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I Train Animals for Movies — Secrets from Behind the Scenes
Today we're looking back at an episode from a few years ago.
Ever wondered how animals end up on your favourite movies and TV shows — safely and professionally? From blockbuster films like Avatar to the smallest background animals, there’s always at least one animal trainer on set to ensure the stars behave and stay happy.
In this episode of The StickyBeak, I speak with Jet Shaw, an internationally acclaimed animal behaviourist, educator, and animal trainer with a career spanning over three decades. Jet has worked on some of the biggest films in history, training animals for both leading roles and background scenes — all while prioritising their welfare.
Jet’s passion for animals is undeniable, and her dedication to keeping them safe, happy, and well-trained shines through in every story she shares. This conversation is both fascinating and surprisingly funny — a rare glimpse into the world of animal trainers in showbiz.
Whether you’re curious about how animals perform on camera, the ethics behind animal work in entertainment, or just love behind-the-scenes movie stories, this episode is for you.
🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week!
- Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.
- Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.
Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜
Got an Idea for the Podcast?
I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.
EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.com
INSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcast
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125. What REALLY Happens on Hens Nights (And Where It All Started)
11:03||Season 2, Ep. 125Before the sashes, strippers, and wild party antics, hens nights had deep cultural and historical roots. In this episode of The StickyBeak, Monika O’Hanlon explores the fascinating history of hens nights — from ancient Greek rituals and goddess worship to today’s modern bachelorette parties.Discover how pre-wedding traditions have evolved across cultures, including sacred dances, symbolic hair offerings, and community celebrations leading up to marriage. We dive into how hens nights became what they are today — from meaningful rituals to karaoke-fuelled chaos.This episode also explores feminist perspectives on hens parties, the rise of alternative and inclusive celebrations, and how queer communities are redefining what a hens night can look like in 2026.If you’ve ever wondered where hens nights came from, how they changed over time, or what they say about modern relationships and identity, this episode is for you.Heartfelt, funny, and occasionally a little bit cheeky (yes, there are penis-shaped props involved).This episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown.https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak is about to go to two episodes a week!Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜Got an Idea for the Podcast?I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.comINSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcastTIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcastFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon
124. Drag Kings: The Forgotten History of Drag’s Most Overlooked Performers
29:19||Season 2, Ep. 124Drag queens have long dominated mainstream drag culture — from RuPaul’s Drag Race to club nights, brunches, and bingo shows. But Drag Kings have always been part of drag history too… they’ve just rarely been given the spotlight.In this episode of The StickyBeak, Monika explores the hidden history and modern resurgence of Drag Kings — performers who have been challenging gender norms and shaping queer performance culture since the 1800s.From vaudeville stages and underground cabaret to punk shows and queer club nights, Drag Kings have been here all along.Monika speaks with three incredible Drag Kings from the US about their artistry, their journeys, and what it means to build visibility in a drag scene that has historically centred drag queens.This episode explores Drag Kings, drag history, queer culture, gender performance, and the evolution of drag as an art form.HUGE thank you to...Buck Wylde : IG @buckwylde_dragkingHannibal Lickher : IG @hannibal.lickherPrinze Valentino : IG @ Prinze_valentinoThis episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown.https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak is about to go to two episodes a week!Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜Got an Idea for the Podcast?I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.comINSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcastTIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcastFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon
123. The Guillotine: The Shocking History of the World’s Deadliest Execution Machine
11:06||Season 2, Ep. 123This week on The StickyBeak, we dive into the shocking history of the guillotine — one of the most infamous execution machines ever created.Born out of the chaos of the French Revolution, the guillotine was designed as a “humane” method of execution. But what followed was anything but simple. It quickly became a symbol of terror, justice, and mass public spectacle, used to carry out executions on an unprecedented scale.In this episode, we explore how and why the guillotine was invented, how it became central to revolutionary France, and why it still fascinates (and horrifies) us today. From its surprisingly bureaucratic origins to its brutal legacy, this is the story of how a machine changed the meaning of death itself.If you’re interested in dark history, true crime, or the strange inventions that shaped the world, this episode is for you.🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week!Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜Got an Idea for the Podcast?I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.comINSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcastTIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcastFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon
122. Pet Psychics: Can They Really Read Your Pet’s Mind?
33:56||Season 2, Ep. 122Ever wondered if animals can really communicate with humans on a psychic level? In this fascinating episode of The StickyBeak, Mon sits down with Cynthia, a professional pet psychic and animal communicator, to explore the strange world of pet telepathy, energy reading, and the hidden thoughts of our furry companions.Can pet psychics really read your pet’s mind? Are animals trying to tell us something? And why do so many people swear these readings changed their lives? Whether you’re a skeptic, believer, or simply curious, this episode is packed with surprising stories and thought-provoking insights.Thank you to Cynthia for coming on the pod!You can follow her here:Instagram: TikTok: @lilmisspetpsychic Instagram: @lilmisspetpsychic @nydognannyThis episode was brought to you by Tüt, toilet lid stickers to zhuzh up your toot. Because every throne needs a crown.https://www.etsy.com/shop/tutdeco/Got an Idea for the Podcast?I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.comINSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcastTIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcastFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon
121. BBW in the Adult Industry: The Truth No One Tells You
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119. Beyond Coffins and Cremation: Human Composting, Cryonics & Radical Memorials
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118. Are Furries What You Think? Inside the Furry Fandom
29:41||Season 2, Ep. 118What is a furry — really?In this episode of The StickyBeak, we dive inside the furry fandom, one of the internet’s most misunderstood subcultures.Originally recorded for my Living with Mon series on alternative lifestyles, this conversation features Haruka (Haru), a member of the furry community who shares what being a furry actually means — beyond the stereotypes. We talk about identity, creativity, community, and why so many assumptions about furries simply aren’t true.Because there’s a lot to unpack, I also recorded a second interview (linked in the show notes) with Rune, a self-described “Scalie” — a member of the furry fandom whose character is reptilian. In that conversation, we explore the more adult side of the community and how it differs from mainstream furry culture.If you’ve ever Googled “what is a furry?” or wondered what really happens inside the furry community, this episode offers a thoughtful and open-minded look at a world that’s often judged before it’s understood.As always, go in curious.🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week!Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜Got an Idea for the Podcast?I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.comINSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcastTIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcastFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon
117. Inside the Secret World of Modern Vampires (What the Occult Really Means)
27:37||Season 2, Ep. 117By listener request, we’re diving into the mysterious world of the occult — and uncovering what that word actually means.In this episode of The StickyBeak, we explore Asetianism, a secretive spiritual path rooted in ancient Egyptian mysticism and devotion to the goddess Aset (Isis). Often misunderstood and confused with vampire roleplay or gothic subculture, Asetianism is a disciplined esoteric tradition focused on sacred knowledge, spiritual lineage, divine feminine energy, and personal transformation.I speak with Sarah, a dedicated Asetian practitioner, about what it truly means to walk this path. We unpack the real meaning of the occult, the difference between modern vampire culture and Asetian spirituality, and why secrecy plays such a central role in esoteric traditions.If you’ve ever searched for the meaning of the occult, wondered whether modern vampires are real, or been curious about hidden spiritual traditions rooted in ancient Egypt, this episode offers a rare and thoughtful insight into a path few people truly understand.And if you’re still intrigued by the vampire subculture, you can also listen to my previous conversation with Madame X (Episode 41).🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week!Wednesdays: Your regular deep dive into the weird, wonderful, and wonderfully strange stories from around the world.Mondays: A brand-new episode all about YOUR stories — the wild, funny, and outrageous confessions you send in.Got a story to share? Be a StickyBeak and submit it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK_D0b6Cp7WAKDq4thfd4EZNrXJPba1C2r9VZkxptxbYmJtA/viewform! 🦜Got an Idea for the Podcast?I’d love to hear from you! If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore or someone you think would make a great guest, flick me a message.EMAIL: thestickybeakpodcast@outlook.comINSTAGRAM: @thestickybeakpodcastTIKTOK: @thestickybeakpodcastFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/listen.with.mon