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The Zooquarium Podcast

The Zooquarium Podcast is a deep dive into all of the questions YOU want answered about the animals and habitats of the land, sea, and air. On each episode, artist Mike Bennett and biologist Chanel Hason use their background as educators to answer YOUR questions and invite guests from the wildlife and creative worlds to explore the convergence of science and art. The Zooquarium Podcast explores the imagucational world of animals and ecosystems in a way that’s engaging and accessible to kids of all ages.

Latest Episodes:

BONUS: Books Are Magic with John Sazaklis Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Mike and Chanel continue their conversation with author John Sazaklis about red-eyed tree frogs, Mad Magazine, the joy of animal education, and how John became a best selling children's book author!

John Sazaklis is the New York Times bestselling author of over 100 titles. He has illustrated Spider-Man books for Marvel, made pop-culture props for MAD magazine, written for the BEN 10 animated series, and even voiced The Grinch for a Dr. Seuss audiobook. John loves to learn. Art and Science are two of his favorite subjects. He loves animals and nature and creatively combines them in his work. John lives in New York City with his wonderful wife, dazzling daughter, and a bunch of books!

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify!

Learn more about John Sazaklis
Buy John's books
Follow John on Instagram: @johnnysaz
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

The Zooquarium releases episodes about different animals every other Tuesday with bonus content for each episode the following week. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and thezooquarium.com/podcast

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: John Sazaklis
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Maybelline & Maybelline's family, John Sazaklis, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, and red-eyed tree frogs all over the world!

Why Do Red-Eyed Tree Frogs Have Multiple Eyelids? Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Maybellene asks: Why Do Red-Eyed Tree Frogs Have Multiple Eyelids?That's such a great question. It's a good thing that Chanel has the answer, plus a few extra red-eyed tree frog facts for Maybellene, Mike, and special guest John Sazaklis, author of My Life as a Red-Eyed Tree Frog!

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify!

Learn more about John Sazaklis
Buy John's books
Follow John on Instagram: @johnnysaz
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: John Sazaklis
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Maybellene & Maybellene's family, John Sazaklis, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, and red-eyed tree frogs all over the world!

BONUS: Talkin' Tigers with Megan Hagedorn Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Mike and Chanel continue their conversation with Zoologist Megan Hagedorn about tigers, what inspired her to study animals, and how she blends the classics with animals as an artist!

Megan Hagedorn is a zookeeper at the Oregon Zoo. Although she has a background in Marine Biology, Megan has gotten a chance to work with almost all areas of the zoo! She is originally from southern Illinois, and moved to Oregon in 2013 to work with the animals. Tigers became a fast favorite and I've she's gotten to know several! They all have unique personalities and it's especially rewarding for Megan to build relationships with them. Working at the Oregon Zoo gave her the opportunity to learn that tigers really ARE all that they're cracked up to be! What a fun and dynamic animal!

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify!

Learn about the tigers Megan works with at the Oregon Zoo
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: Megan Hagedorn
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Henley & Henley's family, Megan Hagedorn, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, tigers in general

Why Do Tigers Have Stripes? Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Henley asks: Why Do Tigers Have Stripes? Tigers do have such a distinct look, so let's find out why! Mike and Chanel welcome tiger expert Megan Hagedorn to the Podcast to answer Henley's question and tell us all even more about our stripey feline friends.

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify!

Learn about the tigers Megan works with at the Oregon Zoo
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: Megan Hagedorn
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Henley & Henley's family, Megan Hagedorn, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, tigers in general

BONUS: Crickets, Clay, and the City of Roses with Chuck Duke Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Mike and Chanel chat with legendary animator Chuck Duke about his background with Will Vinton Studios, observing actual dogs for Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs, animating special characters for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and more!

Chuck began his professional career in animation in his early twenties and has since contributed to a wide range of feature films and television productions in the animation and visual effects departments. Aside from James and the Giant Peach, his credits include Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, as well as stop-motion animation and effects on Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), and Star Wars: Mandalorian and Grogu (2026).

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify!

Learn more about Chuck Duke
Follow Chuck on Instagram: @cdook
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: Chuck Duke
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Willa & Willa's family, Chuck Duke, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, crickets in general

Where Are Crickets' Ears Located? May 26, 2026

Show notes

Willa asks: Where Are Crickets' Ears Located? Are the on their heads? Their wings? Someplace else?? Chanel answers Willa's question and tells Mike more cricket information than he ever though he'd need to know. Then, they welcome back guest Chuck Duke to talk about his experience animating Sebastian J. Cricket for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio.

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify!

Learn more about Chuck Duke
Follow Chuck on Instagram: @cdook
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: Chuck Duke
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Willa & Willa's family, Chuck Duke, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, crickets in general

BONUS: Chanel in the Wild - Animal conversations with kids! May 19, 2026

Show notes

Chanel interviews kids at Mike Bennett Studios in Portland, OR about their favorite animals & animal facts! A big thanks goes out to all of the kids who participated, as well as their families. And shout out to Goat It Solutions for letting their furry friends join in on Chanel's interviews 🐐

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!

Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Chanel Hason and Sonny the Snail
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

All of our participants, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, Goat it Solutions, orcas in general, all of the animals mentioned in this bonus episode

Why Are Orcas So Deadly? May 12, 2026

Show notes

Eva asks: Why Are Orcas So Deadly? Great question, Eva. Are killer whales truly KILLER WHALES? Luckily, Mike and Chanel are joined by Orca conservationist, Kendra Nelson.

Kendra Nelson is a marine conservationist focued on species recovery and coastal restoration in British Columbia. She is the Board Secreary for Orca Conservancy. With a background in biology, she’s worked with sharks, coral, salmon, and killer whales. Passionate about advocacy and ecosystems, Kendra combines scientific knowledge and outreach to protect ocean life and support healthy coastal communitiues.

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!

Learn about the Orca Conservancy
Follow Kendra on Instagram: @intertidalkendy
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: Kendra Nelson
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Eva & Eva's family, Kendra Nelson, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, orcas in general

BONUS: Animating Animals - More With Stop Motion Animator, Adam Taylor May 05, 2026

Show notes

This bonus episode features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Adam Taylor all about his experience as an animator! They continue their conversation about chickens, but also discuss octopuses, monkeys, and bunnies.

Adam Taylor is a stop-motion animator from the Pacific Northwest who has animated lots of animals in quite a few movies, including Wendell and Wild (Octopus), Guillermo del Torro's Pinocchio (monkey, and cricket), Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget(Chickens!, and rats), Wildwood (rabbits, coyotes, and an owl), and Shaun the Sheep: The Beats of Mossy Bottom (sheep, a dog, and a raven!)

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!

Follow Adam on Instagram: @adamtaylor_animator
View Adam's work on Vimeo
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

Credits

Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: Adam Taylor
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain

Special thanks to

Maggie & Maggie's family, Adam Taylor, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, chickens in general

Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg? Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Maggie asks: Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg? Ah yes, the age old question! Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason can certainly handle that one, along with a special guest - Adam Taylor, a stop motion animator who worked on Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget!

Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!

RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!