Ben Moon is a photographer and filmmaker who has integrated his passion for the outdoors into his work, including as a longtime contributor to Patagonia with climbing and surfing imagery in particular. Dogs have always been part of Ben’s life, but it was after a divorce, living out of a car, and then a colon cancer diagnosis at 29, that the companionship with his rescue dog Denali, a pit-husky mix, took on a new meaning. Their strong connection was highlighted in a 2015 short film called ‘Denali’ which honors his late dog and has amassed over two million views. As a follow-up, Ben then wrote a 2020 memoir, also entitled Denali, that took an even more introspective look at the power of their human-dog relationship.

Now at a new life stage, with his 8-year-old rescue dog Nori, an Australian shepherd and husky mix, they have settled down in a beach house on the Oregon Coast. Ben is learning to appreciate the slow build and the benefits that come from settling down in one place.

Ben speaks about his life journey and dogs with Dr. Sharon Holland, an author and distinguished Professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC), as well as the host for Dog Save The People.

For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links: www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/ben-moon-2024

Marianne Leone is an actress, screenwriter, essayist, and author. She is well-known for her recurring role in The Sopranos. After her son, Jesse, had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and passed at a young age, Marianne found comfort in dogs. From Goody, who had been Jesse’s best friend, to current dogs of Titi and Sugar, the mix of bichon’s have provided great comfort. Along with her husband, Chris Cooper, they have been able to find joy amidst hardship. Marianne’s latest book, Five-Dog Epiphany, honors the positive impact of these dogs on her life.

The host for this episode is Dr. Sharon Holland, a Distinguished Professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and contributing host for Dog Save The People.

For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links:
www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/marianne-leone-2024

Jennifer Holland is a longtime writer for National Geographic where she has covered animal behavior, evolutionary biology, natural history, and more. She is also a book author, whose latest work ‘Dog Smart’ looks at the different ways we can re-consider the intelligence of our canine companions. Instead of anthropomorphizing them and evaluating against our own standards, we need to look at them for who they truly are.

Former guest and psychologist Dr. Chris Blazina is the contributing host for this conversation with Jennfier about her new book and what she learned in the process of writing it.

For more information about the episode, guest, and featured links:
www.dogsavethepeople.com/episodes/jennifer-holland-2024