Hope for the Animals

Farmed animal sanctuaries are the heart of the animal advocacy movement. Our guest today, Zoe Novic, Executive Director of CAPE (Center for Animal Protection and Education), knows this well as she grew up on a sanctuary in the Santa Cruz hills. Zoe has a diverse background that includes two years in the Peace Corps in Indonesia, a Master’s in Public Health, and leadership roles at The Humane League, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and Greener by Default, Zoe has expertise in grassroots organizing, public health policy, and advocacy.On the podcast, Zoe discusses the significance of the human-animal connection in comprehending and understanding nonhuman animals. She talks about how sanctuaries serve as acts of resistance, providing physical spaces where we can shape the world as we envision it. She and Hope also discuss how sanctuary and rescue efforts have been devalued in recent years, with current animal advocacy funding and philanthropy philosophies moving away from funding direct animal care and how that is impacting the movement. Zoe emphasizes the importance of emotion in advocacy, highlighting how it can often prompt action more effectively than logic or reason. She further explains how sanctuaries deeply evoke emotions. Additionally, Zoe shares her public health background, underscoring the intricate connections between this sector and animal agriculture.Resources:CAPE: Center for Animal Protection and EducationSonoma County VegFest, September 27, 2025Film: Called to RescueSupport this podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

Janet O'Shea, an academic and activist from UCLA, delves into the debates surrounding veganism as a form of boycott. She critiques the notion that going vegan is ineffective, highlighting how individual actions can create social change. Drawing parallels with Gandhi’s Khadi movement, she emphasizes the historical significance of grassroots efforts. Janet also discusses the environmental impact of animal agriculture and the importance of positioning veganism within the broader framework of social justice, urging for collective action to challenge systemic issues.

 Patty Leon and Rich Winograd both grew up as animal lovers…or so they thought. It was during the pandemic that they came across documentaries, books, and articles that removed their blindfolds and led to the light switch moment to make a change for the better. Today they continue to learn and grow, sharing, their insight as animal rights, vegan and social justice activists. They actively volunteer for various organizations and have written a young adult novel titled “True Justice 4 All.” Rich and Patty share with Hope how they awakened to the hypocrisy of our relationship with animals and the detrimental impact of the food production system on animals, humans, and the planet as a whole.Resources:Rich and Patty's Book: True Justice 4 AllInstaGram: @truejustice4allSonoma County VegFest, September 27, 2025

On this episode we are sharing the recording from the Humane Hoax Project Panel Discussion: Egg Prices Are Not the Only Crisis, The Current Political Situation and Animal Agriculture.The political climate has left many feeling frustrated as we witness the dismantling of government oversight and structure. This is further compounded by the avian flu crisis and its impact on the food system. Hope Bohanec hosts a panel of experts who will examine the current situation, navigate the political turmoil, and discuss the effects on farmed animals, our advocacy strategies, and the food industry. PanelistsVasile Stanescu, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Chair of Communication at Mercer University. He received his Ph.D. in the program of Modern Thought and Literature (MTL) at Stanford University. Stanescu’s research focuses on greenwashing by animal agribusiness, critiques of humane meat, in vitro meat, and consumerist options for social change. He is the author of numerous publications on the study of animals and the environment including publications in the Journal of American Culture, Rhetoric of Health & Medicine, the American Behavioral Scientist and Animal Studies Journal. Stanescu is also the co-founder of the North American Association for Critical Animal Studies (NAACAS). Kathryn Gillespie, PhD, is a writer and researcher dedicated to uncovering the harms done to animals in industrial and so-called "humane" systems of production. She is VP of Research and Strategy at Farm Forward and Associate Director for the Center for Food Systems Transformations at the University of San Diego. She is the author of The Cow with Ear Tag #1389 (University of Chicago Press, 2018), a book about the lives of cows in the U.S. dairy industry. . John Sanbonmastsu, PhD, is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts and a charismatic, internationally recognized authority in animal ethics.  He is the author of The Postmodern Prince and editor of the book Critical Theory and Animal Liberation. His latest book, The Omnivore’s Deception, offers a bold new way of thinking about human purpose in the context of our troubled relations with animals and food. Resources:Related Podcasts:The Cage-Free Conundrum with Hope BohanecGreenwashing and Animal Agriculture with Vasile StanescuThe Omnivore’s Deception with John SanbonmatsuBooks:On Effective Altruism: The Good it Promises the Harm It DoesThe Omnivore’s Deception by John SanbonmatsuCow with Ear Tag #1389 by Kathryn Gillespie Article: Trump’s tax bill is a win for Big Ag

On this episode, we switch things up and our host, Hope Bohanec, is interviewed by Michele Granberg of Animal Activism Collective, AAC. Today we are sharing with you a recording of Hope being interviewed by Michele for the Animal Liberation Hour Podcast where they talk about Hope’s activist origin story, why she started her nonprofit Compassionate Living, and her thoughts on exposing humanewashing and speciesism. Hope also gets into the spiritual aspect of veganism and nonviolence revealing parallels to Dharma traditions and she talks about Ahimsa, a Sanskrit term meaning non-harming. Resources:Animal Activism CollectiveThe Animal Liberation Hour PodcastHumane Hoax Project Online Panel Discussion, July 19, More info and registration here.Hope’s books:The Ultimate Betrayal: Is There Happy Meat?The Humane Hoax: Essays Exposing the Myth of Happy Meat, Humane Dairy, and Ethical Eggs

On this episode Hope talks with author John Sanbonmatsu about his new book The Omnivore’s Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves. This engaging book covers a variety of philosophical aspects of meat-eating culture, offers insight into our fraught relationship with farmed animal and explores the importance of incorporating love into our ethics. John and Hope discuss humanewashing and the deception around the reality of animal farming, the cognitive dissonance of loving and eating animals, and how eating meat is an aspect  of the US culture wars. They also debate a pessimistic vs. optimistic view of the trajectory of the last few decades of vegan and animal activism. John Sanbonmatsu is a Professor of Philosophy at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, where he teaches ethics and politics, among other topics.   He is the author of The Postmodern Prince and editor of the book Critical Theory and Animal Liberation. His new book, The Omnivore’s Deception:  What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves (New York University Press) challenges the myth of "enlightened" omnivorism and the idea that we can have our meat and our conscience too.  MUSICAL BONUS:At the conclusion of the episode, we share with you a new song by vegan musician Brent Ratkovich titled “Trying.” This beautiful song is a heartfelt love letter to farmed animals that conveys a profound vegan message.Resources:Book: The Omnivore’s DeceptionHumane Hoax Panel Discussion: July 19, information and registration here: https://www.humanehoax.org/upcoming-eventBrent Ratkovich: preview and purchase music: brentratkovich.bandcamp.comSupport this Podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

In this episode, we explore the psychological aspects of living vegan on our social, emotional, and even spiritual psychology. Angela Crawford, the author of “The Vegan Transformation: A Journey to Heal Yourself and the World,” shares her research having interviewed hundreds of vegans to uncover common themes related to the benefits and challenges of living vegan. She talks about value alignment, the different stages of readiness for people to hear the vegan message, and the importance of including ourselves in our circle of compassion. Angela Crawford, Ph.D. is a psychologist, vegan educator, and author of The Vegan Transformation: A Journey to Heal Yourself and the World (Lantern, 2025). She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and previously worked as a psychotherapist for 25 years, empowering clients toward greater holistic well-being. She is certified as a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator (MSVA), licensed PCRM Food for Life instructor, and Transformational Coach. Resources:Angela’s WebsiteBuy the Book from LanternSocial media links:  @angelacrawfordphd on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedInSupport this Podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

Fires, hurricanes, floods—animals are also victims of recent unprecedented natural disasters. Diana Hulet, an environmental writer and animal photojournalist, shares her experience documenting the destruction of the recent LA fires and its impact on animals. She witnessed distressed wildlife, people risking their lives to protect animals, and participated in animal rescues. Diana and Hope discuss the climate crisis and how all these recent “un-natural” disasters are fueled by human actions. Diana also shares her personal contemplative practice, which helps her navigate the difficult subject matter she encounters in her work.Diana Hulet is a Pacific Northwest and Colorado-based environmental writer, animal photojournalist, and yoga teacher with over three decades of experience in yoga philosophy and contemplative traditions. After establishing her own Yoga studio and leading trainings and retreats internationally, Diana pivoted her attention and received a Bachelor of Science degree at Oregon State University in 2017, focusing on environmental ethics, ecology, and climate change. Diana's growing concern for the well-being of animals prompted her to pick up a camera and begin documenting the details of their lives. Her ongoing project, What if We Saw Them,  encourages reflection on our relationship with animals in various contexts, advocating for compassion as a catalyst for systemic change. She is a contributor to two animal photojournalist nonprofits We Animals and Sanctuary Doc, where she also serves as the Board Vice President. Resources:Diana Hulet WebsiteSanctuary Doc What If We Saw Them ProjectSupport this podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living 

Erin Wing is currently serving as the Deputy Director of Investigations for Animal Outlook and previously worked as an undercover investigator. Erin completed four investigations in the dairy, chicken and aquaculture industries, including the first-ever undercover expose of salmon aquaculture in the U.S. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian and The New York Times.Erin’s investigations and her advocacy work shed light on the interconnection of human and animal exploitation that occurs on farms in the animal agriculture system. Erin shares personal accounts from her compelling investigations to illustrate the dangers speciesism poses to all sentient beings on the planet. She also shares what it’s like to live on a farmed animal sanctuary and the stark contrast of the animals’ experience from industry to freedom. Erin said, “When it comes to learning how to process trauma, my greatest teachers have been animals.” Resources:Animal OutlookAnimal PartisanEugene VeganFestErin’s first episode on Hope for the Animals Support this Podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

Today’s show is a replay of an earlier episode with the amazing lauren Ornelas, founder of Food Empowerment Project. Food Empowerment Project is a vegan food justice nonprofit that promotes veganism, works to bring attention to the rights of farm workers, highlights the lack of access to healthy foods in Black and Brown communities, and raise awareness about the worst forms of slavery, including child labor, in the chocolate industry. Lauren has been deeply involved in animal rights activism since 1987 and was the director of VivaUSA before founding Food Empowerment Project.Lauren and Hope talk about the connections between food, veganism, and human rights with issues like child and slave labor chocolate production, food deserts and access to produce and healthy food, and Food Empowerment Project’s Fight for the Oceans campaign highlighting the struggles of the ocean and her sea creatures. Lauren will be speaking at Compassionate Living’s upcoming Eugene VeganFest on May 4, 2025. Resources:Food Empowerment ProjectLauren’s TEDx Talk: The Power of our Food ChoicesAbout child labor and slavery in chocolate production and the FEP’s recommended chocolate listEugene VeganFest, 5/4/25