Shows
The Animal Law PodcastRedefining Democracy: How Constitutional Law Could Embrace All Sentient Life In a groundbreaking episode of The Animal Law Podcast, we explored radical new concepts that could fundamentally transform how constitutional law treats animals. Host Mariann Sullivan welcomed Cambridge University’s Raffael Fasel and Queen Mary University’s John Adenitire to discuss their book “Animals and the Constitution: Towards Sentience-Based Constitutionalism” – a work that challenges centuries of legal tradition by proposing constitutional frameworks that recognize the inherent worth of all sentient beings. While traditional constitutions rely on the “hypothetical consent of the governed,” this revolutionary approach acknowledges that billions of sentient beings are governed by constitutional systems but ha...2025-06-271h 02Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationRedefining Democracy: How Constitutional Law Could Embrace All Sentient Life In a groundbreaking episode of The Animal Law Podcast, we explored radical new concepts that could fundamentally transform how constitutional law treats animals. Host Mariann Sullivan welcomed Cambridge University’s Raffael Fasel and Queen Mary University’s John Adenitire to discuss their book “Animals and the Constitution: Towards Sentience-Based Constitutionalism” – a work that challenges centuries of legal tradition by proposing constitutional frameworks that recognize the inherent worth of all sentient beings. While traditional constitutions rely on the “hypothetical consent of the governed,” this revolutionary approach acknowledges that billions of sentient beings are governed by constitutional systems but ha...2025-06-271h 02
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationBig Ag’s Immigration Racket | Rising Anxieties This week, Mariann Sullivan dives into the disturbing synergy between immigration policies and the meat industry, exposing a system designed to exploit vulnerable workers. From the Trump administration’s extension of dangerous line speed waivers to the calculated immigration “crisis” that may lead to even more exploitative visa programs, the podcast reveals how Big Ag thrives on maintaining a vulnerable workforce. With line speeds doubling over the past half-century while wages have plummeted by 50% since 1975, workers—many undocumented—face crippling injuries and dangerous conditions while processing animals at breakneck speeds of up to six per minute. Immigratio...2025-06-1718 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationThe Hen Report: “A bandaid fix on something rotten to the core” | Vegan Mac & Cheese, Swiss Fur Ban, Melanie Joy’s Fiction DebutThis week on The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan navigate challenging political times while delivering animal rights news with their signature blend of insight and humor. They cover everything from labor issues in animal agriculture to exciting vegan product launches before welcoming psychologist and author Dr. Melanie Joy to discuss her surprising pivot from non-fiction to fiction with her new psychological suspense novel “A Half-Hearted Death Wish.” Kraft Heinz and NotCo partnership brings vegan mac & cheese cups to market, with hosts noting “convenience foods like these are part of how we shift the culture” Switzerland becomes first Eu...2025-06-1251 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationBird Flu Takes Flight While Meat Scientists Plot World Domination | Rising Anxieties In this eye-opening episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into alarming developments that should have everyone’s anxiety levels soaring. From the CDC’s confirmation that the bird flu virus infecting a Michigan dairy worker is capable of airborne transmission, to the meat industry’s coordinated efforts to combat what they call “anti-meat activism” through manipulative messaging, to how industrial farming operations are contaminating our lettuce with E. coli. Plus, we explore the devastating psychological impact on slaughterhouse workers and a forthcoming documentary that may change how we view the human cost of animal agriculture. This epi...2025-06-1015 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationBird Flu Bonanza and Beef in the Classroom | Rising Anxieties This week on Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives beak-first into the taxpayer-funded fever dream that is the animal agriculture industry’s response to bird flu. From senators begging for vaccine handouts to pork producers suddenly discovering biosecurity (better late than never!), it’s a masterclass in how industrial farming turns every crisis into a government funding opportunity. Meanwhile, the beef industry is busy grooming kindergartners with climate “science” that conveniently forgets to mention we could just, you know, eat fewer cows. All this while Oklahoma taxpayers fork over $250 million for a veterinary teaching hospital that’s totally about “fee...2025-06-0314 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationA Wave of Change: Banning Octopus Factory Farming with Amanda Fox, Brenna Anderst & Allie TaylorIn this eye-opening episode, Mariann Sullivan speaks with three pioneering advocates who are successfully preventing octopus factory farming across the United States. Amanda Fox (Executive Director of Animal Rights Initiative), Allie Taylor (President of Voters for Animal Rights), and Brenna Anderst (Senior Policy Advisor at The Humane League) share how their coalition has already secured bans in Washington and California, with legislation pending in seven more coastal states. The conversation reveals why octopuses – highly intelligent, venomous, escape-prone animals who require live prey – are particularly unsuited for aquaculture, and how preventing new forms of animal exploitation before they become entrenched is a...2025-05-3051 min
Mariann Sullivan – Our Hen HouseIs Ventilation Shutdown Legal? Private Citizens Fighting Factory Farm Cruelty In this episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan welcomes back Will Lowrey, legal counsel for Animal Partisan, alongside David Rosengard, managing attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund‘s Criminal Justice Program. They dive into an obscure but potentially game-changing legal tool: laws in certain states that allow private citizens to obtain search warrants when they have evidence of animal cruelty. While their recent attempt to use this procedure against Jenny O Turkey for its “ventilation shutdown plus” practices (which essentially slow-cooks birds to death during bird flu outbreaks) hit a roadblock in Minnesota, the team i...2025-05-2351 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationIs Ventilation Shutdown Legal? Private Citizens Fighting Factory Farm Cruelty In this episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan welcomes back Will Lowrey, legal counsel for Animal Partisan, alongside David Rosengard, managing attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund‘s Criminal Justice Program. They dive into an obscure but potentially game-changing legal tool: laws in certain states that allow private citizens to obtain search warrants when they have evidence of animal cruelty. While their recent attempt to use this procedure against Jenny O Turkey for its “ventilation shutdown plus” practices (which essentially slow-cooks birds to death during bird flu outbreaks) hit a roadblock in Minnesota, the team i...2025-05-2351 minThe Animal Law PodcastIs Ventilation Shutdown Legal? Private Citizens Fighting Factory Farm Cruelty In this episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan welcomes back Will Lowrey, legal counsel for Animal Partisan, alongside David Rosengard, managing attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund‘s Criminal Justice Program. They dive into an obscure but potentially game-changing legal tool: laws in certain states that allow private citizens to obtain search warrants when they have evidence of animal cruelty. While their recent attempt to use this procedure against Jenny O Turkey for its “ventilation shutdown plus” practices (which essentially slow-cooks birds to death during bird flu outbreaks) hit a roadblock in Minnesota, the team i...2025-05-2351 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationThe Panic Button: Meat Industry Predicts Its Own Extinction | Rising Anxieties In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan examines current developments in animal agriculture and political food policies so you don’t have to. From RFK Jr.’s contradictory stances on vaccines and ultra-processed foods to industry insiders acknowledging that cultivated protein may replace conventional meat production in the future, this episode dives into the contradictions and potential changes within the food system. This episode explores: How industry insiders are predicting a future shift away from conventional animal agriculture toward cultivated protein technologies Emerging debates around the classification of plant-based alternatives as “ultra-processed” Agricultural communica...2025-05-2015 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationThe Hen Report: “Steamed Tofu and Broccoli” | Religion, Politics & Vegan TravelIn this delightfully loopy episode of The Hen Report (affectionately dubbed “Henry Port” by hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan), the duo spans topics from coast to coast while delivering their signature wit and animal rights commentary. Jasmin checks in from Los Angeles, where she’s attending the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit, reminiscing about her time living in the sprawling city and its vegan food scene. Meanwhile, Mariann dives into how Catholicism’s own teachings on animal welfare contradict modern practices, shares alarming news about Trump administration policies favoring the meat industry, and explores how narcissism affects our collecti...2025-05-1537 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationAnimal Ag is DESPERATE: Regenerative Agriculture Claims & Teen Slaughterhouse Tours | Rising Anxieties In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan exposes how the animal agriculture industry is desperately attempting to rebrand itself while facing mounting environmental and ethical challenges. This episode explores: How factory farming is co-opting “regenerative agriculture” as their newest meaningless buzzword to greenwash industrial practices The meat industry’s shocking new strategy to recruit teenagers aged 16-18 by giving them “hands-on experience” in slaughterhouses. Seriously? How The New York Times misrepresents animal testing by using euphemistic language like “sacrifice” and “euthanasia” New research from Denmark proving we can create sustainable food s...2025-05-1319 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationThanksgiving Special - Sanctuary: A Radio PlayWe are thrilled to present this very special holiday episode of 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.
ABOUT THE PLAY A dark comedy by John Yunker, 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 in...2024-11-2642 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationAnnual HOLIDAY SPECIAL: “SANCTUARY: A RADIO PLAY” RECORDED LIVE IN NEW YORK CITYWe are thrilled to present this very special holiday episode of 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.
ABOUT THE PLAY A dark comedy, Sanctuary tells the story of Richard (John Frusciante) and Lisa (Mariann Sullivan), a happily married couple whose blissful retirement to small-town Oregon is thrown into disarray when Lisa suddenly decides to go vegan and insists on celebrating Thanksgiving withou...2023-11-2144 min
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationHoliday Special: “Sanctuary: A Radio Play” Recorded Live In New York CityWelcome to this special holiday presentation of Sanctuary: A Radio Play, an annual Thanksgiving tradition at Our Hen House! This performance marked the world premiere of John Yunker’s Sanctuary at New York City’s Symphony Space during the Culture & Animals Foundation’s Compassion Arts Festival. We were thrilled to have been a part of this witty, engaging, and incisive production that portrays the different journeys we embark on when we begin to open our eyes to animal exploitation. Here at Our Hen House, we are longtime proponents of the arts, including theater, as a tool for animal advocacy; this f...2022-11-2200 min
The Animal Law PodcastAnimal Law Podcast #81: Fundamental Rights for Swiss Primates, Yes or No?Welcome to the Animal Law Podcast. This is Mariann Sullivan and this week’s guest is Charlotte Blattner, a Swiss lawyer and professor of law, who will be talking about primates in Switzerland and a recent ballot initiative held in Basel initiated by the Swiss organization Sentience regarding their rights. Charlotte and I will discuss this very recent effort, the pluses and minuses of using ballot initiatives, which are an important part of Swiss law, to promote the rights of animals, the meaning of the unsuccessful vote and why it should nevertheless be seen as an important step forward, an...2022-02-231h 11
The Animal Law PodcastAnimal Law Podcast #80: Teaching Animal RightsWelcome to the Animal Law Podcast. This is Mariann Sullivan, and this week we will be doing something a little bit different. Sherry Colb is a professor at Cornell Law School where, among many other things, she teaches an animal centric course that, to my knowledge, is quite different from most of the courses relating to animals taught at law schools. Unlike the course that I teach, which is all about the all-too-fragile law purporting to protect animals, she focuses on the reasons people should attend to animals and, specifically, the reasons they shouldn’t be eating them, or us...2022-01-2653 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 619.5: “Sanctuary: A Radio Play” Recorded Live In New York CityWelcome 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 me...2021-11-2300 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 567.5: “Sanctuary: A Radio Play” Recorded Live In New York CityWelcome to this extraordinary 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 2017 Compassion Arts Festival. We were thrilled to have been a part of this fun, engaging, and critical production that demonstrates the journeys we embark on when we begin to learn about animal exploitation. Jasmin is a longtime proponent of theater as a tool for vegan advocacy; the medium serves as a lens into h...2020-11-2400 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 548: Liz Marshall on her new film, Meat the FutureThis week Mariann talks to filmmaker Liz Marshall about her new film Meat the Future, a documentary about the “cultivated meat” revolution in food production. Liz talks about the making of the film, the impact she hopes it will have, and trying to market a film during a global pandemic. Liz Marshall is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker. Since the 1990s she has written, produced, directed, and filmed diverse international and socially conscious documentaries. Her work has been released theatrically, been broadcast globally, made available digitally, and has screened for hundreds of grassroots communities around the globe. Marshall’s visio...2020-07-111h 19Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 547: Deb Olin Unferth on her chicken liberation novel, Barn 8This week Mariann talks to author and activist Deb Olin Unferth about her new novel, Barn 8, and how she came to the story of auditors going rogue and plotting to free one million chickens. She delves into the research she did leading up to writing the book, how her investigations into the egg industry informed the book, and the inspiration she took from recording the chatter of chickens. Deb Olin Unferth is the author of six books, including the novel Barn 8, which grew out of research she did on the U.S. egg industry. Her essays and...2020-07-041h 16Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 546: Dr. Neal Barnard on his new book, Your Body In BalanceThis week Jasmin speaks with Dr. Neal Barnard about his new book Your Body In Balance and how some of the common health conditions that people face may be the result of hormone imbalances caused by foods we eat. Dr. Barnard also tells us about how Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is responding in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the challenges of and opportunities for tele-health services during the Coronavirus pandemic. Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and P...2020-06-271h 07Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 545: David G. Brooks on The Grass LibraryThis week Mariann speaks with novelist and poet David G. Brooks about his new book, The Grass Library, his life-changing shift to veganism and animal-centric writing, his thoughts on anthropomorphism, and the devastating effects that Australia’s recent fires had on the animal population. David G. Brooks is a poet, novelist, short-fiction writer, and essayist. He has taught literature at various Australian universities, and from 1999 until 2018 was co-editor of Southerly, the premier journal of Australian literature and new Australian writing. Brooks’s work has been widely anthologized and translated, and has won or been shortlisted for numerous awar...2020-06-201h 16Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 544: Kristina Mering on International Animal Rights MovementsThis week Mariann speaks with Kristina Mering, founder and president of the Estonian branch of Anima International, Nähtamatud Loomad. She discusses the work that she and her organization have done towards building an animal rights movement in Estonia and how the history of political and social change in the region has affected this movement, the ways that reform campaigns can and should co-exist with abolitionist veganism, and how vital her academic development has been to her activism. Kristina Mering is the founder and president of the Estonian branch of Anima International, Nähtamatud Loomad. She is al...2020-06-131h 17Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 543: Jim Richards of MilkadamiaThis week Jasmin interviews Jim Richards, CEO of Milkadamia, about the origins of the company, why Milkadamia is so committed to making products without palm oil which is ravaging the planet, and why he is a big proponent of Regenerative Agriculture. Jim Richards is the Chicago-based CEO of Jindilli Beverages and milkadamia, the brand that melds an artisanal business aesthetic and nutritional desire with eco imperatives. The company produces a full line of macadamia nut-based milks, creamers and butters. Among his stops throughout his varied career, Jim has been an old style butcher, run a large New Z...2020-06-061h 06Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 542: Eva Meijer on Animal Languages and What They Are Saying to UsThis week Mariann interviews author and scholar Eva Meijer about her books When Animals Speak, Animal Languages, and Bird Cottage. Eva talks about how human perspectives on animal languages have helped to limit the rights of animals in political decisions and social policy, and the incredible recent discoveries that have been made about how non-human animals communicate with each other and how they attempt to communicate with humans. These books, and this conversation, explore the meaning of what language actually is. Eva Meijer is an artist, writer, philosopher and singer-songwriter. She wrote nine books and her work...2020-05-301h 29Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 541: Merissa Underwood, the Vegan Miss MontanaThis week Jasmin interviews Merissa Underwood, who was named Miss Montana 2020 and caused a stir in that state when she used her platform to talk about veganism, environmentalism and animal rights issues. Merissa tells the story of how she introduced these topics into the Miss Montana competition, the campaign of social media harrassment waged against her because of her outspoken veganism, and how her views about animals were shaped in part by her experience in the Future Farmers of America. Merissa Underwood is a Political Science major and Miss Montana USA 2020, she will be competing at Miss U...2020-05-231h 13Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 540: Josh Berson on "The Meat Question"This week Mariann interviews Josh Berson, author of The Meat Question, about what people really mean when they talk about a “paleolithic” diet, zoonotics and the role of animal-source foods in facilitating their leap into human populations, and why meat became regarded as what wealthy people ate. He also shares his insight about “street food,” and tells us why he is hopeful for the future. Josh Berson is an anthropologist and philosopher who has held appointments at the Berggruen Institute and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, among other places. His work develops a critic...2020-05-161h 11Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 538: Rich Hardy On His Career in Undercover JournalismThis week Mariann interviews Rich Hardy, author of the new book Not As Nature Intended, about his career as an undercover journalist chronicling animal exploitation all around the world, including fur trapping, live animal markets, the chicken industry, and more. Rich shares the challenges of finding new ways to execute undercover investigations and the changes he has seen–or not seen–among systems and people who exploit animals for human consumption. He also reveals how the film Okja led him to the decision to leave this work behind. Rich Hardy has been a professional environment and animal prote...2020-05-021h 08Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 537: Seth Tibbott on His Search for the Wild TofurkyThis week Jasmin interviews Seth Tibbott, founder of the Tofurky company, about his journey from living in a treehouse to revolutionizing the use of tempeh, how a Discovery Channel star derailed his first career dream and inadvertently led him to where he is today, the history of Tofurky, and why he’s still waiting for its “sexy” break-out product. In 1980, Seth Tibbott founded Turtle Island Foods, now “the Tofurky Company”, on $2500 savings from his 8-year career as a teacher/naturalist. The company’s first product was a tasty fermented Indonesian soy product called Tempeh. Many people, including his midwestern...2020-04-251h 21Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 536: Lenore Braford and Paul Drake of Piedmont Farm Animal RefugeThis week Jasmin interviews Lenore Braford and Paul Drake of Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge about the unique animal-specific architecture they designed and built to accommodate the rescued animals at their sanctuary. By paying critical attention to the different needs of the array of animals on site and utilizing their design training, Lenore and Paul have created a sanctuary that aims to mimic as closely as possible the natural habitats of their animal population. They talk about why this is so important, and they share some of their knowledge and tips for anyone who is looking to do similar work e...2020-04-181h 05Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationAryenish Birdie on Diversity, Equity, and InclusionThis week Jasmin interviews Aryenish Birdie about her incredible work with Encompass. She tells Jasmin about the work of the DEI Institute (which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion), and how she and her co-founder managed to switch what was supposed to be the institute’s live conference to a Zoom conference. Aryenish talks with Jasmin about why focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital to the growth of organizations, and how people can foster that growth in their own organizations. She also explains the meaning of the term “global majority.” Aryenish founded Encompass after witnessing firstha...2020-04-111h 13Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationJeff Sebo on Centering Animals in Climate Change PoliciesThis week Mariann interviews Jeff Sebo about how our environmental choices and the way we think and talk about animals continue to have significant effects on climate change and biodiversity. Jeff tells us why it’s so important to center animals in discussions of climate change policies and what a world reshaped by climate change might look like. He also shares some updates on the work of the Animal Studies program at NYU, now in its tenth year! Jeff Sebo is Clinical Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, and Philosophy, and Director of...2020-04-041h 06Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationRobin Singh on the Rescue Work of India's Peepal FarmsThis week Jasmin interviews Robin Singh, co-founder of India’s Peepal Farms, about the mission and rescue work of the organization, how Peepal Farms is assisting with the growing dog rescue movement in India, why this work has made him so much happier, and his inspirational philosophy of “good vs. bad.” Robin Singh is an Entrepreneur, working for doing good. After starting his career as a hacker in 1998, he then founded Ejunkie in 2003, a service to remove technology barrier for artists and authors wanting to sell their digital content directly to buyers. Later that year, he moved to Tucso...2020-03-281h 02Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationIn the wake of COVID-19, ACTAsia’s Pei Sui on Banning Chinese Wildlife MarketsThis week Mariann speaks with Pei Sui of ACTAsia. In this very timely conversation, Pei discusses the devastating impact of China’s wildlife trade and wildlife markets on the Coronavirus and ACTAsia’s efforts in the wake of the Coronavirus to permanently close these markets and ban the captive breeding of all wildlife for consumption and commercial purposes. ACTAsia is also very involved in childhood education through its Caring for Life children’s program, and Pei tells Mariann about why this international curriculum for educating children about the importance of wildlife awareness is so important, particularly in Asia, and how AC...2020-03-211h 11Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 531: Ingrid Newkirk on New Discoveries About Animal BehaviorThis week Mariann talks to Ingrid Newkirk (@IngridNewkirk) about her new book, AnimalKind: Remarkable Discoveries About Animals and Revolutionary New Ways to Show Them Compassion, co-written with Gene Stone. Ingrid talks about her lifetime of work advocating for animals, why testing on animals is so ineffective and what animal activists can do to help bring the practice to an end, and the deep and intricate levels of emotions that animals experience and communicate. She also talks about her work with PETA on issues such as fur bans and how all of us can continue to work on creating change.2020-03-141h 03Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 530: Brittany Michelson on Voices for Animal LiberationThis week Jasmin talks to Brittany Michelson (@brittanyforanimals) about her new book, Voices For Animal Liberation, which features a chapter by Jasmin herself! Brittany is a fantastic and vital activist who has compiled an important book from some of the greatest voices in the animal rights movement. In this interview she tells us about the creation and publication processes for the book and how she hopes it will reach people. She also gives us an amazing reading from her chapter! Brittany Michelson is a teacher, writer, and animal rights activist. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction f...2020-03-0759 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 529: Allie Feldman Taylor on Voters For Animal RightsThis week Mariann talks to Allie Feldman Taylor, founder of Voters For Animal Rights. Allie works tirelessly to create campaigns that protect the welfare of animals in NYC, and in this fascinating and comprehensive interview she tells Mariann about her work on the foie gras ban, her efforts to ban horse drawn carriages, and how she has worked to protect NYC pigeons. She also tells us about her hopes for a NYC fur ban, the nuances of working with politicians on animal rights issues, and how she approaches political action when up against the opposition of big lobbying groups.2020-02-291h 00Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 528: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau on Being a Joyful VeganThis week Jasmin talks to the legendary Colleen Patrick-Goudreau about her new book, The Joyful Vegan, and the messages she wants people to take from the book. She also shares how she remains so Joyful in a world that often feels painful, why people continue to eat animals, what tools we can use for navigating and overcoming the most common challenges of staying the vegan course, and solutions for managing the pressure (often self-inflicted) to be a perfect vegan. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s compassionate living philosophy is propelling plant-based eating into the mainstream and forever changing how we re...2020-02-221h 05Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 527: Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni on Wine and Investing In a Vegan FutureThis week Mariann talks to Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni about how he became active in the animal rights movement; what he is excited about in the animal rights world, including the activities of Sea Shepard and Mercy For Animals; why he believes that animal rights organizations are at their best when run by women; and how he uses his venture capital companies use investing to increase the well-being of animals all over the world He also of course talks to us about his wine and how he has been growing it organically and free of animal products since 1989. Lastly, he...2020-02-151h 09Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 526: Jessika Ava on Supporting International Vegan AdvocacyThis week Mariann talks to Jessika Ava about her work with the ProVeg Program’s Global Vegan Advocacy Grants Program, which provides financial support for vegan advocacy around the world. Jessika tells us about some of the projects the program is funding that she is particularly excited about, the grassroots organizations the program supports, the advocacy work they are doing to influence food policy at the government level, and the work that the program hopes to do including providing grants for small businesses. Plus, Jessika reveals an amazing fact about her devotion to Our Hen House! Jessika Av...2020-02-081h 01Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 525: David Bronner on Veganic Regenerative Organic AgricultureThis week Mariann talks to David Bronner of Dr. Bronner’s about what veganic regenerative agriculture is and the benefits of it for farming, climate change, and the welfare of all beings. This is a fantastic deep dive into a practice that has many ramifications for the future of food. He also tells us about the wonderful work that Dr. Bronner’s is doing to promote fair trade and fair labor practices all over the world. David Bronner is Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s, the top-selling brand of natural soaps in North America and produc...2020-02-011h 13Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 524: C Lou Hamilton on Veganism, Sex and PoliticsThis week Jasmin interviews C Lou Hamilton about her book Veganism, Sex and Politics: Tales of Danger and Pleasure, the ways that veganism and sex are connected, the similarities between sexual exploitation of animals and of humans, and what The Sexual Politics of Meat by Carol Adams gets wrong. C Lou Hamilton is a feminist writer with a passion for fake fur, animals real and imaginary, and assorted things queer and vegan. She lives in London. Find her on Twitter @clouhamilton1 or on Instagram @veganismsexandpolitics. In the intro to the show, Jasmin has a...2020-01-251h 30Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 523: Karen Davis on Chickens and Fowl LanguageThis week Mariann talks to Karen Davis of United Poultry Concerns about the beautiful encounter with Viva the chicken hen that inspired her lifetime of activism, the founding and continued work of United Poultry Concerns, and why the language we use when talking about animals is so important. She also gives us some stories from her latest book, For the Birds: From Exploitation to Liberation: Essays on Chickens, Turkeys, and Other Domesticated Fowl. KAREN DAVIS, PhD is the President and Founder of United Poultry Concerns, a nonprofit organization that promotes the compassionate and respectful treatment of domestic f...2020-01-1857 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 522: Aph Ko on Racism as Zoological Witchcraft This week Jasmin talks to Aph Ko about her new book, Racism as Zoological Witchcraft, A Guide to Getting Out. She breaks down how Jordan Peele’s film “Get Out” uses animals as symbolism for racism, how the film’s portrayal of racism intersects with rituals from witchcraft, and why we need to find new ways to talk about racism. Aph Ko’s previous appearance on Our Hen House was phenomenal and trust us this interview is just as important and not to be missed. Aph Ko is a writer and independent media producer. She is the foun...2020-01-1100 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 521: Dr. Armaiti May on her work as a vegan veterinarian This week Jasmin talks to Dr. Armaiti May about her work as a vegan veterinarian in California, her efforts to spread vegan awareness to other veterinary practices through programs like the Veterinary Association for the Protection of Animals, and what people need to know about keeping animal companions healthy on a plant-based diet. Armaiti May, DVM is an integrative housecall veterinarian and vegan advocate practicing in Los Angeles. She graduated with a B.S. in Bioresource Sciences from UC Berkeley in 2001. After graduating from University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, Dr. May w...2020-01-041h 08Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 520: Martin Rowe on what is Beyond the Impossible This week Mariann talks to Martin Rowe about his new paper, Beyond the Impossible: The Futures of Plant-Based and Cellular Meats, his work with the Vegan America Project, and his thoughts about the concerns that environmental and whole-food groups have surrounding cellular and plant-based products Martin Rowe is the co-founder of Lantern Books, and the creator of the Vegan America Project, a semi-autonomous project of Brighter Green, an international public policy “action” tank. As part of the Project, Martin has written Beyond the Impossible: The Futures of Plant-based and Cellular Meat and Dairy, a policy paper...2019-12-281h 07Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 519: Evanna Lynch and Daniella Monet on Kinder Beauty, and Neta Rosenthal on Challenge22 This week Jasmin interviews Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films) and Daniella Monet (Victorious, Zoey 101, Fred) about their work with Kinder Beauty, how their authenticity influences their veganism, and the challenges associated with being a woman. This interview is not to be missed! Then, Mariann talks to Neta Rosenthal of Challenge22 about the movement to encourage people to go vegan all over the world, the surprising developments of veganism in Israel and other countries, and how you can get involved with this incredible work. In the intro to the show, J...2019-12-211h 43Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 518: Charles Annenberg Weingarten on Seeing the World Through Explore.Org This week Jasmin interviews Charles Annenberg Weingarten about his website Explore.org and all the amazing animals around the world that you can see at any time via their network of live streaming cameras. He tells us how his journey to creating this incredible site started, and why getting to view nature and animals all over the world at any time can make such a huge impact on the way we treat and perceive of animals. You can view explore.org’s incredible new Farm Sanctuary streaming camera by clicking this link. Charles Anne...2019-12-141h 01Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 517: Casey Suchan on Her New Film The Animal People This week Mariann interviews Casey Suchan about her new film, The Animal People, about the Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC) 7. She talks about the history of the SHAC campaign and the trial, the experience of producing and screening the film, and how you can see it. This is a fascinating interview about an important part of the history of the animal rights movement, we just know you’re going to love it. Casey Suchan co-directed the critically acclaimed documentary Rock the Bells, a behind-the-scenes look at how a young concert promoter beat the odds to re...2019-12-071h 10Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 516: Chad Sarno on Wicked Healthy Food This week Mariann interviews Chad Sarno, who tells us about co-founding Wicked Healthy Food, his philosophy of food, how the Wicked Healthy Cookbook puts things in simple terms for any chef of any level, their Wicked Kitchen partnership with Tesco Supermarkets in the United Kingdom, and their plant-based seafood company Good Catch. Chef Chad Sarno is the co-founder of Wicked Healthy Food, a thriving, mission-driven online community that focuses on culinary education, consulting, innovation, training, and product development. Chad is also the co-founder, along with his brother Derek of the Wicked Kitchen product line in...2019-11-301h 06Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 515.5: Sanctuary, A Radio Play Recorded Live in NYC!Welcome to a very special extra holiday tradition episode of Our Hen House! We are so excited to be releasing our beloved performance of the recording of our world-premiere performance of John Yunker’s radio play, Sanctuary, recorded live at NYC’s Symphony Space during the 2017 Compassion Arts and Culture & Animals Festival! Sanctuary tells the story of Richard and Lisa, a happily-married couple whose blissful retirement to a small town is upended when Lisa not only suddenly decides to go vegan, but offers their guest studio to her new animal-activist friend Meg and decides to cele...2019-11-2540 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 515: Laura Lee Cascada (Compassion Over Killing) on her debut novel, Dellie’s Run. This week Jasmin talks to Laura Lee Cascada of Compassion Over Killing about her debut novel, Dellie’s Run, the story of a girl who dreams of escaping the confines of her prison walls and becoming a baseball player. She tells us what brought her to writing fiction and why she chose to not make the novel an overtly animal-rights story, and she shares her tips and advice for self-publishing your book. Laura also shares with us some updates on the incredible work that Compassion Over Killing is doing. Laura Lee Cascada is a c...2019-11-231h 12Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 514: Sean Butler and Raffael Fasel on the Impact of Animal Law This week Mariann talks to Dr. Sean Butler and Dr. Rafael Fasel from the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law about the Centre’s focus on Animal Law, why changing the law is vital to changing public opinion, their recent Animal Rights Law Conference and their hopes to make it an annual event, and the many programs they offer to help people get involved with their work. Dr. Sean Butler has been a Fellow of St Edmund’s College since 2002; previously he worked at Shell and Nokia. He studied Law at Oxford (St Edmund Hall) and...2019-11-161h 19Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 513: Elizabeth Young on the Beauty of Pigeons This week Jasmin talks to Elizabeth Young from Palomacy about the differences between pigeons and doves, the pigeon advocacy and rescue work of Palomacy, the myths about pigeons she is trying to dispel, including that they are “dirty,” and how a life-long love of animals guided her from UC Berkley graduate to the work of rescuing pigeons. She also gives us an overview of what pigeons are like and why they are “trending up.” Elizabeth grew up in Las Vegas, graduated with a degree in English from UC Berkeley, worked 13 years on the front lines of the w...2019-11-091h 07Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 512: Daniel Turbert On Photographing Farmed Animals This week Jasmin talks to photographer Daniel Turbert from The Sentient Project about working to capture the full perspective of how society treats animals, why he chooses to focus on photographing farmed animals, his recent work documenting indigenous tribes in the Amazon, and his new documentary Cows Come Home. Daniel Turbert is an award winning filmmaker and photographer, and the founder of The Sentient Project. He has worked with animal sanctuaries around the world using his photography to help with campaigns, raising awareness, and fundraising efforts. The Sentient Project was started in 2017, to share compassionate...2019-11-021h 02Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 511: Stephen Wells on the Evolution of Animal Law This week Mariann talks to Stephen Wells of the Animal Legal Defense Fund about the early days of animal law and how the field is expanding with new classes at law schools, partnerships with law enforcement organizations and judges, and general interest from the public. We discuss some of the landmark cases for the field including cases establishing people can have standing in cases involving animals and allowing advocates to be able to intervene in Ag-Gag cases. Stephen also tells us about the challenges still being faced around legal reform for animals. Stephen Wells is...2019-10-261h 16Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 510: Monica Klausner from Veestro This week Jasmin talks to Monica Klausner of Veestro about the reasons why she co-founded Veestro along with her brother and the benefits for plant-based eaters on the go, how the service is helping to combat climate change, and The Wellness Ride — an 85-day plant powered bike across America challenge Vesstro is sponsoring with former athlete Richie Crowley to promote plant-based eating. For this challenge, supporters are asked along the way to donate a meal to help feed needy families, children and homeless individuals. The organizations that the donated meals go to have been pre-selected and events deli...2019-10-191h 00Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 509: Grace Han on the Growing Vegan Movement in China This week Mariann talks to Grace Han from TACN (tacn.org) and Plant Based News about the growth and development of veganism in China and across the Greater China region, her tips on being vegan in China, and what roles tech and design are playing in advancing the vegan movement. Grace Han is the Founder and Managing Director of UK charity TACN (tacn.org) and Regional Development Manager for Plant Based News. Grace got involved with charitable works for animals at a young age. Her dedication to the cause is driven by the vision of a...2019-10-1258 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 508: Amy Jean Davis on Bearing Witness for Farmed Animals This week Jasmin talks to Amy Jean Davis of L.A. Animal Save about the origins the Save Movement and how anyone can start a chapter of it in their community, how bearing witness can inspire people to become activists, and the difficult but necessary experience of participating in vigils for animals on the way to slaughter. Amy Jean Davis is an animal rights advocate and the Founder of LA Animal Save, the Los Angeles chapter of the global Save Movement. Davis graduated Purdue University in 2004. After having become vegan in 2002, she started the Love A...2019-10-051h 03Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 507: Pete Paxton on Undercover Investigations This week Mariann talks to “Pete Paxton,” which is not his real name but the alias he goes by due to the undercover nature of his incredible investigative work. He talks about his new book Rescue Dogs, the heartbreaking story of Daisy the rescued dog, his history of undercover investigations, how adopting a dog in New York City can save a puppy mill dog’s life in Missouri, and the cultural, government, and legal connections between puppy mills and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Pete has done undercover investigations in the animal protection movement since 2001, investi...2019-09-281h 28Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 506: Animal-Friendly Investing with Brenda Morris and Claire Smith This week we are featuring two interviews about investing that we hope you’ll find informative. First, Jasmin talks to Brenda Morris of Humane Investing about the differences between financial planning and asset management, how ethically-conscious investors can utilize their ethics when choosing where to invest, and the ways that people can use their money to impact the decisions of corporations. Brenda A. Morris is the founder and CEO of Humane Investing, LLC (www.humaneinvesting.com ), a fee-only financial firm dedicated to helping activists make money while making a difference. She has volunteered wit...2019-09-211h 25Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 505: Leif Cocks on Creating Better Lives for Orangutans This week, Mariann talks to Leif Cocks about the foundation of The Orangutan Project, what it means to create a survivable environment for orangutans, the link between feminine empowerment and conservation, and why hope is over-rated. The Orangutan Project was established in 1998 by world-renowned orangutan expert, Leif Cocks. Leif is a passionate campaigner for orangutans and has been a key player in developing conservation plans for their protection and survival, including the first ever successful reintroduction of a zoo-born orangutan into the wild. A small population biologist and curator by trade; Leif has a...2019-09-141h 06Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 504: Josh LaJaunie Wants To Take You From Sick To Fit This week, Jasmin speaks with ultra-athlete Josh LaJaunie about becoming a vegan after years of being surrounded by hunting and a diet full of animals, how his desire to change his health inspired a change in attitude about food, and how he hopes to inspire others with his new book, Sick to Fit. A passionate advocate for eating plants and running, Josh LaJaunie has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, People magazine, Runner’s World magazine, and the Rich Roll Podcast. Josh grew up in Thibodaux, LA, and proudly embraced all aspects of...2019-09-071h 03Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 503: Rita McMahon on the Joys of Bird Rehabilitation This week, Mariann speaks with Rita McMahon of Wild Bird Fund about the incredible work her organization does for pigeons and other birds, why you should never pick up a baby bird from the sidewalk, and why amend building codes to require bird safe glass is vital for bird safety. Rita McMahon conducted market research for major TV networks in New York City, but she also nursed sick and injured animals in an apartment full of cages and pet carriers. Despite her busy schedule, Rita pursued an education in rehabilitation via conferences, research, and observing...2019-08-311h 04Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 502: Angela Lovell on Animals, Psychic Energy, and Empaths This week, Jasmin talks to Angela Lovell about what it means to identify as a witch, how being a witch relates to animals and the connection between psychic energy and consuming animal products. She tells us about Indigo Children and empaths, and the challenging of communicating to people who aren’t empaths. If you want to hear about how working with animals shaped her psychic career and how you can discover your spirit and power animals, listen to this fascinating interview. Angela Lovell is a 4th generation psychic, Indigo Child, empath, witchy bitch, and paranormal ma...2019-08-241h 01Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 501: Dr. Trent Grassian on His Research into Vegan Campaigns This week, Mariann talks to Dr. Trent Grassian about his recent evidence-based research into seven UK-based meat reduction and vegan campaigns. He talks about his discoveries about the effectiveness of meat reduction, how motivation to save animals is a more powerful motivator than the health motive, the lack of diversity he discovered in vegan and animal rights organizations, and much more. Dr. Trent Grassian recently completed his PhD, after earning a Master’s in Public Administration. Trent conducted research with non-profit organisations promoting meat reduction and veganism, in the largest study of its kind and ha...2019-08-171h 11Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 500: With Gene Baur Live From Woodstock Farm Sanctuary! This week, Mariann and Jasmin celebrate the 500th episode of the Our Hen House podcast! Over ten years, Our Hen House has released episodes every single week without missing a beat. The show has utilized its philosophy of indefatigable positivity to elevate the voices of activists and leaders all over the globe who are working tirelessly to change the world for animals. Jasmin and Mariann would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to every guest who has ever been on the show, all of the current and former Flock members, and everyone who has ever listened...2019-08-101h 33Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 499: Cheryl Leahy on the Impact of Factory Farm Investigations This week, Mariann talks to Cheryl Leahy about Compassion Over Killing‘s most-recent dairy investigation; how investigations and advocacy reveal the horrors of industrial farming and impact movements for change; COK’s new podcast, The Vegan Family Podcast; and how children respond to conversations about animal ethics. Since 2006, Cheryl has served as Compassion Over Killing’s General Counsel targeting large-scale abuse of farmed animals through proactive litigation and undercover investigations. Her work includes challenging cruel, yet standard, practices forced upon farmed animals as well as the misleading marketing of meat, milk, and eggs often...2019-08-031h 12Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 498: Nancy Lawson on Humane Gardening This week, Mariann speaks with Nancy Lawson about some really wonderful ways to put humane gardening into practice. This interview is a must-listen for anyone with an experienced green thumb or looking to start their own garden. They discuss how gardening has been portrayed similarly to factory farming; the importance of planting native plants; how to identify the plants and animals living around your home; and the advantages and disadvantages of bird-feeders. Nancy Lawson is the author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife, a columnist for All Animals magazine, and the...2019-07-271h 07Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 497: Ryan Patey of T.O.F.U Magazine This week, Jasmin talks to Ryan Patey of T.O.F.U Magazine about publishing a DIY magazine, how his travels influence his views of animal issues, and why looking back at your own early work isn’t always the best idea. T.O.F.U. started in 2007 in Canada, but has since gone on to establish a worldwide audience. Nominated as one of the best vegan magazines in 2018’s VegfestUK Awards, the magazine takes a pro-intersectional, anti-oppression approach to veganism in an effort to extend the conversation beyond the plate. In the intro to this...2019-07-201h 14Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 496: Dale Jamieson on Institutional Change for Animals This week, Mariann sits down with Dale Jamieson to talk about his work with the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection at New York University, his work in creating the Environmental Studies program at NYU, the skepticism around animal studies programs, and effective ways to engage with animal advocacy courses. Dale Jamieson is a Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy; Director, Center for Environmental and Animal Protection; Affiliated Professor of Law; Affiliated Professor of Medical Ethics, School of Medicine; Associated Faculty, Center for Bioethics, College of Global Public Health; New York University. He...2019-07-131h 10Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 495: Melanie Joy on Powerarchy This week, Jasmin talks to Melanie Joy about her upcoming book, Powerarchy: Understanding the Psychology of Oppression for Social Transformation. They talk about what powerarchy is and why it’s an important concept for vegans and non-vegans; how powerarchy relates to intersectionality; how powerarchy is at work in social justice movements as well as in our relationships to ourselves; and practical, mindful ways that we can transform powerarchy within our circles. Dr. Melanie Joy is a Harvard-educated psychologist, international speaker, strategic vegan advocacy trainer, and relationship coach. She is the author of five books, including th...2019-07-061h 31Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 494: David Clough on Theology and Ethics This week, Mariann talks to David Clough, a Professor of Theological Ethics at the University of Chester, about why Christians have faith-based reasons for caring about animals, what the bible says about animal ethics, his unique take on the story of Jesus going into the wilderness, and what practical Christians can take around the issues of animals. David Clough is Professor of Theological Ethics at the University of Chester and has just finished a term as President of the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics. He co-wrote Faith and Force: A Christian...2019-06-2956 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 493: Aysha Akhtar on the Neurology of Empathy This week, Mariann talks to Aysha Akhtar about what empathy is and how empathy for animals helps us recognize the interconnectedness of all social struggles against cruelty and injustice; how her background in neurology has lead her to these discoveries and guided her writing; and the dog that changed her life, led her to a life of greater animal empathy, and gave her the courage to stand up to her sexual abuse. Akhtar is double board-certified in both neurology and preventive medicine and has a master’s degree in public health. She is the Deputy Dir...2019-06-2254 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 492: Gavin Van Horn on Our Shared Journey with Coyotes This week, Mariann talks to Gavin Van Horn about his recent book The Way of Coyote: Shared Journeys in the Urban Wilds. They also discuss how coyotes are an entry point into considering the ways that wildlife in urban areas is adapting to human presence, how cities are critical to conservation efforts, and some everyday practices that can expand our perception of the community-of-life. Gavin Van Horn works at the Center for Humans and Nature, where he leads trans-disciplinary projects that explore place-based values and human relationships with the more-than-human world. He is the co-editor...2019-06-151h 14Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 491: Garrett Greer is Betting on Everyone Going Vegan This week, Jasmin talks to poker pro and vegan restaurateur Garrett Greer about his restaurant, The Black Bean and how its “junk food” menu options help people transition to a plant-based diet. He also gives his thoughts on how a plant-based diet gives him an advantage at the poker tables and why more poker players should go vegan. Lastly, he details the tragic accident that changed his life, and how he almost lost everything until poker saved him. Garrett is the founder of The Black Bean, an Orange County fast casual restaurant with an en...2019-06-081h 12Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 490: Lorin Lindner on the Therapeutic Bond Between Birds and Veterans This week, Mariann talks to Dr. Lorin Lindner of Lockwood Animal Rescue Center about the similarities in how Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects parrots and military veterans and the touching recover results her organization is achieving by pairing them together. She also discusses the hidden horrors birds experience in “birdie mills.” Lockwood’s co-founder Matt Simmons to tell us more about how the overlap between animals and military veterans and his co-creation of the WolfGuard Program. Dr. Lindner is a clinical psychologist who helped to start programs for both traumatized veterans and traumatized animal...2019-06-0158 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 489: Suzy Amis Cameron on Changing the World One Meal at a Time This week, Mariann talks to Suzy Amis Cameron about how her new book, OMD, Changing The World By Changing One Meal a Day, is generating surprising reactions from non-vegans and the tips the book offers to help you advocate for family members and others to adopt more of a plant-based diet. She also talks about the Cameron Family Farms, and the extraordinary push back she experienced when trying to make MUSE School‘s meals plant-based. Suzy Amis Cameron is a noted environmental advocate, former actor and model, and mother of five. In...2019-05-251h 03Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 488: Leilani Munter Races To Save the Planet This week, Jasmin talks to Leilani Münter about serving vegan burgers to racing fans at Daytona and the incredible exposure she got for her Vegan race car. She also talks about her decision to retire from racing, and why human overpopulation is an animal rights issue. Leilani Münter is a biology graduate, race car driver and environmental activist. Discovery’s Planet Green named her the #1 eco athlete in the world, ELLE Magazine awarded her their Genius Award, and Sports Illustrated named her one of the top ten female race car drivers in th...2019-05-181h 08Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 487: Asher Brown on Promoting Veganism with Media and Parties This week, Mariann talks to Asher Brown, award-winning director and founder of Pollution.tv, about producing videos for clients like Beyond Meat, Gardein, So Delicious, Follow Your Heart and Veggie Grill, the Million-Dollar Vegan campaign, and Switch4Good, the dairy-free athlete non-profit he co-founded. In the intro to this episode, Jasmin and Mariann preview this week’s bonus content about their trip to Trader Joe’s, discuss Jasmin’s recent New York visit and the amazing food they ate, how Fiddler on the Roof relates to animal issues, a really fascinating discussion about animal agriculture on Ezr...2019-05-111h 07Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 486: Lori Gruen on the Importance of Empathy This week, Mariann talks to Lori Gruen about the current state of the animal studies world, how new perspectives on animal activism and advocacy are expanding beyond academia and into activist conversations, her recent book Critical Terms for Animal Studies, the evolving role of empathy and how to direct it towards animals, and the danger of referring to people as “crazy cat ladies.” Lori Gruen is the William Griffin Professor of Philosophy at Wesleyan University and the Coordinator of Wesleyan Animal Studies. She is also a professor of Feminist, Gender, and Sexua...2019-05-0456 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 485: Gretchen Primack and Intelligent Allah on Poetry, Incarceration, and Veganism This week, Jasmin talks to poet Gretchen Primack about her new book of poetry Visiting Days and her experience with writing about and working with incarcerated people. She also reads us two powerful and moving poems. Then, they are joined by author Intelligent Tarref Allah to discuss how he became a vegan in prison 19-years ago and lived as a vegan in prison for 12 years. He also talks about veganism as self-development for a person who was once immersed in the criminal world. Gretchen Primack is a poet and educator living in New...2019-04-271h 28Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 484: Joey Savoie on the Science of Charity This week, Mariann talks to Joey Savoie about why research matters for helping more animals, the work of figuring out where the funding for animal activism should go, what kinds of research is good for changing people’s minds, and what people are a good fit for starting a new charity. If you are interested in applying for Charity Entrepreneurship’s Incubation Program, you can learn more and submit your application here. The deadline for applications is May 15th. Joey Savoie is the co-founder of Charity Science, a nonprofit that has multiple projects runn...2019-04-201h 01Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 483: Brenda Sanders This week, Brenda Sanders returns to the Our Hen House Podcast to talk to Jasmin about successfully opening The Greener Kitchen, and how it became a model for other vegan businesses in the area. They also discuss Vegan SoulFest, why community-based activism is as important as national campaigns, and why creating an affordable, accessible plant-based food system is vital to vegan activism. Brenda Sanders is a Food Justice activist who promotes veganism as a solution to many of the problems that face marginalized communities. She’s the founder and Executive Director of Afro-Vegan Society, a non...2019-04-131h 11Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 482: Nick Halla This week, Mariann interviews Nick Halla, the Senior Vice President for International at Impossible Foods. As we’re sure you’ve heard, the company made a huge announcement this week that Burger King would be serving the Impossible Burger! You’re not going to want to miss this great and wide-ranging interview about the mission of Impossible, their national and international launch, and even some of the controversy surrounding animal testing and the Impossible Burger. In the intro to this episode, Jasmin and Mariann discuss more about the Impossible Burger’s huge announcement and the issues c...2019-04-061h 11Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 481: Sue Coe This week, Mariann interviews visual artist and activist Sue Coe about her new book, Zooicide. They discuss how a trip to the zoo with her sister as a child informed her views on animals in captivity, why people continue to go to zoos and what happens when they see someone drawing the animals, and the dangers rampant capitalism poses for the planet. Sue Coe is a visual artist with a particular focus on the atrocities committed by people against animals. Coe is the author of many books, including Dead Meat, and her work...2019-03-301h 05Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 480: Berto Calkins This week, Jasmin interviews Berto Calkins about the intersections of veganism and fitness, how a visit to an animal sanctuary helped him make a vital connection to animals as beings, the importance of representation across the veganism and animal rights movements. Berto Calkins is a fitness professional that promotes mental and physical wellness as well as the vegan lifestyle. His mission is to make people aware of controllable influences on their lives, so that they can make decisions that better themselves and the world. He is a certified personal trainer, certified fitness nutrition specialist and also serves...2019-03-231h 03Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 479: Lisa Feria This week, Mariann Sullivan interviews Lisa Feria, CEO of Stray Dog Capital, about how her venture capital firm works to fund projects that offer alternatives to animal supply chains, and why this is so different from typical venture capital firms. She also tells Mariann about how her firm is addressing the changing vegan-friendly landscape. Lisa and Mariann also discuss the benefits of vegan companies being bought by larger companies, and what she envisions to be the future of “meat.” Lisa Feria is the CEO of Stray Dog Capital, a mission-driven Venture Capital firm that...2019-03-1656 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 478: Dotsie Bausch This week, Jasmin interviews athlete and influential game-changer Dotsie Bausch. It’s a powerful and inspiring interview about her experience in the 2012 Olympics, her successful battle with addiction and eating disorder, and her journey into advocacy. She also tells us about the SwitchForGood anti-dairy initiative and why she chose this athlete-driven movement as a way to disrupt the dairy industry and its harmful mythologies. After conquering habits and addictions that nearly took her life, Dotsie Bausch rode onto the 2012 Olympic podium as the oldest athlete in history in her cycling discipline, a...2019-03-0959 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 477: Victoria Moran and Thomas Jackson This week, Mariann interviews Victoria Moran and Thomas Jackson about their new film, A Prayer for Compassion, the intersections of ethical veganism and spirituality, the various vegan messages to be found within different spiritual texts, why religious people should be vegan, and navigating the hypocrisies around spirituality and veganism. Victoria Moran is the author of thirteen books, including Main Street Vegan and, with JL Fields, The Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook. Featured twice on Oprah, and voted “Peta’s Sexiest Vegan Over 50” in 2016, Moran hosts the Main Street Vegan podcast and is director of Mai...2019-03-021h 00Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 476: Elisa Camahort Page and Rachel Krantz This week, Jasmin talks to Our Hen House board members Elisa Camahort Page and Rachel Krantz about their extensive media background, how the changing landscape of media affects how people produce and consume it, the continuing vitality and importance of media companies like Our Hen House, and how we can all continue to empower ourselves to work towards the change we want to see. Elisa Camahort Page is known as the co-founder and COO of scrappy start-up-turned-global women’s media company BlogHer, Inc., Elisa Camahort Page was with BlogHer from its fo...2019-02-231h 20Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 475: Lakshman Molleti This week, Jasmin talks to Lakshman Molletti, founder of the Animals Water Bowl Project INDIA, about the origins of his efforts to provide safe drinking water to stray animals, his organization’s various media outreach efforts, and how his engineering studies led him to veganism and compassion for animals. “Laki” is an inspiring figure in his efforts to change the world for animals, and you’re not going to want to miss this interview. Lakshman Molletti is a social entrepreneur who likes making short films to create awareness, supporting stray animals at his place through virtual...2019-02-1654 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 473: Elana Kirshenbaum This week, Jasmin talks to Elana Kirshenbaum from Catskill Animal Sanctuary about New Leaf, their great new vegan mentoring program, the importance of pairing new vegans with like-minded mentors, the future of mentoring programs, and how people can get involved. Elana has been at Catskill Animal Sanctuary overseeing different programs for almost 6 years. She developed and currently oversees the New Leaf Vegan Mentor Program. With over 20 years experience in animal advocacy as well as a diverse background in program management, teaching, and social work, Elana is passionate about creating a more just world...2019-02-0258 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 472: Christine Dorchak This week, Mariann talks to Christine Dorchak about her recent victory to outlaw greyhound racing in Florida. She tells us about the history about greyhound racing in Florida and the horrible conditions that racing dogs are subjected to, the victory of amendment 13 and the celebrities and high-profile organizations that helped get it passed, the history and mission of Grey2K. Christine Dorchak is the co-founder, president and general counsel of greyhound protection group GREY2K USA Worldwide A long-time vegan and long distance runner, she works to pass laws to protect greyhounds and promote the...2019-01-261h 12Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 471: Jasmine Leyva This week, Jasmin talks to Jasmine Leyva about her amazing film, The Invisible Vegan, which chronicles Jasmine’s personal experience with plant-based eating and also explains how plant-based eating is directly linked to African roots and how African-American eating habits have been debased by a chain of oppression stemming from slavery, economics and modern agribusiness. They also talk about the view of veganism as “white people food,” how slavery disrupted people’s relationships with food, and her hope to be the example of veganism she didn’t have growing up. Jasmine Leyva has worked as...2019-01-1955 minOur Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal LiberationEpisode 470: Kristen Stilt This week, Mariann talks to Kristen Stilt about halal slaughter and the animal welfare debates within that industry. They discuss the meaning of halal, the differences between halal rules and kosher rules, the moral complications involved in the slaughter of animals for food as it relates to religious law, and the work she has done to uncover and promote advocacy around these issues. She also updates us on what’s going on at Harvard’s Animal Law and Policy Program Kristin Stilt is a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. She also serves as Facul...2019-01-121h 10
The Animal Law PodcastAnimal Law Podcast #4 — Pork Check-Off Litigation with Matt PenzerMatt Penzer It’s time for Episode 4 of the Animal Law Podcast, hosted by me — Mariann Sullivan! This brand new episode features Matt Penzer, who has been heading up the “check-off” litigation for HSUS. Matt will rip the lid off the machinations of the pork industry to funnel millions of dollars collected by the USDA into financing its lobbying efforts. And what do you suppose the pork industry spends its time, and money lobbying for? To a large degree, it is lobbying against the legislative efforts of animal rights advocates to ban things like gestation crates. Pretty sleazy...2015-09-231h 11The Animal Law PodcastThe Animal Law Podcast is Here! Episode 1, Featuring Steve WiseMariann Sullivan: Photo by Derek Goodwin. UPDATE — 7/31/15: As you are probably aware, a decision just came down in one of the Nonhuman Rights Project’s groundbreaking lawsuits regarding chimpanzees being held captive in New York State. Since the Animal Law Podcast had interviewed Steven Wise for Episode 1 (BELOW), regarding these cases, we wanted to make sure you got this latest update. Fortunately, he graciously agreed to come back on and inform us about exactly what the new decision is all about. So after you listen to the first episode, be sure to listen to the follow-up interview on the...2015-07-2859 min