Compassionate+Beneficial Living™

As we step into 2025, I’m excited to share a collection of 365+ books that have resonated with me on some level. This list includes books I’ve revisited from the past, shared in 2024, and plenty of new discoveries that have caught my attention recently—whether I’ve read them cover to cover or just sampled a portion so far. Sharing lists like this one isn't about creating definitive guides or claim...

Often, we glorify travel as a series of perfect moments when the reality is more complex. While we may be grateful for meaningful travel experiences, we also need to ensure maintaining physical and mental health is a daily priority. My work supporting animals, people, and the planet may sometimes require travel. However, for me, travel is only worth doing if traveling doesn't compromise my well-be...

Join us for an engaging and inspiring conversation with Tricia Croasdell, Global CEO of World Animal Protection. Growing up in South Africa, Tricia’s deep connection to wildlife sparked a lifelong mission to protect animals and foster a more compassionate world. In this episode, she delves into World Animal Protection’s mission to revolutionize the global food system—making it more humane and sust...

Join us for an engaging and inspiring conversation with Tricia Croasdell, Global CEO of World Animal Protection. Growing up in South Africa, Tricia’s deep connection to wildlife sparked a lifelong mission to protect animals and foster a more compassionate world. In this episode, she delves into World Animal Protection’s mission to revolutionize the global food system—making it more humane and sust...

In this compelling episode, I sit down with Ashley Hartman, Managing Partner at Bluestein Ventures, to explore how they're transforming the $4 trillion food industry through strategic investments that prioritize nutrition, sustainability, and digital innovation. We dive into Bluestein's forward-thinking strategy, from partnering with startups to navigating the complexities of the food supply chain...

New podcast episode: Join us as we dive deep into the underwater world of aquatic animals and the different sustainability problems facing fisheries and aquaculture sectors with Wasseem Emam, the passionate leader of Ethical Seafood Research. We explore why our seafood choices matter for ocean health and biodiversity, and the urgent ethical challenges facing both farmed and wild capture seafood op...

In honor of World Pet Memorial Day, I wanted to share some ways to support yourself while grieving the loss of your pet. Research shows losing a pets can be just as if not more difficult than losing a person. While there are several complexities to why grieving the loss of a pet is so challenging. One significant factor is that it can feel less socially acceptable to grieve pets openly, because ma...

Join us on a journey of discovery with Dr. Elliot Swartz, Principal Scientist specializing in Cultivated Meat at The Good Food Institute. With experience spearheading projects across food safety, environmental impact, and the cultivated meat value chain, Elliot offers diverse perspectives that enrich our discussion on cultivated meat and seafood. Explore the current state of animal agriculture, wh...

Join us as we sit down with Brandy Baker, a seasoned Real Estate Agent from Southeastern Michigan. Brandy is also a passionate shark enthusiast and recently embraced the joys of being a dog mom. In this episode, Brandy shares her inspiring journey, from her remarkable strides in real estate to her triumphs in sobriety and her newfound role as an adoptive dog parent, showcasing her resilience and d...

Join us as we delve into pressing sustainability and animal welfare issues with Dr. Fritha Langford, a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University in the UK. With 25 years of expertise in Farm Animal Welfare, Dr. Langford offers unique perspectives to our discussion. We explore topics including the challenges and opportunities of groundbreaking innovations like cellular agriculture, gene editing, arti...

Certified nutrition coach Karen Brein, owner of Happy Mama Nutrition, joins for an insightful discussion on nutrition and wellness for women, developing good routines for physical and mental health before and after pregnancy, meal and nutrient planning, the benefits of journaling, gratitude, and meditation, tips on advocating for yourself, building your health care and support team, critical consi...

In this episode, Britta Wunderlich, Program Manager at Google, human mom, dog mom, and lover of planet Earth, joins for a discussion on finding purpose, volunteering, and making an impact in our communities, how to merge our passions with our skillsets and carve out time for ourselves while being a parent, her experiences volunteering with the Marine Mammal Center, Google Anthropocene, and MARAlli...

In this episode, Emilia Ward, Head Lacrosse Coach at Central Michigan University, joins for a discussion on coaching and mentoring individuals and teams, parallels between coaching, parenting, managing, and leading in many spheres, athletic journeys as adults, the role of nutrition in sports, staying motivated, adapting approaches, supporting athletes on and off the field, nutritional needs of ath...

In this episode, Professor Mika Lavaque-Manty, Director of the Literature, Science and the Arts Honors Program and Faculty member in the Political Science Department at the University of Michigan, joins for a discussion on the student crisis of well-being and anxiety on college campuses, the toxic ideology of overwork, becoming an athlete as an adult, the positives, negatives, and false dichotomy...

In this episode, I continue discussing my experiences being sexually harassed and silenced as well as what changed, including how I viewed the world, engaged with others, found meaning and purpose through animal adoption, and founded C+B® Compassionate + Beneficial Living™.

Join us for a captivating conversation with Christine Sumner, Scientific Officer at the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), as we delve into a myriad of topics. From the intricate relationship between cats, biodiversity, and wildlife to exploring the complex dynamics of human-animal relationships, Christine shares invaluable insights. As we explore the attitu...

In this episode, Payal Shah, Personal Transformation and Leadership Coach, joins for a discussion on values-based decision-making, spirituality, our health and well-being, how we treat others, our food choices, self-compassion, living compassionately toward others, blocks to compassion, self-empowerment through choices, avoiding disillusionment, including animals and the planet in our decision-mak...

In this episode, I break my non-disclosure agreement to discuss my experiences with sexual harassment, the impacts of being silenced, and why this matters for workplace equity, human and animal wellness, and compassionate and beneficial change.