Podcast Summary: "The Dogist' On Canine Companionship"

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Elias Weiss Friedman (The Doggist)
Air Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This heartfelt and lively episode centers on canine companionship through the lens of Elias Weiss Friedman, better known as "The Doggist." With over 50,000 dogs photographed and a social media phenomenon to his name, Friedman shares stories behind his new book This Dog Will Change Your Life, dives into the emotional bonds between dogs and humans, and engages with listeners calling in to celebrate the transformative power of dogs in their lives. The episode is rich with touching anecdotes, practical photography tips, and reflections on what dogs reveal about their people and communities, especially in the unique context of New York City.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Doggist's Origin and Personal Journey

• Origin Story: Saved by a Dog

  • Elias begins with his "origin story," recounting a formative moment as a toddler when his grandmother's black lab, Oreo, saved him from wandering off. This experience anchored his life-long connection to dogs.
    • Quote:
      "I owe my life to a dog in more than one way, you know?" — Elias (02:09)

• Becoming a 'Dog Person'

  • From a young age, dogs provided companionship and comfort for Elias, especially as a shy kid. He notes their constancy and the uncomplicated joy they offer.
    • Quote:
      "Unlike people who may be in one day out the other, dogs, you can count on them." — Elias (03:12)

Why Only Dogs?

• Focusing on Dogs
  • While fascinated by all animals, Friedman explains that photographing dogs is more practical (and welcoming) than cats or other pets. Once a year on April Fools’ Day, he breaks this routine for other animals, adding humor and variety.
    • Quote:
      "It's hard to find cats roaming around on the streets...going into people's apartments and chasing cats under the furniture wasn't my idea." — Elias (03:48)

Listener Stories: The Transformative Power of Dogs

• Improving Lives and Community Connections
  • Callers share vivid stories of how dogs changed their routines, happiness, physical health, and even their relationship with their neighborhoods.
  • Linda: Owning Lola, her first dog at 73, got her into Central Park and dramatically improved her arthritis (04:29).
    • Quote:
      "Now we go almost every day...she's improved my exercise tolerance dramatically." — Linda (04:51)
  • Alyssa: Her ten-year-old dog, after a leg amputation, showed incredible resilience—echoing the adaptability of canine companions (05:41).
    • Quote:
      "It's just shocking to see how quickly she's kind of snapped back into like, let me sprint." — Alyssa (06:24)
  • Angelica: Describes how a photo The Doggist took of her friend’s father and their family dog became a cherished memory after his sudden passing—a testament to the deeper emotional resonance of these photos (06:51).
    • Quote:
      "It's just a very sweet memory that they have now." — Angelica (08:04)
  • Ernesto: His dog Muppet transformed his experience with people: "She's changed my interaction with human beings completely...I just see this side to people that I never saw before." (15:30)

The Art and Challenge of Dog Photography

• Choosing Subjects
  • Friedman chooses dogs for unique features, rare breeds, or striking looks but also considers if the owner has a compelling presence.
    • "I look for a photograph, you know, something that people look at and they say, 'Oh my God, what an incredible moment.'" — Elias (08:39)
• Professional Tricks
  • Relies on treats, squeaky balls, and especially his arsenal of “funny noises” to get a dog’s attention.
    • Demonstrates several attention-grabbing noises live (09:16).
• Portraying Dogs as Models
  • With patience and quick reflexes, Friedman strives to make every dog look like a natural model, even if the session lasts mere seconds (10:04).

Why Dog Stories Matter

• Honest and Liberating Sharing
  • People delight in sharing their dogs’ embarrassing or funny stories, which feels more freeing than discussing their personal lives.
    • Quote:
      "It's extremely liberating to just tell a story and not hold anything back...the dog doesn't feel embarrassed. The dog has no ego." — Elias (10:36)
• Positivity Amidst the Internet Noise
  • The Doggist aims to be a positive antidote to negativity online, showcasing both the joys and struggles of dogs (shelter animals, rescue stories) (11:28).
    • "The doggist, to me is a place like an antidote to the rest of the Internet." — Elias (11:33)

Notable Dog Stories

• Lunchbox: A Viral Rescue
  • Friedman recounts the viral story of Lunchbox, an abused rescue, and the humility required to accept an animal’s unknowable past while helping them heal (12:13).
    • "It just makes you grow and mature in a way you weren’t expecting." — Elias (12:27)

The Evolution of The Doggist and Social Media

• Adapting to Video
  • Friedman describes the necessity of shifting from still photos to video & reels in the TikTok era, becoming more present in his content (17:27).
    • "I thought of myself as like the Batman in a way. Bruce Wayne had to come out from behind the curtain..." — Elias (17:27)
• Capturing Emotional Nuance
  • Video and audio enable him to convey inflection and feeling, making the stories more impactful.

Memoir & Personal Reflections

• Writing the Book
  • This Dog Will Change Your Life is both an ode and a memoir, expressing how dogs help people become better versions of themselves by accepting us unconditionally.
    • "Our dogs don’t...ask us questions and say, oh, how's the work drama going? ...They just accept us for who we are." — Elias (19:18)
• Getting His Own Dog: Elsa’s Story
  • After years as a "dogless Doggist," Elias adopted Elsa during the pandemic, which deepened his appreciation for the unique bond owners have with their dogs (21:08).
    • "She crawled into my heart and never sort of relinquished it." — Elias (21:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I rescued them, but then they rescued me." — Elias quoting common dog owner sentiment (02:38)
• "Before you get a dog, you know your neighbor, and after you get a dog, you know your neighborhood." — Elias (15:47)
• "When you walk with a dog, it's like walking with a celebrity. You're not as cool as the dog, no matter what you do." — Elias (23:58)
• "[Dogs] change your life and they make you more mature and evolve to the next version of yourself, but it really is true." — Elias (27:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Highlight | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:14 | Introduction to Elias Weiss Friedman and The Doggist's background | | 02:09 | Elias’ childhood story and the black lab who saved him | | 04:29 | Listener Linda: Lola changed her life at age 73 | | 05:41 | Listener Alyssa: Her dog's resilience after leg amputation | | 06:51 | Angelica’s moving memory tied to a Doggist photo | | 08:39 | How Friedman chooses his photo subjects | | 09:16 | The tricks of the dog-photography trade (treats, noises, toys) | | 10:31 | The liberation owners feel sharing funny/embarrassing stories about their pets | | 12:13 | Lunchbox's viral story—empathy for abused and rescue dogs | | 15:30 | Ernesto: How his dog Muppet brought him closer to his community | | 17:27 | The switch from photos to video: adapting to social media trends | | 19:18 | Why write a memoir: what dogs teach us about ourselves | | 21:08 | Elsa’s adoption and the enrichment of owning a dog | | 23:58 | "Walking with a celebrity": how dogs transform urban living | | 25:43 | What makes a New York dog unique | | 26:40 | Debunking myths (e.g., direwolves) and affirming dogs' unconditional love |

Unique and Touching Dog Names from Callers

• Lola, Muppet, Boo Radley, Lunchbox, Gremlin, Dr. Dre, Duke

Reflections on Dogs and Society

• The diversity and vibrancy of dogs in New York City mirrors the city’s human population.
• Dogs foster unplanned connections between strangers, expanding lives and neighborhoods.
• The stories shared—funny, tragic, and joyous—illustrate the profound emotional resonance pets have for individuals and communities.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a celebration of the joy, resilience, and life-changing presence of dogs, as told by The Doggist and his devoted audience. It blends humor, emotion, practical advice, and social observation, offering listeners a sense of kinship, nostalgia, and a reminder of the everyday wonder found at the end of a leash.

Recommended for anyone who loves dogs, New York City, or stories about how pets make us more human.