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Mothering Wildlife

Elizabeth Johnson
Mothering Wildlife
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  • Patiently Waiting, Observing, Validating Feelings, and Then Finding Solutions - At Home and at the Zoo with Katie Hall from Minnesota Zoo
    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • Nothing Can Really Prepare You for Motherhood or Even the Feelings of Postpartum with Andrea Porch of Sedgwick County Zoo
    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • From Crustacean Enthusiast to Aquarist Mom with Caroline Dyer of Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • Can Being a Zookeeper Help You Find Balance as a Mom? with Leanne Parker of Niabi Zoo
    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • My Job is Such a Huge Part of My Life, Could I Be a Mom and Do This Too? with Kaylee Franklin of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!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:Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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About Mothering Wildlife

Telling the stories of moms who work in zoo, wildlife, vet, and conservation organizations. Working with wildlife brings a unique set of challenges for working mothers. Join me weekly as I interview moms working primarily in the zoo field as we discuss their journey as moms, navigating the mental, emotional, and often physical challenges that come with caring for wildlife and caring for kids.
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