The Top Dog Podcast

We interview the leaders in animal welfare to understand their journey to being the top dog and their vision for how their organization will save more animals lives in the community

The Top Dog Podcast is a kids podcast hosted by Chris Roy, with 38 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Chris Roy hosts The Top Dog Podcast, a kids show with 38 episodes published.

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  Episode #39

  Top Dog Podcast with Cheryl McCormick | Building Stronger Communities for People and Pets

  Aug 18, 202626 minS1

  What if the future of animal welfare starts by helping people first? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Cheryl McCormick, CEO of the Athens Area Humane Society, to explore how modern shelters are evolving into community resource centers that strengthen the bond between people and their pets. Drawing from her background in wildlife ecology and nonprofit leadership, Cheryl shares why empathy, collaboration, and community partnerships are transforming animal welfare across rural Georgia and beyond. In this conversation, we discuss: ✔ Why helping people leads to better outcomes for animals ✔ Building community-centered programs that keep pets with families ✔ Expanding veterinary access in underserved rural communities ✔ Creating a culture of compassion within shelter teams ✔ The importance of trust, partnerships, and relationship-building ✔ Leading with empathy while inspiring staff and volunteers Discover why the strongest animal welfare organizations don't just rescue animals—they strengthen entire communities. Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations: https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

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  Episode #38

  Top Dog Podcast with Sarah Swanty | The Leadership Lessons Behind 20 Years of Growth

  Aug 13, 202626 minS1

  Can one bold decision change the future of animal welfare? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Swanty, Executive Director of Animal Friends Alliance. What started with two friends, $1,200, and 17 homeless cats has grown into one of Colorado's leading animal welfare organizations, helping more than 18,000 animals every year. Sarah shares the leadership lessons she's learned over two decades of growing a nonprofit, adapting to changing community needs, and building programs that keep pets with the families who love them. In this conversation, we discuss: ✔ Growing a nonprofit from a grassroots rescue to a community leader ✔ Why prevention is more powerful than intervention ✔ Expanding access to spay/neuter and community pet resources ✔ Building teams by trusting people with different strengths ✔ Creating sustainable leadership without burnout ✔ Adapting animal welfare programs to meet changing community needs Discover how visionary leadership, collaboration, and community support can create lasting change for both animals and people. Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations: https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

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  Episode #37

  Top Dog Podcast with Ashley Armstrong | Why Prevention Is the Future of Animal Welfare Leadership

  Aug 11, 202626 minS1

  What if the best way to save more animals is to keep them out of shelters in the first place? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Ashley Armstrong, Executive Director of We Care Animal Rescue, to discuss how modern animal welfare is evolving beyond adoptions. Ashley shares how her team transformed a cat sanctuary into a thriving community resource center by focusing on prevention, collaboration, and supporting pet owners before they reach a crisis. Drawing from nearly two decades in animal welfare, Ashley offers practical leadership lessons on innovation, compassion, and empowering both staff and the community. In this conversation, we discuss: ✔ Transforming a sanctuary into a community resource center ✔ Preventing pet surrenders through proactive support ✔ Leading teams through compassion fatigue and burnout ✔ Why transparency builds stronger community partnerships ✔ Creating innovative programs that keep pets with families ✔ Encouraging future animal welfare leaders to "just try it" Discover why the future of animal welfare depends on helping people just as much as helping animals. Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations: https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

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  Episode #36

  Top Dog Podcast with Kim Sturla | The Leadership Behind One of America's First Farm Animal Sanctuaries

  Aug 6, 202628 minS1

  What does it take to build a movement rooted in compassion? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Kim Sturla, President and Co-Founder of Animal Place, one of the nation's pioneering farm animal sanctuaries. For nearly five decades, Kim has dedicated her life to rescuing animals, promoting compassionate living, and proving that education is just as important as rescue. From selling her home to build a sanctuary from the ground up to inspiring thousands through advocacy and outreach, Kim shares the leadership lessons that have shaped Animal Place into a nationally recognized organization. In this conversation, we discuss: ✔ Building one of America's first farm animal sanctuaries ✔ Why education creates lasting change for animals ✔ Leading with compassion instead of judgment ✔ Growing a nonprofit through purpose and persistence ✔ Turning empathy into meaningful action ✔ Creating a legacy that inspires future animal advocates Discover how one person's commitment to compassion can inspire an entire movement. Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations: https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

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  Episode #35

  Top Dog Podcast with Hanna Lentz | The Leadership Power of Better Storytelling

  Aug 4, 202628 minS1

  What if the biggest challenge in animal welfare isn't a lack of compassion—but the stories we tell? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Hanna Lentz, Executive Director of SPARC (Supporting People and Animal Relationships for Change). Hanna is helping organizations rethink how they communicate with communities, shifting from blame and judgment to empathy, partnership, and systems thinking. Through research-backed messaging strategies, SPARC is helping animal welfare organizations build stronger relationships, improve community engagement, and create better outcomes for both people and animals. In this conversation, we discuss: ✔ Why storytelling shapes the future of animal welfare ✔ Moving from blame to empathy in community engagement ✔ How better messaging strengthens the human-animal bond ✔ Systems thinking versus individual responsibility ✔ Helping organizations create lasting cultural change ✔ Why language can transform entire communities Discover how changing the conversation can change the future of animal welfare. Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations: https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

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