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

Wow! We are truly over the moon to be joined this week by the incredibly talented actress and activist, Evanna Lynch, who you undoubtedly recognize from her role as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films. Yup, you read that right! A passionate vegan animal rights advocate, Evanna joins Jasmin for a thought-provoking conversation that ranges from advocacy approaches, to overcoming challenges through self-reflection, to the power of personal narrative, to her personal history with disordered eating, and so much more. In discussing her recently released memoir The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, Evanna gets personal, opening up about her inspiration to write a book that shifts the narrative regarding eating disorders from the physical aspects to the existential pain of the disease. She also shares the scoop about her podcast, ChickPeeps, and how it showcases vegan living in an uplifting way. Evanna Lynch made her film debut in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and reprised her role in subsequent sequels to critical praise, concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. As an activist, she advocates for veganism and animal rights and has launched both a vegan-themed podcast and the cruelty-free cosmetics brand, Kinder Beauty. Evanna’s new memoir, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, reveals how she overcame a life-threatening eating disorder, began to conquer her self-hate, and confronted her fear of leaving girlhood for the unpredictable journey of being a woman. “Veganism can be such a healing device for people; it can also give people a sense of purpose—a purpose for their eating that is an extension of their values, their heart, and their sensitivity.” – Evanna Lynch Highlights: Why Evanna initially felt nervous about sharing her experiences in The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting Why Evanna was so surprised that so many people were interested in her memoir — particularly her mother’s neighbors! The parallels between writing and acting Evanna’s thoughts on the mindset of people who hide disordered eating behind veganism How the ‘crowding out ‘method of moving to a plant-based diet works Evanna’s reaction to the fact that so many eating disorder treatment facilities refuse to cater to vegans The animals who shared Evanna’s childhood and the role they played in shaping her relationship with animals. Evanna’s podcast ChickPeeps and some of the favorite subjects explored on the show The Kinder Beauty Box subscription and why Evanna was motivated to co-found the self-care service The back story behind Evanna’s short film, You Eat Other Animals, and where listeners can watch it Connect with Evanna Lynch: Evanna’s website Evanna on Instagram The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and The Glory of Growing Up; A Memoir by Evanna Lynch ChickPeeps Podcast Kinder Beauty Box You Eat Other Animals? short film 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.

Welcome to this very special holiday episode in which we present Sanctuary: A Radio Play, an annual Thanksgiving tradition at Our Hen House! This special performance marks 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 learn about animal exploitation. Here at Our Hen House, we are longtime proponents of theater as a tool for vegan advocacy; the medium serves as a lens into human behavior and allows the audience to safely explore their feelings around animal equality and why they choose to eat animals. 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 forcing 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.

The remarkable Katja M. Guenther, PhD joins the podcast this week for an eye-opening interview about companion animal shelters and their practices, and the intersections of poverty, race, stigma, and animals. This is an interview you won’t want to miss. Dr. Guenther, a sociologist and author of The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals, describes her three years of ethnographic research at a high-intake shelter in Los Angeles and uses what she learned there to discuss the dichotomy between our love for the animals we claim to treat as our best friends and our continued use of shelter killing as a ‘solution’ to unhoused companion animals who live in underserved communities. She breaks down how shelters may deflect blame onto what they characterize as “irresponsible owners” instead of looking at the social problems that give rise to situations which result in harsh, and often deadly, outcomes for animals.  She also discusses acts of resistance by both the humans and the animals in the shelter and explains why she believes animal rescue and shelter advocates should be doing more to end poverty. Katja M. Guenther is a Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies at the University of California, Riverside. Her main areas of research, writing, and activism are feminist politics and the human exploitation of non-human animals. Her newest book, The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals, is the 2021 recipient of the Distinguished Book Award given by the American Sociological Association’s Section on Animals & Society. She is currently developing a feminist analysis of how rescuers of companion and free-roaming animals represent and negotiate those relationships. She is also researching the roles community (“feral”) cats occupy in low-income communities and the relationships they build with human caregivers. “People who are involved in animal rescue—if they’re truly committed to helping companion animals stay with their original guardians […] and avoiding the severing or disruption of relationships with companion animals—absolutely need to be doing more to work against poverty.” – Katja Guenther Highlights: The dramatic contrast between what happens to animals in wealthier communities when they lose their homes, as opposed to those in poor communities. How pit bulls epitomize attitudes towards Black masculinity and how shelter policies against pit bulls can act to discriminate racially Adverse conditions that pit bulls experience at the shelter, regardless of any kind of behavior testing How not to fall into the trap of equating poverty with irresponsibility towards companion animals Resistance, both from humans and animals, to policies within animal shelters How mourning becomes an act of defiance Connect with Katja Guenther: Katja Guenther’s Website Katja Guenther on Instagram Katja Guenther 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 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.

This week, Our Hen House is excited to welcome two amazing guests to the show, each an inspirational example of what is happening at the grassroots of the vegan movement! Our first guest, animal rights activist (and flock member!) Sue Fischer joins us to discuss the damage cattle ranchers and dairy farmers are inflicting on the land and wildlife of California’s Point Reyes National Seashore. She explains why politicians don’t seem to be paying attention to local residents and animal advocates who are questioning the practice. Sue also describes the collaboration between activists, private citizens, biologists, photographers, conservationists, and others who share the common cause of saving the National Seashore and saving all of its inhabitants, including the iconic and rare Tule Elk. Related to the campaign, Our Hen House is also honored to share a very moving song written by talented musician (and also flock member!) Charity Kahn and her band The Invisible Bee. The Tule Elk Song supports the movement to save the indigenous elk in Point Reyes National Park from the threat of starvation and murder as a result of the private ranching industry’s stronghold on our public lands.  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. Our second guest on today’s show, Dr. Judy Brangman, is a board-certified internal medicine and lifestyle medicine physician. An advocate for whole food plant-based diets, Dr. Judy is affectionately known as “The Plant Based MD.” She joins us to share her extensive knowledge of plant-based nutrition and gives us the inside scoop into the medical profession. She describes about how she became involved in promoting the plant-based lifestyle (both virtually and in person), the goals of her practice, and her experience with COVID-19. Dr. Judy also shares how making small changes towards changing your diet can have a significant impact on your health. As the founder and owner of Newell Health, a lifestyle medicine company, Dr. Judy Brangman helps individuals make effective lifestyle changes that can prevent and reverse chronic diseases. She is mindful of medication interactions and aims to help her patients minimize their medication dependence as much as possible. A native of Bermuda, Dr. Judy obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency at East Carolina University/Vidant Hospital. It was during residency when she saw the devastating consequences that poor health can have from a physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual standpoint, that she began to search for ways to prevent chronic diseases. It was then that she first learned about plant-based nutrition. Since then Dr. Judy has gone on to obtain a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.  “The goal is that hopefully sooner than later, the Tule elk will be free because it is heartbreaking to know that these animals are suffering the way that they are.” – Sue Fischer “Most patients have chronic conditions that evidence has shown could be improved with better diet and lifestyle changes. Some of them can be prevented and even potentially reversed … when you change your eating.” – Dr. Judy Brangman Highlights: The history of the persecution of the Tule elk in California Why bringing the attention of animal agriculture issues to major media markets is so critical How the Tule elk demonstrate the interconnectedness of the exploitation of farmed animals and the devastation of wild animals. The environmental and welfare impact on the Tule elk of fencing them in Why the Tule elk are a political issue, and what the current administration is doing (or not doing) to support their interests Why even winning a lawsuit to remove ranching from the national park hasn’t had any effect Judy’s advice on the best way for a doctor to incorporate advice on diet into their practice Why physicians have so little training on diet and nutrition A sneak peek into Dr. Judy’s new plant-based eating course Spreading the word on the vegan diet and how to introduce the idea to your community and social circle Judy’s personal experience of COVID-19 how it changed her approach with her patients Medication dependency and how it interacts with diet How your skin can serve as an essential barometer for knowing whether what you’re eating is serving you or not Resources: The Shame of Point Reyes Documentary on YouTube The Tule Elk Song Tule Elk: The Killing of a Native Species Connect with Our Guests: Save Point Reyes National Seashore The Plant Based MD website The Plant Based MD on Facebook The Plant Based MD on Instagram Charity Kahn’s The Invisible Bee website Charity Kahn’s JamJamJam 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! Last weekend 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.  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 tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

The extraordinary Crystal Heath, DVM, joins the podcast this week for a desperately needed conversation about the veterinary profession and the alarming attitude of so many of its members toward animal rights. Dr. Heath, who is a vegan animal rights activist herself, shares shocking truths about the influence the animal agriculture industry holds over veterinary schools across the country. In fact, the very industry killing billions of farmed animals is shaping the vets of tomorrow. Dr. Heath also tells us about Our Honor, the organization she founded to provide support for veterinarians who want to buck the system, and shares her incredible activist efforts, including how she’s helping veterinary students advocate for more humane medical practices, how she’s empowering other vegan veterinarians, how she’s challenging the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and how she and other veterinarians are fighting to stop the hideously cruel practice of ventilation shutdown. Dr. Crystal Heath is a resident of Berkeley, California, and a graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She currently works in shelter medicine and high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter. She has a lifelong love of animals and enjoys volunteering in rural communities and providing veterinary services to needy populations. Dr. Heath is on the founding committee of Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown, urging the AVMA to re-classify ventilation shutdown as a “not recommended” depopulation method. She is also the founder of Vet Harmony, a veterinary practice providing accessible care and educating the public, and Our Honor, an organization empowering animal professionals who want to speak their conscience and create more ethical systems within the field. “We have to get the conversation going and talk with veterinary medical associations about envisioning the future of animals that doesn’t rely on exploitation. That future exists.” – Dr. Crystal Heath  Interview Highlights: Why certain veterinary schools continue to kill healthy animals to practice surgical techniques and how students are working tirelessly to bring that practice to an end The prevalence of imposter syndrome in veterinary school and how it harms animals How future veterinarians can learn everything they need to know without harming animals Why Dr. Heath believes that ventilation shutdown could be a turning point in opening veterinarians’ eyes to what is going on in the animal agriculture industry Why veterinarians and the AVMA need to help build connections to animal rights groups to create a future for animals where fewer animals are hurt Why the future involves investing our money in plant-based alternatives rather than pouring funds into slaughterhouses How advocates can connect with veterinarians for expert guidance and advice Connect with Crystal Heath: Dr. Heath on Twitter Dr. Heath on Instagram Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown Website Our Honor Website Vet Harmony Website The Green Pill 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! Last weekend 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.  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 tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Our Hen House welcomes Richie Bowie, Senior Editor of VegNews Magazine, for an engaging, critical conversation about what vegan media is and what it needs to be in order to change the world. Richie joins Jasmin to discuss how the misperception that veganism is a white movement has withstood the test of time despite the higher percentage of Black Americans identifying as vegan or vegetarian than the rest of the US population. Richie also shares how the world’s leading plant-based magazine is challenging this false idea, including how it is  promoting the values of the Black Lives Matter movement within vegan communities. But that’s not all! On the lighter side, Richie gives us a behind-the-scenes look into his day-to-day role at VegNews and shares some not-to-be-missed inside tips on the recent food trends he’s especially excited about. Richie Bowie is the Senior Editor of VegNews, the largest vegan media brand in the world. His passions for plant-based living, storytelling, photography, editing, and design mean that Richie has found his perfect fit managing VegNews Magazine. A full-blown lover of food media, you can usually spot this Southern California native at vegan restaurants and pop-ups standing on chairs and borrowing other people’s drinks to compose the perfect Instagram shot. Richie reports that the vegan dish he would cook to dazzle a veg-curious but still carnivorous friend would be Beyond Meat tostadas with cabbage and cashew sour cream. “Veganism is not a perfect movement, and we don’t want to pretend otherwise. We want to be honest about what’s going on, be accountable to ourselves, and actually make change.” – Richie Bowie Highlights: How Richie progressed from intern to Senior Editor at VegNews in just six years How VegNews incorporates the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement How COVID-19 impacted vegan media The importance of incorporating diverse perspectives Why it is important to Richie to cover deep societal issues within VegNews How Richie and his team deal with the backlash over controversial topics they cover Vegan taste testing Exactly how much Richie loves the food-focused part of his job Whether there is still a place for print media How Richie’s path towards veganism began with self-introspection and reflection into his internalized prejudices Why Richie sees overlap between identifying as LGBTQ and identifying as vegan The times when Richie has felt the need to step away from activism and what made it feel safe to come back What people can expect from future issues of VegNews Magazine Connect with Richie Bowie: VegNews Website VegNews on Facebook Richie Bowie on Instagram VegNews on Twitter Connect with Graphic Designer, Weronika Kolinska: Weronika’s Website Weronika on Instagram Weronika on Etsy Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Le Twisted Spoon 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. __________________________ 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! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Our Hen House is honored to bring you the final episode of the four-part audio series of the groundbreaking book, Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation. Our Hen House’s very own Jasmin Singer is the editor of this recently released anthology published by Lantern Books and Media, in collaboration with Encompass, Sentient Media, and, of course, Our Hen House.  The book is a collection of essays written by farmed-animal protection advocates who are committed to exploring and prioritizing racial equity as we work to create a more just animal protection movement. We wish to document our stories and processes in an exploratory space from which we can grow and use our words to hold ourselves and our peers accountable, ultimately creating new paths forward. The final episode of this audio series is labeled Leading, corresponding with the fourth section of the print copy of the book. In this episode, we hear from the following four essay authors, each of them sharing their insights:  Michelle Rojas-Soto (she/her) is the Chief Talent and Equity Officer at KIPP SoCal charter schools. She previously served as Managing Director of Encompass, where she trained, coached and consulted with animal protection leaders and organizations. Stien van der Ploeg (she/they) leverages her management and fundraising experience pro bono for effective animal advocacy organizations in order to help make our world more hospitable to all. Michelle Graham (Michelle/Michelle’s) is the Executive Director of Wild Animal Initiative and a Ph.D. candidate in the Socha Lab at Virginia Tech. Aryenish Birdie (she/her) is the founder and executive director of Encompass, building a racially equitable animal protection movement. These essays are followed by an afterword written and narrated by Michelle Rojas-Soto.  You can purchase the hard copy of Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation wherever books are sold, or find out more information at encompassmovement.org/book. “I have a hard time accepting diversity as a synonym for justice. Diversity is a corporate strategy. It’s a strategy designed to ensure that the institution functions in the same way that it functioned before, except now you have some Black faces and brown faces. It’s a difference that doesn’t make a difference. Diversity without structural transformation simply brings those who were previously excluded into a system as racist, misogynist, as it was before.” —Angela Davis Resources: This anthology was originally an online collaboration between Encompass, Our Hen House, and Sentient Media, and was titled Encompass Essays: Pursuing Racial Equity in Animal Advocacy. For citations of any of these essays, please visit the online version. Sentient Media is a robust digital platform that publishes thoughtful articles about animal agriculture and its impact on the world (don’t miss Our Hen House’s interview with Sentient Media’s Executive Director, Ana Bradley).  Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter __________________________ 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! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Our Hen House is excited to welcome plant-based food advocate and political candidate Pearl Brunt to the podcast this week. Pearl is running for a seat on the Town Council in Pittsford, NY. She joins Mariann to discuss how her political aspirations intersect with her love of promoting healthy, ethical food choices and introducing people to plant-based foods. A firm believer in the power of the dollar, Pearl explains how we send businesses a strong message when we choose to purchase food that is good for us. She also shares how she started Le Twisted Spoon, a community of plant-based foodies and advocates, and how the passion project evolved from the simple desire to feed her family healthy meals. Pearl Brunt wears many hats: she is a US Business Liaison/Foreign Relations Consultant, a home educator, public speaker, and a passionate plant-based food advocate. She is currently running for Pittsford Town Council on a plant-based platform and is endorsed by the Democratic Party and Working Families Party. Pearl has hosted a series of innovative conversations engaging her community in discussions on zoning, community solar plans, and community composting. She is the organizer of the nationally recognized Pittsford Community Celebrates Juneteenth. “I genuinely believe that once you start thinking about the choices you’re making in one area of your life, it opens the door to start thinking about other things you can do. Education is always a great place to start—educating people as to the damage and the harm that can come from these unsustainable practices and farming.” – Pearl Brunt Highlights: Why it’s difficult to talk about real sustainability and change without addressing the things that people can do on a daily basis Why it’s so important to support sustainable agriculture How food, environmental issues, pesticides, and promoting organic gardens are interrelated and how Pearl, as a town board member, could inspire people to include them in their lifestyle Why diversity and inclusion should be about culture, not just demographics, and how that relates to what we eat Why living in other countries gave Pearl the opportunity to see issues in the US from the outside and the two main lessons she learned from living abroad Why Black veganism has taken off, and why the Black community is at the forefront of promoting a healthy food system Pearl’s passion project, Twisted Spoon, and how she has developed it to inspire others Why Pearl views plant-based eating as a gateway drug that led her family to grow some of their own food, try to become zero waste, and genuinely consider what they can do on a personal level and on a daily basis to make a difference in the world Connect with Pearl Brunt: Pearl Brunt’s Website Pearl Brunt on Facebook Pearl Brunt on Instagram Pearl Brunt on Twitter Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Le Twisted Spoon Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter __________________________ 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! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Welcome to the third episode of the four-part audio series of the groundbreaking book, Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation. Our Hen House’s very own Jasmin Singer is the editor of this recently released anthology published by Lantern Books and Media, in collaboration with Encompass, Sentient Media, and, of course, Our Hen House.  The book is a collection of essays written by farmed-animal protection advocates who are committed to exploring and prioritizing racial equity as we work to create a more just animal protection movement. We wish to document our stories and processes in an exploratory space from which we can grow and use our words to hold ourselves and our peers accountable, ultimately creating new paths forward. The third episode of this audio series, produced by Our Hen House, is labeled Accountability, corresponding with the third section of the print copy of the book. In this episode, we hear from the following essay authors, each of them opening up with us about their experiences:  Cailen LaBarge (she/her) is co-founder of Strategies for Ethical and Environmental Development (SEED), a nonprofit organization focused on dismantling capital-intensive industrial animal agriculture and advocating for a just transition that is fair and sustainable for animals, people, and the planet. Dana McPhall (she/her) is a lawyer, humane educator, antiracism activist, and animal advocate who has led an Institute for Humane Education alumni working group examining racial justice and white supremacy issues since 2017. Brooke Haggerty (she/her) is a life-long animal advocate and is currently the executive director for Faunalytics, a nonprofit that provides research and resources to help advocates maximize their effectiveness to reduce animal suffering. You can purchase the hard copy of Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation wherever books are sold, or find out more information at encompassmovement.org/book. “The beauty of antiracism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an antiracist. Antiracism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.” —Ijeoma Oluo Resources: This anthology was originally an online collaboration between Encompass, Our Hen House, and Sentient Media, and was titled Encompass Essays: Pursuing Racial Equity in Animal Advocacy. For citations of any of these essays, please visit the online version. Sentient Media is a robust digital platform that publishes thoughtful articles about animal agriculture and its impact on the world (don’t miss Our Hen House’s interview with Sentient Media’s Executive Director, Ana Bradley).  Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter __________________________ 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! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

The incredibly talented Isa Leshko joins the podcast this week for an inside look into her one-of-a-kind photography book, Allowed to Grow Old: Portraits of Elderly Rescued Farm Animals. Isa’s black-and-white portraits of aging animals, members of species whose other members, numbering in the billions, are typically killed in their infancy, would make anyone think twice about what, or who, is on their plate. The vegan photographer shares how the project came to be, and how it helped her process grief and examine her fear of aging. Isa also talks about the ethics of photographing animals and how she learned, largely from the animals themselves, how best to approach the images as portraits. Her insights into why photography has become a critical part of advocacy help inform why her photos evoke such strong emotion and spark critical thinking. Isa is an artist and writer whose work examines animal rights, aging, and mortality. Her images are published in The Atlantic, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, Harper’s Magazine, and The New York Times. In May 2019, the University of Chicago Press published her first monograph, Allowed to Grow Old: Portraits of Elderly Rescued Farm Animals, including essays by activist Gene Baur, bestselling author Sy Montgomery, and curator Anne Wilkes Tucker. Isa has received fellowships from the Bogliasco Foundation, the Culture & Animals Foundation, the Houston Center for Photography, the Millay Colony for the Arts, and the Silver Eye Center for Photography. “Aging can be a luxury and is a luxury — these animals are survivors, and I did want to celebrate that.” – Isa Leshko Highlights: How Isa resisted treating the animals as proxies for her own concerns, and why it seemed exploitative for her to treat animals as metaphors or teaching tools for humans Why it is equally thought-provoking to approach advocacy with photos that appeal to the heart as it is to take photos that horrify the viewer The media’s reaction to Isa’s work and the recognition of the ageism that also exists in how we perceive animals The challenge for animal advocates in going beyond preaching to the choir Isa’s process of taking the photographs in her book and how she spent time getting to know the animals The ethics of photographing animals and the importance of respecting who they are as individuals Isa’s further plans to continue working with animals Connect with Isa Leshko: Isa Leshko’s Website Isa Leshko on Facebook Isa Leshko on Instagram Isa Leshko 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 __________________________ 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! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.