Mothering Wildlife

My guest this week, Carly, and I talk about the postpartum period. There are so many changes that occur during that "4th trimester". As you approach the end of your maternity leave you might find yourself excited to return to work but also guilty about having to leave your child. You've just gotten into a rhythm of being a mom and then you get thrown back into work and trying to figure out how to merge that new mom life with your work life can be hard! Especially when you have to navigate a new normal at work in the form of pumping - how to pump, where to pump, and when to pump. Can you ever really figure it out? As a primate keeper, Carly has some amazing experiences training gorillas for maternal behaviors and she and I also talk a bit about primate behaviors and whether or not great apes can sense pregnancy changes in pregnant women. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

As a working professional, when you suddenly step into the world of motherhood, it can sometimes feel as if you now have two identities. Motherhood, and in the case of most of this podcast's guests, zookeeper. My guest this week, Kristine Duplisea, and I talk a little bit about this. We also talk about how maternity leave can feel so isolating, especially if you don't have a "village" to help you out. We put so much emphasis on learning how to be a mom prior to having a baby that after their arrival it often seems that we forget about the immense amount of support that new parents, especially mothers, need. Returning to work has its own set of challenges to navigate, especially if you are a pumping mom. Kristine and I talk about navigating finding the time to pump at work and trying to find the balance between the bigger picture of needing to provide food for your child and the responsibilities of your job, in that very moment, that need to be finished before you can take time to pump. Finally, Kristine and I also talk about the self-inflicted guilt that comes with taking your child to daycare on your day off. Time alone is so precious to some, but it sometimes comes with a side of guilt as we feel bad for sending our child to daycare when we know we are capable of taking care of them at home. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Animal care professionals work so hard to get into the zoo field. Internships, commutes, low pay, time spent away from family and friends - all this because they love what they do and oftentimes consider it their passion. They can’t imagine doing anything else. My guest this week, Kristen, and I talk about how it feels to be working your dream job but also feel like you hate leaving your kid to do it. Kristen has definitely worked hard to make it work throughout her career. From being a mom during her internship to living far from where she worked, she has recently considered whether her dream is the best for her family; and thus, she recently decided to step away from being a zookeeper for a bit. We talk about the emotions that come from leaving something you worked so hard to obtain. When around her amazing coworkers and animals, she loved her job, but as soon as she stepped away from the good things at work she would think about everything she was missing at home. Her and I talk about feeling like she was “being split in half”. A feeling I can also relate to as a working mom - and one that we have discussed on the podcast before because so many women also feel like they have two different identities; zookeeper and mom. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Can you train your kids the same way you train zoo animals? My guest this week, Sarah Kirkman, is a zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo and mom to two small children and she has a great story about putting her animal training skills to use! How zookeeper skills transfer over to one’s mom life is not the only thing Sarah and I talk about though. We talk a little about whether it is harder to go back to work after the first kid or after the second. Everyone has different experiences and there are definitely things you are already prepared for with the second kid but going back to work after the first is a whole new world! Sarah has great advice to find the other moms where you work. It can feel so good to connect with other professionals that understand what you are going through and who just “get it” about all the weird and stressful things in motherhood. It just makes you feel less alone! Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week, Lindsay Ireland, is a penguin keeper at the Detroit Zoo. We talk a bit about being pregnant while working with penguins and then dive into how as a new mom it can be so hard not to compare oneself to other mothers and your baby to other babies. As a new mom, Lindsay found herself researching everything but realized that having her mom nearby helped keep her grounded and confident that she didn’t have to do the same as everyone else. We also talk about the finances of daycare vs. deciding to stay home because all of your paycheck will just go to pay for daycare. Most in the zookeeping profession would feel it’s “worth it” to have their paycheck go entirely to daycare because they love their job so much. Lindsay and I talk about why zookeepers tend to embrace the persona of zookeeper wholeheartedly and see it as an identity. Finally, we talk a bit about schedules (hers is a rotating off schedule) and how that impacts family life and scheduling family vacations and events. It can be hard for extended family to understand how your schedule works and why you can’t make plans very far in advance. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Join me this week for something a little bit different - Zoological Podcast Summit 2024! Myself, Jon Rossi from the Rossifari Podcast and Chris Jenkins from the NEI TEC Talk Podcast spend some time talking about hosting zoo-focused podcasts. Each one of us fills a very niche role within the zoo podcast world. Jon interviews and highlights amazing zoo, aquarium, and conservation professionals while Chris co-hosts the NEI TEC Talk Podcast which focuses on animal behavior and training (his co-host Ari Bailey was on an episode of Mothering Wildlife, episode 18!). We talk about how the idea for our podcasts came to be, what goes in to making them, what it's like to meet listeners in real life, and a variety of other "podcasty" things. It's a long one but interesting! And it was a ton of fun to get to chat with these two! Make sure you subscribe to and support their podcasts as well! Both Rossifari and NEI TEC Talk can be found wherever you listen to Mothering Wildlife! Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week, Courtney Janney, and I spent so much time talking about women in leadership and how having children changed her professional priorities. When her first daughter was born, her new attitude about work/life balance pervaded her team and she quit playing the competitive game with her coworkers which allowed her and her teammates to start trusting each other more. She feels like this made management see her more as a leader and it helped pave her way to leadership opportunities. We also talk a lot about adjusting to being back at work after parental leave; she always advises new moms to give themselves time to adjust to being back at work because a new normal will take a while to click into place - for her it took about the same amount of time that she was out on leave to be back at work before she started feeling like her new normal was set. This also meant that she had to decide that she wasn't going to feel guilty about leaving her daughter at daycare. Courtney is a big advocate for finding the facility and culture that is right for you. If your needs aren't being met, then advocate for yourself and either look for a facility that can provide or attempt to create the changes yourself. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Often, we feel like we are juggling so many things in life - kids, work, to-do lists, projects, etc. My guest this week, Dr. Lizzy Arnett-Chinn, has a great way of looking at how to prioritize all the things she is juggling. It's simple, really - just don't drop the glass balls. She once heard this phrase about "glass balls" and ever since it has really stuck with her and helped her to figure out how to spend her time and split her emotional resources. One day your "glass ball" might be a sick kid and the next it might be an animal at work. They are always changing, and we are always juggling, but learning how to prioritize can make a world of difference! Lizzy and I also talk about her move across country as she recently started a new zoo vet job. Anyone who has had to start a new job with children in tow can relate to the struggles of enrolling kids in school and finding daycares! Lastly, we talk about the changing views towards burnout and compassion fatigue in the zoo and veterinary fields. Veterinarians are no strangers to both burnout and compassion fatigue and Lizzy has had to recognize when she is suffering from both and work to make changes to help herself overcome them. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week, Tarah, and I dive a little bit into her journey with IVF to become a mom. At the time, she was the only mom amongst animal care staff at her facility. We also talk a bit about what it’s like to be the only mom on staff and to worry that you’re putting other staff out when you inevitably need to leave or have to call out due to your children. The guilt of having to do that can be hard. Tarah ultimately left the field when her husband’s job took them to another state and now she helps with a local sea turtle conservation organization to get her animal “fix”. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Maternity leave can be uncharted territory for new moms! My guest this week, Alyson, and I explore the emotions of maternity leave. Some women feel anxiety about stepping away from their job for months knowing that, especially in the zoo field, other (animal) lives are at stake and our duties might be pushed to other teammates. At some facilities our jobs are so teammate oriented that it's hard when a member of your team is gone for a chunk of time, like maternity leave. Alyson and I also talk a bit about the grief that can be felt during maternity leave. Grieving the loss of your identity, your pre-kid life, etc. Becoming a parent brings so many changes to one’s life! Alyson’s biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to speak up and ask for what you need - whether it's with your day to day tasks or in the bigger picture. You have the right to change your mind too! Advocate for yourself and see if you can find a way to make what you need happen. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Children can be the catalyst for many changes in our lives and sometimes they are the reason why we seek out new roles in our careers. We've talked a lot on the podcast about women who have transitioned into new roles after becoming a mom - whether at their same facility or even to positions in completely new fields. These role changes can be hard and even emotional as we sometimes feel like our entire identity is changing as well. My guest this week, Carolyn, recently hesitantly transitioned into a new role at the zoo she works for. The decision to move away from daily animal care (something she LOVED) and into something new wasn't easy but ultimately the change has had many positive effects on her family - and she's even learned to love and embrace the new responsibilities and "perks" of this new role as she gets to see a different side of the zoo! Carolyn also mentioned that she has written many books! Check out Carolyn's website! Carolyn Mueller (carolynelizabethmueller.com) Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Sometimes change happens gradually and sometimes it happens within a short span of time. My guest this week, Kendra Bottini, knows what it feels like to have many life changes happening all at once! She had a baby, came back from maternity leave, and then got promoted to a Curator position shortly after her return! Sometimes when the opportunity is there you go for it! Kendra and I also talk a bit about cosleeping with your child. The world of infant sleep is so polarizing, however, given the nature of an animal care professional’s job and the natural history knowledge we obtain about species in our care, it’s hard not to see the connection between animals sleeping with their offspring and the human desire to do the same. Kendra’s biggest piece of advice is to remember to set aside time for family, but to also give yourself the opportunity to still love your job. It IS feasible to have kids and work in the zoo field. You'll always find a way - you might have to think outiside the box but as animals keepers we are often used to this! If you're interested in the book Kendra mentioned, Sweet Sleep, I've linked it here - Sweet Sleep - La Leche League International (llli.org) Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

We hear so much advice as parents - how much time to take after baby arrives, when to call out from work, etc. However, only you know what you need and what is best for you. And this might be different from the norm! Can we agree as moms and society to let new moms call the shots?! My guest this week. Allison Malkowski, and I talk about exactly this. Use your paid time off when you need it and recognize what you need to help yourself through trying times and ask for it. Work will continue to be there. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Every parent has to make the decision about what is best for their family and how they are going to parent. Sometimes those decisions are hard but they always include considering the needs of your child. My guest this week, Adrienne John, and I talk about her journey as a mom to a child with autism. The roles she’s held throughout her career as an animal care professional and trainer have helped her in her mothering journey as she has tried to apply those techniques to navigating the world of her son. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

What did you expect motherhood to be like? Was it easier or harder than you imagined? What surprised you the most? As my guest this week, Kristy Edelen, and I discuss, motherhood is transformative in so many ways. Your body, your brain, your mental health, your emotions…you may have noticed some or all of these changes! If you felt overwhelmed by any of it, you’re not alone. There are so many other mothers and resources available to those who are experiencing postpartum changes. Kristy has great advice for those new moms - you’re doing so much better than you think you! So, reach out for help if you need it! Because you deserve it. For fun! 👉🏼 Kristy mentioned a great song she loves to sing with her daughter about boundaries. I’ve linked it here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aSFvJbSQdA4&vl=en Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

As a new mom in the workplace, having a supportive manager upon your return can make a time in life that feels chaotic and hard, feel calmer and give you more confidence. At a time when your routine is completely different than it was months ago, you’re potentially navigating pumping, and emotions are running high, a good manager can make all the difference. My guest this week, Nikki Smith, tries to provide this support for her staff. She had an amazing manager when she was a young mom that made all the difference and now she’s paying it forward. Nikki and I also talk a lot about the zoo industry in general, so it's a great episode for the best of both worlds! Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

Sometimes you find that some of the skills you've gained in your career are also transferable to another field completely! My guest this week was able to take skills from her previous job at an aquarium to an adjacent field - which allowed her to actually have a better work/life balance as her son grew older. As a mom, she also found that she was able to be a more empathetic manager. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

This week I talk to a mom who turned her passion for wildlife conservation and education into a business. Jenny Curtis founded edZOOcation, as a way to bring together all of her passions - wildlife conservation, conservation education, and teaching little children. The company offers subscription boxes in three age categories that provide children with a box each month dedicated to learning about an endangered species. The boxes include a stuffed animal, craft, recipe, book, and more! In her professional journey, Jenny has always let wildlife conservation and education guide her course. She graduated from Moorpark College, served as a professor at Moorpark, operated her own educational outreach business and finally created edZOOcation. We talk about how after becoming a mother she wasn't quite sure how to manage her strong work ethic and professional passions with family. It took her many years of trial and error and, finally, entrepreneurship to figure out that teaching children about wildlife conservation and building edZOOcation was what would bring about that harmony in her life. As a mom who is also a business owner in the wildlife arena, Jenny has learned to slow down and truly take time for herself. She admits to wanting to jump into everything all at once and her and I talk a lot about how she manages that work/life balance. Website: edZOOcation Subscription Boxes Instagram: @edzoocation_box Facebook: edZOOcation Subscription Box Pinterest: edZOOcation Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

moms more prone to compassion fatigue and burnout mom guilt changing priorities that made you want to leave your career Find GRAZE at all of the places and links below: GRAZE website GRAZE Facebook page GRAZE LinkedIn page Email Shannon, Hannah or Erin here: grazee@zoomentalhealthsupport.com Join GRAZE's FREE virtual support group on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30pm EST if you would like to connect to other people in the zoo and aquarium industry. Details on their website. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

My guest this week, Alecia Benware, transitioned into the zoo field from the banking industry when her son was just 10 months old. We talk about how that transition brought her better work/life balance and a much more supportive environment, especially during Covid when, as a registrar, she was working from home and pregnant with her second child. As a mom, you develop certain mannerisms and ways of communicating with your children that sometimes become very second nature. Alecia and I talk about how those tendencies to "mother" come out at work. From worrying about your coworkers at conferences to accidentally telling them, "No!" in your best mom voice, it seems that once you become a mother you sometimes subconsciously "adopt" those around you into your care. Mothering Wildlife links: Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast Instagram @motheringwildlife Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com