Art and Science collide on The Zooquarium Podcast!

Meet Mike Bennett - he's an artist and educator originally from Pennsylvania. After moving to Portland, OR, Mike began creating large-scale cartoon characters cut out of wood. Now, he's the brains behind a number of cartoon establishments, popular yard signs, and art partnerships all over the world.

Meet Chanel - she's the marine biologist and wildlife expert behind the biomes at The Portland Aquarium and the Director of Outreach & Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, an organization committed to bringing sea otters back to Oregon!

The Zooquarium Podcast debuted in January 2026 and participation is always welcome! Kids of all ages are encouraged to submit their very own questions about animals and their habitats. Information on how to submit is at thezooquarium.com/podcast.

It's art! It's educational! IT'S IMAGUCATIONAL!

Fitz asks: WHY DO SLOTHS POOP ON THE GROUND? Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason answer Fitz’s question, share some other cool sloth facts, and discuss Mike’s iconic sloth Slow Down signs.

Visit https://thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

• Learn about the Portland Aquarium

• Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store

• Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumpodcast

• Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart

• Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart

• Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel

• Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel

• Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

The Zooquarium Podcast releases every other Tuesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on YouTube and Spotify. Bonus videos for episodes are released one week after the relevant episode drops exclusively on YouTube or by visiting the show page at thezooquarium.com/podcast

Credits

• Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason

• Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson

• Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings

• Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation

• Artwork by Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

• Teddy Albertson

• Fitz & Fitz’s family

• Michele Kraus Bennett

• Cayley Pater

• The Elakha Alliance

• Dr. Rebecca Cliffe

• Sloths in general

Calvin asks: How long can sea otters hold their breath? Great question, Calvin! Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason answer Calvin’s question, share some other cool sea otter facts, and invite guest Moddy Himmel to share their experience educating through puppetry!

Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download Moddy’s Sea Otter Puppets (using Mike’s artwork), quizzes, activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

1. WATCH this episode on YouTube and Spotify!
2. Visit Moddy’s Website
3. Learn about the Portland Aquarium
4. Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
5. Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
6. Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
7. Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
8. Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
9. Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
10. Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

The Zooquarium Podcast releases every other Tuesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on YouTube and Spotify. Bonus videos for episodes are released one week after the relevant episode drops exclusively on YouTube or by visiting the show page at thezooquarium.com/podcast

Credits