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

Our Hen House is proud to offer you the second episode of the four-part audio series of the groundbreaking book, Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation. Our very own Jasmin Singer is the editor of this new 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 second episode of this audio series is labeled Introspection, corresponding with the second section of the print copy of the book. In this episode, we hear from the following four essay authors, each of them sharing their eye-opening experiences:  Christopher “Soul” Eubanks (he/him) is a climate, human, and animal rights activist dedicated to doing advocacy work to combat all forms of oppression. Jamie Berger (she/her) is an independent documentary filmmaker and the chief of staff at Mercy For Animals. Unny Nambudiripad (he/him) is a wellness facilitator and animal activist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Malina Tran (she/her) is a software engineer based in Los Angeles, California who writes for Sentient Media, a nonprofit organization that advocates for animal rights.  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. “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” —Audre Lorde 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.

Dynamic vegan activist and speaker Joanne Kong, PhD, joins Jasmin on the podcast this week for an inspiring discussion about her personal journey into veganism and why she has dedicated herself to promoting veganism globally. Dr. Kong also provides insight into the brand new book that she curated and edited, Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers, which brings together the stories of vegan activists from all over the world. She also shares how animal rights activists not only will be inspired by these essays, but can use them in their own efforts to fight for animals. She strongly believes that this is the moment when the public is finally open to having difficult conversations surrounding animal rights and veganism and that now is the time to bring our activism to a new level. Joanne Kong has been praised throughout the country as one of the most compelling advocates for plant-based nutrition, raising awareness that greater compassion for animals and our planet is vitally necessary for transformative growth and positive world change. She is the author of If You’ve Ever Loved an Animal, Go Vegan and has been profiled in the groundbreaking book Legends of Change, which is about vegan women who are changing the world. She has given presentations in Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and  India. Dr. Kong appears in the upcoming documentaries Eating Our Way to Extinction and Taking Note and is a Sustainability Leadership Award recipient at the University of Richmond. “Veganism is really part of a big picture. It’s all about ‘what does your life mean?’ ‘What is your identity?’ ‘What are the things that are important to you?’ And it’s becoming clearer and clearer, of course, how animal agriculture is harming the planet.” – Joanne Kong Highlights: Kong’s vegan story, including her journey from simply going vegan to giving talks about veganism across the world How she uses her personal story to encourage others to listen to what she has to say about animals How she became involved with Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers and the overarching themes of the book Kong’s target audience for the book, and how Our Hen House listeners can support her in getting the word out and use this book in their own advocacy efforts More about If You’ve Ever Loved an Animal, Go Vegan Why she feels that talking about the plight of animals is something people are more open to than they have been in the past Kong’s advice to people who want to communicate more effectively about going vegan Connect with Joanne Kong: Vegans Make a Difference Website Joanne Kong on Facebook Joanne Kong on Twitter Joanne Kong 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 __________________________ 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 pleased to welcome you to the first episode of the four-part audio series of the groundbreaking book, Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation. Our very own Jasmin Singer is the editor of this new 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. We begin the first of this audio series with a glossary of terms to best clarify the meaning of words or phrases relating to antiracism which may be referenced throughout the essays (thank you to Encompass for providing this glossary!). We then bring you the foreword presented by Aryenish Birdie (she/her), the founder and executive director of Encompass, which focuses on building a racially equitable animal protection movement. This is followed by the introduction to the book by Our Hen House’s co-founder and Executive Director, Jasmin Singer (she/her)—editor of this anthology, author, and longtime animal activist and public speaker.  The first episode of this audio series is labeled Awakening and corresponds with the first section of the print copy of the book. In this episode, we hear from the following four essay authors, each of them sharing their eye-opening experiences:  Shayna Rowbotham (she/her) is the organizing manager for the US for Mercy For Animals, an international farmed animal protection organization; she’s based in New York, New York. PJ Nyman (they/them) is a Corporate Relations Specialist at Mercy For Animals and holds a Master’s Degree in Social & Political Thought from York University in Toronto. Mikaela Saccoccio (she/her) is the Executive Director of Farmed Animal Funders, a donor learning community whose members give $250k+ annually to charitable initiatives fighting factory farming. (Please note: Mikaela’s essay is narrated by Jasmin.)  Rachel Huff-Wagenborg (she/her) is an ardent animal activist making strides to open her eyes and heart to all injustices, and currently works as the Vice President of Operations at The Humane League. 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. “If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you recognize that your liberation and mine are bound up together, we can walk together.” —Lilla Watson 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 thrilled to welcome Kate Wall, Senior Legislative Manager for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), to the podcast this week. Kate give us an overview of her work lobbying at the federal level and provides a detailed breakdown of the worsening biodiversity crisis and what can be done to limit it. The bottom line is that we are losing wild species at an unprecedented rate that is simply too fast for evolution to keep up with, and there is still far too little attention being paid. Kate also shares her legislative priorities, some possible upcoming good news and her passion for educating people about the inextricable links between humans and wildlife—including zoonotic diseases and pandemics. Since adopting a kitten from her local SPCA at the age of two, Kate’s love and compassion for animals have been an unwavering pillar of her life. While working toward an undergraduate biology degree in Philadelphia, Kate pursued her love for animals by working as a veterinary technician and volunteering at a wildlife rescue facility. Kate now serves as IFAW’s Senior Legislative Manager for the US office, presenting wildlife and habitat conservation, wildlife trafficking, and appropriations priorities before Congress. Her skills and knowledge of the strategic legislative framework are anchored in both experience and a never-ending commitment to ensure the wellbeing animals, humans, and our shared ecosystems. “There is a false belief held by people in all levels of society, from individuals all the way up to decision-makers, that there is a dichotomy, that it’s a sort of a zero-sum game. You either protect the economy or you protect the environment. But actually, the majority of our economy is based on the environment.” – Kate Wall Highlights: How IFAW is working on issues of animal welfare across the globe Kate’s lobbying, legislative, and policy work in the United States How climate change drives biodiversity loss and why biodiversity loss contributes to climate change How human economies are tied to biodiversity Why our decision-makers must take biodiversity into account when planning for the future Why ending animal exploitation could protect us and future generations from more global pandemics like COVID-19 The reasons that it is so detrimental to humans to encroach on animal’s habitats Whether Kate feels that we are seeing progress in Congress under the current administration, particularly in relation to the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act The difference between wildlife corridors and wildlife crossings and why they are so vital for wildlife to be able to migrate Connect with Kate Wall: International Fund for Animal Welfare Website International Fund for Animal Welfare on Facebook International Fund for Animal Welfare on Instagram International Fund for Animal Welfare 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.

PLAY THIS EPISODE Cara Achterberg joins the podcast this week for an important conversation about the many dogs currently in animal rescues and shelters waiting for a home that may never come. Author of 2020’s One Hundred Dogs and Counting: One Woman, A Thousand Miles, and a Journey into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues, Cara shares how she gradually came to the realization that shelters will never have enough money or space to care for all the dogs in need. She dives into the reasons so many have the mistaken belief that we have fixed the homeless dog problem and why she set out to educate herself about the real story behind the headlines. Cara also discusses why she has focused her interest on dog pounds in the rural south, why so many abandoned dogs are still being killed, and how fostering is absolutely crucial to saving dogs and how people interested in fostering can dip in their toes. Cara and her family have fostered nearly 150 dogs and puppies, plus two kittens, for Operation Paws for Homes, an all-breed rescue made up of a network of foster homes in Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, and south-central Pennsylvania. She is an author, blogger, and creative writing teacher who is passionate not just about saving dogs, but about organic gardening, writing fiction, and the mountains of Virginia. A successful novelist, Cara has written two non-fiction books about her experience fostering rescue animals and working with shelters all over the southern United States: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs, and One Hundred Dogs and Counting: One Woman, A Thousand Miles, and a Journey into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues.  “The bare fact is that we don’t have an overpopulation of dogs. If just one third of all the people who are currently looking for a dog chose to adopt, we would empty our shelters in a day.” – Cara Achterberg Highlights: How Cara and her family became involved with Operation Paws for Homes Why Cara’s mission is to tell people what is still going on in shelters and rescues across the southern states, and elsewhere in the United States Why many dog pounds don’t even attempt to arrange adoptions, their policies primarily consisting of shipping dogs to other places where hopefully they can be saved, or simply killing them The reasons people are ignorant about and therefore reluctant to adopt dogs they consider to be pit bulls How to encourage dog owners to spay and neuter How to change people’s attitudes so they see that dogs have intrinsic value Why shelters are overwhelmed with dogs even after the phenomenon of the ‘lockdown dog’ when so many families decided it was the right time to get a companion animal Why people are negative about moving dogs from the rural south to localities that still have their own homeless dog populations, or bringing in dogs to adopt from abroad, and how Cara feels about the issue The problems of statistics and shelters, what shelters mean when they talk about their live release rates, and whether we’re really getting accurate information Why Cara believes the North Carolina model requiring accurate statistics is a step in the right direction How a small, rural shelter turned its fortunes around by becoming a community resource Connect with Cara Achterberg: Who Will Let the Dogs Out? Website Who Will Let the Dogs Out? on Facebook Who Will Let the Dogs Out? on Instagram Who Will Let the Dogs Out? 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 __________________________ 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.

Laura Reese, co-founder of Agriculture Fairness Alliance (AFA), joins the podcast this week for a riveting conversation about food and farm policy and how each of us potentially has the power to influence it. A former Silicon Valley engineer, Laura explains how she shifted from product planning to federal policy in hopes of helping farmers and policymakers craft policy to allow for a plant-rich future. She gives us a bird’s eye view of the current problems with American food policy and describes what is happening at the United States Department of Agriculture under President Biden. Laura also shares how she finds motivation and hope for the future even when there are so many hurdles between her and what AFA aims to accomplish. Laura Reese co-founded Agriculture Fairness Alliance in 2019 and now leads a team of volunteers lobbying for change in federal farm policy. She is an ex-Silicon Valley engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California in biomedical and electrical engineering. Prior to 2019, the bulk of Laura’s career was spent in semiconductor product planning, culminating in her publishing a book about co-planning with customers called Align: Get Your Team on the Same Page, Discover Clients’ Needs, Develop Better Products. “We don’t have to be experts in everything; we can work with experts and have that inform our lobbying agenda, so we can focus on the things that are opportunities.” – Laura Reese Highlights: The AFA’s mission and vision for the future How subsidies currently work and who’s getting what The types of changes AFA is focusing on Why AFA has a current lobbying agenda, a long-term lobbying agenda, and the difference between the two Laura’s interest in the Farmer and Rancher Mobility Sustainability Amendment, which was set up to prioritize helping socially disadvantaged farmers Why it’s so essential to subsidize transitions for farmers currently engaged in animal agriculture Why Laura expects discussion around climate change in Congress to increase Tips and advice on what listeners can do right now to support good food and farm policy Connect with Laura Reese: Agricultural Fairness Alliance 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 __________________________ 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 couldn’t be more excited to welcome youth activist Genesis Butler back to the podcast, this time joined by her powerhouse mom, Genelle Butler! In this awe-inspiring conversation, Genesis and Genelle share how the cruel reality behind chicken nuggets encouraged the 14-year old activist to stop eating meat at only three years of age. Genelle also shares how her daughter’s curiosity about breastfeeding and cow’s milk ultimately encouraged Genesis and her family to go vegan. A passionate animal rights activist, Genesis shares why she founded Genesis for Animals and Youth Climate Save, and Genelle tells us the importance of honoring kids’ questions and their innate desire to do good. Genesis Butler is the founder of Genesis for Animals, a non-profit organization aiming to provide funding to sanctuaries and rescues who give animals a permanent home, and the youth environmental charity, Youth Climate Save. One of the youngest people ever to give a TEDx Talk, Genesis is an ethical vegan who has traveled the world advocating for animals and encouraging people to eat plant-based for animals and the planet. Genelle Butler is an activist, organizer, and mother of five vegan children. She went vegan after Genesis convinced her it was the right thing to do for the animals. Genelle is the co-director of Youth Climate Save, alongside Genesis. In addition, she is also a coordinator for the Animal Save Movement. “There are a lot of ways to get the message out—you just have to find a way to start. Once you start, it will show you a lot of things in a way that you didn’t see them before.” – Genesis Butler Interview Highlights: What Genesis thinks about the portrayal of animals on TV programing for kids Why Genelle always knew that Genesis would be a leader, even when she was a baby Why Genesis was inspired to become vegan and why the whole family followed her lead Genelle’s commitment to emboldening her daughter to be an ambassador for animals How Genesis sees the disconnect between concern about the climate and consuming animal products Ways listeners can work with their communities to make changes in their lives to benefit animals What Genelle has done to help Genesis realize her goals How other kids react to Genesis’ animal advocacy How Genesis got to be a Marvel superhero AND meet the Pope Genesis’ collaboration with Million Dollar Vegan Connect with Genesis and Genelle Butler: Youth Climate Save Youth Climate Save on Instagram Genesis for Animals Genesis for Animals on Instagram Genesis Butler 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 Resources:  A 10-Year Old’s Vision for Healing the Planet | Genesis Butler | TEDxCSULB Book Launch: Antiracism in Animal Advocacy __________________________ 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 welcomes author Henry Mance to the podcast this week for an insightful conversation about his debut book, How to Love Animals In a Human-Shaped World. Henry tells us how his young daughters inspired him and his hopes for the impact his book will have on readers: to help them understand what it truly means to love animals and learn how we can demonstrate this in our everyday lives. He shares why he believes social media is changing the ways we treat animals, discusses how individual choices to eschew animal products make room for governments to act on a larger scale, and how zoos negatively warp children’s understanding of animals. Henry Mance is the chief features writer for the Financial Times, where he focuses on long-form pieces. He was named interviewer of the year at the 2017 British Press Awards and frequently appears on BBC radio and TV news programs. His new book is a personal journey into our evolving relationships with animals and a thought-provoking look at how those bonds are being challenged and reformed across disciplines. “We make a choice every time we have breakfast, every time we have lunch, every time we have dinner. We make choices all throughout our lives about how to affect other animals, so it’s possible to do better.” – Henry Mance Interview Highlights: Why Henry believes that his book can inspire people to make dramatic changes in their lives His hopes that society will progress through the cognitive dissonance that allows us to both love animals and accept abhorrent practices such as factory farming Why it makes more political sense to seek subsidies for plant-based foods rather than seek a “meat tax” The problem with how we shape children’s views of animal rights and welfare, including meat in school meals Why veganism is part of a positive vision for restoring much-needed forests, wetlands, and grasslands all over the world The problems with teaching children about animals by taking them to zoos, where animals are not in their natural environment Why he firmly believes that loving animals has become an integral part of being a good human being Connect with Henry Mance: Henry Mance’s Website Henry Mance on Twitter Henry Mance 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 Some Resources Mentioned:  Grass Fed Rochester Cuties Los Angeles Happy Cow Vegan Guide Carl Safina, author New York City Bar Association Animal Law Committee __________________________ 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.

Jan Dutkiewicz, a political economist and Harvard Law policy fellow, dives into the murky waters of meat consumption and its greater implications. He unpacks why mainstream media often overlooks the role of animal agriculture in climate change. Jan explores the political hesitance to address meat's detrimental effects, while also discussing the future of cultured meat as a potential game changer. His insights shed light on how collective advocacy can push for meaningful reform in the food industry, advocating for ethical shifts towards sustainable alternatives.

John Adenitire, PhD, joins the podcast this week for a truly fascinating episode about the philosophical underpinnings of animal law. A lawyer and a lecturer in the School of Law at Queen Mary University of London, John explains the differences between legal and moral philosophy, outlines the substantive theory of animal rights, and underscores why the rule of law is relevant, and crucial, to the lives of nonhuman animals. He also explores the role of animal welfare laws under current theories of philosophy of law and shares why those theories fail to protect the sentient beings who desperately need legal protection. John Adenitire, who was born in Nigeria and grew up in Italy, is now a Strategic Lecturer in the School of Law at Queen Mary University London and a Fellow of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences. He completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Law, Fitzwilliam College. He has taught and researched at Cambridge, Durham, Birmingham, the UCL Constitution Unit, the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, and the UK Commission on a Bill of Rights. In the beginning of this episode, we are honored to be joined by Peter Brandt, Senior Attorney for Farm Animal Litigation at the Humane Society of the United States who has played an instrumental role in fighting some of the most challenging cases of animal abuse in the last ten years. Peter joined us as a guest in episode 559 and we’ve invited him back now to read a section from his book, Indefensible: Adventures of a Farm Animal Protection Lawyer. The book is part memoir, part manifesto and chronicles the development of Peter’s awareness of factory farming and the harm it does not only to animals but to human health and the environment, especially  for those who live near them. “Once we recognize a certain being has sentience and important basic interests—interest in living, interest in being alive and free from torture and physical intervention, a life of freedom to do as as they please, within limits—then we should recognize that they have certain fundamental rights that the law should recognize.” – John Adenitire Interview Highlights: The problems with various philosophical theories of the rule of law as they pertain to animals John’s alternative theory that animals should be seen as victims of arbitrary power Why aquatic animals are often left unprotected by law The difference between power and arbitrary power How the law works to protect the fundamental interests that humans and nonhuman animals share Why an adequate substantive theory of the rule of law would require enormous changes in the legal system How the rule of law could accommodate the need for different species to have different rights Are there certain situations where it would be justifiable for humans to kill animals and how should the law accommodate them? Resources: The Rule of Law for All Sentient Animals (pre-publication version) Peter Brandt’s Book: Indefensible: Adventures of a Farm Animal Protection Lawyer Connect with John Adenitire:  John Adenitire 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.