Behavioral Grooves Podcast

The Secret Lives of Cows | Gregory Berns

Sep 9, 2024

Gregory Berns, a psychology professor turned accidental farmer at Emory University, shares his fascinating journey into the world of cows. He reveals surprising insights about cow personalities and the emotional connections they form, likening them to human relationships. Berns discusses his innovative 'bud box' techniques for stress-free handling and how music can influence cow behavior. The conversation emphasizes bridging the gap between urban folks and farm life, encouraging deeper appreciation for livestock and ethical consumption.

58:40

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Episode guests

Gregory Berns

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Gregory Berns highlights how understanding cow psychology reveals their unique personalities, challenging traditional views of cows as emotionless animals.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with livestock and our food sources to foster more ethical and compassionate consumer habits.

Deep dives

The Unexpected Journey into Cattle Psychology

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a personal transformation for Gregory Burns, leading him to reconsider his lifestyle. After being confined to online interactions as a university professor, he fantasized about living on a farm and eventually took the leap, purchasing a property in Georgia. Initially, his intentions centered around growing vegetables, but he soon found himself needing animals to maintain the property. This realization led him to acquire miniature cows, which sparked his exploration into their behavior and psychological interactions.

Intro

2min

Understanding Cow Behavior and Personality

19min

Exploring the Disconnect Between Society and Livestock

6min

Understanding Cattle Emotions and Handling

11min

Melodies and Moo-sic: Bonding with Cows

14min

Exploring Human-Ecosystem Interconnectedness through Ethical Meat Consumption

2min

Empathy Through Familiarity: Bridging Human Connections

2min

Engaging with Diversity and Community

4min

Get ready for a moo-ving conversation! This week, Kurt and Tim sit down with Gregory Berns, a psychology professor at Emory University, to explore the secret world of cows. Gregory shares his journey from academic to accidental farmer during the COVID-19 pandemic and how a group of miniature cows changed his life.

There’s moo-re to cows than meets the eye, and Gregory reveals how his farming adventure turned into a real-life exploration of cow psychology, unveiling behaviors that challenge common assumptions. In today’s world, there’s often a disconnect between urban dwellers and livestock, and the trio discusses how we can reconnect with farm life and our food sources to become more conscious consumers.

But that’s not all—tune in to hear how Gregory’s innovative “bud box” techniques show how understanding cow psychology can lead to stress-free handling and trust-building on the farm and beyond. Whether you’re a city slicker or a country dweller, this episode will expand your perspective and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the complex inner lives of the animals around us.

Book a time to talk to Tim about Behavioral Grooves here

Topics

[0:00] A different type of episode!

[2:44] Intro and speed round

[4:49] How does a behavioral scientist start raising cows?

[12:21] Understanding cow personalities

[18:38] Psychology of animal relationships

[27:59] Cow psychology and handling techniques

[36:51] Music and cows

[42:25] Grooving session - understanding our relationship with animals

Links

Gregory Berns