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The Empathetic Trainer

by Barbara O’Brien

Welcome to ”The Empathetic Trainer,” the podcast that explores the power of empathetic animal training Animals just want to be heard. This is an emerging trend among trainers, veterinarians, pet professionals and animal lovers just like yourself. Join us as we learn the challenges our guests faced, as they grew their understanding and connection with the animals in their lives.

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Episodes

  1. Trusting Life Means Trusting Death Too • Chris Lombard • Horse Trainer, Clinician & Author • S4 E 35

    Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to trust life when life breaks your heart? Chris Lombard is back on The Empathetic Trainer, and this time we’re talking about his new book, Warrior Horse: Living and Dying With Animals in a Soulful and Heartfelt Way. I loved this book, but I don’t want to tell…

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  2. A Place of Safety • Cara Gereau • Equine Somatic Practitioner • S4 E34

    Send us Fan Mail What if healing isn't about trying harder...but about learning to listen? In this episode, I sit down with equine somatic practitioner Cara Gereau for a thoughtful conversation about trauma, trust, emotions, and the remarkable way horses respond to what we're actually feeling…

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  3. Trust: Horses Make Us Earn It • Janet Jones, Neuroscientist, Horsewoman, and Author • S4 E33

    Send us Fan Mail Horse Brain, Human Brain was one of the first books I read when I was trying to understand horses better. So when I had the chance to sit down with its author, Janet Jones, for the podcast, I was pretty excited. Janet is a neuroscientist, horsewoman, and the author of her new…

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  4. Horses, Trauma & Healing — “Horses Notice What We Hide” with Toni Mattson S4 E32

    Send us Fan Mail Today I’m talking with Toni Mattson of Trinity Equestrian Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Toni and her team work with horses alongside veterans, first responders, youth, and individuals facing trauma, PTSD, dementia, and other life challenges. We talk about what horses notice...

  5. It's Not The Spook, It's What Happens Next - Christine Beattie - S4 E31

    Send us Fan Mail What happens after the horse reacts? In this conversation, I talk with carriage driving trainer Christine Beattie about how driving changes the way we communicate with a horse — and why it can have such a big impact on the relationship. We talk about ground driving, working…

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  6. Understanding Dogs in a Human World - Heather Mishefske S4 E 30

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer, I talk with Heather Mishefske of Embark Dog Training School. I’ve spent my whole life with herding dogs. Then I got an Australian Terrier… and realized pretty quickly that my usual way of doing things wasn’t going to work. This little…

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  7. Every Horse is a Soul in a Non Human Body - Gabi Neurohr - S4 E29

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, I talk with horsewoman and educator Gabi Neurohr about building trust with horses, understanding horse behavior, and creating a true partnership between horse and human. From the moment we started talking, I felt an immediate...

  8. Find a Dog That is Going to Make You Happy - Denise Fenzi - S4 E28

    Send us Fan Mail “Find a dog that’s going to make you happy.” I sit down with Denise Fenzi to talk about choosing the right dog for your real life — not the one you think you should want. We talk about fit, expectations, training, and working with the dog in front of you....

  9. Listening Is Noticing — Amelia Thomas (S4 · E27)

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer, I talk with Amelia Thomas about what it really means to listen to animals. We’re not talking about techniques or quick fixes. We’re talking about slowing down, paying attention, and noticing what animals are already showing us—often in...

  10. Rachel Windchaser - Remembering Who We are Through Horses S3 E26

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer Podcast, Barbara O’Brien talks with Rachel Windchaser, author and equine rewilding coach. Rachel runs Winchaser Ranch in Spain, where she cares for a rare herd of Spanish Mustangs. They talk about what it really means to “rewild” — how...

  11. Jessica Gonzales - Every Horse and Every Person Deserves a Second Chance S3 E25

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Empathetic Trainer podcast, host Barbara O’Brien chats with Jessica Gonzalez, a dedicated horse rescuer and author of Equine Empowerment. They discuss how horses help people heal, the power of positive reinforcement training, and the deep bond between…

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  12. Dr. Shelly Appleton - My Horse's Problem was Actually Me - S2 E23

    Send us Fan Mail Barbara O’Brien talks with horse trainer, coach and author Dr. Shelley Appleton about building trust and confidence between riders and their horses. Shelley shares how things like fear, aging, and hormones can affect riding, especially for women. They talk about the importance of...

  13. Chelsey Bosak - All Of Our Dogs End Up Where They Are Meant to Be - S2 E 22

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it takes to train a service dog that can transform someone's life? In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Chelsey Bosak from Helping Paws Minnesota, an organization that specializes in training service dogs for individuals with physical...

  14. Chris Lombard - The Power of Patience and Presence in Horse Training - S2 E21

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt a profound connection to something that completely shifted your life's direction? In this episode of the Empathetic Trainer Podcast, we chat with Chris Lombard, a horse trainer and author who found his calling in the equine world at the age of 26. Chris shares...

  15. Ingrid Henry - What we are Trying to Communicate is Trust - S2 E20

    Send us Fan Mail Ingrid Henry, an equine coach, discusses the importance of trust and consistency in building a strong relationship with horses. Ingrid emphasizes the need for patience and understanding when working with challenging horses and highlights the value of undemanding time spent with...

  16. Grace Olson - There is Something Magical about Horses and Sheep that dissolves your sadness and brings you back into the light S2 E 19

    Send us Fan Mail Experience the transformative power of animal therapy with our special guest Grace Olson, a dedicated therapist and author from Leeds, West Yorkshire, whose unique practice involves the compassionate companionship of horses and sheep. Grace shares her fascinating journey into...

  17. Kari Bastyr - Your Dog is Not Bad, He is Just Having a Hard Time S2 E18

    Send us Fan Mail Kari Bastier of Wag &Train, is a dog behaviorist and canine nutritionist. She debunks the dominance theory, showing that dogs act out due to stress and anxiety and not a desire to dominate their owners. Carrie emphasizes the gut-brain connection, sharing stories about Paisley, a...

  18. Julie Smart - What Horses Want - Trust, Communication and Leadership

    Send us Fan Mail New Zealand Horse advocate and author, Julie Smart joins Barbara O'Brien in a conversation not just about training, but about retraining ourselves to listen, to watch, and to feel the subtle cues that horses give us when trying to communicate. We talk about how spending…

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  19. Susan Friedland - The True Story of Marguerite Henry and Misty of Chincoteague S2 E16

    Send us Fan Mail Susan Friedland and I explore the world of Marguerite Henry, a beloved author whose stories have enchanted readers for years. From "Misty of Chincoteague" to "King of the Wind" and so many others, Henry's books have made a lasting impression on people of all ages. We talk about…

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  20. Laura Carter - What Your Dog Wants is You - S2 E15

    Send us Fan Mail Join Barbara O'Brien as she chats with Laura Carter, a dog trainer and author, about the secrets to bonding with your dog, even during indoor downtime or when they're on rest. Laura shares practical tips for keeping your pup mentally engaged, including fun activities like scent...

  21. Kera Wilhelmsen - You Want Your Dog to Trust You, Right? S2 E14

    Send us Fan Mail In this interview, Barbara O'Brien talks with Kara Wilhelmsen from Creature Comforts Pet Services about her approach to animal training. Kera stresses the importance of kindness and understanding when working with animals, rather than using fear or intimidation. She shares her...

  22. When it comes to Horses, Obedience is Out and Empathy is In • Lockie Phillips • S2 E3

    Send us Fan Mail Lockie Phillips, Founder of Emotional Horsemanship, joins us on our podcast to share his insights on empathy and horses. He tells us how we can reimagine horse training and move beyond obedience to establish a deeper connection based on compassion. Lockie believes that training...

  23. Lynn Acton - Alternatives to Dominance Based Horsemanship - S2 E12

    Send us Fan Mail Tune in to hear Lynn Acton, acclaimed author and horse trainer, share practical tips on how to build trust and connection with your horse. Learn about the basics of earning trust, using clear body language, moving away from dominance based training, and understanding horses'...

  24. Mikel Delgado - The Big Problem? They Don't Understand Cats - S2 E11

    Send us Fan Mail Join us as we speak with cat behaviorist, Mikel Delgado about how your cat's name can affect its personality and why it's hard for some cats to just get along. Learn about Mikel's journey from being in a punk rock band to cat expert. Learn how to make a happy home for multiple…

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  25. Dr. Susan Fay - Sacred Spaces - Communicating with the Horse through Science and Spirit - S1 E10

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Dr. Susan Faye discusses the importance of horses in our lives and the lessons they teach us. She emphasizes the need for emotional awareness and being present with horses and other animals. Dr. Faye explains how energy regulation and acknowledging our emotions can…

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  26. Dr. Ian Dunbar - With Dogs, Increasing the Good, Decreases the Bad - S1 E9

    Send us Fan Mail When Dr. Ian Dunbar talks about dogs, it's impossible not to sit up and listen. His latest work, "Barking Up the Right Tree," is more than a book; it's a manifesto for compassionate canine companionship that promises to redefine our relationships with our four-legged friends.…

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  27. Tiffany Stauffer - Give Them the Right Tools and Let Your Horses Think for Themselves - S1 E8

    Send us Fan Mail Ever wished you could truly understand the world of horses? Longed for a deeper connection that transcends conventional horse training? Join host, Barbara O'Brien as we talk with with liberty trainer Tiffany Stauffer of Grace and Grit Horsemanship, who left the financially secure...

  28. A Tiger's Tale - Tales From the Set by Barbara O'Brien - Ep 1

    Send us Fan Mail Do you remember the first time you bit off more than you could chew? When your overconfidence landed you in a pickle that you weren’t prepared for? Well, that's exactly what happened to me when I made the rookie mistake of booking a Siberian tiger for a high-end department…

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  29. Chris Kman - Advocating for the Proper Management of the Wild Horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park - S1 E7

    Send us Fan Mail Chris Kman, photographer and wild horse advocate shares with us her work to preserve the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. The Park Service has proposed eliminating the horses from the park completely. Join us as Chris explains what is happening and...

  30. Katenna Jones - Regarding Pets - Being Kind Feels Right - S1 E6

    Send us Fan Mail Katenna Jones transitioned from a volunteer dog walker as a teen to a certified applied animal behaviorist and fear free trainer consultant. Learn why heavy-handed dominance based training didn't resonate with her and how punishment merely suppresses behavior rather than changing...

  31. Julie-Anne Thorne - Come Out of Your Head and Into Your Heart to Connect with Your Cat - S1 E5

    Send us Fan Mail Join us for an intriguing journey into the world of cats with Julie Ann Thorne, a certified behaviorist and author. Inspired by her rescue cat Pickle, Julie founded Naturally Cats and wrote the enlightening book, "Cat Chakras." Discover Julie's deep bond with Pickle and her fresh...

  32. Kerri Lake - With Horses, Integrity to your Heart is an Expression of Leadership - S1 E4

    Send us Fan Mail Join us as we chat with Kerri Lake, author of Listen like a Horse and Spiritually Gifted. Kerri explains the value of awareness and the importance of being present in our lives. She shares how this self-awareness has helped her communicate and connect with horses....

  33. Shelley Paulson - Horses are the Thread Woven Throughout my Story - S1 E3

    Send us Fan Mail Equine photographer, Shelley Paulson shares with us the life changing event that caused her to take a different career path and how her growing understanding of how horses think and feel has changed how she views them with a whole new lens. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

  34. Mary Corning - With Horses, Practicing Fear Makes you Really Good at Being Afraid - S1 E2

    Send us Fan Mail Mary Corning is an award-winning author, horse advocate, mentor and retreat facilitator. Mary’s book, Perfect Practice, is about how to connect and communicate with people and horses by removing resistance and finding freedom of expression. https://www.empathetic-trainer.com/

  35. Debra Schneider - Regarding your Dog, Just Ask Him What He Needs - S1E1

    Send us Fan Mail As a professional animal trainer and photographer, Barbara O'Brien has worked with animals in film and photography for over twenty years. Today, she’s meeting with Debra Schneider, animal communicator. When Debra talks to animals, they talk back. Learn how, you too, can begin to...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Welcome to ”The Empathetic Trainer,” the podcast that explores the power of empathetic animal training

Animals just want to be heard. This is an emerging trend among trainers, veterinarians, pet professionals and animal lovers just like yourself. Join us as we learn the challenges our guests faced, as they grew their understanding and connection with the animals in their lives.

HOSTED BY

Barbara O’Brien

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Empathetic Trainer have?

The Empathetic Trainer currently has 35 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Empathetic Trainer about?

Welcome to ”The Empathetic Trainer,” the podcast that explores the power of empathetic animal training Animals just want to be heard. This is an emerging trend among trainers, veterinarians, pet professionals and animal lovers just like yourself. Join us as we learn the challenges our guests faced,...

How often does The Empathetic Trainer release new episodes?

The Empathetic Trainer has 35 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Empathetic Trainer?

You can listen to The Empathetic Trainer on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Empathetic Trainer?

The Empathetic Trainer is created and hosted by Barbara O’Brien.
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