Trainer Talks and Tails

We're ending 2024 with an incredible guest, Brandon! Brandon shares his journey within the industry, including some difficult decisions he had to make in order to aid his progression to work every day with his dream species. Brandon chats about his new role, goals and skills to hopes to develop, as well as Australian Reptile Park's famous snake venom program. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or questions on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Beau has had a long career working within zoos, but for this episode we focus in on his passion and something that he loves creating, wildlife documentaries. We talk about where it all started, where Beau hopes the project will grow too and how one pretty cool person acknowledged his hard work. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalkandtails@outlook.com.

Kellie, vet nurse for Wildlife Sydney and SEA LIFE Sydney joins us this week to chat in detail about her role as a vet nurse! We talk all about the array of species she works with, transitioning from a keeper role and how sustainable a vet nurse role can be. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Liz from Symbio Wildlife Park joins us to share her extensive experience and knowledge for caring for koalas in human care! We touch on the roles koalas play in zoos, how breeding is managed and how we can get involved in vital conservation. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Lets chat wildlife caring! We talk with Lexie Scott, a long time wildlife carer who has raised and released hundreds of native Australian animals back into the wild over her 20 years of caring. We talk about her experiences, the differences she has found with caring for different species and, of course, how to involved!

Let's chat red pandas!! Steph joins us from Halls Gap Zoo where she shares how her team were able to successful take a blood draw from the pandas! We touch on the prior behaviors that helped set this up for success and how they hope to maintain it going forward. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We're joined this week by our good friend Olivia! Olivia has an incredible depth and spread of presenting experience that she's acquired across numerous roles within the industry! She shares her best advice for gaining confidence when presenting and how to set yourself up to succeed with co-presenting. Olivia has recently built her own business helping people with public speaking! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We mixed things up this week as we love highlighting some of the amazing training that is happening within the animal community! From snakes to seals, domestic dogs and owls, we chat about some of the incredible goals people are achieving within the training world. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Sheryl joins us this week and shares her incredible passion for sustainability and how we can change and improve sustainability practices at work! Being an eco-queen, Sheryl has progressed in her career to now working in a behavior change role for the council. We touch on better choices that can be made, how to incorporate a green team at work and what her role entails! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or questions on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We had such a fun conversation with Adam from the NSW K9 Correctional Services Unit! Adam dives into what his role looks like and what the dogs are used for. We chat about different types of conditioning used for training the dogs, how they choose the best training type for the dogs and how the training works! Plus, the use of different reinforcers. You can find us on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

The amazing Kayla, from Lone Pine, joins us this week chatting all about education roles within facilities. She shares her career background that led her to her role and why hands on education in zoo environments are so important for learnings. We chat about techniques people can use to provide the best education about the species we're lucky enough to work with. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Lou generously shares an insight into her incredible career working with a variety of primates in different facilities. We talk about training, how to provide the best welfare and the differences between species. Lou also chats about her role working with the Borneo Orangutan Survival group, providing enrichment and welfare to wild animals and how to get involved in field work. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Chris chats with us this week all about his transition from working in a zoo environment to a government role in fisheries. He shares what his role can look like and what it was like leaving the zoo industry. You can find us on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

It's been a hot minute, but we thought we'd do a short and sweet update episode for what the last few months has looked like for us both! You can follow us on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Emma joins us this week to chat about a unique species! Moving from marine to arachnids, Emma shares how she was able to transfer her skill set. We touch on the importance of anti-venom programs and why its so important to maintain high standards of welfare for animals used in milking. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails, and for feedback or queries reach out on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Deane is back with us at Trainer Talks and Tails and sharing some of the incredible training they have been achieving with lions and chimps! We really focus this conversation on how the use of differential reinforcement helped manage some undesirable behaviors. You can find the podcast on socials at @trainertalksandtails or reach out for queries or feedback on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

To kick off season three, we were lucky enough to be joined by Kyle from Wild Enrichment. Kyle shares his tips of how to set up effective enrichment, time management and the use of behavioral husbandry to better animal welfare. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for any feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

To finish off this season of the podcast, we were joined by Rory Keenan from Zoos Victoria! Rory has a lot of experience in the industry with his passion primarily driven towards different reptile species. Rory chats about some vital conservation work he is participating in with earless dragons and frogs, as well as juggling being the species coordinator for Fijian Iguanas. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Sophie initially worked in zoos before moving across to field work where she spent a lot of time at a rhino orphanage in Africa. Sophie shares the day to day, feeding baby rhinos around the clock and the harsh realities of the job. Like many of us, Sophie struggled with the idea of being a zookeeper and conservationist encompassing her personality, we chat through balance and things to remember when working in a compassion role. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Blake joins us this week to touch on his career working across numerous facilities primarily specializing in raptors and mammals! Blake has a huge passion for enrichment and shares why quality enrichment is so important and how we can better provide it. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We had an absolute blast chatting with Jimmy and Renae, two giraffe specialists from Taronga Zoo! They chat all about reinforcers, challenges and of course, the training program they help maintain with the herd of giraffe. Jimmy and Renae are also extremely passionate about giraffe conservation, and they touch on what is being done to help conserve this unique species in the wild and the incredible fundraising they have contributed. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

For this week's episode, we were lucky enough to be joined by Erin Oakley, from Seaworld on the Gold Coast! Erin has had the opportunity to work with a variety of marine animals and has an incredible understanding of training from her years of experience. With this, Erin helps explain some basic training terminology, with examples, that we might use daily within our facilities. She also is interested in concept training and shares what that might look like and how this type of teaching can positively effect animals in human care. If you have any questions for Erin you can reach out on socials @erinjoakley. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We're so excited to be joined by Village Road Shows Head of Entertainment and communication coach, Michael Croaker this week! With over 30 years of experience, Michael generously shares his tips and tricks for gaining confidence with public speaking and developing your skillset. We chat all about maintaining guest engagement and what to remember when writing scripts. You can reach out to Michael via his website Stand & Deliver Public Speaking Bootcamp (standanddelivercoach.com). You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or for feedback and queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week we were lucky enough to sit down with 3 of Paradise Country's animal specialists to chat all about training! The girls chat about training wins and challenges, reinforcers and future training goals with all three species! You can find Paradise Country on socials @paradisecountrygc and the podcast @trainertalksandtails. You can reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Jamie chats with us this week and shares his love and passion for elephants! We chat all about training, reinforcers and social dynamics before diving into the hot topic of protected vs full contact with elephants! Jame discusses about his experience working both, what he sees as pros and cons and what the future of elephant training might look like. You can reach out to Jamie on socials @jamiegray_. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week we are lucky enough to be joined by Rachel all the way from the US! Rachel has years of experience working with and training dolphins and we dive into conversations all about training and reinforcers! Asides from working hands on with dolphins, Rachel has developed an incredible program, from her experiences, which provides advice, tips and guidance for aspiring marine animal trainers. If you have any questions for Rachel, you can find her on socials @tursiteach. If you have feedback or queries for the podcast, you can reach out on socials @trainertalksandtails or via email trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week its just us! We chat through a bunch of questions that we got sent covering a huge array of topics related to the industry! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or for feedback or queries reach out on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Bianca joins us this week where she generously shares so much of her experience in animal training! We chat about training resources, writing a shaping plan, training hurdles and what a training coordinator or consultant really does! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails.

Not one, but two ungulate specialists joined us this week! Vicky and Jess, both from Auckland Zoo, chat all about their primary species, rhino, giraffe and nyala! There share their cooperative care training focuses for all species including important dental work and hoof care. We chat about challenges they face and future training goals! If you have any questions for Vicky or Jess, you can reach out to them on vicky.smith@aucklandzoo.co.nz or jess.burgess@aucklandzoo.co.nz. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Matisse is an absolute professional when it comes to agility training with dogs! We were lucky enough to chat with her all about her passion, from puppy training to agility and her new exciting sheep herding venture. We chat about the importance of using positive reinforcement with dogs and leaving old training techniques in the past. If you have any questions for Matisse you can find her on socials @fitdogfamily. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

For our 30th episode, we were lucky enough to be joined by host of Mothering Wildlife podcast, Elizabeth Johnson! Elizabeth has decades of experience working within the field and uses her podcast platform to chat with other professionals about balancing work life with parenthood. We chat about the common challenges, how management can be supportive and whether her years of animal training experience has transferred into her kids! You can reach Elizabeth on socials @motheringwildlife or via email motheringwildlife@gmail.com. If you have any feedback or queries for the podcast you can reach out on socials @trainertalksandtails or via email trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Tess and Daisy were overjoyed to be joined by the Director of Behavioral Husbandry of Brookfield Zoo, Tim Sullivan. Tim expands on his impressive career within the animal field before diving into the topic of mentorship and the key role it plays in our field. We discuss self-fulfilling prophecies and the impact it can have both positively, and negatively on our training and how to best mitigate it. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback and queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Céser has a huge passion for wildlife and in particular birds and frogs! We chat about his really succesful podcast, Death by Birding, and where his love of frogs has taken him. We also chat all about being a vet student alongside a very unique photographer. If you have any questions for Céser, you can reach out on socials @ceser_on_safari. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Jake shares his experience of being involved in Australia's first successful Komodo Dragon breeding program! We expand on Komodo Dragon husbandry and training! Jake also chats about Symbio Wildlife Park's brand new habitat and the process for designing an exhibit. If you have any questions for Jake, you can reach out to him on socials @jakemeney. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Emily from Skegness Seal Sanctuary in the UK joins us this week! We speak about the process of rescuing and rehabilitating an animal, the challenges that come with it and the success rate with seals and release. Emily also shares her tips for rescue & rehab role and some of her favorite success stories! If you have any questions for Emily you can reach her on socials @keeperemily. If you have any feedback or queries for the podcast you can reach out on @trainertalksandtails or trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week's episode we're joined by Matthew Kettle, long time bird trainer at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, AUS! Matthew shares his journey into the industry and what he has gained from different facilities and bird shows across the globe. We chat about starting Taronga Zoo's famous bird show alongside Steve Martin and mishaps that can occur with free flight birds. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or email us for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

For our first guest of 2024 we were joined by Sea World Australia's Head Vet Dr. Claire Madden. Claire talks us through her j0urney through the industry and how she got to her role now and what it entails. We chat all about how advancements within training have played a huge role in veterinarian care and the importance of talking about mental health as a vet. If you have any questions for Claire you can reach her on socials @drclairemadden. If you have any feedback or queries for the podcast you can reach out @trainertalksandtails or trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Tess and Daisy are back for 2024! Starting off the year with a catch-up episode, where Daisy shares her experience overseas and the details of Seaworld Abu Dhabi whilst Tess has a very special announcement! They also chat about their work goals for 2024 and what is in and what is out! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails and reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We're wrapping up this year and our first 6 months podcasting! Tess and Daisy share their work wins from the year before jumping into a great conversation with Chris Dryburgh.Chris chats about what's involved in the role of a species coordinator for Komodo Dragons and some of the amazing field projects he has been involved in around the world. Chris is also the ASZK president, and he shares the amazing work the society does every year. If you have any questions for Chris, you can reach him via email on cdryburgh@zoo.nsw.gov.au. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com

This week it's just Tess & Daisy as they sit down and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the industry! They chat about topics such as how to get into the industry, applying for jobs, improving engagement with guests and so much more! Combined Tess & Daisy have close to 20 years' experience within the field and share their answers through different experiences. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalkandtails or email for feedback or queries trainertalksandtails@outlook.com

This week, we were lucky enough to be joined by Animal Welfare Expertise founder, Dr. Isabella Clegg. We learn all about the company and the impact it is having on welfare within zoos, aquariums and wild animal populations. Dr. Isabella Clegg generously shares her insights into what she believes good welfare is and how she got to where she is today. If you have any questions for Dr. Isabella Clegg you can reach her on socials @animalwelfareexpertise. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails and reach out for any queries or feedback at trainertalksandtails@outlook.com

Trainer Talks and Tails welcomed Kristyn Plancarte to the podcast this week! Kristyn has built an incredible community across her social media and uses her platform to educate and inspire people all over the world. We touch on this as well as the importance of training and in particular, co-operative care behaviours! Whilst Kristyn is a MetroParks Tacoma employee, she is speaking at an individual capacity and not as a representative for MPT. If you have any questions for Kristyn, you can reach out to her on socials @kp.assionate. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Jacob is one of the marine animal specialists at Seaworld on the Gold Coast and this week he chats in depth about working with polar bears and the cooperative care training they've achieved with the 3 bears. Alongside polar bears, Jacob also works with penguins and seals and talks about enrichment and in particular, things to consider when organizing species specific enrichment. If you have any questions for Jacob, you can reach out to him on socials @jjemerson_wildtraveller or via email jacob.emerson2@gmail.com. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week, Gena Williams joins the girls and chats about how her career transitioned from working with raptors and seals to being a full-time whale researcher. She dives into her current PhD with humpback whales and shares her tips on how to become a researcher. If you have any questions for Gena, you can reach her on email genevieve.williams@uq.edu.au. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Trainer Talks & Tails collaborated with Jon from Rossifari podcast to bring you 4 episodes across the 2 podcasts! Jon shares his animal journey and what lead him to starting his podcast before diving into what he looks for in zoos & aquariums and what facilities should focus on into the future. If you have any questions for Jon, you can reach out to him on socials @rossifari. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Ever wondered what is involved in assist rearing a baby gorilla? Chad generously shares his journey with Mogo Zoo's newest primate edition. We also chat about managing numerous facilities and what that role looks like. If you have any questions for Chad, you can reach him on socials @zookeeper_chad. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week we sat down with 2 of our closest friends to chat about their exciting new business venture, Wildlife Unleashed. Mick & Adele share an incredible passion for wildlife and chat about their pathways into the industry, some of the challenges they have faced and what exciting things to expect in the future for Wildlife Unleashed. If you have any questions for Adele & Mick, you can reach them on socials @wildlifeunleashed_. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

For episode 13, Sarah chatted with us all about the amazing orangutan training that is happening at Auckland Zoo! She focuses on the impressive pre- and post-natal training that has been achieved with their female as well as touching on social dynamics and enriching primates. If you have any questions for Sarah you can reach out to her on socials @sarahtaylorrobinson. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We turn the questions to Tess this week as she shares a day in the life of working with a variety of birds of prey and the training the birds participate in. She also talks all about her love for flying foxes and tips on how to become a wildlife carer. If you have any questions for Tess, you can reach her on socials @tessagrace11. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Stuart runs a hugely successful snake catching business on and around the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. This week we chat with him where he shares his passion for reptiles, his time at Australia Zoo and the importance of snake education within his role. If you have any questions for Stuart, you can reach him on socials @sunshinecoastsnakecatchers. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Danielle joins us to chat all about the incredible training she is participating in with Weribee Open Range Zoo's meerkat mob and lion pride! We discuss wins and challenges with both species PLUS we get an insight into the adorable trio of lion cubs born at Weribee earlier this year. If you have any questions for Danielle, you can reach out on socials @workingwithwildlife. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.