Best Rescuing Awe Podcasts (2025)

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014: From Childhood Dream to Lifesaving Mission: Shelley Britenbucher’s Journey with Shangri-La Farm Sanctuary 35:08

1d ago35:08

35:08

From the moment Shelley Britenbucher stood up in her school classroom in the 1970s and declared, “I’m going to start a farm sanctuary when I grow up,” the seed was planted. Decades later, that dream became reality. During this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, hosted by Cheryl Moss, Shelley shared the remarkable journey behind the fou…

1
013: Jordi Casamitjana: Defending Animals Through Science, Sanctuary, and the Power of Ethical Veganism 36:29

9d ago36:29

36:29

Jordi Casamitjana is a vegan zoologist, animal rights activist, and author whose work spans science, sanctuary care, legal advocacy, and compassionate living. Originally from Catalonia and now based in the UK, Jordi’s journey into veganism began with an unexpected moment involving a wasp. That encounter sparked a lifelong commitment to seeing the v…

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012: Professor Matthew Halteman on Ethics, Animals, and Awe 54:45

16d ago54:45

54:45

According to Oxford researcher Joseph Poore, going vegan is “the single biggest way” to reduce your environmental footprint. On this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss sits down with Professor Matthew Halteman, author of Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan. This heart-opening conversation explores how …

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011: Rescue, Resilience, and Reverence: John Vallimarescu’s Story Behind Sunset Farm Sanctuary 36:42

23d ago36:42

36:42

Why 82% of Starving Children Live in Countries Growing Feed for Western Livestock Eighty-two percent of starving children live in countries where crops are grown to feed animals eaten in the West. That staggering fact is just one of the many insights shared by John Vallimarescu in this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, hosted by Chery…

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Unlocking Motivation: How to Help Your Son Find His Spark 10:33

27d ago10:33

10:33

Is your son pulling away, shutting down, or showing little interest in school or chores? You’re not alone — and there is a way forward. In this third episode of our special 3-part ON BOYS series, we focus on how to foster intrinsic (inner) motivation in boys. Because yes, it’s in there — even when it feels completely buried. We’ll help you understa…

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010: The Golden Rule in Action: Animal Sanctuaries and Dr. Will Tuttle’s Vision for Change 44:44

30d ago44:44

44:44

Can compassion heal the world? Dr. Will Tuttle, acclaimed author of The World Peace Diet and former Zen monk, believes it can—and it starts with how we treat animals. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Dr. Tuttle reveals how animal sanctuaries offer a powerful model for reversing centuries of violence, environmental destruction…

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009: Building a Kinder Economy: Faik Bouhrik’s Mission to Uplift Animal Sanctuaries Worldwide 36:36

1M ago36:36

36:36

Many animal sanctuaries are underfunded, yet they play a critical role in protecting animals and educating the public. Faik Bouhrik, cosmologist, educator, and founder of Veggies, is turning that challenge into opportunity. On this episode of Better Life for Animals, hosted by Cheryl Moss, Bouhrik shares how his platform—Veggies (veggius.com)—conne…

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How Your Anxiety is Sabotaging Your Son’s Motivation 9:35

1M ago9:35

9:35

You can’t effectively boost boys’ motivation until you address YOUR anxiety and fear. We know: You want your son to do his homework. To follow through on commitments. To care. So, when he shrugs, resists, or just doesn’t seem to try, your anxiety spikes — and before you even know what’s happening, you’re caught in a spiral of worry about his future…

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008: Why It’s “Cool to Care”: Susan Hargreaves and the Power of Compassionate Education 36:50

1M ago36:50

36:50

Studies show that children who grow up with animals tend to develop stronger empathy and social skills. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss speaks with Susan Hargreaves - founder of Animal Hero Kids and Be An Animal Hero - about how early humane education shapes lifelong compassion. With over four decades of exp…

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007: Farm Animal Sanctuaries Get Just 3% of Funding—Why It Matters with Helen Demes 20:28

1M ago20:28

20:28

Did you know that 97% of all animal welfare funding goes to companion animals—while farm animal sanctuaries receive less than 3%? In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss talks with Helen Demas, founder of Sunset Farm Sanctuary, about the funding crisis that’s threatening sanctuaries across the country. Helen shares …

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006: From Boardrooms to Barnyards: Mark Starmer’s Fight for Animal Welfare 41:51

1M ago41:51

41:51

Why do so many people say they care about animals and the planet—but stop short of real change? In this powerful episode, Mark Starmer—a leadership expert turned full-time animal advocate—joins host Cheryl Moss to explore the disconnect between values and action. Mark shares his journey from corporate boardrooms to founding the Peace of Heaven Proj…

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Boost Boys’ Motivation 11:50

1M ago11:50

11:50

It is possible to boost boys’ motivation. Doing so, though, starts with understanding why so boys are unmotivated. A big part of it is developmental: apathy and an “I don’t care/I don’t wanna” attitude commonly show up around puberty. As boy grow from boyhood to adulthood, they begin to question their priorities, interests, and goals. That’s a good…

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005: A Voice for the Voiceless: Dr. Angela Crawford on Choosing a Kinder World for Animals 29:50

1M ago29:50

29:50

Most people consider themselves compassionate—yet every day, choices at the dinner table contribute to immense animal suffering. Hidden behind sanitized labels and clever marketing, the brutal truth of animal agriculture remains largely unseen. But what happens when the veil is lifted? In this powerful episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast…

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004: From Climate Crisis to Climate Healing: The Role of Veganism and Sanctuaries – Dr. Sailesh Rao 37:51

1M ago37:51

37:51

The Climate Crisis Starts with Animal Exploitation—Dr. Sailesh Rao Reveals the Path Forward Industrial farming is fueling climate change—and the solution starts with compassion. In this powerful episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss sits down with renowned climate scientist and founder of Climate Healers, Dr. Sailesh Rao,…

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003: The Vegan Mentor is on a Mission: Why Linda Middlesworth Won’t Stop Fighting for Animals 40:30

2M ago40:30

40:30

Linda Middlesworth, known as The Vegan Mentor, has been a passionate ethical vegan for over 37 years. Now 81, she continues to lead with energy, purpose, and compassion—advocating for animals, plant-based living, and sustainable health around the world. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss speaks with Linda about…

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002: John Oberg: Using Social Media to Transform Animal Advocacy 34:33

2M ago34:33

34:33

Advocating for animals has never been more urgent—or more powerful. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast, renowned animal advocate and digital strategist John Oberg shares how he has reached over 500 million people online with compelling pro-animal content. Since dedicating his life to animal rights in 2012, John has become a lead…

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001: Cheryl Moss Is Using Her Voice to Uplift Animal Sanctuaries and Inspire Change 16:06

2M ago16:06

16:06

Better Life for Animals Podcast | Stories of Rescue, Hope, and Compassion Each year, more than 70 billion animals are raised and killed for food—many without ever knowing kindness, freedom, or fresh air. But behind these overwhelming numbers are real stories of survival, healing, and second chances. The Better Life for Animals podcast brings those …

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000: A Sanctuary for Hope: Welcome to Better Life for Animals 2:50

2M ago2:50

2:50

In this inaugural episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss introduces the mission and heart behind the podcast. Animal sanctuaries around the world provide safe havens for animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and exploitation—offering them the love, care, and dignity they deserve. But behind every rescue is a story of resilience, as wel…

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The End of an Era 33:04

3M ago33:04

33:04

The first episode of ON BOYS podcast went live March 12, 2018. Seven years ago! Over the past seven years, we’ve talked to guests from around the globe: Maggie Dent, Michael Gurian, Amy Lang, ADHD Dude Ryan Wexelblatt, Steve Biddulph, Richard V. Reeves, Ruth Whippman, and so, so many others. We’re talked about puberty, porn, school, ADHD, autism, e…

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Raising Awe-Seekers (w Deborah Farmer Kris) 53:52

3M ago53:52

53:52

Raising Awe-Seekers, the first parenting book by author Deborah Farmer Kris, outlines a transformative approach to parenting based on joy, wonder, and curiosity. Science, Deb says, shown that awe isn’t just a feel-good experience—it also helps kids develop resilience, strengthen relationships, and manage stress. But in a world filled with distracti…

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Listener Q & A: Navigating the Complexities of Raising Boys 49:03

3M ago49:03

49:03

How do you respond to a 6-year-old boy who thinks he has to “play rough” to prove his masculinity? How can you make space a small boy’s emotions when you also have other kids to keep on track? And what do you do, exactly, when your formerly potty-trained son starts having accidents at school? These are some of the questions Jen & Janet tackle in th…

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Boys, A Rescue Plan: Conversation w Michael Gurian 47:40

3M ago47:40

47:40

Do boys need a rescue plan? The available evidence says yes. Collectively, our boys are struggling academically, socially, emotionally, and economically. Their academic, educational, and workforce involvement has decreased. Their suicide rates have risen. Ignoring these issues isn’t in our best interest. Fortunately, more and more people are talkin…

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Helping Boys Find A Path to Manhood 53:38

3M ago53:38

53:38

How do we help boys along the path to manhood? That’s a question Paul Cumbo, a veteran educator, has been asking for a long time. It’s one he’s well-positioned to answer too, given that he’s spent the past few decades of his life teaching, educating, and coaching teenage boys and young men. His latest book, A Path to Manhood, offers encouragement a…

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Creating Schools Where Black Boys—and All Students—Succeed 40:36

4M ago40:36

40:36

What if supporting Black boys could transform education for all students? David Kirkland, founder & CEO of forwardED, believes it can—and research backs him up. In this episode, David challenges educators to put a deliberate focus on Black boys, not just to address persistent disparities in academic achievement and discipline, but because creating …

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Imperfect Men Can Build Boys Too 41:39

4M ago41:39

41:39

Imperfect men helped Greg Hlavaty become a good guy. “I think what saved me were men who stepped in as surrogate fathers,” Greg wrote in a recent essay. Those men weren’t exactly role models: One, Greg says, “was openly racist and bragged about having lobbed bricks from overpasses in his youth.” The other was “a middle-aged alcoholic…who regularly …

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Understanding the Parent Amplification Effect 38:42

4M ago38:42

38:42

Do you know what the parent amplification effect is? Do you know how to use it your (and your kids’!) benefit? “Because of children’s dependency on their parents, any parental remark – positive or negative – gets magnified in the child’s mind,” says Adam Galinsky, a social scientist, business school professor, dad of two boys, and author of Inspire…

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Rebels with a Cause: Dr. Niobe Way on Building a Relational World 54:41

4M ago54:41

54:41

What happens when we prioritize independence over connection? According to Dr. Niobe Way, a developmental psychologist and author of Rebels with a Cause: Reimagining Boys, Ourselves, & Our Future, it creates a “boy culture” that isolates boys and diminishes their relational skills. Dr. Way has spent 40 years studying boys and uncovering the challen…

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Unlocking the Power of Play 49:55

5M ago49:55

49:55

Play is a powerful tool for parenting & child development. Mr. Rogers once said “Play is serious learning” and “the work of childhood,” and we and our guest, Georgie Wisen-Vincent, couldn’t agree more. That’s not to say or imply that play is serious or work in the way that most of adults think of “serious” or “work.” Rather, it’s to underscore the …

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Male Puberty Starts Sooner Than You Think 41:38

5M ago41:38

41:38

Modern male puberty starts sooner than you think. Boys today may enter puberty as early as age nine. That’s why your 10-year-old’s mood swings might actually be linked to these new hormonal shifts. As Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett point out in their book, This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained, the first sign of puberty often comes…

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Best of 2024 40:18

5M ago40:18

40:18

Which ON BOYS episodes were the Best of 2024? Photo by ALINA MATVEYCHEVA via Pexels Your favorites include: 5. Needed: Boy-Friendly Schools Tyler, a 16-year-old Texas boy, started struggling in middle school. Recess was no more. Classes were 90 minutes long. So, “he found it really hard to sit still in class,” says Julie Jargon, the Wall Street Jou…

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2024 Listener Fav 52:54

5M ago52:54

52:54

Gaming is a BIG part of boys’ lives today! So, it’s no surprise that our March 14 conversation with Dr. K, How to Raise a Healthy Gamer, is our Listener Fav of 2024. Dr. K (full name: Alok Kanojia) is a psychiatrist, dad, and life-long gamer. He knows video games and know what works. He also has deep compassion for gamers & their families. If you h…

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Listen to Boys & Young Men 53:44

6M ago53:44

53:44

How often do we really listen to boys & young men? Not nearly often enough! There’s been a lot of chatter lately about boys & young men, masculinity, and the growing gender gap in politics – and very little public input from boys & young men themselves. In this episode, Jen & Janet talk with Lance Walker, a 26 yr old man from Utah. Like so many mal…

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Male Suicide & Mental Health: A Father’s Story of Love & Loss 51:43

6M ago51:43

51:43

We gotta talk about male suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help in the United States. Call 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, every day. Services are also available en espanol. More than 39,000 b…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Rescuing Awe Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen