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Mothering Wildlife

Mothering Wildlife

By: Elizabeth Johnson
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About this listen

Telling the stories of moms who work in zoo, wildlife, vet, and conservation organizations. Working with wildlife brings a unique set of challenges for working mothers. Join me every other week as I interview moms working primarily in the zoo field as we discuss their journey as moms, navigating the mental, emotional, and often physical challenges that come with caring for wildlife and caring for kids.

© 2025 Mothering Wildlife
Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Finding Your Flippers as a Leader and Mom with Hallie Torre from the Aquarium of Niagara
    Nov 27 2025

    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!

    This week, I talk to Hallie Torre, Curator of Marine Mammals and Birds at the Aquarium of Niagara. Hallie chats about life as a marine mammal trainer turned manager and mom of two—everything from working with seals and sea lions while pregnant to figuring out daycare, maternity leave, and finding herself again at work.

    Hallie opens up about both of her pregnancies, how she adapted her role while working with seals, sea lions, and penguins, and what it was like returning after maternity leave. Knowing that she had a job to return to that she was passionate about helped her to return to work after her maternity leave. She reflects on learning to balance her passion for her career with the mental load of motherhood, daycare, and the unpredictable demands of this field.

    As a manager, Hallie shares how becoming a mother reshaped her leadership style, making her more patient and empathetic. She discusses supporting her staff’s work–life boundaries and normalizing the fact that people have personal lives that are important.

    Mothering Wildlife links:
    Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast
    Instagram @motheringwildlife
    Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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    56 mins
  • “Baby Tonka” - When Our Kids Become Part of Our Zoo Community
    Nov 13 2025

    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!

    This week, I talk to Wendy Boulger, a zookeeper from Zoo Knoxville. Her almost 11-month-old (at the time) daughter, Marcy, even joins us for the interview!

    Wendy and I touch base on a variety of topics - from the challenges of postpartum to pumping at work to trying to jump back and forth between the two mindsets of "work life" and "mom life", especially when also trying to focus on safely working with dangerous animals!

    Wendy also shares how she has dealt with sleepless nights and how she was able to advocate for her position to go part-time; something that was a game changer for her in trying to "catch up" on her sleep. We've talked about advocating for yourself on the podcast before, so it's nice to hear how Wendy was able to have those conversations with her facility.

    Finally, listen out for Wendy's story about how her daughter got the nickname "Baby Tonka" - a sweet testament to the community within the zoo field and how zookeepers can truly be like family.

    Mothering Wildlife links:
    Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast
    Instagram @motheringwildlife
    Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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    44 mins
  • Personal Lives Are Important with Kim Castrucci from the Brevard Zoo
    Oct 30 2025

    Click here to send me a text! Have a story to share or just want to chat? Let's connect - because moms need moms!

    Mothering Wildlife links:
    Facebook MotheringWildlifePodcast
    Instagram @motheringwildlife
    Email: motheringwildlife@gmail.com

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    1 hr and 7 mins
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