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It Started With A Sheep Named Crystal

March 10, 2026 · 28 min

Show notes

Healing people requires healing animals and the systems we share. Dr. Hope Ferdowsian traces that conviction from a sheep named Crystal on an Oklahoma farm to sanctuary chimpanzees with PTSD, to asylum seekers she's evaluated across borders. The through-line isn't a coincidence — it's a career built on understanding humanity through animals, following suffering wherever it leads, and finding resilience on the other side.




References for Our Discussion

◼️Phoenix Zones Website



Guest

◼️Hope Ferdowsian, Co-Founder and President of Phoenix Zones Initiative



Host

◼️ Purva Mehta, BMSc, MSc



Executive Producer

◼️Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®



Production Notes


◼️ Music from Johnny Harris x Tom Fox: The Music Room



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