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Comfort Creatures

Ella McLeod, Alexis B. Preston

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Comfort Creatures is a show for people who prefer their friends to have paws instead of hands! Every week, Alexis and Ella talk to guests about their pets or creatures that give them comfort, discuss their favorite fictional critters, learn about pets in history, and discover differences between pet ownership across the pond. Whether you have a giant sloth, two siamese skinks, or just know way too much about unicorns, every animal friend is welcome on Comfort Creatures!
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What if the government actually did cover something up in Roswell? What if yetis exist and are just really shy? What if super-intelligent lizards are wearing human skin suits, influencing international affairs and recording podcasts? Conspiracy theories are cool because they appeal to our evolved logical human brains and our stupid mammal idiot brains. So join host, comedian and skeptic, Katelyn Hempstead and producer Alexis B. Preston, as their brilliant friends try to convince them of thes ...
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In an attempt to limit her social media input, Ella has turned her attention to the important things: DINOSAURS! But before we can really get into dinosaurs, she decided to learn about our living dino-like friends, crocodiles and alligators! We learn all about the differences between them, their strength, and their link to their jurassic family. Pl…
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Last week was Easter and while some may think of rabbits and chicks when they think of the egg filled holiday, we thought it was time to give some attention to the real holiday hero: The Donkey! Ella learns all she can about donkeys and Alexis finds a fun greek myth with some donkey themes! Plus, we have a fantastic Ready Pet Go from Eileen and the…
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BREAKING NEWS! Dire wolves are BACK! Which is a shock in many ways to Ella! This week we discuss what we've learned of the dire wolf news, learn about the norse myth of Fenrir, and Alexis and Ella give updates on their stinky (Or not stinky) pets! Send us YOUR pet stories (Ready, Pet, Go!) at [email protected] and don't forget to rate…
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Sometimes you see a video of an animal and you realize they are not what you thought they were. This week that animal is none other than THE MOOSE. Did you know that they can be nearly seven feet tall at the shoulder?! We didn't! Naturally we had to learn as much as we could about these HUGE animals and even some fun mythology! We also have a Ready…
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First, THANK YOU to everyone who joined us during the Max Fun Drive! We reached ALL of our goals this year and we are so excited! We are joined this week by the wonderful Molly McAleer (Trending Lightly, Mother May I Sleep with Podcast) who tells us all about her stunning cat Pigeon! We also discuss the emotional states of some of our favorite cryp…
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It's the last week of the MaxFun Drive and who better to join us than one of the world's best person/dog combos? Renee Colvert and Tugboat the Fluffy Pit! We catchup with Renee, learn about Tug's latest walk shenanigans, discuss our childhood stuffed animals, and even talk musical theater! Thank you to everyone who has joined the Drive so far! If y…
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It's the MaxFun Drive! And one of the best parts of the Drive is the Bonus Content! Here's a little preview of our conversation with our pals from Let's Learn Everything! To hear the full episode (and our other episode with Renee Colvert!) join, boost, or upgrade your membership! Head to maximumfun.org/join…
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HOLD ON TO YOUR PANTS! And maybe ask the kids and grandparents to skip this episode. We have the ultimate crossover episode special for the MaxFunDrive! We are joined by Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara from Reading Smut (and Reading Glasses)! We have fused our shows into everyone's favorite subject: Creatures in Smut! Werewolves, vampires, and tenta…
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It’s not MaxFunDrive without a wild kickoff spectacular! Former real-life VJ and host of MTV's Spring Break 1999, Dave Holmes, takes your favorite MaxFun hosts through some wacky ‘90s- and Spring Break-themed mini games!! Featuring: Dave Holmes, Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya, Dimitry Pompée, Tom Lum, Ellen Weatherford, Alex Schmidt, Brenda Snell, Drea…
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This week the countdown to Ella's birthday begins... and so does the countdown to St Patricks day! As a result, Ella brings a creature from Irish mythology that is sometimes comforting and sometimes... less so! Alexis shared some research on William Wegman, who is absolutely One Of Us and we have a RPG from Katie, Cadence and the artist Formerly Kn…
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Once again, the animal world has blown our mind in it's long list of animals we've never heard of! First, we figure out WHAT a Springhare is. Then we learn, that not only do they resemble tiny kangaroos, but they are bioflourescent! Plus, Ella has moved houses and Percy is adjusting, Alexis had a birthday, we read a poem about a Hare, and we have a…
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We've finally figured out a way to combine all of our interests into one episode! Animal poetry AND animal names that rhyme with each other? What more could you want?! In anticipation of National Poetry Day we've decided to do a little poetry and rhyming themed series! This week, we learn all about pudus and kudus, adorable deer (one big and one sm…
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It's been a minute since we've had a good old fashioned animal artist segment, so we've remedied that! Julia Wernicke was a fantastic Argentine painter and engraver most known for her painting "Los Toritos" or Little Bulls. So, naturally we also thought we'd do a little bull mythology! If you have another animal artist we should cover, please reach…
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Happy New Year! We're manifesting, we're seizing, we're... we're auto-hemorrhaging when disturbed and waiting for the Spring Equinox to make any actual resolutions. It's 2025, the year of the snake, and we're talking wood snakes, working smart not hard and what we didn't know about the Chinese Zodiac! Plus, we have a wonderful Ready Pet Go from Ama…
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It's our last episode of the year and what better way to wrap up 2024 and our Corvid Compendium with this, the Queen of the Corvids, the Magpie! We discuss superstition, nursery rhymes and learn that not all Magpies are the gothic babes we westerners might think of. Thank you all so much for supporting us this year! We can't wait to yap like magpie…
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The compendium continues this week with some very cute cold weather corvids, this week we discuss Boreal Jays. This includes Canadian Jays, Siberian Jays, and Sichuan Jays! We also discuss the difficulties of moving with pets and we have a wonderful Ready Pet Go from Meg and Francine, AKA the Lesbian Menagerie update we've all been waiting for!…
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Tis the season for Sugar Plum Faries, dancing swans and, of course, Nutcrackers. But did you know the Nutcracker isn't just decorative wooden man, but actually a kind of CORVID? Well it is! And this week we learn all about the Nutcracker bird as we continue our Corvid Compendium. Plus, we have a very fun Ready Pet Go from Altaay and Mochi!…
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We continue the Corvid Compendium this week with a chatter of Choughs... and a conversation about them too. We're also joined by Emilie -- artist, cat-mum and witness to a Miracle! Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate, we're very thankful for all of you! Find more of Emilie on instagram at @brightgardenstudio Send us YOUR pet stories (Read…
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Alexis has been working hard to become a city witch by befriending the neighborhood ravens. This made us curious about all of our corvid friends! So, we're starting the Corvid Compendium, where we take a deep dives into various corvids! We begin with the classic: Ravens! They're mysterious, smart, and full of some very fascinating mythology, some o…
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN COMFIES! This episode is full of myths as well as myth busting! Basilisks may be petrifying to look upon, but is it because they have a fatal stare... or just because they're so utterly bizarre looking??? And where did the whole Don't-Look-Them-In-The-Eye thing come from anyway? Could it be cobras and their gnarly, squirting poison?…
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It's frankly rude of us to have not devoted a full episode to these little dudes before -- especially as Alexis is obviously part raccoon. We discuss raccoon legends, the difference between racoons and racoon dogs and of course, provide you with much animal trivia. It's our love language after all! Don't forget to send us your animals in halloween …
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One of us! One of us! This week we are joined by Amy Castro, the amazing founder of Starlight Outreach and Rescue. She joins us to discuss her many fosters -- including ducks and donkeys! -- as well as her history of hilarious pet ownership. Don't forget our Redwall livestream is on October 13th at 12pm PST and 8pm BST! You can learn more about Amy…
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HOT NEWS! HOT NEW BABY! We can't get enough of the viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng! So, what better way to show our excitement for the cutest wet chunk we've ever seen than to talk about her on the show! Plus some fall recs and updates on Crumb's first day of work! Don't forget - our final Redwall livestream on October 13th at 12pm PST!…
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Alright folks, we've put in the work to finally bring you the list you've been demanding: The Coziest Creatures! Who's got the best den? Who's hybernating the longest? Who would look best in a little sweater? (They'd all look so cute tbh) Grab a mug and a blanket and tune in to find out! Also our final Redwall livestream on October 13th at 12pm PST…
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Not only is Jennifer S. Holland the author of the fantastic book Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence, but she's also the owner of two very cool dogs. Normally that would be PLENTY of interesting things, but Jennifer also has some incredible stories of her time working for National Geographic, including scuba diving and meeting o…
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Cosy season is upon us! Well it's upon Ella, who lives somewhere with actual seasons. Because Alexis can only dream of sweater weather, we're bringing the back to school vibes to her and discussing getting our ducks in a row. Packing out pets pack lunches. Sewing labels int their sports kits. Signing them up for drama club. That kid of thing. Elsew…
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*ROAR!* You would be forgiven for thinking that that was our best lion impression. In fact it was our best Leo impression because boy do those fire signs like to make their presence known! To demonstrate our love and appreciation for these sweet summer children, today's episode dives deep into Lions - we have myths, magic and much animal trivia bec…
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We were today years old when we discovered that the Asiatic Black Bear is also known as... the Moon Bear! We think this is adorable and as its Moon Bear awareness day, we thought we'd tell you all about them. You can thank us later. Also, Alexis teaches Ella all about "splooting", thanks to a Ready Pet Go from Hansie! Send us YOUR pet stories (Read…
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This week we've listened to the universe - and our friends on discord - and will be doing a river deep dive on the most fearsome vegetarian that ever trotted menacingly across the land... The hippo! From their potential flying abiilities to their connection with Ancient Egyptian Goddesses tune in for our chat on these our favourite low riders. Spea…
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Happy birthday to us! Happy birthday to us! Happy birthday to Comfort Creatures! Happy birthday to us! It's out 100th Episode and it could not be more perfect that today is our Red Wall Part 2 episode! Join us for cake, a large glass of wine and a deep dive. We debate anagrams, discuss foxy naming conventions and, naturally, crown Constance queen o…
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We are joined this week by our first ever returning guest! Katelyn Hempsted returns to update us on her pet ownership status and we discuss the cat distribution system, being a new paw-rent and the potiential for a castle commune. Also Simba may join a band and Cricket has been keeping a naughty little secret. Next week is not only our Redwall book…
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It's summer time and you know what that means? FLYING KITES! And we don't mean the kind attached to strings. This week we do a deep dive on these distinct birds with some very rich, and occasionally dark, mythology! (WARNING: there is mention of some dark and potentially triggering themes in the greek mythology portion of this episode) NEWS: Part 2…
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Badgers! Are they adorable woodland creatures protecting other foresty friends? Well... maybe not! This week we learn that badgers are fascinating, tough, and surprisingly stinky! We discuss all things badgers, including our favorite and least favorite fictional badgers! Send us YOUR favorite (and least favorite) animals to comfortcreatures@maximum…
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Spoiler Alert! Make sure to watch The First Snow of Winter if you're planning to as we do talk in detail about the plot! It's on Youtube! Okay, did you watch it? Great! Because this week we talk about the adorable BBC short film The First Snow of Winter and to celebrate some of it's fantastic characters (Voley and Puffy) we discuss Water Voles and …
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