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Season 2

Dec. 23, 2024

Farewell Starlight Pet Talk: Celebrating Our Journey and What's Next …

As we wrap up Starlight Pet Talk , we’re taking a moment to celebrate everything this podcast has meant over the past two years. This episode is all about gratitude, reflection, and a little bit of fun as we look back on the ...

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Dec. 16, 2024

Exciting Changes Ahead: A New Chapter for Our Pet Podcast

Big news is in the air, pet lovers! This week’s episode is all about transformation, as we prepare to reveal a bold new direction for the podcast. Join me, Amy Castro, alongside guest host Bev Brooks, as we dive into the why,...

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Dec. 9, 2024

What’s Broken in Animal Rescue and How to Fix It

Hey there! In this episode, you’ll hear us refer to the show as Starlight Pet Talk—that’s what we called it before we decided to embrace the fur, mess, and mayhem. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place for Muddy Paws and Hairballs—same great content, just with a name that fits! - Amy Join us for a…

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Dec. 2, 2024

Ants as Pets? What You Need to Know Before Starting

Think keeping ants as pets sounds strange? You might be surprised. Ant keeping is one of the fastest-growing pet hobbies in the world, and it’s easy to see why. These tiny creatures are incredibly social, surprisingly low mai...

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Nov. 25, 2024

Want to Improve Your Pet’s Diet? Start Here

Not sure what’s actually healthy for your pet to eat? You’re not alone. With so many confusing labels, trends, and conflicting advice, knowing what to feed your dog or cat can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I’m joined by...

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Nov. 19, 2024

Holiday Gift Ideas Every Pet Lover Will Actually Want

Looking for the perfect gift for the pet lover in your life? Before you grab another generic toy or novelty mug, let’s talk about gifts that actually get used, appreciated, and remembered. In this episode, I’m sharing the bes...

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Nov. 12, 2024

Thinking About Adopting a Rescue Dog? Listen to This First

Love is important—but it’s not always enough. If you’re thinking about adopting a rescue dog, especially one with a traumatic past or behavioral challenges, this episode will help you go in with eyes wide open. I’m joined by ...

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Oct. 29, 2024

The Dog Park That’s Redefining Pet Community and Safety

What if your local dog park wasn’t just a place to play—but a thriving community built for both pets and people? In this episode, I talk with Ramy Saleh, CEO of Zoomies Dog Park, about how he’s reshaping the dog park experien...

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Oct. 22, 2024

How Rescue Dog Wines Is Saving Lives One Bottle at a Time

What if every bottle of wine you opened also helped save a rescue dog’s life? In this episode, I talk with Blair Lott, co-founder of Rescue Dog Wines, about how he and his wife Laura turned their passion for wine into a missi...

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Oct. 15, 2024

Why ‘Don’t Train Your Dog’ Might Be the Best Advice Yet

What if the way you’ve been taught to train your dog is creating more problems? In this episode, I speak with Angie Winters, author of "Don't Train Your Dog ," about why traditional training methods often fall short and what ...

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Oct. 8, 2024

What It’s Really Like to Be an Animal Rescuer

Ever wondered what it’s really like to dedicate your life to saving animals? In this special episode, I’m the guest on The Story of My Pet podcast, hosted by Julie Marty-Pearson. I share my journey from a childhood encounter ...

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Oct. 1, 2024

How Smart Is Your Dog Really? What Science Says

Ever wonder what your dog is thinking—or how much they really understand? In this episode, I talk with Jennifer S. Holland, New York Times bestselling author of Dog Smart: Life-Changing Lessons in Canine Intelligence . We exp...

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Sept. 24, 2024

The Festival That Honors Pets and People Who Love Them

What makes a community celebration truly unforgettable? Love—and pets. In this episode, I talk with Father Justin Briggle of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church about the story behind Harvest PawFest, a joyful festival created to ...

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Sept. 17, 2024

Are Plastics Harming Your Pet?

Could your pet’s toys, bowls, or containers be quietly harming their health? In this episode, I talk with Aidan Charron from EarthDay.org about the alarming findings in the Pets vs Plastics report—and what every pet parent ne...

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Sept. 10, 2024

What Happens to Pets When Military Pet Parents Deploy?

What happens to a pet when their military family is suddenly deployed? In this episode, I talk with Alisa Sieber-Johnson, co-founder of Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit that connects military members and first responders with ...

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Sept. 3, 2024

How Partnerships Help Rescues Save More Pets

What if helping animals could also grow your business? In this special crossover episode, I’m interviewed by Eliza Burr on Off the Leash with the Pet Business Coach . We dive into what makes a partnership between a pet busine...

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Aug. 27, 2024

Rehoming Bonnie: 1,672 Miles to a Forever Home

What happens when you hit the road with a rescue dog—and everything goes wrong? In this episode, I share the story of my 1,672-mile journey from Texas to New York with my best friend Bev and a sweet rescue dog named Bonnie. F...

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Aug. 20, 2024

Is It Really Separation Anxiety? Here’s How to Know

Does your dog panic when you leave the house? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. In this episode, I sit down with expert dog trainer Ruth Hegarty to break down one of the most misunderstood issues in dog behavior: separat...

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Aug. 13, 2024

How to Afford Pet Care Without Breaking the Bank

Worried about the rising cost of caring for your pet? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Wainberg, Senior VP of Synchrony Financial Services’ Pet Business, to talk about how pet parents can prepare fo...

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Aug. 6, 2024

Want Your Pet to Live Longer? Start With These 5 Steps

What if your pet’s health problems aren’t the real problem—but just the symptoms? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Marlene Siegel, a leading voice in bioregulatory veterinary medicine. She shares her holistic, root-cause ap...

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July 30, 2024

Why Being Around Pets Makes You Healthier

You don’t even have to own a pet to benefit from one. In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and communication coach Dr. Denise M. Dudley to explore the powerful ways pets improve our emotional and physical health. Whe...

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July 23, 2024

Dog Driving You Nuts? 5 Behavior Fixes That Work

Tired of your dog barking nonstop, pulling on the leash, or chewing everything in sight? In this episode, I’m joined by dog training expert Ruth Hegarty to break down the most common behavior problems pet parents face—and how...

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July 16, 2024

How to Build a Dog-Friendly Community That Works

Want your town or workplace to be more dog-friendly? Here’s how to make it happen. In this episode, I talk with Beth Miller, founder of Wagtown Consulting, about what it really takes to build communities that welcome and supp...

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July 9, 2024

10 Reasons Pet Adopters Get Rejected and Don’t Even Know It

Think you’re ready to adopt a pet? You might want to double-check. In this candid episode, Amy breaks down 10 common reasons pet adopters get rejected—and most have no idea they’re making these mistakes. Drawing from 15 years...

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