Rescue, Boundaries & Llama Camp Talk with Maddie Johnson
Human Animals
EP#08 | In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, Emma reconnects with her longtime friend and powerhouse rescuer, Maddie Johnson. Together, they dive into Maddie's wild world of solo animal rescue—from chaotic piglet arrivals to rehabilitating orphaned llamas—all from the comfort (and chaos) of her own home. Maddie opens up about the emotional toll of rescue work, the importance of saying "no," and how her large social media following is both a blessing and a burden. The two reflect on their craziest rescue adventures—including road-tripping to save alpacas, water buffalo, and a runaway...
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Animal Soulmates & Pig Welfare with Dr. Abbie Viscardi
Human Animals
EP#07 | This episode is all about exploring the deep connections we share with animals and the ethical challenges in commercial pig farming with Dr. Abbie Viscardi., a PhD in animal welfare and host of the Animal Soulmates podcast. Dr. Abbie shares the touching story of her soulmate dog, Amira, a black lab she raised as a guide dog puppy before adopting her back. Their bond highlights the profound impact animals have on our lives, offering stability, love, and companionship through life’s toughest moments. The conversation then shifts to Dr. Abbie’s work in animal welfare, focusing on pain...
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Animal Communication with Sue Hopple
Human Animals
EP#06 | In this fascinating episode, Emma sits down with Sue Hopple, a gifted animal communicator, to explore the deep and often mysterious connections between humans and animals. Sue shares her lifelong ability to communicate with animals telepathically, offering insights into their thoughts, emotions, and past experiences. From her earliest memories of hearing animals as a child to her professional work helping pet owners understand their companions, Sue’s stories are both enlightening and heartwarming. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this conversation will challenge your...
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Rescuing America's Wild Horses with Clare Staples
Human Animals
EP#05 | Meet Clare Staples, founder of SkyDog Sanctuary, a refuge for wild mustangs and donkeys rescued from neglect, abuse, and the slaughter pipeline. In this episode, Emma and Clare discuss the emotional intelligence of wild horses, the challenges of running a large-scale rescue, and the evolving ethics of horse training and riding. Clare shares her personal journey from the entertainment industry to full-time rescue work, highlighting the resilience of these incredible animals. Whether you’re passionate about horse welfare or just curious about the deep connections between humans and...
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Building Trust with Horses & Ourselves with Taylor Tatum
Human Animals
EP#04 | Meet Taylor Tatum, a backcountry trail-riding-focused horse trainer, believes in laying strong foundations in the arena to ensure success on the trail. In this episode, Emma and Taylor discuss the deep connection between humans and horses, how equine-facilitated mental health (EFMH) is changing therapy, and the parallels between horse and human psychology. Taylor shares insights on herd dynamics, the importance of trust and leadership, and how working with horses can help individuals recognize their own emotional patterns. Whether you’re a horse enthusiast or simply curious...
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Big Cats and Their Stories with Kate Vannelli
Human Animals
EP#03 | Meet Kate Vannelli, conservationist and world traveler, currently leading the Living With Big Cats initiative for the World Wildlife Fund. In this episode, Kate shares her experiences working with big cats across the globe, from Namibia to the Himalayas and Tanzania. Listen to stories of cheetah conservation, snow leopard ecotourism, and the cultural and emotional connections humans have with apex predators. Kate and Emma discuss human-wildlife conflict, the impact of policy, and how animals like P-22, the famed Hollywood mountain lion, inspire global efforts for coexistence. About the...
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Humane Hatcheries and the Secret Lives of Chickens with Francesca Duvall
Human Animals
EP#02 | Meet Francesca Duvall, founder of Alchemist Farm, the world’s first humane chicken hatchery. In this episode, Emma and Francesca discuss ethical practices in chicken farming, innovative solutions to industry challenges, and the surprising intelligence and personality of chickens. Learn how regenerative farming can transform soil health, reduce food waste, and reconnect us to the land. Francesca shares her journey of building a zero-waste, solar-powered farm and offers actionable insights for anyone interested in sustainable living or backyard chicken keeping. About the Guest:...
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Pigs, Empathy, and the Meaning of Home with Autumn Whitacre
Human Animals
EP#01 | Meet Autumn Whitacre, the passionate founder of Autumn's Acres, a mini pet pig homestead in Ohio. In this heartwarming episode, Autumn shares her journey from pig lover to educator, her life on a homestead, and the special bond her family has with their animals. From raising pigs to educating others about their care, Autumn's insights reveal the deeper connection between humans and animals. Join us as we explore life lessons, pig behavior, and the joy animals bring to our lives. About the Guest: Autumn Whitacre, Founder of Autumn's Acres, Mini Pet Pigs Autumn Whitacre runs a homestead...
info_outlineEP#08 | In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, Emma reconnects with her longtime friend and powerhouse rescuer, Maddie Johnson. Together, they dive into Maddie's wild world of solo animal rescue—from chaotic piglet arrivals to rehabilitating orphaned llamas—all from the comfort (and chaos) of her own home.
Maddie opens up about the emotional toll of rescue work, the importance of saying "no," and how her large social media following is both a blessing and a burden. The two reflect on their craziest rescue adventures—including road-tripping to save alpacas, water buffalo, and a runaway zebra-striped horse—and how they manage compassion fatigue while sharing it all online.
Whether you’re an aspiring rescuer, a long-time follower, or just love a good animal story, this episode blends gritty reality with tender moments and will leave you laughing, reflecting, and maybe even crying.
About the Guest:
Maddie Johnson, Animal Rescuer & Advocate
Maddie is a full-time animal rescuer who has saved hundreds of animals—including pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, and llamas—right out of her home. Her work has been featured widely on social media, where she shares educational and emotionally resonant content about animal rescue, ethical consumption, and boundaries in compassionate care.
Lesson Takeaways:
1. You can’t save everyone—and that’s okay. Focus on the lives you do change.
2. Saying no is crucial to avoiding burnout and sustaining long-term rescue work.
3. Sharing rescue stories online can amplify impact—but requires emotional boundaries.
4. Donation fatigue is real; platforms like Patreon offer sustainable support.
5. Animals teach us what they want—we just have to listen (even if it means letting go).
6. Goodbyes can be the most selfless act of love in rescue.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
06:00 - How Emma adopted Brian from Maddie—and started her own path
15:00 - Chaos of solo rescue and learning by doing
24:00 - Social media pressures and the cost of “yes”
34:00 - The heartbreak of dairy calves and power of sharing their stories
45:00 - Financial realities of rescue, Patreon, and donation fatigue
55:00 - Balancing public and private life as a rescuer online
01:04:00 - Road tripping with llamas, pigs, alpacas, and... zebras?
01:20:00 - Letting animals go: When love means finding a better home
01:30:00 - Adventures with horses, ethical decisions, and emotional closure
Resources:
Living with Pickles on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwithpickles/?hl=en
Living with Pickles on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwithpickles/
Living with Pickles Website: https://www.livingwithpickles.com/donate
Living with Pickles on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LivingWithPickles
Mikko’s Choice: https://mikkoschoice.com
Human Animal’s Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humananimalspodcast-w5j