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Episode 6 of the series: Sex and Animals Transcript

Dr. Jonathan Balcombe elaborates on the nuanced distinctions between consciousness and sentience, emphasizing that emotions and feelings play crucial roles in animals' daily lives, much like in humans.

Guest: Dr. Jonathan Balcombe is a biologist and ethologist whose work has reshaped how we think about animal consciousness and behavior. Born in England and raised in New Zealand and Canada, he spent decades in the U.S. before settling in southern Ontario, where he balances his scientific pursuits with a love for biking, baking, birding, and observing the ever-mysterious squirrels in his neighborhood.

Jonathan has authored five popular science books, including What a Fish Knows, Pleasurable Kingdom, and Super Fly, bringing compelling research on animal intelligence and emotion to a wide audience. His contributions extend beyond writing—he has published over 60 scientific papers, led academic departments, and worked as an editor, shaping conversations on animal sentience and protection. Jonathan works as an independent author, and performs editing services for aspiring and established authors. More...

Book Recommendation: Watership Down by Richard Adams

Related Episodes: 116. Creative Courtship: Lessons from Animal Others with Author, Dr. Carol Gigliotti (S13)

112. A Very Banksy Roundtable with Claudia Hirtenfelder and Shannon Johnstone

115. The Genitalia Arms Race! with Dr. Patty Brennan

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Episode 5 of Series 13: Sex and Animals Transcript

The spaying and neutering of dogs has often been a controversial topic. Along with the world renowned, Dr. Stanley Coren, the episode explores how spaying and neutering might affect canine behavior, questioning common practices and suggesting alternative approaches.

Guest Bio: Stanley Coren, PhD, DSc, FRSC, is an influential voice in the study of canine behavior and human-canine interactions. He served as a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, where he directed the Human Neuropsychology and Perception Laboratory until his retirement in 2007.

Coren has published over 1,000 articles and 40 books, many of which have become bestsellers. His award-winning contributions to canine studies, such as How to Speak Dog, have been translated into more than 30 languages and recognized globally.

He continues to share insights on canine behavior through his blog, Canine Corner, on Psychology Today's website. Further information is available on Wikipedia.

Book Recommendations: Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine by Dr. Marc Bekoff and King Solomon's Ring by Konrad Lorenz

Related Episodes: 81: Expanding Understanding in Canine Behavior Evaluations with Suzanne Clothier (Part 1) S8

82: Expanding Understanding in Canine Behavior Evaluations with Suzanne Clothier (Part 2) S8

84: How To Build a Bond With a New Dog with Stacey Colino and Jen Golbeck (December Special!)

67: May Special!: Barking Up the Right Tree: Applied Etho

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Special Episode!

" it seems to me that development could be as revolutionary as the domestication of animals itself 10, 000 years ago." - Dr. Shapiro

Technology's role in animal advocacy and science takes center stage. Lab-grown meat and alternatives to animal testing, such as organs on a chip, are highlighted as transformative developments that could profoundly reduce animal exploitation.

Guest Bio: Dr. Kenneth Shapiro is cofounder and President of the Board of Animals and Society Institute, and founding editor of Society and Animals and other human-animal studies publications. With a BA from Harvard in American Studies and a PhD in Clinical and Personality Psychology from Duke, his work spans vegetarianism, animal advocacy, and critiques of lab research. He’s published books, including Animal Models of Human Psychology (1998), and guides on treating animal abuse. Based in Washington Grove, MD, he tends to a bluebird trail, a pollinator meadow, and enjoys vegan cooking. Learn more at animalsandsociety.org.

Book Recommendation: Abundant Earth: Toward an Ecological Civilization by Eileen Crist

Related Episodes: 93: Human Relevant Testing: A Conversation on Enhancing Human Health and Animal Welfare with Dr. Aysha Akhtar (S9)

43: October Special! The Beagle Project with Lindsey Hamrick, HSUS

E21: Spring Special! Hal Herzog: On the the Past, Present, and Future of Anthrozoology

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What to start your own podcast in he Animal Advocacy or Animal Welfare Space? Check out my ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Mentoring Services⁠⁠⁠⁠!

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