The Other Animals: Recent Episodes
Laurent Levy
Why "Other Animals?" Like it or not, we share this world with animals like us, just not the human kind. The Other Animals explores our strange and often baffling relationship with these other animals.
To be sure, this is not another 'Wonderful World of Animals' show,' nor is it simply vegan advocacy. Rather, it explores and even celebrates our human inconsistencies, and it grapples with those shades of gray we usually avoid at all costs.
How we interact with any kind of "Others," human or not, can tell us a great deal about ourselves.
Are you really responsible if Fifi devours Bowser? Are the police liable if they blow away Rocco? Kristina Bergsten, animal attorney and founder of The Animal Law Firm joins us for an inside look at the complex world of companion and equine animal law.
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Jo Anderson from Faunalytics joins us to explore the curious effectiveness of local and municipal legislation for animal advocacy. Even more important than at the state and federal levels? Plus veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard reveals the staggering reality of why thousands of zoo, aquarium, and even companion animals cannot receive Covid vaccines even though they are readily available.
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Author and New York Times columnist Emily Anthes returns for a fascinating look into animal "translation" -- can eavesdropping with machine learning technology help us to communicate with the animals? Plus visionary Kathy Stevens shares her story in creating the one-of-its-kind Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
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Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking work "Free the Animals," PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk offers her unique perspective in a wide ranging and compelling look at the long history of the Animal Rights movement - its triumphs, setbacks, and hope for the future.
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Whenever gun rights in America are debated, there is an accepted exception for self-defense and hunting. What does our gun-obsession say about us, and does the impact on nonhuman animals extend beyond the practice of hunting? Noted professor, author, and political commentator Allan J. Lichtman joins us to explore what guns, or rather, our love of guns say about us and what it means for our fellow travelers. Also, veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard provides tips to help dogs and cats cope with fireworks.
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Join us for a conversation with Australian activist, author, filmmaker, and speaker Elliot Connor as he describes his lifelong goal to reframe our human relationship with the natural world. Plus, veterinarian and author Ingrid Taylor joins our Dr. Tom Pickard to grapple with the issue of antibiotic resistance in nonhuman animals, what it means for us and them, and what the veterinarian establishment can do.
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Do non-human animals really laugh? Listen to some samples collected by researchers Greg Bryant and Sasha Winkler from UCLA and decide for yourself. A delightful and insightful conversation about the nuances of play vocalization (and other sounds) that challenges the notion that laughter is a gift exclusive to humans. Plus, veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard looks at that most overlooked part of our pets' anatomy -- the tail!
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“Every single objection to the experimental use of animals ... has been ignored and overridden by the scientific industry, and this is not going to change no matter how morally obnoxious, heartless and cruel to the members of other species," Karen Davis wrote after the transplant of a pig heart into a human. In response, Professor Stevan Harnad penned a response urging her to "pretend to be more optimistic." In this episode, we bring them both together for a compelling look at the role attitude and reality play in the Animal Rights movement.
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The promise of biological machines, "..designed from the ground up, built by combining together different biological tissues." What does the future of this hybrid research hold and what are the ethical and scientific considerations? A fascinating conversation with pioneer researchers Drs. Michael Levin and Josh Bongard. Plus, thoughts on the 'other' xeno - xenotransplantation and the first "successful" transplant of a pig heart into a human.
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Not that long ago, rats, pigs, weevils, eels, grasshoppers, locusts, and even werewolves were put on trial, literally for their lives. Author Steven Spotte describes the real-life shenanigans and spectacle behind these judicial proceedings and what they meant for the Church, the Crown, and especially, the animals themselves. Where does superstition end and heresy begin? His historical fiction, Animal Wrongs, uses three actual cases to try to understand this truly bizarre period of the human/animal mystery.
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A tour-de-force composition, Grammy-winning musician Jimmy Webb describes his collaboration with Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, The London Symphony, the Wimbledon King's College Choir, and a host of other notable musicians. It's a remarkable piece of music that tells the Christmas nativity story from the perspective of the various animals. The episode includes complete excerpts and Jimmy's insights. Don't miss Incredible Phat, the Innkeeper's Cat!
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Sentient Media's Claire Hamlett discusses the nascent but growing phenomenon of crowdfunding to acquire land formerly used for grazing and animal agriculture. What happens to this land once acquired and what are the economic and environmental impacts? Do individual animals and species actually benefit? Plus, what's in a tennis ball? Veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard has some timely warnings for toys to watch out for this time of year. And, some thoughts on the latest rat control gimmick getting attention in New York City.
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Renowned author Sy Montgomery joins us for a fascinating look at one of Nature's miracles and her own transformative first-hand experience rescuing and rehabilitating two. Plus, Matt Zampa from Sentient Media gives us the lowdown on the less-than-thrilling results from the recently concluded COP26 conference.
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This week Christopher Berry and Ariel Flint from the Animal Legal Defense Fund join us to discuss the historic ruling granting "interested person" status to former drug lord Pablo Escobar's hippos. How did they achieve this breakthrough, and what does it mean for the hippos... and for us? Plus, Sentient Media's Matt Zampa discusses the UK's "butcher shortage" and the COP26 Summit, and veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard has a warning for the latest food marketing scheme that could poison your dog.
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Listen to the insights of a former child survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto and Holocaust. Why has the promise of "Never Again!" been so difficult to honor? Can we respectfully apply the lessons of the Holocaust and genocide to other-than-human victims without somehow diminishing the horror of that event? Alex Hershaft, founder of the Farm Animal Rights Movement, provides truly unique perspective on why we must.
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With the swirling controversy surrounding the Texas abortion law, we offer a conversation with Sherry Colb and Michael Dorf, authors of "Beating Hearts: Abortion and Animal Rights" (recorded in 2019). You'd think the Animal Rights and Pro-Life movements might be allies.. or not? Plus, some musings on what happens if individuals from an invasive species are cute! And veterinarian Tom Pickard looks at the bizarre historical intersection between human and nonhuman medical training.
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If there is any insect in the world we feel justified in squashing, it'd have to be flies and their kin, mosquitos. Author and ethologist Dr. Jonathan Balcombe argues that as occasionally annoying and repulsive as they are, they have a vital role to play in our very survival. In this wide-ranging discussion we look at the possibility of their sentience, their role both beneficial and harmful to us, and even their modern healing properties. Medical maggots, anyone? Plus, Dena Blumenthal from The Humane League updates us on cultured (lab-grown) "meat" for our dogs and cats.
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In this our 100th episode we launch an exciting collaboration with Sentient Media, a non-profit journalism organization which tackles the complex issue of transparency in media. How do we get past the comfortable expressions and euphemisms that dominate animal coverage in the media and frame some of our most outrageous practices as normal and acceptable? Managing Editor Matt Zampa joins us to break down the issues. Plus, veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard looks at tail docking and declawing - practices still being performed on our companion animals.
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We welcome back Kevin Schneider of the Nonhuman Rights Project to give us the breaking developments in the case of Happy the Elephant and the complex ramifications, both for her, zoos, and perhaps countless other nonhumans. Plus Dena Blumenthal on the first scalable cultured meat venture and Dr. Tom Pickard on calming dogs and cats during thunderstorms.
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"I promise I'll walk him every day!" What parent hasn't heard that promise before, only to have the reminders start a week later? Author Margrit Strohmaier tackles this problem in her her delightful children's book, "What to Know Before You Get Your Dog." We also look at the curious connection between Dostoevsky and Ingrid Newkirk, and veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard explores the mangy problem of mange.
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In honor of Tax Day, we thought you might find it enlightening to know just what the government is getting for your hard-earned buck. From mudskippers and bears on treadmills to torturing beagle puppies, federally funded animal experimentation is a treadmill unto itself that is almost self-perpetuating. Justin Goodman from the White Coat Waste Project looks at the dark side of government spending, and what you can do about it.
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From conspiracy theorists to extreme polarization to dealing with Crazy Uncle Dave, sit back and enjoy a far-ranging conversation with the world's foremost authority on living with and among those who haven't yet come to terms with their own cognitive dissonance! Dr. Clare Mann offers brilliant and insightful tips that you'll be able to use as soon as Covid lets us get back together again..
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Will Disney's forthcoming film adaptation of "Aloha Rodeo" end up glorifying the undeniable misery that goes along with rodeo, or will the film attempt to simply skirt that reality in favor of the feel-good underdog story? An all-star panel of Eric Mills, Steve Hindi, Rebecca Rose Stanton, and Josh Steinhouse look at the project and come up with original suggestions. Disney, are you listening?
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While the animal rights movement tends to focus on animal exploitation for food, the garment and fashion industries impose a misery of their own. Emma Håkansson, founder of Collective Fashion Justice and successful model, discusses this overlooked problem and what can be done about it. Also veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard looks at vaccinations for our pets.
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When someone concerned with animal welfare enters the supermarket, do their choices really make a difference in the lives of the animals they'll never see? We're told they do, but just what is the impact and is it necessarily positive? F. Bailey Norwood, who literally co-authored the book on this issue, Compassion by the Pound, joins us to discuss. Plus, veterinarian Tom Pickard takes us into the world of reptile husbandry!
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Cultured, clean, cell-based, lab-grown, whatever you'd like to call it -- the production of "real meat" without the "real animal" on the surface seems to be a promising technology offering abundant food on a global level, repair of the environment, and oh yes, reduction of animal suffering. The largest meat corporations in the world are investing heavily in it -- should we be suspicious? Dr. John Sanbonmatsu explores the issues in a candid and revealing interview. Plus, veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard helps pet owners understand bloodwork lab results.
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Karen Davis, president of United Poultry Concerns explains why she stopped saying "meat" (let alone stopped eating it), and offers intriguing alternatives. Plus veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard helps us keep birds and other backyard visitors safe.
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Can vegans and meat eaters truly find love? Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat considers the perils and rewards of romance, dating, and even friendship between partners with conflicting moral convictions. Plus, if you're really committed to your partner, you'll let them dine on your wings... and vice versa. And veterinarian Dr. Tom Pickard looks at unexpected Valentine's Day hazards confronting your pets.
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An in-depth conversation with Ingrid Newkirk about her beginnings, motivations, PETA, and the continuing struggle to make the world a better place for all living beings.
A look at the strange custom and origins of consuming fowl as a symbol of gratitude. We chat with United Poultry Concerns founder and president Karen Davis about turkeys, chicken, eggs, ducks and poultry's place in the animal maze.
An update on the historic trend of plant-based options offered at restaurants, supermarkets, boutiques, and fast-food conglomerates. What's really going on here - health? Animal welfare? Cost? Taste? Environmentalism? Social consciousness? And how does it impact the "cellular agriculture" ventures?
The use of graphic imagery in the cause of animal advocacy. Is it effective? Can we become numb to such images? When does shock give way to voyeurism?
An intriguing look at our attitudes towards artificial life (robots and androids) compared with our attitudes towards animals. Are we more apt to give consideration to one over the other? Is science fiction becoming reality?
Bird watching, the most harmless and among the most rewarding interactions humans enjoy with non-humans.
The "other" companion animal, our relationship with rabbits is among the oldest and surprisingly most complex.
A look at Kaporos, the Hassidic ritual of transferring sins to a chicken then slaughtering it. Also a conversation about causes of post traumatic stress disorder in elephants
A conversation with author Boria Sax about dragons, unicorns, shape-shifters, and... Tamagachis!
Barnard Professor and NY Times columnist Alexandra Horowitz makes the case against spaying and neutering.
Also, a conversation with Australian scholar and founder of iRoar podcast network Siobhan O'Sullivan.
A conversation with author Wendy Williams about the long and storied history of human equine collaboration.
A look at the fascinating and ethically charged world of biotech and animals. Cloning was only the beginning: fusing technology into unwilling animals may seem fraught with ethical concerns, but what if those methods could bring about (human) life-saving medicines and therapies? A conversation with author Emily Anthes, author of "Frankenstein's Cat."
Why do animals make such potent symbols, especially as sidekicks? Were no animals really harmed in the making of this film? A conversation with professor and author Randy Malamud about the history, symbolism, and meaning of animals in film.
A look at our long and storied relationship with "man's best friend." Just how did the dog achieve its elevated and privileged status when it comes to humans? Why do we revere them above all other nonhumans? Has breeding gone "off the rails?" A conversation with noted author and anthrozoology pioneer James Serpell.
A conversation with experts in the topic of the well-known link between incidents of animal abuse in childhood and later criminal activity in adulthood. Dr. Lisa Lunghofer describes the research, and Dr. Aysha Akhtar describes her personal encounter with an imprisoned serial killer.
A conversation with Clarissa Black of Pets for Vets and Dr. Aysha Akhtar, MD, Deputy Director of the US Army Traumatic Brain Injury Program. A look at real-world examples of how animals help returning veterans.
A look at the unique relationship between children and animals, and a fascinating first-hand account of how one child fought the system to save the life of a pig. Conversation with Dr. Gail Melson of "Why the Wild Things Are" and Alena Hidalgo.
We know about seeing eye dogs, but what about the many other ways dogs and other animals are used in the support of human therapy? And when we consider comfort ducks and chickens, are people exploiting the spirit of therapy? Do landlords have the right to draw the line? A conversation with noted AAI expert and psychologist Sheryl Pierre.
A conversation with author Josh Shapiro examining the advent of so-called "Cellular Agriculture" ("cell-ag") that promises to revolutionize the production of what we think of as "meat." Beyond plant-based derivatives, cell-ag attempts to actually "grow" meat in a laboratory environment from cultures in a process similar to that of a beer brewery. Is it viable and scalable?
A look at animal legislation in the US and around the world. As long as animals are still considered property, can legislation really advance their cause? A conversation with animal law expert Paul Waldau and US Congressman Brendan Boyle.
Billions of fish are killed each year, but is considering the welfare of an individual fish going too far? Do fish really feel pain? Could an octopus have a "soul?" What about home aquariums and the "Nemo Effect?" A fascinating conversation with authors Jonathan Balcombe and Sy Montgomery.
A look at animal rescue and sanctuaries. Guests Grace Herbert of and Indra Lahiri discuss the differences and various approaches.
Why do some animals absolutely terrify us? A conversation with authors Jeffrey Lockwood ("The Infested Mind") and Hal Herzog ("Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat") at the (mostly) irrational fears we harbor toward certain animals, particularly insects.
They both have "beating hearts," so wouldn't you expect those who fight for the protection of unborn humans to fight for the protection of sentient nonhuman beings? And... vice versa? In this fascinating discussion we talk with authors Sherry Colb and Michael Dorf, authors of "Beating Hearts" Abortion and Animal Rights" about the various parallels and uncomfortable differences the two movements share, including their various tactics and strategies.
A look at how nonhuman animals bring out the best of us. Bravery, compassion, loyalty, devotion -- animals seem to have a unique ability to inspire us to our highest ideals and to bring out the very best in us. Why?
How do religious and religious traditions impact our relation with nonhuman animals? A discussion with author and Harvard professor Paul Waldau and Jeffrey Spitz-Cohan of JewishVeg.
Animals in the natural (and unnatural) world have inspired composers and songwriters for centuries. Enjoy this musical survey through the ages of music inspired by the animals.
Are nonhuman animals entitled to legal rights and protection? Should those rights be granted from the courts or from the legislature? Which nonhuman animals (if any) are entitled to those rights, who is to decide, and where should we draw the line? In this fascinating discussion, Steven M. Wise of the Nonhuman Rights Project, subject of the recent HBO documentary "Unlocking the Cage," discusses these complex and potentially historic issues.
A look at the strange and awful ways insects, birds, mammals, primates, equines, and aquatic animals have all be conscripted to take sides in humanity's most horrible invention. What are the ethics involved in enlisting these unwitting soldiers against their will?
You would be amazed to learn just how your tax dollars are wasted on barbaric, useless, unbelievably cruel, painful and ultimately pointless experiments on sentient, harmless, and helpless animals. Listen as Justin Goodman from the watchdog group White Coat Waste Project tells us about this practice and what we can do to stop it. Addressing this waste represents a unique opportunity for consensus and bipartisanship in this otherwise politically divided time in our history.
We launch the program with a look at how animals fit into religious traditions like Easter and Passover. Guests include Paul Waldau, Ph. D. and Jeffrey Spitz-Cohan from JewishVeg.
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