DOGS: Podcast Brunch Club podcast playlist

This playlist is all about dogs! From wolf pups to furry friends to colleagues to heroes, these episodes highlight how the human-canine relationship has been evolving for thousands of years. We hear from scientists studying how wolves became dogs, how dogs can aid in wildlife conservation and medical advancement, and how dogs boost our well-being. There are stories of buddy adventures, famous pups, and dogs learning to communicate using speech. Spoiler: They’re good dogs, Brent!

This playlist was curated in collaboration with Lisa, one of the original members of PBC’s very first chapter (Chicago).

Podcast Playlist on DOGS

Get the full playlist on your podcast player of choice using these platforms:

* Listen Notes allows you to quickly download all of the episodes using a variety of podcast apps. Here is a quick demo video.
 
Unexplainable: “Who let the wolves in?” (December 2024, 22 min)
A look at the complicated relationship between wolves, dogs, and humans—and what happens when wolves are reintroduced to the wild.
Ologies with Alie Ward: “Eco-Odorology (SCIENCE-SNIFFING DOGS) with Kayla Fratt” (January 2025, 1 hr 4 min)
Dogs’ noses are ridiculously powerful—and scientists are learning how to put those noses to work: to find wildlife, track ecosystems, and help protect endangered species.
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos: “Let Slip the Dogs of More Happiness” (September 2021, 38 min)
Can having a dog actually make you happier? Laurie Santos explores the science behind our bond with dogs and what research tells us about the emotional and social benefits—and potential downsides—of sharing our lives with them.
Naitonal Park After Dark: “Pups in the Parks: Man’s Best Friend in America’s Best Idea” (August 2026, 1 hr 17 min)
This episode digs into some of the memorable—and sometimes surprising—stories of dogs in national parks and their role in the American outdoors.
Short Wave: “Does Your Dog Love You? Science Has Some Answers” (August 2021, 11 min)
Scientists investigate what happens in dogs’ brains and bodies around their humans—and what that can tell us about canine love and attachment.

Bonus podcast episodes:

• The Dogs Were Good (again): “Dogs With Jobs | The Dogs Were Good (again) | Ep. 42” (December 2025, 50 min)
  A celebration of working dogs and the many jobs they do, from helping humans in everyday life to performing remarkable tasks that take skill, training, and teamwork.
• Nobody Told Me!: “Christina Hunger: …that I would have the world’s first talking dog” (June 2021, 27 min)
  Christina Hunger shares how she taught her dog Stella to communicate using buttons—and what their experience reveals about dogs’ ability to understand and express themselves.
• This is Love: “Gobi” (June 2020, 23 min)
  During an ultramarathon across the Gobi Desert, runner Dion Leonard meets a stray dog who refuses to leave his side. It’s a remarkable story of an unexpected bond between a human and a dog.
• Can I Pet Your Dog?: “CIPYD 119: The Finnish Spitz and the Annual Retelling of Kelsey the Dog Hero” (November 2017, 31 min)
  A playful exploration of the Finnish Spitz, along with the annual retelling of Kelsey, a heroic dog whose actions helped save her owner’s life.
• Ologies with Alie Ward: “Ethnocynology (HUMANS & DOGS THROUGH TIME) with David Ian Howe” (January 2025, 1 hr 13 min)
  Anthropologist David Ian Howe explores the long, fascinating relationship between humans and dogs and how our shared history has shaped both species.

Conversation Starter Questions:

1. Several dog jobs were mentioned in these episodes, which one is the most interesting or surprising to you?
2. What experiences have you had with dogs?
3. If you have a dog, would you consider training your dog for one of these jobs?