AquatiZoo podcast

Education & Explainer

About

A look into the inner workings of a zoo or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Leadership, management, and career details that might interest someone who might be looking for a change or just might be curious about their favorite animal-related facilities!

Episodes

  • Managing Perception for Organizations

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode 'Managing Perception for Organizations' covers identity management at an institutional level, focusing on decision-making related to an organization's public perception. It notes that while there are effective…

  • Managing Perception in the Workplace

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode discusses the importance of understanding how your work and actions are perceived in the workplace. It suggests that awareness allows for adjustments to perception.

  • Data-Driven Empathy for Animal Care

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode 'Data-Driven Empathy for Animal Care' discusses using data to improve animal welfare. It explores how these skills can be applied to benefit people as well, noting that animal care professionals can adapt thei…

  • Data-Driven Empathy in Leadership

    This episode discusses the concept of "data-driven empathy" in leadership, emphasizing the importance of analyzing workplace metrics and employee sentiment to enact meaningful improvements and enhance overall welfare.

  • Risk in Animal Introductions

    This episode of the AquatiZoo podcast covers the challenges of introducing animals in professional care settings. It explores methods to ease transitions and the factors considered before animals share a space.

  • Gaining Buy-In

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast discusses the challenges of gaining buy-in for new ideas. It suggests approaching the process with curiosity and understanding to build support and get things done.

  • Planning for the Future

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode "Planning for the Future" discusses the necessity of future planning for individuals in physically demanding professions. It highlights the importance of preparing for potential disruptions like injuries to en…

  • Initiative

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode explores the consequences of inaction in the workplace, potential hidden struggles affecting initiative, and considerations for assisting colleagues facing these challenges.

  • For Profit and Non-Profit Zoos and Aquariums

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode discusses the operational similarities and differences between AZA accredited for-profit and non-profit animal institutions.

  • The Skill of Interviewing

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast discusses how to improve interview participation through preparation. Spending time preparing for interviews can help individuals find a team and organization that matches their abilities, values, and miss…

  • Teamwork in Aquariums and Zoos

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast emphasizes that effective animal care requires cultivating strong relationships among team members. It highlights the multi-dimensional nature of these jobs and the importance of valuing everyone on the te…

  • Accountability in Teams

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast discusses the challenges of maintaining accountability within teams. It explores the core issues related to holding individuals responsible for their actions or inactions, emphasizing approaches that incor…

  • Preparing for a Crisis

    This episode of the AquatiZoo podcast discusses the extensive preparations zoos and aquariums undertake when facing potential crises, with a specific focus on managing weather-related events and the layers of decision-making involved.

  • Internal or External Hiring

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode on Internal or External Hiring explores the advantages and disadvantages of considering candidates already within the organization compared to external applicants.

  • Behind the Scenes Tours

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast discusses the benefits of behind-the-scenes tours, highlighting opportunities to see unique equipment, learn about care techniques, and understand the inner workings of the organization.

  • Learn New Skills

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode "Learn New Skills" suggests that the new year is a good time to reflect on progress and consider changes. It highlights learning new things as a way to keep the mind and body active and make improvements.

  • Population Management

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode on Population Management explores the decision-making process for determining the number of animals in zoo and aquarium enclosures. The discussion emphasizes factors considered to ensure optimal animal health…

  • Psychological Safety

    Psychological safety in the workplace allows for authenticity, fostering creativity, innovation, and honesty. Organizations that prioritize this environment enable employees to express themselves freely.

  • Lifespans of Animals

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode addresses common questions about animal lifespans, comparing longevity in human care versus the wild and examining various contributing factors.

  • Dealing with Multiple Supervisors

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode

  • Insurance in Zoos and Aquariums

    The AquatiZoo podcast discusses the behind-the-scenes operational aspects of zoos and aquariums, with a specific focus on insurance and planning for unexpected incidents.

  • Revisiting: The Art of Forgiveness

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode 'Revisiting: The Art of Forgiveness' explores the common misconception that forgiveness benefits only the recipient. The discussion focuses on the significant challenges and the profound, subtle advantages of…

  • Revisiting: Guest Experience vs. Animal Welfare

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode examines whether guest experience and animal welfare are opposing forces in zoos and aquariums. It delves into the reasons why this conflict may arise and considers potential solutions for the benefit of all…

  • Neurodivergence in the Workplace

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast explores the topic of neurodivergence in the workplace from the perspective of a coworker and leader. It addresses both perceived and actual challenges, offering insights on how to foster a peaceful and pr…

  • Surplus Animals

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode "Surplus Animals" discusses the plans zoos and aquariums have for managing excess animals. These plans aim to ensure that surplus animals receive a full and comfortable life, even if they are rehomed.

  • Actions vs. Outcomes

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast differentiates between contemplating the 'what' and the 'why' of a goal, focusing on the distinction between actions and outcomes. It suggests that recognizing and focusing on the correct aspect is key to…

  • Scientific Research in Zoos and Aquariums

    The AquatiZoo podcast discusses how zoos and aquariums contribute to scientific research and animal behavior knowledge through education and conservation efforts.

  • Change Management

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode addresses the careful consideration of methods and approaches for organizational change. It explores why change is important, how to begin, and strategies for ensuring changes are lasting, focusing on the cha…

  • Social Media in Zoos and Aquariums

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode examines the use of social media by zoos and aquariums. The discussion covers both the positive and negative aspects of these institutions maintaining a social media presence.

  • Risk Management

    This episode discusses risk management, emphasizing the importance of considering worst-case and best-case scenarios to inform decision-making and planning for success.

  • Disposal of Animal Bodies

    The AquatiZoo podcast discusses the procedures for disposing of animal carcasses in zoos and aquariums, addressing what happens when large or exotic animals pass away.

  • Overloading People with Paperwork

    This episode of the AquatiZoo podcast discusses methods for streamlining job-related paperwork, aiming to make administrative tasks more manageable and enjoyable so individuals can return to the more engaging aspects of their roles.

  • Medications in Aquariums and Zoos

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode explores the often-overlooked topic of medications used in zoos and aquariums. It emphasizes the importance of veterinary advancements in ensuring quality animal care.

  • Resistance to Change

    This episode of the AquatiZoo podcast explores the concept of resistance to change, detailing its various forms and offering strategies to repurpose it constructively for future improvements.

  • Revisiting: Geriatric Animals

    The AquatiZoo podcast discusses the challenges of aging animals in zoos and aquariums, including decreased mobility, and highlights the focus on animal welfare in managing these issues.

  • Revisiting: The Skill of Listening

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode explores the skill of listening, addressing listener frustration with inattentiveness and encouraging self-examination of one's own listening habits and their significance.

  • Strategic Planning

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode on Strategic Planning covers the importance of having goals for organizational progress. It delves into the advantages and difficulties associated with defining destinations, the reasons for those destinations…

  • Vocalizing What You Want

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast discusses effective communication, emphasizing the importance of clearly stating desired outcomes and goals instead of focusing solely on what is not wanted.

  • Emergency Response

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode 'Emergency Response' explores the diverse range of potential disasters that zoos and aquariums plan for, including power outages, natural disasters, and health crises.

  • Respecting Everyone's Time

    This episode of the AquatiZoo podcast discusses how respecting people's time by keeping meetings on schedule and acknowledging time boundaries demonstrates value and can provide relief.

  • Collaboration for Exhibit Design

    This episode of the AquatiZoo podcast discusses the collaborative process of designing exhibits for aquariums and zoos, highlighting the inherent frustrations, rewards, stresses, and excitements involved.

  • Emotion Management

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode on Emotion Management discusses the importance of this skill for personal and professional well-being. It covers identifying and working on emotions to avoid damaging actions and offers insights into keeping c…

  • Confiscations

    The AquatiZoo podcast episode 'Confiscations' explores the topic of animals removed by law enforcement, discussing the care and complicated situations that arise when these animals are taken in by aquariums and zoos.

  • "The Way We've Always Done It"

    This episode addresses the challenges of stifled creativity and the lack of innovation, often stemming from phrases like "the way we

  • Competition for Jobs

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast offers advice for aspiring aquarists and zookeepers, discussing the realities of the job field and what to expect, based on the speaker's own experiences.

  • Grudges

    This AquatiZoo podcast episode, titled 'Grudges,' explores the nature of holding grudges. It acknowledges that grudges are a natural human experience but often unpleasant, and the episode discusses the painful aspects of grudges and strate…

  • Parthenogenesis

    The AquatiZoo podcast discusses parthenogenesis, a phenomenon where some animals can reproduce on their own, an ability not commonly known outside of biology.

  • Building Trust

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast explores practical ways to build trust within relationships. It discusses developing healthy connections with teams, friends, and family through thoughtful actions.

  • Animal Encounters

    This episode of AquatiZoo podcast discusses the selection and preparation processes for animals involved in close-up interactions at aquariums and zoos, focusing on how these encounters enhance learning.

  • Resistance to Demands

    This episode of the AquatiZoo podcast discusses how leaders can address team members resisting assigned tasks. It suggests examining the root cause of the resistance rather than immediately escalating to HR.