The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle

Blair Braverman is a musher, adventurer, and celebrated author who has found her greatest teachers on four legs. From long distant racing treks including the Iditarod across 1,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness to the quiet moments between a musher and her dogs, Blair's life is a masterclass in love, resilience, and what it means to keep moving forward. In this conversation, we explore the personalities of her dogs, the brutal beauty of life on the trail, and the profound wisdom that only a pack of sled dogs can teach you. She's a woman with an old soul — and her dogs have much to do with it."
ig@ blair_braverman ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@ markakyle
fb@ Balir Braverman fb@ Mark A Kyle
tik tok @blairbraverman tik tok @thefurrealpodcast
www.furrealpodcast.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-to-carry-what-to-burn/id1896260781
https://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Trail-Year-Blair-Braverman/dp/0063066262
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/magazine/sled-dogs-pack-racing-mushing.html
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heather Gibson of Big Hearted Breeders joins for a thoughtful conversation that challenges the idea that it has to be adopt or shop. From ethical breeding to rescue, we explore how both paths can coexist when the focus stays where it belongs: on the dogs.
We also dive into the powerful role dogs play in our lives—how they support, heal, and connect us in ways that go far beyond companionship.
At the end of the day, it’s not about sides—it’s about doing right by dogs and the people who love them.
Ig@ bigheartedbreeders Ig@ thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle
fb@ Big Hearted Breeders fb@ Mark A Kyle
tik tok@ Big Hearted Breeders tik tok @The Fur Real Podcast
www.bigheartedbreeders.com www.furrealpodcast.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the most powerful weapon against landmines and disease weighed less than three pounds and ran on banana rewards? Meet the HeroRATs.
This week, Mark sits down with Christophe Cox — CEO and co-founder of APOPO — to tell the remarkable story of how a wild idea born in Belgium became one of the most innovative humanitarian organizations on the planet. From the organization's scrappy origins to deploying specially trained African giant pouched rats across minefields in Cambodia, Angola, and Mozambique, Christophe shares what it really takes to clear land that's been terrorizing communities for decades.
But landmines are just the beginning. These extraordinary animals are also sniffing out tuberculosis in clinics across Africa — catching cases that traditional testing misses — and now being trained for search and rescue and wildlife trafficking detection.
It's inspiring, it's eye-opening, and yes, it will make you see rats in a completely different light.
ig@ apopo ig@ herorats ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle
fb@ apopo fb@ Mark A Kyle
tik tok@herorats tik tok@ thefurrealpodcast
www.apopo.org www.furrealpodcast.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your pet could live not just longer—but better?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kevin Toman, a veterinarian focused on longevity and proactive care, to explore what it really takes to extend the life—and quality of life—of our animals. From nutrition and early prevention to emerging science and overlooked habits, this conversation breaks down how small, intentional changes can have a massive impact over time.
We dive into the difference between lifespan and healthspan, the biggest mistakes pet owners make without realizing it, and what the future of veterinary medicine could look like as longevity becomes the new frontier.
Whether you have a young pet or a senior companion, this episode offers practical insights and eye-opening perspectives on how to give them more healthy years by your side.
www.helpingpetslivelonger www.furrealpodcast.com
ig@longevityvet ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle
fb@Mark A Kyle
tik tok @thefurrealpodcast
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotted hyenas are often cast as villains—scavengers with eerie laughs and ruthless reputations. But the truth is far more fascinating.
In this episode, Dr. Kay Holekamp, one of the world’s leading experts on spotted hyenas, breaks down the science, behavior, and social complexity of one of Africa’s most misunderstood predators. From their powerful matriarchal societies to their intelligence, hunting skills, and unique vocalizations, hyenas challenge almost everything we think we know about them.
We dive into the myths vs. reality, what their “laugh” actually means, and why they play a critical role in maintaining balance in the wild. Dr. Holekamp also shares insights from decades of field research, offering a rare look into hyena clans and their intricate social lives.
This is a story about perception, science, and giving one of nature’s most unfairly judged animals the respect it deserves.
www.thefurrealpodcast www.holekamplab.org
ig @thefurrealpodcast ig @markakyle
fb @markakyle
tik tok @thefurrealpodcast
Helpful link
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-b5Ue7V-DM

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.