Keep it Humane

This week on Keep it Humane, we sit down with renowned dog trainer, behavior consultant, author, and speaker Melissa McCue-McGrath. Known for her wit, honesty, and practical approach to animal behavior, Melissa shares lessons learned from years of working with dogs and the people who love them.We discuss the realities of dog training, common misconceptions about canine behavior, and the challenges facing pet owners, shelters, rescues, and animal welfare professionals. Melissa also talks about her books, her podcast, and why understanding behavior is about much more than teaching a dog to sit.Whether you’re an animal control officer, shelter professional, trainer, rescue volunteer, or devoted pet owner, this conversation is packed with insight, humor, and valuable takeaways.Join us as we explore the human-animal bond, behavior science, and the stories behind a career dedicated to helping dogs and their people succeed.

In this episode of Keep It Humane: The Podcast, Daniel Ettinger, Ashley Bishop, and Ashlee Bishop sit down with children’s author Marshall Silverman. Marshall reads from his heartfelt book Can I Please Have a Dog and shares the inspiration behind the story. We talk about patience, responsibility, and the powerful connection between kids, animals, and storytelling. It’s a warm, family-friendly episode that highlights how books can spark empathy and meaningful conversations.

In this episode of Keep it Humane, Daniel and Ashley sit down with Douglas Starr, Professor Emeritus of Science Journalism at Boston University and longtime science writer, to unpack one of the most polarizing topics in animal welfare today: the no-kill movement and the influence of large national organizations like Best Friends Animal Society.Douglas joins the show to discuss his recent Smithsonian Magazine article, “The Nation’s Biggest Animal Sanctuary Operates Under the Mantra ‘Save Them All.’ How Controversial Is That?”, which you can read here:👉 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/nations-biggest-animal-sanctuary-operates-under-mantra-save-them-all-how-controversial-180987638/Drawing from time spent at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and extensive historical research, Douglas shares what he learned about the ideals, psychology, and politics behind the no-kill philosophy. While acknowledging the dedication of many working within the movement, the conversation explores how language, public pressure, and one-size-fits-all approaches can create unintended consequences for shelters, communities, and public safety.Together, Daniel, Ashley, and Douglas have an honest, nuanced discussion about the harm caused by labels like “kill shelter,” the pressure placed on municipal agencies, the silencing of dissenting voices, and the difficult ethical decisions faced by animal welfare professionals every day. With decades of combined experience, the episode emphasizes the need for balance—prioritizing humane care and community safety, accountability in pet ownership, access to spay and neuter services, and moving beyond slogans toward practical, collaborative solutions.This episode challenges simplistic narratives and invites listeners to think critically about what responsible animal welfare really looks like.

In this powerful episode, Daniel Ettinger and Ashlee Bishop sit down with Nina Jackel, founder of Lady Freethinker, for an in-depth conversation about the global fight against animal cruelty and what it takes to create real, lasting change.Nina shares her remarkable journey from freelance journalist to leading an international nonprofit that exposes abuse, funds on-the-ground rescuers, and drives policy change around the world. From shutting down dog meat auction houses in South Korea to helping authorities dismantle a dogfighting ring in Chile—resulting in the longest animal cruelty sentence in the nation’s history—Nina walks us through some of Lady Freethinker’s most impactful victories.The discussion digs into the evolving landscape of online animal cruelty, challenges in prosecuting abuse cases under current laws, and why cross-organization communication remains one of the biggest obstacles in animal advocacy. Daniel, Ashlee, and Nina explore what meaningful collaboration could look like—from local enforcement to global activism—and how summits, networking, and unified messaging could strengthen the field.Listeners will also hear candid personal updates, reflections on leadership in animal welfare, and actionable ways to support Lady Freethinker’s work, including their investigative efforts, global campaigns, and upcoming initiative to tackle social media cruelty in 2026.If you care about animals, accountability, and the future of animal protection, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.