Hosts Susan Altrui and Joy Matlock team up with zookeeper Hannah Baker for a playful but powerful thought experiment: What if humans had the superpowers of animals? From cheetah-speed sprints to gorilla strength and kangaroo jumps, this imaginative episode uses humor to explore real conservation issues hiding beneath the “what if” scenarios.

But the conversation turns deeper: What if accredited zoos didn’t exist? The hosts reflect on the life-saving impact of AZA-accredited zoos—from black-footed ferrets and California condors to great ape medical research, hero rats, venom-derived medicines, habitat conservation, and the emotional and educational moments that shape communities.

This episode celebrates the superpowers of animals, the essential work of zoos, and the life-changing connections formed when people meet wildlife up close.

In this episode you’ll learn

• How animal “superpowers” actually work—including cheetah speed, gorilla strength, kangaroo jumping, and why many animals use these abilities in short bursts.
• Why habitat loss threatens even the strongest species, and how zoos work with partners to protect open spaces and ecosystems.
• What would happen if accredited zoos didn’t exist, and which species (like black-footed ferrets and California condors) likely wouldn’t be here today.
• How zoos contribute to science and medicine, including research on great ape heart disease, venom-derived treatments, and disease-detection breakthroughs using hero rats.
• Why real, in-person animal encounters matter, especially for sparking empathy, curiosity, childhood development, and community wellness.
• The powerful human stories—from children learning to walk again through animal motivation to kids choosing birthday donations to the zoo.

Highlights & Key Takeaways

• Animal abilities inspire awe—yet even super-strong or super-fast species can’t overcome habitat destruction without human help.
• Accredited zoos are essential for conservation, safeguarding genetically diverse populations, funding global wildlife programs, and rescuing species from extinction.
• Zoos are living classrooms. Seeing animals in person fosters empathy and inspires future conservationists more effectively than digital media.
• Research at zoos benefits humans too, from studying great ape heart health to disease-detection work and venom-derived medicines.
• Community value goes far beyond the exhibits. Zoos provide emotional refuge for families in medical crisis, spark joy, and offer inclusive, healing spaces for the public.
• Ambassador animals and hands-on experiences change lives, inspiring children to grow into scientists, conservationists, and wildlife advocates.