Pets & Animals
62 episodes · 2018–2021 · 28 debates · 16 pieces of advice · 68 stories · 53 quotes
The Daily Talk Show — Australia’s daily podcast, hosted by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen — discussed pets & animals across 62 of its 1,022 daily episodes between 2018 and 2021. This page collects what was actually said: 53 verbatim quotes, 16 pieces of advice, 68 stories told on air, 28 on-air debates, each linked to the exact moment in the episode and on YouTube.
Where they stand
Moments where the table disagreed, straight from the transcripts.
Suggests Tommy clearly needs cameras given the mystery cat and nearby car break-ins.
Agrees cameras would help but is unsure how much to spend and hasn't committed to buying any yet.
Doesn't trust kangaroos or koalas (compares koalas to unpredictable junkies) and would prefer a wombat, comparing a tame one to a cuddly pouf-like companion.
Pushes back slightly, suggesting wombats are generally fine, though acknowledges their surprising speed.
Would never get a cat; he's allergic and thinks cats bring unnecessary stress and negativity, comparing uncontrolled cats to people who'd be exiled if they acted that way.
Likes the idea of exotic pets like big cats or elephants and already has a cat his parents look after, but is wary of fish tanks and the responsibility of having a living being to care for at night.
Doesn't think she has it in her to want a dog despite her boyfriend wanting one and her brother sending dog photos; she's ambivalent and would reluctantly indulge but worries about the reality of care.
Loves dogs deeply but acknowledges a puppy is intense work, arguing you should only get one if you want it 'with all your heart.'
Not really a dog person; disagrees with the idea of outsourcing dog care (e.g., daycare) and feels uneasy seeing dogs left at daycare facilities.
Would love to own a chimp or big cat if it were guaranteed safe, seeing it as fun content for Instagram stories.
Skeptical, raising practical concerns like toilet training and nappies.
Josh
Prefers lying on his left side and sometimes ends up as the little spoon when Bree switches sides to accommodate him.
Tommy
Says he is physically a 'big spoon' body type but actually prefers being spooned/comforted from behind.
George
Says he is mostly the little spoon despite being physically bigger than his partner Hannah.
Mason
Says he thinks he'd prefer to be the big spoon.
Josh
Questions whether even established zoos are much better than operations like Joe Exotic's, noting discomfort seeing caged animals and zoos' commercial motives.
Tommy
Argues major zoos like Melbourne, Sydney, Taronga and San Diego are legitimate, better-regulated establishments focused on conservation, unlike unethical operators such as Joe Exotic.
Thinks koalas are severely overrated and considers them 'savage' with long fingernails despite looking cute.
Pushes back lightly, joking about koalas climbing trees, and recites the 'please don't call me a koala bear' song lyrics defending they're not bears.
Has been vegetarian since Year 7 and says he feels much healthier for it.
Tried vegetarianism for a month but felt worse, and is reconsidering eating bacon/pork specifically while remaining open to eating steak.
Couldn't finish watching the documentary Dominion and was emotionally affected by a pig encounter on the highway, but doesn't commit to full vegetarianism.
IKEA undercuts independent tradespeople by subsidizing flat-pack assembly costs as a large company, making it hard for small operators like his dad to compete fairly on price.
Questions the process and wonders if there was ever a proper estimate given before the job, seemingly sympathetic but probing the business logic.
whether hidden animal products (gelatin, rennet, chicken stock) should count against someone trying to be vegetarian
Ep 489▶ 8:23Believes it's important to educate Josh that many seemingly vegetarian foods secretly contain animal products, and brings examples specifically to test and inform him, framing it as supportive even though it leaves Josh without food to eat.
Finds the exercise frustrating and 'the worst Fat Fridays ever' since he's left with four items he can't eat, though he acknowledges the educational value and commits to avoiding gelatin and chicken-stock-based soups going forward.
Feels obligated to answer unknown numbers because having a business means you might need to take a call, though he finds telemarketers interrupting personal moments a pet peeve.
Disagrees—let unknown calls go to voicemail; only answers when she feels like it, though she'll happily take a long call from friends like Josh.
Agrees with Gemma about avoiding calls, which is why only Tommy's number is on the website, but says he'll always take a phone call from friends over attending things like birthday parties.
Advice from the show
all 16pieces →What was actually said, attributed and linked to the moment.
How do you come up with a strong concept for a script or podcast?
Read 'Save the Cat' to learn how to craft a strong one-sentence logline, as this process is also useful for shaping podcast concepts.
How do you manage pet insurance claims?
Keep the PDF receipt emailed after a vet visit and upload it directly to the insurer's web interface to get cash back into your account.
What should you do if you find a large non-venomous snake near your house?
Snake catchers advised that if you're comfortable leaving it, it's fine to leave the snake alone, especially if you don't have small pets like a chihuahua or guinea pig it could threaten.
How can you pitch a partnership or collaboration via cold outreach?
Harry models a pitch that opens with a confident hook ('I've got an awesome opportunity for you'), frames the exchange as mutually beneficial (free advertising/promotion in return for access), and anticipates the other party's concerns by offering a practical solution (like reserving a private session) rather than asking for an open-ended favor.
What should you watch out for when trying to eat vegetarian?
Check ingredient labels carefully — items that seem vegetarian (soups, cheeses, lollies, marshmallows) can contain chicken stock, animal rennet, or gelatin; opt for soft cheeses like brie over hard cheeses, and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
When is the right time to start a side business or online venture?
Start a side business or online venture before quitting your main job, because you're unlikely to make real money from it right at the beginning if you're relying on it as your sole income.
What's the best way to stop magpies swooping, and do bike helmet cable ties actually work?
Cable ties on helmets (often mistaken for a magpie deterrent) don't actually work; the most effective method is making direct eye contact with the magpie.
How do you stop a dog from eating food it finds on the ground?
Train the dog by rewarding it for coming to you instead of going for the food, and carry treats as a better alternative; being on a lead also helps control the behaviour.
Is it safe to give dogs bones?
Most dogs handle cooked or raw bones fine, but bones can become a foreign body causing blockages or constipation, so it's worth being cautious.
How should you think about doing the right thing (like cleaning up after yourself) without guilt driving you?
Josh argues it's better to act out of a sense of duty and genuine desire to do the right thing rather than out of guilt or fear that someone else will have to deal with it.
What should people understand before criticizing farmers over animal welfare issues?
Rupert argues people should separate conversations about farming as a livelihood from genuine animal cruelty issues, noting that farmers care deeply about their animals since it's their business and income, and that bad practices shown in exposés are upsetting to farmers too — the issue should be addressed respectfully rather than blaming all farmers broadly.
How do I choose a good coach and avoid 'snake oil' coaches?
Ask around for recommendations since the coaching industry is small and insiders know who the cowboys are; be cautious of very young, inexperienced people branding themselves coaches; and clarify whether the person is purely asking empowering questions (coaching) or providing advice/frameworks (consulting).
How do you stop a dog from pulling on its leash?
Stop walking every time the dog pulls ahead and hold the lead still until the dog stops too, then resume walking only once it has calmed, repeating the process consistently.
How do you deal with cleaning up after a dog in public?
Josh describes carrying both a poop scoop and bags, and when tools are insufficient, hiding the shovel in a garden bed rather than carrying it around, as a practical workaround.
How should you handle charitable giving if you don't want it to look like a marketing stunt?
Don't tie giving to engagement or publicity — if you have a set amount to give, just give it directly rather than wrapping it in a campaign (e.g. 'like this post and we'll donate X') that benefits your brand's engagement.
Stories told on air
Bumping into Chase Jarvis and Post Malone in New York
Ep 100025:09On the same day they interviewed Seth Godin in Central Park, Tommy and Josh randomly encountered photographer/entrepreneur Chase Jarvis on a street corner and interviewed him on the spot, then later that evening spotted Post Malone outside a Chinese restaurant with a heavy security detail, reportedly larger than Bill Clinton's.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
Tommy relays ad-tech jargon ('donuts' for dynamic ad insertion gaps) from his friend Mike Santos to Jess, who jotted a cryptic note in his diary reading just 'Mike Santos, donut' and then forgot the context, leading to a confusing follow-up call with their ads vendor AdsWiz and an enduring office in-joke.
told by Josh Janssen and George Martin
Tommy and his friend Donuts went to dinner and on the walk back invented a game: watch an owner walk into a dog daycare without a dog, then guess which breed they'll walk out with.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy is woken at night by a cat meowing outside his bedroom door, later finds dog-like droppings in his backyard and spends the episode trying to work out whether a cat or an intruding dog is responsible, eventually deciding it was the cat.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy describes his dog Bodhi's toilet training, recounting a time Bodhi needed to poo urgently in the park, leading Tommy to let him go in the bushes and clean it up himself, justifying it by noting other dog owners also let their dogs go nearby.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy recounts meeting a producer who once worked as a personal assistant for a US-based comedian (name uncertain, possibly misattributed) who kept exotic pets, including sourcing and importing a pet octopus that required multiple nested containers because octopuses can escape almost anything.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh describes having large groups of kangaroos (sometimes 15) on his family's lawn as a kid, and nervously showing them off to international visitors despite being scared of their size and hissing.
told by Josh Janssen
George recounts how his cat Spencer got into a fight, developed a badly infected neck wound requiring vet surgery, stitches and a drain, then scratched his own stitches out twice, leading to tissue glue repair and ongoing cone struggles.
told by George Martin
On the way to record the show, Tommy spotted a stray dog on the road with no visible owner nearby. He and his partner Amy stopped, coaxed it into their car, brought it home, and had a neighbour identify the dog's likely owner, saving her from a costly pound fee.
told by Tommy Jackett
Michelle recounts how her new puppy Benji, while doing high-energy 'zoomies' around the courtyard, missed the open doorway and ran into glass, giving himself a concussion that required an emergency vet visit.
told by Michelle Andrews
A carpet python invades the house during lockdown
Ep 69836:57Community member Emma describes a nearly 3-metre carpet python spotted outside her bedroom by her 6-year-old, which climbed onto the roof; two snake catchers gave conflicting advice about whether to leave it, leaving her living in fear it may now reside in her ceiling.
told by Emma (community member)
Tommy recounts that his dog Bodhi has been getting into chocolate again, including finding wrappers in a walk-in wardrobe, and that the dog has been noticeably hyperactive and disobedient as a result.
told by Tommy
Wayne Peters recounts seeing a large black cat-like animal dart across the road at dusk near Warrnambool with his girlfriend, tying into local legend of an escaped circus cougar from decades ago.
told by Wayne Peters
Alex recounts hiring an eccentric dog trainer named Graham who insisted on structure in the household — adults first, then dogs, then children — and used psychoanalysis-style reasoning about her dog Kyle's leadership issues, which ultimately worked.
told by Alex Ward
Tommy describes an incident at a dog-on-lead park where an older woman photographed his nude toddler son Bodhi and another nude girl while trying to capture evidence of an off-lead dog, prompting another parent to swear at her.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy describes a TikTok he made referencing a Little Britain-style sketch about a handsy airline CEO accused of sexual assault, captioned about the Me Too movement, which he decided not to post given Harvey Weinstein's recent arrest.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy tells a story about his landscaper father, now doing property maintenance, being asked to assemble a complex 70-piece IKEA flat-pack wardrobe system for a real estate client. It took him and another tradesperson 7 hours, and he charged a fair hourly rate (~$800) only to discover IKEA's own assembly service would have cost just $160-190, sparking frustration about how IKEA subsidizes the service.
told by Tommy Jackett
Harry recounts visiting the Cat Cafe years earlier in year 8, tripping on a cat toy and falling to the floor in front of international tourists, causing all the cats in the room to scatter.
told by Harry Lodge
In their words
“It's very hard to get away with anything these days, which is kind of good.”
“You've told this whole storey so you could say pussy.”
“I feel like even yesterday walking out and seeing birds, I felt one with the birds.”
“They're the Usain Bolt. It's like they're overweight Usain Bolts.”
“The ocean's fucked.”
“Abby is a door bitch at a nightclub that's really attractive but wouldn't be able to handle herself if there was a fight happening.”
“I need something that's got a bit of bitch about you.”
“Enough to break the ice. Hi, I'm Josh. Nice to meet you.”
“it was sitting out and fucking put its hand out like, bullshit, shake my hand, bitch.”
“Lassie dogs, look, if you kicked a Lassie dog, it would crumble.”
“Jack Russells are psychos. Just remember that.”
“It's shit money that you can't get back.”
“We've got a podcast company, they've got a big following, and in turn they'll create a lot of advertising for you free of charge.”
“Yeah, it's interesting. It's the worst Fat Fridays ever.”
“I was convinced because I'd watched Terminator and I was like, this guy's Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
“White people.”
“Haven't we all killed a bird by accident?”
“I just don't fly. But outside of that, I tick all the boxes. #TestosteroneNumberOne.”