Felis catus - the “domestic house cat”. What does that label mean for the hundreds of millions of domesticated yet house-less cats - and how does the answer to this connect to both human and cat welfare? In this special episode, released during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’ll be joined by Community Cats Podcast host Stacy LeBaron, who will share success stories of the “mosaic of support” that benefits both humans and their feline family members. We’re grateful to also have two special guests from the Urban Resource Institute who shed light on the #1 cause of homelessness in New York City, and why cats are a part of the solution. And we’ll have a cameo from returning guest Jackson Galaxy, star of Animal Planet’s hit series, My Cat From Hell and founder of The Jackson Galaxy Project, a program of The Greater Good Charities. If you or someone you know is healing from ongoing or past power-based interpersonal violence (IPV; domestic violence) you are not alone, there is never an excuse and you have resources - for U.S. listeners, thehotline.org has a clearinghouse of free, trauma-informed service providers. For international listeners, the No More Global Directory has region-specific hotlines at nomoredirectory.org. And if you’d like to get involved, visit righttobe.org for bystander intervention resources and more. Post-episode body scan exercise (materials courtesy The Greater Good Science Center at University of California - Berkeley): https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/body_scan_meditation Special thanks to Kristin DeFur of The Urban Resource Institute (URI) and Kyle of the TASC group for facilitating the URI interview. 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: Community CATalysts: Kosovans Caring for Their Animal Survivors Beyond Taylor Swift: Who Are Cat People? Our Feline Fictive Kin: Are Cats Full Fledged Family? [Season 2 Finale] About the experts: Elizabeth Rose is a domestic violence survivor, mother and 2024 URI Celebration Triumph Award recipient. After escaping abuse in 2019 with her daughter Hazel and their cat Bebe, she found safety and healing through the Urban Resource Institute’s People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program. Today, Elizabeth shares her story as a testament to resilience and the lifesaving impact of programs that keepfamilies and pets together. Teal Inzunza, L.C.S.W., is the Associate Vice President of Justice Initiatives at the Urban Resource Institute (URI), where she leads programs supporting survivors of domestic violence and homeless families. With a background as URI’s Director of Economic Empowerment, Inzunza is a nationally recognized advocate for economic justice, LGBTQ survivor support and systemic change. She co-chairs the NYC Domestic Violence & Economic Justice Taskforce and has been honored with awards from Her Justice and the Anti-Violence Project for her transformative work. Stacy LeBaron has been involved in animal welfare for over 30 years and considers herself a feline entrepreneur. She currently hosts the Community Cats Podcast where she interviews renowned experts about cat overpopulation and welfare solutions. The podcast hosts three certification programs covering the topics of Trap, Neuter, and Return, Surrender Prevention, and Return to Home. Stacy is also a partner of the Community Cat Clinic in Woodstock and Duluth, Georgia; President of PAWSitive Pantry in Vermont and Massachusetts; Treasurer at the Vermont Humane Federation, the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society and Community Cat Champions; and Treasurer and Director of Strategy at The United Spay Alliance. Stacy graduated from Vassar College with a degree in Urban Studies. She now lives in Vermont and

What’s really going on with fearful cats - and why should we rethink the label “scaredy cat”? Behavioral biologist Dr. Lee Niel shares expert insights on how to read cats’ signals and understand what they’re trying to tell us. Returning guest expert Dr. Kristyn Vitale explores the environments and conditions that can create so-called scaredy cats. Finally, meet arborist and emergency responder Duane Hook, who rescues cats stuck in trees and offers a unique perspective on feline fear, trust and resilience. Check out Cat in a Tree Emergency Rescue at catinatreerescue.com. Special thanks to Georgia Mason, Ph.D. of the University of Guelph. 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: 5 Ways to Say ”I Love Mew”: Using the 5 Love Languages…With Your Cat? Cats Are the Consummate Domesticate: Origins and Evolution of Our Feline Friends [Pilot] About the experts: Duane Hook, an Ohio-based arborist and cat rescuer has been helping cats in North America down from trees since 2010. You can watch his harrowing rescue missions on TikTok (tiktok.com/@getmeowtahere) and YouTube (@DHook) - all happy outcomes! - and learn more about his work at getmeowtahere.com.  Kristyn Vitale, Ph.D., is the founder of Maueyes and star of Netflix’s hit feature film, “The Mind of a Cat”. Her innovative research on cat behavior and human-animal interaction has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and been covered by such international publications as Science, National Geographic, The New York Times, and The Times of London. Lee Niel, Ph.D., is a behavioural biologist trained in animal behaviour and welfare with expertise with both laboratory and companion animals. Dr. Niel holds the Col KL Campbell Chair in Companion Animal Welfare at Ontario Veterinary College at Canada's University of Guelph, and her research and teaching are focused on the behaviour and welfare of companion animals.  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" © 2025 Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2025 (Instagram: itsmyunzii) Research used: Adolphs, R. (2013, January 21). The Biology of Fear. Current biology : CB. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3595162/ Cantor, C., & Price, J. (2007, May). Traumatic entrapment, appeasement and complex post-traumatic stress disorder: Evolutionary perspectives of hostage reactions, domestic abuse and the Stockholm syndrome. The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17464728/ Chetty, R., Hofmeyr, A., Kincaid, H., & Monroe, B. (2021). The Trust Game Does not (only) Measure trust: The risk-trust. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics). https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/soceco/v90y2021ics2214804319302290.html Costandi, M. (2023, February 15). Your brain is wired to detect fear, outside of your conscious awareness. Big Think. https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/brain-fear-unconscious-awareness/ Davis, D., Hogan, A. A., & Hart, D. J. (2025, September 19). Myths of trauma memory: On the oversimplification of effects of attention narrowing under stress. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1294730/full Dawson, L. C., Cheal, J., & Mason, G. (2019, November). Humans can identify cats’ affective states from subtle facial expressions. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336964729_Humans_can_identify_cats’_affective_states_from_subtle_facial_express

Who loves cats and cinema? On this episode, the crew of your favorite cat-themed culture, history and science podcast make our first foray into feline film studies! Join us for a 40 minute discussion on the roles cats have played onscreen - from overlooked props and stereotypes to scene-stealing stars who shape stories and symbolize mystery, power and resilience. Host Amanda “Captain Kitty” B. is joined by film critic Angelica Jade Bastién, 25 Cats from Qatar and Cat Daddies filmmaker Mye Hoang (with cinematographer Rob Bennett), and Girls and Their Cats video series creator Brianne Wills to unpack how filmmakers use the “five Cs of cinematography” to portray cats, the cultural tropes tying felines to witches and “mad women” and the rise of cat-pawsitive storytelling in both film and digital media. From Hollywood classics to international documentaries and everyday cat videos, we explore how these furry icons are reshaping the zeitgeist - and how we can celebrate and sustain this New Wave. Note: There is a brief mention of gender-based violence. If you or someone you know has experienced domestic or intimate partner violence or assault, please connect with 1-800-656-HOPE (US) or visit domesticshelters.org for international resources. You are not alone, nobody deserves it and you have options. 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: Witches, Whiskers and Whisky: Re-introducing the Original Cat Lady of Halloween! [Season 2 Premiere] Cats vs Cupid: Why Cats are the Better Valentine’s Day Mascot Did You Know the Vikings had Cats? Magic, Freya and Norse Folklore Felines & Fatherhood: Exploring Masculinity, Father’s Day, and the Unique Bond Between Men and Cats   About the experts: Angelica Jade Bastién is a critic and essayist at New York Magazine’s site Vulture. She has been featured on Rotten Tomatoes and her work has been published in many publications including Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, and within Criterion Blu-ray releases. She lives in Chicago with her two cats. You can subscribe to her newsletter, Madwomen & Muses on Substack. BriAnne Wills is a fashion and beauty photographer and the creator of Girls and Their Cats, a photo and YouTube series created by BriAnne as a way to debunk the crazy cat lady stereotype and to showcase cat-owning women in a positive light. Originally from Oregon, she currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two cats, Liza and Tuck. She’s photographed over 400 women around the US, all as unique as their feline friends. Subscribe to the Girls and Their Cats YouTube channel and sign up here to be featured in her next video shoot. Mye Hoang is a Los Angeles–based producer and director of cat-themed documentaries 25 Cats From Qatar (2025) and Cat Daddies (2022). She produced the award-winning noir thriller Man From Reno (LA Film Festival Best Feature, Spirit Award Nominee 2015) and Lynn Chen’s I Will Make You Mine (SXSW 2020), and her first narrative feature, Viette (2012), a Vietnamese American coming-of-age story, screened at dozens of festivals including the Asian American International Film Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Fest. Hoang is the founder and former Executive Director of the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, former Artistic Director of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, and holds a BA in Cinema from Southern Methodist University. Visit 25catsfromqatar.com to purchase the film on Blu-ray and visit catdaddiesmovie.com Cat Daddies to watch On Demand or purchase on DVD. Rob E. Bennett is a Los Angeles–based cinematographer whose work spans documentary, narrative, and commercial projects. In collaboration with director Mye Hoang, he shot 25 Cats from Qatar (2025) and Cat Daddies (2022), both

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 Reflexes Cat 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” © 2025 Additional 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-flexibil

Can cats see ghosts? In this cat-themed culture, history and science podcast, explore cat eyes from eyeliner, to clairvoyance to ophthalmology with guest experts journalist Zahra Hankir, animal communicator Alicia Halloran and cat ophthalmologist Dr. Steve Hanes.

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 on 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" © 2025 Additional 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=en Clark, 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-frank Ergojosh. (2019, December 5). Draw faces easily! [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/KdpkxdP9Thw Glocker, 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.nl

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" © 2025 Additional 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.pdf Benvenuto, 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 archety

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!

Season 3 of 6 Degrees of Cats, the world’s #1 (& only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast, premieres Tuesday, June 17th on all major listening platforms!

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 Friends 5 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 noted Leathered: "Look Alive", “Break it Down” and “Nothing But Love” © 2022 Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional 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/eg1

…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' Roll The 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_dumitrascu Keisuke 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 noted Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional 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, Febru

Dive into the purr-fect harmony between cats and rock 'n' roll in this episode of 6 Degrees of Cats, the world's #1 (and only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast.  Explore the untold stories of how these enigmatic creatures have influenced the genre. From legendary rock icons like Freddie Mercury and David Bowie who found inspiration in their feline friends to the timeless melodies that echo the spirit of independence and liberation by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ma Rainey and - yes - Tracy Chapman, appreciate the hidden connections between cool cats and the soulful rhythms of rock 'n' roll.  We’ll be joined by not one, not two, but THREE award-winning rock stars! ‘My Cat From Hell’ star, musician and international cat advocate Jackson Galaxy shares how cats purr-fectly fit into his rock ‘n’ roll persona - and still do! Leading R&B musician and guitarist Malina Moye explains how cats have informed and inspired her artistry, and acclaimed music journalist and former Das Fürlines guitarist Holly George-Warren provides historic and cultural insights as to how, and why, cats are the rock stars of the animal kingdom. We'll talk jive about blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and hepcat slang - as well as about American history - in this fact and fret-filled episode.  Tune in for a fur-resh take on music history and cat appreciation! 🐾🎸 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 vs Cupid: Why Cats are the Better Valentine’s Day Mascot Did You Know the Vikings had Cats? Magic, Freya and Norse Folklore Referenced materials: Fast Car (from Tracy Chapman, Elektra Records, 1989) Chili’s Babyback Ribs Commercial BTS video (MUST WATCH)  Charles Mingus Cat Toilet Training Program (1954) Cab Calloway's Hepster's Dictionary (1939) 6 Degrees of Cats: Cool Cat YouTube Playlist About the experts: Jackson Galaxy is a cat behavior and wellness expert, YouTube creator, musician and the star of hit Animal Planet series, My Cat From Hell. Visit https://www.jacksongalaxyproject and follow @catdaddy on YouTube and all social media platforms. Holly George-Warren is a two-time Grammy nominee and the award-winning author of sixteen books, including Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones (Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed, 2023) co-authored with Dolly Parton, and Janis: Her Life and Music (Simon and Schuster, 2019), named best nonfiction book of 2019 by the Texas Institute of Letters. She teaches at SUNY New Paltz and New York University’s The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and can be found at https://www.hollygeorgewarren.com. Malina Moye is an award-winning blues guitarist and R&B singer and is the first African American female upside-down lefty guitarist to be endorsed by Fender USA. Her 2023 full length release, ‘Dirty’ landed at the top of the Billboard blues chart and was listed among Guitar World Magazine’s top five greatest guitar albums of 2023. Purchase her records, learn about the “Enough” campaign and when Moye will be playing your city by visiting https://www.malinamoye.com. 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: “Not Fast Car", all music supervision, mixes and arrangements unless otherwise noted Leathered: "Look Alive", “Break it Down” and “Nothing But Love” © 2022 Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: Alan Lomax. Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. (n.d.). https://folklife.si.edu/legacy-honorees/alan-lomax/smithsonian  Brooks, K. (2016, October 25). Where the hell does the word “p***y” come from, anyway? HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/en

Who is a cat person? What is the essence of feline fandom and who exactly are the literal and figurative cat people among us? Listen and find out on the world's #1 (and only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast! Celebrate the Lunar New Year (Happy Year of the Dragon) or Têt, with us in Vietnam, where we discover a unique breed of cat people with the help of Austin-based comic Ivy Le of the FOGO: Fear of Going Outside podcast. Ivy is joined by audio producer, artist and educator TK "Keisha" Dutes and Cat Person social media manager Tracy Michelle, as we debunk stereotypes, challenge cultural and racial assumptions and redefine what it means to be a cat person - while advocating for everyone's rightful place alongside Taylor Swift as an iconic figure of our tribe. Prepare to embrace your inner cat person of the 21st Century and join the revolution! Tune in now for a purr-fectly engaging discussion that will change the way you see feline companionship forever. 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 artifacts: Cats vs Dogs map (original source: BudgetDirect) Referenced episodes: Felines & Fatherhood: Exploring Masculinity, Father’s Day, and the Unique Bond Between Men and Cats Cats vs Cupid: Why Cats are the Better Valentine’s Day Mascot Cats Are the Consummate Domesticate: Origins and Evolution of Our Feline Friends [Pilot] About the experts: Keisha “TK” Dutes is a multimedia producer and artist whose work has been featured on NPR’s LifeKit. She serves on the board of AIR Media and has consulted for Spotify USA and Willie Mae Rock Camp as an audio educator. TK can be followed on Meta and X as @tastykeish and on TikTok as tk_creates. Ivy Le is a Vietnamese-American comedian, actress, writer and producer of Spotify’s hit podcast, FOGO Fear of Going Outside. She can be followed on social media @ivylewithonee and found at ivylewithonee.com. Tracy Michelle is a stylist, writer, gamer and content creator who serves as the social media manager of lifestyle brand Cat Person. She can be followed on social media @ohheytracy and found at ohheytracy.com. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B. - Instagram: @catsuitband) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 The Captain & Tenille 2: Snuggles: Jeoparty Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: Booth, J. (2023, December 11). All about Taylor Swift’s cats, Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button. People Magazine. https://people.com/pets/all-about-taylor-swift-cats  McGrath, M. (2023, December 20). Cats vs. dogs: Which does the world prefer?. Budget Direct. https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/pet-insurance/guides/cats-vs-dogs-which-does-the-world-prefer.html#:~:text=Key%20Findings,are%20all%20dog%2Dpeople%20countries.  Megna, M. (2024, February 1). Forbes Pet ownership statistics 2024. Pet Ownership Statistics 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/  Mitovich, M. W. (2024, January 19). Ratings: Law & order trio grow after 8-month break, SVU Tops Thursday. TVLine. https://tvline.com/ratings/law-and-order-svu-season-25-premiere-viewership-1235131925/  Rigby, S. (2023, March 16). What’s the longest a cat can live for? Here are the world’s oldest felines. BBC Science Focus Magazine. https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/whats-the-longest-a-cat-can-live-for  Taylor Swift Life and Career. Taylor Swift Museum. (n.d.). https://www.theswiftmuseum.com/life-and-career  With almost 1 million video choices, women 18-34 turn to classic TV. Nielsen. (2023, June 30). https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2023/with-almost-1-mil

Discover the fascinating origins of internet culture in this episode of 6 Degrees of Cats, the worlds #1 (and only) cat-themed culture, history, science and - in this instance - tech podcast.  Did you know that pizza was the very first item ever bought and sold online? Or that approximately 1% of all internet activity revolves around adorable cat photos and videos? While some of these facts may not be independently verifiable, it's undeniable that cats and pizza have become iconic symbols of the worldwide web. Join us on an entertaining journey into the depths of host Captain Kitty (a.k.a. Amanda B.)'s psyche as she explores the intertwined relationship between felines and pizza. Alongside Roberta's Pizza alumni and renowned pizza consultant Anthony Falco, delve into the reasons behind this peculiar connection. Special guest Maria Bustillos, a prolific writer and expert on cat internet culture, sheds light on the unique charm of online communities and the pivotal role of cats within them. Prepare to immerse yourself in the quirky, captivating world of internet folklore, where pizza, cats, and eccentricity reign supreme. Together, let's celebrate the delightful weirdness that makes the internet such a vibrant and fascinating place. Tune in for a truly enjoyable and enlightening exploration of pizza, the internet, and our beloved feline companions in this wonderfully weird episode! 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 artifacts: Image of the original Geocities Hamsterdance page PizzaNet original form The (alleged) first cat video posted on YouTube Referenced episodes: Cats Are the Consummate Domesticate: Origins and Evolution of Our Feline Friends [Pilot] Did You Know the Vikings had Cats? Magic, Freya and Norse Folklore Cats vs Cupid: Why Cats are the Better Valentine’s Day Mascot About the experts: Maria Bustillos is an American editor, journalist, information activist, and the founding editor of Flaming Hydra, Popula, and the Brick House Cooperative. She authored the viral essay, “How Cats Won the Internet” (BBC.com, via Cat is Art Spelled Wrong, Coffeehouse Press, 2015). Maria can be found at https://thebrick.house, https://mariabustillos.com/ and on Mastodon at @maria@thelife.boats. Anthony Falco is an American chef, author and pizza consultant. He is the author of Pizza Czar: Recipes and Know-How from a World-Traveling Pizza Chef and can be found at https://www.piz.za.com. Follow Anthony’s pizza travels on Instagram at @millennium_falco. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 The Captain & Tenille 2: Snuggles: "Not the Hamster Dance Original Song" Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: Beaver, Gilbert (2023, January 31). Cats Overtake Dogs As America’s Most Popular Pet: Exploring The Reasons Behind This Trend. Hyaenidae. https://www.hyaenidae.org/cats-overtake-dogs-as-americas-most-popular-pet-exploring-the-reasons-behind-this-trend. Blackburn, R. (2011, November 4). 1493 by Charles C Mann – review. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/nov/04/1493-americas-charles-mann-review  Bolster (Ed.). (2020, July 10). From LiveJournal to myspace Tom: A Social Media timeline. Bolstered. https://medium.com/bolstered/from-livejournal-to-myspace-tom-a-social-media-timeline-164461e47da1  Bryant, M. S. (2016, March 3). 20 years ago today, the World Wide Web was born. TNW Insider. https://thenextweb.com/news/20-years-ago-today-the-world-wide-web-opened-to-the-public  Buckley, J. (2021, March 12). How this fruit became the star of Italian cooking. CN

Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule and explore the intriguing tale of Iceland’s legendary Yulecat and revisit the captivating history of Viking settlements in Iceland on this episode of the world's #1 cat-themed culture, history and science podcast, 6 Degrees of Cats. In this illuminating discussion, led by renowned Iceland folklore expert Terry Gunnell, Ph.D., discover why the typically cat-loving Icelanders avoid encountering this colossal cat, and gain insights from journalist Haukur S Magnússon on strategies to evade its clutches. Musician Júlía Hermannsdóttir shares her childhood experiences immersed in these captivating folktales. By the end of this episode, uncover the deeper significance behind this seasonal folklore - it’s a revelation that goes beyond mere storytelling. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Icelandic folklore and traditions intertwined with the Winter Solstice and Christmas! 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: Did You Know the Vikings had Cats? Magic, Freya and Norse Folklore Witches, Whiskers and Whisky: Re-introducing the Original Cat Lady of Halloween!  About the experts: Terry Gunnell, Ph.D., is a professor of folkloristics at the University of Iceland. Gunnell is a leading published expert on Norse folklore and history and has served as a consultant for films such as The Northman. Júlía Hermannsdóttir is a Reykjavík, Iceland-based musician and health technologist who performs vocals and synthesizers with her indie shoegaze band, Oyama. Haukur Sigurbjörn Magnússon is an Icelandic musician and journalist. He was the editor in chief of the magazine Reykjavík Grapevine from 2012-2016 and is the guitarist of the band Reykjavík! Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 The Captain & Tenille 2: Snuggles: "(Don't) Let it Snow" Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: Árnadóttir, N. (2018, February 6). From Iceland - Reykjavík Catwalk: A brief history of cats in Iceland. The Reykjavik Grapevine. https://grapevine.is/mag/articles/2018/02/07/reykjavik-catwalk-a-brief-history-of-cats-in-iceland  Budrovich, N. (2023, January 3). The Wild Holiday that turned ancient Rome Upside Down. Getty. https://www.getty.edu/news/the-wild-holiday-that-turned-ancient-rome-upside-down/  Dunn, M. (2023, October 26). Bonfires, feasts, and human sacrifice: How the Vikings celebrated “Christmas.” All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/yule  Gunnell, T. (2001). GRÝLA, GRÝLUR, GRØLEKS AND SKEKLERS: Medieval Disguise Traditions in the North Atlantic. In ARV: Nordic Yearbook of folklore 2001 (pp. 33–54). essay, The Royal Gustavus Adolphus Academy.  Karlsson, Á. G. (2020, December 17). The Yule Cat. Icelandic Folklore. https://icelandicfolklore.is/the-yule-cat/  Lea, R. (2021, October 26). When is the winter solstice and what happens?. Space.com. https://www.space.com/winter-solstice  Magnússon, H. S. (2015, January 21). From Iceland - The Christmas Cat. The Reykjavik Grapevine. https://grapevine.is/culture/art/2008/12/10/the-christmas-cat/  McAfee, S. (2023, January 16). 2 “pagan roots of Christmas” claims you can refute. Catholic Answers. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/refuting-the-pagan-roots-of-christmas-claim  McGowan, A. (2023, December 4). How December 25 became Christmas. Biblical Archaeology Society. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/how-december-25-became-christmas/ Torres, D. (2021, January 8). Which literary

Dive DEEP into the meaning of life...through cats...with the help of experts in Western and Eastern philosophy on this episode of 6 Degrees of Cats, the world's #1 (and only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast. Dr. Abigail Levin, an animal ethics professor at Niagara University, returns to the podcast to explore our duty through deontological (say that five times fast!) ethics according to one Immanuel Kant, after a few false starts with the fathers of so-called Western philosophy: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Dr. Levin, a practicing Buddhist, is joined by fellow Buddhist and animal ethicist Janet Gyatso, Professor of Buddhist Studies at Harvard Divinity School, whose lifelong love of cats and compassion for animals provide a focused lens on cats and Buddhism. You will be as enlightened as host Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) by the end of this playful and profound episode in which we assess the life we have chosen for our pets - and the life they might have chosen if they had their say. 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: The Golden Age of Cats: The Medieval Middle East, Muezza and the Mark of Muhammad (or Mary) Community CATalysts: Kosovans Caring for Their Animal Survivors About the experts: Janet Gyatso, Ph.D., M.A., is Harvard Divinity School's first Hershey Professor of Buddhist Studies and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. She is a specialist in Buddhist studies with concentration on Tibetan and South Asian cultural and intellectual history.  Abigail Levin, Ph.D., J.D., is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Niagara University in Buffalo, New York. Her primary research interests are in political philosophy, animal ethics, feminism and philosophy of race and gender. She recently published a book about celebrity animals and the ethical obligations arising from keeping animals in captivity. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Code of Hammurabi: Laws & facts. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-middle-east/hammurabi  Attending to animals. Harvard Divinity School (HDS). (2019, October 29). https://hds.harvard.edu/news/2019/10/29/attending-to-animals  Burnham, D. (n.d.). Immanuel Kant: Aesthetics. https://iep.utm.edu/kantaest/  Camenzind, S. (2021, February 16). Kantian ethics and the animal turn. on the contemporary defence of Kant’s indirect duty view. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7919796/  Descartes, R. (1972). Treatise on man (T. S. Hall, Trans.). Harvard University Press.  Hatfield, G. (2023, October 23). René Descartes. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/descartes/  Jones, T. (2014, February 8). Two meanings of karma. The Buddhist Centre. https://thebuddhistcentre.com/westernbuddhistreview/two-meanings-karma  Karlis, N. (2021, December 13). A “talking” cat is giving scientists insight into how felines think. Salon. https://www.salon.com/2021/12/12/a-talking-cat-is-giving-scientists-insight-into-how-felines-think/  Plato. (1980). The Allegory of the Cave. In The Republic of Plato. essay, Cambridge Univ. Press.  Public Broadcasting Service. (n.d.). Islam: Empire of faith - profiles - Muhammad. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/profilesmuhammed.html  Scharping, N. (2023, March 21). How the ancient code of Hammurabi reveals a society both similar and alien to ours. Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sc

We all know cats were considered gods (well, god-adjacent) in ancient Egypt - but did you know that nearly 2 billion people in today's world still consider them in connection to their religion? Find out more here at 6 Degrees of Cats, the world's #1 cat-themed culture, history and science podcast. In this episode, we set sail across oceans of, um, water and time to Islam's Golden Age, a period marked by innovation and artistic brilliance in the Near East aka the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) aka Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA). Religious scholar Dr. Megan Goodwin sets us up for this historical journey by providing historical context for Europe's Dark Ages and their misguided anti-feline decrees. She is joined by Dr. Ali Olomi, our Islamic history expert, as he unpacks the significance of cats in the region during that era and sheds light on why they continue to hold a special place in the Islamic world. Discover the profound connection between caring for cats, all animals, and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, as demystified by Dr. Olomi. Season 1's guest, Catholicism researcher René Ostberg, shares a delightful anecdote affirming our podcast's theme that everything is interconnected. Come for the fascinating cat facts, and stay for the enlightening exploration of Islam's Golden Age (which was also a Golden Age for Cats, at least on that side of the world.) Complete our anonymous LISTENER SURVEY and sign up for a limited edition free 6 Degrees of Cats postcard! Go to https://tinyurl.com/6Doc-postcard23 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. Photo of Binky’s “M Referenced episodes: Witches, Whiskers and Whisky: Re-introducing the Original Cat Lady of Halloween! A Mother’s Tail: Introducing St. Gertrude, the Patron Saint of Cats (and Her Mom) About the experts: Ali A. Olomi, Ph.D., is a writer, historian, and podcaster of Middle East and Islamic history. He is Assistant Professor of History at Loyola Marymount University,  an Affiliated Scholar with the Rutgers Center for Security, Race, and Rights and the host of “Head on History”, a podcast on Islamic intellectual history. Dr. Olomi can be followed on all social media @aaolomi Megan Goodwin, Ph.D., is the host of the hit podcast “Keeping it 101: A Killjoy’s Introduction to Religion” and author of “Abusing Religion: Literary Persecution, Sex Scandals, and American Minority Religions” (Rutgers University Press). She can be followed on X/Twitter @mpgphd  René Ostberg, M.S., is a Chicago-based writer and researcher who specializes in Catholic culture whose writing has appeared in many publications such as National Catholic Reporter and Encyclopaedia Britannica.  Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: A&E Television Networks. (2023, June 6). Middle ages - definition, Timeline & Facts. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/middle-ages  Arabian Peninsula, 1000–1400 A.D.: Chronology: Heilbrunn Timeline of art history: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. (n.d.). https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/07/wap.html  Blakemore, E. (2023, June 6). What life in Medieval Europe was really like. History. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/what-life-in-medieval-europe-was-really-like  Chism, C. (2009, March). Arabic in the Medieval World. Modern Language Association, 124(2), 624-631. Dash, M. (2013, July 22). Islam’s medieval underworld. Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/islams-medieva

We are back for Season 2 of "6 Degrees of Cats," the world's #1 (and only) cat-themed history, culture, and science podcast just in time for Halloween! Learn about the original cat ladies and what they really were brewing in those cauldrons - as well as what the heck was up with those hats. Learn about weird trivia, women’s history and whisky brewing with Dr. Megan Goodwin, host of hit religion and history podcast “Keeping It 101” who gets to the heart of the witch trope; food historian and author of “Endangered Eating” Sarah Lohman who explains the origins of the witch costume; and Kings County Distillery founder and writer Colin Spoelman, who introduces us to distillery cats Carlos and Jeffy.  Celebrate the launch of season two on this special haunted holiday for an alternative history of the original crazy cat lady - the witch.  uisge beatha (Middle Irish / Scottish Gaelic)  → usquebaugh (English)  → whisky  Recommended listen: Witch podcast (BBC)  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 Friends [Pilot] Did You Know the Vikings had Cats? Magic, Freya and Norse Folklore About the experts: Colin Spoelman is the founder of award-winning Brooklyn whisky distillery, Kings County Distillery, and co-author of DEAD DISTILLERS: A History of the Upstarts and Outlaws Who Made American Spirits, “A spirited portrait of the unusual and storied origins of forgotten drunkenness.” Follow Colin on Instagam @colinopolis and Kings County Distillery @kingscountydistillery Megan Goodwin, Ph.D., is the host of hit podcast “Keeping it 101: A Killjoy’s Introduction to Religion” and author of “Abusing Religion: Literary Persecution, Sex Scandals, and American Minority Religions” (Rutgers University Press). She can be followed on X/Twitter @mpgphd  Sarah Lohman is a culinary historian and author of “Endangered Eating: America's Vanishing Foods”, one of Eater's “Best Food Books to Read This Fall”. For more information about Sarah and to access archives of her influential blog, Four Pounds Flour, visit https://sarahlohman.com. Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Music: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 Samples licensed via Loopcloud Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @itsmyunzii) Research used: Bennett, J. M. (1999). Ale, beer and Brewsters in England: Women’s work in a changing world, 1300-1600. Oxford University Press.  Brooks, Laken. (2021, March 8). Why did women stop dominating the beer industry?. Smithsonian.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/women-used-dominate-beer-industry-until-witch-accusations-started-pouring-180977171/  Guilford, G. (2018, February 13). The Dangerous Economics of racial resentment during World War II. Quartz. https://qz.com/1201502/japanese-internment-camps-during-world-war-ii-are-a-lesson-in-the-scary-economics-of-racial-resentment Miller, A. (1996, October 13). Why I Wrote the Crucible. The New Yorker. The explosion of Irish Whiskey Distilleries. Distiller. (2023, July 12). https://distiller.com/articles/new-irish-whiskey-distilleries  The origins and history of whisky: Scotch Whisky experience. The Scotch Whisky Experience. (2023). https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/about/about-whisky/history. Tucker, A. (2021, October 28). The Spooky History of how cats bewitched us. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/10/31/the-spooky-history-of-how-cats-bewitched-us/ Whiskey or whisky? The Water of Life Etymology. Silverback Distillery. (2021, March 25). https://www.sbdistillery.com/blog/2021/2/14/whiskey-or-whisky-the-wat

6 Degrees of Cats, your new favorite cat-themed culture, history and science podcast hosted by lifelong cat custodian Captain Kitty, aka Amanda B. launches in one week on October 31 (Halloween!) Please follow @6DegreesofCats on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, sign up for the mailing list at linktr.ee/6degreesofcats and tell all your friends to subscribe now! Support the podcast, sign up for The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter and more here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. 謝謝, gracias, 감사합니다. धन्यवाद, merci beaucoup, ありがとう, dziękuję, asante, شكرا لكم, danke schön, thank you so much...   _^..^_ Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything* Captain Kitty (Amanda B.) * with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles Animal voices include: Binky & Snuggles _^..^_ Featured voices: Malina Moye, award-winning blues guitarist and singer (Instagram: @malinamoye) Sarah Lohman, food historian (Instagram: @fourpoundsflour) Megan Goodwin, Ph.D., religion scholar, writer and host of Keeping It 101 Podcast (X: @mpgphd) Jackson Galaxy, cat behaviorist, YouTuber and host of My Cat From Hell (Animal Planet) Featured tracks: Leathered: "Look Alive" © 2022 The Sailor's Hornpipe - Leopold Moeslein (1906) Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2022 (Instagram: mtotallywired)

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE! Save the date for Halloween, 6 Degrees of Cats Season 2 drops October 31! Turn on your notifications for 6 Degrees of Cats to be the first to listen when it drops. In the meantime, we are thrilled to share with you a fun, uplifting, and thought-provoking conversation that your favorite #1 cat-themed culture, history and science podcast host, Captain Kitty (“Amanda B.” when off-mic) had for the season finale of the Nuances Podcast.  Featuring guest experts from across the Asian diaspora on topics like comedy, religion, feminism, media and history, Nuances is one of Amanda’s favorite knowledge- and nuance-packed longform podcasts. Listen in on this dynamic discussion with Nuances’ host Lazou Lee to get to know a little more of your favorite host's backstory - and learn about topics like power-based interpersonal violence prevention*, intersectionality and Amanda’s hot take on the limits of empathy for behavior change. Listen to Nuances wherever you get your podcasts, or follow @nuancespod on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn. Show notes and transcript for this episode can be found at https://nuancespod.com/2023/09/24/amanda-b/. Thank you, Lazou! And everyone - we can’t wait to see you in a few weeks! If you love 6 Degrees of Cats, please help keep us going! You can support the podcast by signing up for The Captain’s Log and pledging your support, and subscribing and following us at these links: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats. And for a limited time only, the team will send you a free limited edition postcard for listeners in the United States, Canada and Mexico who take five minutes to complete this survey: https://tinyurl.com/6Doc-postcard23. * If you, or someone you know, has been harmed by power-based interpersonal violence such as sexual, or intimate partner violence (also called "domestic violence"), please visit this link for English-language resources available to North Americans. There is never an excuse, and we can all prevent and interrupt violence in our spaces. And to consult with Amanda on pro-social bystander intervention and other ways to be an ally to survivors, please visit tinyurl.com/Ask4Amanda. Music: Leathered: "Break it Down" © 2010 Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com Logo design: Edward Anthony © 2022 (Instagram: mtotallywired)