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

In this candid episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore the striking parallels between fascism and animal exploitation while navigating our current political climate. The hosts share their struggles with maintaining focus during times of political upheaval, discussing how the same mechanisms that enable factory farming—othering, dehumanization, and secrecy—mirror tactics used by authoritarian regimes. Despite the heaviness of these topics, they find glimmers of hope in scientific discoveries about animal cognition and the natural empathy children have for animals before socialization teaches them otherwise. This episode explores: How the mechanisms of fascism parallel the systems that enable animal exploitation Maintaining animal activism during times of political uncertainty and fear Recent research showing a cow named Veronica using tools, challenging the cognitive underestimation of farmed animals Evidence that children naturally value animals more equally with humans before cultural conditioning The UK government’s new animal welfare strategy targeting puppy mills, caged farming, and trail hunting RESOURCES Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow UK Government Overhauls Animal Welfare Strategy To Target Puppy Mills, Caged Farming, And Trail Hunting The development of humans’ moral views of other animals VegMediaWatch Moe Vegan Cafe  We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

The animal agriculture industry’s nightmares are our fuel this week as Mariann dives into the poultry sector’s desperate scramble to combat the mysterious avian metapneumovirus that’s dethroned bird flu as their top concern. Meanwhile, Big Ag’s dystopian push to expand the H-2A visa program threatens to create a permanent underclass of “temporarily permanent” workers with virtually no rights—because nothing says “ethical industry” like needing indentured servitude to stay profitable. This episode explores: How the poultry industry’s new top threat—avian metapneumovirus (AMPV)—is devastating turkey and broiler operations while raising concerns about potential human transmission The meat and dairy industries’ alarming push to exploit the H-2A visa program by creating a permanent class of vulnerable workers with few rights and no economic mobility Why “improving livability” is the industry’s euphemism for preventing animals from dying before they can be profitably slaughtered How the New World Screwworm parasite is causing cattle futures to collapse as it spreads through Mexico toward the US border The EU’s postponed decision on plant-based food labeling restrictions and new research showing protein-focused marketing could increase plant-based food uptake by over 100%   We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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.  Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this thought-provoking interview, Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka return to Our Hen House to discuss their groundbreaking new book Animals and the Right to Politics from Oxford University Press. The authors challenge us to move beyond simply acknowledging animals’ moral status and instead recognize them as capable of making collective decisions within their communities, explaining that the “inner citadel of human supremacism” lies not in denying animals’ moral status but in refusing to see them as political beings. Through examples of animal communities demonstrating sophisticated forms of collective decision-making, they explore how expanding our understanding of politics to include non-human animals could create more just relationships between species while critiquing current approaches. This episode explores: How the concept of a “right to politics” differs from traditional animal rights frameworks that focus primarily on moral status Why recognizing animals as political agents requires us to move beyond the “minimal animal” view that only acknowledges their capacity to suffer The limitations of three current approaches to animal advocacy: wardship, critical resistance, and cosmopolitan inclusivity How animal communities demonstrate sophisticated forms of collective decision-making that challenge human supremacist views of politics Why territorial boundaries and “holding environments” are essential for protecting animals’ ability to engage in their own forms of politics ABOUT OUR GUESTS Sue Donaldson is a research associate in the Department of Philosophy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada. She is the author of several books, including Zoopolis: A Political Theory of Animal Rights (OUP 2011) and Animals and the Right to Politics (OUP 2025). She is co-convenor of the Animals in Philosophy, Politics, Law, and Ethics research group. Will Kymlicka is a professor in the Philosophy Department at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, where he has taught since 1998. He has published widely on issues of justice and democracy in multicultural and multispecies societies. With Sue Donaldson, he co-convenes the Animals in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Ethics research group at Queen’s University, including its postdoctoral fellowship program, and teaches courses in animals and political theory and in animals and the law. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this lively episode of The Hen Report, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan navigate the evolving landscape of animal advocacy with their signature blend of wit and wisdom. From discussing the first recorded death from “meat tick” syndrome to analyzing a New York Times article on grass-fed beef’s environmental impact, they balance serious animal rights content with moments of levity. The conversation shifts to examine claims about veganism’s supposed decline, with the hosts offering a more nuanced perspective: while vegan restaurants may be closing in some areas, plant-based options are becoming mainstream across regular establishments, suggesting not a retreat but a transformation in how veganism integrates into society. This episode explores: The surprising spread of Alpha-Gal Syndrome (the “meat tick”) and its first recorded fatality New York Times’ honest coverage of the environmental impact of grass-fed beef The inspiring journey of Buddhist monks walking for peace with their rescued dog A critical analysis of recent claims about veganism’s decline in popularity The ongoing success of animal advocacy through increasing plant-based options RESOURCES First Death Documented From Tick-Induced Meat Allergy Is Grass-Fed Beef Really Better for the Climate? Walk for Peace USA on Facebook Aloka the Peace Dog has successful surgery. When will he join the monks? Not-Guilty Verdict For Beagle Puppy Rescuers In Landmark Legal Case How Veganism Got Cooked Prioritze Plant Protein messaging guide GFI’s Messaging to drive consumer adoption of plant-based meat Report: Google Searches for Veganism Outpace Those for Climate Change, While Flexitarianism is Now Mainstream Globally Christspiracy  We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this entertaining episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan and legal expert Michael Dorf dive headfirst into the bizarre world of RFK Jr.’s controversial new food pyramid and dietary guidelines. With equal parts horror and humor, they dissect how these scientifically questionable recommendations prioritize beef consumption while dismissing plant-based diets through deeply flawed analysis. The episode explores the concerning environmental implications of increased meat consumption, the contradictory nature of the guidelines themselves, and the meat industry’s desperate attempts to maintain relevance despite growing public awareness of factory farming cruelty. This episode explores: How the new upside-down food pyramid contradicts established nutrition science while promoting excessive animal product consumption The environmental consequences of increasing protein intake through animal sources, requiring land area larger than multiple states combined Why 71% of Americans oppose common factory farming practices despite continuing to consume factory-farmed products The influence of industry representatives in reshaping federal dietary guidelines against expert recommendations How these guidelines impact federal programs including school lunches, military meals, and SNAP benefits We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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.  Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this profound conversation with animal rights lawyer Wayne Hsiung, we explore the reasons for his journey into seminary studies, his wife Rose Patterson’s upcoming legal battles for rescuing beagles from MBR Acres and sheep from King Charles’s farm in the UK, and the potential watershed moment for ending animal experimentation with RFK Jr.’s recent statements as Secretary of Health and Human Services calling for its end. This episode explores: How Wayne’s wife, Rose Patterson of Animal Rising, faces potential prison time for rescuing 18 beagles from MBR Acres and three lambs from King Charles’s farm Wayne’s unexpected journey into seminary studies and how religious frameworks might strengthen the animal rights movement The promising development of RFK Jr. publicly calling for an end to animal experimentation, describing it as “useless” and profit-driven How building effective social movements requires institutional scaffolding that can sustain momentum during periods of change Wayne’s evolving theory that improving “movement intelligence” and cooperation between activists may be key to animal liberation ABOUT OUR GUEST Wayne Hsiung is an animal rights lawyer, former faculty member at Northwestern School of Law, and co-founder of The Simple Heart Initiative. He has led teams that have investigated and rescued animals from factory farms and slaughterhouses across the globe and has organized successful campaigns to ban fur in San Francisco and California. He served as lead counsel (and, sometimes, defendant) in five “right to rescue” trials in which activists were prosecuted after being charged for giving aid to sick and dying animals, garnering media attention from The New York Times. He is also a co-founder and former lead organizer of the grassroots animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere.  Wayne’s work has been covered by WIRED, ABC’s Nightline, and on The Ezra Klein Show.  He has published on the right to rescue in Harvard Law Review and climate change’s impact on animals in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Prior to his work as an animal advocate, Wayne practiced law at two national firms and studied law and economics at the University of Chicago, where he was an Olin Law and Economics Fellow, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship. He is the proud parent of Oliver, who was rescued from the dog meat trade.  Follow his work at simpleheart.org. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Hen Report, Mariann Sullivan is joined by Cornell Law professor and animal advocate Michael Dorf to explore the complex phenomenon of “strange bedfellows” in the animal rights movement. They examine how activists navigate situations where they find themselves aligned with unexpected allies on animal issues, while potentially disagreeing on other social and political matters. This episode explores: The Trump administration’s surprising move to phase out government funding for animal testing, led by RFK Jr. How animal advocates can strategically respond when political figures they otherwise oppose champion animal causes The controversy surrounding FarmKind’s “Forget Veganuary” campaign and its problematic offsetting approach The evolution of veganism over the past two decades and its increasing mainstream recognition The challenges of coalition-building while maintaining core animal rights principles RESOURCES Doctors Group Applauds Commitment by RFK Jr. to Replacing Animal Experiments, Proposes Five Priorities for 2026 U.S. Military Ends Practice of Shooting Live Animals to Train Medics to Treat Battlefield Wounds Veganuary champion quits to run meat-eating campaign Former Veganuary champion quits to run meat-eating campaign – saying vegan dogma is ‘damaging’ to goal of reducing animal suffering  We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the meat industry’s desperate attempts to declare veganism “dead” while simultaneously scrambling to rebrand their unsustainable practices. With her signature blend of skepticism and hope, Mariann unpacks Jessica Scott-Reid’s insightful Sentient Media article that reveals how Big Animal Ag’s obituaries for veganism conveniently ignore their own $300 billion industry’s massive lobbying power and disinformation campaigns. Meanwhile, industry publications betray their anxiety as they awkwardly redefine “sustainability” to include profits and reluctantly embrace welfare reforms they once fought tooth and nail. The episode exposes the meat industry’s transparent panic while celebrating the slow but steady progress toward a more compassionate food system. This episode explores: How the meat industry’s premature celebration of veganism’s “death” reveals their fear of the plant-based movement’s long-term potential The telling shift in industry rhetoric from “meat is necessary” to the weaker “meat can fit into a healthy diet” Ohio’s surprising new restrictions on gestation crates and what this industry concession means for animal advocacy The meat industry’s desperate attempt to co-opt “sustainability” by redefining it to include profitability  Why even the industry has to admit that the growing market share of cage-free eggs (now at 40%) signals a significant consumer shift We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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.  Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Mariann Sullivan speaks with Matthew Dominguez, US Executive Director of Compassion in World Farming, about creating meaningful change for farmed animals through strategic advocacy. Dominguez shares insights from his extensive career working on welfare reforms while building toward systemic change in our food system. From the inefficiency of feeding crops to animals to the economic and environmental impacts of factory farming, this discussion explores how different advocacy approaches can work together to create a more compassionate world for animals. Dominguez emphasizes the importance of meeting people where they are and building a broad coalition against factory farming that includes environmental, health, and animal welfare advocates. This episode explores: How Compassion in World Farming fits into the ecosystem of farmed animal advocacy organizations and their behind-the-scenes approach to creating change The economic reality behind welfare reforms like cage-free eggs and gestation crate bans, and why these changes cost far less than the industry claims Why the “Food Not Feed” campaign highlights the inefficiency of growing crops to feed to animals, with only 3-25% of calories ultimately reaching humans How welfare reforms serve as an entry point for many advocates and can lead to broader conversations about our food system The importance of building a diverse coalition against factory farming that includes environmental, health, and animal welfare perspectives ABOUT OUR GUEST Matthew Dominguez is the U.S. Executive Director at Compassion in World Farming, where he leads a team dedicated to improving the welfare of farmed animals and advancing a food system that is better for animals, people, and the planet. With more than 15 years of experience in animal welfare and food policy, he has driven major corporate commitments and public policy reforms for farmed animals and regenerative agriculture. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In a bold legal challenge that could redefine animal protection law, PETA is taking on the Maine Lobster Festival for steaming 16,000 lobsters alive on public parkland. The case hinges on Maine’s unique animal cruelty statute that protects “every living sentient creature” – a definition that evolves with scientific understanding. PETA’s Director of Litigation, Asher Smith, explains their creative approach using public nuisance law and the public trust doctrine to bring this case to court despite not being a prosecuting authority. This episode explores: How Maine’s progressive animal cruelty law provides protection based on scientific evidence of sentience rather than species classification The substantial scientific consensus that lobsters can feel pain, supported by behavioral, neurological, and physiological evidence PETA’s innovative legal strategy combining public nuisance claims with the public trust doctrine to challenge the festival How international scientific authorities and other countries have already recognized decapod sentience and banned cruel cooking methods The recent victory against the University of Washington that exposed corruption in animal experimentation oversight and achieved unprecedented transparency ABOUT OUR GUEST Asher Smith is Director of Litigation at the PETA Foundation. His current cases include actions under the Endangered Species Act against roadside zoos abusively keeping protected animals, constitutional lawsuits on behalf of both animals and humans, and false advertising claims challenging the deceptive marketing of animal products as “humane.” He has previously won precedent-setting victories against multiple exhibitors featured on the Netflix show Tiger King, as well as Vital Farms and Pete and Gerry’s Organics, the seller of Nellie’s Free Range Eggs. Smith joined the PETA Foundation in 2018 after working for the law firm Paul, Weiss on matters including multibillion-dollar securities litigation and the fight for gay marriage in the deep south and at the Supreme Court. He is a graduate of Yale Law School. His family includes a cat, Princessa, and a dog, Beezus. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. ********** You can listen to the Animal Law Podcast directly on our website (at the top of this page) or you can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would consider making a donation or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Between now and December 31, every donation up to $20,000 will be TRIPLED! Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Don’t forget to also listen to the award-winning,  weekly signature OHH podcast — now in its fifteenth glorious year!