Hey all! 2022 was a crazy year and I got behind on the podcast. I’m so excited to be getting episodes out that are long overdue, however some of the information may be a bit out of date. I recommend giving our guest, Eliza Stott, a follow and checking out the amazing things she and Women in Wildlife has done since this program was recorded! This in…

Growing up falling in ponds looking for critters and observing frogs in vernal pools on her dad’s property, Ashley Dezan has been a reptile and amphibian lover for life. Passionate about advancing the keeping of rarer animals, Ashley is the owner and operator of Northern Lights Reptile Imports. This was an awesome conversation learning about the in…

Nicole Tam is an entomologist and herp enthusiast. Growing up with a love for arthropods, Nicole went on to conduct research on vector-borne diseases, mosquitos, and the reproductive cycle of tsetse flies. In addition to her work, Nicole talks about her experience with entomological museums and caring for and breeding beaked snakes!Tsetse fly image…

Shannon Wild is a world-renowned wildlife photographer and cinematographer. Her work has taken her all over the world coming face to face with some of the most amazing animals many of us will only see on TV (because Shannon got the footage for us!). In this episode, we talk in depth about how Shannon got her start in photography, her adventures tra…

This week I sat down with Laura Mae Riepl and we learn all about isopods! Not only is Laura at the forefront of bringing isopods to the layperson through her partnership providing clean up crews to Petsmart but we also talk about how she manages and maintains over 500 isopod cultures! We learn all about her tips for feeding and housing isopods, tal…

This week I took some time to answer questions about me, give an update on the podcast, and honor animal advocate and enthusiast Betty White. If you want to buy merch to support the Betty White Challenge, look here: https://difalco-reptiles.creator-spring.com/Follow the Pod: www.instagram.com/modernmedusapodcast/Follow the Host: www.instagram.com/d…

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with two amazing Aussie keepers – Tie Eipper & Emma Dixon! Join us as we talk all about how Emma and Tie got into herps, laws and rules regarding keeping reptiles in Australia, and how the reptile hobby differs in the US and Australia!Tie & Emma are admins for the HERpers facebook group and they both have th…

We all turn to our local reptile shops when we need some supplies, feeders, or maybe a new animal, but what does it take to keep that shop up and running? This week I got to sit down with Amanda Rua of Wiregrass Exotics in Ozark, Alabama to ask all those questions! Join us as we cover everything from sourcing healthy animals to finances for opening…

If you are looking to decorate, you need to check out the incredible artwork of Adeline Robinson! Adeline is a passionate herp keeper turned full-time artist whose work can be seen at shows across the country. Join us as we talk about Adeline’s journey into art as a career, her experience keeping animals (specifically tree monitors) and how she wor…

This week I got the opportunity to talk with another incredible scientist -- Chelsea Connor! Chelsea is PhD student researching anoles and founder of the Twitter game #DidYouAnole? Outside her studies, Chelsea is an advocate for BIPOC representation in STEM with her work on Black Birders Week & BlackAF in Stem. Join us as we talk about her advocacy…

I first “met” Kina Mae Campbell because I was a fan of her artwork, so you can imagine my surprise when I found out she was a reptile keeper too! Join Kina and I as we discuss her diverse collection, how she chooses what she wants to breed versus what animals she deems pets, and of course we have to talk about plants a bit! I hope you enjoy listeni…

Originally interested in reptiles through her kids, Kori Martin has found her passion in herpetoculture! Join us as we talk about Kori’s animals (ranging from ball pythons to carpet pythons to blackhead pythons), what makes a good “beginner” snake, and Kori’s experience going from never owning a reptile before to having over 20 clutches in the last…

If you don’t know Pia Bartolini yet, you’re missing out. Besides being an incredible vet tech, a genius when it comes to all things nido virus, and a phenomenal friend, Pia is also one half of the amazing Reptile Preservation Institute. RPI is an organization focused on conservation, specifically of venomous species, to provide captive specimens to…

In what I’ll refer to as an “after dark” episode, join me as I interview crested gecko breeder Emily Azevedo of Moon Lily Reptiles! We talk everything from getting started in crested geckos to handling a prolapsed hemipene during a breeding loan. Check out Emi’s accounts and animals below and check out her awesome merch! Follow Emi or Instagram: ht…

This week I interviewed conservation biologist Gina Zwicky! Gina is an incredible interviewee and walked me through her research with malaria in the Saban Anole, her experience as a private reptile keeper and a biologist, and her work studying chytrid fungus! I highly recommend following Gina on Twitter to keep up with her frog watching, swamp-kitt…

If you don’t follow Dr. Emily Taylor already, I hope you see why you have to after this episode! I was so lucky to sit down with Emily and learn about her experience as a environmental physiologist, biology professor, and general lover of all things creepy crawly during this interview. Join us as we talk about Dr. Taylor’s rattlesnake research, her…

From assisting on iguana research in Honduras to volunteering with elephants at her local zoo, Chelsea Richardson knows a thing or two about taking every opportunity provided to work with the animals you love. Join us as we talk about rattlesnake aversion training for dogs, wildlife rehabilitation, exotic animal pet sitting, and bone processing and…

Two weeks, two Ericas! Tonight I got to chat with Erica Mede McVeigh of the new company VivTech! VivTech is here to solve the everyday problems of reptile keeping, even those you don’t realize are a problem yet. Join us as we talk about starting a company from the ground up, Erica’s experience as a research volunteer studying Massasauga Rattlesnake…

Today I was joined by Erica Perras of Arboreals Anonymous! Primarily an arboreal keeper (duh), Erica has a really impressive chahoua gecko, leachianus gecko, and green tree python collection. We sat down and discussed her journey with reptiles, including starting, stopping, and restarting her collection 5 or so years ago! Enjoy this convo where we …

Took some time off to move and just handle a bit of life craziness but I’m back with an interview with Summer Grace Mitchell aka “Girl with Scales”! Besides being an incredible Morelia keeper, Summer is also a phenomenal musician and she wrote our new intro! Thank you Summer!Today we chatted about keeping different Morelia species and what draws us…

This week I took a different approach to the podcast and interviewed Shannon Pierlioni. A self proclaimed animal lover, Shannon isn’t a herper herself, but she is married to Anthony Pierlioni, a turtle enthusiast. We talked about navigating a relationship with someone whose life revolves around their animals and what this means as a spouse and pare…

Spent some time chatting with the incredible Emily Grzeda of ReptiVet LLC this week! her name is fitting as Emily is just finishing her second year of veterinary school and is planning on focusing on exotics (specifically reptiles)! Outside of her rigorous schoolwork, Emily keeps a large collection of herps including gargoyle geckos, Dumeril's boas…

This week I sat down with Kendra Westy of Puget Sound Pythons! We discussed her fascination with herps growing up and eventual keeping, how she traveled cross country with a full collection after college, and working with a partner to maintain a combined collection and shared hobby.Follow Kendra on Facebook & Instagram @PugetSoundPythonsAnd don't f…

This week I was joined with venomous keeper and apprentice falconer Haidyn Lierz! In this episode we discussed keeping venomous and the importance of good mentors, how she got into falconry, and loving and pursuing your passions while battling chronic illness. Follow Haidyn on Instagram @Lizanardo_DavinciConnect with Haidyn on Facebook: at Atlas He…

After a rocky start of me completely unable to get her name right, April Justine graciously still agreed to grant me an interview! April is the face behind "Bloods By Design", a page focused on high-quality blood pythons and short tail pythons! Join us as we talk the what T- and T+ traits mean, how Nidovirus presents itself in everyday collections,…

This week I got the chance to talk with Ellen Weatherford of the "Just the Zoo of Us" podcast! Though not a herp keeper, Ellen is an animal enthusiast who came prepped with some awesome research on a female herpetologist, Enrica Calabresi. I also spent some time and retell the story of herpetologist and activist Bertha Lutz. Join us as we recant th…

Ashley Haude is known best by the name “Focus 3 Habitats”, the cutting-edge caging company started by her and her husband Stephen. Join us in this longer-than-normal episode as we talk how she and Stephen protected their collection during the winter storms in Texas, how Ashley got into herps (what’s a better combo than an 8-year-old and green iguan…

This week, I spent time talking to Valerie Emerson aka "Log.Flipper" on instagram! Even if you don't know her name, you would probably recognize her for her eclectic style, including hand-painted clothing, awesome hair styles, and her dramatic and beautiful makeup inspired by nature. On top of all of this, she has a gorgeous collection from frogs t…

Alex Ashe was a kinkajou owner whose animals were struggling with hormonal aggression when she realized there were no organizations to help with these animals. Within a year, Kinkatopia, the world's only kinkajou-specific organization, was born! This week we talked to Alex about her journey getting into animals (something in her blood as a descenda…

Keanna Fox is the co-host of the Canadian Herpetoculture Podcast, a keeper of a multitude of species, and a moderator for the Female Herpers and Reptile Keepers group. This week we chatted about her experience keeping strophurus geckos, how she involves her kids in her hobby, and she told me the story of Mary Anning, another forgotten woman in herp…

Our first guest is Elise Lago of E2Exotics. Elise has been in the hobby for over 20 years now and keeps a wide spectrum of animals. Dubbed the "Cobra Queen of Mississippi", Elise's extensive venomous collection is to be rivaled by any hots keeper. We had a great time talking about her start in the hobby, tips she has for those looking to get into v…

Zachary Loughman, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Biology (Zoology/Ecology),Zoo Science & Applied Conservation Coordinator at West Liberty University.He has discovered, identified, and named 10 new crayfish species here in North America. He even has a species of crawfish named in his honor (Cambarus loughmani). Currently Dr. Loughman teaches Herpet…

Port City Pet is dedicated to bringing you content that pushes our hobby forward. I introduce to you the first reptile podcast focused on female and non-binary keepers and breeders. Join Dominique DiFalco as she brings you interviews with top-notch herpers and highlights prominent females that have made herpetological history!----------------------…

Cesar Torres is a novelist and journalist with more than 20 years of experience across various areas of publishing and business including digital news, book publishing (fiction), startups, human-computer interaction and emerging technologies.Cesar's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ISpI4ljTHbdnVbBIM57AF?si=nuj63v5LTFiE7vzK5-JPFwCheck out our…

Kyle Phillips is a Idahoan reptile keeper and breeder who just had a big litter of Candoia paulsoni! We go over his life in herpetoculture. How he got started, becoming herp society president, blood pythons, and Solomon Island ground boas!Check out our sponsor: https://focuscubedhabitats.com/---------------------------------------------------------…

Kris works with a varied collection of geckos and North American Colubrids at Badlands Herpetoculture. This is a fun and wide-ranging podcast!https://www.instagram.com/badlands_herpetoculture/Check out our sponsor: https://focuscubedhabitats.com/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------…

Today I will give you an update on my life and what has been happening during my month hiatus! Check out our sponsor: https://focuscubedhabitats.com/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ISOPODS,REPTILE, AND AMPHIBIAN SUPPLIES: https://portcitypet.com/Instagram @portcitypetTwitt…

I am joined today by Austin Warrick of Rage Beard Reptiles. Austin works with a whole plethora of Australian pythons including Bredl's, inland, and Brisbane carpet pythons. He also keeps the Papuan "olive" python and has recently acquired some amazing amazon tree boas.FB: https://www.facebook.com/ragebeardreptilesInsta: https://www.instagram.com/ra…

In the past decade, animal expert extraordinaire Jeff Musial has certainly been making a name for himself in the wild world of animals! From running his nationally recognized animal sanctuary to making his national television debut on CBS’ “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,” quickly followed by NBC’s “Today Show,” amongst many others, to becom…

Justin Smith & Phil Wolf join me fresh off of a fun weekend of debauchery at the NRBE Dayton Reptile Show.Together, Justin and Phil are co-hosts of Snakes and Stoogies and work alongside Billy Hunt to produce Herpetoculture Magazine. S&S: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq99z60WI1b7vDeow744UkAHM: https://issuu.com/herpetoculturemagazine-----------…

I answer some questions from Instagram and talk about this breeding season! Then Ryan Cox of Specialized Fauna joins me for some shop talk.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ISOPODS,REPTILE, AND AMPHIBIAN SUPPLIES: portcitypet.com/Instagram www.instagram.com/portcitypetTwitter @portcitypy…

Ryan Reed is President of Operations of O'Seas Conservation Foundation. O'Seas Conservation Foundation, Inc. is a well-established Montauk-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that integrates shark conservation efforts with youth education. Ryan “Caribbean” Reed has traveled all over the world with O’Seas Conservation Foundation. He is also part …

Phil Wolf is a reptile keeper and breeder. Phil works with a plethora of gecko species as well as a co host of Snakes & Stoogies with Justin Smith, and a contributor to Herpetoculture Magazine.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ISOPODS,REPTILE, AND AMPHIBIAN SUPPLIES: portcitypet.com/Inst…

Shane Wooldridge works with a wide variety of reptiles and is owner of Evergreen State Reptiles. We talk all about the current state of reptile shows, keeping and breeding, FWCs, and much much more!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ISOPODS,REPTILE, AND AMPHIBIAN SUPPLIES: portcitypet.com…

The guys of Cornell's World were nice enough to have me on for a Facebook live stream and rip the audio to share with you guys! We had a great conversation ranging from how I got started, reptile shows, geckos, and breeding! Cornell's World links:https://www.cornelsworld.com/https://www.instagram.com/cornelsworld/https://www.facebook.com/cornelswor…

Justin Smith if taking over to guest-host FTGU as Joe is feeling under the weather. This week Justin will be talking to Andy Middleton of AM_Arboreals about indo-australian pythons.https://www.facebook.com/herpetoculturemagazine/https://www.facebook.com/theherpetoculturenetwork/https://www.facebook.com/amarboreals/----------------------------------…

To celebrate the 4th of July, I am joined by two fellow veterans.Austin Warrick of Rage Beard Reptiles is a Navy veteran who focuses on Indo-Australian pythons. Bill Bradley of Coal Black Exotics & Friends of Scales Reptile Rescue is an Army veteran and reptile educator, rehabber, and keeper. Austin's Links:https://www.facebook.com/ragebeardreptile…

James of Simply Serpents and April of Designer Exotics have teamed up to bring you The Reptile Gumbo Podcast. It is not the average reptile podcast. Each week they discuss what is happening around the hobby from social media, YouTube and more. Make sure to look for for their weekly polls and questions, so you can be part of the podcast. Check out t…

Anthony Pierlioni is Senior Director/Vice President of the Turtle Room and one of the hosts of The Pondcast. He specializes in Asian and North American chelonians.The Pondcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpwyzVUB2u99zF5QytwANLwhttps://theturtleroom.org/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------…

Dominique is a hobbyist with a focus on green tree pythons and pied ball pythons. She is a new up and comer and we are going to cover her journey so far in the reptile hobby and her future plans.Dominique's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/difalcoreptiles-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------…