We’re taking a short break in January, but we’ll be back in February! In the meantime, resident cat expert Julian (age 5) is here to tell you everything he knows about cats and how to care for them. What do different meows mean? What’s the one thing you should never let a cat have? And what can you do if your cat is afraid of her squeaky mouse toy? Plus: A not-so-subtle suggestion for Mary about getting another cat.

Last chance to save 15% on Grendel’s favorite interactive puzzles. Go to CatAmazing.com/CatTalk now—offer ends Jan. 7!

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xoxo, LTAC HQ

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Mary is joined by resident cat critic Ruby (age 6) to review cats up for adoption in the New York City area. If you like soccer, Beverly Cleary, or cats who “never give up" we may just have the pet for you. Plus: strong opinions about cat names, and a star rating system that goes beyond infinity.

All cats were available for adoption at the time we recorded. Here are the shelters and rescue organizations we mention:

• Animal Kind NY
• Washington Heights Cat Colony
• This just in, Ajax got adopted! But there are more great cats at Cat Castle NYC.
• CLAWS NJ
• Chance At Life Cat Rescue (NJ)
• East Harlem Kitty Rescue

Go to CatAmazing.com/CatTalk to get 15% off interactive puzzles and condos. Offer ends Jan. 7!

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xoxo, LTAC HQ

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When guitarist Steve Selvidge isn’t touring with The Hold Steady, he’s home in Memphis with his extremely chill Maine Coon, Kumar, who likes to help assemble pedalboards. We investigate Memphis’s feline history, and Mary admits to almost getting carried away with this episode’s Quiz prize. Then Steve tells us about being a “lifelong cat nerd,” despite an early traumatic experience with some tomcats in heat. Plus: Introducing Steve & Steve, the cat-human supergroup the world has been waiting for.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Cat Amazing. Go to CatAmazing.com/CatTalk to get 15% off their interactive puzzles and condos!

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Alvin Ailey company member Patrick Coker was clueless about cats until he met Marnie—and he’s got the funniest new cat dad story we’ve ever heard. Naturally, Mary puts him to the test with a dance-themed Cat Quiz, which leads to a shocking revelation about a decades-long hoax. Then Patrick explains how Marnie (a gifted dancer in her own right) has inspired his craft, and why everyone should dance, even those of us with zero coordination. Plus: What really happens at professional dance auditions.

Exclusive discount for LTAC listeners: Get 15% off interactive puzzles and condos at CatAmazing.com/CatTalk!

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Comedian, author, nurse, and ex-nun Kelli Dunham inherited her late partner’s cat. That’s actually not the most unusual thing Mary gets into in this episode: There’s a mixup at a livestock auction, plans for a cat cafe comedy tour, litter as penance, and tips for houseboat living. Mary and Kelli also delve into the harsh reality of grief, and Kelli explains how accepting care—and caring for a cat—can help with healing. Plus: Finally, an outlet for Mary’s Catholic jokes. She’s been saving them.

Get 15% off Grendel’s favorite interactive toys and condos at CatAmazing.com/CatTalk!

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Reyhan Harmanci, Gimlet Media’s new deputy head of programming, joins Mary to brainstorm a hypothetical cat media project involving GoPros and tiny billboards. Then we discuss cat journalism, audacious cat escapes, what it’s like navigating career changes in this unpredictable world, and how wrangling cats and wrangling babies is similar but also different. Plus: A brief survey of early 20th century cat magazines. 

This episode is brought to you by Cat Amazing, makers of award-winning interactive treat-hunt puzzles. I’m telling you, Grendel is obsessed with hers. Go to CatAmazing.com/CatTalk and get 15% off your purchase!

Get complete show notes and a transcript of this episode at our website.

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Writer/actor/tea drinker Mara Wilson tries to figure out if that’s an actual BBC episode plot description or a thing Mary just made up. Then we debate the biggest question facing Silicon Valley: Should there be a separate Twitter just for cat content? Plus: Mara’s best nap ever, cat sunburns, why spring is the worst, and cats in LA vs cats in NYC. Also, for you Night Vale fans, we finally get the real scoop about Khoshekh’s name.

Go to catamazing.com/cattalk and get 15% off their award-winning (and Grendel-approved) interactive puzzles and modular condos!

Get complete show notes and a transcript of this episode at our website.

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Allure’s deputy digital director Sam Escobar is a beauty expert who uses makeup as a form of creative expression. Mary tried eyeliner once. This opens up a lively conversation about differing views on beauty, the pressures and pleasures of self-presentation, and our moms’ Clinique habits. We also talk about cats! Obviously! Sam makes the case for adopting FIV+ kitties and reveals what people really see when they look at Rorschach. Plus: Cat vs. red lipstick, a messy true story. 

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Mary invites Louise Hung, writer/producer at The Order of the Good Death, for a seasonally appropriate conversation about death, black cats, and why so many people fear them both. Spoiler alert, we're pro-black cats (especially Louise's companions, Dorothy and Agatha). We also discuss the death positive movement, mourning pets, and getting comfortable with spooky stuff. Plus: A Japanese cat funeral, a death-themed Cat Quiz, and a startling statistic about Halloween costumes for cats.

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DJ, video blogger, and cultural critic Jay Smooth helps Mary unpack one of hip-hop’s biggest mysteries: Why doesn’t Missy Elliott have a cat? Then we learn about Wallace, who’s been a source of positivity through times of change and who is a cultural critic in his own right (specifically, he likes all kinds of music but dislikes Jay’s broadcast voice). Plus: Growing up in NYC, and cats vs. racism.

Get complete show notes and a transcript of this episode at our website! 

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xoxo, LTAC HQ

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