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

We love hearing from fellow animal advocates in different parts of the world, and this week we are thrilled to welcome Linda Ncube for an exceptional conversation about animal activism in rural Zimbabwe. Linda is the founder of Humane Africa Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a “compassionate, healthy, and just environment” for animals. She joins us to explain how she’s educating her surrounding communities on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle as well as the importance of caring for all animals. A devout Seventh-day Adventist, Linda shares how her faith impacts her relationship with animals and guides her advocacy work. Plus, we get into the current state of factory farming in Zimbabwe, how colonialism has changed the traditional Zimbabwean diet, and how Linda teaches children to respect and care for 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 Linda Ncube* Founder & Executive Director of Humane Africa Trust, Linda Ncube, is an animal lover advocating for the welfare of animals in Lupane, Zimbabwe. Humane Africa Trust is a non-profit organization with the mission of creating a better world for all animals. Her love for animals and Christian background makes her want to see human and non-human animals coexist perfectly as God’s creations. Linda is also an advocate for plant-based education and teaching communities about the benefits of eating plant-based. She is a devout member of the Seventh Day Adventist church and holds a diploma in Development Studies, Bachelor’s Degree, and a Master’s Degree in Local Governance Studies. She lives with her three human kids and four non-human kids (two dogs, Fender & Copper, and two cats, Kiratile & Jelly B Precise). A day well spent in her life is when she gives service to any non-human animal. “It’s not that people are resistant to making new connections to animals, but people need to be taught.”  – Linda Ncube  Highlights for Episode 679: Linda’s vegan advocacy work  Why people in Linda’s community are more likely to try a plant-based diet through concern for their health than concern for animals How the traditional diet in Zimbabwe changed during the colonial period and whether people are now more likely to incorporate animal products into their meals How Linda approaches teaching children about respecting and caring for animals The current promotion of factory farming in Zimbabwe and how it is changing the agricultural landscape Details of the work Linda does to bring awareness of the welfare of cats, dogs, and wild animals Resources: THE FIRST, Vegan Women, Fiction Authors, Round Table NYWBA’s Animal Law Committee presents a CLE Program: Activist Defense: What Happens When Doing the Right Thing Can Land You in Jail? Connect with Linda Ncube: Humane Africa Trust Humane Africa HAT on Twitter Humane Africa HAT 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.

How annoying is it when you are just getting into a good book, starting to identify with, or at least sympathize with, the protagonist, and then get thoroughly turned off when they sit down to enthusiastically eat a dead animal? Today, author Christine Melanie Benson joins us for a conversation about her recently published debut novel, Marrying Myself, in which, happily, the heroine just happens to be vegan. Christine actually switched to eating plants while she was already working on her novel, and she tells us how she ended up incorporating veganism and animal advocacy into the book. But, of course, her purpose was not just to make her vegan readers happy, but to reach others, and she shares her thoughts on why the arts seem to make people more receptive to veganism and how she carefully balances vegan messaging with storytelling. Plus, she also shares details of her new podcast, The Vegan Posse, and the community support groups for vegans that she has hosted for the last five years in her hometown of Nashville.  *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 Christine Melanie Benson* An attorney who’s been running from the law her entire professional life, Christine Melanie Benson is also a short story author, legal writer, news satire writer, and host of the Vegan Posse podcast. Her experience includes over a decade as a regular freelance legal writer for Baltimore’s The Daily Record law digest, and her fiction works have been featured in An Eclectic Mix Anthology, RomanticShorts.com, The Binnacle Maine Literary Journal, and satire website TheSpoof!. Marrying Myself is Christine’s first novel. Formerly of Boston and New York City, Christine now makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee. “Vegans are craving representation in fiction.” – Christine Melanie Benson  Highlights for Episode 678: How Julia, the main character in Marrying Myself, changed Christine as she was writing her The power of the arts and advocacy in fiction Does making your main character vegan limit your chances of getting a publisher? How writing her novel became a spiritual experience for Christine How Christine incorporates information about animal agriculture into her novel and how much is the right amount Challenges a new writer faces in getting a book deal What Christine is working on next Christine’s podcast, The Vegan Posse, and how it allows her to share conversations with the interesting, quirky people she has met on her vegan travels and adventures Why she started the Nashville-based group Vegan Peace, which aims to support vegans and those troubled by animal exploitation. Why Christine founded Vegan 101, which shares all the must-have nutritional  information for those making the vegan leap Resources: ‘I’ll stop saying I don’t eat meat – and tell people I don’t eat animals’: the thing I’ll do differently in 2023 Connect with Christine Melanie Benson: Christine Melanie Benson’s Website Vegan Posse Podcast 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.

Have you been wondering about the state of veganism and animal rights in Uganda? Well, we’ve got you covered! Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera, founder of the Uganda Vegan Society and a passionate advocate for animals, joins us this week and fills us in on the state of veganism and, on the other hand, the growth of factory farming, in Uganda and Africa in general. She explains some of her methods for advocating for plant-based diets, including teaching people how to make affordable vegan meals at home, organizing Vegan Restaurant Week in Kampala and beyond, helping people organize potlucks, and how the annual Uganda Vegan Festival is helping her bring veganism to the forefront. We also discuss the impact of diet on the health of the average Ugandan, the unfortunate growth of dairy consumption, and why Nabaasa believes that  sharing the health benefits of a vegan diet is often the most effective route when persuading people to change their habits.  *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 Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera* Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera is the Founder of the Uganda Vegan Society and Africa Regional Coordinator for ProVeg International. The Uganda Vegan Society is a volunteer nongovernmental organization that advocates for reduced animal consumption, healthy eating habits, compassion towards animals, and environmental conservation. “We need to promote and also invest in the production and accessibility of dairy alternatives.” – Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera Highlights for Episode 677:  Some of the diet related health issues Ugandans face Reasons why dairy products are such an important part of the Ugandan diet, and the difficulty finding affordable dairy replacements How the Ugandan president sharing his diet has been helpful The need for funding to help address the issues of diets heavy in animal products The dangers of industrial farming being introduced widely in Africa  What it’s like being an animal rights activist in Uganda The traditional Ugandan bonded relationship with farmed animals and how it differs from the relationship we have with them in the West The impact of the home slaughter of cows, goats, and hens on people’s diets Nabaasa’s activist projects, including African Vegan Restaurant Week in January 2023 and how she is connecting with other organizations across the continent Resources: Many people are celebrating Kwanzaa — we’ll find out what’s on the menu Get HAPPIER with Gretchen Rubin—listen to the award-winning podcast. Connect with Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera: Africa Vegan Restaurant Week Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera on Twitter Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera 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! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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.

Wow! Camille DeAngelis visits the podcast this week and does she have a story to tell!! She is, of course, the author of Bones and All, an inverted fairy tale with a sympathetic girl monster protagonist that has since been turned into an award-winning film starring Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell. At heart, though it may not be obvious at first read, this is a book that is steeped in Camille’s personal disgust at the way we treat animals and, in our discussion, we go into detail about how that led to the decision to write a story about ‘eaters,’ as she calls the ghouls in her story. Camille has clearly cracked the code on bringing her message to the mainstream, and, happily, she is more than willing to share how. In aid of that, she tells us why she wrote her non-fiction book, A Bright Clean Mind, which is a self-help motivational book for artists and creatives that encourages readers to recognize the effect changing our diet can have on our creativity. *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 Camille Deangelis* Camille DeAngelis is the author of several novels for adults, a middle-grade novel called The Boy From Tomorrow, a travel guide to Ireland, and two more books of nonfiction, Life Without Envy: Ego Management for Creative People and A Bright Clean Mind: Veganism for Creative Transformation. Her young adult novel Bones & All won an Alex Award from the American Library Association in 2016, and Luca Guadagnino’s film adaptation arrived in theaters in November 2022. She lives in Washington, DC. “Whether you are a cannibal or a law-abiding omnivore, you are consuming flesh of a person who did not want to die.” – Camille DeAngelis Highlights for Episode 676:  Why Camille decided to explore horror in the Young Adult genre How Camille creates and develops her characters to make them both empathetic and relatable How working with a screenwriter feels and how Camille worked to maintain the integrity of her novel when turning it into a film Why self-deception is the most powerful impediment to transformation How Camille’s writing has changed since she wrote her first book. How Camille strives to find a balance between extolling the tangible benefits of veganism while not leading people to believe it’s a cure-all for everything The Main Street Vegan program and the impact it has had on Camille’s life  How Camille’s non-fiction book, A Bright Clean Mind, came into being and how it offers a new perspective on ethical veganism through the lens of art and literature, and tips on how to transition into veganism Connect with Camille Deangelis: Comet Party Website Camille DeAngelis on Instagram Camille DeAngelis on Twitter No Bones at All on YouTube 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! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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.

We’re thrilled to welcome filmmaker Ryuji Chua to the podcast this week. You may already be familiar with Ryuji, and his animal rights-focused work, thanks to his appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah earlier this year. In our conversation, Ryuji tells us why it’s important for humans to shift our messaging from broad generalizations, such as saving a species, to recognizing the plight of individual animals who are struggling. We discuss the cognitive dissonance many people have when it comes to the way the animals they eat suffer and why it’s easier for them to believe that animals lack that capacity than it is to change their habits. Plus, Ryuji shares how he came to be a late-night talk show guest, and how his conversation with Trevor Noah went in an unexpected direction. *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 Ryuji Chua* Ryuji Chua is a filmmaker who seeks to create a kinder world by connecting humans with non-human animals. He currently works as a video producer at Surge Activism, is an advisor for the Vegan Hacktivists, and was recently featured on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah to talk about animal rights and his latest independent documentary, “How Conscious Can A Fish Be?” “My goal was to try to get people to see animals a little bit differently—not as something, but as someone.” – Ryuji Chua Highlights for Episode 675:  Ryuji’s appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah  Why he thinks it’s so essential to help non-vegans feel like they’re not being judged when we share information about animals Why Ryuji decided to focus on fish and why there’s such huge potential to make the world better for fish, more so than other animals Why humans don’t see fish as intelligent creatures who can feel pain Some of the impressive things salmon can do  How Ryuji strikes a balance between conveying the intelligence of animals and sharing the horror of slaughterhouse footage in his videos Ryuji’s Tedx talk and why he was compelled to share his perspective on the climate crisis and its consequences for animals and ecosystems Why humans need to be shown how their actions are hurting individual animals, not just how they’re damaging species, ecosystems, or biodiversity at large Ryuji’s recent video about greyhound racing, made in conjunction with Faunalytics Some of the other topics Ryuji has tackled and his plans moving forward Resources: How Conscious Can a Fish Be? Ryuji Chua – Changing How We View Animals | The Daily Show Connect with Ryuji Chua: Ryuji Chua on Instagram Ryuji Chua on YouTube 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! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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.

We’re delighted to welcome Nirva Patel to the podcast this week for a wide-ranging conversation about the different ways she’s working to make the world a better place for animals. We begin by discussing Nirva’s background in Jainism, how the religion informs her beliefs regarding the treatment of non-human animals, and the work she has done in that realm to create change, despite some surprising pushback. Nirva also tells us about her work at Harvard Law School as a Global Policy Fellow and her role as Chair of the Board of Directors at Farm Sanctuary. Plus, Nirva shares her reasons for going back to school for a Master’s degree and how it’s helping her meet her goals of bringing animal rights issues to the forefront of people’s minds all over the world. *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 Nirva Patel* Nirva is the Global Policy Fellow in the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School and a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She is also a registered patent attorney, biomedical engineer, and executive producer for several plant-based films, including The Game Changers, The End of Medicine, and Meat Me Halfway. For nearly a decade, Nirva worked in animal advocacy in Mumbai, India. In the U.S., she has sparked many advocacy campaigns, including successfully pushing to ban the sale of fur in the town where she lives and encouraging Jain temples across the U.S. to remove ghee and dairy from their offerings. She has provided strategic fundraising efforts for numerous non-profit capital and development campaigns in Boston. Nirva holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University, a J.D. from The New England School of Law, and an M.S. in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University. Her passion for animals is predicated on the Jain philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence), which advocates a vegan lifestyle. She lives in Boston with her husband, four children, and two rescued rabbits, Goji and Spice. “At Farm Sanctuary, animals are allowed to grow old.” – Nirva Patel Highlights for Episode 674:  Why there is still debate within the Jain community about whether they should continue to consume dairy products  Nirva’s work encouraging Jain temples to give up dairy products and the pushback and encouragement she has received  Nirva’s work at Harvard Law School as a Global Policy Fellow, including an assessment of live markets and their potential for spreading zoonotic diseases Public health implications of disregarding animal welfare  How different countries approach animal rights legislation and why it matters  Why Nirva decided to undertake a Master’s in Animal Law and Policy from Tufts University and how it helped her clarify how she wanted to move forward with effecting change for animals  The emotional response Nirva and her classmates had while bearing witness to animal exploitation and cruelty as part of the agriculture program at Tufts University Nirva’s role on the board of the International Vegan Film Festival, how she became involved, and how documentaries and films highlight animal rights issues What the folks at Farm Sanctuary are finding from observing animals going about their day uninterrupted and their plans for the future Resources: Study Finds Consumers Prefer Term ‘Plant-Based’ Over ‘Meat-Free’ or ‘Vegan’ Connect with Nirva Patel: Nirva Patel on Facebook Nirva Patel on Instagram Nirva Patel on LinkedIn Email: nirvapatel@hotmail.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! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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.

Author Peter Alagona, PhD,  joins us on the podcast this week for an illuminating conversation about the wild creatures that coexist alongside humans as part of the fabric of city life, as well as the habitat the city itself creates for these animals. Since World War II, populations of wild animals have increased in urban areas largely due to, as Peter explains, the vast amount of resources cities provide, including food, water, and shelter. We also delve into some of the animal stories he covers in his book The Accidental Ecosystem, such as the shocking revelation that, once upon a time, squirrels actually had to be  reintroduced to urban areas! We discuss the wildlife found in and around our cities today—think mountain lions, bears, and gray squirrels—and Peter offers solutions to help humans peacefully live alongside urban wild creatures. *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 Peter Alagona.* Peter Alagona is a professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He is the recipient of several awards, including a National Science Foundation CAREER grant, and is the author of more than three-dozen publications in the areas of environmental history, geography, philosophy, and policy—including After the Grizzly: Endangered Species and the Politics of Place in California, and, most recently, The Accidental Ecosystem: People and Wildlife in American Cities. Prior to arriving at UCSB, Peter received his Ph.D. at UCLA and completed fellowships at Harvard and Stanford Universities. “Coexistence is all about thinking differently about the habitats that we share.” – Peter Alagona Highlights for Episode 673: Peter’s thoughts on urban wildlife and how views have changed overtime  Why squirrels disappeared from cities for so long, why they came back, and why this particular story resonates with readers of his book The reason so many animals, including deer, wolves, and bears, were driven to such low population levels How urban planners didn’t plan for animals and how animals themselves decided cities were actually a good place to be How cities create environments that allow animals to reproduce at a greater rate  Ongoing research into why urban creatures experience a much greater risk of disease or death at a young age How humans can live in harmony with the animals they share their space with Why having mountain lions in a community makes people safer How animals in urban areas were once regarded as pests and whether Peter has seen a shift in this mindset  Solutions people can implement to cohabitate peacefully with animals Resources: Sen. Cory Booker has a plan to stop taxpayer bailouts of Big Meat Earth Now Has 8 Billion Humans. This Man Wishes There Were None. Jasmin’s Jargon Substack Connect with Peter Alagona: Peter Alagona’s Website 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! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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.

Artist and Our Hen House’s own beloved graphic designer Weronika Kolinska joins us this week for a conversation about the ways in which art can be a means to help bring people’s attention to what is happening to animals. Weronika, who specializes in t-shirt design, tells us why she believes wearable art is a particularly effective form of activism and how art can help ignite critical conversations about animals and the planet. We also discuss her decision to avoid cartoonish animal depictions in her work and how unrealistic animal illustrations can affect people’s real-life relationships with animals. Plus, she tells us about her own clothing line and the dangers of fast fashion. *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 Weronika Kolinska.* Weronika is a vegan artist from Poland, based in Amsterdam, who specializes in designing t-shirts with vegan motifs. For as long as she can remember,  she was fascinated with nature and animals. As a child, she spent days observing the lives of insects and other small creatures in her garden or watching David Attenborough’s documentaries. Nature still continues to inspire her deeply, and she expresses her admiration for the beauty and multitude of life forms through her art. She wants to share what she has learned and make people stop and think. She focuses on portraying animals as unique individuals deserving of our love and respect. “It’s so cool to wear a piece of art that everyone sees, and they can approach you about it . It’s often a conversation starter.” – Weronika Kolinska Highlights for Episode 672:  Weronika’s experience working with Our Hen House on brand management and logo design The illustrations Weronika creates for Menima, her clothing brand, and the message she is trying to send Why Weronika loves drawing sanctuary animals and experiencing their individuality Weronika’s work with Andy Tabar, founder of vegan apparel brand Compassion Co., and how they first connected Some of Weronika’s most popular designs Why Weronika believes that so many people avoid going vegan, even though they care about animals Why fast fashion is dangerous for people and animals Weronika’s tips for creatives who want to share their art with the world  Upcoming projects in the pipeline that Weronika is excited about Resources: Effective Altruism As It Relates to Animal Rights: An Open Ended Approach to Advocacy Episode 359: Uma Valeti of Memphis Meats, and Pamela Fergusson, Vegan RD Episode 548: Liz Marshall on her new film, Meat the Future The Good It Promises, the Harm It Does: Critical Essays on Effective Altruism Compassion Co Connect with Weronika Kolinska: WKolinskaArtworks on Etsy MENIMA Brand Website Weronika Kolinska 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! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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.

Welcome to this special holiday presentation of Sanctuary: A Radio Play, an annual Thanksgiving tradition at Our Hen House! This performance marked the world premiere of John Yunker’s Sanctuary at New York City’s Symphony Space during the Culture & Animals Foundation’s Compassion Arts Festival. We were thrilled to have been a part of this witty, engaging, and incisive production that portrays the different journeys we embark on when we begin to open our eyes to animal exploitation. Here at Our Hen House, we are longtime proponents of the arts, including theater, as a tool for animal advocacy; this funny, and moving, play serves as a lens into human behavior and motivation and encourages the audience to safely explore their feelings around why they choose to eat (or not to eat) animals. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of the play this year by offering the written script! Click here to read the script for Sanctuary: A Radio Play.* A dark comedy, Sanctuary tells the story of Richard (John Frusciante) and Lisa (Mariann Sullivan), a happily married couple whose blissful retirement to small-town Oregon is thrown into disarray when Lisa suddenly decides to go vegan and insists on celebrating Thanksgiving without a turkey AND alongside her new friend and animal activist, Meg (Jasmin Singer). Husband Richard invites his unsuspecting buddy Charley (Michael Harren), who also happens to be the local exterminator, in the hopes of getting Lisa to stick with the traditional meal. The resulting tensions soon push relationships over the edge. Sanctuary tells the story behind the struggles and joys of navigating vegan ethics around loved ones who don’t quite understand. (Sound effects are by Emmy winner Eric Milano.) “When we think of animal-rights activism, we often think of protests. But equally vivid conflicts are taking place over dining room tables and in restaurants and at barbecues.” – John Yunker 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! We invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of indie media, please make a donation today. __________________________ 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 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.

We are joined this week by Altamush Saeed for a conversation about the critical disaster relief work he’s spearheading in response to the devastating floods that occurred in Pakistan earlier this year. Altamush updates us on the current status of the floods and the effects this climate disaster has had on both the human and animal populations within the country. The co-founder and director of Charity Doings Foundation, Altamush also shares how he incorporates animals into the organization’s disaster relief work and why it’s crucial for animals to be included in relief work, not only in Pakistan, but around the world. He also tells us why Charity Doings Foundation was started, how they aim to empower distressed local communities, and more about some of their current projects. *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 Altamush Saeed.* Altamush Saeed is an in-person LLM in Animal Law Candidate at the Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis and Clark Law School, and a legislative advocacy Intern at Best Friends Animal Society, USA. He is a lawyer based in Pakistan and is a co-founder/director of Charity Doings Foundation, a non-profit that aims to save all life, be it human, animal, or the environment in Pakistan. He is also an Ambassador for Comprehensive Disaster Response Services, a non-profit that runs Pakistan’s 1st TNVR and biggest animal rescue services. “The animal welfare movement is also a human welfare problem.” – Altamush Saeed Highlights for Episode 671:  The current status of the floods in Pakistan and how the situation is affecting animals in the region Charity Doings Foundation and its goals and vision for the future  How caring for animals fits into the broader dynamic of the situation in Pakistan as a developing country The two central focuses of Altamush’s disaster care for animals  Why Altamush wanted to address both the issues of animalkind and humankind in one organization rather than separately  How animals should be incorporated into disaster relief going forward, not only in Pakistan but worldwide  Whether large-scale factory farming has found its way to Pakistan  How being vegan intersects with the work that Altamush does to protect animals and people living on smallholdings  Altamush’s experience studying at Lewis and Clark Law School and how that relates to his work on the ground in Pakistan Resources: The Problem with Letting Therapy-Speak Invade Everything Connect with Altamush Saeed: Charity Doings Foundation on LinkedIn Charity Doings Foundation on Facebook Charity Doings Foundation on Instagram Charity Doings Foundation 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! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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.