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Mothering Wildlife

Elizabeth Johnson
Mothering Wildlife
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  • “Baby Tonka” - When Our Kids Become Part of Our Zoo Community
    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, 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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • Personal Lives Are Important with Kim Castrucci from the Brevard 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!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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • Relearning Roles After Postpartum with LeShea Cochu from Chattanooga 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'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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • When Skills at Work as an Animal Hospital Keeper Serve You in Your Mom Life with Morgan Duffy from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
    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 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 MotheringWildlifePodcastInstagram @motheringwildlifeEmail: [email protected]
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  • "Your Identity as a Human Changes When You Have a Baby" with Jess Sorrentino from Cheetah Conservation Fund
    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 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 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 every other week as I interview moms working primarily in the zoo field as we discuss their journey as moms, navigating the mental, emotional, and often physical challenges that come with caring for wildlife and caring for kids.
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