Maria chats with award-winning producer and director Steven Latham about his latest documentary The New Gold Standard. Executive-produced and narrated by Emmy & Golden Globe-winning actor Edie Falco, the film will capture your attention while educating you on the progress made by scientists.

Many people aren't aware of the stats but over 42,000 dogs and over 106,000 monkeys are being experimented on in labs across America, as well as millions of cats, pigs, rabbits, mice and rats!

With modern technology and science, animals are no longer needed for this! And the process is more accurate and cheaper than using animals!!

For more info and for screenings:  thenewgoldstandardfilm

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Maria chats with writer Melanie Kaplan about her book Lab Dog; the story of her adopted dog Hammy who came from a research lab.  On their journey together, they discover the horrors of animal research, which many people don't realize.  

Learn more at melaniedgkaplan.com

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Maria chats with writer Joanna Zelman and her dad Jared Zelman, about their documentary

Cow Trip; their road trip with Mickey and Moose--two calves saved from dairy farms and transported

 hundreds of miles to Rosie's Farm Sanctuary.

To learn more about their journey COWTRIP.ORG.

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Maria chats with Jackie Ducci:  Founder of the Human-Animal Alliance ( h-aa.org) and documentary creator of Unspoken Bond. The documentary focuses on three people and their connection to animals. (One of the featured stories is with Nicole Navarro from Pawsitive Beginnings who was on Maria's Mutts & Stuff last April 2025!)

Listen and learn about the connection we have with animals and the power of the bond!

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Maria chats with author Stacy Wilder whose books Liz Adams Mystery Series features Duke, a lie-detecting Lab! Stacy also donates a portion of the proceeds to wildlife conservation and the homeless--both people and pets.

Check out her website for books, info, recipes (!) and more! storystacy.com

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Maria chats with actor, comedian and author Steve Schirripa about his new book WillieBoy Eats The World, a children's picture book about his dachshund Willie Boy!

A fun conversation between the long-time friends about an adorable dog who teaches his owner about all the tasty foods in NYC! Aimed at ages 4-8, it teaches kids to try new things.

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Maria chats with celebrity animal medium Aliana Ziva about her work focusing on health, emotional wellbeing and finding peace. Living in Denmark, most of her work helps people and animals here in the states.

Give a listen and learn about her beginnings and how her gift came to be.

Follow "alianazivathemedium" on Instagram, and DM her if you'd like a reading.

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Maria chats with ornithologist, author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Weidensaul about his latest book (he's written nearly 30!!) The Return of The Oystercatcher.  

This book is optimistic and focuses on conservation and solutions. And Scott offers tips on what we can all do to help the bird population survive!

Learn more at http://www.scottweidensaul.com/

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Maria chats with returning guest Pete Lillo who runs the Bear Brook Feather Friends Rescue and Sanctuary, where he takes care of dozens of ducks, geese and chicks!

You'll learn a thing or two about our feathered friends, and  how you can help out Pete with food donations and more.

And if you're in the area, he could always use volunteers!

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