Dr. Curtis J. Sullivan Champions Aquamation, Redefining Pet Farewells with Compassion and Science

Dr. Curtis Sullivan—who cheekily introduces himself as a “Doctor of Talking Good”—shares his journey from teaching communication at the university level to launching Eternal Tides, a South Fargo-based aquamation service offering a sustainable alternative to traditional flame-based pet cremation. With a PhD in Communication from NDSU and a deep academic background in environmental communication, Curtis’s mission is to bring empathy, science, and advocacy together in a business that serves both grieving pet owners and the environment.We explore his academic path from English literature to a master’s and PhD focused on how humans interact with and talk about the non-human world. Curtis touches on the complex philosophical and ecological questions raised by animal observation, national parks, and human impact on ecosystems—right down to whether animals like narwhals have a right to privacy.The conversation then moves into his dissertation research on the Bureau of Land Management's controversial treatment of wild mustangs. Curtis explains how public perception and rhetoric shape legislation and policy, often with unintended environmental and financial consequences—like the billion-dollar federal budget for managing unowned horses in the West.This intellectual groundwork eventually led Curtis to aquamation. He details the process: using water, heat, pressure, and potassium hydroxide to gently reduce animal remains down to their bones. Compared to flame cremation, aquamation is more energy-efficient, emits less carbon, and produces a fine, calcium-rich powder that can safely be returned to the earth or used as plant fertilizer. He also discusses his efforts to partner with local vets, navigate public misconceptions, and educate the community about this eco-conscious option.Curtis shares the emotional side of his work—offering comfort rooms, hand-sewn bags for ashes, and even letting clients choose music to be played during their pet’s process. We talk business logistics, scale, and pricing transparency in a market where competitors often operate behind closed doors. He also credits his wife, a veterinarian at Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital, for her moral and logistical support in launching the venture.The episode wraps with a discussion of reggae, Sugar Shack Sessions, and the significance of the song "Something About It" by The Green, which we play to close the show.Tune in to hear a deeply thoughtful and heartwarming discussion about grief, animals, sustainability, and starting over—and meet one of the people working to make Fargo a more compassionate place.