Animals To The Max Podcast

In this episode of the Animals To The Max Podcast, I chat with bear biologist, Wes Larson. Wes has been working with bears out in the field for years and is also the host of the popular, Tooth and Claw Podcast. Wes discusses his adventures working with bears, close encounters, bear attacks, and gives bear safety tips.

In this episode of the Animals To The Max Podcast, I chat with author and former Seaworld Trainer, Mark Simmons. We discuss Lolita, the famous Killer Whale who has been living at the Miami Seaquarium for 50 years, and how she has been making headlines, as the Miami Seaquarium has announced they plan to return her to the wild in the Pacific Northwest. Lolita, whose health has been failing since December, is no longer on public display or doing shows. Is this a publicity stunt? Is returning her the best option? Will she survive the long move? Is this ethical? We discuss it all in this week’s podcast!

In this episode of the Animals To The Max Podcast, I speak with my friend Sam who just returned from her first trip to Antarctica! I had so many questions!!! What type of animals did she see? What was the travel like? How much did the Antarctica trip cost? She tells this and MORE in this podcast!

In this episode, I sit down with safari ranger, Alistair Leuner. Al is the regional general manager of safari products of the Tintswalo collection. Al has been a ranger for 19 years, showing guests lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, rhino, and elephant in the African bush! I talk to Al about his day-to-day life being a ranger, how he landed his dream job, and my experience staying at Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Manyeleti Game Reserve in South Africa. Al also shares tips and the best time to visit South Africa for safari!

In this episode, I go through 2022 month-by-month and lessons I learned along the way while working with animals. From building snapping turtle ponds to the one thing I will NEVER do again in Yellowstone National Park, I recap the year. Here’s to a great 2023! Happy New Year!

In this episode, I discuss my recent trip to South Africa and Mozambique for a safari and beach vacation. Why did my wife and I choose South Africa and Mozambique? I go over this and other Africa travel tips, what I learned, and what to expect when YOU plan YOUR trip to Africa!

I recently went whale watching in the Seattle area with Puget Sound Express Whale Watching Tours and was BLOWN AWAY! So I invited naturalists, Justine and Kyla to come on the show to talk about the different Killer Whales in the Salish Sea!

What is it like to be a zookeeper? Could you imagine caring for rhinos, pygmy hippos, and okapi? In this episode of the Animals to the Max Podcast, I chat with Zookeeper Sierra. Sierra works at the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas. We discuss Sierra’s zookeeper journey, tips for anyone wanting to break into the field, and fun behind-the-scenes stories working with rhinos, hippos, and okapi!

In this episode, I chat with Angelina Kelly from the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Athens, Michigan. Angelina and her family care for over 200 rescued alligators. We discuss alligator husbandry, alligators in the pet trade, how they keep the alligators warm in Michigan’s harsh winters, and out-of-the-box ways they make alligator ponds!

What happens if you are bit by a venomous snake? How does antivenom work? How can you avoid being bitten? On this week’s Animals to the Max Podcast, I’m joined with Thad Bowan, a firefighter paramedic who also works at the Alligator Adventure Park in North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Last year, Thad treated a patient who was bit by a highly venomous Gaboon Viper. Listen to the incredible story!

On this episode of the Animals To The Max Podcast, I speak with author of the new book, Why Am I Alive, Paul Woyak. Paul describes his experience with a massive 20 foot White Shark off the coast of California.

In this episode of the Animals To The Max Podcast, I get an EXCLUSIVE interview with the International Rhino Foundation about the rare birth of a Sumatran Rhino! I speak with Nina Fascione, the executive director about the exciting news. There are fewer than 80 Sumatran Rhinos left on the planet, so this is a milestone birth for a species on the brink of extinction. Learn all about Sumatran Rhinos and why they are difficult to breed under human care.

On the show today, I talk with my buddy and alligator expert Chris Gillette. “Gator Boy” Chris, has been working with alligators for 20 years. We discuss recent stories where alligators have made headlines and debunk myths about them. I also ask Chris his expert opinion on whether or not I should introduce my two alligators, Soni and Chompers!

In this episode I give my thoughts on a recent event in Tennessee where a camel escaped a petting zoo and killed two people. Are camels naturally aggressive? Have they killed people before? Was this a FREAK accident? Here is my take on this unfortunate event.

Deer populations are exploding all over North America. Is this a serious problem? On this week’s “Animals To The Max”, I chat with Eve Bishop, host of the new podcast, Deer Humans. Eve chats about growing up in the Hamptons and how deer populations are causing a serious rift within the community.