Actress and podcast host Maggie Lawson shares how the deep bond with our pets can transform, heal, and inspire us.
Your podcast, “Unconditional,” focuses on the bond between people and animals. What inspired you to start the podcast, and why is this topic so close to your heart?
I’ve always believed that the love we share with our pets is one of the most powerful forces on this Earth. It’s pure, it’s transformative, it’s unconditional, and it often shows us how to love more fully in all areas of our lives. I started “Unconditional” because I wanted to explore those stories — the profound ways our animals change us, heal us, and teach us about presence, resilience, and joy. When we talk about our pets, something softens in us; we open up. For me, it’s not just a podcast; it’s a love letter to the bond between human and animal. When one thing, like that bond, can incite love, it opens the door to so many other things. That kind of energy? That’s the road to healing.
As a pet owner, what do you believe is the most important aspect of maintaining your pet’s health and happiness?
Snuggles, of course, but also connection. Truly paying attention to your animal — their needs, their moods, their spirit. Of course, regular vet visits and a healthy diet are essential, but I think what pets crave most is the same thing we do: to feel safe, seen, and loved. That emotional connection is just as vital to their well-being as anything else.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a pet parent, and how have you overcome them?
The hardest part, for me, has always been loss. Loving deeply means grieving deeply. But even in grief, I’ve been reminded that the love doesn’t go away, it just changes form. Each pet I’ve loved has become part of who I am. I carry them with me. That’s part of what “Unconditional” is about, too — giving space for that kind of love and loss to be honored out loud.
How do you incorporate wellness practices into your own pets’ lives? Are there any products or routines that you swear by?
Daily walks, fresh air, play, and presence. Linus has taught me to slow down and take in the world through all my senses. We do our best to stay on top of preventative care, and I really believe in integrative approaches to health, like acupuncture, massage, and even energy healing for animals. More than anything, however, I try to let him know he’s safe, loved, and cherished every single day, because he does the same for me. He loves an afternoon car ride with the windows down, so that’s one of the daily things we do to keep us both sane. Also, I try to make sure that he gets regular play time with his best friends, Walter and Chloe.
With your platform, you have an incredible opportunity to influence pet owners. What message do you want to share with your audience about responsible pet ownership and wellness?
I want people to remember that pets aren’t just companions, they’re family. The way we treat them reflects so much about who we are. Loving and caring for an animal is a commitment that asks for presence, patience, and responsibility. But it also gives us so much in return. If even one person listens to the podcast and feels inspired to love more, to adopt, to grieve openly, or to simply be kinder, that ripple effect can change lives, because they change ours. Everyone loves their pets, and if I can leave this Earth having helped people open their hearts a little more through that love, then I’ll feel like I did something that mattered.
