Best Jen Blough Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 17: Are You an Empath? 14:45

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5d ago14:45

14:45

Are you someone who feels everything—sometimes too much? Do you absorb the emotions of others, often without realizing it? In this solo episode, I explore what it really means to be an empath. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re an empath (or know someone who is), this episode is for you. We’ll dive into the defining traits of empaths, how empat…

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Ep. 16: Veterinary Social Work with Kelly Bremken, MSSW, CSWA, VSW 48:14

12d ago48:14

48:14

On today's show, we talk with Kelly Bremken, a veterinary social worker from Oregon Humane Society. Kelly sheds light on: What is a veterinary social worker and what her role looks like day to day. How veterinary social work is similar to and different from traditional social work. How veterinary social workers can support staff and volunteers with…

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Ep. 15: The Ups and Downs of Rescuing Rabbits with Jo-Anne Barklay 43:03

19d ago43:03

43:03

In this episode, I talk with Jo-Anne Barklay of Running Rabbit Farm to explore the often-overlooked emotional toll of rabbit rescue. While most people associate animal rescue with dogs and cats, rescuing bunnies comes with its own unique heartbreaks—and rewards. Jo-Anne shares what inspired her to dedicate her life to rabbit rescue, the kinds of em…

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Ep. 14: Let's Talk About "Big T" and "Little T" Trauma 27:21

27d ago27:21

27:21

In this solo episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that touches nearly everyone working or volunteering in animal care, welfare, and activism: trauma. More specifically, we explore the difference between Big T trauma (major, acute, often life-threatening events) and little t trauma (chronic, cumulative stressors that wear you down over time)—and …

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Ep.13: Psychological Safety in the Workplace with Hermence Matsotsa 1:08:25

1M ago1:08:25

1:08:25

In this episode, we’re joined by Hermence Matsotsa, the Founder of uBuntuSpeaks®, a global leadership coach, Positive Intelligence expert, and speaker who helps us understand the importance of psychological safety—what it really means, why it matters, and how it can transform workplaces that are emotionally intense and trauma-exposed. Whether you w…

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Ep. 12: Coaching vs. Therapy: Which One is Right for You? 13:24

1M ago13:24

13:24

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to turn for support? You’re not alone—and today’s episode is here to help. In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I break down one of the most common questions I'm asked: What’s the difference between therapy and coaching—and which one is right for me? Whether you’ve tried therapy and still…

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Ep. 11: Let's Talk Boundaries! 28:37

2M ago28:37

28:37

Happy National Boundaries Awareness Day! On today's episode, we'll explore: What are boundaries and why they're important in animal care, welfare, and activism Soft, rigid, and healthy boundaries How boundaries can impact your personal and professional lives How different boundaries might show up in your work with animals Time, emotional, mental, c…

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Ep. 10: Trauma in Animal Care, Welfare, and Activism 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

In today's episode, we explore the different types of trauma that can be common in animal care, welfare, and activism. We'll learn about: What is trauma? Why trauma is actually subjective Primary and secondary trauma Secondary traumatic stress Symptoms of trauma How trauma contributes to compassion fatigue Collective trauma Perpetration Induced Tra…

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Ep: 9: Peer Support with Val Ellsworth 59:21

2M ago59:21

59:21

Today I talk with Val Ellsworth, the founder of Nothing But Love Canine Foundation to explore the mental health impact of working in animal rescue and the importance of peer support. We explore Her journey into animal welfare work Early signs that her mental health was suffering Why isolation is so common—and dangerous—in this field The life-changi…

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Ep. 8: Navigating Disenfranchised Grief 20:57

2M ago20:57

20:57

In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, we dive deep into the topic of disenfranchised grief—the kind of grief that often goes unrecognized and unsupported by society. We'll explores how disenfranchised grief manifests in the world of animal care, welfare, and activism. Whether it's mourning a euthanized shelter pet, grieving a wild animal lo…

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Ep. 7: Organizational Compassion Fatigue with Michelle Graff 1:03:21

3M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

Compassion fatigue doesn't just affect individuals—it can infiltrate entire teams, departments, and organizations. In this episode, I'm joined by the author of The Compassion Fatigued Organization to explore what happens when secondary trauma and chronic stress become embedded in the culture of animal care, welfare, and activism. We dive into what …

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Ep. 6: The Compassion Fatigue Cycle: Pathology vs. Renewal 31:58

3M ago31:58

31:58

In this episode, we explore the cyclical nature of compassion fatigue, examining how it can trap animal welfare workers and caregivers in a pattern of chronic stress and emotional depletion. We contrast the pathology cycle—marked by overextension, denial, and eventual burnout—with the renewal cycle, which emphasizes boundaries, self-awareness, reco…

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Ep. 5: The Compassion Fatigue Cycle: The Zombie Phase 14:18

3M ago14:18

14:18

In this episode, we explore the zombie phase of the compassion fatigue cycle—when emotional numbness, detachment, and exhaustion become the norm. You may feel like you’re moving through your days on autopilot, disconnected from your passion, purpose, and even your own emotions. We break down the key signs of the zombie phase, why it’s so dangerous …

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Bonus Ep: Suicide Awareness in Animal Care, Welfare, and Activism 13:31

3M ago13:31

13:31

In this special bonus episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, we pause our series on the phases of the compassion fatigue cycle to address a heartbreaking loss in the animal welfare community. Yesterday, we lost another dedicated animal advocate to suicide—someone who gave so much of herself to the cause, only to be met with relentless bullying, onli…

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Ep. 4: The Compassion Fatigue Cycle: The Withdrawal Phase 12:26

3M ago12:26

12:26

In this episode, we dive into the withdrawal phase of the compassion fatigue cycle—when emotional numbing, isolation, and detachment begin to take hold. We explore why those in animal care, welfare, and activism start pulling away from loved ones, work, and the causes they care about, and how this phase signals deeper emotional exhaustion. Tune in …

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Ep. 3: The Compassion Fatigue Cycle: The Irritability Phase 10:08

3M ago10:08

10:08

In this episode, we explore the irritability phase of the compassion fatigue cycle—when stress, emotional exhaustion, and frustration start affecting relationships and daily life of anyone working in animal care, welfare, or activism. Learn to recognize early warning signs, understand the emotional toll of caregiving and advocacy, and discover prac…

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Ep. 1: Compassion Fatigue in Animal Care, Welfare, and Activism 31:30

4M ago31:30

31:30

In this first episode, we unpack the core concept of compassion fatigue—what it is, how it differs from burnout, and why it’s so common in caregiving and helping professions. We explore the emotional and physical toll of caring deeply, the warning signs to watch for, and how compassion fatigue affects those in animal care, welfare, and activism. Wh…

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Ep. 2: The Compassion Fatigue Cycle: The Zealot Phase 15:24

4M ago15:24

15:24

In this episode, we explore the zealot phase of the compassion fatigue cycle—the stage marked by intense enthusiasm, over commitment, and a relentless drive to help. While passion fuels purpose, it can also set the stage for exhaustion and burnout if left unchecked. We break down the signs of the zealot phase, why it’s so common among animal advoca…

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Welcome to Beyond Compassion Fatigue! 2:00

4M ago2:00

2:00

If you're looking to make your passion for helping animals sustainable, this podcast is for you! Beyond Compassion Fatigue focuses on managing compassion fatigue, burnout, grief, and secondary traumatic stress among those who work or volunteer in animal care, welfare, or activism. Hosted by Jen Blough, licensed professional counselor, author (To Sa…