Best Open Sanctuary Project Podcasts (2025)

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55 - Introduction To Turkeys For Your Animal Sanctuary Or Rescue, Part 1 25:37

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3h ago25:37

25:37

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Senior Advisor Tara talk turkeys! In the first part of our Turkey series, we discuss how domesticated turkeys got here and how that influences their care, as well as many of the considerations that you need to take into account when welcoming a new turkey resident to your sanctuary or rescue! --- This Episode’s Refere…

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Attention-Seeking Behaviors: Understanding Sympathy-Seeking, Root Causes, and Empathy-Based Approaches with Dr. Judy Ho 58:13

3d ago58:13

58:13

Delanie Fischer chats with Dr. Judy Ho, licensed clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, tenured professor at Pepperdine University, and TV host, about attention-seeking behavior. They take a deep dive into one common type, sympathy-seeking, to explore its root causes, distinguish between healthy and unhealthy attention-seeking, and share practica…

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Filmmaker Kit Williamson on the Highs and Lows of a Creative Career: Dead Projects, Taking Control & an Unconventional Path 1:06:51

5d ago1:06:51

1:06:51

Delanie Fischer chats with actor and filmmaker Kit Williamson, best known for Mad Men, Eastsiders, and Unconventional , about the ebbs and flows of a long-term creative career. They dive into the resilience and recommitment required for longevity, navigating big breaks and dead projects, exercising creative agency, and behind-the-scenes insights in…

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AI, Robotics, and The Future of Work and Life with Dr. Catie Cuan 1:03:10

8d ago1:03:10

1:03:10

Delanie Fischer chats with engineer and choreo-roboticist Dr. Catie Cuan about the future of AI, robotics, and the art of human-robot interaction. They explore potential pitfalls, promising upsides, and everything in between—impacting creativity, health, the environment, and human connection. Plus: + Rethinking Machines in Hospitals and Beyond + Th…

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Realizing Big Dreams: Tools, Lessons, and Inspiration with Former Thunderbird Pilot Michelle “MACE” Curran 1:21:54

20d ago1:21:54

1:21:54

Delanie Fischer is joined by Michelle “MACE” Curran—former fighter pilot, combat veteran, and the second woman in history to fly lead solo for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds—to share lessons from a demanding, high-stakes career. They discuss tactics for managing fear and self-doubt, navigating pivots and reinvention, and the importance of followin…

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54 - When Your Sanctuary Is Contacted To Help Wildlife 26:47

22d ago26:47

26:47

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Community Education Specialist Andie talk about how you might encounter requests outside of the scope of your mission or your capacity generally, and in particular when those requests concern wild living animals. We offer a framework where you can say no, while still offering support, and also what to do when you feel…

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Mortality Awareness: Meaning, Motivation, and Your To-Die-For Life with Karen Salmansohn 1:04:12

22d ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Delanie Fischer is joined by Behavioral Change Expert and Bestselling Author, Karen Salmansohn, to discuss insights from her latest book, Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret . . . Before Your Time Runs Out. Karen combines neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and personal stories to share effective mindset hacks, exercises…

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“You’re So Sensitive”: Understanding Everyday Microaggressions, Implicit Bias, and Best Practices with Billie Lee & Dr. Gina Torino 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

Delanie Fischer is joined by Billie Lee—comedian, activist, and the first openly transgender cast member on BravoTV’s Vanderpump Rules—and Dr. Gina Torino, psychologist and microaggression expert, to share insights from their book, Why Are You So Sensitive?: Navigating Everyday, Unintended Microaggressions. They discuss why microaggressions aren’t …

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53 - Coexisting With Wildlife At Your Animal Sanctuary 22:29

1M ago22:29

22:29

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Community Education Specialist Andie discuss the importance of peaceful and compassionate coexistence with wildlife. Whether it's through careful environmental management, robust predator protection for residents, stringent biosecurity protocols, or engaging educational programs, animal sanctuaries can be at the foref…

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Release Your Perfectionism Handbrake: Power Planning, Clean Rest, and Demystifying Procrastination with Sam Laura Brown 1:13:57

1M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

Delanie Fischer is joined by Sam Laura Brown, host of The Perfectionism Project and Founder of Perfectionists Getting Shit Done, to discuss how to approach your personal and professional goals in a way that works with your brain, not against it. Sam shares insights on Power Planning, the importance of clean rest, and an astounding reason why we pro…

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The Psychology of Infidelity: Why People Cheat, Non-Monogamy vs. Monogamy, and Sexual Mindfulness with Dr. Tara 57:22

2M ago57:22

57:22

Delanie Fischer is joined by Dr. Tara—Tenured Professor of Relational and Sexual Communication and Quantitative Research at California State University Fullerton, TV Sexpert on Celebs Go Dating, and Co-Host of the iconic radio show Loveline—to unpack the “whys” behind infidelity. Dr. Tara shares the 3 main reasons people cheat, how to begin healing…

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52 - An Introduction To Pigeons For Your Animal Sanctuary Or Rescue 25:37

2M ago25:37

25:37

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia dedicate an episode to a specific bird type: Pigeons! Pigeons may not be the first animals you think of when it comes to sanctuary, but they are very special individuals who, for many reasons, may find themselves in need of sanctuary, and they deserve individualized, compassionate care. We …

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What's The Deal with Astrology? 12 Archetypes and Your Cosmic Zone with Madi Murphy 1:10:56

2M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

Delanie Fischer is joined by Astrologer Madi Murphy, Founder of CosmicRX and Author of In the Cosmic Zone: Embody the 12 Astro Archetypes to Unleash Your Genius and Activate Your Authentic Self, to discuss all things astrology—history, skepticism, archetypes, planetary transits, and leveraging your unique natal chart to create a life that feels lik…

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Meeting Your Soulmate (While Married) and Breaking Free From "Good Girl" Conditioning with Amber Rae 1:01:22

2M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Delanie Fischer is joined by Amber Rae, author of Loveable, to unpack what it was like to meet her soulmate—while still married to her ex-husband. Amber shares her feelings about experiencing a lonely marriage, the days leading up to her decision to leave, how she transformed internalized shame, where she and her ex-husband are now in life and love…

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51 - How We Update OSP, Plus Major Updates To Our Sanctuary Capacity Resource! 24:23

2M ago24:23

24:23

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss what it means to us when we say that The Open Sanctuary Project is a living library. We talk about how and why we perform regular resource updates to address community feedback, integrate new developments in compassionate care and organizational strategies, and more. We also discuss…

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Want To Adopt An Animal (or Already Have One)? 10 Vital Things To Know Right Now with Lisa Lange 1:10:19

2M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Delanie Fischer is joined by Lisa Lange, Senior Vice President of Communications for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to share what to consider before bringing an animal into your home, how to adopt ethically, and everyday care tips for promoting health and longevity. Lisa also debunks common myths, gives us insider details often kept f…

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The 4 Money Personality Types: Which 1 Are You? with Danielle Hayden 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Delanie Fischer is joined by Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. and reformed corporate CFO, to help you build a simple, shame-free budget—no stuffy suits or cold offices required—based on your Money Personality Type (Perfectionist, Free Spender, Saver, Balance Seeker). If money stresses you out in one way or another, we get it—and D…

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50 - Intro To Sanctuary Sustainability: The Elements Of Organizational Resilience 24:21

3M ago24:21

24:21

In the 50th episode of The Open Sanctuary Podcast, Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss a memorable and actionable definition of sanctuary sustainability and break down its elements. We discuss assessing your current capacity needs and limitations, planning to address them in both the near and distant future, and, cruc…

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UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon), Anomalous Experiences, and The Limitations of Human Perception with Kelly Chase 1:09:42

3M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Delanie Fischer is joined by Kelly Chase, co-host of the Cosmosis podcast and writer and executive producer of Cosmosis: UFOs & A New Reality (Amazon Prime and Apple TV), to discuss UAP, anomalous experiences, and the limitations of human perception. Their conversation covers the 2023 congressional hearings, the crossroads of science, history, psyc…

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Cracking The Code To Behavior Change: Troubleshooting Tiny Barriers That Destroy Big Goals with Molly Maxwell 1:40:18

3M ago1:40:18

1:40:18

Delanie Fischer is joined by Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Molly Maxwell, to discuss the powerful minutiae around behavior change including the principles of reinforcement, punishment (not as scary as it sounds!), and extinction. Molly also guides Delanie through crafting a game plan for 3 different habits she's amidst building—exposing the obs…

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Infertility, IVF, Silent Endometriosis, Adoption, Surrogacy and Creative Living with Riki Lindhome 53:29

3M ago53:29

53:29

Delanie Fischer is joined by Emmy-nominated songwriter, comedian, writer, and actress, Riki Lindhome, to discuss her personal experience with infertility and the diverse avenues she explored to become a parent—including egg freezing, IVF, adoption, and surrogacy. They also delve into Riki's creative process, and how it's evolved since becoming a mo…

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49 - Contingency Planning Basics For Your Animal Organization 19:39

3M ago19:39

19:39

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss contingency planning! We discuss the common challenges individuals face when it comes to contingency planning, as well as the various types of events that your organization should prepare for, including organizational challenges, operational challenges, and resident challenges. We o…

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Subscriber Stories: Submissions Now Open! (Instructions, Tips, and More) 14:56

3M ago14:56

14:56

Be a guest on Self-Helpless! Tune in for all submission instructions for The Subscriber Stories Series. Can't wait to have you on the show! How To Apply Send submission to [email protected] by July 14th and include: + Name + Email address + Topic(s) + Any additional details PS topics and perspectives not yet explored on Self-Helpless wi…

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Is It Porn Addiction? Inside the Impact, Neuroscience, and Recovery with Steve Moore and Mark Kastleman 2:20:32

4M ago2:20:32

2:20:32

Delanie Fischer is joined by Steve Moore (Certified: Sex Addiction Therapist, Partner Trauma Therapist, Multiple Addictions Therapist) and Mark Kastleman (Board-Certified: Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor), co-hosts of The PBSE Podcast (Porn, Betrayal, Sex, and the Experts), to share their personal experiences with pornography and sexual ad…

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Flip the Script on Aging: Strength, Vitality, and Purpose with 74 Year-Old Icon Babette Davis 51:14

4M ago51:14

51:14

What if the most common things we've been told about aging aren't true? Delanie Fischer is joined by health and fitness icon, author, and owner of the restaurant Stuff I Eat, Chef Babette Davis, to explore her insights on aging with health, strength, vitality, purpose, and impact. Chef Babette opens up about the trauma she's experienced, what spark…

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48 - Succession Planning For Animal Sanctuaries, Part 3 22:23

4M ago22:23

22:23

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia conclude their three-part discussion of succession planning! In this episode, we discuss succession planning for executive directors and other key roles at your sanctuary, contingency planning, as well as the importance of day-to-day resident and organizational recordkeeping! --- This Episo…

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Evolving in Public with Almost 30's Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik 1:06:51

4M ago1:06:51

1:06:51

Delanie Fischer is joined by Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik, hosts of The Almost 30 Podcast, to explore insights from their new book, Almost 30: A Definitive Guide to a Life You Love for the Next Decade and Beyond. They discuss some of their most powerful takeaways from years of podcasting with a diverse range of guests, how they've grown both …

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Self-Helpless Snack: "How Do You Give Yourself Breaks?" (12 Easy Tips For Creators & Entrepreneurs) 24:36

4M ago24:36

24:36

Delanie Fischer answers the question from a patron, "How do you prevent burnout, relieve pressure, and give yourself breaks as a content creator?" She's sharing the mindset that helps her stay consistent and inspired, as well as 10+ practical tips for creating in fun, simple ways when you need more breathing room, or clean breaks. Want your questio…

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47 - Succession Planning For Animal Sanctuaries, Part 2 16:17

4M ago16:17

16:17

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia continue their discussion of succession planning! In our last episode on this subject, we discussed some of the challenges and emotions that can come up regarding succession planning. In this episode, we list some practical steps founders can take to work on a succession plan with their tea…

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10 Fascinating Tricks For More Wins And Improved Well-Being with Janice Kaplan 51:42

5M ago51:42

51:42

Delanie Fischer is joined by New York Times Bestselling Author, Janice Kaplan, to discuss the fascinating findings mentioned in her new book, What Your Body Knows About Happiness: How To Use Your Body To Change Your Mind. Did you know that whether you're holding a hot or cold drink impacts your perception of the people around you? Or how the weathe…

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Making World History with Cattle Rancher Turned Sanctuary Founder, Renee King-Sonnen 58:43

5M ago58:43

58:43

Delanie Fischer is joined by Founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary and The Rancher Advocacy Program, subject of the documentary, Rowdy Girl, and hilarious force of nature, Renee King-Sonnen. 10 years ago, former cattle ranchers, Renee and her husband, Tommy, made history as the first-ever cattle ranch in the world to transition into an animal sanctuary. …

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46 - Succession Planning For Animal Sanctuaries, Part 1 23:19

5M ago23:19

23:19

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia embark on the first part of an episode series addressing the question of succession in animal sanctuaries and rescues. We discuss some of the challenges (including the emotional ones) that folks may face when considering succession planning. If you have also encountered these feelings, list…

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Exposing False Choices, Narratives, and Pulling Wisdom From Wounds with Dr. Thema Bryant 57:45

5M ago57:45

57:45

Delanie Fischer is joined by renowned psychologist, author, professor, and minister, Dr. Thema Bryant, to discuss the concepts in her book, Matters of the Heart—including healing traumas and building healthy relationships, reclaiming an old version of yourself vs. creating a new one, why we hold onto toxicity, busyness isn't just what we're paid fo…

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Rethinking Intuition, Belief, and The Nature of Reality with Vincent Genna 50:27

5M ago50:27

50:27

Delanie Fischer is joined by Psychic Therapist and author of The Secret That's Holding You Back, Vincent Genna, to discuss a fresh approach to intuition, unlearning unconscious beliefs, and what truly shapes our collective (and individual) reality. Plus: + Debunking The Myths of "Positive Thinking" & "Tapping Into" Intuition + Why Your Ego Is Not Y…

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45 - Advocacy In Animal Sanctuary Spaces 15:19

5M ago15:19

15:19

Nonprofit Specialist Julia and Community Education Specialist Andie discuss animal sanctuaries' role as advocates. From a movement standpoint, sanctuaries are essential vectors of change when it comes to society’s view of animals. In terms of education and even legal advocacy, sanctuaries do a great deal to change hearts and minds while supporting …

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Designing the Future of Wellbeing: A Conversation with Özgür Cengiz 14:45

5M ago14:45

14:45

Join Özgür Cengiz, Global Director of Wellbeing Development for JOALI, as he shares insights on how JOALI BEING is redefining luxury wellness in hospitality. From rising wellness trends and multigenerational travel to shaping the Maldives’ wellness economy through global partnerships, discover how visionary thinking is guiding the future of wellbei…

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Self-Helpless Snack: Rewriting Your "Food (& Drink) Story" with Elise Museles 16:21

5M ago16:21

16:21

Today's "Snack" (mini episode) is a snippet from Delanie Fischer's appearance on Elise Museles' podcast, Once Upon A Food Story, where the two discuss fun, simple, and imperfect steps towards health, mindfulness, and sustainability around what we consume, habit-building, and more. Full episode with Delanie and Elise on Once Upon A Food Story here: …

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Does "The American Dream" Feel Like a Nightmare? Rethinking Lifestyle, Financial Planning, and Retirement with Dr. Jay Zigmont 1:00:24

6M ago1:00:24

1:00:24

Delanie Fischer is joined by Certified Financial Planner and Childfree Wealth Specialist, Dr. Jay Zigmont, to discuss how vital it is to rethink traditional systems around wealth, financial planning, and retirement—because they don't work for many of us. Through the lens of a child-free lifestyle, Dr. Jay shares how to ensure that our current life,…

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44 - Introducing Our New Animal Database System With Kyle Behrend 26:58

6M ago26:58

26:58

Executive Director Mckenzee and our friend and volunteer Kyle Behrend discuss The Open Sanctuary Project’s brand new Animal Database! This project was long requested by the sanctuary community because keeping thorough, up-to-date records of your residents’ health and life events is a critical aspect of sanctuary care. To make the record-keeping pro…

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Self-Helpless Snack: Are You Clinging, Withholding, Fixing, or Controlling? with Heidi Rain 15:36

6M ago15:36

15:36

Author of "Codependent Attachment Personality Patterns," Heidi Rain, shares how unmet needs in childhood show up in adult relationships, what these behaviors can actually look like, and how to break a cycle you're tired of feeling stuck in. Plus, an awesome template for healthy relationships. Full episode with Heidi Rain: https://www.selfhelplesspo…

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Self-Helpless Snack: "Mind-Reading," Feeling Suffocated, And Other Problematic Relationship Dynamics with Dr. Kate Balestrieri 31:37

6M ago31:37

31:37

Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Kate Balestrieri, describes insidious relationship patterns, their origins (and their impact) including: the pressure to mind-read, feeling engulfed or suffocated, oversharing mature information, tasks that aren't age-appropriate, living vicariously or "best friends" parent-child dynamics, and more. Plus, how to give your…

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43 - An Introduction To Different Animal Sanctuary Staff Roles 29:17

6M ago29:17

29:17

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss different staff positions that may benefit operations at your animal sanctuary. Assigning sanctuary tasks to appropriately skilled staff can help maximize your efficiency and effectiveness as an organization, which is very helpful for long-term sustainability! Listen on to learn mor…

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We Need Your F*cking Art! For Health, Community, and More with Amie McNee 1:07:59

6M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

Delanie Fischer is joined by Amie McNee, Author of We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around And Make Something, to discuss the importance of creativity for our health, communities, and more. They chat about the challenges and rewards of being a multidisciplinary artist and multi-hypenate, offer insights into their own rituals and approach to work, as …

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Self-Helpless Snack: "What's Your Favorite Documentary?" (20 Documentaries To Watch This Year) 13:59

7M ago13:59

13:59

Delanie Fischer answers the question from a patron, "What's Your Favorite Documentary?" and shares a bit about 20 documentaries that have been discussed, or mentioned, on Self-Helpless through the years by guests and hosts alike. Want your question answered on the next mini episode? Submit it here: https://www.patreon.com/selfhelpless Your Host, De…

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42 - Three Ways To Minimize Liability At Your Animal Organization 33:47

7M ago33:47

33:47

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia discuss three tools The Open Sanctuary Project offers to help your sanctuary minimize liability. These include a resource discussing and analyzing insurance options, a liability waiver template and its accompanying resource, and a free system you can download to easily track visitor liabili…

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Deceptive Affection, Betrayal Trauma, and Multidimensional Healing with Támara Hill 45:18

7M ago45:18

45:18

Delanie Fischer is joined by Licensed Psychotherapist and International & Board Certified Trauma Therapist, Támara Hill, to discuss betrayal trauma —including deceptive affection, symptoms of this kind of trauma, the initial (and ongoing) impact it can have, and a multidimensional approach to healing. Plus: + Your "Life as a Platter" Analogy & Grow…

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Self-Helpless Snack: The Biggest Myth About Grieving (Debunked) with Krista St-Germain 10:41

7M ago10:41

10:41

Krista St-Germain, widow, mom, and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast, debunks the most common myth about grief, as well as shares what practices seem to be most effective for grieving —including what's helped her navigate the loss of her then-husband. Full episode with Krista St-Germain: https://www.selfhelplesspodcast.com/episodes/episode/2fc9f314/r…

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41 - Sanctuary Considerations For Assisting With Cruelty Cases 35:05

7M ago35:05

35:05

Executive Director Mckenzee and Nonprofit Specialist Julia have another discussion about sanctuary capacity, this time about cruelty, seizure, bust, and escapee cases. We review all the questions your organization needs to consider before working on these cases. Some of these questions you may anticipate, and some you may not! Please note that we w…

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Q&A: Publishing, Podcasting, and Creative Entrepreneurship with Literary Agent Lindsey Smith and Podcaster Delanie Fischer 1:25:48

7M ago1:25:48

1:25:48

Delanie Fischer is joined by Literary Agent and Best-Selling Author, Lindsey Smith, to respond to your questions about the publishing and podcasting industries, share their experience with creative entrepreneurship, and offer a peak behind the curtain of their new book, MockTales: 50+ Literary Mocktails Inspired by Classic Works, Banned Books, and …

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Self-Helpless Snack: Infidelity, Divorce, and Friendship with Jessica Frew 9:26

7M ago9:26

9:26

Jessica Frew, co-host of The Husband In Law Podcast, shares with Delanie her experience with betrayal, divorce, and healing after learning about her then-husband's affair and sexuality. Full episode with Jessica Frew: https://www.selfhelplesspodcast.com/episodes/episode/229e6642/when-my-husband-came-out-infidelity-divorce-and-friendship-with-jessic…