Libsyn Directory

309 - Dogs Demystified with Ethologist Dr. Marc Bekoff

Release Date: 11/20/2024

323 - What Are the Signs of Burnout? How Chronic Stress Hijacks Your Hormones, Energy & Career

Switch4Good

"Burnout is why I left. I just started talking myself out of it, that we shouldn’t do it anymore. I just kind of ignored those feelings. It’s strange to fall out of love with something that you’ve done every single moment of every single day for a very long time. Maybe it’ll be too sooner than later, right? But right now, that is going to keep it fresh. I want to keep this feeling." -Dotsie Bausch “I’m talking about how important B complex vitamins are for stress, and yet I’m at home, in my hotel room, on the road, grinding so hard that I’m not taking my own advice. I...

322 - Surprising Fiber Benefits, Heavy Metal Detox and Avoiding Gray Hair with Alexandra and Jason

Switch4Good

"A study that was done in 2022, it looked at over 4,000 adults over a 26-year span, and it found that just a 5-gram increase in fiber led to a lot less inflammation in the body. And they measured inflammation by C-reactive protein, which you can ask your doctor about when you get your next blood test to measure your CRP, or C-reactive protein, to see how inflamed you are. And when you have lower inflammation, this also lowers your heart attack risk. So, higher fiber in your diet can lower your heart attack risk by as much as 30%. Who knew, right?" -Alexandra Paul Today, we’re diving into the...

321 - The Pros and Cons of Cold Plunges & Antibiotics Plus Tips for Healthy Living with Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

"I have wondered if heart attacks could be an issue because it is a shock to the body when you walk into a cold shower. I don’t know. When you did those plunges, did you sort of slowly go in, or did you go in all at once because it’s easier that way?" -Alexandra Paul "No. I go all in, all at once. For me, if I do the gradual process—where I’m just dipping a toe in, literally just dipping a toe in—the feedback that my mind will give me is: ‘Danger, danger, danger. Do not do this.’ So I do it because I want to override that fear response and the danger signals that my brain is...

320 - How to Avoid Dementia and Alleviate Depression with Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

"You’ve also probably heard that playing an instrument helps your brain. And they did this study with twins. One twin played an instrument, and one twin didn’t. And the twin who played an instrument had a 64% lower likelihood of developing dementia. If you just remove your cataracts, you immediately improve your chances of not getting dementia by 30%." -Alexandra Paul “So, I want to introduce a food that is not prevalent yet in Western culture. And it’s one of the most incredible foods that has been growing in the Caribbean and tropical areas of Africa. It’s called…” -Jason...

319 - Gluten-Free Diet Concerns, Do Detoxes and Cleanses Work and How Much Water Should We Drink? with Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

"So, if you keep a pitcher of water in your fridge, or if you prefer room temperature, you just put it on a counter, cut up some fruit or cucumber to give it a fancier taste. And I actually thought that’s what you did, Jason, because I kind of imagined you having water with, like, cucumber in it. I’m not that fancy, but it’s the easiest thing in the world. I mean, now that you’re saying it, there’s no reason why I wouldn’t. It makes it a little more interesting. Right?"-Alexandra Paul -Jason Wrobel We’re bombarded with health advice—ditch gluten, detox your body, drink more...

318 - Debunking Paleo, Tips to Stay Lean, a Cancer Fighting Supplement and Nighttime Eating with Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

In this episode, Alexandra and Jason dive into the surprising role plants played in human evolution, challenging common Paleo diet myths. They share expert-backed strategies for staying lean long-term, including how to feel more satisfied with meals, and make time for exercise. Plus, Jason reveals his go-to superfood beverage and favorite breakfast recipes. The duo also answers your burning questions—exploring the potential health benefits of amla (Indian gooseberry) as a cancer-fighting supplement and whether late-night eating poses real risks. Don’t miss this packed episode full of...

317 - Lose Weight & Keep it Off; Are Seed Oils Bad for You?; Microplastics in Our Brains with Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

“GLP-1 is this thing that they are putting in medications now to lower our appetite. And GLP-1 is made by our bodies too, but it’s down in our lower part of our intestine, and processed foods generally get processed way up high in the intestine because they don’t have a lot of fiber—they just get processed right away. But the higher-fiber whole foods make it down there and trigger the GLP-1 sensors to say, ‘Oh, we’ve got food, let’s cut off that appetite drive.’” -Alexandra Paul In this episode, Alexandra and Jason break down the real science behind weight loss—what...

316 - Exercise vs. Bad Diets, Intermittent Fasting, Soy Limits and The Alcohol/Cancer Link with Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

“So, for people who might think, ‘You see, the vegan diet is too expensive’—no. You can get frozen fruits and vegetables too if you can't get the fresh ones. Absolutely, absolutely. This is true. And I'll do a tangent on your tangent. One of the things that I always recommend to people when I've done nutrition coaching in the past is, if they're price-sensitive, getting dried legumes and dried beans. They are some of the most nutrient-dense and cost-effective things you can buy.” -Alexandra Paul and Jason Wrobel How much cardiovascular exercise do you really need? What’s the truth...

315 - Acidic Foods & Inflammation, Eating for your Hormones, Toxic Air Protection and Vegan Breast Milk with Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

Today’s episode tackles big health questions and real-life challenges. Can breastfeeding vegans provide all the essential nutrients for their babies? A groundbreaking study from Amsterdam has the answer—and it may surprise you. Plus, can you rewire your microbiome to reverse lactose intolerance? If so, should you? And Jason shares firsthand what it’s like living with Los Angeles' post-wildfire air—spoiler: the real danger isn’t just in the smoke. From nutrition myths to hidden environmental threats, we’re cutting through the noise with facts that matter. Don’t miss this...

314 - Get Rid of Joint Pain, Lower Inflammation, Elevate Your Chi, How Vegans Get Plenty of Iron with Dotsie, Alexandra & Jason

Switch4Good

Get ready for a jam-packed episode that’s as exciting as it is informative! We’re diving into the power of black foods, the protein-packed perks of fava bean tofu, and tackling the big question: can you really get enough iron on a vegan diet? We’ll also explore how plant-based diets help combat inflammation and share a hot-off-the-press study debunking myths about plant-based alternatives—all with a side of Violife cheese deliciousness. Don’t miss this feast for your mind! Podcast sponsors: - Vedge Vegan Collagen: – use code S4G for 30% off your order. - ...

More Episodes

What if animals think and feel in ways we’ve yet to grasp? In this episode, we delve into this fascinating question with Dr. Marc Bekoff. Dr. Bekoff is a pioneering ethologist and professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Renowned for his groundbreaking work on animal emotions, rewilding, and ethics, he has collaborated with figures like Jane Goodall to challenge our perceptions of nature and published numerous books and essays, the latest of which include A Dog's World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans, Dogs Demystified: An A-to-Z Guide to All Things Canine, and The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy―and Why They Matter.

We’ll also explore his recent book, Dogs Demystified, uncovering fresh insights into our canine companions—how they experience the world, communicate, and how we can improve their lives.

“More and more science is being done that shows that animals have rich and deep emotional lives. It's also common sense. What is the number one thing you believe a person can do to give their dog a wonderful life? Love them. Spoil them. Make them the most special beings in the world. And I really mean that. One myth about dogs is that they are unconditional lovers. The other myth is that they're our best friends. Neither is true. Basically, the general bumper sticker is that dogs off leash are better behaved, maybe less assertive, less aggressive, more playful than the same dog on a leash. People who leave their house at eight in the morning and come home at six at night and the dog has no company, I would consider that relatively abusive.” - Dr. Marc Bekoff

What we discuss:

- Tips for enriching your dog’s life.

- The truth about alpha dogs and the reality of social hierarchies.

- What your dog feels when left alone—and how to ease their stress.

- Recognizing when your dog needs to go outside.

- Why a vegan diet can be a safer, healthier choice for your dog.

- Fascinating facts about a dog’s nose and the critical role of scent in their world.

- Dr. Bekoff’s perspective on purebreds vs. mutts—and what genetics mean for your dog.

Episode resources:

- Dr. Bekoff’s homepage: marcbekoff.com - http://marcbekoff.com/

- Twitter/X: https://x.com/MarcBekoff?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

- Switch4Good podcast episode 18: Marc Bekoff: Compassionate Conservation & the Lives of Animals - https://switch4good.org/mark-bekoff-on-compassionate-conservation-and-the-emotional-lives-of-animals/