Zoo-notable

Dave Johnson is a retired-zookeeper-turned-conservation-hero. His conservation organization Katie Adamson Conservation Fund helps support conservation projects all over the world from snow leopards in Nepal and jaguars in Brazil, to elephants in Asia and rhinos in Africa. Today, he talks about his trips and partnerships to help zookeepers find even more purpose and rejuvenation in their work by involving them in his conservation trips.Learn more about Dave and his work at Katie Adamson Conservation Fund. Katie's Night is August 23.

For Zoo Lovers Day, I delve into a special memoir from St. Louis Zoo's CEO and President, Jeffery Bonner, PhD. I loved the stories Jeff shares about working in a zoo, the conservation projects, the animals, and how zoos help save species. I hope you enjoy the tidbits as much as I did.Mentioned in this Zoo-notable: Flight of the Hummingbird

Want to improve your communication skills, make a stronger impact on the lives of the people around you, and develop empathy and understanding of others' perspectives? The best skill you can develop to achieve all that is listening.You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy is one of the most influential books I read in 2024, now I'm revisiting it to share the big ideas that changed the way I think and interact with others. In fact, it's so relevant and powerful, I couldn't fit it into one episode, so we're breaking it into 2 parts.This week we discuss Shifting vs. Supporting Responses, Bragging Ain't All That, and Listening to Yourself.Grab a copy of the book yourself or find a copy at your local library.

Want to improve your communication skills, make a stronger impact on the lives of the people around you, and develop empathy and understanding of others' perspectives? The best skill you can develop to achieve all that is listening.You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy is one of the most influential books I read in 2024, now I'm revisiting it to share the big ideas that changed the way I think and interact with others. In fact, it's so relevant and powerful, I couldn't fit it into one episode, so we're breaking it into 2 parts.This week we discuss What Listening Is, How to Make Anyone Interesting, Thoughtful Listening, Keep Your Mind on the Conversation, and Listening to Opposing Views. Grab a copy of the book yourself or find a copy at your local library.Related Zoo-notables: I Never Thought of It That WayAtlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

Who else could I possibly bring on for International Women's Day than Sabrina Brando? Sabrina is the founder of Animal Concepts, an international organization that helps those in the animal care field understand animal wellbeing, human wellbeing, and planetary wellbeing. Everything is interconnected, and Sabrina shares some of her experience and wisdom with all of us in this special interview.Learn more about Animal Concepts through this link. Try Heroic for 14-days free through this link.

In this remarkable story, we get all the warm fuzzy feelings about friendship, kindness, and finding home. A short and sweet episode for a short and sweet book. I highly recommend reading it, but also watching the short animated film on AppleTV.Grab your copy here.

Steve Irwin was an inspirational figure to thousands of zookeepers and conservationists. But in Steve and Me, we get a rare and insightful look at the man, the legend, the Crocodile Hunter, from the one person who knew him best, his loving wife Terri. A beautiful tribute to a great man. If you want to read the book yourself, here are some ways to get a hold of it-Local BookstoreThriftBooks

Our first required reading for the leadership development course I'm taking is a doozie-- Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute.I love the stories within the story, and the insight I received, eye-opening and empowering ideas that I can't wait to share with you, mostly to remind ME about keeping an outward mindset.Want more?Check out Leadership and Self-Deception onBookshop and buy local, or downloadLibby and start listening to amazing books.Related Zoo-notablesRadical Candor by Kim ScottMindset by Carol DweckI Never Thought of It That Way by Monica Guzman

For 2/2, I thought it'd be fun to catch up with my favorite, VERY prolific author, Miranda Levi, to check in with her new(ish) book The Sea Withdrew, the second in the Fountain of Youth series. Miranda has several pen names, including Isla Watts, which she writes the Mythiverse series, and Lorelai Hamilton, her pen name for her tarot books, including one of my all time favorites, Tarot Tales. We talk all things books, including her publishing company Rainbow Quartz, as well as writing. Enjoy this special sequel interview about sequel books from an amazing author!

What do you get when you "Care Personally" and still "Challenge Directly"? You get Radical Candor, the most effective way to interact and communicate with your teammates. This book was mind-blowing, and I can't wait to get my hands on my own copy! Get one for yourself! We'll discuss what Radical Candor is and what it means, Manipulative Insincerity, Obnoxious Aggression, and Ruinous Empathy as other communication methods, being clear and making sure our learners understand, and giving a damn about ourselves.

January 20 is Penguin Awareness Day, so I sat down with Katie Propp of Penguin International to discuss all things penguins. We discuss the charisma of penguins, conservation, and fun activities YOU can engage in to learn more about penguins, get involved, and protect these charismatic critters! Katie is one of the most enthusiastic conservationists I know. Her passion is obvious, and contagious. A perfect guest for this special Tell Me a Story. Learn more about Penguins International, and get involved!

Karen Pryor was a pioneer in modern positive reinforcement animal training practices. She was a mentor to thousands of trainers, whether they met her in person or just knew of her from her dozens of books, courses, and programs. If you know clicker training, you have Karen to thank. Karen passed away at the age of 92 on January 4, 2025. She will be greatly missed but her legacy will live on with every person who takes on the mantle of caring for animals. I'm honoring Karen today with a discussion of her book On Behavior, a collection of essays and articles from her decades of teaching others the way of positive reinforcement training. Listen to related Zoo-notables: Don't Shoot the Dog and Lads Before the Wind Want a copy of Karen's books? Check out Karen Pryor Academy. Connect with other animal trainers at ClickerExpo (January 24-25 online)

When Macdonald's father passed away, she was devastated. An experienced falconer she'd never before been tempted to train a goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk's fierce and feral temperament mirrored her own. Resolving to raise one of the creatures as a means to cope with her loss, MacDonald adopts Mabel and turns to the guidance of the Once and Future King author TH White's chronicle The Goshawk to begin her challenging endeavor. Projecting herself “in the hawk's wild mind to tame her” tested the limits of Helen's humanity and changed her life… Love this Zoo-notable? Grab the book! Local Library Download Libby and listen for free Grab your own copy, support local bookstores

What do Mozart, Picasso, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters all have in common? That they are all considered masters of their field. They have all also been called "talented." Let's explore the myth of talent and how you can achieve greatness in your field with Bounce by Matthew Syed. A great way to kick off the new year, and Season 4 of Zoo-notable! Want to check the book out yourself? Buy from your local bookstore Check it out at your local library Download Libby and start listening to it today, FREE

It's one of my favorite times of year, National Novel Writing Month (also called NaNoWriMo), and to celebrate and honor all my writing friends, I thought we could delve into what it takes to be a Healthy Writer, from one of the most prolific authors I know, Joanna Penn. We'll discuss stress in our dream job, realizing and getting in tune with our cycles, loneliness, and lessons from yoga and running. If you would like to learn more about Healthy Writer, or check out other books by Joanna Penn, visit her site at https://www.thecreativepenn.com/books/

I was very hopeful that we would be electing our first woman President this election, and I was excited it would be Kamala Harris. I read her memoir from her time before becoming the first woman Vice President, The Truths We Hold, and was inspired and empowered by her accomplishments. Today we discuss some of Kamala's insightful lessons-- Embracing the Mundane, Words Matter, Taking Perspective, Show the Math, and Breaking Glass Ceilings. I may not have experienced what I had hoped for, but I am still inspired by Kamala Harris to roll up my sleeves, and do the hard work. Want to check it out for yourself? Click here

I got the chance to sit down and chat with Ann Littlewood, one of my favorite authors, who got me interested in mysteries. She wrote Night Kill, Did Not Survive, and Endangered, murder mysteries set in a zoo. We discuss a lot of the changes from when Ann was a zookeeper, to when Iris Oakley, the main protagonist of the series, was starring in her role as murder solver and zookeeper, to how zoos function today. Grab your copies of Night Kill, Did Not Survive, and Endangered today. Listen to them on Libby. And don't forget to let your voice be heard. Go out and VOTE!

"After forming an intense bond with Natasha, a wolf cub she raised as part of her undergraduate research, Renée Askins was inspired to found the Wolf Fund. As head of this grassroots organization, she made it her goal to restore wolves to Yellowstone National Park, where they had been eradicated by man over seventy years before. In this intimate account, Askinsrecounts her courageous fifteen-year campaign, wrangling along the way with Western ranchers and their political allies in Washington, enduring death threats, and surviving the anguish of illegal wolf slayings to ensure that her dream of restoring Yellowstone's ecological balance would one day be realized. Told in powerful, first-person narrative, Shadow Mountain is the awe-inspiring story of her mission and her impassioned meditation on our connection to the wild." To honor Wolf Awareness Week, I delve into this memoir of the founder of Wolf Fund, the organization that was integral to the wolves returning to the wild in Yellowstone and Idaho in 1994-1996. More than a conservation story, Shadow Mountain is a tale of compassion and empathy for wolves, communities, and everyone in-between. Find a copy for yourself at Amazon

"Mindsets are just beliefs. They're powerful beliefs, but they're just something in your mind, and you can change your mind.” - Carol Dweck, Mindset Today we're discussing a topic that has been a hot button issue for me since probably March or so: The 2 Mindsets-- The Fixed Mindset and the Growth Mindset, and how they affect us, and how we can adopt a more productive and helpful growth mindset. I read this book to help prepare for AAZK national conference in Omaha, where I'll be presenting a workshop on developing a growth mindset. If you want to learn more about AAZK, click the link and perhaps I'll see you in Omaha! Check out the book for yourself, Mindset by Carol Dweck.

How do winning friends help us influence our well-being and our career? Well, by taking our relationships to the penthouse, we can foster connections that can enrich our lives and help us change the world. It's Not Just Who You Know by Tommy Spaulding helps explain why friendships are important, and how to develop lasting, authentic connections through empathy, humility, and vulnerability. Like this Zoo-notable? Check it out on Libro.fm Want to read other books by Tommy Spaulding: The Gift of Influence The Heart-Led Leader

To Save a Starfish is a wonderful workbook by Jennifer Blough to help animal care professionals identify compassion fatigue in their lives, discover techniques that will help combat burnout, and implement them. This book is only available on Amazon (I usually prefer to promote local sources like libraries and local bookstores), but if you are struggling with your mental health, this may be a terrific resource.

I'm kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month with my #1 recommended book and resource for strengthening our brains and relieving stress-- Stress Less, Accomplish More is by the Ziva Technique founder Emily Fletcher. We'll cover topics such as how meditation is like station training for our brains (lessons from a mob of meerkats), how NOT to train our brains, the "I'll be happy when" syndrome, and how obstacles and rough times are actually good for us. If this Zoo-notable piqued your interest, check out the book for yourself- Library or Local Bookstore.

We're closing out Earth Month and celebrating Earth Day with a special book on how we can reduce our carbon footprint: How Bad Are Bananas by Mike Berners-Lee. I personally loved how the author doesn't push us to do EVERYTHING in the book, just giving us information and empowering US to make the choices that are right for each one. We'll discuss the Rebound Effect, how our health impacts the environment, and ways we can do what we can while taking care of ourselves. Want to check out the book yourself? Find your local library Check out the website

As overdevelopment and sea level rise threaten the town of Montauk, an unexpected legacy grants the fate of its last undeveloped parcel to Clancy Frederics, an outsider scarred by his orphaned childhood. Everyone in town has a stake: Julienne, an environmentalist and painter fighting to save the landscape that inspires her art; Theresa, a bartender whose trailer park home is jeopardized by coastal erosion; and Molly and Billy, who are struggling to hold out against pressure to sell their home. Join me as I sit down to discuss The Start Beauty of Last Things with author Celine Keating, in my first Cli-Fi (climate fiction) book on Zoo-notable. Want to read the book yourself? Buy it from your local bookstore Find it at your library

What happens when science-fiction humor author Douglas Adams takes biologist Mark Carwardine on adventures all over the world to experience some of the rarest and most endangered species on earth? We get one of my favorite books on endangered species, Last Chance to See. To celebrate Earth Month, I'm dedicating all my episodes to environmental books. If you are a fan of Douglas Adams, or want to read an entertaining account of a serious subject matter, Last Chance to See is the perfect book for you.

We're closing out Women's "Empowerment" Month with a banger-- an interview with author, life coach, and wonderful mentor Laurie Buchanan, author of Note to Self, a Seven-Step Path to Gratitude and Growth. We discuss her book and using color (the energy and feeling of color) to help us, along with breathing, and affirmations. Check out Laurie's work, find a copy of her books at your local bookstore, listen to the Sean MacPherson series on audio (while supporting your local bookstore), or check it out at your local libary.

It's a Flashback day on Zoo-notable as I discuss a book from 2008, What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage by Amy Sutherland. An oldie but a goodie. We'll talk about animal training, but how it pertains to US, personally-- how to change our behavior, how to use animal training methods, why to avoid punishment, and why we should NEVER take our healthy habits for granted (ie- always reinforce them!). Want more Zoo-notable goodness, help support ZooFit, and connect with me in a unique fun way? Join the ZooFit Tribe on Patreon. One lucky patron will win a copy of What Shamu Taught Me. Related Zoo-notables: Eye of the Trainer with Ken Ramirez Zoomility by Dr. Grey Stafford

Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown is such an incredible book, I couldn't contain it to one single episode. So, here's part 2 of ways we can connect better through understanding our emotions. There are a ton of resources, but mainly, if you want more from Brené Brown, visit her website at brenebrown.com. There is also a self-compassion test you can take and more resources at self-compassion.org. Related Zoo-notables include Part One of Atlas of the Heart as well as Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown, I Never Thought of It That Way by Monica Guzman, and Love 2.0 by Barbara Fredrickson. Zoo-notable is a passion project of ZooFit, where we learn to take better care of ourselves so we can take better care of the animals and the world. When we feel better, we can do better. If you like what we are doing, consider joining the ZooFit Pride on Patreon. Get more insights with bonus Big Ideas, sneak peaks at future projects, and connect with me and other like-minded ZooFitters.

Brené Brown is one of my heroes, bordering on idol for me. And this book took my breath away. I'll definitely return to it time after time to help me understand and map out my own emotions and allow myself grace and vulnerability to feel. We're celebrating women all month, and kicking off with a doozie, so return next week as we continue our deep dive into Atlas of the Heart Join the ZooFit Pride on Patreon and stay up to date by joining my newsletter

Cindy is a special heroine of mine, getting involved with Polar Bears International and AAZK's Trees for You and Me program to help the furry loves of her life, polar bears, and combat climate change. She came up with the concept of Party for Polar Bears at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium as a fundraiser with their local AAZK chapter. Their success has led to raising over $46,000 for conservation. Sitting down with Cindy to share her story is such a treat, and with International Polar Bear Day right around the corner (February 27), you have time to Party for a GREAT cause, and learn ways you can make a big difference. Learn more about Polar Bears International Climate Alliance Program Trees for You and Me And support Party for Polar Bears-- February 29, bid on items in the auction, have fun with the Polar Bear Crawl in Proctor, or donate to the cause!

Animal Allies- 15 Amazing Women in Wildlife Research is perfect for younger audiences and inspiring them to go for their dreams. Whether studying ants, turtles, big cats, or whales, these women show integrity, passion, grit, and resilience in their field. Check out a copy of Animal Allies at your local library or grab a copy for yourself or someone you know. Check out some of these related Zoo-notables: All We Can Save Blue Mind by Wallace J Nichols Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology by Stephanie Schuttler Support ZooFit and Zoo-notable by signing up for my newsletter at ZooFit, or joining my Pride on Patreon. Get bonus material, sneak peaks at my projects, and chances to win cool prizes.

Happy Lunar New Year to everyone, and welcome to the Year of the Dragon. I can't wait to share today's book, How to Train Your Dragon by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (translated by Cressida Cowell). It's very different from the movie, and worth a listen to the audio book, which you can get for free on Libby . It's a fun read, and has some poignant lessons that animal trainers, in particular, I think will get a kick out of. If you'd like a chance to win a copy of How to Train Your Dragon, AND support ZooFit/Zoo-notable, AND receive bonus material or sneak peaks at future projects, AND be a part of something awesome and amazing, join ZooFit Pride on Patreon.

Let's get (un)comfortable discussing racism in this very special discussion on the book Dear White Women by Sara Blanchard and Misasha Suzuki Graham. It was a real eye-opener, and touches on very important issues, so I encourage everyone to read it (not just White Women). Check it out for yourself- at your local library or grab a copy for yourself (highly recommended so you can reference again and again) Related Zoo-notables, special Black History Month episodes: Wangari Maathai Wangari Maathai Unbowed All We Can Save Join Patreon and the ZooFit Pride for bonuses and more Big Ideas!

Today, I welcome Ardelle Holden, 4-time published author of mysteries (one of my favorite genres to read to just kick back and get away from it all). We're discussing her upcoming book,Killing Imaginary Friends, Book One of the Oliver Frampton Mystery Series. If you like suspenseful, emotional, coming-of-age angst, you'll love Ardelle's gripping story of Olly's imaginary friends who torment and frustrate his life until, at twenty, he discovers what really happened when he was eight.He must solve the mystery behind their death or disappearance, but after all these years, the trail is bone cold. Interested in reading? Nab a copy for yourself January 30 on Amazon. Follow Ardelle online and find out more about her other books.

This week's book is one of those unique books that while I found some decent Big Ideas, I mostly felt it was the type of book that I read so you don't have to. I discuss anthropomorphism, emotions in zoo animals, and animals as virtuous guides. If you want to learn more about the Emotional Lives of Animals, check out the book from your local library or listen to it on Libby App (free library audio book app). Related Zoo-notables: I Never Thought of It That Way Braving the Wilderness Lads Before the Wind Support ZooFit: join my newsletter and Patreon

How can being a better writer help us be better zookeepers, better conservationists, or just improve our quality of life, help us accomplish our goals and dreams, and change the world? Delve into the Miracle Morning for Writers to find out how we can use affirmations to beat Imposter Syndrome, change our mindset around mornings, and create mini-habits that make a big difference. Want to check out the Miracle Morning series yourself? Find a title that speaks to you and your goals for this year? Find your Miracle Morning⁠ here⁠. Join the ZooFit Pride online at ⁠Patreon⁠. Support ZooFit and all our endeavors, receive bonus material, and win cool ZooFit/Zoo-notable prizes.

For Season 4 premiere, I'm revisiting Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod (listen to the very first Zoo-notable I ever did, see how much I've changed...). Hal came out with an updated and extended version of his life-changing book, so I decided it was a perfect opportunity to delve into the wonderful program Hal has created, and how I've made it my own. Check out Miracle Morning for yourself, and make 2024 the best year ever, one morning at a time! Buy the book here. Other related Zoo-notables that may interest you: Rethinking Positive Thinking by Gabrielle Oettingen Atomic Habits by James Clear Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain ZooFit is reviving our Patreon- get bonus Big Ideas and other extras throughout the month, plus be put in a drawing to win a copy of one of the Zoo-notable books from the month. Join the ZooFit Pride for perks and support ZooFit to make 2024 the best we can be!

December 3 is World Coati Day. So I sat down with Colby Franz of World Coati Day to discuss this incredible animal! We need coatis and coatis need us. Even though they are not a mega-fauna, this charismatic creature is worth our attention. Want to learn more? Connect with World Coati Day online on their website (and sign up for their newletter to get adorable animal photos delivered to your inbox), Facebook , and Instagram. And thank you to all the zoos celebrating World Coati Day, especially: Carolina Tiger Rescue Brevard Zoo Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

In my season finale, I share with you all my favorite books from 2023. I read more than 60 books this year, and shared ideas from 30 of them over the past year. 10. Geekerella/Once Upon a Con Series 9. A Dog Called Hope 8. Thanks, Carissa, for Ruining My Life 7. Raised by the Zoo 6. Wisdom From a Humble Jellyfish 5. Odder 4. Man's Search for Meaning 3. It Takes What It Takes 2. High Five Habit 1. I Never Thought of It That Way Check out these Zoo-notables and more, and I'll catch up with you all in January, 2024!

It was such an immense pleasure to sit down with one of my animal care heroes, Gerry Creighton, the former operations manager at Dublin Zoo and currently consultant of Global Elephant Care, a company he founded to help zoos promote excellent welfare for elephants and other animals. This guy is the real deal, someone who has witnessed firsthand the evolution of Dublin Zoo from Victorian menagerie to the world class facility it is, and continues to help its progress. When I saw Gerry had written a book, I- COULD NOT WAIT to get my hands on it, and folks, the book does not disappoint. We sat down to discuss his book, how far zoos have really come, and how far we have yet to go. Raised by the Zoo is available on Amazon for US residents on December 7, so reserve your copy today!

This week is Orangutan Caring Week (celebrate Orange is for Orangutans on the Wednesday of OCW, which is November 15th). I read a cute little book called Love the Orangutan by Stefan Casta and Anna Viktorson, which I picked up, believe it or not, at IKEA. It's a really sweet book, sharing interesting facts about orangutans, and it's illustrated very well. Reading about orangutans reminded me of my time working in the primate unit and getting the chance to help with the orangutans. It was very special, and then an orangutan spit in my face. This Telling My Story shows what animal trainers do when animals "misbehave"-- and how we can apply a similar response to our own lives when we don't show up as our best selves, when we make mistakes.

"As hard as the craft of writing is, the greatest challenges writers face are often within ourselves. Comparison, self-doubt, isolation, and other internal struggles can derail a writer's progress, at any stage in the writing life. Author, essayist, and speaker William Kenower knows these struggles first-hand, and hears them from writers everywhere he teaches and appears. In this candid and encouraging book, he dismantles the myth that some writers have talent and others don't, and shares relatable stories, wisdom, and best practices for reengaging with our passion, following our curiosity, and staying connected to what matters most.If you've ever wondered whether you're "really" a writer, or should retreat to a safer, more conventional path, this enlightening and accepting book will spark renewed purpose and joy on your writing journey." Happy NaNoWriMo, everyone (my writing friends know what I'm talking about!). I was very excited to sit down with just an incredible writing life coach, and mentor, Bill Kenower, author of Everyone Has What It Takes. We discuss many topics that can block us as writers, but find the link to just about any profession as well. In my interview, I even got to practice some of Bill's expert advice, dealing with a learning opportunity (NOT a failure), and discuss rejection, getting in "mood" and "flow" for writing, comparing ourselves to others, and having what it takes. Bill is a great coach, a wonderful speaker and storyteller! If you like this Zoo-notable, check Bill out on his website, and grab a copy of Everyone Has What It Takes for yourself. You'll thank me, I promise!

You ever find yourself procrastinating? Well then, my friend, it's time to Eat That Frog!! Brian Tracy gives us 21 good reasons to figure out the most important work for your life and day and get on it already. Big Ideas include Setting the Table for Success (planning and the 10 goals list), Visualizing Who You Want to Be, the ABCDE Method, Identify What is IN YOU that holds you back, and Thinking Positive. If you like this Zoo-notable, please share and leave a review. You may also be interested in these related Zoo-notables: Miracle Morning and Miracle Equation by Hal Elrod Rethinking Positive Thinking by Gabriele Oettingen Superhuman by Habit As always, leave me a comment on ZooFit.net to let me know your thoughts, ideas, and other questions.

As we approach Halloween, I thought the topic of grit might be appropriate, and how we can gain a little more resilience, tenacity, and initiative in our lives. I discuss big ideas like learning grit, rejection and failure help us succeed, minding the gap between effort and success, developing a growth mindset (becoming more like bamboo), and helping others helps us stay gritty. If you liked this Zoo-notable, you can check out the book for yourself. Want to see how powerful grit can be? Check out Chris Beaven's website for his DAILY art (over 10 years without a missed day!). Like this book on Grit? You might like these other Zoo-notables as well: Shannon McKinney from GRAZE Wangari Maathai's Unbowed It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Mowad

How do you reduce the gap between the life you live now and the life you want? How can choosing our response be our one truest freedom that no one on earth can take away? These profound questions have helped guide me for the past 4 years, and they are thanks to a Nazi concentration camp survivor and psychiatrist who developed Logotherapy, Viktor E. Frankl and his amazing book Man's Search for Meaning. I learned about Frankl and his principles through my Optimize Coaching program (now called Heroic). You can check it out, sign up for Premium or Coaching, both are incredibly affordable for the life-changing experience offered! Find the book: Your Local Library, Buy Online (support local bookstores!) Connect with me at ZooFit.net to let me know what you thought of this episode and for more content through blogs, newsletters, and events

I love it when I get to catch up with amazing friends while also discussing their amazing stories. Miranda Levi is a prolific author with three novels (Tear in Time, From a Youth a Fountain Did Flow, and Mo(ther) Na(ture))and a book of poetry (In Orion's Hands) out already, and isn't slowing down anytime soon. She sat down with me to discuss her latest project, Mo(ther) Na(ture), and discuss our writing process and life lessons we learned together. MEMORIES! Want to connect with Miranda and get a copy of MoNa yourself? Check her out on social media: Website Instagram Facebook Nab the book yourself

What is the most important behavior to teach an animal? For me, when working with dolphins, it was the "target". Teach an animal to touch a target and the sky's the limit to training other behaviors. Working with Thor, a bottlenose dolphin, and teaching him and other dolphins to perform a vertical spin jump helped me learn the value of a target behavior-- the one thing that will propel my well-being forward. What is your "target" behavior? We'll discuss some options like sleep, drinking water, or celebration as the foundation upon which the rest of your self-care program will stand. Connect with me at ZooFit, and learn more ways to feel better, so we can do better by training positive!

GRAZE (Growing Resiliency in Aquarium and Zoo Employees) is an amazing organization dedicated to helping animal care professionals maintain their mental health and promote strategies for staying resilient in a stressful and often chaotic world. Whenever I talk to Shannon, we tend to geek out about treating ourselves more like the animals in our care, and today is no different. It's a FANTASTIC conversation, something for everyone. Want to connect with GRAZE? Check them out-- they offer group support, classes, certifications, and more-- https://zoomentalhealthsupport.com to sign up for their newsletter and learn more. Connect with me at ZooFit, too to stay connected and learn how when we feel better, we can do better!

I love chatting with my published author friends, but this was an especially wonderful treat, sitting down with author Barbara Wolf Terao to discuss her memoir Reconfigured. Barbara met on the gorgeous Whidbey Island as both of us started on our journeys towards writing our stories. She's completed hers, and honored me with the chance to read the book, which is a moving, uplifting, and just overall well-written and incredible story of life. We talk about the writing process and getting your story out there, being advocates to your own care, and finding peace and getting centered (Nam Myoho Renge Kyo). If you are interested in getting your own copy of Reconfigured, visit Bookshop (support your local bookstore) or She Writes Press. Learn how to get your story out to your audience at She Writes Press

To celebrate National Wildlife Day on September 4, I pulled out this fun book about leadership, titled Wisdom from the Wild: Nine Unbreakable Laws of Leadership from the Animal Kingdom, by Julie C. Henry. I recommend this book to anyone in a leadership role, or who WANTS to be in a leadership role, or thinks they may be put in a leadership role. We focus on five of the nine "laws" because I feel they are important not just for leaders, but anyone looking to improve their life, their work, or their relationships with others. If you enjoyed this Zoo-notable, or want to check the book out for yourself, you may want to see if your local zoo has a copy, or support your local bookstore through Bookshop. And as always, connect with me at ZooFit.net to share your ideas, thoughts, and stories! We grow stronger when we grow together.

In this special Telling My Story episode of Zoo-notable, I share the origins of ZooFit, and sharing this program with others. Palm oil has become a "nope food" for me, specifically because of my time working with elephants. To honor Asian elephant Awareness Month, I'm closing this month's Zoo-notable with my story of Bamboo, the elephant, and my connection with visitors and conservation messages. What is ONE THING you can change to have a better impact on an animal you love dearly? Ride your bike for polar bears? Cut out plastic for sea turtles? Eliminate palm oil from your diet for elephants? Take better care of yourself and have a positive impact on the planet. Start feeling better so we can do better. Today, tomorrow, and forever. And if you are in Honolulu this week-- check out Brews for the Zoo at Aloha Beer Company on August 31. They have a special Indian Elephant Pale Ale in honor of Mari and Vaigai, the two elephants I work with nowadays at Honolulu Zoo. Check it out! Want to share your story? Want to give me thoughts on mine? Or recommend a book? Connect with me at ZooFit!