Cattitude - Episode 281 Toby, Gus & Me: Choosing a Life Plus Cats with Rebecca van Laer

This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern chats with writer and critic Rebecca van Laer about her debut memoir, Cat. Van Laer explores how our lives with cats reshape the wild we’ve tried to domesticate—what “tame,” “neuter,” and “indoors” say about nature and about us. She shares why she chose a life plus cats (not kids), and how “undomesticating” herself alongside her senior companions Toby and Gus reframed love, work, and family. From cats’ mysteriously divine histories to millennial burnout in a content-marketing grind, maternal fault lines, and the radical permission in feline laziness and pleasure, Rebecca’s reflections purr with humor and honesty—right down to Gus’s opinion: “I don’t want to be famous…I just want to go to the basement.”EPISODE NOTES: Toby, Gus & Me: Choosing a Life Plus Cats with Rebecca van LaerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

Move over, self-help gurus—this week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes veteran writer John Riddle and his grandsons Alex and Gavin Podgorski to introduce their whiskered life coach, Mr. Dill Pickles. We’re celebrating Life Advice from Mr. Dill Pickles, a hilariously sassy new book (now on Amazon) delivering 30 bite-size lessons for living your best cat life—think “Nap like it’s your job,” “Only cuddle when it’s inconvenient,” and “The laser is never real… but chase it anyway.” Co-authored by Alex and Gavin with Pop-Pop’s polish from John, each tip comes with laugh-out-loud explanations and “cat fun facts.” You’ll even hear a rare proclamation from atop the fridge as Mr. Dill Pickles explains why sunbeams beat spreadsheets every time. If you love cats, comedy, and unapologetic feline wisdom, curl up, press play, and let Mr. Dill Pickles run your nine lives.EPISODE NOTES: Life Advice from Mr. Dill PicklesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

On this episode of Cattitude, host Michelle Fern welcomes Jakob Shaw, Manager of Strategic Initiatives at PETA, to talk about how small everyday actions can help protect wildlife. From raccoons and squirrels to cats and dogs, animals can easily become trapped in common household items like cans, jars, and bottles. Jakob shares practical, humane tips for preventing harm—from properly securing recyclables to using safe deterrents instead of cruel methods like glue traps. Tune in to learn how simple changes in how we manage trash and household pests can make the world safer for our furry and feathered neighbors.EPISODE NOTES: Living in Harmony with Wildlife: Simple Steps You Can TakeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

Dating a cat person but sneezing through the sparks? On this episode of Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes Nick Lachey (98 Degrees; host of Love Is Blind, The Ultimatum, Perfect Match) and Dr. Michelle Moyal, veterinarian with Purina, for a lively, love-forward conversation about navigating relationships when cat allergies enter the chat. Nick shares why he teamed up on the new “Live Clear, Love Clear” video series and his own perspective on keeping romance alive when one partner’s eyes won’t stop watering, while Dr. Moyal breaks down the science behind Purina ONE LiveClear—how it helps neutralize the Fel d 1 allergen at the source (the cat’s mouth!) and what real couples are experiencing by day 21. From first-date sneeze fails to practical tips for blending cats and couples, this episode is equal parts heart and hairballs… minus the sniffles.EPISODE NOTES: Swipe Right on Cats: Nick Lachey on Dating with AllergiesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern welcomes cartoonist and writer Thom Zahler, best known for his work on My Little Pony comics and the hit series Love and Capes. Thom introduces his brand-new comic, The Ghost Whiskerers, published by John Carpenter’s Storm King Comics. Inspired by his real-life feline duo, Mal and Halloween, this spooky-yet-heartwarming adventure takes listeners into a world where cats battle the supernatural! Thom shares behind-the-scenes stories of bringing his cats to life on the page, why felines make such purr-fect comic book stars, and how The Ghost Whiskerers blends humor, heart, and a touch of ghostly fun for cat lovers of all ages.EPISODE NOTES: The Ghost Whiskerers: Cats, Comics & the Supernatural!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern chats with Georgette Blau from On Location Tours about their latest purr-fect creation — And Just Like Cat! Inspired by Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, this hilarious parody series reimagines the Manhattan world of love, friendship, and fabulous fashion… all through the eyes of a witty, opinionated feline. Georgette shares behind-the-scenes stories, cat-punned adventures, and how the series ties into their famous Sex and the City Hotspots Tour. If you’ve ever wondered what SATC would be like with whiskers, catnip, and a little cattitude — this is your episode!EPISODE NOTES: And Just Like Cat… Manhattan Gets Meow-nificentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

This week on Cattitude, Michelle Fern chats cats with the purr-fectly fascinating Vanessa Morgan — feline photographer, horror author, and founder of the wildly popular blog, Traveling Cats. For over 20 years, Vanessa has documented cats from around the globe, turning ordinary travel photos into a captivating cat-centric visual diary. What began as a fun side project became the largest online collection of cat travel photography and a go-to resource for cat-loving adventurers. Vanessa shares her journey of feline discovery, cultural cat differences, and her love of horror films (yes, she even wrote Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies). Get ready for a whirlwind of whiskers, wanderlust, and a little spooky fun!EPISODE NOTES: Traveling Cats & Spooky Chats with Vanessa MorganBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

This week on Cattitude, host Michelle Fern welcomes Tori Fugate, Director of Communications for Shelter Animals Count, to talk about the peak of kitten season and what new national data is revealing about the influx of feline intakes across shelters. Tori shares critical insights from 2024’s shelter data showing how kitten intakes (0–8 weeks old) surge in May, followed by a boom of juvenile cats in June and July. This seasonal trend puts enormous pressure on animal shelters, making it vital for rescues to proactively plan for fosters, staffing, medical care, and community support. Learn how this data helps shelters better prepare, save lives, and support these most vulnerable feline arrivals—and what you can do to help!EPISODE NOTES: Kitten Tsunami: Why Kitten Season Floods Shelters with FelinesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

In this informative episode of Cattitude, host Michelle Fern welcomes veterinarian and fellow Pet Life Radio host Dr. Jeff Werber to tackle a condition many cat parents have never heard of—megacolon. Inspired by listener Erin and her beloved cat Rosebud, this episode dives into what megacolon really is, why it happens, and how to recognize and manage this serious feline health issue. Dr. Jeff shares his expert insight on how cats, known for being stoic and secretive about their ailments, can suffer in silence—making awareness and early diagnosis crucial. Whether you’ve heard the term before or it’s completely new to you, this episode is packed with must-know info for every cat lover.EPISODE NOTES: Megacolon in Cats: What Every Cat Parent Needs to KnowBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.

This week on Cattitude, host Michelle Fern welcomes professional cat photographer Karen Hoglund, who shares her expert tips on how to capture the purr-fect feline photo. From understanding what sets cat photography apart from snapping pics of pups, to creative ways of bringing out your cat’s true personality, Karen offers insights for cat lovers and shutterbugs alike. She also discusses the emotional value of end-of-life photo sessions, and how they can provide healing and closure. Plus, don't miss her fun prop ideas to elevate any cat photoshoot! EPISODE NOTES: Fur-tography 101: How to Snap Your Cat Like a ProBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cattitude-the-1-cat-podcast--6666768/support.