Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

Did you know dietary supplements often contain hidden animal-based ingredients, and there are no requirements for this to be disclosed on the label? This week, Terraseed founder Maria Cebrian joins the podcast to discuss vitamins for vegans and the challenges of sourcing high-quality plant-based ingredients and truly eco-friendly packaging. She also describes how Terraseed has partnered with Animal Save Movement for the Transparent Label Campaign. Maria, an entrepreneur with 13 years of experience, tells us how becoming vegan inspired her to create a company that puts animal equality at its center and why she believes it is important to build a person-first business that treats team members as human beings, not resources. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with Maria Cebrian* Maria Cebrian, the co-founder and CEO of Terraseed,  is a third-time entrepreneur and a Forbes 1000 honoree. She has 14 years of experience in the digital and wellness industries, and her second company was acquired by Gaia. Her current company, Terraseed, was the first vegan company to be selected by the accelerator Techstars and has already been recognized by the Natural Products Industry with a NEXTY award. “I wanted to build a supplement that was fully aligned with the values and the lifestyle of a vegan person.” – Maria Cebrian Highlights for Episode 689:  How Maria’s interest in food and nutrition led her to gradually remove meat and fish from her diet and eventually adopt a healthy, whole-foods vegan diet Why removing animal products from her diet improved not only Maria’s digestion but also enhanced her athletic performance, mood, sleep, and sense of connection with the earth and its animals Why fish are middlemen when it comes to sources of Omega 3, and how we can farm a plant-based source for use in supplements  How Maria’s interest in creating vegan vitamins stems from her desire to address the lack of high-quality, vegan-friendly supplements on the market Maria’s perspective on building a company that values human beings not just as resources Why Maria feels so strongly about embracing attributes like kindness and caring in business Resources: 50 Percent of Supplements Contain Hidden Animal Byproducts. New Campaign Pushes for Transparency. Connections: Discussing California’s so-called “bacon law” and what it would mean for farmers and consumers, if enacted Former TV star, now a chicken ‘rescuer,’ found not guilty of Foster Farms theft Connect with Maria Cebrian: Terraseed Website Terraseed on Instagram Maria Cebrian Fernandez on LinkedIn Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Join the Our Hen House Community online! The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

When Marcus Daniell isn’t on the tennis court winning Olympic titles, he’s focused on high-impact charitable giving. He joins us on the podcast from New Zealand for a conversation about his organization, High Impact Athletes, which helps athletes create world-changing impacts through charitable donations. In our discussion, Marcus details athletes’ historical donating patterns and how High Impact Athletes helps connect them with effective charities. Marcus also shares his thoughts on the benefits and limitations of Effective Altruism, the future of cultivated meat, and the cognitive dissonance some folks have when it comes to eating certain animals but not others. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with Marcus Daniell* Marcus is the founder and Executive Director of High Impact Athletes. He is also an Olympic bronze medallist tennis player with 5 ATP titles, quarterfinal appearances at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open (twice), and numerous caps for the New Zealanc Davis Cup Team. He has been Giving Effectively since 2014. On January 4th, 2021, Marcus took the Giving What We Can pledge to donate at least 10% of his annual winnings to effective organizations for the rest of his life. Alongside his tennis career, Marcus has completed a B.A. from Massey University in Psychology and Spanish and has been awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for his work with HIA, joining recipients such as Nelson Mandela and Roger Federer. “Every inch of progress that we make will result in a better world.” – Marcus Daniell Highlights for Episode 688:  High Impact Athletes, the organization’s goals, and how it hopes to make giving back in meaningful ways the norm in professional sports How millennials view philanthropy and why it may differ from other generations’ views How High Impact Athletes works to make donations as impactful as possible Some of Effective Altruism’s blind spots, including  a lack of diversity Why Marcus is such a keen supporter of the Good Food Institute, and how hopeful he feels about the long-term possibility of replacing our animal-centric food system Athletes’ diets and why Marcus believes that they don’t need meat to perform at a high level The issue of cultivated meat’s price point and whether Marcus believes it will ever be affordable enough for regular consumption Marcus’ almost-vegan diet and why he makes the choices he does  High-welfare egg production and what happens to animals that outlive their commercial use, including male chicks or non-laying hens High Impact Athlete’s most popular charities and how their members prefer to donate Resources: Bringing Back Former Vegans And Vegetarians: An Obstacle Analysis Connect with Marcus Daniell: High Impact Athletes High Impact Athletes on Instagram High Impact Athletes Facebook High Impact Athletes on Twitter Marcus Daniell on Instagram Marcus Daniell on LinkedIn Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Join the Our Hen House Community online! The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

Before he was a cat rescuer, Sterling “TrapKing” Davis was a rapper—a unique trajectory in the field of animal rescue. Sterling—who dedicated himself to improving the lives of stray cats after a lifelong connection to them—joins us today for a delightful conversation about, among other things, trap-neuter-return (TNR) and how he’s working to increase diversity within cat rescue.  In our discussion, Sterling tells us stories about trapping cats, explains how he’s using his personal experiences and insights to make cat rescue more inclusive, and tells us why, for him, veganism is such an important part of caring about animals.. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Sterling “TrapKing” Davis* Sterling “TrapKing” Davis is a well-traveled, ex-military, music and cat enthusiast who has always loved entertaining and interacting with people. Since childhood, he was also the only guy in his neighborhood that loved cats. After working at a local shelter and learning about trap-neuter-return (TNR), the only way to humanely control cat overpopulation, in 2017, he started his own nonprofit, Trapking Humane Cat Solutions, where he focuses on educating, assisting, and doing TNR and community cat management.  Davis has also made several national television appearances on shows such as the Drew Barrymore Show, Access Hollywood, and Shark Tank, as part of his business representing a cat dating app called Tabby Dates. In 2021, he was also featured on the Netflix documentary, Cat People. A longtime vegan, he lives in his Trapking RV with his three cats, Damita Jo, Alanis Mewisette, and Nipsey Cuddle. “I love showing people something that I never saw growing up. I never saw some cool guy that was hip and compassionate at the same time.” – Sterling “TrapKing” Davis Highlights for Episode 687:  How Sterling became involved with his local cat rescue while in between music tours How trap-neuter-return (TNR) helps feral cat colonies stay healthy  Why Sterling began living out of his van in order to help as many cats as he could, and why a 24-hour gym membership was a crucial expense The people and organizations Sterling works with and how he reaches out to veterinarians and rescuers to collaborate Why Sterling is so committed to changing the stereotypes of men in cat rescue and how he’s helping people get over the misconception that loving cats isn’t masculine How a lack of inclusivity in the animal welfare field hurts animals and how Sterling is working to combat this via events, conferences, and outreach The childhood experience that made Sterling go vegetarian and then ultimately vegan Sterling’s bond with the neighborhood cats as a child  Why Sterling set up the Rescuing the Rescuers Facebook group as a way to help people who rescue cats come together as a way of practicing self-care Resources: “Never Having Loved at All”: An Overlooked Interest that Grounds the Abortion Right Is There an Ethical Way to Kill Rats? Should We Even Ask? Rainbow plates: the chefs reawakening Africa’s taste for vegan food Connect with Sterling “TrapKing” Davis: TrapKing Humane Sterling “TrapKing” Davis on Instagram TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions on Facebook Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Join the Our Hen House Community online! The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

Disrupting the global food system is one of the most pressing issues of our lifetimes—and it’s no small lift. Today, we welcome two powerhouses working to help the world shift to a kinder, plant-based food system. David Meyer and Galina Hale serve as the CEO and Chief Research Officer, respectively, of Food System Innovations (FSI). They join us this week to discuss the nonprofit’s mission to transform the food system, diving into, among other things, the enormous funding disparities between research beneficial to animal ag and that geared toward alternative proteins. They also discuss the public perception of “processed” plant-based foods and the differences in labeling requirements for animal-based and plant-based foods. Plus, they share details of some projects FSI is currently spearheading. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with David Meyer & Galina Hale* David Meyer is an executive with deep experience at the nexus of the nonprofit and for-profit sectors and a strong interest in environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and working to find sustainable solutions that benefit a diverse set of stakeholders. He is co-founder and CEO ofFood System Innovations and Humane America Animal Foundation. He is also a trustee for the Food System Research Fund. He was the interim Executive Director and is a strategic advisor to the Plant Based Foods Association, and advises the Good Food Institute, the Plant Based World Conference and Expo, the Material Innovation Initiative, Pivot Food Investment, and many other nonprofits and for-profits in the space. Galina Hale  is a Professor of Economics at UC Santa Cruz and the co-founder and Chief Research Officer of Food System Innovations. She served as a Research Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and as an assistant professor in the economics department of Yale University.  Galina is a director of the CEBRA’s IFM program and a co-director of the UCSC Center for Analytical Finance (CAFIN).   Galina has been recently working on ways economists can inform policymakers on how to make the food system more sustainable. She serves on editorial boards of a number of Economics journals and on multiple boards and committees in animal welfare and animal agriculture space. “People are bombarded with pro-animal food messaging all day.” – Galina Hale “It’s hard for people to admit that they’re part of the problem.” – David Meyer Highlights for Episode 686:  Food Systems Innovations (FSI) and how it’s working to transform present-day food systems Funding disparities between research within the meat industry versus research geared toward replacing animal agriculture Why ironing out funding issues is crucial to bringing alternative meat research to universities  How the Food System Research Fund works How people’s concerns regarding climate change impact research funding  How FSI approaches the impact eggs and poultry have on the climate How David and Galina are encouraging small NGOs worldwide to become involved in plant-based meat research Some of the ways they are trying to fast-track the educational, professional, and operational abilities of people in the animal rights movement Future possibilities for making meat replacement products taste authentic and appetizing Why there is a perception that plant-based meat substitutes are “processed” rather than natural David and Galina’s thoughts on making consumer messaging more effective when encouraging people to adopt plant-based diets Resources: Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S. Regenesis: Feeding the World Without Devouring the Planet by George Monbiot Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Connect with David Meyer and Galina Hale: Food System Innovations Website Humane America Animal Foundation Website Adopt-a-Pet.com Website Galina Hale’s Website David Saves Pets on Twitter Galina Hale on Twitter Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Join the Our Hen House Community online! The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

Why do women in the institutional animal rights movement often feel unable to speak up? Why are animal rights organizations losing too much talent to burnout because of negative employment experiences? Dr. Krista Hiddema joins us to discuss her doctoral research on women’s experiences working professionally within the animal rights movement and the factors that, she asserts, too often drive them away. Krista details her findings and shares recommendations on how organizations can improve working conditions, as well as the experience of volunteer advocates. She also shares myriad ways in which she believes this could positively impact the success of animal activism across the board. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with Dr. Krista Hiddema* Dr. Krista Hiddema is the Executive Director of For The Greater Good, where she consults with animal protection organizations on organizational development, strategic planning, and board governance. Krista holds a doctorate in social sciences, where her research focused on the need to utilize ecofeminist principles in matters of board governance within the animal rights movement, with an emphasis on economic health, ecological health, and social health. She holds five other degrees in human resources, was formerly a partner at an employment law firm, and was also the vice president of human resources for an international software company.   “If we do not focus on collective power, then we are never going to win because unearned power, money-based power, is the very definition of privilege. And unearned power is the engine behind much of what’s happening in our movement.” – Dr. Krista Hiddema Highlights for Episode 685:  What good governance looks like and why Krista introduced a governance model in her dissertation that ensures volunteers feel as valued as paid staff  Krista’s goals when interviewing women regarding their employment experiences within the institutional animal rights movement Why Krista wanted to record the experiences of both cisgender and trans women in her research Why she felt it was so crucial to shine a light on these issues The limitations of effective altruism The experiences of a number of the women Krista interviewed regarding potential negative repercussions for criticizing effective altruism The danger of using NDAs to erase women’s stories  Where the animal rights movement should look for a grand objective that binds its advocates together  The roles of poetry, novels, and art in activism Krista shares some of the short and long-term strategies for making women in the animal rights movement feel cared for, including learning more about social justice theory  The importance of boards of directors prioritizing healthy workplaces where people feel valued Resources: $1.2M expansion of local cat rescue includes surgical suite, kitten castle and catios Brian Kateman on Twitter Effective Altruism As It Relates to Animal Rights: An Open Ended Approach to Advocacy Join the new Our Hen House Community and RSVP for the launch party with Gene Baur & Myq Kaplan Connect with Krista Hiddema: Krista Hiddema’s Website Krista Hiddema on Facebook Krista Hiddema on Instagram Krista Hiddema’s Blog State of the Movement — Krista Hiddema Effective Altruism – The Impact is Fear, Corruption and it is also not ‘Good’ for Animals  The Good It Promises, the Harm It Does: Critical Essays on Effective Altruism eds. Carol J. Adams,  Alica Crary, and Lori Gruen Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

Sometimes it is easy for all of us who care about animals to forget what an extraordinary contribution sanctuaries make to our understanding of the animals we try to serve. Elan Abrell joins us this week to remind us never to take sanctuaries for granted. Elan is a cultural anthropologist who’s dedicated himself to animal studies and, recently, to a close and thoughtful look at animal sanctuaries. His book, Saving Animals: Multispecies Ecologies of Rescue and Care, examines how sanctuary caregivers respond to an extraordinary range of moral issues while working with minimal resources. He describes what his role as a cultural anthropologist entails, walks us through his decisions on which sanctuaries to study, including one for companion animals, one for exotic animals, and one for farmed animals, and shares how he evaluated their general philosophy in regard to interacting with and caring for animals. Elan also gives an overview of the differences in various sanctuary approaches and whether he believes sanctuaries can provide animals with genuinely happy lives. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Elan Abrell* Elan Abrell is a cultural anthropologist whose research and writing focus on human-animal interactions, environmental justice, and food politics. His book, Saving Animals: Multispecies Ecologies of Rescue and Care (University of Minnesota Press 2021) — an ethnography of animal sanctuaries and winner of the 2022 Gregory Bateson Book Prize from the Society for Cultural Anthropology — examines how sanctuary caregivers respond to a range of ethical dilemmas and material constraints while attempting to meet the various and sometimes conflicting needs of rescued animals. Elan is an assistant professor of the practice in Environmental Studies, Science in Society, and Integrative Sciences at Wesleyan University. He is also the coordinator of Wesleyan’s new Animal Studies Minor. “Just the idea that sanctuaries exist shifts the way that others see animals—from objects that satisfy your needs or desires to beings who are worthy of care and support.” – Elan Abrell Highlights for Episode 684:  Elan explains how animal sanctuaries, despite sharing fundamental principles, can differ when it comes to what they hope to achieve The attitudes surrounding animal deaths at the sanctuaries Elan visited  The anomaly of sanctuaries, such as those for companion animals  or exotic animals, that are run by individuals who don’t adhere to vegan diets The conflicts around the decision to euthanize animals in sanctuaries The problems with sanctuaries serving as tourist attractions The goal of the sanctuary movement and ideas for how humans and animals could live in harmony Why so many people want to start a sanctuary and Elan’s thoughts on the challenges of creating an animal sanctuary Why Elan believes that caring for animals should be a governmental function The impact sanctuaries have on the way people think about animals Elan’s chapter in the new book The Good it Promises, the Harm It Does: Critical Essays on Effective Altruism, and why he is dubious about the focus some supporters of effective altruism have adopted Resources: Join the new Our Hen House Community and RSVP for the launch party with Gene Baur & Myq Kaplan Connect with Elan Abrell: Elan Abrell on Twitter Elan Abrell on LinkedIn Saving Animals: Multispecies Ecologies of Rescue and Care by Elan Abrell The Good It Promises, the Harm It Does: Critical Essays on Effective Altruism eds. Carol J. Adams,  Alica Crary, and Lori Gruen Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

When Josh and Wendy Smith adopted Roswell, the dog, they didn’t imagine caring for him would lead them to start their very own animal sanctuary. We’re thrilled to welcome Josh and Wendy to the podcast this week to hear this and more inspiring stories about their sanctuary, Odd Man Inn, their animal advocacy work, and their recent move across the country. That move involved relocating the sanctuary and its many animal residents from Washington state to a much bigger property in rural Tennessee, where they assumed the care of an additional 160 rescued pigs. Whether they are talking about their breakdown on the highway, trailer full of rescued pigs in tow, the challenges involved in refitting their new property, or the stories about what their new Southern neighbors think of their animal advocacy, the animals are always at the center of the story.  Wendy also shares how a career as a nurse prepared her not only to run a farmed animal sanctuary but also to educate people from where they are.   *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with Josh & Wendy Smith* Josh Smith is the Facility Manager and co-Founder of Odd Man Inn animal rescue; he is the Farm Dad, a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a personal interest in “Scroungineering.”  Wendy Smith is the Executive Director and co-Founder of Odd Man Inn; she is a military veteran, emergency room trauma nurse, and Farm Mom.  Josh and Wendy started Odd Man Inn because their dog Roswell, who suffered from fear-based aggression and a tendency to bite, made him extremely difficult to manage. Instead of giving up on him, they purchased land so he could leave city life in Portland behind and created a safe space for him and other animals who were out of options. “It felt like we blinked our eyes and had 60 animals on our small three-and-a-half-acre property.” – Wendy Smith “Our discussions have to be: ‘I, as your citizen brother, want you to succeed and do better than you’re doing now, not on the backs of animals.'” – Josh Smith Highlights for Episode 683:  How Josh and Wendy’s desire to give their high-needs dog some space to roam evolved into the Odd Man Inn sanctuary Why the animals coming to the sanctuary for refuge changed after Odd Man Inn officially became a non-profit organization Some of the farmed animals they have rescued from horrific situations and really connected with, including Frances, the pot-bellied pig, and Magpie, the goat How they work to educate people about animal agriculture How living in a community that is hostile to your purpose can make life challenging Why it’s so crucial for sanctuaries to plan and prepare for leadership transitions  The advice Josh and Wendy would offer to anyone interested in starting an animal sanctuary  Some of Josh and Wendy’s mentors and supporters in the sanctuary space Resources: A Deep Dive on Squalane Tyson shares the love with heart-shaped chicken nuggets (YUCK!) RSVP for the Our Hen House Community Launch Party! Connect with Josh & Wendy Smith: Odd Man Inn Website Odd Man Inn on Instagram Odd Man Inn on Facebook Odd Man Inn on Patreon Odd Man Inn on YouTube Email: Wendy@oddmaninn.org Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

You’re in for not one but two interviews with incredible activists in this episode! We’re thrilled to welcome both Gwenna Hunter and Sue Fischer back to the podcast for updates.   First, we catch up with Gwenna about her newest project, the Vegans of LA Food Bank. Gwenna tells us how she turned a longtime dream into a reality after partnering with Hope On Union Food Pantry to launch a monthly all-vegan food bank. Housed in a former meat market, the Vegans of LA Food Bank provides fresh produce and plant-based meats to the community. We dive into the importance of food banks, the community’s response to vegan specialty products, and the negative impacts of food deserts.  Then, Sue joins the show for an update about the Tule Elk of California’s Point Reyes National Seashore. Sue first joined us on episode 618 to tell us about the damage cattle ranchers and dairy facilities are inflicting on the members of this native elk species who call the National Seashore home. Sue tells us about the lack of water and forage available to a herd penned in by fences and how local activist groups continue to bring attention to the heartbreaking situation. She also updates us on an ongoing lawsuit regarding the promised lease extensions for dairy and cattle businesses that will allow them to take this land away from the elk and other wildlife, in spite of the fact that, as a national park, it belongs to us all. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Gwenna Hunter and here to read the interview with Sue Fischer* Gwenna Hunter is the founder of Vegans of Los Angeles, aka Vegans of LA. In May of 2022, she launched the first Vegan Food Bank in Los Angeles and is now the first Black woman to have a brick-and-mortar vegan food bank in the United States. Gwenna went vegan in February of 2016 after experiencing a supernatural awakening and sharing the same consciousness with a cow in a dream state. This experience allowed her to fully understand that cows are aware of their existence and love, as are all animals. She is also a co-author of the books Vegan Voices for Animals Liberation and Vegan Voices. Gwenna has worked in the movement doing various forms of activism to help people make the connection and reprogram their belief systems regarding the treatment of animals and how we see food.  Vegan since 2012, Sue Fischer has worked as a registered dietitian for about 15 years. Her previous advocacy had predominantly been related to food—encouraging people to eat more plants and less (preferably no) animals. It was the fall of 2018 when Sue viewed the documentary, The Shame of Point Reyes. Her discovery left her feeling incredibly sad for the suffering elk and cows, launching her activism in this area. Her current work brings together many of the most critical issues we currently face when advocating for wildlife impacted by climate change, the harms of animal agriculture, and the importance of our national park system. “People don’t realize if they’ve never dealt with food scarcity, how fearful that is, and how that can affect many areas of your life.” – Gwenna Hunter “It’s called the Tomales Point Reserve, but it’s really the Tomales Point Prison if you really think about it. The elk can’t leave.” – Sue Fischer Highlights for Episode 681:  How the Vegans of LA Foodbank partnered with the Hope on Union food pantry to begin offering vegan options Gwenna’s joy in having turned a former meat market into a vegan space, at least partially,  and how she works with vegan and non-vegan volunteers alike The kinds of food people can find at the vegan food bank and where the food comes from  How the local community has reacted to being offered plant-based foods and how Gwenna shares her expertise on vegan cooking  Messaging and resources Gwenna is creating to help educate others on the benefits of a vegan diet What’s next for the Vegans of LA food bank How local dairy and cattle operations are impacting the Tule Elk of Point Reyes National Seashore How government officials are allowing these exploitative businesses to expand their operations, despite activist organizations calling for their removal The dangerous lack of water and food for the Tule Elk and how activists attempt to provide such necessities while shedding light on the issue The rapidly declining number of Tule Elk and why Sue believes last year’s count has yet to be released Why, despite public perception, the Tule Elk aren’t truly free to roam the land Resources: Activist Defense: What Happens When Doing the Right Thing Can Land You in Jail? Egg prices are skyrocketing, and egg companies are making record profits. What gives? It’s a New Year! A message from the person who cut down the fence in Point Reyes. The Shame of Point Reyes Documentary In Defense of Animals is fighting for the survival of the rare Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore. Connect with our guests: Vegans of LA Website Vegans of Los Angeles on Instagram Save Point Reyes National Seashore Website Save Point Reyes National Seashore on Instagram Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

This one just might move you to tears. Why? Because it’s about ELEPHANTS! Need we say more? Scott and Kat Blais have dedicated their careers to helping captive elephants live out the rest of their lives the way nature intended. This week they join the podcast from rural Brazil, home to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, a project by the organization they founded, Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE), and the new home of some magnificent and fantastic creatures. In our conversation, we discuss the worldwide mission of GSE as well as its plans for the future. Scott and Kat also tell us why it’s essential that animal lovers avoid visiting “sanctuaries” that allow elephant-human interactions and why that kind of contact can be so damaging for these extraordinary animals. We also get into the broader issues of why it’s crucial for humans to start living within our means instead of further encroaching on animals’ habitats. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Scott & Kat Blais* Scott Blais, the CEO and co-founder of Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE), carries a lifetime of experience working for captive elephants. He is an expert in natural habitat elephant sanctuary development and the co-founder of two elephant sanctuaries: the largest in North America – The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (TES) – and the only sanctuary for elephants in South America -Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. His ground-breaking work has transformed how the world views the lives of captive elephants. Kat Blais, the cofounder of GSE, began her career with 15 years as a licensed veterinary technician, practicing in all realms, including orthopedics, emergency care, holistic medicine, and wildlife. She worked as lead caregiver and veterinary liaison at TES for six years, supervising and participating in the care of 15 resident elephants. Kat’s past elephant experiences guide her in creating a safe and healing space for elephants in South America. “People don’t stop and think about what human interaction means to the elephants. It means they were pulled away from their mothers and taken from the wild to live a life of isolation that is very unnatural for them.” – Kat Blais “It’s just amazing what happens when you give elephants space to be themselves—it’s a journey of discovery and rediscovery.” – Scott Blais Highlights for Episode 681:  The importance of climate for elephants’ wellbeing and how Scott and Kat realized the weather at their Tennessee sanctuary impacted the elephants Why elephant sanctuaries that allow visitors can be problematic and red flags to look for when researching sanctuaries Where elephants in the sanctuary come from and the recent arrivals: a mother and daughter from Argentina The sanctuary’s ongoing expansion obstacles  The number of elephants in captivity and the problems with finding them suitable sanctuaries Some of the biggest crises facing captive and wild elephants right now  Scott and Kat’s thoughts about educating the public on how best to help elephants, realistically How they share information on social media in a way that opens up the hidden lives of the elephants in their care The importance of seeing elephants as individuals rather than as a cute stereotype How Scott and Kat ensure elephants at the sanctuary are adequately cared for without intruding on their natural lifestyles How people can find out more about Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE) Resources: Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Spy Cams Reveal the Grim Reality of Slaughterhouse Gas Chambers Bill would remove defense in animal welfare cases Connect with  Scott and Kat Blais: Global Sanctuary for Elephants Website Global Sanctuary for Elephants on Instagram Global Sanctuary for Elephants on Twitter Global Sanctuary for Elephants on Facebook Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

What if you could feed your companion animals real meat without ever having to slaughter an animal? Because Animals is working to make this dream a reality, and the CEO and co-founder, Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., joins the podcast this week to tell us how they’re doing it. Traditional companion animal foods are made with byproducts of animal agriculture, including meat found unsuitable for the human food supply chain. In our conversation, Shannon tells us how Because Animals can create cultured meat, such as mouse and duck meat, for companion animals using cell samples obtained only once and without cruelty. Plus, she tells us how cultured meat fares against a vegan diet for dogs and cats. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with Shannon Falconer* Shannon Falconer is the CEO and co-founder of Because Animals, a biotech start-up creating nutritious, sustainable, cultured meat pet food. Shannon holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology and worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at Stanford University prior to founding Because Animals. Shannon has spent decades volunteering in the animal rescue community and is a fur mom to her amazing rescue dog, Nori. “More than a quarter of the devastating side effects of the animal agriculture industry—in terms of deforestation, water, and fossil fuel use—are directly attributed to the foods that people feed their cats and dogs.” – Shannon Falconer Highlights for Episode 680:  How Because Animals is working to revolutionize food for companion animals How traditional food for companion animals, made from slaughtered animals, can be damaging  How Because Animals makes cultured meat without harming animals Shannon walks listeners through the process of getting cell samples and how they ensure the cultured meat is safe for consumption  The risk to people and animals of eating diseased meat from animals with undiagnosed cancers The marketing challenge of using cultured meat in food for companion animals How Because Animals assures the safety of its products without testing on animals The regulatory requirements for getting companion animal food on the market as opposed to getting human food on the market Why animal-based cultured meat is better for dogs and cats than vegan diets How Shannon’s cat inspired her to put her training and education to work to develop a companion animal food she didn’t feel guilty about buying Resources: Largest global bird flu outbreak ‘in history’ shows no sign of slowing Just Egg Full Page ad in The New York Times Pit bulls have a bad rap. These advocates say it’s a harmful myth about gentle, loving dogs Connect with Shannon Falconer: Because Animals Website  Because Animals on Facebook Because Animals on Twitter Because Animals on Instagram shannon@becauseanimals.com Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren. __________________________ This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.