Best Antecedents Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 247: Yay, Let's Talk About Grief! 36:04

1h ago36:04

36:04

Ari and Chris are back together to talk about everyone's favorite topic in the professional animal care world: dealing with the grief following the loss of an animal in your care. We share some great advice from others, some old attitudes that we think aren't helpful , and some excellent resources to help all of us deal with the worst part of our j…

1
A Citadel Carol #2: Where the Eezo Gleams 1:25:05

4d ago1:25:05

1:25:05

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains depictions of PTSD-triggered meltdowns and reference to child death. Listener discretion is advised. I Should Roll: A Citadel Carol, Episode Two Where the Eezo Gleams Welcome back to Tamaru's Emporium! When last we left our heroes, they were variously seeking parents, kids, and the reason for a storewide lockd…

1
Episode 246: All the NEI Stuff and Things Coming in 2025! 18:15

6d ago18:15

18:15

With Chris channeling the year our show was born by being knocked out by COVID, Ari takes the helm for the first podcast episode of the year to chat about all the new webinar, online course, and workshop offerings that NEI has on the books for 2025. Come hang out with us, it'll be a blast! If you have a shout-out you’d like us to share, a question …

1
Episode 245: You're Doing It! You're Living Your Dream!! (with Lacey Zeno, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium) 1:01:39

16d ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Ari and Chris are excited to be joined by former NEI'er, secret payroll lover, and reluctant extrovert Lacey Zeno, Curator of Ambassador Animals at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium! Lacey talks about the path that took her from dog training and vet school prep to being Ari's roommate in Dallas (thanks, Amy Robinson!), achieving her goals of working wi…

1
A Citadel Carol #1: Oh, the Weather Inside is Frightful 2:01:11

16d ago2:01:11

2:01:11

I Should Roll: A Citadel Carol, Episode One Oh, the Weather Inside is Frightful Welcome to Tamaru's Emporium, your one-stop-shop for everything and anything you could possibly imagine! This year, Tamaru has dedicated six whole floors of the fifty-storey shopping centre to celebrate the human holiday of Christmas, and there are plenty of curious cha…

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A Citadel Carol Trailer 2:49

19d ago2:49

2:49

I Should Roll: A Citadel Carol Don your Rudolph the Space Cow antlers or your Santana cap and celebrate the Christmas season at the Citadel's premier department store: Tamaru's! Join exasperated employees and an eclectic ensemble of shoppers as they find meaning in the mayhem in this festive, two-part improvised holiday special; unwrapping Christma…

1
Episode 244: ....Why Don't We Try It Now? (with Emma Pearce, Hamilton Zoo) 45:23

23d ago45:23

45:23

Thanks to the magic of technology, Chris is joined from the other side of planet Earth by Emma Pearce, Carnivore Keeper and Animal Training Coordinator at Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand! Emma shares her journey through the animal care field in Australasia (including a brief detour into biosecurity), what it's like to be an "animal training committee o…

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Roxx Populi Episode 3: I Love My Chatbot Daddy by Taylor Geu 41:49

25d ago41:49

41:49

Hitting a wall after the Gil incident, Roxxie and Deuter hide under the ocean. Deuter's father, Mantaman Classic, set up a secret underwater sex club: Mantamanadu, a trench-side hideaway for the rich and influential. Too bad the previous guests, a Congress of Senators, are still in residence. And they aren’t leaving without a little extra persuasio…

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Episode 243: Pursue Your Joy AND Leave Room To Pivot (with Stu Levine, Elevating Impact Consulting) 51:58

27d ago51:58

51:58

We're excited to be joined by one of Chris' earliest mentors in the professional animal care world, Stu Levine! Stu crushes decades of amazing experiences into less than an hour to talk about being a part of the original "Florida NEI" team that moved Steve and the company from its former home base of Minnesota, the joy of eating lunch with a baboon…

1
DD #8: All Quiet on the Galactic Front 49:28

1M ago49:28

49:28

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a depiction of a PTSD-triggered panic attack. Listener discretion is advised. I Should Roll: Dangerous Dangers, Episode Eight All Quiet on the Galactic Front Athena steps away to call a friend while everyone else interrogates the new arrival. When Athena comes back, she does the same thing. Also, Marco shows u…

1
Episode 242: At the "Chlorine-Splattered Pants" Stage, You're No Longer A Visitor (with Jon Rossi, The Rossifari Podcast) 49:53

1M ago49:53

49:53

Coming back to the show for his first full-episode guest spot, Ari and Chris welcome Jon Rossi to the show! Jon talks about how his world shutting down in 2020 led to the creation of the Rossifari Podcast, his adventures getting to meet the various members of the NEI crew, how a silly joke gone too far got NEI's Amy Fennell killed (spoiler alert: s…

1
ROTV #M8: Gratch and the GratcHens 46:37

1M ago46:37

46:37

I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Minisode Eight Gratch and the GratcHens When the Valkyrie returns to the Citadel for some undoubtedly badly needed shore leave, Gratch gets a little more than he bargained for. ...Make that a lot more. cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Chase Hutchison - Gratch Vlad Renwick - Gr…

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Episode 241: You Might Fall... But What If You Fly? (with Megan Geddes, Taronga Zoo) 53:43

1M ago53:43

53:43

We are excited for the triumphant return of one of our favorite people (and earlier podcast guests), Megan Geddes! Megan catches us up on her post-NEI life in Australia (where she's currently a Senior Trainer at Taronga Zoo), reminisces about preparing the perfect outfit for her NEI phone interview, quizzes us on our knowledge of Aussie slang, disc…

1
ROTV #8: Motia's Folly 1:12:29

2M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

WARNING: This episode contains audio effects that may be unsettling. Listener discretion is advised. I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Episode Eight Motia’s Folly Mordin Solus has made the crew of the Valkyrie a deal: bring back firsthand accounts of what is killing people in the Barrows, and he'll find them information about their missing Proth…

1
Episode 240: When Everyone You Look Up To Says "Read A Book," You Read A Book (with Kaitlyn Wiktor, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium) 1:02:19

2M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Ari and Chris are excited for the return of Kait Wiktor, Manager of Animal Behavior and Wellbeing at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium! Kait joins us to talk about her recent adventures through all things "Crucial": the resources and certification programs from Crucial Learning, the organization behind our favorite professional (and personal) d…

1
ROTV #M7: Bean's Bad Day Part Two: Biotic Boogaloo 54:03

2M ago54:03

54:03

I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Minisode Seven Bean's Bad Day Part Two: Biotic Boogaloo Let's visit the Citadel, they said. It'll be great, they said. No one will try to mug you and traffic you to the nearest criminal hub, they said. Spirits, this place sucks! cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Leah Ryan - Bea…

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Episode 239: THE BEE IS ALIVE?!?!? (with Morgan Belle, Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment)) 49:38

2M ago49:38

49:38

A biologist? At Disney?? That's right, it's the return of Morgan Belle, Conservation Programs Manager with Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment! After a brief recap of her history in the field, Morgan chats about life as "everyone's 'bug lady'", the (somewhat controversial) difference between bugs and insects, how improv classes were the scar…

1
DD #7: Well, This is Awkward 46:34

2M ago46:34

46:34

I Should Roll: Dangerous Dangers, Episode Seven Well, This is Awkward Jesse handles the recalcitrant Minos infiltrator with a little help from friends in high places... while someone new shows up. Our heroes are SUS. cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Dan Spitaliere - Jesse Westcott Lea Lawson - Athena Hellier Tiff…

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Episode 238: What If the Rabbits Just Decided to Be Held? (with Nicky Plaskitt, Shaping Behaviour) 59:33

2M ago59:33

59:33

Ari and Chris are joined by one of their favorite Brits, Shaping Behaviour founder Nicky Plaskitt! Nicky chats with us about her path from zookeeper to zoo training consultant, the importance of not being risk-averse, the unexpected academic audiences that her company has connected her too, the importance of establishing and maintaining an online f…

1
[Feed Drop] FD #01: Aniline City Stories: Introduction 2:05

2M ago2:05

2:05

While I Should Roll takes the week off after the Antecedents mini-series, the Intergalactic Improv Initiative is proud to share the work of one of our cast members, JD Kelly. Aniline City Stories: The Diamond Murders is a six-episode audio drama set in Aniline City, Michigan, where "crime and corruption are on the rise and the streets are a dangero…

1
Episode 237: It Really, Really Is a Journey (with Elly Neumann, Jerusalem Zoo) 47:08

2M ago47:08

47:08

Ari and Chris are joined by one of their absolute favorite people in the field, Elly Neumann! Elly chats with us about the journey that brought her to her current role as Coordinator of Welfare, Training, and Enrichment at Jerusalem Zoo, the wide spectrum of where animals institutions are at globally in the development of their behavior management …

1
Antecedents #3: Ascension 2:08:31

3M ago2:08:31

2:08:31

I Should Roll: Antecedents, Episode Three Ascension Ixi Seidus leads a comfortable life, selecting whatever Spectre assignments she wants from the Council. On this day in 2180, she's picked a particularly intriguing mission: investigate the reappearance of two disappeared ships, the MSV Bosco and the MSV Miri Chel. She, and an equally hand-picked t…

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Episode 236: This Is Who I Am, and This Is Who I Want To Be (with Sidney Campbell, Cascades Raptor Center) 56:16

3M ago56:16

56:16

Ari and Chris are joined by one of their favorite members of the NEI Expanded Universe: Sidney Campbell, Senior Trainer & Educator at Cascades Raptor Center! Sidney details the path that took her from San Diego elephants to Alaskan raptors, how her interest in non-profits was the perfect partner to working in raptor rehab, the unique way that anima…

1
Antecedents #2: Salvage 1:36:19

3M ago1:36:19

1:36:19

I Should Roll: Antecedents, Episode Two Salvage Araliya Vyadu has wondered for eleven years what happened to her on-again, off-again flame, Dan'Kynmav vas Qwib-Qwib, who disappeared on a research trip with the rest of the crew of the MSV Bosco in 2158. A few days ago, she received a ping from Dan'Kynmav's omnitool, signalling that the ship had reap…

1
Episode 235: The Story According to Bob (with Bob Chastain, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and Steve Martin, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 1:19:18

3M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

Here's one we've been excited to do for awhile: Ari and Chris are joined by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo President & CEO Bob Chastain and NEI President & CEO Steve Martin to talk about the history of the relationship between the two organizations! We chat about "Bob's side of the story" for CMZ tales Steve's been telling us for years, how the stage was se…

1
Antecedents #1: Conduit 1:36:48

3M ago1:36:48

1:36:48

I Should Roll: Antecedents, Episode One Conduit Less than a year after first contact, human scientist Dr. Perry Winkle leads a research expedition to an uncharted star system far from Sol. When she and her multispecies crew arrive on the inhospitable surface of Matar, they find a lot more than they bargained for. cast, in order of vocal appearance:…

1
Episode 234: I Can Haz Professional Development Now? (with Greg Peccie, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden) 48:05

3M ago48:05

48:05

Despite cell phone signals doing their best to keep us apart, Chris AND Ari are joined for the return of Greg Peccie, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's Director of Animal Care and Welfare! Greg returns to the show to help us dig deeper into the many angles of professional development: developing a shared language for what those two words mean, how "quiet…

1
Antecedents trailer 2:45

3M ago2:45

2:45

I Should Roll: Antecedents Coming this October: experience the spooky side of the Mass Effect universe in three feature-length improvised audio adventures spanning over two decades. Discover the fates of the MSV Bosco, the MSV Miri Chel, and the CCV-S T'Sinati in these hair-raising episodes, beginning October 14. I Should Roll is a production of th…

1
DD #M6: Just Another Day at the Lab 1:06:37

3M ago1:06:37

1:06:37

I Should Roll: Dangerous Dangers, Minisode Six Just Another Day at the Lab Nyx has worked on a remote and secretive asari research installation for several decades, hidden away from the larger galaxy to protect her data and her patients. Today, all of that will change. Cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Maria Damia…

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Episode 233: Hal Markowitz Needed Better PR (with Tim Sullivan Brookfield Zoo Chicago) 51:17

3M ago51:17

51:17

Because we thought it might be fun to talk about animals for a change on our animal training podcast, Ari and Chris are joined by Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Tim Sullivan to talk about the history, evolution, and future of environmental enrichment! Inspired by Tim's presentation at the 2024 ABMA Conference, we discuss the shift from "throwing trash in…

1
ROTV #M6: A Krogan Called Kache 43:31

3M ago43:31

43:31

I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Minisode Six A Krogan Called Kache Young, headstrong, and principled merc Kache is making a name for himself in the Terminus Systems. Today, he's got a bone to pick with some slavers…heh heh heh. cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs JD Kelly - Kache I Should Roll is a production o…

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Episode 232: Hey, Wolf - Choose Your Own Adventure! (with Khaz Brooks, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and Ryan Talbot, Wolf Park) 57:36

3M ago57:36

57:36

Want to know more about what control can look like for the animals you work with? This is the episode for you! Ari and Chris are joined by Khaz Brooks and Ryan Talbot to talk about the work they did with (what they learned was) assent training at Wolf Park. They share how research into ABA and control gave them new language for giving their wolves …

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Bonus Episode: Voices from the 2024 AZA Annual Conference! 36:11

4M ago36:11

36:11

Chris is joined by many people using many microphones to talk about the 2024 AZA Annual Conference in Calgary, Canada! What did we learn? Who did we meet? What did we do? Listen and find out! Big thanks go out to Jen Charette (Zoo Community Manager, Tessere), Liz Evans (Manager of Behavioral Husbandry and Animal Programs), Jon Rossi (host/producer,…

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ROTV #7: A Pocketful of Dead Bodies 1:05:30

4M ago1:05:30

1:05:30

I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Episode Seven A Pocketful of Dead Bodies The crew of the Valkyrie are reunited after their misadventures with mercs and in the slums of Omega. In their finest brightly colored attire and with a trio of dead bodies in tow, they head for the clinic of a certain former STG operative. cast, in order of vocal appeara…

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Episode 231: The Bizarre and Circuitous Route of a Lifetime of Learning (with Ken Ramirez, Karen Pryor Clicker Training) 56:48

4M ago56:48

56:48

After wayyyyy too much time of talking about making it happen, Chris and Ari finally sit down to chat with the legendary Ken Ramirez! Ken shares his inspiring and unique journey through the animal training field—from his early passion for guide dogs, to his long career in marine mammal training, all the way up to his current role leading up Karen P…

1
ROTV #M5: Welcome to the Citadel 38:00

4M ago38:00

38:00

I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Minisode Five Welcome to the Citadel Bean Gainian has finally ventured out of their comfort zone and is visiting the Citadel for the first time. They're keen to bring some small-town friendliness to the big city, and hopefully find a friend of a friend while they're at it. Nothing could possibly go wrong. cast, …

1
Episode 230: The Endless Pursuit of One's Hedgehog (with Jennifer Charette, Tessere) 51:09

4M ago51:09

51:09

In our continuing quest to collect the entire AZA Professional Development Committee on the show, we're excited to be joined by Jennifer Charette, Zoo Community Impact Manager at Tessere! Jen shares her unique path from birthday party host to zoo industry professional, the importance of committee service and understanding your "resource engine", ho…

1
DD #6: You Cannot Kill Me in a Way that Matters 1:24:45

4M ago1:24:45

1:24:45

I Should Roll: Dangerous Dangers, Episode Six You Cannot Kill Me in a Way that Matters The Corsica crew's ransacking of the Minos safe house is interrupted by its occupants coming home. A firefight ensues, followed by some…interesting interrogation. cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Dan Spitaliere - Jesse Westcott…

1
The Devil Went Down to Georgia's...for Some Soup by The Unexpected Storytelling Podcast 16:33

4M ago16:33

16:33

Original horror tales to stun, frighten, and delight you. Each with their own little twist. They are, after all...quite unexpected! www.theunexpectedpodcast.com Binge on all of our audio shows at atlantafringe.org/fringe-audio or wherever you enjoy podcasts.By Atlanta Fringe Festival

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Homicide at Heavensgate: Episode 1 by Sentinel Studios 30:19

4M ago30:19

30:19

When a mysterious guest is found dead during the grand opening of a new lunar resort, two detectives are sent to investigate. What they find is a rich assortment of potential suspects, and the emergence of a mystery that goes deeper than they imagined. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homicide-at-heavensgate/id1690810100 Binge on all of our au…

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Roxx Populi Episode 2: God Gave Me the Finger by Taylor Geu 46:50

4M ago46:50

46:50

With Wraythe’s body stolen, Roxxie and Deuter are left searching for clues and scraps in Nebraska. While scanning the radio, they’re given a break: Gas station entrepreneur Gilbert Gutman has found a single finger from Captain Wraythe. Binge on all of our audio shows at atlantafringe.org/fringe-audio or wherever you enjoy podcasts.…

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Episode 229: The (Not-So) Secret Three (or Maybe Four) Step Plan to Become a Zookeeper (with Sam Griffin, Natural Encounters, Inc.) 34:32

4M ago34:32

34:32

With Ari away having some extended Labor Day Weekend fun with family, Chris is joined by NEI's Sam Griffin! We chat about the path through the animal care field that brought Sam to NEI (take note, aspiring future animal care professionals), the importance of - and the advantages of working for - smaller zoological institutions, and how the support …

1
ROTV #M4: GRATCH IS STRONGEST 16:25

4M ago16:25

16:25

I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Minisode Four GRATCH IS STRONGEST Gratch go boom. Gratch save the universe. Gratch is strongest. QED. cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Chase Hutchison - Gratch Leah Ryan - Bean Gainian JD Kelly - Kache Hunter LaPaglia - Carver Fairbank Ché Grové - Titoh Raas Hans Cummings - Zy…

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Episode 228: Finding the Love in Work (with Shelby Jecius and Kyle Alexander, Bearizona Wildlife Park) 1:05:25

4M ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Ari is busy getting ready to visit our team in Rhode Island, so this week Chris is joined by returning co-host Adam Geltz to welcome back to the show two of our favorite people in the animal care world, Shelby Jecius and Kyle Alexander from Bearizona Wildlife Park! The four of us chat about their recent experience of moving from being supervisors i…

1
ROTV #6: Into the Barrows 50:17

5M ago50:17

50:17

I Should Roll: Ride of the Valkyrie, Episode Six Into the Barrows Zyn and company have survived their encounter with the Queen of Omega, and have come out of it with an assignment. After downing some liquid courage, they head to the slums. Uh, the…worse slums. The ghetto. The really bad part of Omega, okay? Sheesh. cast, in order of vocal appearanc…

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Episode 227: Do the Mahi, Earthling (with Rick Hester, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo) 53:20

5M ago53:20

53:20

The TEC Talk Podcast is super excited to invite Rick Hester to the show! Rick joins us to talk about the journey that brought him to his current role as Curator of Behavioral Husbandry at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the important ways his understanding of training and behavior were moved ahead by formative experiences with both NEI and Dr Susan Friedman…

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DD #M5: A Tuchankan Letter of Resignation 33:15

5M ago33:15

33:15

I Should Roll: Dangerous Dangers, Minisode Five A Tuchankan Letter of Resignation The war has been over for almost a year. The relay has just come back online in the Aralakh system. Vraga's done with this shit. Cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Tiff Compton - Ravanor Vraga I Should Roll is a production of the Inte…

1
Wolf 359 Fan Episode: Nothing Explosive 20:33

5M ago20:33

20:33

Hera's offline for a routine debug, and Minkowski's nervous: bad things happen when Hera's offline. Will the intrepid Hephaestus crew survive the night? Plus, rockin' out to 80s tunes, the “oh god we're all gonna die” alarm, and buzzing Boston creams. This episode takes place between S1E9 “The Empty Man Cometh” and S1E12 “Deep Breaths”. Nothing Exp…

1
Episode 226: USE. MORE. WORDS! 29:02

5M ago29:02

29:02

Chris is back from New Zealand and surprises Ari to share (and get her feedback on) the quotes he included in his recent ABMA presentation, "Communication and Teamwork Through the Eyes of a Trainer." Spoiler alert: she thinks they're pretty great, and has lots of great further information to share! If you have a shout-out you’d like us to share, a …

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DD #5: Hack First, Ask Questions Later 1:10:28

5M ago1:10:28

1:10:28

I Should Roll: Dangerous Dangers, Episode Five Hack First, Ask Questions Later The crew of the Corsica are hot on the tail of the Minos fugitives from the Presidium firefight. After a brief exploration of the underbelly of the Citadel, they discover a treasure trove. cast, in order of vocal appearance: Kaya Renwick - Narrator and NPCs Lea Lawson - …

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