The TEC Talk Podcast: Presented by Natural Encounters, Inc.

Take two! Ari and Chris sit down (again) with Jose Antonio Diaz, Executive Director of Parrot Conservation Bolivia (CLB), an organization that works towards the conservation of several highly endangered species of macaws in South America. Jose tells us about what his organization does, talks a bit about CLB's history with NEI, and tells us his amazing origin story about becoming crazy about parrot...

Well, this is disappointing. Just a quick episode to let everyone know that the audio gods weren't with us as recorded this week and the file just isn't usable, BUT we're going to re-record our conversation with Jose Antonio Diaz from Parrot Conservation Bolivia and get a brand-spanking-new recording out a day later than normal. Hey, we're human and this was bound to happen sooner or later, right?...

We're back! Ari and Chris explain the story behind the recent bonus episode with our co-workers Flannery and Kyle, discuss how the current social unrest in the US has created a new opportunity to celebrate the diversity of voices and experiences in the zoological community, and take on an email asking about how folks looking to break into the zoo community can make themselves stand out.  Do you ha...

Just a quick, special episode to tell everyone out there we're thinking about you, we appreciate you, and we hope you're staying safe and sane! We'll be back next week with our regularly scheduled episode of TEC Talk! Have a question or something you'd like us to discuss on the show? Email us at podcast@naturalencounters.com!

Chris and Ari are joined by teacher, filmmaker, dog trainer, and resident "podcast email question asker" Benita Raphan about the unique path that brought her to training and NEI, and tackle some questions about "right fit talent" and diversity within the professional animal care industry.  Have a question or a topic that you want discussed on a future episode? Be like Benita and email us at podcas...

Chris and Ari are joined by bird trainer, IAATE President, and creator of the new TEC Talk theme music, Dave Miller, to talk about the importance of collaboration. We discuss the cool projects he's been a part of that combine his love of music and animals, and respond to some listener questions about negative reinforcement in the workplace and the things we wish we'd known when we started our care...

Chris and Ari reflect on NEI TEC's recently completed Ambassador Animal Training and Welfare course, interview each other about our pre-NEI histories with animal behavior and training, and respond to some questions about NEI's breeding programs and suggestions about affecting change when you're not in a position of leadership. Another great chat! Have a question or idea for something you want disc...

Ari and Chris welcome NEI Senior Trainer Megan Geddes to talk about her pre-NEI history and the projects she's been a part of with our company over the last 5 years. We also answer a listener email about developing "people skills" and breaking into the professional animal care industry in the time of COVID-19. It's a good one! 

After some discussion about what "reopening" our country might mean for those of us in the zoological industry, Ari and Chris share their "Top 10" (ok, really only 4) moments from their history working for Natural Encounters, Inc. We wrap up by responding to an email asking about advice for people looking to get into the field, and our company's push to have its employees be a part of the leadersh...

Chris and Ari are joined by NEI President and CEO Steve Martin to talk about his history with Earth Day, the importance of conservation, and the history of our non-profit sister organization, the Natural Encounters Conservation Fund. We also chat about NEI TEC's "Trust Week" webinars and respond to an email about team building in the guide dog training community.  To learn more about NEI and NECF,...

Welcome to Episode 1! Chris and Ari discuss graceful mistake-making, the importance of self-correction, and being an active participant in a feedback loop with members of your team. 

Welcome to TEC Talk, a weekly podcast from the staff of the Natural Encounters Inc. Training and Education Center (NEI-TEC)! Join co-hosts Chris and Ari as they discuss their plans for the show and what listeners can expect from the podcast moving forward.