I Am Human. This Is My Dog.
Introducing the I Am Human. This Is My Dog podcast – the show devoted to putting the individual back into the dog, as well as their human, while also examining difficult, and oftentimes controversial, animal welfare-related topics that have been largely ignored, but are critical for real progress.
related:
season one
Pit Bull Dogs in the aftermath of the Michael Vick dogfighting case
In this inaugural season, I revisit my journey as an aspiring filmmaker exploring pit bull dogs at the onset of the 2007 Michael Vick dogfighting case for a documentary.
Season 1 Episodes
episode 1
-
In this first episode of the inaugural season, I recount my steps as an aspiring filmmaker immediately before and after the Michael Vick dogfighting case began in the spring of 2007.
-
Kathy Hessler - Clinical Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University
Laura Brown - Animal Care Specialist at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
John P. Goodwin - Deputy Manager of Animal Fighting Issues at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
Longer Way To Go | by Miguel Johnsonreleased under CC-by 3.0
Adrift Among Infinite Stars | by Scott Buckleyreleased under CC-by 4.0
Decoherence | by Scott Buckleyreleased under CC-by 4.0
Undertow | by Scott Buckleyreleased under CC-by 4.0
Court And Page | by Silent Partner
Forest Walk | by Alexander Nakaradareleased under CC-by 4.0
Blind | by Meydänreleased under CC-by 4.0
Please Wake Up | by Meydänreleased under CC-by 4.0
Silent Wood | by Purrple Cat | released under CC-by 3.0
No. 4 Piano Journey | by Esther Abrami
Episode 2
-
In this second episode of the inaugural season, I turn my attention from dogfighting to breed specific legislation…and the fight against Lakewood, Ohio’s proposed pit bull ban.
-
Shana Klein - Founder and President of For the Love of Pits
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"Celestial" by Scott Buckley | released under CC-by 4.0
"Lonesome Journey" by Keys of Moon | released under CC-by 4.0
"Story" by Meydän | released under CC-by 4.0
"Atlantis" by Audionautix
"Brand New World" by Kai Engel | released under CC-by 4.0
"Chasing Daylight" by Scott Buckley | released under CC-by 4.0
"Cinematic Documentary Piano" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"Dramatic Ambient Cinematic Piano" by Alex MakeMusic/Oleksandr Savochka
"Blind" by Meydän | released under CC-by 4.0
"The Preparation" by BatchBug | released under CC-by 3.0
“Between” by Meydan | released under CC-by 4.0
"Cinematic Piano Atmosphere 4" by Musictown
Episode 3
-
In this third episode of the inaugural season, I pivot back to the topic of dogfighting, as news reports from around the country seem to pour in about suspected dogfighting cases.
-
Sgt. David Hunt - Undercover Detective at Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Rebecca Huss - Professor of Law at Valparaiso University, School of Law
Brian Whisler - Assistant U.S. Attorney In The United States v. Michael Vick
Ledy VanKavage - Senior Director of Legislation and Legal Training at The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Dr. Melinda Merck - Senior Director of Forensic Science at The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"Somnolence" by Kai Engel | released under CC-by 4.0
"Harbor" by Kai Engel | released under CC-by 4.0
"Filaments" by Scott Buckley | released under CC-by 4.0
"Away" by Meydän | released under CC-by 4.0
"Long Way To Go" (Ambient Beautiful Orchestral Music) by Miguel Johnson | released under CC-by 3.0
"Cinematic Documentary Piano" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"Tired of Life" by Meydän | released under CC-by 4.0
"Modum" by Kai Engel | released under CC-by 4.0
“Between” by Meydan | released under CC-by 4.0
"Art of Silence" by Uniq | released under CC-by 4.0
Episode 4
-
In this fourth episode of the inaugural season, I am forced to jump slightly ahead to the spring of 2009 when I interviewed a retired U.S. Marine, who became the target of Lakewood’s pit bull ban.
-
Leonard Shelton - Retired U.S. Marine and Lakewood resident
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"Harbor" by Kai Engel | released under CC-by 4.0
"Oneiri" by Kai Engel | released under CC-by 4.0
"Cinematic Atmostphere Score 2" by Musictown
"Cinematic Documentary Piano" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"This Documentary" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"Soft Ambient" by Alex MakeMusic/Oleksandr Savochka
"The Documentaries" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"Wind Troubles the Water" by Lexin_Music
"This Documentary Piano Ambient" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"The Cradle of Your Soul" by Lemon Music Studio
episode 5
-
In this fifth episode of the inaugural season, I uncover two invaluable lessons that force me to forget everything I think I knew about pit bull dogs and the reason for laws that target their ownership.
-
Maria Johnston - Guardian/Owner of Abby, the therapy dog
Bernice Clifford - Behavior and Training Director at Animal Farm Foundation (AFF)
Stacey Coleman - Foundation Manager at Animal Farm Foundation (AFF)
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"This Documentary Piano Ambient" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"The Act - Cinematic Time Pad" by lesfm/Oleksii Kaplunskyi
"The Documentaries" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"Tired of Life" by Meydän | released under CC-by 4.0
"Piano Documentary Ambient" by The Mountain/Dmitrii Kolesnikov
"Maree" by Kai Engel | released under CC-by 4.0
"Inspiring Landscape" by Lexin_Music
Episode 6
-
In this sixth episode of the inaugural season, I find myself in the right place at the right time, noticing the beginning stage of the movement to repeal pit bull laws in Ohio, with the downfall of Lucas County Dog Warden, Tom Skeldon.
-
Matt Zone - Councilman at City of Cleveland, Ohio
Jean Keating - Co-Founder of Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates
Ben Konop - County Commissioner at Lucas County, Ohio
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"Figments" by Birraj
"It All Begins Here" by Borrtex
"Maestro Tlakaelel" by Jesse Gallagher
"Spirits" by Letra
"Autumn Mist" by Nobou
"Lifelines" by Nobou
"Particles" by Nobou
"Tiunda" by Osker Wyld
"Electronic Embers" by Sam Rankin
"Caught by the Wild Wild Wind" by The Soundkeeper
Episode 7
-
In this seventh episode of the inaugural season, I interview two of Ohio’s former state politicians, who were responsible for authoring the pit bull ordinance that passed in 1987 which regulated their ownership.
-
Brian Powers - Councilman at City of Lakewood, Ohio
Bob Hickey - Former Ohio State Representative (1982 1992) at Ohio House of Representatives
Neal Zimmers - Former Ohio State Senator (1974 1994) at Ohio Senate
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"Primordial Waters" by The David Roy Collection
"The Beginning" by Nobou
"A New Dawn" by Nobou
"Watching" by The David Roy Collection
"Time Goes By" by Swan Productions
"Quiet Stillness" by Patrick Rundblad
"Whispers In The Attic" by Cosmo Lawson
"Lux" by Tenacious Orchestra
"Slow Momentum" by Mark Fabian
Episode 8
-
In this eighth episode of the inaugural season, the pursuit to remove the designation regulating pit bull dogs in Ohio’s law continues.
-
Ken McCort - Animal Behaviorist and Trainer at Four Paws Animal Behavior
Representative Barbara Sears - Former Ohio State Representative at at Ohio House of Representatives
Matt Zone - Councilman at City of Cleveland, Ohio
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"Driftfields" by Cosmos Lawson
"Investigate" by Lost Harmonies
"The Racer" by Tristan Barton
"Where the Water Flows" by Lost Harmonies
"Devastation" by Immersive Music
"Seeking Answers" by Northern Points
"Watching" by The David Roy Collective
"Some Distant Lights" by Big Score Audio
"Time Goes By" by Swan Productions
"She's a Gift" by Borrtex
"In the Cool of the Day" by Swan Productions
episode 9
-
In this ninth episode of the inaugural season, I introduce a six month old puppy from the Cleveland City Kennel, who came into our home as a foster dog.
-
Julie May - Kennel Volunteer at Cleveland City Kennel
Representative Barbara Sears - Former Ohio State Representative at at Ohio House of Representatives
-
Produced:
River Fire Films, LLCHosted:
Jeff ThemanIntroduction Voiceover:
Nat LauzonIntroduction Music:
Crimson Fly | by Huma-Huma -
"Inner Spaces" by Cosmos Lawson
"Nostalgic Waves" by Immersive Music
"Driftfields" by Cosmos Lawson
"Palindromes" by Klaus Hergersheimer
"Time Goes By: by Swan Productions
"Detailed Analysis" by Mark Fabian
"Particles" by Nobou
"The Martian" by Firefly Music
"An Inspiring Tomorrow" by Mark Fabian
"Meaningful Change" by Mark Fabian
Episode 10 | Part I
coming soon…
Episode 10 | Part II
coming soon…
season two
The trial against Steffen Baldwin
At the conclusion of Season 1, we will begin examining the high profile case of a popular pit bull advocate – Steffen Baldwin, found guilty of 32 felony counts, which included multiple charges of cruelty to a companion animal.
The second season will be dedicated to dissecting The State of Ohio v. Steffen Evan Baldwin – a case involving a well-known dog trainer and pit bull advocate, who became a national name within animal welfare around 2014.
The former humane agent was arrested on or around July 23, 2020 in Los Angeles. Among the 42 original charges were allegations of fraud, bribery, and multiple counts of cruelty to a companion animal.
He was extradited back to Ohio by U.S. Marshals, and the case slowly moved through the legal system for the following 4.5 years until the judge made his decision on January 2, 2025, convicting Baldwin of 32 (of 39 possible counts at that time). Steffen was sentenced to 15.5 years behind bars on April 11th.
contact
For all inquiries about the I Am Human. This Is My Dog. podcast, please fill out the below form. Allow 48-72 hours for a reply: