Tails of Resilience
Tails of Resilience
Podcast Description
Title: Tails of Resilience
By: ZodiPaws, in partnership with Animal Rescue Hub
Tails of Resilience is a podcast that honors the stories of the people behind animal rescue—from domestic shelters to wildlife rehab, vet clinics to bird sanctuaries, rural transport routes to farm animal havens.
Hosted by Jolene Feeney, a mental health therapist and lifelong animal lover, this podcast explores the emotional realities of direct animal care: the heartbreak, the healing, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up.
Each episode features honest, heart-centered conversations with animal advocates across every field—shelter staff, veterinary professionals, wildlife responders, bird and farm animal caretakers, transport coordinators, and more.
Whether it’s a story of saving a life, losing one, or simply staying present through the chaos, this show uplifts the voices that often go unheard—and reminds us that resilience comes in many forms, both human and animal.
Produced by ZodiPaws in partnership with Animal Rescue Hub, Tails of Resilience is part of a larger mission to support the people who care for animals and the animals who transform us in return.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the emotional realities of animal rescue, including themes of resilience, grief, and compassion. Episodes tackle specific topics like mental health challenges faced by rescuers, the importance of self-care, and personal stories that illuminate the intersection of human and animal lives. Examples include Rachel Davis discussing the emotional demands of saving bulldogs, and Chris Driggins sharing the healing connection between veterans and parrots.

Title: Tails of Resilience
By: ZodiPaws, in partnership with Animal Rescue Hub
Tails of Resilience is a podcast that honors the stories of the people behind animal rescue—from domestic shelters to wildlife rehab, vet clinics to bird sanctuaries, rural transport routes to farm animal havens.
Hosted by Jolene Feeney, a mental health therapist and lifelong animal lover, this podcast explores the emotional realities of direct animal care: the heartbreak, the healing, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up.
Each episode features honest, heart-centered conversations with animal advocates across every field—shelter staff, veterinary professionals, wildlife responders, bird and farm animal caretakers, transport coordinators, and more.
Whether it’s a story of saving a life, losing one, or simply staying present through the chaos, this show uplifts the voices that often go unheard—and reminds us that resilience comes in many forms, both human and animal.
Produced by ZodiPaws in partnership with Animal Rescue Hub, Tails of Resilience is part of a larger mission to support the people who care for animals and the animals who transform us in return.
In this episode of Tails of Resilience, Jolene sits down with Wendy Smith, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge in Jamestown, Tennessee — a 93-acre sanctuary home to nearly 200 rescued animals, including more than 175 pigs.
Wendy opens up about the incredible journey of taking on a property filled with animals in need and the years of hard work that followed — from caring for the pigs, to rehabilitating the land, to slowly upgrading the facilities that keep everyone safe. She shares her honest reflections on what it truly takes to sustain this work, the gratitude that keeps her grounded, and the importance of knowing your capacity, setting boundaries, and holding onto moments of joy.
Her story is one of courage, humility, and deep compassion — a reminder that resilience often looks like continuing to show up, even when the mud gets deep.
🎧 Listen in for a candid and inspiring conversation about leadership, self-awareness, and building a life rooted in purpose and care.
#TailsOfResilience #OddManInn #AnimalRescue #SanctuaryLife #PigSanctuary #ResilientLeadership #CompassionInAction #AnimalAdvocacy #FarmSanctuary
⚠️ Trigger Warning:
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental health challenges related to trauma and high-stress caregiving roles, as well as references to animal suffering and death. Listener discretion is advised.
🔗 Featured Rescue:
Odd Man Inn
Website: https://www.oddmaninn.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oddmaninn/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/oddmaninn/
🌟 Links + Resources:
- Learn more about the Animal Rescue Hub: animalrescuehub.org
- Explore dog astrology + ZodiPaws books: https://zodipaws.com
🎵 Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/timelapse

Disclaimer
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