Episodios

  • Spooky Cats! Spies and Secrets with espionage historian Andrew Hammond, Ph.D., Japan historian and translator Zack Davisson and veterinarian Gabriela Canales, D.V.M.

    Spooky Cats! Spies and Secrets with espionage historian Andrew Hammond, Ph.D., Japan historian and translator Zack Davisson and veterinarian Gabriela Canales, D.V.M.
    Aug 12 2025
    Cats - stealthy, sneaky - and spooky! Hidden in plain sight. All the makings of…the purr-fect spy! Or so we think. Listen in on a fun, feline fact-filled episode about how, if, when and why cats have ever been associated with - or agents of - covert operations, intelligence gathering and all things espionage. Feline anatomy expert Gabriela Canales, D.V.M. will spotlight the special skills and attributes that may or may not have inspired espionage professionals in 14th Century Japan and during the Cold War. Listen in as we run this theory by Japan folklore expert and historian Zack Davisson and espionage historian Andrew Hammond, Ph.D. - and then decide if your cat is in cahoots with your Google Home and Amazon Alexa devices! Support the podcast at https://ko-fi.com/6degreesofcats for as little as $1 / month for stickers, early access to new episodes and behind the scenes audio. View the show notes and more on The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. And check out these supplementary episodes: Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat, Part 1: Research and Righting ReflexesCat Eyes: Make-up, Magic and Myopia with writer Zahra Hankir, Animal Communicator Alicia Halloran and Cat Ophthalmologist Steve Hanes About the experts: Gabriela “Gaby” Canales, D.V.M., is the co-medical director of West Chelsea Veterinary in New York City. Dr. Canales trained at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and completed a one-year internship in Medicine and Surgery at BluePearl Veterinary Partners. When not attending to her patients or her own cats, Priscilla and Bert, Dr. Canales drums in NYC riot grrrl punk band Frida Kill, which can be found on Instagram @fridakillkills.Zack Davisson is an award winning translator, writer, and scholar of Japanese folklore and ghosts. He is the author of “Yurei: The Japanese Ghost”, "The Ghost of Oyuki" and “Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan” from Chin Music Press. Davisson translated Shigeru Mizuki’s Eisner Award winning and Harvey-nominated “Showa 1926-1939: A History of Japan” and several Dark Horse publications by Satoshi Kon including “Opus”, “Seraphim: 266613336 Wings” and “The Art of Satoshi Kon”. He was also a researcher and on-screen talent for National Geographic’s TV special “Japan: Lost Souls of Okinawa” and maintains Japanese folklore website hyakumonogatari.com. You can follow Zack on Bluesky @ zackdavisson.com.Andrew Hammond, Ph.D., is a Scottish historian specializing in European and North American intelligence who received his Ph.D. in Modern History and International Relations from Warwick University. He has provided his expertise for such media outlets as the BBC and the History Channel, as well as the International Spy Museum where he served as historian, curator and host of their podcast from 2020-2025. Dr. Hammond is a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute and is currently appointed as Senior Director for Content & Interpretation at the National Liberty Museum. He can be followed on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhammond2000. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles and new associate Peanut Animal voices include: Binky, Snuggles and Peanut _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive", “Giver” © 2025Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2025 (Instagram: itsmyunzii) Research used: Alexy, Alison (host). (2021, June 18). Season 2, Episode 5 | Vyjayanthi Selinger [Audio podcast interview]. In Michigan Talks Japan Season 2, Episode 5 | Vyjayanthai Selinger. Michigan Talks Japan Podcast. https://ii.umich.edu/cjs/podcast/season-2--episode-5---vyjayanthi-selinger.html“The anatomy of cats: Bones, flexibility, and injury awareness.” British Animal Hospital. (2024, October 3). https://territory-uae.com/uae/the-anatomy-of-cats-bones-flexibility-and-injury-awareness/Edwardes, C. (2001, November 4). CIA recruited cat to bug Russians. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1361462/CIA-recruited-cat-to-bug-Russians.htmlEvans, A. (2007, November 3). Hermes: God of public diplomacy. Global Dashboard Blog covering International affairs and global risks. https://globaldashboard.org/2007/11/03/hermes-god-of-public-diplomacy/Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting. (n.d.). Fingerprint recognition. Fingerprint Recognition. https://ucr.fbi.gov/fingerprints_biometrics/biometric-center-of-excellence/files/fingerprint-recognition.pdfHarris, A. (2013, January 18). The surprisingly long history of the term “Catfish.” Slate Magazine. https://slate.com/culture/2013/01/catfish-meaning-and-definition-term-for-online-hoaxes-has-a-surprisingly-long-history.htmlJudge, C. B. (1944, July). Commandos and their methods. Proceedings. https://www.usni.org/magazines/...
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Cat Eyes: Make-up, Magic and Myopia with writer Zahra Hankir, Animal Communicator Alicia Halloran and Cat Ophthalmologist Steve Hanes

    Cat Eyes: Make-up, Magic and Myopia with writer Zahra Hankir, Animal Communicator Alicia Halloran and Cat Ophthalmologist Steve Hanes
    Jul 29 2025
    Welcome back to 6 Degrees of Cats, the world’s #1 (& only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast! In this 40-ish minute odyssey of the mind, we head back to the Fertile Crescent with the help of Zahra Hankir, author of New York Times Book Review Editors pick, Eyeliner: A Cultural History, to explore why the aesthetics of the “cat eye” belie the deep symbolic and protective properties this design invokes - and how eyeliner connects us to our ancestors and cultures across the world! We then travel to other realms to see what else those mesmerizing, chatoyant eyes may be picking up - carbon monoxide? Mice in the walls? GHOSTS? - with clairvoyant animal communicator Alicia Halloran of Healing Habitat. Then, with the help of Dr. Steve Hanes of the Veterinary Eye Center of NYC, we train our gaze directly into the physical eyeballs of our feline friends to observe the biomechanics and optical oddities that might help explain at least some of that infamous creepy cat stare phenomena. (Why is there no X-File on this yet?) By the end of this episode, you’ll feel especially reverent of the extra-sensory vigilance our house guardians possess! Support the podcast at https://ko-fi.com/6degreesofcats for as little as $1 / month for stickers, early access to new episodes and behind the scenes audio. View the show notes and more on The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. And check out these supplementary episodes: The Golden Age of Cats: The Medieval Middle East, Muezza and the Mark of Muhammad (or Mary)Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat, Part 1: Research and Righting ReflexesCuriosity Didn’t Kill the Cat, Part 2: Exploring Science Fairs, Schrodinger’s Cat, and the Fascinating Concept of Cats as Liquids About the experts: Alicia Halloran is a trained animal communicator and holistic coach who specializes in spiritual behaviorism and clairvoyant healing. Since 2005, she has helped animals and their people through her business, Healing Habitat. Learn more about Alicia’s work at aliciahalloran.com or follow her on Instagram at @odieseyes.Zahra Hankir, M.A., M.S., is the author of Eyeliner: A Cultural History (Penguin Random House), a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Pick. She is a Columbia University–trained journalist with an academic background in Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic movements and international politics. Visit www.zahrahankir.com for more information on her work and upcoming publications.Steve Hanes, V.M.D., M.S., D.A.C.V.O. is a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist at the Veterinary Eye Center of NYC. Dr. Hanes received his veterinary studies degree at the University of Pennsylvania and interned in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Florida, later completing his comparative ophthalmology residency at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Please visit https://www.vecnyc.com/doctors/steve-hanes to learn more about Steve and the Veterinary Eye Center of NYC. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles and new associate Peanut Animal voices include: Binky, Snuggles and Peanut _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2025Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2025 (Instagram: itsmyunzii) Research used: Abbasi, S. M. (2017). A study of the evil eye phenomenon and how it is translated ... Indian Journal of Scientific Research. https://www.ijsr.in/upload/108373904925.pdfCat’s Eyes. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. (n.d.). https://naturalhistory.si.edu/explore/collections/geogallery/10025988Crivellato, E., & Ribatti, D. (2006, October 23). Soul, mind, brain: Greek philosophy and the birth of Neuroscience. Brain Research Bulletin. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S036192300600298X?via%3DihubEarsc. (2021, April 7). World from space: “how we use technology inspired by bats to see water availability in fields.” EARSC. https://earsc.org/2021/04/07/world-from-space-how-we-use-technology-inspired-by-bats-to-see-water-availability-in-fields/Gem-A. (2025, February 19). Understanding the cat’s eye effect in gemstones: Gem-a. Gem. https://gem-a.com/gem-hub/understanding-the-cats-eye-effect-in-gemstones/Hankir, Z. (2023). Eyeliner: A cultural history. New York: Penguin Books.Jiang, J., Borowiak, K., Tudge, L., Otto, C., & von Kriegstein, K. (2017, February 1). Neural mechanisms of eye contact when listening to another person talking. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5390711/Johnston, A. M., Turrin, C., Watson, L., Arre, A. M., & Santos, L. R. (2017, July 13). Uncovering the origins of dog-human eye contact. https://caplab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/2017-johnstonetal.pdfPeissig, J. J., Killian, A., & Mousavi, M. (2016, September). The role of the eyes and makeup ...
    Más Menos
    38 m
  • Cats Are Cuter than Babies: Cats and Art with Catnip Mag Publisher Anja Charbonneau, YouTube star Ergojosh and Artist Natalia Garcez

    Cats Are Cuter than Babies: Cats and Art with Catnip Mag Publisher Anja Charbonneau, YouTube star Ergojosh and Artist Natalia Garcez
    Jul 15 2025
    The time has come to settle the score – are cats cuter than babies? Join us for an evidence-informed artistic analysis of the aesthetics of cats and how and why we love to depict them in illustration, animation and graphic art. (And why cats are, indeed, cuter than babies.) In this fun, feline and fact-filled episode, listen in on how and why cats became the muses for one illustrator of grumpy cats - Natalia Garcez - and a source of inspiration for hundreds of thousands of families across the world. Joining Natalia is digital artist and YouTube star Ergojosh who breaks down the “cat face theory” circulating on TikTok and why Disney and Pixar’s production teams may favor cat facial anatomy for cute inspiration. And join host Captain Kitty (a.k.a. Amanda B.) as she leverages her Cat Oracle Deck for artistic, intellectual and even spiritual guidance with the help of Catnip Magazine’s Anja Charbonneau. Special thanks to Broccoli Magazine for providing the team a Cat Oracle Deck. Support the podcast at https://ko-fi.com/6degreesofcats for as little as $1 / month for stickers, early access to new episodes and behind the scenes audio. View the show notes and more on The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. And check out this supplementary episode: Cats Are the Consummate Domesticate: Origins and Evolution of Our Feline Friends [Pilot] About the experts: Anja Chabonneau is the Editor in Chief and Creative Director of Broccoli Magazine, a publisher of unusual delights including Catnip Magazine, Broccoli Magazine and the Cat Oracle Deck. To purchase a Cat Oracle Deck, visit https://broccolimag.com and follow @catnip_mag and @broccoli_mag on Instagram.Natalia Garcez is a Brazilian-born graphic designer and illustrator of grumpy cats based in Copenhagen whose Instagram account, @casagiraceramics (formerly “chonkygrompy”) inspired hundreds of thousands of children to paint chunky, grumpy cats with their parents. Learn more about Natalia by following her Instagram account or visiting https://www.nataliagarcez.com.Joshua “Ergojosh” Stephens is a digital artist specializing in character design who educates his 700k+ YouTube subscribers with videos that have been seen over 54 million times. Follow Ergojosh on YouTube or @ergo.josh on Instagram, and visit his website on at ergojosh.com to learn more about his online courses on digital illustration. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky, Snuggles and Peanut Additional voices include: Binky, Snuggles and Peanut _^..^_Edward Anthony (@itsmyunzii) Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2025Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2025 (Instagram: itsmyunzii) Research used: chonkygrompy [@chonkygrompy]. (n.d.). A very special client ordered a painting of all her current … [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@chonkygrompy/video/7254117947654901018?lang=enClark, F. (Host). (2023, August 1). Art for mental health: The well-being benefits of practicing art [Audio podcast episode]. In [AMA Update]. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/art-mental-health-well-being-benefits-practicing-art-frankErgojosh. (2019, December 5). Draw faces easily! [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/KdpkxdP9ThwGlocker, M. L., Langleben, D. D., Ruparel, K., Loughead, J. W., Gur, R. C., & Sachser, N. (2009, March). Baby schema in infant faces induces cuteness perception and motivation for caretaking in adults. Ethology : formerly Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3260535/ Goodwin, B. C., Browne, M., & Rockloff, M. (2015, December 1). Measuring preference for supernormal over natural rewards : A two-dimensional anticipatory pleasure scale. Evolutionary psychology : an international journal of evolutionary approaches to psychology and behavior. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10480800/ Hansen, K. (2023, September 1). These famous cartoon cats stand the test of time (and cuteness). BuzzFeed. https://www.buzzfeed.com/kaileyhansen/famous-cartoon-cats Kringelbach, M. L., Lehtonen, A., Squire, S., Harvey, A. G., Craske, M. G., Holliday, I. E., Green, A. L., Aziz, T. Z., Hansen, P. C., Cornelissen, P. L., & Stein, A. (2008, February 7). A specific and rapid neural signature for parental instinct. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0001664 Kringelbach, M. L., Stein, A., & Stark, E. (2016, July 4). How cute things hijack our brains and drive behaviour. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/how-cute-things-hijack-our-brains-and-drive-behaviour-61942 O’Neil, M. J., Danvers, A. F., Hu, J. I., & Shiota, M. N. (2024, September 16). Prototype facial response to cute stimuli: Expression and recognition. Personality & social psychology bulletin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39282978/Varnum, M. E....
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Catnaps! Part 2: Cats, Dreams & the Unconscious with Jungian analyst Mary Bowen & Nap Ministry’s Tricia Hersey

    Catnaps! Part 2: Cats, Dreams & the Unconscious with Jungian analyst Mary Bowen & Nap Ministry’s Tricia Hersey
    Jul 1 2025
    In part two of this sleep and dream series in "6 Degrees of Cats," your favorite cat-themed history, culture, and science, let’s find out what your dreams (and your cat’s) mean…if anything! Returning to the podcast are Jungian analyst Mary Bowen, the senior most Pilates practitioner to have studied under Joseph Pilates who explains Jung’s deepest mission for us in the unconscious and relates it to her own journey. We’ll also excavate the profound collective consciousness of The Dreamspace with The Nap Ministry founder and Bishop Tricia Hersey, M.Div., author of New York Times bestseller “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto” (Little, Brown Spark) whose follow up, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape” (Hachette), helps us navigate a path to true liberation and connection to self and others. And cats, of course. After this episode, take note of your dreams and discuss them with your cat. Or with your fellow 6 Degrees of Cats listeners on The Captain’s Log! Support the podcast at https://ko-fi.com/6degreesofcats for as little as $1 / month for stickers, early access to new episodes and behind the scenes audio. View the show notes and more on The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. And check out these supplementary episodes: Catnaps! On Pilates and Rest with pilates practitioner Mary Bowen (Lifelong Pilates Plus Psyche with Mary Bowen) and author and activist Tricia Hersey, M.Div (The Nap Ministry)Felines & Fatherhood: Exploring Masculinity, Father’s Day, and the Unique Bond Between Men and Cats About the experts: Mary Bowen is the most senior Pilates elder still teaching who knew and studied with Joseph and Clara Pilates. To study with Mary please visit https://pilates-marybowen.com.Tricia Hersey, M.Div, is the Atlanta, Georgia-based founder of The Nap Ministry, an organization that examines the liberating power of naps and author of “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto” (Little, Brown Spark) and “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape” (Hachette), both available at major and independent book retailers. You can follow Bishop Hersey’s work on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and X via @thenapministry and learn more about her work and how to participate in a Collective Rest Experience by visiting her website at thenapministry.wordpress.com. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles and associate producer Peanut Animal voices include: Binky, Snuggles and Peanut _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2025Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2025 (Instagram: itsmyunzii) Research used: Bartels, M. (2024, March 2). What do dogs and cats dream about?. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-do-dogs-and-cats-dream-about/ Bautze-Picron, C. (2003, June 30). The five Dreams of the Bodhisatta in the Murals of Pagan. Berliner Indologische Studien, 2003, 15-17, pp.341-368. https://www.themathesontrust.org/papers/buddhism/Bautze-Five_Dreams_of_the_Bodhisatta.pdfBenvenuto, S. (2022, August 3). Freud’s concept of narcissism - European Journal of Psychoanalysis. European Journal of Psychoanalysis -. https://www.journal-psychoanalysis.eu/articles/freuds-concept-of-narcissism/ Brinkhof, T. (2023, July 28). In “The red book,” Carl Jung recorded his encounters with entities from “Inner space.” https://bigthink.com/high-culture/carl-jung-unconscious/ Carr, M. (2016, June 30). A brief history of dream research. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dream-factory/201606/brief-history-dream-research Cat dreams. Dream Dictionary. (2023b, November 22). https://www.dreamdictionary.org/dream-dictionary/cat-dreams/ Dal Sacco, D. (2022, May 11). Dream recall frequency and psychosomatics. Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9171870/ Farah, S. (2023, February 2). The archetypes of the anima and animus. Applied Jung. https://appliedjung.com/the-archetypes-of-the-anima-and-animus/ Freud, S. (1997). The interpretation of dreams (A. A. Brill, Trans.). Wordsworth Editions.Historical Adventure. (2023, August 4). Hesiod: The farmer who wrote the “‘Genesis’” of Greek Mythology. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ugG6z7dpk Howell, S. (2021, November 7). Do cats dream?. The Dodo. https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/do-cats-dream Jouvet, M. (2003, March 19). What does a cat dream about?. Trends in Neurosciences. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0166223679901103?via%3Dihub Karim, N. (2021, July 18). Dreamcatchers are not your “aesthetic.” The Indigenous Foundation. https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/dreamcatchers King, Martin Luther. (1963, August 28). “I Have a Dream.” March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC. https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/...
    Más Menos
    30 m
  • [Season 3 Premiere] Catnaps! On Pilates and rest with Pilates practitioner Mary Bowen and The Nap Ministry founder Tricia Hersey, M.Div.

    [Season 3 Premiere] Catnaps! On Pilates and rest with Pilates practitioner Mary Bowen and The Nap Ministry founder Tricia Hersey, M.Div.
    Jun 17 2025
    We are excited to kick off Season 3 of "6 Degrees of Cats," your favorite cat-themed history, culture, and science through part one of a two-part series on CATNAPS! Meet Mary Bowen, the senior Pilates practitioner to have studied under Joseph Pilates who explains how and why cats are the ultimate pilates instructors and learn about the history of this art of holistic movement. The Nap Ministry founder and Bishop Tricia Hersey, M.Div of NY Times bestseller “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto” (Little, Brown Spark) and “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape” (Hatchette), helps us further appreciate the deep divine teachings of cats and their nap genius. So cozy up next to your nearest snoozing furfriend to celebrate the launch of season three with part one of this restorative, revolutionary two-part series inspired by the expert nappers in our homes - our cats! Special thanks to Dianne Scotece of Muscle Inspires New Empowerment, a 401(c)3 program helping survivors of intimate partner violence heal through power lifting and more. Support the podcast at https://ko-fi.com/6degreesofcats for as little as $1 / month for stickers, early access to new episodes and behind the scenes audio. View the show notes and more on The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. And check out these supplementary episodes: Cats Are the Consummate Domesticate: Origins and Evolution of Our Feline Friends [Pilot]Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat, Part 1: Research and Righting ReflexesCuriosity Didn’t Kill the Cat, Part 2: Exploring Science Fairs, Schrodinger’s Cat, and the Fascinating Concept of Cats as Liquids About the experts: Mary Bowen is the most senior Pilates elder still teaching who knew and studied with Joseph and Clara Pilates. To study with Mary please visit https://pilates-marybowen.com.Tricia Hersey, M.Div, is the Atlanta, Georgia-based founder of The Nap Ministry, an organization that examines the liberating power of naps and author of “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto” (Little, Brown Spark) and “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape” (Hachette), both available at major and independent book retailers. You can follow Bishop Hersey’s work on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and X via @thenapministry and learn more about her work and how to participate in a Collective Rest Experience by visiting her website at thenapministry.wordpress.com Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles and new associate Peanut Animal voices include: Binky, Snuggles and Peanut _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2025Licensed samples from LoopcloudAdditional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2025 (Instagram: itsmyunzii) Research used: Abrams, A. (2017, April 27). 9 sleep habits from around the world. Time. https://time.com/4713813/sleep-habits-napping-siesta/ Harvey, J. B. (1988). The Abilene Paradox and Other Meditations on Management. Lexington Books. Bartels, M. (2024, March 2). What do dogs and cats dream about?. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-do-dogs-and-cats-dream-about/ Freud, S. (1997). The interpretation of dreams (A. A. Brill, Trans.). Wordsworth Editions.Friedman, D. (2019, July 26). Did you know that pilates was born in prison and inspired by cats? Vogue India. Retrieved from https://www.vogue.in/wellness/content/history-of-pilates-workout-born-in-prison-and-inspired-by-cats. Freeman M. The World Mental Health Report: transforming mental health for all. World Psychiatry. 2022 Oct;21(3):391-392. doi: 10.1002/wps.21018. PMID: 36073688; PMCID: PMC9453907.Gerretsen, I. (2024, January 29). Why power naps might be good for our health. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240126-why-power-naps-might-be-good-for-our-health Howell, S. (2021, November 7). Do cats dream?. The Dodo. https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/do-cats-dream Jouvet, M. (2003, March 19). What does a cat dream about?. Trends in Neurosciences. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0166223679901103?via%3Dihub King, Martin Luther. (1963, August 28). “I Have a Dream.” March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC. https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety Kloubec, J. (2011, December 29). Pilates: How does it work and who needs it?. Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3666467/ Ling, T. (2023, July 12). Why do cats sleep so much? the hidden science of feline shuteye, explained. BBC Science Focus Magazine. https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/why-do-cats-sleep-so-much Mednick, S., Nakayama, K. & Stickgold, R. Sleep-dependent learning: a nap is as good as a night. Nat Neurosci 6, 697–698 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1078The National Sleep Foundation. (2022, March). Breaking Report: new insights on sleep health during ...
    Más Menos
    30 m
  • [TRAILER!] 6 Degrees of Cats Season 3 Announcement!

    [TRAILER!] 6 Degrees of Cats Season 3 Announcement!
    Jun 10 2025

    6 Degrees of Cats, the world's #1 (& only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast is back!

    Subscribe NOW to listen to the season premiere on June 17th - kicking off another season of cat facts, expert commentary and surprising but profound explorations of ourselves, others and our feline friends! We'll be joined by a fresh multidisciplinary roster of experts including Egyptology professor Salima Ikram, Ph.D. of the American University in Cairo, Nap Ministry founder Tricia Hersey, International Spy Museum Curator and Historian Andrew Hammond, Ph.D., YouTube star and digital artist Ergo Josh, Community Cats podcast host Stacy LeBaron and Catnip Magazine founder and publisher Anja Charbonneau - among so many others.

    We can't wait!

    *Tell all your friends - this is appointment listening*

    And if you'd like to support the team, please visit https://ko-fi.com/6degreesofcats and follow 6 Degrees of Cats on all social platforms by visiting http://www.6degreesofcats.com.

    See you next week!
    Más Menos
    1 m
  • Our Feline Fictive Kin: Are Cats Full Fledged Family? [Season 2 Finale]

    Our Feline Fictive Kin: Are Cats Full Fledged Family? [Season 2 Finale]
    Apr 16 2024
    Did you know that we share a whopping 90% of our homogeneous genetic material with…cats? That’s actually more than man’s other best friend! And in the Season 2 finale for 6 Degrees of Cats - the world’s #1 (and only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast - we make the case to promote our pets - especially our cats - as full-time family, full stop. Join us in conversation with a family sciences professor, a family therapist and a kids’ podcast host as we dive deep into what “family” is, and isn’t - and why. By the end of this episode, you’ll notice and appreciate the strength and length of your own family ties, including those with your cat! Tune in and share with your family, near and far! Special thanks to Bjorn and Trip at the National Council on Family Relations and Dr. Stephanie Coontz. The producers also thank Dr. Regina Morantz-Sanchez, professor emeritus at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. This episode is dedicated to the memories of William O. and Stephanie M. Support the podcast, sign up for The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter and learn about way$ to help keep this ship afloat for our next season here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. Referenced episodes: Cats Are the Consummate Domesticate: Origins and Evolution of Our Feline Friends5 Ways to Say ”I Love Mew”: Using the 5 Love Languages…With Your Cat?The Purr-fect Life: Cats, Kantian Ethics and Karma! About the experts: Katie Bozek, Ph.D., L.M.F.T. is the executive director of the Korean Adoptee Adoptive Family Network (KAAN) and the owner and operator of Transitions Therapy, PLLC, her independent private marriage and family therapy practice. She serves on the boards of the West Michigan Asian American Association (WMAAA) and the Michigan Board of Counseling. Follow KAAN @wearekaan on Facebook, Instagram and X.Carol Johnston, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!) whose work has explored different ways to measure and operationalize family structure patterns over the life course to better capture a holistic picture of family dynamics. She is also the cat parent to Ash and Arlo, and can be followed at @carolanna12 (Instagram) or @carolannacoffee (X).Melissa “Melly” Victor is the founder of 2-time Black Podcast Award nominee Stoopkid Stories, a storybook podcast featuring 7 young Black characters which has been featured on the NY Times’ "A Big List of Podcasts for Bigger Kids", in Podcast Magazine, and by Bello Collective. She is also a musical theatre actress, most recently seen as a member of the touring ensemble for Little Shop of Horrors. She can be followed @stoopkidstories on Facebook, Instagram and X or @melly_music on Instagram. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Amanda B. (Instagram @catsuitband) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music Captain Kitty: all music supervision, mixes and arrangements unless otherwise notedLeathered: "Look Alive", “Break it Down” and “Nothing But Love” © 2022Samples licensed via LoopcloudAdditional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @mtotallywired) Research used: AFTH Marketing. (2021, February 5). The complexity of transracially adopting black children. AFTH. https://afth.org/the-complexity-of-transracially-adopting-black-children/ Boston School of Theology Editors. (n.d.). History of Korean immigration to America, from 1903 to present. History of Korean Immigration to America, from 1903 to Present | Boston Korean Diaspora Project. https://sites.bu.edu/koreandiaspora/issues/history-of-korean-immigration-to-america-from-1903-to-present/ Brief history of adoption in the United States: Adoption network. Adoption Network |. (2022, September 22). https://adoptionnetwork.com/history-of-adoption/ Cats Protection. (n.d.). Pregnant cats, birth and care of young kittens. Cats.org. https://www.cats.org.uk/media/1029/eg18_pregnant_cats-_birth_and_care_of_young_kittens.pdf Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2020, October 30). What is epigenetics? the answer to the nature vs. Nurture Debate. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/what-is-epigenetics-and-how-does-it-relate-to-child-development/ Claggett, S. R. (2023, July). Native American settlement of North Carolina. NCpedia. https://www.ncpedia.org/history/early/native-settlement Crowell-Davis, S. L., Curtis, T. M., & Knowles, R. J. (2004, February). Social organization in the cat: A modern understanding. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1016/j.jfms.2003.09.013 Federal Depository Library Program. (n.d.). FDLP Resource Guides: Military History: American conflicts and wars: Home. Home - Military History: American Conflicts and Wars - FDLP Resource Guides at U.S. Government Publishing Office. https://libguides.fdlp.gov/military-history-american-conflicts-and-wars Funk, L. M. (1970, January 1). ...
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Banjos, Violins and Shamisens: Untangling Cats and Strings

    Banjos, Violins and Shamisens: Untangling Cats and Strings
    Mar 13 2024
    …as in, stringed instruments! Brace yourselves for a high-strung episode connecting your favorite pet to three distinct stringed instruments in this episode of 6 Degrees of Cats, the world’s #1 (and only) cat-themed culture, science and history podcast. What is "cat gut" – and is it truly derived from feline materials, as rumored? Join Amanda “Captain Kitty” B. in this culturally informed and historically resonant investigation into the history of the banjo with Hannah Mayree, co-founder of the Black Banjo Reclamation Project, and gain a sense of appreciation for the past, present, and future of this very American instrument. And learn about another instrument it often accompanies, the violin, from Canadian-Romanian musical polymath and documentarian Joenne Dumitrascu, a lifelong violinist who helps clarify what is, and isn’t, making those strings sing. Then, we revisit Japan to speak to an expert on the shamisen, a three-stringed lute-like instrument that carries with it over 600 years of Japanese history and an ongoing message from the past. By the end of the episode, which of these instruments, if any, is embodied by cats? Listen and find out! Please note: While vivid imagery of deceased animals is not - and will never - be included, listeners who are more sensitive to the topics of animal death may wish to check out other 6 Degrees of Cats episodes, as referenced below. Join us on this historical trip through time across three continents to gain a deeper sense of appreciation, nuance, and context for the banjo, the violin, and the shamisen – and their connection to cats! Support the podcast, sign up for The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter and learn about way$ to help keep this ship afloat for our next season here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. Referenced episodes: Cool Cat: How Cats Are the Soul of Rock 'n' RollThe Purr-fect Life: Cats, Kantian Ethics and Karma! Referenced materials: 6 Degrees of Cats: Banjos, Violins and Shamisens YouTube playlist About the experts: Hannah Mayree is a California-born banjoist, singer, songwriter and music educator. They are the co-founder of the Black Banjo Reclamation Project (BBRP), which is a creative eco-system that curates musical, cultural and land-based opportunities for Black, Afro-Diasporic communities around the world to work with the banjo as a tool for reclaiming ancestral wisdom & creating Afro-futures. You can find Hannah at http://hannahmayree.com and BBRP at https://blackbanjoreclamationproject.org.Joenne Dumitrascu, M.M., is a Canadian-Romanian musician and filmmaker. She has composed and performed works on major feature films and tours internationally as a concert violinist and pianist. Joenne can be found at https://www.joennedumitrascu.com and followed on Instagram @joenne_dumitrascuKeisuke Yamada, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral fellow at the Center of Japanese Studies, University of Michigan. He is interested in sound studies. He has been working on a book entitled Ecologies of Sound. The book offers a sound-centered analysis of the logic and interplay of global capitalism, militarism, and industrialization that have shaped the soundscapes and sound-politics of twentieth- and twenty-first-century Japan. Special thanks to the Willie Mae Rock Camp community, Mr. Tony Thomas and Camille Pajor and Rebecca Stein. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Amanda B. (Instagram @catsuitband) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music Captain Kitty: all music supervision, mixes and arrangements unless otherwise notedLeathered: "Look Alive" © 2022Samples licensed via LoopcloudAdditional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: Allen, G. (2011, August 23). The banjo’s roots, reconsidered. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2011/08/23/139880625/the-banjos-roots-reconsidered Bogoian-Mullen, W. (2020, February 27). The history of the shamisen. Shamiko Guitars. https://shamikoguitars.com/blogs/news/the-history-of-the-shamisen Bouquet, J. S. M. (2010, April). The lute: Essay: The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Heilbrunn timeline of art history. The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/lute/hd_lute.htm Bradley, A., & French, J. (2023, November 10). Black folk musicians are reclaiming the genre. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/t-magazine/black-folk-musicians.html Bradley, C. (2021, December 2). Appalachia’s Native American history: How much do you know? OVERLOOKED. https://www.overlookedinappalachia.org/post/appalachia-s-native-american-history-how-much-do-you-know Brouwer, Z. (2020, September 30). Oh no, kittens are killed for violin strings! - the truth about catgut. Violin Lounge. https://violinlounge.com/oh-no-kittens-are-killed-for-violin-strings-the-truth-about-catgut/ Buchman, M. (2011, November 4). Folk instrument’s ...
    Más Menos
    35 m