Fieldnotes - Dogs in Our World

Fieldnotes - Dogs in Our World

By: Adam Winston

Language: en-US

Categories: Education, Society, Culture, Documentary, Science

Fieldnotes is where science, story, and lived experience converge. Explore podcast episodes, articles, and resources that deepen our understanding of dogs through empathy, behavior, and advocacy.

Episodes

Temple Grandin: Dogs and Autism
Jan 09, 2026

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Episode Summary

In this special episode of Dogs in Our World, host Adam Winston interviews Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned expert in animal science and autism awareness. Dr. Grandin shares insights from her personal experience with autism and her extensive work in animal behavior. The episode explores the parallels between autism and animal cognition, the importance of early intervention, and the therapeutic role dogs can play for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Read on for key takeaways, resource links, and the full transcript.

Key Takeaways

Autism spectrum: personal insights...

Duration: 00:28:38
Julie Forbes: Dogs & Leadership
Nov 01, 2025

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Episode Summary

In this episode of Dogs in Our World, host Adam Winston sits down with Julie Forbes, host and producer of the Dog Show with Julie Forbes, to explore the theme of “Dogs and Leadership.” Julie shares her extensive experience in dog training and behavior, emphasizing the importance of non-verbal communication, presence, and emotional tone in effective leadership with dogs. They discuss common misconceptions about leadership styles, including the outdated “alpha” model, and highlight the value of motivation, fun, and individualized approaches tailored to each dog’s unique temperament and needs.

Julie and...

Duration: 00:46:03
Adam Karp: Dogs & Law
Oct 08, 2025

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Episode Summary

In this episode, Adam Winston sits down with Adam P. Karp, a dedicated animal law attorney, to discuss the evolution of animal law, its impact on dogs and their owners, and the challenges and opportunities in this legal field. Topics include the history of animal law dating back to the Code of Hammurabi, current laws in Washington state, legal battles over animal custody, and the importance of responsible dog ownership.

Read on for key takeaways, resource links, and the full transcript.

Key Takeaways

Animal law has ancient...

Duration: 00:40:02
Steven Hales: Dogs & Philosophy
Sep 01, 2025

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Episode Summary

In this episode of Dogs in Our World, host Adam Winston explores the intersection of philosophy and canine companionship with Dr. Steven Hales, professor of philosophy at Bloomsburg University and editor of What Philosophy Can Tell You About Your Dog. Together, they unpack how dogs can illuminate timeless philosophical questions—from ethics and epistemology to metaphysics and the philosophy of mind.
Can dogs truly be our friends, or is it a different kind of bond? Do they feel guilt, or have they simply evolved behaviors that mimic human emotion? Are dog br...

Duration: 00:40:53
Mark Derr: Dogs & History
Aug 07, 2025

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Episode Summary

In Episode 02, Adam Winston sits down with historian Mark Derr to trace the journey of dogs in North America—from their arrival with Indigenous peoples as pack animals and spiritual companions, through colonial conquests and presidential preferences, to their service and suffering in global conflicts. We explore unique native breeds like the Salish Wool Dog, the foxhounds of Washington versus the herders of Jefferson, and the ethical complexities of war dogs in WWII, the Iraq War, and modern society.

Read on for key takeaways, resource links, and the full transcript.

...

Duration: 00:26:47
Erik Wilber: Dogs & Wolves
Aug 07, 2025

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Episode Summary

In this debut episode, Adam Winston explores the story of North American wolves with Erik Wilber of Wolf Haven International. We cover:

History of wolves from pre-colonial coexistence to the 1973 Endangered Species Act Evolutionary theories on how dogs emerged from wolves Behavioral myths—why “alpha” is outdated and what dogs really need

Read on for key takeaways, resource links, and the full transcript.

Key Takeaways

Europeans once paid bounties to exterminate wolves; legal protection under the Endangered Species Act began in 1973. Wolves drive trophic cascades, reshaping ecosystems—think wi...

Duration: 00:44:48