Pit Bull Advocates of America ~ The Podcast

Want a little irony in your life? Take a listen to this episode! We're breaking down EMPATHY for you and along the way get a bit less than empathetic about folks without empathy. HAHAHA! Only Victoria and I ~ and only on PBAOA the Podcast.All jokes aside now, this episode is a must listen. (do I say that about them all?!?)This world needs more empathy in a bad, bad way. Be part of the solution! Empower your empathy and continue to help us Change Minds & Save Lives. HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

WE'RE BAAAAAACK! Woot woot!We missed y'all so much and hope that you've missed us too!We chose to talk about burnout and compassion fatigue because that's what we've been going through and dealing with for the last 4 weeks during our absence. Burnout and compassion fatigue are real and are at epidemic proportions. Listen up and let's all start healing together! Missed you all SO MUCH! HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

Myths, myths and more myths. The world is full of people spreading false information on just about every topic out there. Are you one of those people? I HAVE BEEN! VICTORIA HAS BEEN! We're guilty as charged.But the great thing about knowing better is you can DO BETTER! We can all continue to elevate our advocacy together! Today it's through understanding how to handle myths that you encounter... AND busting some myths that you're probably spreading! WHOA!This is the last podcast of 2020! This has been soooo much fun and we're more then tickled pink with how fast it's grown and how many listeners we have all over the globe! It's really a dream come true.KEEP TELLING EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE PODCAST! Talk about it, share it, post about it! Keep it up PIT CREW! You're doing an amazing job helping people find a valuable resource! AWESOME! HUGS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

**GAME CHANGER ALERT**This is a fun one y'all (mostly because Victoria & I are slightly buzzed up... not gonna lie) and it's really, really important.The day I realized the importance and impact of this one question, was the day everything changed in my advocacy.You want to be a better advocate? Then this episode is a MUST LISTEN. HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

We've got a requested episode this week of a HOT topic...Being better advocates means choosing our words carefully and knowing how powerful our words can be. People are listening to what you say when you're out with your dog or when the topic of dogs perceived as pit bulls comes up. This phrase has got to go! We need to stop saying it ourselves and we have to have courage to help others to stop saying it as well. Elevating your advocacy is hard. Heck, simply being a pit bull advocate is hard ~ but being a really great one... that's really big job. But these animals are worth it! We're the only voice they have! Make your voice deliberate, compassionate and rooted in kindness.HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

We recorded this episode months ago. Before Denver even knew they would be on the ballot. Before the campaign. Before the WIN. So when you hear any references to Denver, think 'post spring time loss due to Mayoral veto'.Breed Specific Legislation is disturbing and makes my soul sad. For me it roots down so much deeper then dogs perceived as pit bulls because I feel it's a direct reflection of how our society deals with things we fear. Exclude it. Push it out. Try to pretend it doesn't exist. These types of thoughts are humanity problems as far as I'm concerned. The cool thing is that when we see it happening in one area and we identify it's wrong, that gives us an opportunity to explore where else it's happening and consider how we feel about it. So that's the challenge for today. Learn. Identify. Consider. When we know better we do better right?!? I love that you're here to elevate your advocacy with us! Thank you for being part of the solution!HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

I LOVE being a Pit Bull Advocate. It's hard to put into words how much I cherish talking to people about their experiences and working together to find solutions to the host of problems that plague the animals we care so deeply for. However, there are aspects of advocacy that are so hard. In doing the first 10 episodes of this podcast, I'm realizing that I've forgotten how difficult being an advocate has been... and how desensitized I've become to the plethora of problems. These things are new, raw and exceedingly difficult for so many of you on a daily basis.Today's topic is likely going to be brand new information for the majority of our listeners. It's a very sensitive topic (hence the title... or lack there of) and a hard one to talk about... even with many years under my belt. Please reach out with questions! Don't ever hesitate to contact me! michelle@pitbulladvocates.orgMy hope with this episode is that you listen all the way through and that it allows you to elevate your advocacy a little more!HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

Denver, Colorado has a ban on dogs perceived as pit bulls that has been in place for 30 years! Thousands of innocent dogs have perished, been displaced and suffered greatly simply because of their appearance.On November 3rd, the citizens of Denver have an opportunity to change the future for all pit bull type dogs! I had the privilege of visiting Denver a few weeks ago to work along side the beautiful people of Replace Denver BSL - a group of some of the most hard working and dedicated folks I've ever met.Enjoy my interview with Quinn, one of the organizers and founders of RDBSL. We had a great time sitting back and shooting the sh!t about Breed Specific Legislation, years of preparation, a devastating knock down and the monumental fortitude and perseverance it's taken to see the historical ballot measure 2J added to Denver's 2020 election!Successful replacement of this ban is inexplicably important to the health and happiness of dogs known as pit bulls... but I have to say that regardless of the outcome on November 3rd...I want ALL who took part in this campaign to know that you DID NOT FAIL. You gave everything you had and that's all you can do. There should be no regrets. I'm honored to have worked along side you. HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit Replace Denver BSL Online to show your support. Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city! (I'm ready to come along too) pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

Do you see folks in your area that can't provide all the necessities for their dog? How do you feel about that?Do you see dogs in situations where you feel they're not cared for well enough? Do you translate that lack of care into lack of love in your mind?Do you see people and their dogs needing assistance but aren't sure how to help?Today we're challenging you to enter an uncomfortable space with us. These spaces are where some of our best growth happens! I'm so excited and honored to be part of the growth and elevation of advocacy all around the world!Prepare your minds and hearts to open wide today and let's talk about our third brick ~ Owner Support.Buckle up Pit Crew! This ride might get a little bumpy. But it's all in the name of ELEVATING OUR ADVOCACY so that we can increase our success rate as we Change Minds and Save Lives! HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city! (I'm ready to come along too) pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

Hope you enjoyed the interviews with K9 Ninja Roo Yori! If you haven't listened to them yet... WHY NOT?!?  ;)This week we have a sad and somber topic in talking about how these dogs were destined for disaster. On top of that, the villainous tunnel we're going through is incredibly long and the light at the end is incredibly far away.Take heart though - the light IS there.Couple public service messages... PLEASE promote this podcast on your social media, through email or simply by good old fashioned word of mouth. No matter how you do it - PLEASE let people know about this podcast.Follow PBAOA on Instagram and Facebook so you can see when campaigns are coming to your area!Request your FREE bumper sticker so that you can be part of the PBAOA Pit Crew and Part of the Solution!We're grateful to have you changing minds and saving lives along side us! Contact me at michelle@pitbulladvocates.org with questions, comments or to request I visit your city!HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city! (I'm ready to come along too) pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

Did you enjoy the first episode with Roo? (don't forget you're leaving judgements at the door lol) I hope you did! I certainly enjoyed recording it. Wallace and Hector were some very special puppers that I was incredibly fortunate to know and love. When I think of mind changing dogs, they're two that come into my head quickly... after my Capone of course. ;)Time for PART 2! I don't know about you, but I've been watching American Ninja Warrior from the beginning. I've always loved watching people do things that would break every bone and tear every tendon in my body... I'm quite literally the adult who has a hard time walking and chewing gum... HOWEVER I can talk your ear off while doing anything! Once competitive talking is a thing WATCH OUT!Anywhoooo, to have a friend and a top notch advocate on ANW is SO EXCITING! I had to get the scoop so I could pass it on to you! This interview was recorded before we knew if competitions would happen this year. Thankfully they worked it out and made it happen. SPOILER ALERT! He's already made it through the city finals!Learn more about Roo and how he's helping animals at rooyori.comHUGE THANKS to Roo for being my very first guest! And for all he's done and will continue to do for dogs perceived as pit bulls and so many others! Please keep sharing the podcast! We're being listened to in over a dozen countries now but need to reach thousands more around the world! Be part of the solution with Pit Bull Advocates of America!  HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city! (I'm ready to come along too) pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

Pit Bull Advocates always encourages keeping a non-judgmental attitude... but especially for this! It's my very FIRST interview ever. So be kind Pit Crew. Be kind. HAHAHAHA!I got to talk to one of my all time favorite advocates, Roo Yori for the episode today. I've been privileged to call him my friend for more then a decade, so hopefully that helps you understand why much of this sounds a lot like two old friends chatting.He's been dad to many an adorable rescue - today we talk about Wallace the Pitbull and Hector - his two "celebrity rescues". Wallace's journey took him from the shelter floor to gold medal pedestal. Hector came out of Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels and into SURVIVOR life strong.Oh and why is this a two part episode? Well, because Roo just happens to be American Ninja Warrior's K9 Ninja! So you'll hear about that next week!I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed recording it. Take a peek at the links below too for some of my favorite Wallace memories and a link to donate to Roo's NINJA FOR DOGS fundraiser.HUGS!Michelle Serocki Wallace's Rocky Training VideoWallace's Last Catch  (I'm not crying, you're crying.)wallacethepitbull.org rooyori.com Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city! (I'm ready to come along too) pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

FEAR. We're all afraid of something. For many, many people that something is dogs they think are pit bulls. AND THAT'S OK. No... really it is. Fear is one of our most powerful emotions. Elevating your advocacy means embracing people's fear, meeting them where they're at, and helping them at a pace that's comfortable for them. Getting mad at someone for being scared is simply not cool. Belittling someone who is afraid is not only not cool, it's pretty insensitive and it's a super ineffective way to try to change someone's mind.Examine fear with me. Let's look at it through a totally different lens. Let's consider our own fears - how valid they are - and how we'd feel if someone yelled at us and called us ignorant when we were afraid. It's the second brick of our soon to be AMAZING, INDESTRUCTIBLE, AWESOME advocacy structure. I love building better advocacy with all of you! These dogs are counting on us to elevate our advocacy. When we do, more minds will change. We'll get more breed specific legislation repealed, we'll get more housing options to open up, and eventually things like insurance companies will start to change their policies. All that leads to more of these beautiful creatures finding homes and less being euthanized. Can you see where we're going in your mind?!? I can see it clear as day! And I'm excited to work toward this vision with all of YOU! HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city! (I'm ready to come along too) pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

18 years ago I started advocating for dogs perceived as pit bulls ~ before it was cool or trendy or completely safe to be honest.It's been a long, strange road full of twists and turns and crazy changes in direction. I've done more things wrong than I have fingers to count. I believe if you're not doing things wrong then you're not doing enough. Some lessons stuck immediately and changed how I did things immediately and consistently. But other lessons I had to learn over and over and over before they finally caused me to change once and for all.I was mean, defensive, and brash. I loved to throw around the word IGNORANT, when I clearly was suffering from excessive ignorance myself. I wasn't helping anyone or anything. I was only concerned with myself and my dog and making people pay for the hell they put us through. I was an upset and angry owner. I was NOT an advocate.Pit Bull Advocates of America has a mission... to change upset and angry owners into advocates. We want to unite communities, the people who love pit bull type dogs and the ones who don't. We need to do this; and we can't do it alone. If you really, sincerely and truly want to elevate your advocacy and help these dogs... this episode is one of the most important to absorb and put into action. I implore you to listen a few times, review the advocacy pages on our website and ask me any questions you might have. Don't worry about the mistakes you've already made. Don't worry if you're mean and ugly and using the word ignorant way too often. Today's a new day. So is tomorrow for that matter. There's HOPE every morning!I guarantee you'll change more minds and therefore save more lives when you put these principles into action. You'll be part of the solution. I'm so excited to have you as part of Pit Bull Advocates of America!Don't forget while you're listening that this is only the 3rd podcast we've ever done. I promise they get better. It's not as easy as it might sound. LOL! I absolutely loooove doing these podcasts and am working very hard to get better and better so that you can enjoy listening even more.Please keep sharing the podcast! We're reaching hundreds but need to reach thousands! Be Part of the Solution! HUGS!Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city! (I'm ready to come along too) pitbulladvocates.org Subscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

Imagine in your mind a huge, sturdy, shiny, well lit and well loved structure. A beautiful building that everyone loves to visit and feels comfortable and secure when they're inside. It's warm and dry and smells like love.This is what we want to build in our army of advocates. A huge, sturdy, new group of beautiful people and everyone loves and longs to be around. People who exude comfort and stability, who are warm and loving. I don't care how corny it sounds. Someday, in MY future, when people hear me say the words 'pit bull' they will no longer cringe. They won't be full of fear or anger.I'll say 'pit bull' and they will smile. Their heart grow in love. They'll want to hear more and see more. The good feeling will bubble out of them in the form of laughter and they'll stay to hear more about these amazing creatures.That can happen. It WILL happen. But first we must lay the foundation for the comfort, compassion and security that will be built up by our advocates. Enjoy! Share with everyone you know! Be PART of the SOLUTION! HUGS! Michelle Serocki Visit the website for advocacy campaigns that can come to your city!pitbulladvocates.orgSubscribe to our enews for updates and announcements!JOIN ENEWS

WELCOME to Pit Bull Advocates of America ~The Podcast! Who is Pit Bull Advocates of America? How and why did we start?Where have we been? Where are we going? This introductory episode answers all those questions and more. I really hope you enjoy it and many more to come. Email me to let me know your thoughts - michelle@pitbulladvocate.org SUBSCRIBE to the podcast! Download all our episodes! Tell your friends!And join our enews so you never miss important announcements and updates on where we'll be and what we're doing!JOIN ENEWS! HUGS! and God's Best,Michelle SerockiPit Bull Advocates of America