Best Mahoning County Podcasts (2025)

1
An IVF Journey While Being a Zookeeper with Kirsti Mahon of the Naples Zoo 59:34

13d ago59:34

59:34

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! This week, my guest, Kirsti Mahon, and I dive into her journey to become a mother. A journey that includes IVF, a hurricane, and the best outcome ever - a beautiful baby girl! Kirsti candidly shares her journey, from the support she rec…

1
Advocating While Pregnant and Navigating Upon Your Return to Work with Chelsie Bedingfield from the Sacramento Zoo 1:10:03

27d ago1:10:03

1:10:03

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week is Chelsie Bedingfield, an ungulate keeper at the Sacramento Zoo. Her and I really dive into what a zookeeper's daily roles and responsibilities are, and then what it is like to be a pregnant zookeeper doing those tas…

1
Patiently Waiting, Observing, Validating Feelings, and Then Finding Solutions - At Home and at the Zoo with Katie Hall from Minnesota Zoo 58:56

1M ago58:56

58:56

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Join me this week as I talk to Katie Hall, the Director of Animal Behavior and Wellbeing at the Minnesota Zoo. The first part of our conversation really dives into the responsibilities of her role at the zoo. Roles like hers have become…

1
Nothing Can Really Prepare You for Motherhood or Even the Feelings of Postpartum with Andrea Porch of Sedgwick County Zoo 1:03:55

2M ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! This week my guest, Andrea Porch, and I have a great conversation about the postpartum period. So much about the postpartum period is not discussed openly but it can be such an important conversation to hold publicly. Women can feel alo…

1
From Crustacean Enthusiast to Aquarist Mom with Caroline Dyer of Ripley's Aquarium of Canada 59:19

2M ago59:19

59:19

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week, Caroline, is not only a crustacean enthusiast but an amazing aquarist mom from Canada! Her and I talk about all things aquarist, including what it's like to be a pregnant aquarist and the restrictions she had during …

1
Can Being a Zookeeper Help You Find Balance as a Mom? with Leanne Parker of Niabi Zoo 41:42

3M ago41:42

41:42

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! We talk a lot about the “zookeeper identity” on this podcast - how being a zookeeper can infiltrate into so many areas of your life. My guest this week, Leanne, and I talk about this and about how to balance that with a “mom identity” a…

1
My Job is Such a Huge Part of My Life, Could I Be a Mom and Do This Too? with Kaylee Franklin of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 50:52

3M ago50:52

50:52

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! As a working parent, you might have asked yourself the question, "Can I be a mom and do this job too?" My guest this week, Kaylee, asked herself that question before becoming a mom. It's a valid question to ask and one that is also toug…

1
Everything is a Season; Seasons of Motherhood, Seasons of your Career, and Seasons of Work/Life Balance with Melissa Farr Dacumos of Utah’s Hogle Zoo 1:08:28

4M ago1:08:28

1:08:28

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week is Melissa Farr Dacumos, Associate Director of Animal Care at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Her and I spent a fair amount of time talking about pregnancy while working in animal care, her postpartum period during Covid, and retur…

1
Postpartum is Hard! But so is Being a Working Mom with Carly Hornberger from Smithsonian's National Zoo 57:30

1+ y ago57:30

57:30

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week, Carly, and I talk about the postpartum period. There are so many changes that occur during that "4th trimester". As you approach the end of your maternity leave you might find yourself excited to return to work but a…

1
More Than a Mom and Not Just a Zookeeper with Kristine Duplisea of the Fort Worth Zoo 1:00:31

1+ y ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! As a working professional, when you suddenly step into the world of motherhood, it can sometimes feel as if you now have two identities. Motherhood, and in the case of most of this podcast's guests, zookeeper. My guest this week, Kristi…

1
April Collection Edition (Ep. 44) 43:05

1+ y ago43:05

43:05

This month we chatted with Lindsay, a librarian at PLYMC about true crime! Take a look at the titles we discussed. Most titles are available in multiple formats, so scroll through to find your preferred version. Check them out here!

1
Working Your Dream Job but Feeling Like You’re Needed at Home with Kristen Beedle, former primate zookeeper 56:00

1+ y ago56:00

56:00

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Animal care professionals work so hard to get into the zoo field. Internships, commutes, low pay, time spent away from family and friends - all this because they love what they do and oftentimes consider it their passion. They can’t ima…

1
Kids Will Work for Chocolate Chips with Sarah Kirkman of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 50:02

1+ y ago50:02

50:02

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Can you train your kids the same way you train zoo animals? My guest this week, Sarah Kirkman, is a zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo and mom to two small children and she has a great story about putting her animal training skills to use! H…

1
Penguins, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Comparison with Lindsay Ireland of the Detroit Zoo 49:18

1+ y ago49:18

49:18

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week, Lindsay Ireland, is a penguin keeper at the Detroit Zoo. We talk a bit about being pregnant while working with penguins and then dive into how as a new mom it can be so hard not to compare oneself to other mothers an…

1
Zoo Podcasters Unite! with Jon Rossi from the Rossifari Podcast, and Chris Jenkins from the NEI TEC Talk Podcast 1:43:18

1+ y ago1:43:18

1:43:18

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Join me this week for something a little bit different - Zoological Podcast Summit 2024! Myself, Jon Rossi from the Rossifari Podcast and Chris Jenkins from the NEI TEC Talk Podcast spend some time talking about hosting zoo-focused podc…

1
Kids as a Catalyst for Change and Finding a Family First Culture in a Facility with Courtney Janney of the Memphis Zoo 51:08

1+ y ago51:08

51:08

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week, Courtney Janney, and I spent so much time talking about women in leadership and how having children changed her professional priorities. When her first daughter was born, her new attitude about work/life balance perv…

1
Just Don't Drop the Glass Balls with Dr. Lizzy Arnett-Chinn from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 56:07

1+ y ago56:07

56:07

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Often, we feel like we are juggling so many things in life - kids, work, to-do lists, projects, etc. My guest this week, Dr. Lizzy Arnett-Chinn, has a great way of looking at how to prioritize all the things she is juggling. It's simple…

1
Book Banter "Escaping Mr. Rochester" (Ep 43) 10:10

1+ y ago10:10

10:10

Listen as our librarians Alex and Sarah discuss the YA novel"Escaping Mr. Rochester" by L.L. McKinneyCheck it out here: https://bit.ly/3UYsbT8

1
An IVF Journey as a Zookeeper with Former Zookeeper Tarah Carpenter 48:30

1+ y ago48:30

48:30

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week, Tarah, and I dive a little bit into her journey with IVF to become a mom. At the time, she was the only mom amongst animal care staff at her facility. We also talk a bit about what it’s like to be the only mom on sta…

1
The Mixed Bag of Emotions During Maternity Leave with Alyson Proveaux of the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden 47:36

1+ y ago47:36

47:36

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Maternity leave can be uncharted territory for new moms! My guest this week, Alyson, and I explore the emotions of maternity leave. Some women feel anxiety about stepping away from their job for months knowing that, especially in the zo…

1
Still at the Zoo! But Doing Something Different with Carolyn Kelly from the St. Louis Zoo 58:49

1+ y ago58:49

58:49

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Children can be the catalyst for many changes in our lives and sometimes they are the reason why we seek out new roles in our careers. We've talked a lot on the podcast about women who have transitioned into new roles after becoming a m…

1
February Collection Edition (Ep 42) 39:22

1+ y ago39:22

39:22

This month we chatted with Jenna about romance and a little bit of everything! Take a look at the titles we discussed. Most titles are available in multiple formats, so scroll through to find your preferred version. Check them out here!

1
A New Baby AND a New Role! with Kendra Bottini of the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden 44:36

1+ y ago44:36

44:36

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Sometimes change happens gradually and sometimes it happens within a short span of time. My guest this week, Kendra Bottini, knows what it feels like to have many life changes happening all at once! She had a baby, came back from matern…

1
Doing What's Best for You with Allison Malkowski of the Dakota Zoo 51:28

1+ y ago51:28

51:28

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! We hear so much advice as parents - how much time to take after baby arrives, when to call out from work, etc. However, only you know what you need and what is best for you. And this might be different from the norm! Can we agree as mom…

1
Advocating for Your Child and Parenting the Best Way for Your Family with Adrienne John of Turtle Bay Exploration Park 47:18

1+ y ago47:18

47:18

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Every parent has to make the decision about what is best for their family and how they are going to parent. Sometimes those decisions are hard but they always include considering the needs of your child. My guest this week, Adrienne Joh…

1
You’re Not Alone! Motherhood Transforms Everything - Your Body, Your Brain, Your Life with Kristy Edelen of the Georgia Aquarium 51:28

1+ y ago51:28

51:28

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! What did you expect motherhood to be like? Was it easier or harder than you imagined? What surprised you the most? As my guest this week, Kristy Edelen, and I discuss, motherhood is transformative in so many ways. Your body, your brain,…

1
Moms as Managers, Normalizing Support in the Workplace with Nikki Smith, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 1:05:46

1+ y ago1:05:46

1:05:46

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! As a new mom in the workplace, having a supportive manager upon your return can make a time in life that feels chaotic and hard, feel calmer and give you more confidence. At a time when your routine is completely different than it was m…

1
Transitioning in Your Career Can Be So Hard But Also So Worth It with Carey Richard, former Curator of Marine Mammals 57:54

1+ y ago57:54

57:54

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Sometimes you find that some of the skills you've gained in your career are also transferable to another field completely! My guest this week was able to take skills from her previous job at an aquarium to an adjacent field - which allo…

1
Creating the Next Generation of Conservationists with Jenny Curtis of edZOOcation 41:00

1+ y ago41:00

41:00

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! This week I talk to a mom who turned her passion for wildlife conservation and education into a business. Jenny Curtis founded edZOOcation, as a way to bring together all of her passions - wildlife conservation, conservation education, …

1
December Collection Edition (Ep 41) 41:02

1+ y ago41:02

41:02

This month we chatted with Jill, Head Cataloger in Technical Service about some of her holiday faves! Take a look at the titles we discussed. Most titles are available in multiple formats, so scroll through to find your preferred version. Check them out here:https://bit.ly/3uQq9tj⁠

1
Moms and Mental Health Support with Hannah Fullmer and Shannon McKinney of GRAZE, Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees 1:10:18

1+ y ago1:10:18

1:10:18

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! moms more prone to compassion fatigue and burnout mom guilt changing priorities that made you want to leave your career Find GRAZE at all of the places and links below: GRAZE website GRAZE Facebook page GRAZE LinkedIn page Email Shannon…

1
From Mothering Your Children to “Momming” Your Coworkers, You Can’t Turn Motherhood Off with Alecia Benware of the North Carolina Zoo 52:46

1+ y ago52:46

52:46

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! My guest this week, Alecia Benware, transitioned into the zoo field from the banking industry when her son was just 10 months old. We talk about how that transition brought her better work/life balance and a much more supportive environ…

1
From Zoo Vet Tech to "Tech Teaching" Her Kids with Molly Waller, former Zoo Veterinary Technician 52:54

1+ y ago52:54

52:54

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Join me this week as I talk to Molly Waller, a former zoological veterinary technician as she shares her journey as a working mom. We talk about the impact our jobs have on our kids. She would often take her daughter to work and believe…

1
Mothering from 50 Miles Offshore is a Whale of a Good Time with Naturalist Julie Taylor 50:14

1+ y ago50:14

50:14

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Join me this week as I talk to Julie Taylor, a naturalist who spends most of her days on a large boat interpreting wildlife off the coast of Maine. We talk about the challenges of trying to find the balance between work and home and how…

1
Doing It All, Taking It Day by Day, and Remembering It All Will Go On Without You with Katie Gries of Ochsner Park Zoo 40:52

1+ y ago40:52

40:52

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Sometimes we are so heavily involved in our workplace role that we worry if they will be able to carry on without us when we need to take time away. Join me this week as I talk to Katie Gries of Ochsner Park Zoo. A small facility, Katie…

1
The Science of Behavior Change Translates to Motherhood with Arianna Bailey of Natural Encounters, Inc. (NEI) 54:02

2y ago54:02

54:02

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! The science of behavior change has many applications; whether it is in your professional career with animal care and welfare or at home with your children! Join my guest this week, Arianna Bailey, and I as we discuss how her career in a…

1
Moms Helping Moms Across Species - How One (Human) Mom's Tea Became an (Ape) Mom's Treasure with Cindy Cossaboon of the Denver Zoo 45:18

2y ago45:18

45:18

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! It doesn't matter if you're an orangutan or human mom, all moms need a little bit of help sometimes. When an orangutan at the Denver Zoo started showing signs of discomfort associated with early pregnancy, a fellow (human) mom stepped i…

1
We’ll Make it Through; Leaning on Your Team and Others for Support During Tough Times with Traci Cameron of SEA LIFE Kansas City 43:30

2y ago43:30

43:30

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Have you ever had to just tell yourself, “We’ll make it through”. Motherhood can throw all sorts of wild cards our way - from changing home routines to limitations at work to unexpected situations. It can feel like we’re just along for …

1
Pumping in the Wild (Like on a Swamp Buggy and Boat!), and Choosing Change with Ashlee O'Connor of Defenders of Wildlife 59:36

2y ago59:36

59:36

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! If you’re a breastfeeding mama who has had to pump at work you know the weird and challenging places we often try to accomplish this task. My guest this week, Ashlee O’Connor, knows all too well what it’s like to pump “in the wild”. As …

1
October Collection Edition (Ep 40) 30:23

2y ago30:23

30:23

Join us for the special collection edition of the Library Anywhere Podcast. This month Team Ashley chatted with Romie, a librarian with the Technical Services team about her faves, current reads, and some spooky season essentials! Interested in the titles discussed? Check them out here:https://bit.ly/3F4ALqn…

1
Not Everyone's Motherhood Journey is the Same with Barbara Suhn of the Oregon Zoo 50:24

2y ago50:24

50:24

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Motherhood looks different for everyone. From the journey to become a mom, to the support network you have (or don’t), all the way to how you manage the balance between work and home. Join me this week as I talk to Barbara Suhn of the O…

1
Motherhood Expectations and Pressures with Zookeeper Laura 56:08

2y ago56:08

56:08

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! If you have had a long journey into the zoo field you will relate with this week's guest, Laura, as she spends the first bit of the episode telling her zoo story! Her tenacity paid off, but her journey was anything but easy! The zoo fie…

1
Doing Birth With a Doula - Finding Support During Birth and Beyond with Leilani Beaupre of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium 56:34

2y ago56:34

56:34

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Finding support and asking for help when you're in the trenches of motherhood is easier said than done. However, during birth and beyond, one option is to have a doula! Have you considered having a doula present for your delivery or did…

1
How Being a Zookeeper Prepares You for Children (and in this case, triplets!) with Bethany Jeffrey 40:14

2y ago40:14

40:14

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! So often we find that the skills we've gained as animal care professionals are applicable to raising children! This week I talk to Bethany Jeffrey, a former animal care professional who has put her skills to good use as her and her husb…

1
Committing to Cloth Diapers with Christina Eastwood of the Dallas Zoo 1:04:28

2y ago1:04:28

1:04:28

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Sometimes our professional lives influence the decisions we make in our personal lives. This week I talk to Christina Eastwood of the Dallas Zoo. We talk about her choice to use cloth diapers for environmental and financial reasons. Clo…

1
Finding Your Community with Jessi Gorman of the Fort Worth Zoo 46:18

2y ago46:18

46:18

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Join me as I talk to Jessi Gorman of the Fort Worth Zoo. We talk about her upfront honesty about wanting to start a family when she interviewed for her job, the things that she underestimated about having a child, how she troubleshoots …

1
The Influence of Motherhood on our Careers with Mandy Fischer of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) 52:26

2y ago52:26

52:26

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! Ever been worried about leaving your career to focus on motherhood? Join me as I talk to Mandy Fischer of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) about how motherhood influenced her career path. She has held roles in and out of the …

1
The Stages of Parenthood with Zookeeper Jennifer Zuehlke 49:32

2y ago49:32

49:32

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! When you're in the thick of it, that particular parenting stage seems to last forever. Whether it's lack of sleep or an infant's complete dependency on you, giving so much of yourself at work and then having to come home and give so muc…

1
August Collection Edition (Ep 39) 15:26

2y ago15:26

15:26

Join us for the special collection edition of the Library Anywhere Podcast. Team Ashley is joined by Kim from the Technical Services Department to discuss what they're currently reading and some favorites. Interested in the collection discussed? Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3Kzuo1j

1
Pregnancy, Pumping, and Personal Time with Heather Ammann of the Dallas Zoo 53:34

2y ago53:34

53:34

Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms! In this episode I talk to Heather Ammann of the Dallas Zoo. We talk about being pregnant at work (especially in that hot Texas heat), how she dealt with sleep deprivation in those first few months and the anxiety of not wanting to forge…

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Mahoning County Podcasts

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