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Artwork for The Deal with Animals with Marika S. Bell

The Deal with Animals with Marika S. Bell

Marika S. Bell
Animal Welfare
Animal Communication
Dog Training
Animal Behavior
Dogs
Animal Advocacy
Human-Animal Connection
Dog Behavior
Chickens
Sex and Animals
Animal Reproduction
Human Intervention
Aggression
Emotional Connection
Animal Consciousness
Mother Cow
Ethics
Captivity
Predation Behavior
Veganism

Humans interact with animals every day of our lives: diet, wildlife, clothes and even medicines, are all intersections we often don’t think about. This is a podcast about the interactions and connections between humans and non-human animals. Our mission is to make research more accessible to the public while sharing the voices and lived experience of our human connection with animals.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes173Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Deal with Animals with Marika S. Bell

Latest Episodes

Fall Special! Part 1: Uncharismatic Species

The overlooked, forgotten, and culturally dismissed animals, plants, and microbes that have shaped human history in ways we rarely notice. We explore how charisma (or its absence) is culturally constructed... more

Episode 8 of Series 16: The Captivity Conversation- Transcript

Drawing on his experience working both inside zoos and as a policy advocate, Chris argues that while captivity may have a limited role in species recovery, modern zoos often fall short ... more

Episode 7/8 of Series 16 : The Captivity Conversation - Transcript

Maddy describes multispecies design as moving beyond human-centered design to consider how products, systems, and services affect non-human lives. We discuss sanctuaries as “safe bu... more

Episode 7 of Series 16: The Captivity Conversation- Transcript

Dogs live under profound human control and their wellbeing depends on how we understand their agency, sensory world, and autonomy. This conversation asks us to observe our dogs like eth... more

Episode 6 of Series 16: The Captivity Conversation- Transcript

Victoria Stilwell joins me to talk about how we shape dogs’ lives through training, communication, and the choices that determine whether they feel safe, understood, and able to express ... more

Episode 5 looks outward: how to apply the psychology of eating animals, behaviour‑change research, and cross‑disciplinary insights to build a more effective, culturally aware, globally relevant animal‑advocacy movement. The episode argues that progre... more

Episode 4 examines the tension and opportunity where animal-advocacy goals and research on the psychology of eating animals overlap, drawing on conversations from the PHAIR conference. Researchers and advocates discuss credibility, bias, conflicts of... more

Episode 3 shifts from frustration to forward motion. This episode looks at the strategies that genuinely help people change — not the ones we wish worked, but the ones supported by evidence. Researchers and advocates unpack how small, well‑designed i... more

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Recent Guests

Harry Croft
Humboldt Research Fellow in Global Environmental History and Environmental Humanities
Universität Augsburg
Episode: 155. What have shipworms done for me lately? Or Uncharisma and The Politics of Attention with Historians, Harry Croft and Kate Stevens (Fall Special part 1)
Kate Stevens
Historian
University of Waikato
Episode: 155. What have shipworms done for me lately? Or Uncharisma and The Politics of Attention with Historians, Harry Croft and Kate Stevens (Fall Special part 1)
Chris Lewis
Captivity Research and Policy Manager at the Born Free Foundation
Born Free Foundation
Episode: 154. Are Zoos Really Helping? With Chris Lewis from Born Free Foundation (S16 9/9)
Madelena Mañetto Quick
Lecturer in visual communication design focusing on multi-species design and more-than-human worlding
Massey University
Episode: 153. World Building with Animals: Madelena Mañetto Quick on Multispecies narratives (S16 8/9)
Jessica Pierce
Bioethicist and writer focusing on canine ethics and living with dogs
Author of Run Spot Run; Co-author of Unleashing Your Dog
Episode: 152. Captivity at Home: Jessica Pierce on Dogs and Moral Responsibility (S16 7/9)
Victoria Stilwell
Dog behavior consultant; founder of Positively.com and Victoria Stilwell Academy
Positively.com; Victoria Stilwell Academy
Episode: 151. Let Your Dog Choose with Victoria Stilwell on Agency, Stress, and Home Environments (S16 6/9))
Katja Liebal
Research scientist and leader of the Children in Nature Project
Children in Nature Project
Episode: 150. Building the Future of Animal Advocacy: PHAIR Animal Advocacy Conference 5/5
Jared Piazza
Co-founder of FAIR Society; researcher on moral judgment and ethical decision making related to animals and food
FAIR Society
Episode: 150. Building the Future of Animal Advocacy: PHAIR Animal Advocacy Conference 5/5
Chris Hopwood
Co-founder of The Fair Society; personality psychologist
The Fair Society
Episode: 150. Building the Future of Animal Advocacy: PHAIR Animal Advocacy Conference 5/5

Host

Marika Bell
Host and producer focused on animal ethics and education; affiliated with the show's network

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

155. What have shipworms done for me lately? Or Uncharisma and The Politics of Attention with Historians, Harry Croft and Kate Stevens (Fall Special part 1)
Q: What sparked the idea for a symposium on uncharismatic animals?
Harry explains the inspiration came from years of studying more-than-human histories and a desire to uncover voices of non-human actors neglected in archives, leading to a focused workshop and broader project.
155. What have shipworms done for me lately? Or Uncharisma and The Politics of Attention with Historians, Harry Croft and Kate Stevens (Fall Special part 1)
Q: Would you please introduce yourself and share your pronouns, if you'd like?
Harry introduces himself as a Humboldt Research Fellow in Global Environmental History and Environmental Humanities in Germany, and Kate introduces herself as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. They discuss their roles and the project's focus on uncharismatic species.
154. Are Zoos Really Helping? With Chris Lewis from Born Free Foundation (S16 9/9)
Q: What do you think is the deal with animals?
Chris reiterates that humans depend on animals in multiple ways, but the way we treat them, especially in captivity, should reflect a broader appreciation of their intrinsic value and social complexity, which should inform a move toward more ethical, conservation-focused approaches outside traditional zoo models.
154. Are Zoos Really Helping? With Chris Lewis from Born Free Foundation (S16 9/9)
Q: Last question. What's the deal with animals?
The guest emphasizes that humans rely on animals more than commonly acknowledged, recognizing their sentience, capacity for joy, and complex social lives, while arguing that captivity often obscures these qualities and that a shift toward understanding animals as integrated members of ecosystems can alter how we approach welfare and conservation.
154. Are Zoos Really Helping? With Chris Lewis from Born Free Foundation (S16 9/9)
Q: If there was a book that you could gift to all of the listeners, what would it be?
Chris recommends accessible, thought-provoking reads and suggests The Hidden Life of Trees to broaden understanding of ecosystems and interdependence, using it to illustrate how forests function as living networks and to inspire deeper consideration of environmental stewardship beyond direct animal captivity.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

The show consistently centers on human–animal interactions across everyday life, from pets and domestic captivity to broader issues in animal welfare, ethics, and advocacy. Episodes frequently feature researchers, practitioners, and advocates who dissect how science and policy intersect with real-world care, training, and societal norms around animals. Notable strengths include a clear translational angle—making academic concepts accessible to a general audience—along with guests who bring rigorous empirical perspectives and practical advocacy experience. The format often mixes behavioral science, ethics, and systemic design to explore how environments, education, and messaging can improve animal welfare and public understanding. This combi... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Bitey End of the Dog
2. Hidden Brain
3. Animal Training Academy
4. Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples
5. The Ezra Klein Show

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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 173 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. Harry Croft
2. Kate Stevens
3. Chris Lewis
4. Madelena Mañetto Quick
5. Jessica Pierce
6. Victoria Stilwell
7. Katja Liebal
8. Jared Piazza

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