Animals & Us with Natalie Stockdale (Kintsugi Heroes) cover art

Animals & Us with Natalie Stockdale (Kintsugi Heroes)

Animals & Us with Natalie Stockdale (Kintsugi Heroes)

By: Kintsugi Heroes
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The Animals and Us podcast series explores and celebrates the transformative power of human-animal connections. Each episode features guests sharing their lived experience of the influence animals have had on their lives, revealing stories of connection, healing, and transformation. Additionally, the podcast includes experts in relevant fields such as eco-psychology, animal therapy, compassion, and animal communication. The series is produced by Kintsugi Heroes and created and hosted by Natalie Stockdale.Copyright 2026 Kintsugi Heroes Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Catherine Grady: Snow Leopards, Sheep Eyeballs, and Why Every Animal Just Wants to Be Loved

    Catherine Grady: Snow Leopards, Sheep Eyeballs, and Why Every Animal Just Wants to Be Loved
    May 11 2026
    Catherine Grady spent five months in Mongolia this year — central grasslands, the Altai Mountains, and the snowy west — quietly setting camera traps for one of the most elusive predators on Earth: the snow leopard. In this episode of Animals and Us, host Natalie Stockdale sits down with Catherine, a young American wildlife conservation biologist freshly arrived in Australia, for a beautifully grounded conversation about the lives of carnivores, the limitations of how science is taught, the quiet act of reframing “habitat” as “home”, and the universal truth she's seen across every species she's studied: everything just wants to be loved.From acting student to wildlife biologistCatherine pivoted 180° after two years of university — leaving acting to follow what made her feel “most alive”. Why that introspection is the foundation she now teaches young scientists.Five months in MongoliaFrom Khustai National Park to the Altai ice patches to setting traps for snow leopards in the snowy west — Catherine shares what it's like to live in a country where hospitality is automatic and strangers are fed at no cost.The secret lives of snow leopardsThe “ghost cat” is one of the most understudied predators on Earth. Catherine and her team want to challenge the assumption that snow leopards are isolated and antisocial — using satellite camera collars to capture the affection, play, and intelligence the public never sees.Habitat is just a word — home changes everythingWhy Catherine refuses to call an animal's place “habitat”. The single language shift that reframes how scientists treat the creatures and ecosystems they study — and the parallel she draws to Mongolian hospitality.Everything just wants to be lovedAcross grizzlies, wolves, freshwater fish and the shy cow she befriended in rural Mongolia, Catherine has seen one universal truth — and a Jane Goodall warning about apathy that every Gen Z conservationist should hear.GUEST BIOCatherine Grady is a wildlife conservation biologist from Seattle, Washington, recently arrived in Australia after almost five months of research in Mongolia. She has worked across the United States (including studying wolves at Yellowstone), Belize, and Mongolia — and her work centres on two equally-held values: wildlife and environmental conservation, and indigenous justice. Catherine is particularly drawn to carnivores, especially the misunderstood ones — wolves, snow leopards, and (next on her list) Australian dingoes.Resources Mentioned● Lucy Cooke — “Bitch: On the Female of the Species” (book) — https://www.basicbooks.com● How to Train Your Dragon (2010 film) — referenced for the “everything we know about you guys is wrong” quote● Jane Goodall — research approach and quote on apathy as the greatest danger to our future● Joseph Campbell — “Follow your bliss and doors are open”● Khustai National Park, Mongolia — https://www.hustai.mn● Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize — https://www.monkeybaybelize.com● Xavier Rudd — “Follow the Sun” (Animals and Us theme music)TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:53 A Childhood Outside — Seattle and Salmon Recovery04:07 Acting to Biology — A 180-Degree Pivot09:42 Why Everything We Learn About Animals Should Be Questioned17:48 Five Months in Mongolia21:21 The Secret Lives of Snow Leopards27:39 Universal Truths — From “Habitat” to “Home”50:06 Advice for the Next Generation of ConservationistsCALL TO ACTIONIf this conversation moved you, please follow Kintsugi Heroes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred app, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who loves animals as much as you do. To support our not-for-profit mission to share more stories like Catherine's, visit https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au and make a tax-deductible donation, or get in touch about partnering with us.THE KINTSUGI CONNECTIONWatch every episode on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroesIf this story resonated, explore more from Animals and Us — honest conversations about the creatures we sharethis planet with, and what they have to teach us.ABOUT KINTSUGI HEROESKintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit storytelling platform sharing real stories of resilience, disability and transformation.Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing broken pottery with gold so the cracks become the mostbeautiful part — we believe every life can be made more beautiful through what it has survived.THEME MUSICThanks to Xavier Rudd for permission to use “Follow the Sun” as the theme music for the Animals and Us series.PARTNER / DONATE / CONNECTPartner with us — https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.auDonate — donations over $2 are tax-deductible. https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.auWeb — https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.auYouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroesInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Megan Hensley: The Donkey Farrier Teaching the World to Listen Before They Lead

    Megan Hensley: The Donkey Farrier Teaching the World to Listen Before They Lead
    Apr 13 2026

    Episode Summary

    Megan Hensley grew up outside Sacramento with animals as her closest companions — the kids at school didn't get her, but the animals always did. After dropping out of high school at 15, a stint in the US Army, conservation work that brought her to Australia, and a chance apprenticeship with a compassionate farrier, Megan found her calling: the care and welfare of donkeys. Nearly 20 years on, she is one of the most respected donkey farriers in the United States, founder of the Donkey Hooves and Health Academy with over a thousand students worldwide, and a tireless voice for an animal that has been misunderstood, misused, and underserved for far too long. This conversation is about donkeys — but it is also about trust, patience, and what happens when you meet another being exactly where they are.

    Episode Pillars

    ● The Rebel Who Found Her Calling: From dropping out of school at 15 to the US Army to conservation work in the Australian outback — how Megan's winding path led her to a 20-year career as a donkey farrier.

    ● Donkeys Are Not Stubborn — They Are Discerning: The biggest misconception about donkeys, why they end up mistreated and mislabelled, and what it actually means to earn a donkey's trust.

    ● The Care Bear Stare and the Science Behind It: How Megan uses loving intention — and heart-centred energy backed by HeartMath research — to reach animals that no one else can get near.

    ● Romulus: Six Months to Liberty: The story of a mule so traumatised by a previous farrier experience that he trembled and broke into a sweat at the sight of tools — and how patience over six months changed everything.

    ● The Donkey Hooves and Health Academy: How COVID forced Megan online and led to a global school teaching donkey owners to trim their own animals' hooves — stress free, halter free, and with their hearts on.

    The Kintsugi Connection

    To see the visual story of Megan's journey and explore more episodes of resilience, visit our YouTube channel:

    https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes/videos

    If Megan's story moved you, explore these related Hero conversations:

    ● Love animals and their power to heal? Listen to Ron King's story of building Oscar's Place, the donkey rescue at the heart of this episode.

    ● Drawn to stories of purpose found through unconventional paths? Explore how our other Animals and Us guests have found meaning through their relationships with animals.

    About Kintsugi Heroes: An Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the

    power of storytelling.

    Partner with Us: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/

    Donate (tax-deductible): https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donate

    Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kintsugi-Heroes-100084850387170/
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    52 mins
  • The Healing Power of Bees: 50 Years of Beekeeping with Russell Zabel | Animals & Us | Episode 25

    The Healing Power of Bees: 50 Years of Beekeeping with Russell Zabel | Animals & Us | Episode 25
    Mar 30 2026
    Episode SummaryWhat can a tiny insect teach us about resilience, community, and the art of slowing down? When Russell Zabel first caught a swarm of bees in a chaff bag in the late 1960s, he didn’t realise it would spark a 50-year journey of discovery. In this episode of Animals & Us, Natalie Stockdale sits down with Russell to explore the fascinating world of Australian native bees. From the adrenaline of the first sting to the meditative peace of a thriving hive, Russell shares how these extraordinary creatures have shaped his life and why they are vital to our own wellbeing and the planet's future.Episode PillarsThe Chaff Bag Beginning: A look back at the 1960s encounter that turned a curiosity into a lifelong passion.Native vs. Honeybees: Understanding the unique beauty of Australia’s stingless bees and their role in our ecosystem.The Hive as a Teacher: Lessons in persistence, cooperation, and how nature provides a blueprint for human recovery.Gardening for Good: Practical, actionable steps to transform your backyard into a sanctuary for pollinators.Topics Covered Keywords: Native Bees Australia, Beekeeping for Beginners, Stingless Bees, Pollinator Gardens, Mental Health and Nature, Biodiversity, Environmental Resilience, Sustainable Gardening, Lockyer Valley, Nature Therapy, Bee Conservation, Insect Behaviour, Recovery through Nature.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Animals & Us: Meet Russell Zabel.02:15 – The 1960s: Catching the first swarm in a chaff bag.08:40 – Why Australian Native Bees are the "unsung heroes" of the garden.14:20 – Getting stung: The reality of a life with bees.22:10 – How to set up your first hive and what to avoid.30:05 – The Kintsugi moment: Finding peace in the "white noise" of the hive.34:37 – Where to find Russell and his transition to retirement.💡 The "Gold" Quote"If you’ve got livestock, you’ve also got dead stock—it's the same with bees. Proper management and care is how we keep the cycle of life going." — Russell Zabel📚 Resources MentionedWebsite: Zabel.com.au – For native bee products and education.🤝 Guest Social HandshakeConnect with Russell and follow his work in the bee community:Website: www.zabel.com.auThe Kintsugi ConnectionTo see the visual story of Russell’s hives and explore more episodes of resilience, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes/videosAbout Kintsugi HeroesKintsugi Heroes is an Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the power of storytelling. We believe that lived experience is a gift to be shared, not a scar to be hidden.Partner with UsAlign your organisation with resilience and social responsibility. Help us amplify voices that inspire change. https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/🛡️ Call to HeroismYour tax-deductible contribution helps us reach over 6 million Australians via community radio. Every dollar ensures these stories of repair continue to be told. Donate here to fuel a hero's story.Connect With UsWebsite: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/
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    36 mins
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