Dogs didn’t just become our companions. They helped make us human. They've been by our side for tens of thousands of years, helping us herd and hunt, migrate, heal, grieve, fight war, imagine the afterlife, and more. Religion and environmental studies scholar Laura Hobgood joins us to explore the long, complicated co-evolution of humans and dogs—how humans have loved, used, protected, and sometimes harmed them in return. Her book is called A Dog’s History of the World: Canines and the Domestication of Humans. Whether you love dogs, miss one deeply, or have never thought much about them at all, this episode will change how you see our oldest animal partner. Even if you aren't a dog person, you're still kind of a dog person! Full transcript is available at relationscapes.org. ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Laura Hobgood is co-chair of the Environmental Studies program and past chair of the Religion program at Southwestern University. She also holds the Elizabeth Root Paden Chair in Religion and Environmental Studies. Hobgood received her Ph.D. from St. Louis University and her M.Div. from Vanderbilt University. She is author of A Dog’s History of the World: Canines and the Domestication of Humans.

Fireside with Blair Hodges

Blair Hodges

Relationscapes: “How Dogs Domesticated Humans,” with Laura Hobgood

MAR 17, 2026-1 MIN
Fireside with Blair Hodges

Relationscapes: “How Dogs Domesticated Humans,” with Laura Hobgood

MAR 17, 2026-1 MIN

Description

<p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">“Relationscapes” is the current podcast by Fireside host Blair Hodges. Enjoy this sample episode! Be sure to subscribe directly to Relationscapes now, because this episode will fall out of the Fireside feed next month!</p>