This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about rats. Host Jordan Tyler sits down with Erin Sackett of APOPO and BSM Partners’ own zoological expert, Dr. Jen Parsons, to explore the incredible world of HeroRATs—African giant pouched rats trained to detect landmines, diagnose tuberculosis, combat wildlife trafficking, and even assist in search and rescue missions. Join us as we break down age-old myths about rodents and rats to showcasing how these incredible animals are transforming global health and safety.

Helpful Links

💣 Learn more about APOPO and its HeroRATs program, including how you can adopt or support a HeroRAT today!

🐀 Read more about the African giant pouched rat.

🎁 Find out how you can support the HeroRATs program and other APOPO initiatives around the world: https://apopo.org/support-us/

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside The Episode

00:13 – Pop Culture vs. Reality: Reframing How We Think About Rats

08:39 – Why African Giant Pouched Rats Are Uniquely Suited For Being HeroRATs

11:54 – The Four Key Roles of HeroRATs

14:08 – How Rats Detect Landmines Faster and Safer

16:24 – Using Scent Detection to Diagnose Tuberculosis

19:39 – Combating Wildlife Trafficking with Scent-Trained Rats

22:03 – Search And Rescue: The Future of Disaster Response

24:20 – Training to Become a HeroRAT

29:17 – The Full Pension Package

31:59 – The Human Element

33:49 – How to Support APOPO and the HeroRATs Program

37:35 – Final Thoughts: Rethinking Rats and Their Role in Our World

Fear-based marketing and misinformation have cast rendered ingredients in a negative light in the eyes of many pet parents. But what if we told you this ingredient class is one of the most sustainable and reliable ones we have for pet food? Join Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler and a handful of industry experts as they break down common myths and reframe rendering as a practical, eco-friendly solution. From debunking misconceptions about byproducts to uncovering the environmental impact of reducing food waste, this conversation challenges listeners to rethink what quality really means when it comes to pet food.

Helpful Links

🔍 Find more pet food ingredient insights inside IFEEDER’s March 2025 Pet Food Report: https://www.ifeeder.org/research/pet-food-report/

🆙 Check out our previous podcast episode to learn more about the big, beautiful world of upcycled pet food ingredients: https://bsmpartners.net/insights/podcast-the-rise-of-upcycled-ingredients-in-pet-food/

Read more about sustainable rendered and upcycled ingredients in pet food:

1. 🚮 From Landfill to Lifeline: How Upcycled Ingredients are Reshaping Sustainability In Pet Nutrition
2. 🗑️ How Pet Food Keeps Millions of Tons of Food Waste Out of Landfills
3. ⚖️ The Wasted Food Scale: Enlightening or Depressing?
4. 🫀 Navigating Sustainability in Pet Food: Trends, Transparency, and the Offal Truth

Learn more about other common pet nutrition misassumptions:

1. 📖 The Eggcorn Effect: How Marketing Misinterpretations Lead Pet Owners Astray
2. 🎧 (Podcast) Out of the Doghouse: The Truth About Pet Food’s Most-Hated Ingredients
3. 🎧 (Podcast) Is Recyclable Pet Food Packaging a Lie? Unraveling the Pet Industry’s Plastic Waste Problem

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

01:41 – What Is Rendering, Really?

04:09 – Why Rendering Is Closer to Your Daily Life Than You Think

10:25 – Cultural Preferences and Why We Don’t Eat Certain Animal Parts

13:25 – Environmental Benefits: Reducing Waste and Emissions

17:27 – How Misinformation Shaped Consumer Perception

18:32 – Marketing Myths and the “Byproduct” Stigma

22:55 – The Truth About “Human-Grade” vs Rendered Ingredients

25:48 – Today’s Key Takeaways

The pet supplement aisle can feel overwhelming. Joint chews, calming treats, immune boosters—every product promises better health for our pets. But how do you know which ones are legitimate? Join Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler as they take a closer look at the booming pet supplement industry and the role of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Seal in helping bring structure and accountability to this complex market. Learn why supplements aren’t regulated like drugs, how misleading claims sometimes slip through the cracks, and why scientific research plays such an important role in responsible product formulation.

Helpful Links

🐾 Find out more about the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC): https://www.nasc.cc/, and browse NASC-certified pet supplement companies here: https://www.nasc.cc/members/.

ℹ️ Learn more about the brands featured on today's episode:

1. Pet Ag: https://petag.com/
2. Zesty Paws: https://zestypaws.com/
3. Pet Honesty: https://www.pethonesty.com/
4. InClover: https://inclover.com/

👀 Continue reading about the nuances of pet supplement formulation and regulation from BSM Partners’ expert team of formulators:

1. Crowded Labels, Compromised Doses: A Look at Pet Supplement Design
2. Pet Supplements: When Science, Cost, and Chews Collide

Show Notes

00:13 – Inside the Episode

02:28 – Why is Everyone Obsessed with Supplements?

04:40 – Trust as Currency

08:10 – How Pet Supplements Are Actually Regulated

11:44 – What’s in a Claim? Nutritional Supplements vs Drugs

14:16 – Buyer Beware: “Pixie Dust” Ingredients

15:28 – Reasons a Pet Would Need a Supplement

19:26 – Meet the NASC

26:16 – Why Isn’t There More Research on Pet Supplements?

32:06 – Expert Advice for Pet Parents

35:12 – Red Flags to Watch For on Supplement Labels

40:26 – The Future of Pet Supplementation

43:40 – Today’s Key Takeaways

When the cameras stop rolling, what remains? For the Pol family, the end of “The Incredible Dr. Pol” was a finale, but it was also a beginning. In this episode, hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler sit down with Charles Pol, Dr. Pol’s son and executive producer, and longtime producer Mike Stankevich to explore how the show became the foundation for Docson Brands and the development of Incredi-Pol pet foods. Recorded live from the SUPERZOO 2025 show floor, this candid conversation reveals the philosophy that has always guided Dr. Pol’s work: affordable, accessible, common-sense care for animals and the people who love them.

Helpful Links

📺 Explore every season of “The Incredible Dr. Pol” here: https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-659aa216-5a05-4c41-b96b-d4f6ef3e5350

🐶 Learn more about Docson Brands and their portfolio of animal food and care products: https://thedrpol.com/incredi-pol-products/

📞 Learn more about Dr. Pol’s veterinary triage service, Dr. Pol CARE: https://thedrpol.com/dr-pol-care/?srsltid=AfmBOoprCOgdzz9e9-LLlfV4uQ5v_FCMWUZ_5z8Zh2RkDAKTT5kTIex5

⚕️ Read more from Mars Veterinary Health’s report, “Tackling the Veterinary Professional Shortage:” https://marsveterinary.com/tackling-the-veterinary-professional-shortage/

👀 …then, check out the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) clap-back: https://www.avma.org/news/no-dire-shortage-veterinarians-anticipated-coming-years

🐎 More on rural veterinary shortages persisting today: https://www.avma.org/news/usda-announces-plan-address-rural-federal-veterinary-shortages

📈 Get the AVMA’s perspective on rising veterinary costs: https://www.avma.org/blog/avma-shares-insights-rising-veterinary-costs

🔍 Read the “State of the Veterinary Care Industry” from PetSmart Charities & Gallup: https://www.gallup.com/analytics/659123/gallup-petsmart-charities.aspx

🎧 Hear more about the emotional, financial, and systemic challenges facing veterinary professionals today, including unmatched levels of burnout.

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

01:49 – Meet Charles Pol and Mike Stankevich

03:05 – Behind the Scenes of “The Incredible Dr. Pol”

08:15 – Understanding Dr. Pol’s Ethos

17:17 – Coping with Rising Pet Care Prices

19:36 – Dr. Pol CARE and the State of Veterinary Medicine

27:12 – Rethinking Veterinary Education & Practice

30:06 – An Emergency Vet’s Perspective

37:02 – Balancing Care with Compassion, For Vets and Pets

42:25 – Loving Animals Brings Us Together

44:07 – Today’s Key Takeaways

In this Valentine’s Day special, hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler dive into the wildest, weirdest, and most unexpectedly heartwarming mating rituals in the animal kingdom. From anglerfish that fuse to their partners and octopuses that take “all in” a little too literally to cannibalistic courtships, pebble-gifting penguins, and ride-or-die prairie voles, this episode proves that love in nature runs the full spectrum of swoon-worthy to downright savage. Equal parts biology lesson and comedy hour, it’s a reminder that while romance may look different across species, devotion (and drama) is universal. Stick around for a sweet surprise at the end!

Helpful Links

🪳 Learn how you can participate in San Antonio Zoo’s Cry Me A Cockroach Fundraiser: https://sazoo.org/crymeacockroach/

💡 Read more about the strange mating habits of:

1. 🐟 Anglerfish
2. 🐙 Octopi
3. 🙏 Praying mantises
4. 🕸️ Nursery web spiders
5. 🐡 Pufferfish
6. 🐭 Prairie voles
7. 🐧 Gentoo penguins

💘 If you’re looking for something to do with your pet this weekend, check out our homemade holiday treat recipes! https://bsmpartners.net/insights/a-holiday-gift-from-bsm-pet-safe-recipes-to-make-spirits-bright/

Show Notes

00:12 – Inside the Episode

01:00 – Cry Me a Cockroach

04:23 – Anglerfish: The Ultimate Stage-Five Clinger

06:31 – Love That Costs an Arm (or a Leg)

08:44 – The Argonaut Octopus: Detachable Devotion

11:01 – Praying Mantises Killer First Dates

13:13 – Gifting with Nursery Web Spiders

15:38 – White-Spotted Puffer Fish Builds Sandcastles for Love

17:32 – Prairie Voles: Monogamy Done Right

19:18 – Pebble Proposals & Loyalty with Gentoo Penguins

24:19 – Key Takeaways

25:07 – An Original Valentine’s Finale

This National Pet Dental Health Month, we’re sinking our teeth into one of the most overlooked areas of pet wellness: oral health. Hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler are joined by a veterinary dentist and several pet dental health innovators to explore why dental disease goes far beyond doggy breath, breaking down how plaque, tartar, and inflammation can impact the heart, kidneys, and overall health of pets. Learn why toothbrushing is the gold standard, what dental chews and additives can realistically achieve, and how pet parents can build effective routines without aiming for perfection. From myth-busting to practical tips, this episode offers a clear, science-backed look at how small daily habits can protect pets for the long haul.

Helpful Links

🦷 Check out this list of pet dental health products that carry the VOHC Seal: https://vohc.org/accepted-products/

⚕️ Learn more about pet dental health from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care

🪥 Find even more resources on pet dentistry from Dr. Amy “Toothy” Thomson: https://www.toothythomson.ca/

💡 Open wide for supporting insights from our veterinary experts, Dr. Bradley Quest and Dr. Katy Miller:

1. Beyond Bad Breath: Why Oral Hygiene Is Vital for Pets
2. Beyond Brushing: How Microbiome Science is Reshaping Oral Care for Dogs and Cats

🔬 Read more about clinical studies from Yummy Combs (Pet’s Best Life) and WHIMZEES (Wellness Pet Company):

1. Yummy Combs 🐝 https://petsbestlife.com/abstract-evaluation-of-efficacy-of-reduction-of-calculus-plaque-gingivitis-and-malodor-of-a-daily-honeycomb-shaped-dental-chew-in-dogs/
2. WHIMZEES 🦔 https://www.dvh.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/WHIMZEES_VOHC.pdf

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

03:35 – A Whole-Body Health Issue

06:26 – Why Pet Dental Health Matters

10:30 – The Gold Standard: Toothbrushing

15:23 – Beyond Brushing: The Scoop on Dental Chews

26:02 – Don’t Put All Your Plaque in One Basket

29:05 – The VOHC Seal

33:42 – Pet Dental Health Myth-Busting

39:00 – Today’s Key Takeaways

40:23 – This Month’s Challenge!

In this episode of Barking Mad, hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler sit down with consumer strategy expert Michael Johnson to unpack the rise of luxury pet products and the humanization of pets through the lens of economics, guilt, and lifestyle signaling. From diamond-studded collars to ultra-premium pet foods, this conversation challenges the assumption that higher prices always equal better care, explores how affordable options are increasingly stigmatized, and asks a critical question facing the industry today: what happens when “doing right by your pet” starts to feel financially out of reach?

Helpful Links

💎 Check out Posh Puppy's Jeune Tulipe diamond dog collar: https://www.poshpuppyboutique.com/collections/collars/products/la-jeune-tulipe-diamond-dog-pet-collar-exclusive-to-posh-puppy-boutique

💰 And these other luxurious products for dogs: https://www.lordsandlabradors.co.uk/blogs/journal/the-world-s-most-expensive-luxury-gifts-for-pets?srsltid=AfmBOoroy7at5EVFBfQRYwNMb-bDZpkefEIjZczvozKf8UeNcHSQZ8DB

🤔 Is the humanization of pets truly in their best interest? Michael Johnson asks and answers the hard questions in this article: https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/articles/18800-pets-or-people-the-impact-of-humanizing-pets

📰 Read more about "Petflation: How soaring pet food prices are straining households" (CBS News): https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/petflation-how-soaring-pet-food-prices-are-straining-households/

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

01:30 – Now Entering: The Lap of Luxury

03:30 – Judgement, Jealousy, and Perspective

10:30 – Don’t Burst My Economic Bubble!

15:30 – Humanization, Guilt, and Pets as People

18:30 – Premiumization vs Accessibility

22:30 – Can Quality Pet Nutrition Also Be Affordable?

31:30 – Parallels to (Human) Parenting

39:30 – Are We Pricing People Out of Pet Ownership

43:30 – Today’s Key Takeaways

As we forge full speed ahead into 2026, the Barking Mad team takes a moment to reflect on the conversations that shaped 2025 and what they revealed about pets, pet ownership, and the industry at large. From standout episodes and unexpected lessons to topics that challenged assumptions and sparked deeper curiosity, this mini episode looks back on what resonated most with listeners and why it mattered. Then, hosts Jordan Tyler and Dr. Stephanie Clark look ahead to 2026, sharing what’s next for the podcast, how the show is evolving, and where they plan to take future conversations. Expect thoughtful takeaways, a few honest laughs, and a clear-eyed look at what’s coming in hot!

Helpful Links

Check out our top five episodes from 2025!

🎟️ Beyond the Brands: Your Backstage Pass to SUPERZOO 2025

🔮 The Billion-Dollar Deception of DCM: Inside KetoNatural’s Class Action Lawsuit

🪰 Bug Appétit: From Ick to Innovation on Insect-Based Pet Food

💕 Looking for Love: Swiping Right on Sustainable Cat Litter

♻️ Is Recyclable Pet Food Packaging A Lie? Unraveling The Pet Industry’s Plastic Waste Problem

Subscribe to Barking Mad on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎧

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up with our hot takes, spicy soundbites, and no-nonsense commentary on all things pet care! 🎙️👏

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

02:35 – Revisiting Our Top Episodes of 2025

17:00 – Jordan and Dr. Steph’s Favorite Fun Facts

21:36 – We’re Open to Suggestions!

26:30 – Get Ready for Rufus

32:36 – What Else to Expect in 2026

33:30 – Key Takeaways and Stay Tuned!

34:18 – Very Serious Bloopers