Today's Topic: When you adequately prepare your dog for a visit to the vet, it can reduce stress for all parties (dog, dog parent(s) & vet staff) and contribute to an overall smoother experience at the vet. But what is the best way to prepare, and how do you know you're doing all that you can to make the vet experience as positive as possible for y…

In this episode we explore Götterdämmerung from the perspective of its heroine, Brünnhilde, with thoughts and musical excerpts from Professor Peter Franklin, conductor and pianist Justin Brown, and Longborough's own Brünnhilde Lee Bisset. This was recorded at an event for Longborough members. Find out more about Longborough Festival Opera at ⁠lfo.o…

The nuclear family model may no longer be the norm in the US, but it's still the basis for social and economic benefits like health care, tax breaks and citizenship. Lawyer and LBGTQIA advocate Diana Adams believes that all families, regardless of biological relationship or legal marriage, are deserving of equal legal rights and recognition. They p…

Fathers have a profound impact on their children's lives, yet an estimated ten million kids in the US see their dads less than once a month. Through his advocacy and mental health center, therapist Charles C. Daniels, Jr. empowers fathers to be more present by providing mentorship and community, so they learn to forgive their own shortcomings and, …

In this episode we celebrate the upcoming 2024 season at Longborough - a new production of La bohème in the centenary year of Puccini's death, alongside the culmination of our Ring cycle. With readings and music from some of our brilliant Emerging Artists, we also look ahead at the exciting plans for our 2025 programme, with Longborough's Artistic …

Today's Topic: As positive reinforcement dog training continues to grow in popularity, so has the awareness around the different types of dog treats available to help you train your dog. But what are dog treats, exactly? What are the regulatory requirements, if any, around dog treats to ensure that you're giving your dog something nutritious, delic…

"You are constantly becoming a new person," says journalist Shankar Vedantam. In a talk full of beautiful storytelling, he explains the profound impact of something he calls the "illusion of continuity" -- the belief that our future selves will share the same views, perspectives and hopes as our current selves -- and shows how we can more proactive…

Today's Topic: Having an overexcited dog can present a variety of challenges for dog parents. The exuberance and high energy levels of such dogs can lead to difficulties in training and managing their behavior, which can make simple daily activities like walks or playtime more demanding as these dogs may require extra effort to channel their excess…

Longborough Festival Opera: the first 30 years is a new book chronicling how a dream of an idea became bricks, mortar and sublime music. In this recording of the book launch, author Richard Bratby talks to music historian Sophie Redfern about Martin and Lizzie Graham's remarkable achievement, and the story of opera at Longborough. Internationally r…

Today's Topic: In the United States, the country in which modern commercial greyhound racing was invented, the sport is nearing its end. It’s been a long slide for greyhound racing, which reached its peak in the 1980s when there were more than 50 tracks across 19 states. There are now only 2 dog tracks remaining in one state (West Virginia). The in…

Today's Topic: Did you know that 1 in 5 dogs experience joint pain and mobility issues? So what can we do when our dogs start exhibiting mobility issues due to injury, old age, obesity, disease, etc.? And what are the latest trends, technology and methods that are crucial to get our dogs "back in the game"? That's why we invited triple-board-certif…

Today's Topic: Golden Retrievers are incredibly popular as pets, known for their friendly demeanor and versatility. Their gentle nature makes them great family companions, and their intelligence shines in various roles, from therapy dogs to loyal household members. As such, what can we do, especially early on in their development, to ensure that th…

Today's Topic: It's disheartening to note that over 50% of pets in the U.S. are classified as overweight or obese. This excess weight contributes to a myriad of health issues, with obese dogs being predisposed to arthritis, diabetes, and reduced lifespan. The toll on their well-being is a reminder of the urgent need to address pet obesity through r…

Today's Topic: In the pandemic's early days, we've all heard how adoptions soared as people sought companionship during lockdown, famously leaving many dog rescues without any dogs to adopt out. But what happened after the pandemic? Did this surge in adoptions lead to a surge in dog surrenders? If not, what is the current state of dog rescues today…

Today's Topic: Join us in this episode as we tackle the common struggles of potty training for dog/puppy parents. Tune in for practical insights on how to keep a potty schedule and a step-by-step guide to start the potty training journey confidently. In addition, discover effective mindset changes to help you stay measured during the process, and h…

Today's Topic: Despite having access to all the information we could ever want on how to train your puppy via the internet, just like anything else these days, there is a lot of outdated, old-fashioned, and just plain wrong information out there on how to train your puppy effectively. This, of course, doesn't mean that those disseminating this info…

Looking ahead to Longborough's 2023 production of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, music director Robert Howarth and lutenist Lynda Sayce discuss interpreting manuscripts from Monteverdi's era. Find out more about Longborough Festival Opera at LFO.org.uk

Today's Topic: For many of us, we're keenly aware of how the parenting style of our own parents (whether it was an authoritarian, authoritative, permissive or uninvolved style) influenced -- and continues to influence -- how we behave and view the world as an adult. As such, we've ALWAYS wondered how our individual pet parenting style (whether we'r…

In the US, youth in foster care are nearly twice as likely as war veterans to suffer from PTSD. Placed in foster care at just 11 months old, 2023 Audacious Project grantee Sixto Cancel experienced the faults of the system firsthand. Now, he's the founder of Think of Us, an organization working to reform child welfare by centering kinship care, or p…

Looking ahead to Longborough's 2023 production of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, Robert Howarth, Olivia Fuchs and tenor Tom Randle explore Orfeo's pivotal scenes and monologues as he journeys into the underworld to find Euridice.In this podcast, two of the lead creatives on this summer's production at Longborough - Music Director Robert Howarth on keyboard,…

Today's Topic: Ask any positive dog trainer that has any experience working with leash-reactive dogs, and the one thing that many of them will have in common is their LACK of videos of dogs that they've trained exhibiting leash-reactive behaviors. And the reason for this is simple: when a positive trainer sees a dog exhibiting leash-reactive behavi…

Parents, take a deep breath: how your kids turn out isn't fully on you. Of course, parenting plays an important role in shaping who children become, but psychologist Yuko Munakata offers an alternative, research-backed reality that highlights how it's just one of many factors that influence the chaotic complexity of childhood development. A rethink…

Regret is one of our most powerful emotions -- and also one of the most misunderstood. Over the past two years, author Daniel H. Pink has collected a trove of more than 16,000 regrets from people in 105 countries in an effort to better understand this mysterious emotion. He shares the key patterns that emerged (it all boils down to the same four co…

Wagner fits within a German ecological tradition stretching from Von Humboldt through Haeckel and Himmler to the Greens. Can any of this be heard in the music itself? This talk will show you how. This episode is a lecture by Professor Michael Spitzer, author of acclaimed book The Musical Human, with musical illustrations by Longborough's Ring cycle…

Today's Topic: There is no breed of dog (or, more precisely, a grouping of mixed-breed dogs) that has captured the hearts and minds of many, more fully, in recent years (for good and for bad), than doodle dogs. And it's not hard to understand why. The combination of their (purported) hypoallergenic and shed-free coat, their uber-cuteness, and their…

Today's Topic: Ask any positive dog trainer that has any experience working with leash-reactive dogs, and the one thing that many of them will have in common is their LACK of videos of dogs that they've trained exhibiting leash-reactive behaviors. And the reason for this is simple: when a positive trainer sees a dog exhibiting leash-reactive behavi…

Today's Topic: Buying a home today, especially if it's your first home, can be a dizzying emotional roller coaster ride characterized by stress, frustration, elation, anxiety, and, let's be real...REJECTION. And in the midst of this (at times) chaotic experience, you have to make sure to do all the research necessary to ensure that the home and the…

As a proud and passionate restaurant owner, Vincent Yeow Lim takes after his father and grandfather in the family tradition of Chinese cooking. Lim makes a delicious case to elevate the reputation of Chinese food, sharing why the comforting flavors behind iconic dishes -- like a hearty helping of perfectly made fried rice -- come from a long line o…

Today's Topic: In the first part of our 2-part series on Leash Reactivity, we discussed a whole host of topics with certified professional dog trainer, the founder of Perfect Pals Dog Training, and the co-creator of the most comprehensive digital dog training course on the subject, "Help! My Dog Is Reactive On Leash!", Erin Gianella, including how …

What do we say to kids when intensely traumatic events interrupt everyday life? Whether you're a teacher, parent or community builder, educator Kristen Nguyen provides three research-backed steps for navigating these difficult conversations, restoring a sense of safety and facilitating collective healing.…

What if we started treating parenting like the real work it is? Podcast host and CEO Angela Garbes details how working families have evolved -- and how companies haven't -- and gives insight into what parents really need from their colleagues and workplaces.By Angela Garbes

Today's Topic: Living with and taking care of a reactive dog can be difficult enough when they're inside the home, or out and about in the world, with you, but what if your dog is reactive INSIDE THE CAR? This type of reactivity can create unique, unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations for even the most empathetic and diligent of dog pa…

Lawyers are advocates for their clients -- and, in court, they're usually the ones who do the talking. Should that always be the case? In an effort to shift this power dynamic, TED Fellow and legal aid activist Lam Ho shares how lawyers can create space for people to tell their own stories in the courtroom, making them active participants in the le…

Today's Topic: When your dog REALLY wants something from you, whether that thing is your attention, your food, your affection, or an adventure outside, your dog may use the one thing that comes naturally to him/her to get it: BARKING. But for some dogs, they may learn (over time, and due to some of our inadvertent reinforcing behaviors), that this …

Today's Topic: When your dog starts to exhibit resource guarding tendencies, it can start to feel like you're dealing with a completely different dog. And what can make the situation worse, is a lot of the advice out there telling dog parents to exert their dominance over the dog to make them bend to their will, which can often make the situation w…

With infectious energy, singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo ties together the threads of her legendary career as a creative force and global activist. In conversation with journalist Femi Oke, she discusses how joy powers her music (and sings an incredible impromptu song), details her work spreading educational opportunities to women and girls across…

Today's Topic: When you're dealing with a fearful or anxious dog, it can sometimes feel like you've hit a wall, and the traditional tools that you're using are only getting you so far, resulting in a relationship with your dog that can feel belabored, frustrating, or just plain, UN-FUN. That's why we invited the founder and creator of "The Play Way…

Today's Topic: Leash reactivity is one of the top dog behavioral issues that clients come to us for, and for good reason: here, in Denver, we're (almost) ALWAYS outside...and with our dogs. So, for anyone who expects their outings with their dog to be fun, pleasant and peaceful experiences, they may quickly find themselves seeking behavioral soluti…

Have you ever been forced to limit your identity to a single box on an application, survey or census questionnaire? For many, it is a futile and overall outdated exercise, especially for those with multiracial and multi-ethnic backgrounds. Olivia Vinckier makes the case for recognizing and accepting, rather than limiting, the growing reality that i…

Today's Topic: Do you regularly find yourself feeling guilty about the dog parent that you are, and the care and life you're able to provide your dog? If so, you're not alone. Just as many parents feel guilty about the time and care they're able to devote to their human child, many dog parents today feel similar guilt, which is often spurred on, an…

How do you raise kids to step outside of their comfort zones and unlock their inner potential? It all starts with helping them develop a resilient mindset. Mother and business owner Tameka Montgomery makes the case for cultivating an entrepreneurial outlook at an early age -- and offers five strategies for emboldening young minds to embrace opportu…

Today's Topic: Have you just learned (or are starting to suspect) that your puppy may be going deaf or blind? Or is your adult dog showing signs that their hearing or sight is becoming more and more impaired? These are, by nature, difficult waters to navigate, and finding reputable resources to help guide you and your puppy or dog during this time …

Today's Topic: Do you have a dog that just LIVES to hunt? And do those hunting behaviors, whether it's orienting, stalking, chasing, and even killing and eating, get in the way of how you would like to live your day-to-day life with your dog? That's why we've invited certified dog trainer, dog behavior consultant, and the author of two books on for…

"When teachers and families work together, everyone wins," says education technology entrepreneur and TED Fellow Heejae Lim. She shines a light on an underutilized resource in US public education -- a family's love for their children -- and shows that, with the right tools and tech, schools can remove language barriers, foster meaningful connection…

Today's Topic: Some might say that anxiety is THE malady of our hyper-connected always-on world. But what if you find that your dog is suffering from anxiety, and more importantly, what can you do about it? And what can we learn about how anxiety works in the brains of our dogs, and what medical and behavioral professionals do to manage that anxiet…

The pandemic brought into sharp focus the crisis in caregiving in the United States, which woefully under provides support for parents. Activist and Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani has a proposal to address that -- something she calls the Marshall Plan for Moms -- and she unpacks how it aims to build radically different systems in order to em…

Why do we often wait so long to recognize each other's gifts? Why are the truest compliments for the people we love often said only after they're no longer around to hear and savor them? Andrea Driessen makes the case for writing eulogies for the living, sharing the power of "grace notes" to offer connection on a deeper level and dispel any regrets…

In July 2022, Longborough Festival Opera features an exciting double bill performed by our Emerging Artists: Francesca Caccini's La liberazione di Ruggiero, paired with Freya Waley-Cohen's contemporary song cycle Spell Book. In this episode, Longborough's artistic director Polly Graham speaks to the production's director Jenny Ogilvie about her pla…

Today, there are many ways to conceive a child, thanks to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and egg-freezing. But the law lags behind these advancements, says attorney Ellen Trachman, troubling parents-to-be with stranger-than-fiction mix-ups and baffling lawsuits. Trachman makes the case for legality to reflect the realities of reproduct…

Growing up in the public eye, multi-hyphenate creator Bryce Dallas Howard experienced the familiar pressure to share her life with the world on social media. But with her mother’s steadfast guidance, Howard learned to set personal boundaries and savor the beauty of private moments. In this personal talk, she draws on three generations of family wis…