Alex Griffin interviews Rachel Down of Boil & Broth and The British Broth Company on the benefits of bone broth for gut health, natural nutrition, microbiome balance, and holistic wellness for both humans and dogs.

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Takeaways

• Rachel's journey into bone broth began after struggling with health issues post-pregnancy.
• Bone broth has significant benefits for gut health and overall wellness.
• The process of making bone broth involves boiling bones with water and apple cider vinegar.
• Bone broth can be beneficial for dogs, helping with digestive issues and overall health.
• The Biome Broth Study showed a 99% increase in beneficial gut bacteria in dogs after consuming bone broth.
• Natural nutrition is becoming increasingly important as people seek alternatives to processed foods.
• Self-reliance and home cooking are essential in today's food landscape.
• Bone broth can help reduce symptoms related to various health conditions.
• Quality sourcing of ingredients is crucial for effective bone broth.
• The podcast aims to educate listeners on natural health and wellness practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bone Broth and Rachel Down

01:13 Rachel's Personal Health Journey

06:18 The Birth of Boil & Broth

10:12 Understanding Bone Broth: Process and Benefits

20:17 Bone Broth for Dogs: Health Benefits and Usage

25:36 The Biome Broth Study: Insights and Findings

34:02 The Shift Towards Natural Health Solutions

36:44 Navigating Information Overload

37:25 The Benefits of Bone Broth

38:04 Gut Health and Its Importance

39:24 Natural vs. Processed Supplements

41:06 Introducing Bone Broth to Dogs

43:08 Sourcing Quality Ingredients

46:23 Understanding Bone Broth Quality

49:02 Consumer Awareness and Transparency

51:47 The Financial Benefits of Natural Health

53:06 The Impact of COVID on Health Awareness

55:03 Food Security and Self-Reliance

57:54 Practical Steps for Home Preparedness

01:00:49 The Future of Food and Control

01:02:21 Connecting with Rachel and Resources

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For more information on Bone Broth Study: https://boilandbroth.com/pages/the-biome-broth-study-results

In this episode of the Westies and Besties podcast, host Alex Griffin interviews Adam Golder, co-founder of K9 Jets, a pioneering company in the pet travel market.

They discuss the rise of pet-friendly aviation, the unique experiences offered to pets and their owners, and the growing demand for private jet travel for pets.

Adam shares insights into the company's inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, the types of customers they serve, and the logistics involved in pet travel, including documentation and health considerations. The conversation also touches on popular dog breeds, travel routes, and the future of the pet travel industry.

Reach out to Adam at: K9 Jets - Private Jet Charter for Pets - K9 JETS

Takeaways

K9 Jets was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The demand for pet-friendly aviation has surged post-COVID.

Flying pets in the cabin is often more affordable than cargo.

The experience for pets and owners is designed to be stress-free.

Documentation requirements vary by destination, especially for the UK.

Medication for pets can be brought on board if approved by a vet.

Golden retrievers and Labradors are among the most popular breeds flying.

London to New York is the most traveled route for pets.

The pet travel market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Partnerships with pet-friendly accommodations are essential for growth.

Sound bites

"It's a very relaxed experience."

"The US is easier really to get in."

"London to New York is our most popular route."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pet Travel Trends

01:12 The Birth of Canine Jets

04:38 The Demand for Pet-Friendly Aviation

06:30 Understanding the Customer Base

10:06 The Travel Experience for Pets and Owners

11:59 Documentation and Regulations for Pet Travel

15:09 Medication and Health Considerations

18:59 Popular Dog Breeds and Destinations

23:55 Future of Pet Travel Market

27:34 Innovations and Partnerships in Pet Travel

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In this episode of the Westies and Besties podcast, host Alex Griffin interviews Ben McIntyre, the founder and CEO of a rapidly growing raw dog food company in the UK.

They discuss the journey of transitioning to raw feeding, the challenges faced in the pet food industry, and the importance of educating pet owners about nutrition.

Ben shares his personal story of how he became passionate about raw feeding after experiencing health issues with his own dog.

The conversation also touches on the regulatory landscape, the relationship with stockists, and the future of raw feeding as more pet owners become aware of its benefits.

Click here to find out more about Mersey Raw!:

https://www.merseyraw.com/

Takeaways

Ben's journey into raw dog food began with a desire to feed his own dog a healthier diet.

The raw feeding industry is experiencing significant growth due to increased awareness of pet nutrition.

Building strong relationships with independent stockists has been crucial for business success.

Transitioning to a raw diet can be daunting for pet owners, but guidance is available.

Regulatory bodies play a vital role in ensuring the safety of raw pet food.

The sourcing of meat for raw feeding is often from reputable suppliers, ensuring quality.

Veterinary practices are increasingly recognizing the benefits of raw feeding.

The kibble market's dominance raises concerns about dog health and nutrition.

Consumer awareness is key to changing perceptions about pet food.

Ben's company aims to feed 100,000 meals a day by 2030.

Sound bites

"I was like a dog with a bone."

"We started in a really small cafe."

"We are inspected to the eyeballs."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Raw Feeding and Business Success

02:18 The Journey into Raw Dog Food

05:42 Challenges and Growth in the Industry

09:23 Transitioning to a Purpose-Built Facility

12:07 Building Relationships with Stockists

14:49 The Rise of Raw Feeding Awareness

17:42 Product Development and Customer Education

20:33 Quality Assurance and Sourcing Meat

24:44 Navigating Animal Health Regulations

27:52 Product Development and Innovation in Pet Food

29:05 The Role of Veterinarians in Pet Nutrition

31:34 Critique of Commercial Pet Food Industry

34:19 The Impact of Diet on Dog Health

38:21 Changing Perceptions of Dog Food

38:42 Economic Benefits of Raw Diets

40:03 Building a Positive Company Culture

Watch FULL episodes on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@westiesandbestiestv?si=JuTwRIbzGnsJW4-Q

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In this conversation, Branca Gebbie of The Golden Paste Company discusses the complexities of turmeric and its most studied component, curcumin.

She emphasizes the importance of combining curcumin with piperine for better absorption and digestion, highlighting common misconceptions about turmeric consumption.

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Takeaways

Turmeric contains over 200 components, with curcumin being the most studied.

Sourcing turmeric from a single source can enhance curcumin percentage.

Piperine from black pepper is essential for curcumin activation.

The body requires specific conditions to digest curcumin effectively.

Simply adding turmeric to food may not provide health benefits.

Understanding the activation process is crucial for turmeric's effectiveness.

Curcumin's benefits are often overlooked due to misconceptions.

Proper digestion is key to unlocking turmeric's potential.

Herbal medicine requires knowledge of ingredient interactions.

Awareness of how to consume turmeric can lead to better health outcomes.

Sound bites

"Turmeric has over 200 components to it."

"The body has to be able to digest it."

"I saw in the zone!"

In this episode of the Westies and Besties podcast, host Alex Griffin interviews Tina McCain, a certified master dog trainer and educator with over 30 years of experience. Tina shares her journey with West Highland White Terriers, her transition to raw feeding, and the importance of holistic health practices for dogs.

She discusses the benefits of essential oils, the significance of proper nutrition, and her insights on dog behaviour and training. Tina also emphasizes the importance of gradual dietary changes and the impact of chemicals on canine health. The conversation concludes with practical advice for dog owners and a commitment to educating others about dog wellness.

Watch FULL episodes on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@westiesandbestiestv?si=JuTwRIbzGnsJW4-Q

Takeaways

Tina McCain is a certified master dog trainer with over 30 years of experience.

She emphasizes the importance of nutrition as the foundation of a dog's health.

Tina advocates for raw feeding and has seen significant health improvements in dogs.

Essential oils can be beneficial for dogs, but quality matters.

Behavioural issues in dogs can often be linked to physical health problems.

Tina uses holistic approaches, including acupuncture and homeopathy, in her practice.

She encourages gradual dietary changes when transitioning dogs to raw food.

Tina has fostered and rehomed many Westies through rescue efforts.

Education is key for dog owners to maintain their pets' health and well-being.

Tina believes that people often need more training than the dogs themselves.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tina McCain

03:05 Tina's Journey with Westies

06:03 Mary Mack Wellness Solutions

08:42 The Shift to Raw Feeding

11:58 The Importance of Nutrition

14:36 Essential Oils for Dogs

18:01 Behaviour and Training Insights

21:01 Holistic Approaches to Dog Health

23:38 Rescue and Rehoming Practices

26:55 Final Thoughts and Advice

If you and your Westie would like to be a guest, feel free to contact me on: alex@westiesandbesties.com

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In this powerful and practical episode of the Westies & Besties Podcast, host Alex Griffin is joined by Nick Every, founder of Pawfect Bags, to talk about dog walking etiquette, responsible dog ownership, and why cleaning up after your dog is more important than ever.

Nick shares his inspiring journey from ex-military service to creating a British-made, hands-free dog walking bag designed to make life easier for dog owners while protecting wildlife, livestock, and the environment.

Together, Alex and Nick discuss the real consequences of discarded dog poo bags, the impact on dogs, horses, cows, wildlife, and people, and how small habit changes can make Britain’s walking spaces cleaner and safer for everyone.

If you’re a dog owner, dog walker, or outdoor lover – this is a must-listen episode!

🐾 Where to Find Pawfect Bags

🌐 Website: https://pawfectbags.co.uk 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @PawfectBags

🎁 Christmas is coming – a Pawfect Bag makes a practical, thoughtful gift for any dog owner!

🐶 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why dog walking etiquette matters more than ever
• The dangers of discarded dog poo bags to wildlife & livestock
• How dog poo can cause serious health risks to people and animals
• Why biodegradable poo bags are NOT a solution if left in nature
• How Pawfect Bags help dog owners stay hands-free & responsible
• Winter vs summer dog walking essentials
• The importance of British-made pet products
• How dog owners can lead by example and change habits

✅ Key Takeaways

✔ Carrying dog poo doesn’t have to be unpleasant ✔ Hands-free dog walking makes walks safer & easier ✔ Discarded poo bags harm animals, livestock, and ecosystems ✔ Responsible dog ownership includes proper waste disposal ✔ Supporting British-made products helps the economy & environment ✔ One simple habit change can make a huge difference

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If you and your Westie would like to be a guest, feel free to contact me on: alex@westiesandbesties.com

In this inspiring episode of The Westies & Besties Podcast, host Alex Griffin sits down with Alex Taylor-Grout, co-founder of Fettle Pets, a rapidly growing UK brand specialising in 100% natural supplements for dogs and cats.

Alex shares the deeply personal beginnings behind Fettle Pets, how he and Taylor built the business from scratch (literally from a kitchen table), their dedication to clean ingredients, and why natural whole-food nutrition is transforming pet health.

From manufacturing mistakes to massive growth, family support, and product development based on real needs—they cover it all. A must-listen for dog parents who want to feed better, understand nutrition, and support ethical UK pet brands.

📌 Key Takeaways

• Fettle Pets was born out of a personal mission to find clean, simple, whole-food nutrition for their own pets.
• Transparency matters: if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, think twice before feeding it.
• Whole-food ingredients > synthetic supplements — they offer natural nutrients, better bioavailability and no hidden fillers.
• Goat’s milk, kelp seaweed and pumpkin powder are popular because they solve real issues: hydration, dental health and digestion.
• The brand grew through hard work, family support and grassroots outreach, not big budgets.
• Fettle’s ethos: “If it’s not good enough for our own dogs, it’s not good enough for yours.”
• Education is key — helping dog owners understand labels, nutrition and the true meaning of “natural”.
• Dog health issues like bad breath, plaque, allergies and digestion can often be supported through simple nutritional changes.
• Fettle is committed to ethical UK manufacturing, controlling quality in-house to ensure purity and consistency.

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In this episode, Alex Griffin interviews Sharon, the founder of Westies and Scotties Rescue, who shares her journey of rescuing and rehoming West Highland White Terriers and Scottish Terriers.

Sharon discusses her personal experiences with dogs, the philosophy behind her rescue efforts, and the adoption process. She emphasizes the importance of matching dogs with suitable homes and the unique traits of Scotty dogs.

The conversation also touches on dog behaviour, grooming, and the joys and challenges of caring for multiple dogs. Sharon's passion for animal welfare shines through as she highlights the bond between humans and dogs and the community support that makes her work possible.

Takeaways

Sharon started her journey with dogs at a young age.

The rescue operates from home without kennels.

The main goal is to rehome breeding girls from breeders.

Adoption involves a thorough application process.

Dogs need mental stimulation as much as physical exercise.

Scotty dogs have unique traits and personalities.

Grooming is a significant part of dog care.

Building trust with rescue dogs is essential.

Community support is vital for rescue operations.

Every dog deserves a loving home.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Westies and Scotties Rescue

05:30 Sharon's Journey with Dogs

09:50 The Rescue Process and Philosophy

19:05 Adoption Process Explained

24:41 Understanding Dog Behaviour and Needs

34:41 The Unique Traits of Scotty Dogs

42:13 Grooming and Care for Multiple Dogs

44:42 Quick Fire Round: Fun with Dogs

01:10:30 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

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If you and your Westie would like to be a guest, feel free to contact me on: alex@westiesandbesties.com