Reflections on being a Canine Paradigm podcast guest
Three months ago, I sat down on a video call with dog trainers Glenn Cooke and Pat Stuart to record an episode of The Canine Paradigm podcast. It still doesn’t quite feel real!
The experience brought about a whirlwind of emotions. These are my reflections looking back now that the initial shock has worn off.
Quick Links
My episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or more via the guys’ website
Our Instgram: @paws.andreflect
The Canine Paradigm Patreon (where we learned about box feeding!)
Glenn’s business website, Canine Evolution
Pat’s training website, Operant Canine
How did I end up on a dog training podcast in the first place?
The Canine Paradigm was one of the very first dog podcasts I started listening to after I adopted Scout. I distinctly remember telling Sean about the “cool Australian trainers” who put on a great show (and also had great accents ) while driving around that first winter.
As “just a pet owner”, I never imagined I’d be one of the guests. As in the thought literally did not cross my mind a single time. I try to be careful about not overstating my expertise (or lack thereof) — and while I love sharing about life with Scout, I’m far from a professional trainer.
But somehow the pieces fell into place.
It all started with a Facebook post
At the end of March, I was camping with my parents in Fort DeSoto park (with very poor cell service) when I got a notification that I’d been tagged in a Facebook post in The Canine Paradigm discussion group.
To my surprise, Sarah from Snouts School for Dogs had suggested that I be a guest on the podcast following TCP’s “influencer” episode. And to my even bigger amazement, several other dog owners, trainers, and enthusiasts had commented their agreement.
I showed my mom and Sean the post with a mixture of disbelief, pride, and something that felt vaguely like nausea. It was so sweet that someone thought I’d be interesting to listen to (frankly, that was some good affirmation considering I ramble about my dog all the damn time on the internet ) but I never imagined it would come to anything.
Glenn commented on the thread that they’d be happy to have me on, though. The next thing I knew we were setting up a time to record.
My overwhelming nervousness before the show
Cue major nerves. I wanted to back out. I freaked to Sean multiple times. How could I be on a podcast? And not just any podcast, but a dog training podcast? A dog training podcast with a super huge listener base full of professionals and experts and people who know way more than me?
“Imposter syndrome” had never felt like a more accurate term. I absolutely felt like a fraud.
With the help of Sean and a few dog friends I’ve been lucky enough to meet through Paws and Reflect, though, I was able to get my head on straight. The podcast didn’t have to be perfect. It was okay that I was just an owner. I wasn’t a fraud — because I wasn’t pretending to be anything I’m not.
I was still incredibly anxious (a feeling that only intensified as April 19th, the recording date, approached) but at least I wasn’t trying to think of every excuse I could use to play hookey 😂
How did I prepare for the episode?
The TCP hosts were open to talking about whatever came up, and I wasn’t given any questions or framework to follow.
Sean helped me put together a note in my phone that outlined the big points I wanted to hit on. I at least knew they’d ask for my general backstory, and it was important to me to include a few things like learning to advocate for Scout.
Beyond that, I took lots of deep breaths, drank several mugs of tea, and locked myself in our office to decompress before logging onto the Zoom call.
An amazing high while recording the episode
As soon as I started talking to Glenn and Pat, all (okay, most) of my nerves melted away. I was absolutely shocked at how easy it was to share with them — they’re kind, open, and definitely know how to make a guest feel welcome.
Glenn walked me through fixing some microphone issues on my end, we chatted a little bit about what we expected the episode to look like, and the next thing I knew we were over an hour in. Where had the time gone?! What had we even covered so far?!
I’ve told Sean before, and I’ve realized it even more since this experience: Talking about dogs is one of my favorite things. No, I’m not an expert. Yes, I get scared. But being asked questions about the amazing cattle dog I’m lucky enough to live with? Getting to share the highs and the lows and the “aha” moments?
It’s an amazing feeling.
The only real hiccup was that I couldn’t stop coughing at a few points. Oops. 😂 Thankfully Glenn is a master in post-production, and he was able to cover that up for me on the front end. (You should thank him for saving you from my awful hacking noises.)
More nervousness when the episode was released
So woohoo — I did it! I walked back into the living room, hugged Sean, pet Scout, and sighed with relief. The experience was amazing. How silly of me to be so scared.
And the stress was over, right?!
… Expect it wasn’t.
I found myself holding my breath waiting for my episode to be released, overcome with equal parts anxiety and excitement. This had been a fantastic opportunity. I couldn’t wait to share it with the people who supported us!
It was also the most I’d ever put myself out there in the “dog world” — and I have pretty thin skin. I was terrified of what people might say, especially about some of the messier bits (like my failure to be an owner worth trusting in the beginning of my relationship with Scout).
I felt absolutely killed with kindness
On the morning of April 24th, Sean, Scout, and I were at our new house, trying to finish a few final details before move in (which was just days away). I almost had to sit down when I got a Facebook message from Glenn saying that my episode had been released.
I’d prepared a few initial reflections in an Instagram post, which I sent out. I then tried to work up the courage to listen to the episode back… but I never did. I still haven’t heard it to this day (though my mom, my boss, and several of my coworkers have) 😂
In between house tasks, I periodically checked Instagram and Facebook — and I was utterly overwhelmed.
I know that social media is but a small picture of real life. The folks in my network were biased to like the episode from the get-go. I also realize that most people who didn’t enjoy the episode wouldn’t tag me in posts saying so.
But even with that knowledge, it’s hard to explain how energized and shocked and thankful and just plain buzzed I was from the messages I received. Connecting with other dog lovers has been a huge motivation for Paws and Reflect. And this podcast enabled me to have so many more supportive, fulfilling, encouraging conversations than I could have imagined.
I also got the chance to handle some negativity
There was one particularly tough moment shortly after Glenn published the podcast.
He messaged me asking if I knew someone who had commented on their Instagram post announcing the episode. She was upset that I’d been a guest, and her words were quite unkind.
When I realized who it was — someone who up until recently I’d thought was a friend — I felt crushed. We’d had several conversations over the course of almost two years. Just a few months prior I’d offered support as her dog went through some medical issues. We’d always gotten along.
I didn’t understand where her anger was coming from, and my first impulse was to take it really personally.
It’s easier to let go of comments from strangers. “We can’t please everyone” is a reality I know and accept. But when the criticism comes from someone you used to trust? Someone you used to ask for advice?
Well, I started thinking that maybe it had been wrong to go on the podcast. Maybe I was failing Scout. Maybe the things this person said were true.
Ultimately: The joy of connection outweighs criticism
But thanks to a few wonderful people who let me process with them — and the dog whose faith will always mean more than anything anyone says about me — I was able to shake off the pit in my stomach pretty quickly. I had to believe in who I was and what I did know. I had to choose which voices mattered most.
At the end of the day, sharing ourselves, especially online, doesn’t come without risk. We’re all imperfect people with imperfect stories. And we all get to have our own experiences, lifestyles, and opinions!
Despite that mess, I think the connections are so worth it.
I might never be brave enough to hear my rambles played back to my own ears… but I am so incredibly happy, and so incredibly honored, to have been a guest on TCP.