Reptile Guild

Shane Kelley, Josh Harbin, Alisha Harbin

Welcome to the Reptile Guild Podcast, where reptile keepers, breeders, and enthusiasts come together to share knowledge, build community, and grow the hobby. Hosted by Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics and Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins, The Reptile Guild is dedicated to honest conversations about reptile breeding, husbandry, genetics, business, conservation, and the realities of life in the reptile world. Whether you keep ball pythons, western hognose snakes, boas, kingsnakes, geckos, or simply have a passion for reptiles, you’ll find valuable insights, practical experience, and authentic discussions from people actively involved in the hobby. Each episode may feature: • Interviews with breeders, keepers, and industry leaders • Breeding strategies and project planning • Reptile husbandry and care discussions • Genetics and morph-focused conversations • Reptile business and marketing topics • Community events and industry trends • Q&A sessions and listener discussions • Honest perspectives on the challenges and successes of reptile keeping The Reptile Guild was founded on a simple belief: the reptile hobby is stronger when knowledge is shared, friendships are built, and the community supports one another. Our goal is to create a welcoming place where newcomers can learn, experienced keepers can share their expertise, and everyone can enjoy meaningful conversations about the animals we love. Whether you’re working toward your first clutch, growing a collection, or simply looking to connect with other reptile enthusiasts, you’re welcome here. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Hosted by: Shane Kelley – Small Town Xotics & Josh & Alisha Harbin – Herpin Harbins Technical Producer: Jay Kaps (Greenline Morphs) Listen, learn, and join the Guild. https://www.patreon.com/SmallTownXotics

Episodes

  1. 20h ago

    What’s New With Reptile Ads? | RADS Growth, Traffic & New Features | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Join the Reptile Guild on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild Dr. Tom Harbin Reptiles Memorial Endowed Scholarship in the College of Veterinary Medicine: https://give.auburn.edu/campaigns/dr-tom-harbin-reptiles-memorial-endowed-scholarship-in-the-college-of-veterinary-medicine-1 Reptile Ads, better known as RADS, launched with the goal of giving reptile keepers and breeders another modern marketplace for buying, selling, and connecting within the hobby. Now Zac Parpart is back to give us an update. In this episode of The Reptile Guild Podcast, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics joins Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins for a conversation with Zac Parpart, Founder and CEO of ReptileAds.com. We first talked with Zac when RADS was still a brand-new platform. This time, we want to know what has happened since launch. How much has the marketplace grown? What does the site traffic look like? What are users actually doing on the platform? Which features have worked, which ones have changed, and what does Zac have planned next? RADS now operates as a reptile and exotic animal marketplace, has a mobile app available, and has continued rolling out navigation and performance improvements while building integrations and partnerships within the reptile industry. (Google Play⁠) Topics include: • How RADS has performed since launch • Current website traffic and user growth • Number of buyers, sellers, and active listings • Which reptile categories are seeing the most activity • What Zac has learned from real-world marketplace usage • New features added since launch • The RADS mobile app • Website and app performance improvements • Husbandry.Pro integration • Seller tools and marketplace functionality • User feedback and feature requests • What has worked better than expected • What has been harder than expected • How RADS plans to differentiate itself long term • Competition within the online reptile marketplace space • International growth opportunities • Upcoming features • What is on the RADS roadmap for 2027 and beyond • Zac’s long-term vision for the platform Whether you are a breeder trying to sell animals online, a buyer looking for your next reptile, or simply interested in where the reptile marketplace is headed, this episode gives us a look behind the curtain at one of the newest platforms in the industry. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Guest: Zac Parpart Founder & CEO of ReptileAds.com / RADS Hosts: Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer: Jay Kaps of Green Line Morphs Keywords Reptile Ads RADS Zac Parpart ReptileAds reptile marketplace reptile classifieds sell reptiles online buy reptiles online ball python marketplace reptile breeder marketplace reptile app reptile business reptile industry Reptile Guild Podcast Small Town Xotics Herpin Harbins

    What’s New With Reptile Ads? | RADS Growth, Traffic & New Features | Reptile Guild Podcast
  2. Sep 3

    We Vended These Reptile Shows in 2026… Here’s the Truth | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Join the Reptile Guild on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild Dr. Tom Harbin Reptiles Memorial Endowed Scholarship in the College of Veterinary Medicine: https://give.auburn.edu/campaigns/dr-tom-harbin-reptiles-memorial-endowed-scholarship-in-the-college-of-veterinary-medicine-1 We’ve spent a LOT of weekends behind reptile show tables in 2026, and now it’s time to compare notes. In this episode of the Reptile Guild Podcast, we’re looking back at the reptile expos we’ve vended so far this year and breaking down our experiences at each one. Which shows had the best crowds? Which were organized well? Where did vendors actually make money? Which shows had the strongest reptile community? And most importantly… which ones would we go back to? We may even rank them. We’ll talk about the shows from a vendor’s perspective, including: • Attendance and customer traffic • Quality of buyers • Vendor experience • Show organization and communication • Venue and location • Species diversity • Community and atmosphere • Sales potential • Whether we’d vend the show again • Our overall rankings This isn’t about trashing shows. Every expo is different, and what works for one breeder may not work for another. We’re sharing our experiences and what we’ve learned from spending weekend after weekend on the vendor side of the table. What reptile show do YOU think deserves the #1 spot? Hosted by: Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer: Jay Kaps of Green Line Morphs The Reptile Guild is about Building Knowledge, Growing Community through honest conversations about reptile keeping, breeding, business, and the community surrounding it. Keywords reptile shows 2026, reptile expo, reptile expos, reptile show review, best reptile shows, reptile expo ranking, reptile vendor, vending reptile shows, reptile breeder, reptile business, selling reptiles, reptile convention, snake breeder, ball python breeder, hognose breeder, reptile community, reptile podcast, Reptile Guild Podcast, Small Town Xotics, Herpin Harbins

    We Vended These Reptile Shows in 2026… Here’s the Truth | Reptile Guild Podcast
  3. Aug 27

    Nixon Reptiles | Ball Pythons & Building a Diverse Collection | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Join the Reptile Guild on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild In this episode of The Reptile Guild Podcast, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics joins Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins for a conversation with Brandon Nixon of Nixon Reptiles. Brandon works with multiple reptile species while continuing to build and develop his ball python projects, giving him a unique perspective on what it means to maintain a diversified reptile collection. We talk about why some breeders choose to specialize while others work with several species, how diversification can affect breeding goals, space, workload, risk, and long-term sustainability, and what Brandon has learned from balancing multiple projects at once. Topics include: • Brandon’s background in reptiles • His current ball python projects • How he chooses which projects to pursue • Why he works with multiple species • The advantages of keeping a diversified collection • The challenges of managing different species and husbandry needs • Balancing space, time, feeders, and breeding seasons • Avoiding becoming too dependent on one species or one segment of the reptile market • Deciding when to add a new species • Knowing when a collection is becoming too large • Holdbacks and long-term breeding goals • How market changes influence breeding decisions • Staying interested and motivated by working with different animals • Advice for breeders considering expanding beyond one species Whether you are focused entirely on ball pythons or considering branching into other reptiles, this episode is about building a collection with purpose and thinking beyond the next breeding season. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Guest Brandon Nixon of Nixon Reptiles Hosts Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer Jay Kaps of Green Line Morphs Keywords Brandon Nixon Nixon Reptiles ball python breeding ball python projects reptile breeder multi species reptile breeder diversified reptile collection reptile collection management reptile breeding projects snake breeding reptile market reptile business The Reptile Guild Reptile Guild Podcast Small Town Xotics Herpin Harbins

    Nixon Reptiles | Ball Pythons & Building a Diverse Collection | Reptile Guild Podcast
  4. Aug 20

    What Makes Someone a Responsible Reptile Breeder? | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Join the Reptile Guild on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild What actually makes someone a responsible reptile breeder? Producing healthy babies is only one part of the job. In this episode of The Reptile Guild Podcast, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics joins Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins for an honest discussion about the responsibilities that come with breeding reptiles. We dig into the areas breeders sometimes overlook, including genetics, animal health, veterinary care, accurate record keeping, customer service, honesty in advertising, overproduction, pricing, and responsibility to the reptile market as a whole. Topics include: • Knowing the genetics behind the animals you produce • Being honest about possible genes, hets, lineage, and identification • Breeding only healthy and appropriately conditioned animals • Knowing when an animal should not be bred • Veterinary care and recognizing when professional treatment is needed • Quarantine, disease prevention, and protecting your collection • Keeping accurate breeding, feeding, shedding, and health records • Supporting customers after the sale • Being honest when something goes wrong • Producing animals you realistically have the ability to house and sell • Overproduction and its effect on the reptile market • Pricing animals responsibly • Avoiding the temptation to breed simply because you can • Taking responsibility for the animals you produce • The difference between being a reptile breeder and simply producing reptiles • Ethics, reputation, and building trust within the reptile community There probably isn’t one perfect definition of a responsible breeder, but there are standards all of us should be willing to discuss. Whether you’re considering your first breeding project or have been producing reptiles for decades, this conversation is about taking a closer look at the responsibility that comes with bringing more animals into the hobby. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Hosts Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer Jay Kaps of Greenline Morphs Keywords responsible reptile breeder reptile breeding ethics ethical reptile breeding reptile breeder responsibility ball python breeding reptile genetics reptile health reptile veterinary care reptile breeder customer service reptile record keeping reptile market reptile overproduction reptile community The Reptile Guild Reptile Guild Podcast Small Town Xotics Herpin Harbins

    What Makes Someone a Responsible Reptile Breeder? | Reptile Guild Podcast
  5. Aug 13

    The Hardest Season of John’s Life | Black Rock Balls | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Join the Reptile Guild on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild Everyone sees the snakes, the success, and the social media posts, but very few people see the struggles happening behind the scenes. In this episode of the Reptile Guild Podcast, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics sits down with John from Black Rock Balls to have an honest conversation about the challenges he’s faced, how those struggles have affected both his personal life and reptile business, and what has helped him keep moving forward. This episode isn’t just about reptiles. It’s about perseverance, mental resilience, community, and finding purpose during difficult seasons of life. Whether you’re a breeder, keeper, business owner, or simply someone facing your own challenges, we hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone. Hosted by: Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer: Jay Kaps of Green Line Morphs The Reptile Guild exists to bring reptile keepers together through honest conversations, education, and shared experiences. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Keywords Reptile Guild Podcast, Black Rock Balls, John Aji, reptile breeder, ball python breeder, mental health, overcoming adversity, resilience, reptile community, reptile podcast, snake breeder, reptile industry, Small Town Xotics, Herpin Harbins, ball pythons, breeder burnout, motivation, entrepreneurship, keeping reptiles, reptile education

    The Hardest Season of John’s Life | Black Rock Balls | Reptile Guild Podcast
  6. Aug 6

    What Makes a Great Reptile Vendor? | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Join the Reptile Guild on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild What separates a great reptile vendor from an average one? Is it the animals they produce, the prices they offer, or something much more important? In this episode of the Reptile Guild Podcast, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics joins Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins to discuss the qualities that build trust, create loyal customers, and strengthen the reptile community. From customer service and honest communication to display setup, ethics, and supporting keepers long after the sale, we explore what it really means to be a professional reptile vendor. Whether you are vending your first reptile expo, considering becoming a breeder, or simply want to know what to look for when buying your next reptile, this conversation is packed with practical advice that applies to every level of the hobby. Hosted by: Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer: Jay Kaps of Green Line Morphs LIKE If you enjoy honest conversations about reptile keeping, breeding, and the future of the hobby, be sure to like, subscribe, and share the episode. ⸻ Keywords: reptile vendor, reptile expo, reptile breeder, reptile business, reptile community, reptile podcast, reptile guild, reptile sales, snake breeder, ball python breeder, western hognose breeder, reptile customer service, vending reptile shows, reptile ethics, reptile education, reptile husbandry, responsible reptile breeding, buying reptiles, reptile expo tips, reptile keeping

    What Makes a Great Reptile Vendor? | Reptile Guild Podcast
  7. Jul 30

    Cryptosporidium in Reptiles | Symptoms, Testing, Prevention & Treatment | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild Cryptosporidium is one of the most concerning diseases reptile keepers and breeders may encounter, but misinformation and fear can make it difficult to understand what it actually is and how it should be handled. In this episode of The Reptile Guild Podcast, Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins is joined by special guest Jessica Hare of Hare Hollow Farms to educate us about Cryptosporidium in reptiles. We discuss what Cryptosporidium is, how it spreads, which symptoms reptile keepers should watch for, how veterinarians test for it, whether an infected reptile can appear healthy, and what steps keepers can take to reduce the risk of introducing it into a collection. Topics include: • What Cryptosporidium is • The difference between Cryptosporidium species • How Crypto spreads through a reptile collection • Regurgitation, weight loss and other possible symptoms • Whether infected reptiles can remain asymptomatic • How fecal testing, PCR testing and veterinary examinations are used • Why one negative test may not always provide a complete answer • Quarantine procedures for newly acquired reptiles • Cleaning, disinfection and cross-contamination prevention • What to do when Crypto is suspected • Whether effective treatment options currently exist • Protecting the rest of a reptile collection • When euthanasia may become part of the veterinary discussion In snakes, reptile-associated cryptosporidiosis is commonly linked with recurring regurgitation, weight loss, chronic weakness and changes involving the stomach lining and digestive function. Diagnosis requires veterinary evaluation and appropriate laboratory testing because these symptoms may also be caused by other medical or husbandry problems. (Merck Veterinary Manual) Treatment remains difficult, and supportive veterinary care may help stabilize an affected reptile, but no consistently reliable cure is currently recognized. Any suspected case should be handled with the guidance of an experienced reptile veterinarian. (Merck Veterinary Manual) This episode is intended for education and should not replace diagnosis or treatment from a qualified reptile veterinarian. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Guest Jessica Hare of Hare Hollow Farms Hosts Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh and Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer Jay Kaps of Green Line Morphs Keywords Cryptosporidium in reptiles reptile Crypto snake Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidium symptoms reptile disease prevention reptile quarantine reptile PCR testing reptile fecal testing snake regurgitation reptile veterinary care Jessica Hare Hare Hollow Farms Alisha Harbin Herpin Harbins Small Town Xotics Reptile Guild Podcast

    Cryptosporidium in Reptiles | Symptoms, Testing, Prevention & Treatment | Reptile Guild Podcast
  8. Jul 26

    Reptile Thermostats Explained | Which One Should You Buy? | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Join The Reptile Guild on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reptileguild Thermostats are one of the most important—and often misunderstood—pieces of reptile equipment. In this episode of The Reptile Guild Podcast, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics joins Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins to break down what reptile thermostats do, why every heated enclosure should have one, and how to choose the right thermostat for your setup. We discuss the differences between on/off, pulse proportional, and dimming thermostats, whether premium brands are worth the investment, common mistakes reptile keepers make, and how proper temperature control can protect both your reptiles and your equipment. Whether you’re setting up your first enclosure or managing an entire reptile room, understanding thermostats is essential for safe and successful reptile keeping. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. ⸻ Hosts Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins Technical Producer Jay Kaps of Green Line Morphs ⸻ Talking Points What is a reptile thermostat? Why every heat source should be controlled. Thermostat vs thermometer. Why heat mats should never run without one. On/Off thermostats explained. Pulse proportional thermostats explained. Dimming thermostats explained. Which heat sources work best with each type. Single-zone vs multi-zone thermostats. Does accuracy really matter? Probe placement mistakes. How to prevent dangerous hot spots. Can thermostats fail? Should you have backup equipment? Are expensive thermostats worth the money? Brand comparisons. Features to look for. Budget recommendations. Best thermostat for beginners. Best thermostat for breeders with multiple racks. ⸻ Reptile thermostat, reptile thermostats explained, reptile heating, reptile temperature control, reptile heat mat, ball python thermostat, snake thermostat, reptile husbandry, reptile care, reptile heating equipment, thermostat comparison, pulse proportional thermostat, dimming thermostat, on off thermostat, reptile podcast, Reptile Guild Podcast, Small Town Xotics, Herpin Harbins

    Reptile Thermostats Explained | Which One Should You Buy? | Reptile Guild Podcast
  9. Jul 2

    Frameshift Reptiles | Ball Pythons, Hognoses & Beyond | Reptile Guild Podcast

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of The Reptile Guild Podcast, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics joins Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins to sit down with the team from Frameshift Reptiles for a conversation about their vision for the future of their breeding program. We discuss their passion for ball pythons, western hognose snakes, and the other reptile species they work with, along with the projects that excite them the most and the goals they’re pursuing for the years ahead. Topics include: • Why they chose their focus species • Ball python breeding projects • Western hognose projects and genetics • Expanding into other reptile species • Long-term breeding goals • Building a sustainable reptile business • The importance of community in the reptile hobby If you enjoy conversations about reptile breeding, genetics, husbandry, and the people building the future of the hobby, you’ll enjoy this episode. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Hosts Shane Kelley (Small Town Xotics, Knoxville, Tennessee) Josh & Alisha Harbin (Herpin Harbins, Knoxville, Tennessee) Technical Producer: Jay Kaps (Greenline Morphs) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ReptileGuild reptile guild podcast frameshift reptiles ball python podcast western hognose podcast ball python breeding western hognose breeding reptile breeder interview reptile community reptile genetics small town xotics

    Frameshift Reptiles | Ball Pythons, Hognoses & Beyond | Reptile Guild Podcast
  10. Jun 26

    Welcome to The Reptile Guild | Why We Left Reptiles Unplugged

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Welcome to the very first episode of The Reptile Guild. In this inaugural episode, Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics joins Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins to explain what The Reptile Guild is, why we created it, and what you can expect moving forward. We discuss: • Why we decided to move on from Reptiles Unplugged • The meaning behind The Reptile Guild name • Our vision for the future of the show • Community, education, and mentorship • The format of future episodes • What listeners and viewers can expect going forward • Our goals for bringing reptile keepers and breeders together The Reptile Guild was built around the idea that the reptile hobby is strongest when knowledge is shared, relationships are formed, and the community grows together. Whether you keep ball pythons, western hognose snakes, boas, kingsnakes, or simply love reptiles, we hope you’ll join us as we build something special. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Patreon: https://patreon.com/ReptileGuild Hosts Shane Kelley (Small Town Xotics, Knoxville, Tennessee) Josh & Alisha Harbin (Herpin Harbins, Knoxville, Tennessee) Technical Wizardry: Jay Kaps (Greenline Morphs) reptile guild patreon reptile guild podcast reptile guild small town xotics herpin harbins reptile podcast ball python podcast western hognose podcast reptile community reptile education reptile breeders

    Welcome to The Reptile Guild | Why We Left Reptiles Unplugged

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Reptile Guild Podcast, where reptile keepers, breeders, and enthusiasts come together to share knowledge, build community, and grow the hobby. Hosted by Shane Kelley of Small Town Xotics and Josh & Alisha Harbin of Herpin Harbins, The Reptile Guild is dedicated to honest conversations about reptile breeding, husbandry, genetics, business, conservation, and the realities of life in the reptile world. Whether you keep ball pythons, western hognose snakes, boas, kingsnakes, geckos, or simply have a passion for reptiles, you’ll find valuable insights, practical experience, and authentic discussions from people actively involved in the hobby. Each episode may feature: • Interviews with breeders, keepers, and industry leaders • Breeding strategies and project planning • Reptile husbandry and care discussions • Genetics and morph-focused conversations • Reptile business and marketing topics • Community events and industry trends • Q&A sessions and listener discussions • Honest perspectives on the challenges and successes of reptile keeping The Reptile Guild was founded on a simple belief: the reptile hobby is stronger when knowledge is shared, friendships are built, and the community supports one another. Our goal is to create a welcoming place where newcomers can learn, experienced keepers can share their expertise, and everyone can enjoy meaningful conversations about the animals we love. Whether you’re working toward your first clutch, growing a collection, or simply looking to connect with other reptile enthusiasts, you’re welcome here. Building Knowledge. Growing Community. Hosted by: Shane Kelley – Small Town Xotics & Josh & Alisha Harbin – Herpin Harbins Technical Producer: Jay Kaps (Greenline Morphs) Listen, learn, and join the Guild. https://www.patreon.com/SmallTownXotics