Episode 5: Improving Human Communication via Animal Connection
One thing most humans have in common is that we love to talk about our pets. We are eager to speculate on their behaviors and discuss their development and training with others, and we feel pride when we manage to overcome communication barriers to deepen our bonds with them.
The interesting thing is, as we analyze our relationships with our pets, it is possible to use what we discover to learn something more about ourselves–about our own methods of communicating with other people.
In this episode of The Vibrant Couple, animal behavior specialist Elise Poston discusses how our interactions with our pets can both influence and help us understand our own behavioral tendencies in our intimate relationships.
Listen to learn more!
Show Notes
01:17 – Valdo introduces this episode’s guest, Elise Poston
02:20 – What is husbandry, and how is it relevant today?
03:49 – Elise dives into why it’s easier for people to talk about their pets than about themselves
05:53 – Creating space within interactions allows your partner to show up
06:39 – Valdo and Elise discuss the outcomes one can expect from this work
07:29 – Encouraging self-awareness and partner-awareness through animal observation
09:06 – Translating appreciation of animal communication into appreciating your partner
10:40 – Decreasing stress via quality time with a pet
12:39 – Moving away from fear and towards joy in the company of animals
14:27 – The stigma and effects of the “B-Word”
17:33 – The inherent connection between of husbandry and leadership
Links
If you have any questions about this episode or Elise’s work, feel free to connect with Elise via email: elise@formandfunctionconsulting.com
Bio
Elise Poston is an animal behavioral specialist who focuses on improving communications between humans and their animals, thereby improving human communication with other humans. Through her work, she has helped countless couples better understand each other and thus fundamentally improve their relationships at the communicative level.
Music
Intro music: Sukavah Bodeh by Peter Levitov & Maxime Le Royer, from their Life is Good album.