Episode
Inside Zoo School: Learning, Leadership, and Care with Dr. Susan Friedman & Rick Hester [Episode 273]
- Podcast
- Animal Training Academy
- Published
- Feb 9, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4485
- Processing state
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- https://animaltrainingacademy.libsyn.com/inside-zoo-school-learning-leadership-and-care-with-dr-susan-friedman-rick-hester-episode-273
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Summary
In this insightful and future-focused episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast , Ryan Cartlidge is joined by two pioneers in applied behavior analysis and professional animal education: Dr. Susan Friedman and Rick Hester , as they introduce and explore their newest collaborative project, Zoo School . Dr. Susan Friedman brings decades of experience as a psychology professor, behavior analyst, and internationally respected educator whose work has profoundly shaped humane, evidence-based animal training across species. Rick Hester joins the conversation as a seasoned zoo professional, educator, and mentor whose career spans animal care, staff development, and leadership within zoological institutions. Together, Susan and Rick share how their complementary backgrounds converged to create Zoo School - a learning platform designed to elevate animal care through science, ethics, and effective teaching. Throughout the conversation, Susan and Rick reflect on the gaps they've observed in traditional animal-care education, particularly the need for deeper fluency in learning theory, behavior analysis, and instructional design. They discuss how Zoo School was built to support zoo and aquarium professionals not just in what to do, but in how to think - developing critical skills in observation, decision-making, and compassionate problem solving. Ryan, Susan, and Rick dive into the philosophy underpinning Zoo School, including the importance of clarity, kindness, and accountability in professional practice. They explore how well-designed education can improve animal welfare, empower caregivers, and foster healthier organizational cultures. Central to the discussion is the idea that behavior doesn't exist in isolation - it is shaped by environments, systems, and the contingenci…