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In this episode, host Kristiina interviews BriAnne Wills, the creator of Girls and Their Cats. They discuss how the project started and the work that BriAnne does as a photographer. They also talk about BriAnne's history with cats and the importance of photographing rescue/adopted cats. The conversation also delves into the crazy cat lady stereotype and the societal perceptions surrounding it. In this conversation, BriAnne discusses her experiences photographing girls and their cats, the process of creating her book, and the challenges of photographing cats. She shares tips for cat owners who want to photograph their own cats and talks about her future projects and TikTok fame.

Takeaways

• Combining photography and a love for cats can lead to unique and fulfilling projects.
• Creating a book can be a special experience, allowing for exploration of different cities and cat lifestyles.
• Photographing cats can be challenging, but building trust and allowing the cats to approach on their terms can lead to successful photos.
• When photographing cats, it's important to consider lighting, cleanliness, and capturing their natural behavior.
• TikTok can be a platform for cat-related content to gain popularity and reach a wider audience.

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In this episode, Hannah, the owner of the CatmanJohn social media account, talks about her journey to becoming a full-time social media influencer and the impact of her famous cat, Russell. She shares insights into managing a multi-cat household and providing enrichment for her cats. Hannah also discusses her content creation process and the challenges and rewards of being a social media superstar. In this part of the conversation, Hannah and Kristiina discuss the drama associated with pets using speech buttons and the negative comments they receive. They also talk about the unexpected reactions from fans and the importance of having a supportive online community. Hannah shares her advice for creating a social media presence for pets, emphasizing the need for consistency and engagement. They also discuss how the use of speech buttons has improved their relationships with their cats. Finally, they touch on the limitations and challenges of using speech buttons. In this conversation, Hannah discusses her experience teaching her cats to press buttons and communicate with her. She shares how she taught her cats words like 'litter' and 'clean' and how they use these buttons to communicate their needs.  She provides an update on Winnie's health and shares how she manages living with a clean freak cat like Russell. The conversation concludes with a discussion on setting boundaries with the cats using the 'no' button.

Takeaways

• Managing a multi-cat household requires providing enrichment and stimulation for each cat's individual needs.
• Using motion-activated cameras can help capture button-pressing moments and create engaging content.
• Building a successful social media presence takes time, dedication, and consistent posting.
• Being a social media influencer can provide opportunities to quit a traditional job and pursue a passion full-time. The drama and negative comments associated with pets using speech buttons can be challenging, but having a supportive online community can help.
• Creating a social media presence for pets requires consistency, engagement, and finding a niche audience.
• Using speech buttons can improve the relationship between humans and cats, as it allows for better communication and understanding of their needs.
• The use of speech buttons has limitations and challenges, such as teaching the cat to press the buttons and managing the expectations of what the cat can communicate. 
• Contextual understanding is important when interpreting what cats mean when they press certain buttons.
• Cats have unique behaviors and interests, and it's important to understand and accommodate their individual needs.
• Setting boundaries with cats using a 'no' button can help manage their requests and maintain a balanced relationship.

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In this podcast episode, Kristiina interviews Dr. Gina Rendon, a veterinarian, about her journey to becoming a vet and the challenges and burnout in the veterinary profession. They discuss the importance of balancing the emotional demands of working with sick animals and how Dr. Rendon unwinds and de-stresses from work. They also talk about breed-specific personalities in cats and common misconceptions about cats and veterinary medicine. The episode concludes with a discussion on medical conditions that can affect a cat's behavior and the importance of regular check-ups and insurance for cats. This part of the conversation covers topics such as monitoring cat behavior, recognizing pain and discomfort, advancements in treatment for pain and arthritis, behavioral issues and medication, recent advancements in veterinary behavior, the importance of cat care and socialization, tips for getting cats into carriers, treating cat travel anxiety and car sickness, homeopathic and herbal care for cats, clipping indoor cat's nails, coping with nightmares in blind cats, and a grieving cat's obsession with brushing. In this conversation, Kristiina and Gina discuss various topics related to pet care and veterinary medicine. They explore the importance of bonding activities and stimulation for pets, such as brushing and environmental enrichment. They also delve into the topic of grief and how veterinarians cope with it. Overall, the conversation highlights the significance of providing love and care to pets and the emotional challenges that come with it.