Michael Howie is the Director of Communications and Advocacy at The Fur-Bearers (www.TheFurBearers.com), a charitable organization that advocates on behalf of fur-bearing animals in the wild and in confinement. Michael began his career in journalism and earned more than a dozen awards for reporting on crime, the environment, editorial writing and news design, prior to moving to the non-profit sector. In addition to writing and strategic communication duties, Michael hosts and producers Defender Radio and The Switch podcasts, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and at DefenderRadio.com. Heading into its ninth season, Defender Radio features long-form interviews with experts, advocates and researchers; The Switch helps individuals find ways to combat climate change at home on a daily basis. Michael lives in Hamilton, Ontario and enjoys wood working, crafting, spending time with his furry companions and comedy. He can be followed on Twitter @DefenderRadio, Instagram @Howiemichael, and Facebook at the Defender Radio Podcast page.