Podcast & Blog

Transcripts and links to podcast episodes, blog posts, and related resources.

Erin McCann Erin McCann

365+ Books to Inspire, Challenge, and Entertain in 2025

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 claiming these books are for everyone—they’re simply titles that made me think, taught me something new, or sparked curiosity. The collection spans genres, from thought-provoking nonfiction to timeless classics, children’s books with meaningful messages, and even a few unexpected finds.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Healthy Travel Guide: 10 Tips to Stay Fit, Energized, and Healthy on the Go

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.

On a recent trip, I tested several health-focused practices I've developed over time and learned two (sometimes painful) lessons that I'll consider for future journeys. Whether your focus is staying active, keeping your energy levels up, or finding plant-based foods while traveling, these insights can help you plan a smoother, healthier trip.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Saving Wildlife - Tourism and Fashion Reimagined 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 sustainable—while confronting the cruel exploitation of wild animals in tourism, fashion, the pet trade, and traditional medicine.

Explore the hidden dangers of wildlife farming, from biodiversity loss to serious public health threats, and discover how World Animal Protection is driving meaningful change on a global scale. Learn how Tricia and her team are working with governments to establish lasting wildlife protection policies and find out how your everyday choices can help create a better future for animals, the environment, and humanity.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Episode Preview — Saving Wildlife Tourism & Fashion Reimagined with Tricia Croasdell, CEO of World Animal Protection

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 sustainable—while confronting the cruel exploitation of wild animals in tourism, fashion, the pet trade, and traditional medicine.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Growing Sustainable Solutions: Cultivated Meat & Seafood with Dr. Elliot Swartz

Dr. Elliot Swartz, Principal Scientist specializing in Cultivated Meat at The Good Food Institute, and Erin McCann discuss the current state of animal agriculture, what we mean by cultivated meat, how it differs from conventional meat, and the profound benefits of replacing conventional meat with cultivated alternatives for consumers, manufacturers, animals, and the planet.

Discover how alternative seafood reduces health risks, improves efficiency, production, and the supply chain, and why these breakthroughs hold tremendous promise for marine ecosystems, human health, and sustainability. Gain insights into opportunities and challenges facing the cultivated meat industry, the role of open-access research, how various stakeholders can support this transformative field, and more.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Transforming the Future of Food with Ashley Hartman, Managing Partner, Bluestein Ventures

Ashley Hartman, Managing Partner at Bluestein Ventures, discusses how they're transforming the $4 trillion food industry through strategic investments that prioritize nutrition, sustainability, and digital innovation. Erin and Ashley dive into Bluestein's forward-thinking strategy, from partnering with startups to navigating the complexities of the food supply chain and driving meaningful growth. Gain insights into the latest trends in plant-based foods, alternative proteins, and the crucial role of technology in addressing America's health crisis. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply passionate about the future of food, this episode is brimming with transformative ideas and actionable insights.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Ways To Support Yourself While Grieving Pet Loss

In honor of World Pet Memorial Day, Erin McCann shares 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 many people don't fully understand or appreciate this grief experience. As a result, taking care of yourself is essential. For Erin, grieving the loss of animals has been among the most painful experiences of her life. Here's some ways to support yourself during your grieving process based on her experiences.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

A Book List for Fall 2024

As we transition into Fall 2024, I wanted to share a selection of books that have had a profound impact on me this past year. Embracing diverse voices, perspectives, and sources, I've curated this list to include works that have challenged my thinking, sparked introspection, and left a lasting impression, despite me not necessarily aligning with all their content. It's important to note that this compilation is not exhaustive and encompasses books I've revisited, partially explored, or delved into for the first time throughout the year.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Movies, Series, & Shows for Wellness Month & Every Month

Continuing the celebration of Disability Pride Month, diversity, and creativity, I'm excited to share more movies, shows, and series that have resonated with me. I believe we need to separate art from artist and recognize creative works regardless of how we feel about an artist's actions. This list continues to be a work in progress, and I look forward to adding to this collection.

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Erin McCann Erin McCann

Empowering Choices: Animal Welfare, Sustainability, & Innovations in Farming, Pet Care, & Food - Part 2: AI and Machine Learning to Improve Poultry & Dairy Industries & Pet Health

Delve into the intersection of animal welfare, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology in farming with Dr. Fritha Langford and Erin McCann to explore the transformative role of AI in analyzing data to enhance animal welfare and detect health issues in both farmed and companion animals.

Our conversation covers a range of topics including: the potential of gene editing in the poultry industry to combat avian influenza and improve resilience to climate change, along with the associated benefits and drawbacks, how AI and machine learning can revolutionize the detection of lameness in cows and facilitate early disease detection and behavioral intervention in pets, and a compelling case study on postoperative cat care in Malaysia, highlighting challenges and actionable insights for veterinary clinics.

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