Truth, Lies, and Puppy Mills
We are bringing podcast back!! This will allow our team to go in-depth on the various facets of the puppy mill industry, the issues that advocates across the country face, as well as interviews with industry experts as we all work together to create lasting change for the animals trapped in commercial breeding facilities.
Episodes
41 episodes
Ep40: Rethinking Puppy Mill Messaging
The words we use every day matter. They shape perception, they influence behavior, and they have the power to tear someone down or build them up. After taking the time to reflect on puppy mill advocacy and the language we use, our team sat down...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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1:04:41
Ep39: This Is Not Normal...
In today’s brief episode, we’re pausing our regular programming to acknowledge the heaviness that so many of us are carrying. At Bailing Out Benji, our work is rooted in research, accountability, and protecting dogs and their families from harm...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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27:26
Ep38: What's in a Message?
What if the way we talk about animal welfare is just as important as the policies we fight for?In this episode, we’re joined by Hanna Lentz from SPARC for a candid and necessary conversation about the messaging that happe...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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57:52
Ep37: Times are Changin'
This week's episode was recorded back in November, but the sentiment remains the same! The times are changing and we are excited to be leading the charge. Sit with Alexis, Kristen, and Mindi as they chat about a few conferences they...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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1:00:03
Ep36: Our Year of Impact!
HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome back to Truth, Lies, and Puppy Mills! Join Alexis, Jalaine, Kristen, and Mindi this week as we chat about the impact that we had in 2025 and what our goals are for 2026. With an amazing volunteer team and a world of s...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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52:55
Ep35: Podcast Pause
Happy Wednesday and thank you for joining us for another week of "Truth, Lies, and Puppy Mills!" Tune in to this very short episode to hear why we are taking a little break from recording and when to expect us back! If you have ever...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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4:53
Ep34: Heart Work + Hard Work
In this lighthearted episode full of laughter and smiles, we sit down with two members of Bailing Out Benji’s admin who help drive our mission every day: Alexis, our research analyst, and Jalaine, our volunteer coordinator. They s...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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39:15
Ep33: Online Sleuth Team
Last week you heard us talk about the online world of puppy sales and what our team is doing to try and get a handle on it! This week Alexis and Kristen sit down with Ally and Sarah , two of our volunteers who helped jumpstart our online resear...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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58:45
Ep32: Click, Click, Sold
On this week's episode, Alexis, Kristen, and Mindi dig deep into the world of online puppy mills. We talk about the history of regulation and go into the work we are doing to try and wrangle the wild-wild-west of puppy sales. Love t...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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53:04
Ep 31: The One With The Questions
We didn't know what to expect when we opened ourselves up for questions, but we are here to answer all of them- even the tough ones! Join us this week as we wrap up with part two of our Q&A style episode and continue having nuan...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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51:24
Ep30: Thirty and Thriving!
Whoop whoop! Our team has released 30 episodes so far!! Thank you for sticking with us as we found our groove. We have had thousands of listeners tuning in on various podcast apps and several dozen watching each week through Youtube! We are hea...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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46:11
Ep29: Cracks in the System: The Daniel Gingerich Case
The Daniel Gingerich puppy mill case was one of the hardest cases we have ever worked on. In 2021 we helped shut down the worst USDA licensed dog breeder in history, but it didn’t come without learning some lessons and hard truths.As we ...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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58:07
Ep28: The Good, the Bad, and the Steve
Steve, Steve, Steve... We can't seem to keep his name out of our mouths! As TSwift might say, "it's actually romantic" how often we talk about Steve Kruse, owner of Stonehenge Kennels in Iowa- lol- okay maybe not. But in all reality he is just ...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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1:05:29
Ep27: Puppies, People, and Purpose
This week, our admin team sits down and talks about the importance of gathering together with our supporters in person to share our work. Community is extremely important and having connections in our home state and across the country are what ...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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43:35
Ep26: The Case of the Disappearing Puppies
On this week's episode, Mindi and Kristen discuss our investigation into "California and the Case of the Disappearing Puppies". While this specific research project led to a story with the LA Times and subsequent bills being filed, it also caus...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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50:39
Ep25: Sham, Retail, or Real? Let's Talk Rescue!
Today we dive head first into the world of rescue. We start off by talking about 'sham rescues', those that are shell companies for the puppy mill industry, and then get into the messy discussion of 'retail rescues'. Retail rescue is a newer te...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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54:34
Ep24: Laws and Pitfalls Part 2
We had SO much to say about the most common puppy mill laws (and their pitfalls!) that we broke this episode into 2 parts! Make sure that you listen to part 1 before diving in. We finish up this two-part episode by discussing sourcing laws, sta...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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32:05
Ep 23: Laws and Pitfalls
Sit with us this week as we dive into the most common types of puppy mill legislation that advocates work on! In this two-part episode, we discuss some of the biggest pieces of legislation that has been passed and what the research shows happen...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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42:19
Ep 22: Skibidi Podcast Takeover
We also don't know what Skibidi means (besides everything and nothing?) but we are in it now. Carsten and Gus are here for this week's episode and they tell us all about Bailing Out Benji and the animal welfare world through the lens of (almost...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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42:08
Ep21: Kibbles and Chaos
On this week's episode, Jalaine, Kristen, and Mindi sit down and discuss "Kibbles for a Cause"- the newly formed coalition between Central Iowa groups who provide pet food assistance to families! They also take the time to share what every day ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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47:37
Ep20: Bark After Dark
On this week's episode, Mindi, Kristen, and Jalaine get all dressed up to talk about our Gala! The intent of the episode is to give a glimpse of what the night is like and why we host this kind of event :) We also have many ways that you can su...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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30:47
Ep19: Puppy Mills and Page Turners
On this extremely special episode, Jalaine and Kristen sit down with two of our Wisconsin volunteers who are also published authors! Both Peggy Race ("Deputy Paws and the Puppy Mill Cause", "Desiree, The Music of My Soul") and Molly Weinfurter&...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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34:49
Ep18: The Magic Website
On this week's episode, we talk about a world where a magic website exists for the public to use in order to avoid puppy mills. Advocates and consumers can type in a name or license number and learn about a breeder's inspection history in order...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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40:06
Ep17: No Space for Amish Hate
On this week's episode, our team sits down to discuss the interview with Devon and highlight some of the ways we have seen progress within the Amish community. Unfortunately, Amish dog breeders are one of the most vilified groups i...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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37:47
Ep16: An Unlikely Friendship
In our latest episode, Mindi has a candid phone conversation with an unlikely ally, Devon- an Amish dog breeder who sells puppies to pet stores. Their friendship defies expectations, but is rooted in mutual respect and a shared desire to see th...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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49:07
