From Hollywood to Hay: Lena Dunham on Life with Her Pigs
Release Date: 07/15/2025
The Pet Pig Podcast
In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Autumn welcomes actress, writer, and director Lena Dunham to share her deeply personal and refreshingly honest journey into the world of pig parenting. From childhood dreams of being a pig farmer (without knowing what that truly meant) to life with her two beloved pigs, Victor and Cherry, Lena brings humor, insight, and an immense love for pigs to the mic. Lena recounts the magical — and messy — experience of bringing Victor home for the first time, learning how different pigs...
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In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, titled “Piggy Playlists: How Music Influences Pig Behavior,” host Autumn explores the surprising connection between music and pig behavior. Drawing from her own experiences at Autumn Acres Mini Pet Pigs, Autumn shares how classical music helps calm pigs during labor and reduces anxiety in weaning piglets—often leading to relaxed, curious, and even playful behavior. She dives into scientific research that supports these observations: ...
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Podcast Episode Summary: “Pig Ears: Why Gunky Isn’t Gross” In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn addresses a common concern among pig owners: gunky pig ears. While dark, greasy earwax might seem alarming—especially to dog and cat owners—Autumn explains that in pigs, it’s completely normal and actually serves as a natural defense mechanism. Pig ears are open to dirt and debris, so this thick wax helps protect the inner ear. Autumn emphasizes that unless a pig is showing...
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In today’s episode, we’re tackling a serious and frustrating issue in the pig community—piglet scams. These scams are popping up all over Facebook and the internet, tricking people into thinking they’re buying a piglet, only to steal their money with nothing to show for it. I break down the red flags to watch for, like fake photos, new social media pages, and suspiciously low prices. Scammers even steal real breeders’ photos—including mine—and pretend to be us. I’ve had people contact me thinking they...
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Episode Title: Hooves of All Kinds: From Pigs to Giraffes with Ben Pollak In this episode, we welcome Ben Pollak, founder of The Farrier Group, for a fascinating conversation about hoof care, animal trust, and a truly unconventional journey into the world of pig wellness. From growing up in Brooklyn and working as a chef, to traveling across the world on a motorcycle and finding himself on a wildlife sanctuary in Australia, Ben’s path to animal care is as inspiring as it is unexpected. His passion for...
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In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn debunks the myth of “teacup pigs,” explaining that there is no such breed — the term is purely a marketing gimmick. She shares how pigs grow for up to five years, and even the smallest healthy adult pigs typically weigh 75 pounds or more. Autumn explains why the teacup myth is so harmful: it misleads people into expecting a tiny, low-maintenance pet, leading to overwhelmed owners and high rates of pig rehoming. She emphasizes the importance of doing thorough research,...
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In this episode, I’m getting honest about something I’ve seen far too often. Today, I’m sharing the story of a piglet and a well-meaning family who were set up to fail by a breeder who cared more about money than about the life they were helping to create. From overfeeding advice to a complete lack of vet history, this family was given none of the tools they needed to succeed—and their pig is now paying the price. This episode is not about blame or shame. If you’ve been in this situation, please hear me when I say: it is not your fault. You...
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In this episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, host Autumn dives into the power of routine in a pig’s life—and why flexibility is just as important as structure. Drawing from over 20 years of experience raising pigs, Autumn shares the benefits of establishing a predictable yet adaptable daily rhythm for your pig. She explains how rigid routines can create stress, anxiety, and even aggression, while flexible routines help pigs feel secure without making them dependent on the clock....
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Podcast Episode Summary: “From Shaky Start to Safe Haven: Floppy’s Journey” In this heartwarming episode of The Pet Pig Podcast, host Autumn interviews Chelsey an animal lover who shares the remarkable story of her pet pig, Floppy. Born in January 2020 with a severe case of “shaking head syndrome,” Floppy was given only two weeks to live. When veterinarians recommended euthanasia, Chelsey and her husband stepped in to give the piglet a fighting chance. Despite having no prior experience with pigs,...
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Educational Membership Group Link- In this episode of the Pet Pig Podcast, Autumn breaks down a common but often misunderstood part of pig parenting: blowing their coat. If you’ve ever found clumps of pig hair around your home and worried something was wrong, this episode is for you. Autumn explains what “blowing their coat” actually means, when it typically happens, why it’s a natural part of your pig’s life, and what you can do to help your pig stay comfortable through the process....
info_outlineIn this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Autumn welcomes actress, writer, and director Lena Dunham to share her deeply personal and refreshingly honest journey into the world of pig parenting. From childhood dreams of being a pig farmer (without knowing what that truly meant) to life with her two beloved pigs, Victor and Cherry, Lena brings humor, insight, and an immense love for pigs to the mic.
Lena recounts the magical — and messy — experience of bringing Victor home for the first time, learning how different pigs are from dogs, and the eye-opening lessons about boundaries, bonding, and behavior that raising pigs has taught her (including some that surprisingly apply to human relationships). She also shares how discovering The Pet Pig Podcast helped her navigate those early days of confusion and joy, and how Cherry, who came from Autumn’s program, became the perfect companion for Victor.
Together, Autumn and Lena explore what it really takes to be a good pig parent, from respecting pigs as pigs — not dogs or babies — to understanding their intelligence, emotional complexity, and social needs. Whether you’re already living with pigs or dreaming of the day, Lena’s story is a charming, honest, and educational ride from the red carpet to the pig pen.
Lena reminds us that pigs have a way of changing our lives — not by fitting into our world, but by inviting us into theirs. This episode is a celebration of that transformation, of embracing imperfection, and of learning to meet our animals where they are. It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever loved a pig — or been surprised by how much a pig could teach them about life, love, and letting go.
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