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What do the ways we train our dogs say about us?

You’ll hear about how dogs are trained to search and rescue, dating back to some of our earliest wars. How they’ve been trained by authority figures for hundreds of years to bite - and hold - and sometimes kill. And how the street dogs of Moscow were trained to fly into space - even though it meant their certain doom.

GUESTS:
Blake Stilwellis a former air force combat camera operator, and currently the veteran jobs editor at Military.com
Denise Sanders is the Senior Director of Communications and handler relations for the Search Dog Foundation in Santa Paula, California
Shontel Stewart is an attorney based out of Montgomery Alabama who is committed to social and criminal justice
Kurt Caswell is a professor in the honors college at Texas Tech University, and the author of Laika's Window: The Legacy of a Soviet Space Dog

Photos: Quino Al (background), Niclas Moser (dog),  ActionVance (human) via Unsplash. 
Illustration by Chion Wolf.

What do the ways we train our dogs say about us?
You’ll hear about how dogs are trained to search and rescue, dating back to some of our earliest wars. How they’ve been trained by authority figures for hundreds of years to bite - and hold - and sometimes kill. And how the street dogs of Moscow were trained to fly into space - even though it meant their certain doom.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.military.com/author/blake-stilwell">Blake Stilwell </a>is a former air force combat camera operator, and currently the veteran jobs editor at Military.com</li>
<li>Denise Sanders is the Senior Director of Communications and handler relations for the<a href="https://searchdogfoundation.org/"> Search Dog Foundation</a> in Santa Paula, California</li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontel-stewart-esq-37784054/">Shontel Stewart</a> is an attorney based out of Montgomery Alabama who is committed to social and criminal justice</li>
<li><a href="https://www.kurtcaswell.com/">Kurt Caswell </a>is a professor in the honors college at Texas Tech University, and the author of <a href="https://tupress.org/9781595348623/laikas-window/">Laika's Window: The Legacy of a Soviet Space Dog</a></li>
</ul>
Photos: Quino Al (background), Niclas Moser (dog),  ActionVance (human) via Unsplash. Illustration by Chion Wolf.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

For more: ctpublic.org/audacious

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
For more: <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. 

Audacious with Chion Wolf

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we’re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

Listen at ctpublic.org/audacious

Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we&rsquo;re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Listen at <a href="http://ctpublic.org/audacious">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>
Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

We, The Dog

Most days fade into the next. You make the coffee, answer the emails, run the errands, fold the laundry, try to keep up. 

But every once in a while, life gives you a moment that blows your freakin' mind. 

For more than a year, at the end of Audacious interviews, we've asked guests one final question: Will you tell me about a pinch me moment in your life?

Here are their answers: stories of love, second chances, belonging, transformation, and awe, including a few from 250 miles above Earth. 

 

Suggested episodes:
Life advice, one Audacious guest at a time 
Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us 
I saw it coming! When premonitions come true 
What smells remind you of childhood?
Kitchen objects with a story. Listen at your own whisk  
Awe yeah! Exploring the magic of mind-blowing moments 
How regret teaches us to live 
Stories of everyday courage, from getting a needle in the eye to tackling a purse thief 
The surprising ways we ritual 

 

GUESTS (in order of appearance): 
First segment: Andy Corren, Bruce Campbell, Steve Feltham, Leroy McSmith, Jeffrey Marsh, Dr. Cori Breslauer, Logan Goodspeed, Casper ter Kuile, Jody Jahn, Harriet Newman Cohen, Andrew Luber, Patrick O'Connor, Glynn Washington, and Bill Edgar
Second segment: James Tillman, Cassandra Madison, Julia Tinetti, Rebekah Spicuglia, Danielle Meinert, Candace Jordan, Drew John Ladd, Mikaela Higgins, Ari Cobb, Meredith Dietz, Sarah Thomas, Dr. Lisa Kenton, and Karen Smith
Third segment: Audley Stephenson, Tamia Potter, Jay Bragg, Dr. John Elefteriades, Landon Proctor, Marci Pelzer, Karen Nyberg, Nicole Stott, and Chris Hadfield  

Most days fade into the next. You make the coffee, answer the emails, run the errands, fold the laundry, try to keep up.&nbsp;
But every once in a while, life gives you a moment that blows your freakin' mind.&nbsp;
For more than a year, at the end of Audacious interviews, we've asked guests one final question: Will you tell me about a pinch me moment in your life?
Here are their answers: stories of love, second chances, belonging, transformation, and awe, including a few from 250 miles above Earth.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-01-10/life-advice-one-audacious-guest-at-a-time">Life advice, one Audacious guest at a time</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-03-14/forgiveness-how-we-define-it-and-how-it-defines-us">Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-05-15/i-saw-it-coming-when-premonitions-come-true">I saw it coming! When premonitions come true</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-10-13/what-smells-like-childhood-hear-eighteen-answers">What smells remind you of childhood?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-03-03/kitchen-objects-with-a-story-listen-at-your-own-whisk">Kitchen objects with a story. Listen at your own whisk</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-03-14/awe-yeah-exploring-the-magic-of-mind-blowing-moments">Awe yeah! Exploring the magic of mind-blowing moments</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-04-11/how-regret-teaches-us-to-live">How regret teaches us to live&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-07-11/stories-of-everyday-courage-from-getting-a-needle-in-the-eye-to-tackling-a-purse-thief">Stories of everyday courage, from getting a needle in the eye to tackling a purse thief&nbsp;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-05-16/the-surprising-ways-we-ritual">The surprising ways we ritual&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS (in order of appearance):&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">First segment: Andy Corren, Bruce Campbell, Steve Feltham, Leroy McSmith, Jeffrey Marsh, Dr. Cori Breslauer, Logan Goodspeed, Casper ter Kuile, Jody Jahn, Harriet Newman Cohen, Andrew Luber, Patrick O'Connor, Glynn Washington, and Bill Edgar</li>
<li aria-level="1">Second segment: James Tillman, Cassandra Madison, Julia Tinetti, Rebekah Spicuglia, Danielle Meinert, Candace Jordan, Drew John Ladd, Mikaela Higgins, Ari Cobb, Meredith Dietz, Sarah Thomas, Dr. Lisa Kenton, and Karen Smith</li>
<li aria-level="1">Third segment: Audley Stephenson, Tamia Potter, Jay Bragg, Dr. John Elefteriades, Landon Proctor, Marci Pelzer, Karen Nyberg, Nicole Stott, and Chris Hadfield&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Our gift to you: Pinch me moments that remind us how beautiful life can be

When someone tells you they’ve survived sexual abuse, the conversation can feel tender for everyone involved: the person choosing what to share, and the person trying to respond with care. How can we make those moments feel safer, more honest, and less lonely? 

Beth Hamilton, executive director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, offers guidance on how to respond with steadiness, care, and humility. 

Then Drew John Ladd shares his story as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, shame, survival, and joy. 

This episode is about how to integrate trauma, what disclosure asks of a survivor, and how the rest of us can learn to listen better

Resources:
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
1in6 offers support, information, and community specifically for male survivors


Suggested episodes:
Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us
What two suicide attempt survivors want you to know about staying alive


GUESTS: 
Beth Hamilton: Executive director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, where she works on advocacy, prevention, survivor support, and public policy. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, which informs the care and clarity she brings to conversations about disclosure and healing
Drew John Ladd: Writer, musician, and teacher. He shares his experience as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, and what better conversations can make possible

When someone tells you they&rsquo;ve survived sexual abuse, the conversation can feel tender for everyone involved: the person choosing what to share, and the person trying to respond with care. How can we make those moments feel safer, more honest, and less lonely?&nbsp;
Beth Hamilton, executive director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, offers guidance on how to respond with steadiness, care, and humility.&nbsp;
Then Drew John Ladd shares his story as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. He reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, shame, survival, and joy.&nbsp;
This episode is about how to integrate trauma, what disclosure asks of a survivor, and how the rest of us can learn to listen better
Resources:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline">RAINN&rsquo;s National Sexual Assault Hotline</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://1in6.org/">1in6 offers support, information, and community specifically for male survivors </a></li>
</ul>
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-03-24/forgiveness-how-we-define-it-and-how-it-defines-us">Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2026-01-16/what-two-suicide-attempt-survivors-want-you-to-know-about-staying-alive">What two suicide attempt survivors want you to know about staying alive </a></li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Beth Hamilton: Executive director of the <a href="https://endsexualviolencect.org/">Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence</a>, where she works on advocacy, prevention, survivor support, and public policy. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, which informs the care and clarity she brings to conversations about disclosure and healing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Drew John Ladd: Writer, musician, and teacher. He shares his experience as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and reflects on silence, family response, masculinity, justice, and what better conversations can make possible</li>
</ul>

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse speaks his truth. We’re listening.

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?

Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.

Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.

Resources:
Donate Life Connecticut
National Kidney Foundation
National Kidney Registry
OrganDonor.gov
Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney 

Suggested episode:
The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant 

GUESTS: 
Joey Shervey: Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia
Kerry Kennedy: Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York
Lindsay Vigue: Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut 

What happens when a Brooklyn woman who identifies as queer, liberal, vegan, and an atheist donates her kidney to a conservative Christian man from Virginia?
Kerry Kennedy and Joey Shervey tell the story of what it looks like when compassion outvotes everything else. Their transplant crossed party lines and personal beliefs to create an unexpected friendship.
Then, Lindsay Vigue describes how a small flyer on the wall of a diner led her to become a living kidney donor, and then to becoming the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut.
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.donatelifect.org/">Donate Life Connecticut</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidney.org/transplantation">National Kidney Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kidneyregistry.com/">National Kidney Registry</a></li>
<li><a href="http://organdonor.gov/">OrganDonor.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_drew_the_truth_about_organ_donation">Former Middletown mayor Dan Drew's TED Talk about why he donated his kidney&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>
Suggested episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/health/2021-07-09/the-story-of-the-first-african-american-face-transplant">The Story Of The First African American Face Transplant</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Joey Shervey:&nbsp;Kidney transplant recipient from Moneta, Virginia</li>
<li>Kerry Kennedy:&nbsp;Living kidney donor from Brooklyn, New York</li>
<li>Lindsay Vigue:&nbsp;Living kidney donor and the executive director of Donate Life Connecticut&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

We, The Dog

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