AquatiZoo podcast

They're natural, but not particularly helpful. If you've ever held a grudge or been on the receiving end of a grudge, you might know that it's generally an unpleasant experience. Today we discuss the painful truth about grudges and how to overcome them. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

While it is not a commonly discussed phenomenon for those outside the world of biology, there are some animals that can reproduce in unexpected ways. You may have seen it in the news or heard talk of it before, but today we discuss the ability that some animals have to reproduce all on their own! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lor...

Trust is important, but how can we develop it with the people around us? Believe it or not, there are things that we can do to purposefully and thoughtfully with our teams, friends, and family. Today we discuss the possibilities when it comes to developing healthy, trusting relationships with others. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff...

Aquariums and zoos may have up close and personal interactions with certain animals to enhance the learning experience. How are these animals selected? What preparation goes into such an interaction? Today we discuss the interesting details surrounding animal encounters. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple  

When you're the leader and your team seems to be resisting what you're telling them to do, it can be frustrating. Today we look at ways to examine the problem and determine how to handle those who resist doing tasks. And no, it's not an immediate HR problem! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

Whether it's for fun or necessity, many of us take on what are known as side hustles. A little extra income for talents you already have or for learning something new can't hurt, right? Today we discuss the idea of side work especially as an aquarium or zoo professional. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

We all have thoughts and opinions, obviously. Politics can be a rather polarizing topic of conversation, however, and it's always a good idea to consider many factors before delving into political discussions in the workplace. Today we explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of discussing politics in the workplace. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationpl...

You may have noticed them, but have you paid much attention to the group charged with maintaining peace and order in an aquarium or zoo? Today we discuss the scope and types of issues that they deal with on a daily basis to keep things calm and fun. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

Sometimes, we understand our impact and how we are perceived, but not always. Self-awareness doesn't come naturally to everyone, but there are ways to develop it over time. You are capable of taking some time to reflect, ponder, and make choices to improve your impact. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

An animal in human care should have the same opportunities to thrive as their wild counterparts (minus, perhaps, the constant threat of predators...). With that in mind, keepers have to get creative in how to make life fun, interesting, and intriguing for our animal friends. How do we know what to do? What kind of thought and preparation goes into enrichment? A lot is happening that you might not...

You've found a job that you want, but now what? Here are a few helpful hints to increase your chances of getting your foot in the door and landing that position. It takes a lot of preparation, but if you're really ready to move on, it's got to be worth it, right? Good luck, and happy job hunting, friends!

One of the central principles, goals, and missions of aquariums and zoos is to conserve the natural world. This might mean individual species or entire ecosystems. How do we approach this vast challenge? What are our methods? How might guests get involved? Take some time to ponder, research, and join in! Helpful links: https://projectpiaba.org/ www.patreon.com/aquatizoo

Revisiting some advice for those who might need it. Vulnerability and discomfort are a part of admitting you've made a mistake. Take it a step further and apologize. It doesn't feel so great initially, but it will eventually pay off in the end. Free your guilty mind and let's all be better humans! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lo...

Please excuse the lack of new episodes for the moment. School work is occupying much of my time these days! Please enjoy a popular older episode and I will be back with something new as soon as I can! Aquariums and Zoos have to be ready for all sorts of scenarios in order to keep the guests, animals, and staff safe. We might be surprised by things on occasion, but we try to be methodical about our...

Did you know that aquarium and zoo professionals often volunteer to take on more work than what falls within their job description or organization? Today we discuss the pros and cons of taking on more and being generous with your time and efforts in your field. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

When we're feeling unsure, it's tempting to draw upon past experiences for guidance, even when they weren't so effective or pleasant. Today we discuss emulating behaviors and habits of other people, and why it may or may not work for you. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

It's relatively easy to envision how the first portion of the SPIDER model of enrichment works, but the second portion is just as important. Today we discuss how we know our enrichment and training ideas are working and how we carry those ideas into the future. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

Even when we've had our fill of politics, it's important to remember that politics in the workplace can be very important to consider when it comes to one's words and actions. There can be impact even when the choice is made to avoid workplace politics. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple  

It's fun to be able to think creatively on behalf of the animals every now and again. If you've ever wondered how animal care professionals come up with the enrichment ideas that we do, this is a quick rundown of the first half of the process. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

It's not uncommon for people to think they're doing something good by withholding their corrections in hope that the other person will figure it out on their own. Confrontation can be intimidating, after all. Today we discuss how and why difficult discussions should be done with kindness in mind. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lor...

Keepers are only available for a small portion of the day. We have to consider the experience of the animals all through the day, though, so let's take a closer look as to how and why we care what the animals are up to when we aren't around. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

It is perhaps not everyone's dream to be a middle manager, but rest assured, being in the position between a team of individual contributors and senior leadership requires special skill and awareness. It's not for the faint of heart! www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

Mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion occurring at the same time can affect all aspects of our lives even when the stress is only experienced in one portion. What is burnout and what can be done about it? www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

The terms might seem interchangeable, but there's a big difference in using power via authority or influence. The manner in which followers respond is just as different. Today we discuss the nuances and use of authority as opposed to influence. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple

It's important for animal care professionals to understand how they cope with loss because it will happen. While the animals that we work with are not pets or family members, losses can hit hard. Coping and healing are hard, but essential. www.patreon.com/aquatizoo l.semple@magicalvacationplanner.com www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/lori-semple