Defender Radio and The Switch bring experts and solutions to wildlife advocates and animal lovers around the world. Hosted by award-winning journalist Michael Howie, Defender Radio and The Switch are produced by The Fur-Bearers (TheFurBearers.com) and released weekly. Learn more at DefenderRadio.com

This is a repost from last year's popular Defender Radio Solstice Special! The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and directed by Marisa King. Starring Kristi Boulton, Marisa King and Michael Howie. Original holiday carol by Julian Sark. The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice was written and Directed by Marisa King! Marisa voiced Nutty! Marisa King is an actor, director and long-time animal advocate based in Toronto, Ontario.  You can also hear her on the award-winning Alba Salix podcast as well as improvising her way through the wacky roleplaying world of The End of Time and Other Bothers, all from Fable & Folly production at <a href="https://www.fableandfolly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FableandFolly.com</a>. Nutzo and Mrs. DeNutzio were played by Kristi Boulton! Kristi Boulton is an actor, improviser, director and podcast producer in Hamilton, Ontario, and can be found at <a href= "https://signal2domain.online/click?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristiboultongetspaid.com%2F&dID=1640044301845&linkName=www.kristiboulton.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.kristiboulton.com</a> or on the socials (Twitter: <a href= "https://twitter.com/kristi_boulton,">https://twitter.com/kristi_boulton,</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kristi_boulton/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.instagram.com/kristi_boulton/</a> or LinkedIn: <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiboulton/_">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiboulton/).</a> Kristi can also be heard on Civilized, a dark comedy improvised podcast at <a href="https://www.civilizedpod.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">CivilizedPod.com</a>.  The original squirrel solstice carol was written and performed by Julian Sark, with backup squirrel vocals by Marisa King and Kristi Boulton.  Julian Sark is a deeply repressed creative based in Toronto.  Due to the immense internal pressures at play, asking him to do literally anything will likely get you way, way more than you bargained for.  Seriously, like, get ready to screen your calls, people.  He’s also recently written a song he thinks would be perfect for Michael Buble, so Michael, if you’re listening, find Julian on <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/julian.sark.58" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Facebook</a>.  Yes, he’s that old. And I played Mr. O, and worked with this fabulous team of creative geniuses to put the episode online for all of you. Thank you EVERYONE for listening, and please remember to be kind, be curious, and be patient with each other. Happy Solstice, everyone, and happy solstice Magnanimous Moose! Defender Radio and The Switch will return with new episodes in 2023.

Defender Radio and The Switch

The Squirrel Who Stole Solstice (repost)

Ethical skincare expert Tricia Stevens of batch skincare joined The Switch to share tips on how to identify ethical and sustainable ingredients and products while choosing skincare and beauty products.  batch skincare, launched by industry experts with decades of experience, also prioritizes kindness, effectiveness, progress, fairness and giving back. The Fur-Bearers is one of the first organizations that is benefitting from the kindness of batch skincare. Right now you can save 10% on your first batch and also have that matched with a donation from <a href= "https://batchskincare.com/?defenderradio" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">batch skincare</a> by using the code FURBEARERS10% at checkout.  Show Notes + Links Learn more about batch skincare at <a href= "https://batchskincare.com/?defenderradio">https://batchskincare.com/?defenderradio</a> Use code FURBEARERS10% at checkout for your first order and you’ll save 10% plus batch will make a donation to The Fur-Bearers!  You can connect with Tricia Stevens via LinkedIn at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-stevens-304500a/?originalSubdomain=ca">https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-stevens-304500a/?originalSubdomain=ca</a> Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at <a href= "mailto:DefenderRadio@Gmail.com,">DefenderRadio@Gmail.com,</a> by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (<a href= "http://www.instagram.com/howiemichael">www.instagram.com/howiemichael</a>) or Facebook (<a href= "http://www.facebook.com/DefenderRadio">www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio</a>).  The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (<a href= "http://www.thefurbearers.com/">www.TheFurBearers.com</a>), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (<a href= "http://www.instagram.com/furbearers">www.instagram.com/furbearers</a>), Twitter (<a href= "http://www.twitter.com/furbearers">www.twitter.com/furbearers</a>) and Facebook (<a href= "http://www.facebook.com/FurFree">www.facebook.com/FurFree</a>).

The Switch: Choosing Ethical Beauty and Skincare Products

Solutions to the climate crisis are multifaceted and require innovative thinking. It also means the way we’ve been doing things, particularly with development, need to change. Imagine the vast array of asphalt, concrete, tar shingles, and metals that cover cities; they don’t absorb water, and they retain heat – the opposite of what is desperately needed in many communities. What if we took all that infrastructure and made it green? While I traditionally avoid disagreement with my heroes, Kermit had this one wrong: it’s getting easier by the day to be green. Defender Radio was joined by Dr. Anna Zakrisson, a green infrastructure researcher and science communicator to discuss what green roofs and green infrastructure can do for our cities. SHOW NOTES & LINKS: Follow Dr. Anna Zakrisson on Facebook (<a href= "https://www.facebook.com/doctor.annas.imaginarium">https://www.facebook.com/doctor.annas.imaginarium</a>), her website <a href= "https://annasimaginarium.com/,">https://annasimaginarium.com/,</a> or Green Roof Diagnostics at <a href= "https://www.greenroofdiagnostics.com/">https://www.greenroofdiagnostics.com/</a>.  The building depicted in this week's episode art is the ACROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall in Japan, a pioneer project of green infrastrucutre. Read more at <a href= "https://www.greenroofs.com/projects/acros-fukuoka-prefectural-international-hall/"> https://www.greenroofs.com/projects/acros-fukuoka-prefectural-international-hall/</a>.  Want to suggest topics for Defender Radio? Reach out to us at <a href= "mailto:DefenderRadio@Gmail.com,">DefenderRadio@Gmail.com,</a> by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (<a href= "http://www.instagram.com/howiemichael">www.instagram.com/howiemichael</a>) or Facebook (<a href= "http://www.facebook.com/DefenderRadio">www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio</a>).  The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (<a href= "http://www.thefurbearers.com/">www.TheFurBearers.com</a>), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (<a href= "http://www.instagram.com/furbearers">www.instagram.com/furbearers</a>), Twitter (<a href= "http://www.twitter.com/furbearers">www.twitter.com/furbearers</a>) and Facebook (<a href= "http://www.facebook.com/FurFree">www.facebook.com/FurFree</a>).

Green Infrastructure with Dr. Anna Zakrisson

<a href="https://batchskincare.com/?defenderradio" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">batch skincare</a> launched this year and are already making an impact. The freshest skincare on the planet, every batch is made to order, has no preservatives or harsh chemicals, and uses vegan, fair-trade, organic and cruelty-free ingredients! The company, launched by industry experts with decades of experience, also prioritizes kindness, effectiveness, progress, fairness and giving back. The Fur-Bearers is one of the first organizations that is benefitting from the kindness of batch skincare. Right now you can save 10% on your first batch and also have that matched with a donation from <a href= "https://batchskincare.com/?defenderradio" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">batch skincare</a> by using the code FURBEARERS10% at checkout.  To talk more about this fresh company and what sets them apart, as well as details on how your purchase can help wildlife, Tricia Stevens joined Defender Radio. Show Notes + Links Learn more about batch skincare at <a href= "https://batchskincare.com/?defenderradio">https://batchskincare.com/?defenderradio</a> Use code FURBEARERS10% at checkout for your first order and you'll save 10% plus batch will make a donation to The Fur-Bearers!  You can connect with Tricia Stevens via LinkedIn at <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-stevens-304500a/?originalSubdomain=ca"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-stevens-304500a/?originalSubdomain=ca</a> Want to suggest topics for The Switch? Reach out to us at <a href= "mailto:DefenderRadio@Gmail.com,">DefenderRadio@Gmail.com,</a> by visiting DefenderRadio.com or engaging host Michael Howie on social media via Instagram (<a href= "http://www.instagram.com/howiemichael">www.instagram.com/howiemichael</a>) or Facebook (<a href= "http://www.facebook.com/DefenderRadio">www.Facebook.com/DefenderRadio</a>).  The Switch is produced by The Fur-Bearers (<a href= "http://www.thefurbearers.com/">www.TheFurBearers.com</a>), a charitable non-partisan organization whose mandate is to advocate on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement, promote coexistence solutions in communities and protect the habitats of fur-bearing animals across Canada. You can follow The Fur-Bearers on Instagram (<a href= "http://www.instagram.com/furbearers">www.instagram.com/furbearers</a>), Twitter (<a href= "http://www.twitter.com/furbearers">www.twitter.com/furbearers</a>) and Facebook (<a href= "http://www.facebook.com/FurFree">www.facebook.com/FurFree</a>).

Michael Howie / The Fur-Bearers

Defender Radio and The Switch by Michael Howie / The Fur-Bearers

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