The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle

All aboard for the world’s most purr-fect rescue! 🚤🐾 In the heart of Amsterdam floats De Poezenboot—the famous Cat Boat. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a floating sanctuary where rescued cats find safety, care, and maybe even their forever home.

This week,Paula Combs tells the story of how a quirky idea became an international icon of compassion. You’ll hear about the cats who call the canals home, the volunteers who keep the b...

Fireflies aren’t just summer nostalgia—they’re nature’s little magicians. ✨

Dr. Sara Lewis, the world’s leading “firefly person,” professor emerita at Tufts, and author of Silent Sparks.joins the show.

Sara takes us behind the glow, sharing how fireflies flirt with light signals, the wild (and sometimes sneaky) ways they attract mates, and why our backyards may hold more magic than we realize. From moonlit meadows to cutting-edge con...

Lisa Spector, concert pianist and founder of My Zen Pet and her new venture, Canine Classical. Lisa has devoted her career to creating calming music designed specifically for dogs, blending her virtuoso performance with a passion for canine well-being.

In this episode, Lisa shares the science and inspiration behind her work, the journey from concert halls to composing for pets, and the launch of her new company and new album focused...

Pippa Ehrlich, acclaimed director of My Octopus Teacher, Kulu’s Journey, The Pangolin Story, and My Mercury, joins this week’s conversation to share her extraordinary path as a filmmaker and conservation storyteller. She reflects on how her work brings hidden animal lives and fragile ecosystems to the screen while inspiring global audiences to care more deeply about the natural world. Pippa also highlights the mission of the Sea Ch...

What happens when the jungle becomes a parliament? In this episode, world-renowned primatologist Dr. Shirley Strum takes us deep into the lives of baboons—animals whose complex societies mirror the political games, alliances, and betrayals we see in our own world.

From power struggles and unexpected leadership shifts to the surprising role of cooperation, Dr. Strum reveals the hidden “politics” that shape baboon troops in the wild. ...

They may be tiny, fuzzy, and undeniably adorable — but sugar gliders are far more than just cute faces. In this episode, Alea Holladay, founder of Sugar Glider Guardians, shares the real story behind these fascinating marsupials. From their incredible ability to glide through the air to the challenges of keeping them as pets, Alea reveals what most people don’t know about sugar glider care, behavior, and rescue. She also takes us b...

Majestic, powerful, and cloaked in mystery — the Bengal tiger has long captured the imagination of the world. This week, world-renowned wildlife biologist Ullas Karanth takes us deep into the heart of tiger country, sharing his decades of experience studying and protecting these incredible big cats. From the dense jungles of India to the cutting-edge science used to track and conserve tiger populations, Ullas reveals what makes Ben...

This week we head deep into the Florida Everglades with Amy Siewe—also known as The Python Huntress. Armed with a flashlight, unmatched grit, and a deep respect for native ecosystems, Amy is one of the few women licensed to hunt invasive Burmese pythons by hand—and she does it at night, often barefoot.

Mark Kyle sits down with Amy to talk about how she went from selling real estate to wrangling some of the largest snakes in the worl...

This week on The Fur Real Podcast, host Mark A Kyle travels deep into the heart of animal rescue and education with Dave Siddon, Executive Director of Wildlife Images Rehabilitation & Education Center. Founded by Dave’s father, wildlife filmmaker J. David Siddon, Wildlife Images has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of animals while educating generations about the wonders of the wild.

From grizzly bears to bald eagles—and even...

They’re misunderstood, mythologized, and often feared — but bats might just be the unsung heroes of our planet. This week, legendary bat expert Merlin Tuttle joins The Fur Real Podcast to set the record straight.

From pollinating your favorite foods (yes, even tequila starts with bats) to devouring crop-destroying pests by the billions, bats play a vital role in our ecosystems — and yet, they're constantly under threat.

Merlin, f...

This week we journey to the lush hills of Costa Rica, where over a million stray dogs roam the streets—but one woman dared to make a difference.

Meet Lya Battle, the remarkable founder of Territorio de Zaguates, also known as Land of the Strays—one of the largest free-range dog sanctuaries in the world. What began with the rescue of a single dog has grown into a 400-acre paradise that now shelters over 1,500 dogs, all free to run, ...

Renowned animal communicator Leslie Cirinesi of I Speak to Animals joins us this week. Have you ever wondered what your pet is thinking or feeling? Leslie has dedicated her life to bridging the gap between humans and animals, helping people better understand their beloved companions through intuitive communication.

In this heartfelt and fascinating episode, Leslie shares how she discovered her unique gift, the incredible stories be...

Imagine navigating the world without sight.
In this inspiring episode, Christine Benninger, President and CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), joins us to share how one rescued German Shepherd named Blondie sparked a movement in 1942 to help WWII veterans—and how that mission has evolved into the largest guide dog organization in North America.

With over 16,000 guide dog teams graduated, GDB continues to transform lives thro...

Silver Linings for Senior Dogs – The Rescue Ranch Giving Aging Pups a Second Chance

Every cloud has a silver lining—and for senior dogs in Bend, Oregon, that silver lining is Silver Linings Rescue Ranch. Founded by Erica Psaltis, this heartwarming sanctuary is dedicated to giving older dogs the love, dignity, and second chance they so deeply deserve.

After adopting a senior dog herself, Erica discovered just how much joy, wisdom, a...

A Donkey to Thousands: of Equines... The Wild Ride of All Seated in a Barn

What began as a mission to save a single donkey quickly turned into something much bigger—a full-blown equine sanctuary rescuing thousands. In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, we sit down with Tahlia Fischer, the unstoppable founder of All Seated in a Barn. With grit, passion, and a whole lot of heart, Tahlia turned a simple act of kindness into a mo...

Meet Professor Bryan Fry – Venom Scientist, Komodo Dragon Expert, and All-Around Adventure Seeker

When your guest has an adrenaline molecule tattooed on his neck, you know you're in for a wild ride — and this episode absolutely delivers.

Professor Bryan Fry is one of the world’s leading experts on venom and Komodo dragons, and in this episode of The Fur Real Podcast, he breaks down the fascinating science behind what venom actu...

The wonderfully wacky — and surprisingly cuddly — world of skunks with Deborah Cipriani, founder of Skunkhaven! A licensed skunk rescue in the United States, Skunkhaven is more than just a safe haven — it’s a full-on mission to change the way people see these misunderstood animals.

Deborah shares how she went from curious pet owner to full-time skunk advocate, building a sanctuary that educates, rescues, and supports skunks and the...

Lee Asher......You’ve seen him on social media rescuing animals, transforming lives, and living his dream surrounded by a pack of pups — now hear the story behind the mission. Lee opens up about what inspired him to leave his corporate life behind, how he built a sanctuary (The Asher House) from scratch, and what keeps him going through the chaos (and joy!) of caring for dozens of dogs.

From road trips in an RV with his rescue crew...

We’re joined by the incredibly multi-talented Kate Zenna — actor, director, producer, writer... and above all, a devoted dog rescuer.

Kate has been a lifelong dog lover and proudly lives with a pack of pups she’s rescued over the years. Her tireless commitment to giving dogs a second chance has earned her a title I use with the utmost admiration: the crazy dog lady — and trust me, it’s the highest of compliments.

In this heartwarmi...