Libsyn Directory

Chirag Patel Unpacks the Bucket Game & His Behavioural Philosophy [Episode 257]

Release Date: 06/30/2025

Movement, Mindfulness, and Mastery with Lori Stevens [Episode 267]

Animal Training Academy

In this reflective and wisdom-filled conversation, Ryan Cartlidge welcomes back Lori Stevens, canine fitness, movement, and behavior specialist, creator of the Balance Harness, and long-time leader in the world of positive reinforcement training. As Lori marks her retirement from the professional speaking circuit, she takes us through the lessons that have defined her teaching philosophy and the perspectives that continue to guide her today. Drawing from decades of experience, Lori shares how her background in dance and movement shaped her keen eye for posture, balance, and subtle physical...

Generalization, Growth & Good Faith Learning – Ellen Yoakum [Episode 266]

Animal Training Academy

In this insightful conclusion to our two-part conversation, Ellen Yoakum—Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant, KPA CTP, and Behavior Consultant with Pet Harmony—returns to explore how we can thoughtfully apply the learning principles we use with our animal learners to ourselves and the humans we work with. Building on the foundations of Part One, Ellen and Ryan dive into the complexities of generalization—how humans, much like our non-human learners, can struggle to transfer skills across contexts. From communication and empathy to client coaching and professional growth,...

Good Enough to Get Going: Lessons from Ellen Yoakum [Episode 265]

Animal Training Academy

In this thoughtful first half of a two-part conversation, we’re joined by the insightful and articulate Ellen Yoakum—Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant, KPA CTP, and Behavior Consultant with Pet Harmony. Ellen’s path in animal behavior began at the University of Washington, where she immersed herself in captive animal welfare and enrichment research under mentors including Dr. Eduardo Fernandez, Dr. James Ha, and Dr. Renee Ha. From conducting enrichment studies with gray wolves, penguins, and brown bears to working with Natural Encounters Inc. on free-flight avian...

Megan Sanders: Why Training the Trainer Changes Everything [Episode 264]

Animal Training Academy

In this second half of our two-part conversation, we’re joined again by the insightful Megan Sanders—zoo behavior consultant, educator, and long-time advocate for evidence-based training. Building on Part One, where we explored Megan’s career journey and the value of leaning into discomfort, this episode dives into her master’s thesis research on how best to teach the teachers—animal trainers themselves. Megan shares how tools like Behavior Skills Training (BST) and PORTL can systematically shape trainer mechanics, improve procedural fidelity, and ultimately lead to less stressed,...

Megan Sanders: Training Journeys Across Species and Settings [Episode 263]

Animal Training Academy

In this inspiring first half of a two-part conversation, we’re joined by the accomplished and thoughtful Megan Sanders—zoo behavior consultant, educator, and long-time advocate for evidence-based training. With over 23 years in the zoo field, much of it at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Megan’s journey has spanned caring for everything from goats and guinea pigs to snow leopards and mountain lions. Along the way, she became CMZ’s first Animal Behavior Programs Manager, helped launch zoo-wide training and enrichment initiatives, and co-developed courses that have shaped the next generation of...

Mari Valgma – Unlocking the Power of Movement Puzzles [Episode 262]

Animal Training Academy

In the second half of this enlightening conversation, we’re once again joined by Dr. Mari Valgma—Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer, creator of Movement Puzzles, and founder of The Moving Canine. After hearing Mari’s remarkable journey in part one, we now dive deep into the work that has touched thousands of dogs and their humans worldwide. Mari unpacks the origins and applications of Movement Puzzles, sharing how a simple idea has blossomed into a global community dedicated to canine fitness, confidence, and joy. Together, we explore: ✅ The philosophy and structure behind...

Mari Valgma and The Journey Behind Movement Puzzles [Episode 261]

Animal Training Academy

In this inspiring first half of a two-part conversation, we’re joined by the innovative and passionate Dr. Mari Valgma - Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer, creator of Movement Puzzles, and trailblazer bringing evidence-based training from Estonia to the world. Mari’s story is anything but ordinary. From pursuing a PhD in maritime engineering in the UK to pioneering canine fitness training back home in Estonia, her journey reflects a powerful blend of problem-solving, resilience, and creativity. What started as a search to support her own dog’s joint health has grown into...

The Reinforcement History We Ask Others to Ignore with Adam Skandarani [Episode 260]

Animal Training Academy

In this second installment of our two-part conversation, Adam Skandarani returns to explore one of the most nuanced and vital topics in our industry: the intersection of art, science, and culture in animal training. Blending professional insight, lived experience, and thoughtful introspection, Adam and Ryan unpack the complexities that arise when training mechanics meet real-world messiness—where logical reasoning, cultural norms, and individual values can shape how training is practiced, received, and understood. Together, we explore: ✅ The difference between applying science and...

From Lunging to Learning: Flash Gordon’s Legacy with Adam Skandarani [Episode 259]

Animal Training Academy

In this powerful and heartfelt first part of a two-part conversation, we’re joined by the insightful and compassionate Adam Skandarani—Certified Control Unleashed Instructor, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and tireless advocate for both dogs with Really Big Feelings and the humans who support them. Adam takes us on their “behavior odyssey,” tracing a journey shaped by learning, unlearning, and growing alongside their two Boxers—Sansa and the unforgettable Flash Gordon. Through stories that are raw, moving, and instructive, Adam shares how Flash, with all his...

Juliana DeWillems: Beyond Training - How Management Shapes Behavior [Episode 258]

Animal Training Academy

In the second part of our conversation with Juliana DeWillems - Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, faculty member at the Karen Pryor Academy, and author of Manage It! - we dive headfirst into a topic often overlooked in our industry: management. Juliana unpacks why management is more than just a stopgap solution and how it can serve as a powerful, proactive, and compassionate tool for behavior change. Drawing from the content of her book and years of hands-on experience, Juliana walks us through how antecedent arrangement, environmental adjustments, and unmet needs shape the behaviors we...

More Episodes

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast, we are honoured to welcome back Chirag Patel - an internationally acclaimed behaviour and training consultant whose innovative work spans species, continents, and disciplines. Chirag is perhaps best known for creating the Bucket Game and for his deep commitment to ethical, science-based, cooperative care.

During this rich and thoughtful conversation, Chirag and host Ryan Cartlidge explore the origin story of the Bucket Game, the pivotal influence of Susan Friedman and other mentors, and the process of bringing empowerment and agency to animals through training. Chirag offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the reflective practices that fuel his creativity and the radical behavioural lens through which he navigates the world.

Listeners are treated to discussions on maintaining innovation across a long career, embracing the individuality of each learner (human and non-human alike), the role of functional assessments in behavioural design, and the deeply personal journey of adopting behaviour analysis as a worldview.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
🪣 How a Target store and a German Shepherd helped spark the Bucket Game.
🪣 The lasting impact of Susan Friedman’s work on Chirag’s thinking and teaching.
🪣 Strategies for staying innovative without losing touch with foundational science.
🪣 The behavioural analytic process behind self-reflection and online feedback.
🪣 Chirag’s take on spirituality, radical acceptance, and applying ABA to everyday life.

Why This Episode is a Must-Listen:
Whether you’ve long admired Chirag Patel’s work or are encountering his ideas for the first time, this episode offers an unfiltered glimpse into the mindset of a behaviour professional who walks his talk. From deep philosophical insights to practical training gems, this is an episode you’ll want to revisit time and again.

Engage With Us:
Subscribe to the podcast, share this episode with fellow behaviour nerds, and join our global community at www.atamember.com as we continue to elevate our craft with compassion, curiosity, and science.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/chiragpatelconsulting/

https://www.chiragpatelconsulting.com/welcome

https://www.facebook.com/chiragpatelconsulting/

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