Turtley Devoted

Lots going on in this episode. Anthony and Shannon strongly disagree on important relationship stressors that every couple grapples with - terrestrial snails in the house and turtle mating on social media. They're up to their butts in alligators... Not really. I guess you'll have to listen to know what all of this nonsense even means, in life.

Shannon is flying solo in this episode with her new friend Dominique DiFalco of the Modern Medusa Podcast. Her show highlights females in herpetoculture and herpetology, a desperately needed viewpoint that we are thrilled to see represented more through her work. Dominique is just cool, and that shines through in this episode. As the Pierlioni girls would say "I don't need no man," and in this episode, we fittingly take Anthony out of the equation. In all seriousness, it's all love between us and we are happy to support each other in making reptile related discussions also be about the interpersonal relationships developed along the way. As Anthony likes to say, "come for the reptiles, stay for the people."

If you've listened to the show before, you've likely heard Anthony rambling on about this thing called the Enneagram. Apparently we all have personality types that determine not just how, but why we approach conflicts and decisions in our lives the way we do. They say opposites attract, and Anthony and Shannon are no different. In this episode, they discuss what it means to be a type 6 and type 7 and how that plays in to how they navigate their struggles individually and as part of a team. Will Shannon listen to a word Anthony is saying? Tune in to find out.

Lots of updates since Shannon and Anthony last recorded - Shannon was a guest on a wonderful podcast, she has been running many educational talks, and her favorite tortoise passed away. Definitely good and bad things going on in their world, and Anthony hopes that the loss of their beloved Lenny will not hinder the progress they've made in their partnership in turtle related endeavors. 

At their house, every day is National Pet Day. Join Shannon and Anthony as they bicker even more than usual, particularly about how they choose to raise their kids - Shannon likes to instill healthy fear and dislike of certain "taxa," while Anthony uses any excuse he can to share "science moments," with them and anyone who will listen. Anyway(s), you're sure to enjoy this episode that is non stop action. That is, if you consider marital conflict to be action.

Anthony and Shannon discuss a few updates in their world of turtles, and almost make it through an episode without Shannon needing a bathroom break. They also discuss a prominent news story that has been rocking the turtle world - but that's not enough to get Shannon interested in talking... great. What is it about recording in the evening that zaps their energy? They really work through it, though.

In this one, Shannon flies solo again, this time with our good friend Casey Leone. In addition to running the Terrapin Conservation Initiative, Casey is a busy mother of two young daughters and wife to America's turtle heart-throb, Chris Leone. Check her out on Instagram and Facebook under Terrapin Conservation Initiative and The Travelorian for more on her conservation and Disney travel endeavors. She really does it all.

Shannon and Anthony discuss the semantics around the word "expert," and give Shannon a chance to to answer left over questions from their friend, following Anthony's recent appearance on the TTPG's live stream. The conversation takes a turn off topic when the couple randomly discusses attractiveness and the role it plays in pop culture, the reptile industry, and their lives.

Here the episode where we finally have our friend and partner, Chris Leone of Garden State Tortoise on the show to talk about life. Most of the conversation focuses on passion and influence in a social media age. Anthony sits this one out to give the audience a break from the dynamic they often see on the Pondcast.

Your hosts are back with the first guestless show in a while. Shannon has plans for a "light-hearted" episode filled with fun questions, but will they be able to keep it all positive the entire time? This is a fun one. After more than ten years together, Anthony and Shannon actually share stories with each other that they've never heard before.