Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance

Animal Welfare

Animal Training

Operant Conditioning

Behavior Management

Animal Behavior

Animal Behavior Management Alliance

Training Techniques

Animal Enrichment

Behavior Change

Shaping Principles

Choice and Control

Leadership

Animal Care

Feedback

Positive Reinforcement

Stimulus Control

Motivation

ABMA

Kelli Meyers

Self-Regulation

The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) strives to spread knowledge throughout the animal care field to help enhance animal care through operant conditioning. Each episode we will discuss a topic in the world of animal care and break down the science of behavior change. To achieve this, the podcast’s host, Shane Gorbett, will interview fellow animal care professionals and experts from acros... more

62 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	82	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Pets & AnimalsKids & Family

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Latest Episodes

82: Building Resiliency in Animals with Heidi Hellmuth, ABMA Founder

This episode Heidi Hellmuth, an ABMA founder, provides some great learning and advice for building resiliency, or coping skills, with animals. This podcast is a companion to Heidi’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Buildi... more

28 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 6 min

81: The Behaviors of Training the Trainers with Megan Sanders, BehaviorWorks

This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode Megan Sanders, BehaviorWorks, discusses the behaviors of training the trainers and advice on coaching people through the sc... more

14 Aug 2026 • 1 hr 9 min • Most popular

80: Creating Reinforcing and Challenging Environments with Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care

This episode Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care, discusses the importance of and advice for creating reinforcing and challenging environments for animals. Gerry starts the podcast by detailing his journey and the evolution of the Dublin Zoo and th... more

31 Jul 2026 • 1 hr 13 min

79: Creating Dialogue when Training with Multiple Trainers with Amy Schilz, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes

This episode Amy Schilz, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes, provides some great learning and advice for creating a three way dialogue when training with multiple trainers. This podcast is a compani... more

10 Jul 2026 • 59 min

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Recent Guests

Megan Sanders

BehaviorWorks practitioner and mentor to ABMA members

BehaviorWorks

Episode: 81: The Behaviors of Training the Trainers with Megan Sanders, BehaviorWorks

Gerry Creighton

Founder of Global Elephant Care

Global Elephant Care

Episode: 80: Creating Reinforcing and Challenging Environments with Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care

Amy Schilz

Director of the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Episode: 79: Creating Dialogue when Training with Multiple Trainers with Amy Schilz, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes

SK Ivkovich

Assistant Director of Animal Care and Training at Dolphin Research Center

Dolphin Research Center

Episode: 78: Training Social Animals in a Group with One Trainer with SK Ivkovich, Dolphin Research Center

Brett Williams

Presenter on day one, ambassador snake training

North Carolina Zoo

Episode: 77: Recap of the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Joint Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States with Tzu Ying Lee, Tom Morath, & Brett Williams

Tzu Ying Lee

Traveler and presenter on voluntary tethering for Asian elephants

Mandai Wildlife Group

Episode: 77: Recap of the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Joint Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States with Tzu Ying Lee, Tom Morath, & Brett Williams

Tom Morath

IAATE member and podcast host with birds of prey focus

Hawk Conservancy Trust

Episode: 77: Recap of the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Joint Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States with Tzu Ying Lee, Tom Morath, & Brett Williams

Chris Jenkins

Executive Director at Virginia Zoo (Norfolk)

Virginia Zoo

Episode: 76: The Behaviors of Partnering for Success - A Live Panel Recording from the ABMA-IAATE 2026 Annual Conference

Cinnamon Eubanks

General Curator at Saint Louis Zoo Forest Park Campus

Saint Louis Zoo

Episode: 76: The Behaviors of Partnering for Success - A Live Panel Recording from the ABMA-IAATE 2026 Annual Conference

Host

Shane Gorbett

Host of Animal Behavior Conversations and ABMA board member

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 62 ratings

Thanks for the continued Learning
Thanks for always discussing the most up to date info and specifically for the conference recap. Since I couldn’t be at this years conference the recap was a perfect way to stay connected. Thank you
Apple Podcasts
5
Bon Jovi and ABMA fan
Israel3 months ago
5/5
Great podcast all around. Love the content, guests, and host!
Apple Podcasts
5
jakebelair
United States5 months ago
Not bad
This is pretty good for a podcast!😉
Apple Podcasts
4
Brooke LOVE😉🫶🏻
United States2 years ago
Excellent!
A great podcast filled with great info. Factual science based, and listener friendly.
Apple Podcasts
5
AoShire
United States2 years ago
My new favorite!
I can’t get enough of this podcast! I work with people and their dogs so I DONT work w marine or zoo animals but this podcast has definitely upped my training game! Each episode has given me LOADS to think about and ways to be a better coach to the people and dogs I work with!
Apple Podcasts
5
trishiriye
United States3 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience praises the host's depth and the cross-podcast resources mentioned.

Listeners appreciate the practical, science-based guidance for enrichment and training.

Guests bring wide zoo and animal welfare expertise that translates well to practice.

The content is actionable for both early-career and senior staff in animal care.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#159	United States/Kids & Family/Pets & Animals
Apple Podcasts	#155	Canada/Kids & Family/Pets & Animals
Apple Podcasts	#43	Italy/Kids & Family/Pets & Animals
Apple Podcasts	#249	Australia/Kids & Family/Pets & Animals
Apple Podcasts	#16	Indonesia/Kids & Family/Pets & Animals
Apple Podcasts	#24	United Arab Emirates/Kids & Family/Pets & Animals

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

80: Creating Reinforcing and Challenging Environments with Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care

Q: During your 2024 ABMA Conference, one of your discussion points stuck with me was borrowing animals from their environments for training. Can you discuss what you mean by that idea?

Space is essential, but the quality of space matters most; elephants need opportunities to engage with meaningful challenges and cognitive tasks, not just large empty areas. By designing environments that invite exploration and decision-making, we borrow moments from the animal's natural behavior and redirect training into everyday life, increasing welfare and voluntary cooperation during management and veterinary procedures.

79: Creating Dialogue when Training with Multiple Trainers with Amy Schilz, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes

Q: What are the three parties in a session with multiple trainers and how does each voice contribute?

The three voices are the trainer at the head, the trainer at the foot, and the animal. The head trainer cues a behavior or tool, the foot trainer interprets the animal's foot or mouth-level signals and selects the appropriate tool, and the animal's signals determine whether to proceed or adjust. This creates a dialogue where each party's input helps shape the next step.

72: Getting "Unstuck" in Training with Ryan Cartlidge, Animal Training Academy (ATA)

Q: Can you talk through the process? Where is the thinking going when you are trying to get unstuck?

The process involves understanding that there isn't a single definition for being stuck and it requires building skills and recognizing the environmental factors at play.

71: The Behaviors of a Unified and Supportive Team - Part 2 with Dave O'Connell, Bearizona

Q: What advice do you have for people on how to approach their leadership with a suggestion?

Build a rapport and understand the goals of your supervisors to present suggestions effectively.

71: The Behaviors of a Unified and Supportive Team - Part 2 with Dave O'Connell, Bearizona

Q: What behaviors help people on a team disagree well with each other to be productive towards a goal?

Recognize and appreciate differences, while finding common ground and working towards shared objectives.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on animal behavior, training, enrichment, welfare, and practical applications of operant conditioning in zoos and sanctuaries. Across episodes, listeners hear from wildlife professionals about designing habitats, humane training approaches, multi-trainer collaboration, and leadership practices that improve animal care and team dynamics. A standout throughline is sharing actionable techniques and systems—from enrichment planning and free-operant methods to group training and cross-institution collaboration—delivered through real-world case studies and guest expertise.

Noteworthy is the emphasis on humane, low-stress practices, transparency with audiences, and bridging theory with hands-on implementation. The format often f... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Animal Training Academy
2. Zoo Logic
3. The Bitey End of the Dog
4. Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples
5. Giggly Squad

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 82 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Megan Sanders
2. Gerry Creighton
3. Amy Schilz
4. SK Ivkovich
5. Brett Williams
6. Tzu Ying Lee
7. Tom Morath
8. Chris Jenkins

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