Best Cheryl Strayed Podcasts (2025)

1
Rewind: I Divorced My Spouse, And My Child Divorced Me 30:54

7h ago30:54

30:54

This episode was originally released October 14th, 2016. Divorce is always a painful process, but it's especially so when there are children in the middle. In this favorite episode from the archives, the Sugars discuss situations of parental alienation caused by divorce. They answer letters from a mother and a father whose daughters have cut off al…

1
From the Vault: Military dog Layka takes a bullet to save the life of Army Ranger Trent. Then, he saves her. 27:22

7h ago27:22

27:22

When military working dog Layka loses a leg while saving the life of her handler, Army Ranger Trent McDonald, he vows to get her home safely.By Laura Thomas

1
Unleashed - Episode 82 Dog Park Drama: What Garret Wing Wants You to Know 33:53

1d ago33:53

33:53

This week on Unleashed, Cheryl Kaye welcomes top dog trainer and viral sensation Garret Wing, who shares why you should never take your puppy—or even your adult dog—to a dog park. �� A former law enforcement K9 handler and founder of DIYK9, Garret breaks down the hidden dangers of dog parks, from unsafe dog interactions to exposure to disease, and …

1
From the vault: When Abby collapses at a parade, a shelter dog drags his handler over to save her. Then she saves him. 14:20

7d ago14:20

14:20

At the Christmas parade in 2020, Abby collapsed from an episode of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Picaso, a shelter dog walking in the parade, pulled his handler into the crowd to save her. Then, she saved him.By Laura Thomas

1
Rewind: Emotional Labor 44:16

12d ago44:16

44:16

This episode was originally published on May 5th, 2018. Remembering the grocery list, coordinating with the babysitter, making food for the potluck, scheduling a get-together with the in-laws: These are some of the invisible tasks that (most) women exclusively do in their romantic relationships — and the list goes on and on. Like a modern-day Greek…

1
From the vault: Two stories: When Multiple Sclerosis pulls Louise to the ground, pup Moonie pulls her back up. And, when MaryEllen's boyfriend dies from COVID in her arms, pup Enzo helps her find joy again ... 22:48

14d ago22:48

22:48

By Laura Thomas

1
From the Vault: Renge Saves The Life Of Dog Trainer Matt Beisner 56:05

21d ago56:05

56:05

In his twenties, before he became a nationally-renowned dog trainer, Matt Beisner was a jobless, self-loathing alcoholic with a rap sheet. And he was scared of dogs. When he went to the shelter one day and unexpectedly adopted a Jindo pup with a rap sheet of his own, Matt's life began to change. As Matt got clean and sober, he and Renge rode out so…

1
Redux: Trust Your Body 41:51

1M ago41:51

41:51

This episode was originally released on June 11, 2018. Her doctor categorized her as overweight when she was 5 years old. Her grandmother always introduced her as the “chubby one.” As an adult, she vacillates between moderation and binge-eating, restricting food some weeks, and gorging on cake and ice cream during others. “It’s only when my pants a…

1
From the Vault: When stray pup Fred saves a whole platoon in Afghanistan, US Marine Craig knows he has to give Fred a better life 47:42

1M ago47:42

47:42

When pup Fred saves a whole platoon of marines in Afghanistan, Craig knows he has to find a way to get Craig back to the United States. But completing that journey would require a series of impossible miracles...By Laura Thomas

1
From the vault: During the worst time in his life, Sean saves a blind, beaten dog. Then she saves him 26:49

1M ago26:49

26:49

After a year of unbearable hardships, Sean and his wife Jamie meet a blind, abused dog named Marigold with nowhere to go. They instantly know that Marigold is supposed to be theirs. What they don't know is that Marigold will teach them that life should never be defined by past hardships; especially when the present is so filled with love.…

1
Redux: Sex & Aging 36:42

1M ago36:42

36:42

This episode was originally released on May 25th, 2018. When two women in their sixties start losing interest in sex, their sex-starved partners become increasingly frustrated. Both women blame old age for their waning libidos. But is their diminished sex drive because of age or something else? The erotic lives of senior citizens are typically made…

1
From the Vault: When Emiko suffers a stroke after losing her child in a custody battle, pup Victoria reminds her that she's an amazing mother 39:12

1M ago39:12

39:12

After a brutal and unfair custody battle, Emiko suffered a serious stroke that left her unable to even travel to visit her child. Emotionally broken, she adopted Victoria - a mangy, diseased shelter dog with behavior issues. Like Emiko, Victoria's pups had been taken from her before she arrived at the shelter. Emiko and Victoria embarked on a beaut…

1
From the Vault: When Rebecca stops breathing, pup Ulysses figures out how to get help 11:34

2M ago11:34

11:34

When Rebecca stops breathing for two full minutes, pup Ulysses tries repeatedly to rouse her. When that doesn't work, he knows it's up to him to figure out how to get help fast. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership! To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast!…

1
Episodes We Love: Rapid Fire — Love & Money 44:20

2M ago44:20

44:20

This episode was originally released on July 21st, 2018. When it comes to love, money is supposed to be no object. But there’s no disentangling love from anything in our lives, and income is no exception. So how do you assess the role money should play in a relationship, and what happens when your desires and means change over time? In this episode…

1
From the vault: When a family home catches fire, rescue pup saves TWELVE lives! 12:46

2M ago12:46

12:46

When Angela's family home catches fire with nine children asleep inside, rescue pup Capone knows what to do to make sure everyone gets out alive.By Laura Thomas

1
Unleashed - Episode 81 The Doctor Is In: Separation Anxiety & Sneaky Food Allergies: What Every Pet Parent Should Know! 38:36

2M ago38:36

38:36

On this episode of Unleashed with Cheryl Kaye, renowned veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne joins us to share expert advice on keeping our pets happy, healthy, and safe. From simple yet effective ways to prevent illness to ensuring our furry friends feel pampered and loved, Dr. Carol always delivers invaluable pet care tips. In this episode, we take a d…

1
From the Vault: After a major surgery, pup Sami tells Cheryl that something has gone terribly wrong 14:37

2M ago14:37

14:37

After a major surgery on her leg, Cheryl is feeling fine, but pup Sami tells her mommy that she needs to get back to the hospital STAT.By Laura Thomas

1
Episodes We Love: Do I Follow My Head Or My Heart? 25:39

2M ago25:39

25:39

Cheryl and Steve are no longer dishing out new advice, but we're listening back to episodes we love every week. This episode was originally released November 6, 2015. ____ The Sugars get a letter from a young woman who has fallen head over heels in love. She and her boyfriend only met a month ago, but they are already in deep. Everything seems perf…

1
From the vault: Pup Marley finds a way to tell Julie to go to the doctor IMMEDIATELY 23:19

2M ago23:19

23:19

When Julie's pup Marley starts acting strange, refusing to leave her side, she takes him to the veterinarian - and Marley gets a clean bill of health. So she goes to the doctor to get some blood work done on herself. And that trip to the doctor saves her life.By Laura Thomas

1
Unleashed - Episode 80 Tales of a Pet Vet 33:16

3M ago33:16

33:16

This week on Unleashed, Cheryl Kaye welcomes Dr. Dawn Filos to discuss her insightful book, Tales of a Pet Vet. Offering a fascinating look inside the world of veterinary medicine, Dr. Filos shares heartwarming, humorous, and eye-opening stories about the pets she treats and the owners who love them. Packed with intriguing tidbits, this book will m…

1
From the Vault: When Jonathan passes out during a snowstorm, pup Evelyn keeps him alive 29:23

3M ago29:23

29:23

When a series of tragedies leaves Jonathan homeless, he and his beloved pup Evelyn spend three winter months sleeping in his tiny car, using the engine to keep themselves warm. One particularly cold night, the engine breaks down, leaving them without heat, and Jonathan decides his life is over and passes out from the cold. But Evelyn refuses to let…

1
Redux: Rapid Fire Letters 32:10

3M ago32:10

32:10

This episode was originally released July 29th, 2017. ____ In a heated moment, a mother reveals a dark chapter from her childhood to her daughter, then immediately regrets it. What now? In this week’s episode, the Sugars tackle this and several other questions, including how to handle a brother-in-law who treats your vacation as his own free childc…

1
From the Vault: Pup Zeda saves her mama Ashley from an abusive relationship 22:54

3M ago22:54

22:54

When Ashley finds herself stuck in an abusive relationship, only the intervention of her pup Zeda could make her walk away.By Laura Thomas

1
From the Vault: When Danelle falls off a cliff, Taz won't leave her side. Until she tells him to. 44:10

3M ago44:10

44:10

Danelle, a professional endurance athlete, was out for a run when she fell off a cliff, plummeting 60 feet to the ground and shattering her pelvis. Unable to drag herself out of the canyon, her pup Taz refused to leave her side. Until she told him to.By Laura Thomas

1
Rewind Rapid Fire: Love In Doubt 44:29

3M ago44:29

44:29

This episode was originally released on January 5, 2017. How many times have you heard this: "I love him, we're great together, but..."? There's always room for doubt, even in the happiest of relationships. So in this episode, the Sugars take on some of those doubts in rapid-fire fashion.By WBUR

1
From the Vault: When a home goes up in flames, only pup Blue can save infant Chantal 19:45

3M ago19:45

19:45

When Janet's house goes up in flames, the babysitter gets one child to safety, while the family's pitbull Blue stays behind in the collapsing, smoke-filled house with the youngest daughter. Can Blue save the child's life?By Laura Thomas

1
From the Vault: When Michael's car crashes into a ravine, he asks his puppy Honey to find help 17:49

4M ago17:49

17:49

When Michael's car crashes 50 feet into a ravine, his legs are pinned and he can't move. The only has for survival is his six-month-old puppy Honey. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership! To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.com/rescuedbyadogpodcast! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purch…

1
Unleashed - Episode 79 Unleashing Hope: How Global Strays Is Making a Difference 26:04

4M ago26:04

26:04

This week on Unleashed on Pet Life Radio, Cheryl Kaye welcomes Liz Shafiroff, the compassionate president of Global Strays. Inspired by a life-changing visit to Central America, Liz set her sights on reducing and ending the suffering of animals in underserved regions. Through education, community support, and direct care, Global Strays has helped i…

1
Rewind: How Do I Find The Courage To Be My Own Guide? 26:50

4M ago26:50

26:50

This episode was originally released September 23rd, 2016. The Sugars often discuss letters dealing with very specific problems or struggles. In this encore episode, they take on a broader, more existential question: how to follow your heart. The Sugars discuss with the GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter India Arie, who shares how she learned to be h…

1
From the Vault: Two Stories: Pitbull Sadie Saves Unhoused Papa; Homer & Trixie Teach Marlene Compassion For Herself 25:12

4M ago25:12

25:12

This episode brings us two heartwarming stories. First: When Wendell suddenly finds him unhoused and living in his van, his pup Sadie attracts blessing after blessing. Then: After a series of devastating losses, Marlene had lost control of her life and fallen into dangerous patterns of addiction and self-loathing. But with patience and dedication, …

1
From the Vault: When doctors told Zach Skow that his time was up, pup Marley wouldn't let him die 38:21

4M ago38:21

38:21

Before Zach Skow devoted himself to his dog rescue organization, Marley's Mutts, he was a committed alcoholic with a rapidly-dying liver, and all the doctors gave him 90 days to live. But Zach's dog Marley refused to accept this diagnosis. Rescued by a Dog - Patreon Membership! To support the podcast with $5/month (cancel anytime), go to patreon.co…

1
From the Vault: When Claire faces a grizzly bear, pup Bronwyn comes to the rescue 16:16

4M ago16:16

16:16

On a hike in Alaska, Claire and her teenage daughter encounter a mama grizzly and her cub. When the mama grizzly rears up on her hind legs, pup Bronwyn puts herself between her humans and the bear.By Laura Thomas

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cheryl Strayed Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen