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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
Animal Behavior
Dog Training
Dogs
Human-Animal Connection
Dog Behavior
Chickens
Animal Advocacy
Sex and Animals
Animal Reproduction
Human Intervention
Mother Cow
Ethics
Aggression
Emotional Connection
Animal Consciousness
Predation Behavior
Animals
Psychology

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 monthlyEpisodes164Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for The Deal with Animals with Marika S. Bell

Latest Episodes

First episode in a five‑episode series recorded at the Psychology of Human–Animal Intergroup Relations (PHAIR) Conference, exploring how beliefs, identity, childhood perception, and social norms shape human–animal relationships. Across conversations ... more

Special Bonus Content Episode - Sneak Preview from Patreon!

This special bonus‑preview episode shares three curated clips from past conversations — deeper dives, tangents, and moments that didn’t make it into the main show. You’ll hear Scott Giacopp... more

Episode 5 of Series 16: The Captivity Conversation - Transcript

Amber reveals what happens when an animal’s entire life is shaped around the profitability of her reproductive system, and what it means to rethink captivity from the inside out.

Gues... more

Episode 4 of Series 16: The Captivity Conversation Transcript

Dr. Culum Brown's insights challenge our assumptions about agency underwater and ask us to reconsider what captivity means for animals whose intelligence we’ve long underestimated.

Gues... more

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Recent Guests

Scott Giacoppo
Past guest; discusses dog fighting myths
Episode: 145. Patreon Bonus Content Preview! From Dogfighting to Rabies to Runaway Dogs: Clips from Past Guests
Suzanne Clothier
Past guest; referenced in bonus content
Episode: 145. Patreon Bonus Content Preview! From Dogfighting to Rabies to Runaway Dogs: Clips from Past Guests
Daniel Ettinger
Past guest; associated with bonus content on rabies/history
Episode: 145. Patreon Bonus Content Preview! From Dogfighting to Rabies to Runaway Dogs: Clips from Past Guests
Edward (Henry) Berg
Historical figure mentioned in discussion of early animal rights work
Episode: 145. Patreon Bonus Content Preview! From Dogfighting to Rabies to Runaway Dogs: Clips from Past Guests
George Thorndyke Angel
Historical figure associated with MSPCA
MSPCA
Episode: 145. Patreon Bonus Content Preview! From Dogfighting to Rabies to Runaway Dogs: Clips from Past Guests
Amber Canavan
Associate Director of Vegan Campaigns at PETA
PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Episode: 144. Engineered for Exploitation with Amber Canavan (S16)
Culum Brown
Professor, Fish Lab, Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Episode: 143. The Captivity of Fishes with Dr. Culum Brown
Lauri Torgerson-White
Animal Welfare Scientist and Co-Founder of Operation Angels
Operation Angels
Episode: 142. Creating a Multispecies Community with Animal Welfare Scientist, Lauri Torgerson-White (S16)
Andy Gray
Primatologist and Director of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance
North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA)
Episode: 141. Where Primates Go to Heal with Primatologist Andy Gray

Host

Marika S. Bell
Host with expertise in animal behavior and welfare, focusing on ethics, captivity, and public engagement.

Chart Rankings

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Apple Podcasts
#233
Switzerland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

144. Engineered for Exploitation with Amber Canavan (S16)
Q: How accurate are cage-free and free-range labels in reflecting the birds' actual living conditions?
Labels like cage-free often mean little in practice, as birds are still kept in overcrowded sheds with minimal outdoor access, and the marketing creates a misleading perception of freedom that hides ongoing welfare issues.
144. Engineered for Exploitation with Amber Canavan (S16)
Q: What do you think most people would be genuinely surprised to learn about the egg production process?
The most shocking reality is that the harm starts long before hens are visible in a cage-free setting—genetic manipulation and intensive selective breeding drive production, leading to severe health issues and a life spent primarily on a reproductive treadmill.
142. Creating a Multispecies Community with Animal Welfare Scientist, Lauri Torgerson-White (S16)
Q: What three practical steps should someone take first if they want to start a sanctuary?
1) Do thorough research to understand the scale and implications; 2) Prepare for substantial ongoing financial needs and fundraising; 3) Learn animal welfare science and husbandry to keep animal numbers low enough for individualized care.
142. Creating a Multispecies Community with Animal Welfare Scientist, Lauri Torgerson-White (S16)
Q: What is a good sanctuary to look like in practice?
A sanctuary should have clear criteria across multiple categories, prioritize animal autonomy and welfare, maintain long-term commitments, and ensure governance and funding are structured to support high-quality care while balancing safety and residents' agency.
138. Crows, Cuckoos, and the Evolution of Avian Communication with researchers Kaeli Swift and Will Feeney
Q: How do crows decide when to share information about a predator with others?
Naive birds learn by watching experienced birds respond to threats; there's a real-time, observational learning process that propagates alarm responses across the flock.

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 the human-animal relationship, exploring how interactions with animals shape society, ethics, science, and daily life. Recent episodes span captivity, welfare, and sanctuary design; primate care and ethics; humane training; animal communication; and the cognitive and social lives of birds and reptiles. The host frequently chats with researchers, practitioners, and advocates who bring practical guidance, ethical frameworks, and firsthand experiences, making complex topics accessible for a broad audience. A standout throughline is a commitment to animal welfare and scientific transparency, often challenging traditional norms and encouraging listeners to rethink how they connect with non-human life. The show tends to blend... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Rethinking Reactivity
2. Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples
3. Enrichment for the Real World
4. The Bitey End of the Dog
5. Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast

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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 164 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. Scott Giacoppo
2. Suzanne Clothier
3. Daniel Ettinger
4. Edward (Henry) Berg
5. George Thorndyke Angel
6. Amber Canavan
7. Culum Brown
8. Lauri Torgerson-White

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