Podcast: What Dogs Know That We Forgot
A Navy SEAL-turned-philosopher and the world's top human-animal interaction researcher on why our oldest companions are a bridge to a better life.
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I f*cking love dogs. My dogs don’t just make me happy—they’ve changed how I live and see the world for the better. At one point, a dog even saved my life.
This is an ancient story. Humans domesticated dogs before we domesticated wheat. We co-evolved with them in a way few other species have, and dogs can still teach us how to live a good life in an increasingly fast and kinetic world—and even measurably improve our healthspan and lifespan.
In today’s episode, I spoke with two people who can help us understand why.
First, Sam Alaimo. Sam is a former Navy SEAL who did multiple combat tours in pre-state areas of Afghanistan, then got his master’s at Columbia University.
He writes What Then?, one of my favorite Substacks. It blends battle-tested philosophy on hardship, mindset, anthropology—and dogs. Sam says that dogs are more than pets: They’re a bridge back to the primeval world we evolved in, symbols of an ancient wisdom we’ve mostly forgotten as our lives sped up, and reminders of our humanity in an age of mass meaninglessness.
Then I spoke with Dr. Nancy Gee, the world’s foremost expert in animal-human interactions and the head of VCU’s Center for Human-Animal Interaction. Dr. Gee has studied the topic for decades.
She explains how dogs impact our health, brain function, mental health—and why they’re particularly powerful for kids and aging adults. Her research can help you interact with your dog better, and understand why dogs help us live longer, healthier lives.
Also: Duke made an on-camera appearance, so the show has that going for it, which is nice.
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Show notes
Sam’s Substack, What Then? Subscribe—you won’t be disappointed.
Sam’s writings on dogs (some of my favorite work):
Science Magazine: World’s oldest dog identified at ancient hunter-gatherer site
A few of Dr. Gee’s studies:
Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence
Animal-assisted interventions in the classroom—A systematic review
A systematic review of research on pet ownership and animal interactions among older adults
Dogs supporting human health and well-being: A biopsychosocial approach
Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Human-Animal Interaction
Have fun, don’t die, love dogs,
Michael
When I met my Greek wife-to-be, she told me she's allergic to dogs. I later realized that she has a dog phobia. After we were married, I researched "the smartest breed of dog" and Jack Russell terrier kept coming up. I found a Jack purchased it. When I bought Athena home, my wife freaked out. She wouldn't touch the dog for six months. Years later, we now have two Jacks, and my wife is their favorite person in the world. Smart woman, smart dogs--I let them figure it out.
Love the collar and coffee mug! Life has been and continues to be a long strange trip.