The Zooquarium Podcast

Introducing The Zooquarium Podcast

Art and Science collide on The Zooquarium Podcast!Meet Mike Bennett - he's an artist and educator originally from Pennsylvania. After moving to Portland, OR, Mike began creating large-scale cartoon characters cut out of wood. Now, he's the brains behind a number of cartoon establishments, popular yard signs, and art partnerships all over the world.Meet Chanel - she's the marine biologist and wildlife expert behind the biomes at The Portland Aquarium and the Director of Outreach & Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, an organization committed to bringing sea otters back to Oregon!The Zooquarium Podcast debuted in January 2026 and participation is always welcome! Kids of all ages are encouraged to submit their very own questions about animals and their habitats. Information on how to submit is at thezooquarium.com/podcast.It's art! It's educational! IT'S IMAGUCATIONAL!yjhDCIMgcgimci58bFdO

Why Do Sloths Poop on the Ground?

Fitz asks: WHY DO SLOTHS POOP ON THE GROUND? Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason answer Fitz’s question, share some other cool sloth facts, and discuss Mike’s iconic sloth Slow Down signs.Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!Learn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumpodcastFollow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettartFollow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettartSubscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube ChannelFollow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanelLearn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.orgThe Zooquarium Podcast releases every other Tuesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on YouTube and Spotify. Bonus videos for episodes are released one week after the relevant episode drops exclusively on YouTube or by visiting the show page at thezooquarium.com/podcastCreditsHosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel HasonProduced & Edited by: Jon RichardsonMusic by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland SingsIntro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle AnimationArtwork by FuzzzbrainSpecial thanks toTeddy AlbertsonFitz & Fitz’s familyMichele Kraus BennettCayley PaterThe Elakha AllianceDr. Rebecca CliffeSloths in general

BONUS: Sloth Talk - Our exclusive interview with Sloth Conservationist, Dr. Rebecca Cliffe

This BONUS video features Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, a conservationist specializing in sloths in Costa Rica. The Zooquarium Podcast's Mike and Chanel chat with Dr. Cliffe about her work with sloths and get her take on Fitz's sloth poop question from Episode 1 of the podcast.Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!The Sloth Conservation FoundationLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettartFollow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettartSubscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube ChannelFollow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanelLearn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.orgThe Zooquarium releases episodes about different animals every other Tuesday with bonus content for each episode the following week. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on YouTube, Spotify, and thezooquarium.com/podcastCreditsHosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel HasonGuest: Dr. Rebecca CliffeProduced & Edited by: Jon RichardsonMusic by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland SingsIntro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle AnimationArtwork by: FuzzzbrainSpecial thanks toFitz & Fitz's family, Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, The Sloth Conservation Foundation, Teddy Albertson, sloths in general

How Long Can Sea Otters Hold Their Breath?

Calvin asks: How long can sea otters hold their breath? Great question, Calvin! Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason answer Calvin’s question, share some other cool sea otter facts, and invite guest Moddy Himmel to share their experience educating through puppetry!Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download Moddy’s Sea Otter Puppets (using Mike’s artwork), quizzes, activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!Visit Moddy’s WebsiteLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettartFollow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettartSubscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube ChannelFollow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanelLearn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.orgThe Zooquarium Podcast releases every other Tuesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on YouTube and Spotify. Bonus videos for episodes are released one week after the relevant episode drops exclusively on YouTube or by visiting the show page at thezooquarium.com/podcastCreditsHosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel HasonGuest: Moddy HimmelProduced & Edited by: Jon RichardsonMusic by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland SingsIntro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle AnimationArtwork by: FuzzzbrainSpecial thanks toCalvin & Calvin’s familyMichele Kraus BennettCayley PaterThe Elakha AllianceTeddy AlbertsonOtters in general

BONUS: Puppets Talk: More on Sea Otters, Puppets, and MORE with Moddy Himmel

This BONUS video features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Moddy Himmel, an educator and puppeteer using their craft to engage with students through the arts. For more of their conversation, be sure to check out Episode 2 of The Zooquarium Podcast, “How Long Can Sea Otters Hold Their Breath?”Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!Visit Moddy’s WebsiteLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettartFollow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettartSubscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube ChannelFollow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanelLearn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.orgThe Zooquarium Podcast releases every other Tuesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Bonus episodes are released one week after the relevant episode drops on your preferred podcast platform.RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!CreditsHosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel HasonGuest: Moddy HimmelProduced & Edited by: Jon RichardsonMusic by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland SingsIntro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle AnimationArtwork by: FuzzzbrainSpecial thanks toCalvin & Calvin’s family, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, Otters in general