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Inside Zoo School: Learning, Leadership, and Care with Dr. Susan Friedman & Rick Hester [Episode 273]

Release Date: 02/09/2026

Finding Your Flow: Artistry in Dog Training with Steve Goodall [Episode 278]

Animal Training Academy

In this candid and soulful exploration of the trainer’s journey, Ryan Cartlidge sits down with Steve Goodall — a director of Packed Dogs Limited , an ABTC registered animal training instructor , and a published author based in a small hamlet in Wales . Steve offers a refreshing look at the "why" behind our interactions with animals, drawing on his eclectic background in the DIY punk music scene and sound engineering to highlight the delicate balance between technical protocols and creative intuition . From his early days as a postman to leading a nationally recognized training...

Clarity, Credibility & Collaboration with Natalie Light [Episode 277]

Animal Training Academy

In this thoughtful and practical conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Natalie Light — canine behaviourist, trainer, and director at PACT Dogs Ltd (Professional Association of Canine Trainers) in the UK. With a background that blends hands-on behaviour work, professional education, and a strong commitment to raising standards within the industry, Natalie brings a refreshingly grounded perspective to one of the most important (and often misunderstood) topics in dog training: what “good training” really looks like when we centre welfare, ethics, and long-term outcomes. Together, Ryan...

Building Values-Driven, Resilient Training Careers with Jason Light [Episode 276] 24032026

Animal Training Academy

In this perspective-shifting conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Jason Light — director at PACT Dogs Limited in the UK, sustainability consultant through Green Robin Consulting, and a chartered environmentalist with over 20 years of senior leadership experience, including serving as Head of Sustainability for an NHS Foundation Trust. Bringing a rare strategic lens to the animal training profession, Jason challenges us to think about “sustainability” as something far bigger than environmental impact alone — and instead, as the foundation for building ethical, resilient,...

Doing It Anyway: Confidence, Marketing & Growth with Veronica Boutelle [Episode 275]

Animal Training Academy

In this thoughtful and business-boosting conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by returning guest Veronica Boutelle — founder of Dogbiz, author of How to Run a Dog Business, and a long-time leader in helping positive reinforcement dog trainers build sustainable, values-aligned businesses. With a rare blend of experience as a professional dog trainer, business owner, and former classroom teacher, teacher educator, and curriculum developer, Veronica brings a grounded, practical lens to the “softer skills” that can make or break a trainer’s confidence, visibility, and long-term success....

Michael Shikashio on Professionalism, Polarisation, and the Future of Dog Training [Episode 274]

Animal Training Academy

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, host Ryan Cartlidge is joined by returning guest Michael Shikashio for a wide-ranging conversation about professionalism, community, and the future of the dog training industry. Michael Shikashio is the founder of AggressiveDog.com, a leading expert in working with aggression cases, a five-time past President of the IAABC, the 2020 APTT Member of the Year, and host of The Bitey End of the Dog podcast. Drawing on decades of experience supporting trainers across more than 20 countries, Michael brings a global, grounded perspective to the...

Inside Zoo School: Learning, Leadership, and Care with Dr. Susan Friedman & Rick Hester [Episode 273]

Animal Training Academy

In this insightful and future-focused episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by two pioneers in applied behavior analysis and professional animal education: Dr. Susan Friedman and Rick Hester, as they introduce and explore their newest collaborative project, Zoo School. Dr. Susan Friedman brings decades of experience as a psychology professor, behavior analyst, and internationally respected educator whose work has profoundly shaped humane, evidence-based animal training across species. Rick Hester joins the conversation as a seasoned zoo professional,...

Practicing Gratitude Inside and Outside ATA with Ryan Cartlidge, Shelly Wood & Belinda Young [Episode 272]

Animal Training Academy

In this reflective and values-driven episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, ATA team members Ryan Cartlidge, Shelly Wood, and Belinda Young come together for a thoughtful discussion on gratitude - one of Animal Training Academy’s core values - and the meaningful role it plays in learning, community, and wellbeing. Drawing from personal experience and professional practice, Ryan, Shelly, and Belinda explore how intentional gratitude shapes ATA’s culture and supports safer, more compassionate spaces for human learners. From early-morning thought loops and professional challenges to...

Engineering Better Husbandry with Ryan Talbot [Episode 271]

Animal Training Academy

In the second part of our conversation with Ryan Talbot, Behavioral Enrichment and Training Manager at Wolf Park, we continue exploring how behavior science, engineering, and thoughtful creativity come together in Ryan’s work with wolves and wolf dogs. Ryan shares how small, systematic changes can create meaningful shifts in cooperative care, and how approaching husbandry through a constructional, stepwise lens helps both animals and humans experience more clarity and choice. Ryan and host Ryan Cartlidge dig into the practical realities of teaching complex behaviors to apex species. They...

A Journey Into Wolf Park with Ryan Talbot [Episode 270]

Animal Training Academy

In this first part of our conversation with Ryan Talbot, Behavioral Enrichment and Training Manager at Wolf Park, we dive into the winding and thoughtful path that brought him from computer engineering into the world of applied behavior analysis and cooperative care. Ryan shares how a formative visit to Wolf Park opened his eyes to the power of relationships built through understanding another being’s umwelt, setting him on a path of lifelong learning in behavior science. Across the episode, Ryan reflects on how engineering thinking and behavior analysis intersect in his work. He discusses...

The Business Side of Dog Training with Sara Brueske [Episode 269]

Animal Training Academy

In this candid and practical conclusion to their two-part conversation, Ryan Cartlidge and Sara Brueske shift from the training field to the front office to discuss the business of animal training. Sara shares an "in the trenches" look at her journey into facility ownership and the evolution of her business, Happy Dog Lodge. The conversation centers on a service model often debated within the positive reinforcement community: Board and Train. Sara offers a transparent look at the ethics, logistics, and communication strategies required to offer this service in a way that prioritises...

More Episodes

In this insightful and future-focused episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by two pioneers in applied behavior analysis and professional animal education: Dr. Susan Friedman and Rick Hester, as they introduce and explore their newest collaborative project, Zoo School.

Dr. Susan Friedman brings decades of experience as a psychology professor, behavior analyst, and internationally respected educator whose work has profoundly shaped humane, evidence-based animal training across species. Rick Hester joins the conversation as a seasoned zoo professional, educator, and mentor whose career spans animal care, staff development, and leadership within zoological institutions. Together, Susan and Rick share how their complementary backgrounds converged to create Zoo School - a learning platform designed to elevate animal care through science, ethics, and effective teaching.

Throughout the conversation, Susan and Rick reflect on the gaps they’ve observed in traditional animal-care education, particularly the need for deeper fluency in learning theory, behavior analysis, and instructional design. They discuss how Zoo School was built to support zoo and aquarium professionals not just in what to do, but in how to think - developing critical skills in observation, decision-making, and compassionate problem solving.

Ryan, Susan, and Rick dive into the philosophy underpinning Zoo School, including the importance of clarity, kindness, and accountability in professional practice. They explore how well-designed education can improve animal welfare, empower caregivers, and foster healthier organizational cultures. Central to the discussion is the idea that behavior doesn’t exist in isolation - it is shaped by environments, systems, and the contingencies we design for both animals and humans.

Listeners will also hear candid reflections on mentorship, lifelong learning, and the responsibility educators carry when shaping the next generation of professionals. Susan and Rick share what excites them most about Zoo School’s future, how it differs from conventional training programs, and why now is the right time for this kind of learning space to exist.

This episode is a thoughtful invitation to rethink professional development in animal care - and a compelling reminder that when education is grounded in science, empathy, and intentional design, it has the power to create meaningful, lasting change for animals and the people who care for them.

Links

https://bwzs.org/

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