her journey was anything but easy!  The zoo field can be competitive and Laura shares with us the ups and downs of trying to start a zookeeping career, all while being a mother!  We also talk about the expectations and pressures put on mothers - to have a clean house, clean up after your children, keep the house perfect and organized. Comparing yourself to others can be the biggest hurdle one has to overcome.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Finding support and asking for help when you're in the trenches of motherhood is easier said than done.  However, during birth and beyond, one option is to have a doula!  Have you considered having a doula present for your delivery or did you have one to assist you during birth or after?  My guest this week, Leilani Beaupre, of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and I talk about doulas and her experiences having them present for two of her three children's births.  We also talk the dreaded "work call out" when sick season hits and it feels like you're constantly having to navigate sick children and/or sick caregivers.  Finally, we wrap up talking about how this world is not set up for children!  Whether having to physically navigate not having "child sized" options for toilets and door handles or giving children grace to have to their big feelings and express them, it's hard to be a kid in this very adult world.

Below are two resources about doulas if you are interested in the profession!  Either as an option for an upcoming birth or simply if you're interested in pursuing it as a career.

Doula Training and Doula Certification – DONA International
Having a Doula - What are the Benefits? - American Pregnancy Association

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

So often we find that the skills we've gained as animal care professionals are applicable to raising children!  This week I talk to Bethany Jeffrey, a former animal care professional who has put her skills to good use as her and her husband raise their triplets.  Bethany has been out of the zoo field since having her children.  She shares with me how leaving the field was not her original intention but sometimes life has other plans.  Now that the triplets are in school, she's toyed with the idea of working again.  However, sometimes finding a new passion or role outside of what you're used to is hard.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Sometimes our professional lives influence the decisions we make in our personal lives.  This week I talk to Christina Eastwood of the Dallas Zoo.  We talk about her choice to use cloth diapers for environmental and financial reasons.  Cloth diapers can be a great economical choice for animal care professionals!  Once you establish a routine with them, they can be pretty easy to manage!  Christina also shares a bit about how she has made a conscious effort to really leave work at work.

The website Christina mentions while she is talking about cloth diapers is Fluff Love University.  You can find them at fluffloveuniversity.com.  They are a fantastic resource for all things cloth diapers!

This episode also gives a glimpse into the reality of motherhood and trying to work with littles around as my 2.5 year old interrupts not once but twice. I’ve left the audio in because who better will understand than you moms!  Enjoy!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Join me as I talk to Jessi Gorman of the Fort Worth Zoo.  We talk about her upfront honesty about wanting to start a family when she interviewed for her job,  the things that she underestimated about having a child, how she troubleshoots her child's behavior by using her animal training skills, how she improved her work/life balance by finding a hobby that had nothing to do with animals, and the importance of building your community.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Ever been worried about leaving your career to focus on motherhood?  Join me as I talk to Mandy Fischer of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) about how motherhood influenced her career path.  She has held roles in and out of the zoo field that ultimately culminated in an opportunity to work for AZA.  She talks about a moment in her life with her son that changed her priorities in a way that she was more comfortable with and allowed her to separate work and life a little bit more.    We also talk about how as your confidence in motherhood, your team at work, and in your career grows it can become easier to have that better work/life balance.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

When you're in the thick of it, that particular parenting stage seems to last forever.  Whether it's lack of sleep or an infant's complete dependency on you, giving so much of yourself at work and then having to come home and give so much of yourself again can seem daunting.  My guest this week, Jennifer Zuehlke, shares with me what it's like to get out of that infant stage and into the stage of parenting where your children are older and more independent.  This has her feeling like professional goals are more attainable now that her children are older as well as getting back to the activities that she loves to do.  No matter what stage you're in, parenting is hard!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

In this episode I talk to Heather Ammann of the Dallas Zoo.  We talk about being pregnant at work (especially in that hot Texas heat), how she dealt with sleep deprivation in those first few months and the anxiety of not wanting to forget to do some critical part of your job.  We also chat about the challenges of pumping at work and trying to advocate for dedicated spaces where moms can pump in the workplace.  Lastly, we talk about the importance of making time for yourself and finding that activity that you enjoy that allows you to step away, recharge, and come back to your family.

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Getting back into the zoo field once you've left can feel impossible but my guest this week shares her story of how she re-entered the field once her children were older.  I talk to Jessica Price of Tanganyika Wildlife Park about finding your place and balancing kid schedules with work schedules.  We also talk about how the skills she gained as a stay-at-home mom have transferred over to her roles in the zoo field!

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Postpartum life is full of changes - to your body, to your routine, to your family and relationships, and to your priorities.  This week I talk to Dani Poirier Larson of Southwick's Zoo about the ups and downs of postpartum life that for some moms includes anxiety and depression that can leave them feeling isolated and overwhelmed.  We also talk about the fears that might come with going back to work.  Dani has learned that there is no perfect balance - sometimes work will take priority and sometimes life will take priority but learning to get comfortable with that ebb and flow is important.  

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Putting your family first can be challenging in a passion field with atypical working hours, high physical labor needs, and other living beings that rely on you for their health and wellbeing.  In this episode, Libby and I talk about how as a young mom she found it hard to advocate for her needs but as she's grown in her career and family she's learned how best to put her family's needs first and how important it is to fight for your family.  We also talk about her mindset shift of using her words to establish zookeeping as her job and not her identity.  Libby mentions a book in this episode, which I've linked below (and personally can't wait to read):

Amazon.com: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead (Audible Audio Edition): Sheryl Sandberg, Elisa Donovan, Random House Audio: Audible Books & Originals

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Sometimes you might need to transition away from full-time animal care to another role within the zoo field.  Registrars are animal-adjacent and serve an amazingly important role in zoos!  During this episode, I talk with Jenifer about how her focus has changed since having kids, her new perspective on work and time management, and how zookeepers have many skills that can be transferred to other careers. 

Check out the Zoological Registrars Association at zooregistrars.org if you're interested in the world of zoological registrars!

Mothering Wildlife links:
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Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Welcome to the first episode of the Mothering Wildlife podcast!  In this episode, I'll explain how this podcast came to be and I'll talk to my very first guest, Whitlee Turner of the Metro Richmond Zoo.  Whitlee shares a cool story of how she came to breastfeed her son to help a new mother orangutan.  We'll also talk about some of the challenges of early motherhood as well as trying to maintain work/life balance.

Check out the video of Whitlee's story released by the Metro Richmond Zoo here: https://youtu.be/R4CgL4Q4T4I
 
("Orangutan Learns How to Nurse from Breastfeeding Zookeeper." YouTube, uploaded by Metro Richmond Zoo, 30 March 2023, https://youtu.be/R4CgL4Q4T4I.)

Mothering Wildlife links:
Facebook  MotheringWildlifePodcast
Instagram  @motheringwildlife
Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com