The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle

Latest Episodes:

"MARMOSETS...THEY'RE CUTE, CHATTY & CLEVER!" with Dr. Cory Miller Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

They’re tiny, ridiculously cute, incredibly social—and they have a lot to say. Marmosets may be some of the smallest monkeys around, but behind those expressive faces is a surprisingly complex world of communication, family life, cooperation and intelligence.

This week, Mark talks with Dr. Cory Miller, a professor and researcher at the University of California, San Diego, whose work explores how marmosets communicate and interact with one another. Cory and his team are studying their vocal behavior and the brain systems behind it, using these highly social little primates to better understand how communication works—and what it can tell us about our own brains and behavior.

From their constant chatter and family dynamics to the remarkable ways they listen, respond and learn from one another, marmosets prove there’s a whole lot going on inside those very cute little heads.

Cute? Absolutely. Chatty? Definitely. Clever? You bet.

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https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-future-of-ai-lies-in-monkeys-not-microchips-c855aad6?st=Rvkig8&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink__;!!Mih3wA!EMfVKy5TJ-aQJl-EtiQObPSKXpvlVC4EhoEtUkDb7IkVhwDDKTJuekLjVKdKH93LBZUpuUUOq9N1K2NK9Lg$

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"EVERY ANIMAL IS A CHARACTER" with author Michelle Lerner Sep 15, 2026

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Every animal has a personality—and Michelle Lerner has known some unforgettable ones.

This week, Mark talks with author and animal law expert Michelle Lerner about her new book, A Series of Opinionated Animals, and the quirky, funny, fiercely individual animals she has shared her life with along the way. Each one left its mark, helping shape not only Michelle’s life, but the way she came to think about animals and ultimately advocate for their legal rights.

From laugh-out-loud stories that will feel instantly familiar to anyone who has ever loved an animal, to the fascinating questions surrounding non-human personhood and animal rights, Michelle’s journey makes you look at the animals in our lives a little differently.

Because they’re not just pets. They’re individuals—with personalities, opinions, and a way of changing us. Every animal really is a character.

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The Lofty Pigeon (hardcover) (: https://shop.loftypigeonbooks.com/item/XpwwXuCxn2eR2i2mqqH27w

Porter Square Books (hardcover): https://portersquarebooks.com/book/9781610887069

Barnes and Noble (hardcover and ebook): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-series-of-opinionated-animals-michelle-lerner/1148790979?ean=9781610887069

Amazon (hardcover and Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1610887069

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"CAMP CLINICS: SEEING BOTH ENDS OF THE LEASH" with Johannah Johnson Sep 08, 2026

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This week, Johanna Johnson from CAMP Clinics joins us to talk about the incredible bond between people experiencing homelessness and their pets—and why there is often much more to that relationship than we realize.

CAMP Clinics provides veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness, helping with vaccinations, preventative care, and other medical needs. And that care can have an impact far beyond the animal. By making sure pets are vaccinated and have the necessary records, CAMP Clinics can help remove one of the barriers that may prevent someone from moving into housing with their pet.

Johanna gives us a different perspective on what it means when we see someone experiencing homelessness with an animal by their side. That pet may be family, companionship, protection, and sometimes the one constant they have in their life.

It’s a great conversation about pets, people, homelessness, and awareness—and why sometimes we need to see both ends of the leash.

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"MANTA RAYS: Huge Wings, Bigger Brains!" with Dr. Guy Stevens Sep 01, 2026

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Manta rays are enormous, graceful, and unlike just about anything else in the ocean. But behind those huge wings is something even more surprising—a remarkably big brain.

This week, Mark is joined by Dr. Guy Stevens, one of the world’s leading manta ray experts and co-founder of the Manta Trust, to explore what makes these ocean giants so extraordinary. From their intelligence and complex social lives to their incredible migrations and curious encounters with humans, manta rays are proving there’s a lot more going on beneath those wings than we ever imagined.

Guy takes us into the world of mantas—how researchers identify individual rays, what we’re learning about the way they think and interact, why they gather at cleaning stations, and what it’s actually like to be in the water alongside one of these massive animals.

We’ll also look at the threats manta rays face around the world and the work being done to understand and protect them.

Huge wings. Bigger brains. And one seriously fascinating fish.

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"TARANTULAS! Big, Hairly and...Surprisingly Nice!" with Dr. Chris Hamilton Aug 25, 2026

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Tarantulas have a reputation for being big, hairy, and downright terrifying—but how much of what we think we know about them is actually true?

This week, Mark is joined by Dr. Chris Hamilton, tarantula researcher and evolutionary biologist, to get beyond the fangs and the fear and discover what makes these incredible spiders so fascinating. Chris takes us inside the world of tarantulas—from how they hunt and defend themselves to their surprising behaviors, incredible diversity, and why these giant spiders may be far less dangerous than their reputation suggests.

We’ll also find out what it’s like to search for tarantulas in the wild, why scientists are still discovering new species, and why Chris believes these misunderstood animals deserve a little more appreciation—and a lot less fear.

And we’ve got a special guest before we go! Chris’s son Coy joins us at the end of the episode—and delivers what just might be one of the best jokes we’ve had on the show yet. You’ll definitely want to stick around for this one!

“TARANTULAS! Big, Hairy and Surprisingly Nice!” takes a closer look at one of the animal kingdom’s most feared creatures—and might just have you seeing tarantulas very differently.

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"PET EMEGENCY: DON'T PANIC!" with Dr. Garret Pachtinger Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

When your pet has an emergency, panic can set in fast. What should you do first? What happens when you arrive at the ER? And how do veterinarians decide which animal gets treated first?

Dr. Garret Pachtinger, a board-certified veterinary emergency and critical care specialist, joins Mark to take some of the fear and uncertainty out of one of the most stressful moments a pet parent can face. From recognizing a true emergency and knowing when to head to the ER, to understanding triage, wait times, costs, and what’s happening behind those closed doors, Garret gives pet owners an inside look at emergency veterinary medicine.

They also talk about how a little preparation before an emergency happens can make a huge difference when every minute counts—and how new technology, including Garret’s work with Tether, is helping veterinarians communicate, learn, and provide better care.

Because when something happens to the animal you love, you may still be scared—but you don’t have to be unprepared.

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"ALEX: BIRD BRAIN? THINK AGAIN!" with Dr. Irene Pepperberg Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

How smart can a parrot really be? Dr. Irene Pepperberg spent decades answering that question with the help of one remarkable African grey parrot named Alex.

Alex didn’t just mimic words. He learned to identify colors, shapes, numbers and objects, understood concepts like same and different, and showed abilities that challenged what scientists thought they knew about animal intelligence.

In this episode, Dr. Pepperberg shares the incredible story of Alex, their groundbreaking work together, and how one very special bird helped change the way we think about the minds of animals.

Funny, fascinating and sometimes deeply touching, this is the story of a parrot who proved that being called a “bird brain” might actually be a compliment.

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Pablo Escobar's "COCAINE HIPPOS" with Dr. Rebecca Lewinson Aug 04, 2026

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What do Pablo Escobar, Colombia, and hippos have in common? More than you might think.

From their incredible size and surprising behaviors to the unusual story of how they became one of Colombia's most controversial wild animals, hippos are full of surprises.

In this episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Rebecca Lewison, professor of biology at San Diego State University and one of the leading experts studying Colombia's hippos. Together, they explore what makes hippos one of Africa's most fascinating—and dangerous—animals before diving into the remarkable story of how Pablo Escobar's four imported hippos grew into a thriving wild population in Colombia. They discuss the impact these animals are having on native ecosystems and the difficult decisions scientists and governments face in managing their future.

Are the "cocaine hippos" simply a bizarre legacy of a notorious drug lord, or have they become something far more complicated?

Be sure to stay through the very end, where our Special Guest Comedians, Payton and Naomi Lewis, each share a fun animal joke that's sure to leave you smiling.

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" A Duck?.. A Beaver?.. Nope...A PLATYPUS! with Dr. Tahneal Hawke Jul 28, 2026

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What do you get when you combine a duck’s bill, a beaver-like tail, webbed feet, venomous spurs, egg-laying, and the ability to detect electricity? You get one of the most unusual animals on Earth—the platypus.

In this episode, Mark talks with Australian platypus researcher Dr. Tahneal Hawke about the remarkable biology, behavior, and conservation of this one-of-a-kind mammal. They explore how platypuses hunt underwater with their eyes, ears, and nostrils closed, why males carry venomous spurs, and how an egg-laying mammal became one of evolution’s greatest surprises.

Dr. Hawke also shares what it is like studying these elusive animals in the wild, the threats they face from habitat loss, drought, and changing waterways, and what researchers are learning about how to protect them.

Funny, fascinating, and packed with “wait...what?” moments, this episode proves that when it comes to the platypus, nature clearly decided the usual rules did not apply.

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"FUTURE FARMERS & THEIR BARNYARD BUDDIES" with Candace Wierzbowski and Eric Hurlock Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you combine curious kids, amazing farm animals, and a passion for agriculture? You get Super Smart Farming, a unique podcast from Lancaster Farming that's inspiring the next generation of farmers, animal lovers, and lifelong learners.

In this episode, Mark sits down with Candice Wierzbowsky and Eric Hurlock, the creative team behind Super Smart Farming, to talk about how they're making agriculture fun and accessible for children. From cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, and goats to the science and technology shaping modern farms, they share how hands-on experiences with animals can spark curiosity that lasts a lifetime.

Candice and Eric also discuss why it's so important for young people to understand where their food comes from, how farmers care for their animals, and the role innovation plays in producing food sustainably. Whether a child grows up on a farm or in the middle of a city, connecting with animals can teach responsibility, compassion, problem-solving, and an appreciation for the people who help feed the world.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, animal lover, or simply curious about the future of farming, this is an inspiring conversation about education, stewardship, and the incredible bond between kids and the animals that help shape their world.

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