We've all been frustrated by people who don't want to listen, but how practiced at it are we ourselves? Have you paid close attention to what you do when someone else speaks? Why does it matter? Today we discuss the challenges of truly listening.By Lori Semple

Having a goal in mind is important for the progress of any organizations. Today we discuss the benefits and challenges of discussing where we're going, why we're going there, and why we need to plan how we get there. Fun times with strategic planning! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff…

Communication is complicated. When you're trying to get people to come along with you, there should be some clarity about the end goal. Don't just tell people what you don't want, tell them what you do want! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

What do power outages, hurricanes, zombie apocalypses, floods, wars, diver injuries, guest falls, and epidemics have in common? These are things that zoos and aquariums discuss and prepare for just to be ready! (Okay, maybe zombie apocalypse isn't on the list...) www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplann…

A great way to show that you value the people around you is to respect their time as valuable to them and to you. Keeping meetings running as scheculed and understanding time boundaries can be something of a relief to all. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

It's frustrating, it's rewarding, it's stressful, it's exciting! Exhibit design may seem simple and straightforward on the surface, but when it comes to aquariums and zoos, there are a lot of opinions to be had. Today we discuss collaboration to produce new exhibits and experiences. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.…

This is something that can take a long time to identify and work on for oneself. Emotion management is important to practice so that you avoid doing something that could damage your reputation or career. Today we discuss the ins and outs of keeping your cool! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.c…

While it isn't the most common way for aquariums and zoos to obtain animals, it is one of the most interesting and potentially complicated. Animals that are removed by law enforcement need some care and attention. Today we discuss the complicated situation that defines confiscations. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www…

There's a phrase that some people use to end an argument with a coworker that can be infuriating. Today we talk about the challenges of failing to be innovative and crushing creativity. Don't be afraid to re-think! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

There are a few things that hopeful aquarists and zookeepers might like to know about their intended field and there should be some deep thought about the road ahead. These are the things that I wish I had understood when I entered the field. I hope that this episode helps the animal care professionals of tomorrow! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.sempl…

They're natural, but not particularly helpful. If you've ever held a grudge or been on the receiving end of a grudge, you might know that it's generally an unpleasant experience. Today we discuss the painful truth about grudges and how to overcome them. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/sta…

While it is not a commonly discussed phenomenon for those outside the world of biology, there are some animals that can reproduce in unexpected ways. You may have seen it in the news or heard talk of it before, but today we discuss the ability that some animals have to reproduce all on their own! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationpl…

Trust is important, but how can we develop it with the people around us? Believe it or not, there are things that we can do to purposefully and thoughtfully with our teams, friends, and family. Today we discuss the possibilities when it comes to developing healthy, trusting relationships with others. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacati…

Aquariums and zoos may have up close and personal interactions with certain animals to enhance the learning experience. How are these animals selected? What preparation goes into such an interaction? Today we discuss the interesting details surrounding animal encounters. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacat…

When you're the leader and your team seems to be resisting what you're telling them to do, it can be frustrating. Today we look at ways to examine the problem and determine how to handle those who resist doing tasks. And no, it's not an immediate HR problem! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.co…

Whether it's for fun or necessity, many of us take on what are known as side hustles. A little extra income for talents you already have or for learning something new can't hurt, right? Today we discuss the idea of side work especially as an aquarium or zoo professional. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacat…

We all have thoughts and opinions, obviously. Politics can be a rather polarizing topic of conversation, however, and it's always a good idea to consider many factors before delving into political discussions in the workplace. Today we explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of discussing politics in the workplace. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.sempl…

You may have noticed them, but have you paid much attention to the group charged with maintaining peace and order in an aquarium or zoo? Today we discuss the scope and types of issues that they deal with on a daily basis to keep things calm and fun. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/l…

Sometimes, we understand our impact and how we are perceived, but not always. Self-awareness doesn't come naturally to everyone, but there are ways to develop it over time. You are capable of taking some time to reflect, ponder, and make choices to improve your impact. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacatio…

An animal in human care should have the same opportunities to thrive as their wild counterparts (minus, perhaps, the constant threat of predators...). With that in mind, keepers have to get creative in how to make life fun, interesting, and intriguing for our animal friends. How do we know what to do? What kind of thought and preparation goes into …

You've found a job that you want, but now what? Here are a few helpful hints to increase your chances of getting your foot in the door and landing that position. It takes a lot of preparation, but if you're really ready to move on, it's got to be worth it, right? Good luck, and happy job hunting, friends!…

One of the central principles, goals, and missions of aquariums and zoos is to conserve the natural world. This might mean individual species or entire ecosystems. How do we approach this vast challenge? What are our methods? How might guests get involved? Take some time to ponder, research, and join in! Helpful links: https://projectpiaba.org/ www…

Revisiting some advice for those who might need it. Vulnerability and discomfort are a part of admitting you've made a mistake. Take it a step further and apologize. It doesn't feel so great initially, but it will eventually pay off in the end. Free your guilty mind and let's all be better humans! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationp…

Please excuse the lack of new episodes for the moment. School work is occupying much of my time these days! Please enjoy a popular older episode and I will be back with something new as soon as I can! Aquariums and Zoos have to be ready for all sorts of scenarios in order to keep the guests, animals, and staff safe. We might be surprised by things …

Did you know that aquarium and zoo professionals often volunteer to take on more work than what falls within their job description or organization? Today we discuss the pros and cons of taking on more and being generous with your time and efforts in your field. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner…

When we're feeling unsure, it's tempting to draw upon past experiences for guidance, even when they weren't so effective or pleasant. Today we discuss emulating behaviors and habits of other people, and why it may or may not work for you. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

It's relatively easy to envision how the first portion of the SPIDER model of enrichment works, but the second portion is just as important. Today we discuss how we know our enrichment and training ideas are working and how we carry those ideas into the future. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner…

Even when we've had our fill of politics, it's important to remember that politics in the workplace can be very important to consider when it comes to one's words and actions. There can be impact even when the choice is made to avoid workplace politics. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/sta…

It's fun to be able to think creatively on behalf of the animals every now and again. If you've ever wondered how animal care professionals come up with the enrichment ideas that we do, this is a quick rundown of the first half of the process. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-se…

It's not uncommon for people to think they're doing something good by withholding their corrections in hope that the other person will figure it out on their own. Confrontation can be intimidating, after all. Today we discuss how and why difficult discussions should be done with kindness in mind. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationpl…

Keepers are only available for a small portion of the day. We have to consider the experience of the animals all through the day, though, so let's take a closer look as to how and why we care what the animals are up to when we aren't around. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semp…

It is perhaps not everyone's dream to be a middle manager, but rest assured, being in the position between a team of individual contributors and senior leadership requires special skill and awareness. It's not for the faint of heart! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

Mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion occurring at the same time can affect all aspects of our lives even when the stress is only experienced in one portion. What is burnout and what can be done about it? www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

The terms might seem interchangeable, but there's a big difference in using power via authority or influence. The manner in which followers respond is just as different. Today we discuss the nuances and use of authority as opposed to influence. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-s…

It's important for animal care professionals to understand how they cope with loss because it will happen. While the animals that we work with are not pets or family members, losses can hit hard. Coping and healing are hard, but essential. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

Innovation and creativity sometimes have a cost, and that can be mistakes and unplanned outcomes. Is it worth it, though? Certainly! Today we talk about developing a culture of trying and why it's important. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

This is a topic that we don't discuss a openly very often, but there come times in animals' lives when they get older or injured or sick that the staff must have meaningful conversation about the animal's day to day experiences. We discuss their future and how we should respond. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] l.semple@magicalvacation…

It can be difficult to navigate how to integrate into a new work environment and getting to know new coworkers. Should you share more about yourself? Less? Today we discuss the decisions to be made when joining a new work team. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

Aquariums and zoos may very well be involved with work that helps to shape the language and direction of laws and protections that affect themselves as well as animals. It's delicate work, but helpful in conserving animals and habitats on a larger scale than within the walls of their institutions. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationp…

Did you know that many aquariums and zoos run summer camps and programs? In case you'd never considered this as an option if you were looking for an interesting experience for a special young person, today we discuss the good opportunities in summer camps. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/…

When you have a technical job or a technical mind, it can be challenging to navigate issues with people. We can't address the problems in the same way with analytics, logic, and facts. Today we discuss how to go about developing skills for engaging people. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/…

It's understood that working with wild animals carries a lot of risk. Each institution spends a lot of time pondering and creating a lengthy list of safety protocols to help their staff stay safe even in the most challenging of scenarios. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

Working with people tends to come with small annoyances that get under our skin. Whether it's friends, family, or coworkers, someone at some point is going to annoy you with their antics. Today we discuss some framing to help overcome and avoid ruining relationships. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationp…

It might seem obvious, but it's difficult for us as humans to perceive the entirety of our surroundings the same way the animals do. A challenge for animal care professionals, we have to consider many aspects of the experience to determine the best ways to care for our animals. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magic…

There is a combination of factors at play when we evaluate how to deal with conflict. We each have a natural tendency, a role to play, and a current objective in the conflict. It may not be comfortable, but we all need to find a way to navigate it. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lo…

People like to surround themselves with people that they like. Every once in a while, we make a particularly strong bond with one special person. Animals do the same! They have preferences and people with whom they'd prefer to spend their time. Who knew? www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/st…

It might sound like and odd pairing, but it's interesting to see how much overlap there can be in the skills that make a good leader and those that make a good animal trainer. It's more similar than you might realize! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple…

How do animal care professionals know how to train animals? We put a lot of work into properly preparing ourselves and our coworkers to train animals, and it can be rather challenging to do properly. Today we discuss how to train animal trainers! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori…

If you're interested in increasing your knowledge and experience within your craft, whose responsibility might it be to get you there? Is it yours? Your employer? Today we discuss the many facets of professional development and how it might be accomplished. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanner.com…

So your favorite aquarium or zoo has an exhibit to renovate to make improvements... but where do the animals go? Today we discuss the challenges our institutions face when we have to make necessary changes that might pose a danger to the animals that live there. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo [email protected] www.magicalvacationplanne…