Shows
The UnapologeticsRoyal UpdatesThank you Caro Henry, Tracey Lynn Kleber, Pamela, Laura A. Drury, DeeDee D, and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ellieleonard.substack.com/subscribe
2026-02-1911 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast“It Got Me Thinking” About TurbulenceIn today’s episode, my last before taking a summer break, I’ll be sharing a few thoughts on the literal and figurative turbulence we face in our lives. And our options for dealing with it.
Here’s the link to my YouTube skydiving video I reference in the episode:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=tPLo3zWSIEp5-g1c&v=9Ph_ypxvXwQ&feature=youtu.be
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO...
2024-05-3109 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast“Creating a vegan paradise in Innsbruck, Austria” with Green Flamingo co-founder Kasper PedersenToday I’ll be taking you to Innsbruck, Austria for a conversation with Kasper Pedersen, one of the owners of the 100% vegan restaurant Green Flamingo. A good friend of mine recently spent a few days in Innsbruck and sent photos raving about this place. And about its owners. I have to admit I was somewhat surprised (and of course delighted) that he found such an amazing variety of vegan food during his time in Austria. And after what he shared, I just knew I had to reach out learn more about Kapser and this business.
Green Flamingo was started by Kasp...
2024-05-1744 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"A Story of Passion and Compassion...and Innovation in Fashion" with Miomojo Founder and CEO, Claudia PievaniToday I’m excited to share that we are headed back to Italy, this time to Bergamo, for a conversation with Claudia Pievani, Founder and CEO of fashion brand Miomojo.
Miomojo is a certified B Corp based in Bergamo, Italy. Founded by Claudia in 2012 they design and produce cruelty-free fashion accessories that do no harm to animals, humans, or our home: the beautiful planet we live on. All Miomojo fashion accessories are not only cruelty-free but are also made with the most innovative materials available in the world, sourced from oranges, cacti, apples, corn, and other high bio...
2024-05-0353 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastIt Got Me Thinking: About Being "Vintage" with host, Tracey KleberIn today’s episode, I’ll share a few brief thoughts about being considered “vintage” and how that might be an interesting concept to apply to both my own work and segments of our movement.
I’d love to have your thoughts. So please feel free to reach out to me at podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com
Also, as I mentioned in this episode, I’d really love to help organizations that are working to take care of and find loving homes for senior dogs. Here are a few of them that I hope you will follow and support the...
2024-04-1909 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"Living a Happy Energy, High Vibration Life" with Angel WalkineIn today’s episode, I’m joined by the lovely Angel Walkine.
Angel is a Well-being Coach, Author, Wellness Speaker, Retreat Leader, Certified Raw Vegan Chef, and a Certified Yoga Teacher (specializing in posture, breathing, and meditation) who is passionate about helping you to thrive on a healthy plant-based | vegan diet | raw vegan diet and lifestyle from head to toe.
With decades of experience traveling around the world to over 30 countries, Angel has gained a deep appreciation for many cultures and healthy practices worldwide that have influenced her holistic wellness approach and she enjoy...
2024-04-0550 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"Vegan Travel Planning: Curating Ethical and Awesome Adventures" w/Veggies Abroad Founder Rebecca Gade SawickiToday I’m thrilled to have as my guest Rebecca Gade Sawicki, who is joining me from Detroit.
Rebecca is the founder of the vegan travel company, Veggies Abroad. In an effort to align her professional pursuits with her ethics, Rebecca left her 15-year career in 2021 in order to start the company. Veggies Abroad offers a myriad of services including small group tours and custom trip planning that combine the thrill of exploration with a commitment to ethical practices. With a focus on plant-based cuisine and cultural immersion, Veggies Abroad invites travelers to discover the world in a wa...
2024-03-2244 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"Fit, Healthy and Thriving as a Vegan" with Fitness Trainer Ellen MeijersIn today’s episode I’ll be speaking with Ellen Meijers. Ellen is a 23-year-old certified fitness trainer, soon to be a personal trainer. She adopted a vegan lifestyle almost 5 years ago after spending 2 years as a vegetarian. It was one short conversation with a vegan that planted a seed. And fast forward to today, she is thriving as a healthy and happy vegan.
Ellen plans to join forces with her mother to combine vegan food recipes with workout inspiration and perhaps develop an app that combines the two. That sounds like a winning combination to m...
2024-03-0835 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"Healing, Thriving and Helping: It's Never Too Late to Make a Change!" w/The Vegan Mentor, Linda MiddlesworthToday I am joined by Linda Middlesworth, aka the VeganMentor.
Linda has been living as an ethical plant-based vegan for over 35 years. As she turns 80, Linda can point to so many accomplishments including: creating the Sacramento Vegan Society in 2008 which boasts 5,200 members, and obtaining her certification in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition in 2018.Linda is incredibly passionate about physical activity and is an aerobics instructor for CA Family Fitness, where she has taught cardio and weight training classes for the last 20 years. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through...
2024-02-2358 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"Bringing Compassion to the Screen" with Italian Filmmaker Alessio SchiazzaToday’s episode features and fascinating and inspiring conversation with Italian filmmaker Alessio Schiazza.
Alessio moved from Italy to Los Angeles to pursue his career in filmmaking 16 years ago. He worked on several Hollywood films as an editor, establishing himself in the industry. In 2018, however, he watched the documentary Unity, and it forever changed his life. That same year he went vegan and decided to quit his job and focus on speaking up for the animals full time, through producing, directing and editing films.
He has worked with Shaun Monson (Earthlings) on several documentaries, they have...
2024-02-091h 06
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastWelcome Back!Welcome to Season 2 of The Unexpected Activist Podcast.
It’s so great to be back up and running. We’ve got lots to share with you and I think 2024 is going to be an amazing year.
In the coming weeks we’ll be talking about all kinds of things including filmmaking, Italy, fitness, vegan mentoring and vegan pet food. We have some of the most interesting and inspiring guests with great stories to tell and I can’t wait to share them with you. Some might be names you recognize, others you may not. For some it wil...
2024-02-0203 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastSeason One: "That's a Wrap!" with host Tracey KleberWhat an amazing, enriching, educational and just plain fun experience this first year of creating The Unexpected Activist Podcast has been. I look forward to catching up with everyone in the new year. Until then, happy holidays and best wishes for a wonderful 2024! FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.
2023-12-1503 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast“It Got Me Thinking” About Turning 60Sharing some thoughts about a milestone birthday I have coming up. And what I have decided to do to make the coming year fun and productive and to make me the best and most effective advocate for animals I can be.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.
2023-11-1007 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastHow Accidental Turned into Awesome with Animal Advocate, YouTuber, Filmmaker, Content Creator and Podcast Host Jamie LoganToday’s guest is the one and only Jamie Logan (who I thought was going to be joining me from NY but popped up from Portland OR). I’ve been following Jamie’s work online for a while now and it’s great to have a chance to speak with her. I talk a lot about creating your own brand of activism. And Jamie has surely done just that.
How Jamie describes herself:
“I’m an animal advocate, YouTuber, Filmmaker, Content Creator and Podcast Host. I’m based in NYC and I make videos that get people think...
2023-10-2547 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"It Got Me Thinking" Reflections on What Happened in ItalyIn today’s episode, I’ll recount a recent trip I took to Milan to attend a national animal rights protest, why it was so important that I was there, and what I took away from my visit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.
2023-10-2007 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastNicole B. Gebhardt: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph and Finding Your Life’s MissionContent and trigger warning: This podcast contains references to addiction, sexual assault, child abuse, suicide, depression, infant and pregnancy loss.
In today’s episode, we’re going to take a little diversion from the subject matter I’ve been covering up to this point. And we’re going to focus on another pillar of the podcast’s mission. In addition to advocating for animals, I am also passionate about encouraging people to embark on passion-driven new chapters in life, something that has been transformational for me.
Today’s guest, Nicole Gebhardt, is an incredible...
2023-10-1340 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastIt got me thinking: Being “normal”In today’s episode, I’ll share some thoughts about “being normal”, my own experience on the subject, and questions about normality as an aspirational concept.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.
2023-09-2209 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"From Growing Up on a Dairy Farm to Becoming a Rebel Vegan: An Incredibile Journey" with author, podcaster and speaker Todd SinclairToday I’m excited to have with me Todd Sinclair, who is joining me from his childhood hometown on Prince Edward Island in Canada. I’m so grateful that he took some time out of his family holiday to speak with us. Here’s a little bit about Todd:
Todd is a writer, podcaster and speaker, specialising in vegan lifestyle and
travel. He’s the bestselling author of the Rebel Vegan trilogy: REBEL VEGAN
LIFE: A Radical Take on Veganism for a Brave New World, REBEL VEGAN LIFE: Plant-Based Nutrition and Beginner’s Guide, and...
2023-09-0856 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"Dining out in Milan: Proof that it can be Chic AND Ethical AND Sustainable!" w/Owner, Founder and CEO of Linfa - Eat Different, Edoardo ValsecchiToday we are going back to Italy, this time to Milan, to speak with Edoardo Valsecchi, Owner, Founder and CEO of Linfa – Eat Different, a wonderful restaurant that became an instant favorite of mine after visiting in July of this year.
He is an Italian plant-based entrepreneur and a prominent figure in the restaurant and hospitality industry. After obtaining a degree in Management and Economics, he pursued his passion for food and embarked on a career in the industry. He honed his skills by training in the operational, marketing, and management areas of the most prestigious hotel faci...
2023-08-2552 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastMy Journey from Dog Lover to Vegan Activist: It All Started with a Little Brindle Dog Named CreatureIn today’s episode, I share a story of how a little brindle dog named Creature changed my life and opened the gates of compassion for me. From professed dog lover to vegan activist…a little bit about my journey. I also discuss how lovers of companion animals are wonderful candidates for conversations about veganism and expanding our circles of compassion.
I would also like to share some information about a great organization I reference in this episode, Animal Place and their Food For Thought Program. You can find them at:
Website: Food For Thought - Anim...
2023-08-0914 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastTradition as a barrier to changeIn today’s episode, I share some thoughts on the role tradition plays in preventing change and the adoption of a vegan lifestyle. And what we, as activists, might want to consider in addressing this challenge.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.
2023-07-2007 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastRebecca Knowles from Stockfree framingToday we’re staying in Scotland to visit with my guest Rebecca Knowles who is joining us from Aberdeenshire. Rebecca is the Founding Director and Head of Farm Transitions at Stockfree Farming, an organization whose mission is to inspire and support farmers in the migration away from animal agriculture and the move to alternative livelihoods that are far more sustainable and humane. They also conduct and publish research on the farming sector and use their knowledge to influence UK government officials in agriculture policy. She is also the force behind the volunteer advocacy group Vegan Outreach Scotland.
Rebec...
2023-07-0656 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan Podcast"Building Relationships, Saving Animals" with Tracy KeysJoining us today from Sunny Southern California is Tracy Keys, founder of Tracy Keys Consulting. She has spent her entire career in the non-profit sector, and recently set out on her own as a consultant. She specializes in working with animal non-profits to strengthen their donor relationship programs and thereby increase donor retention. If you’ve ever worked in a non-profit, you’ll know how incredibly important that is and I’m very excited to speak with Tracy about how this translates into increased revenue that can be put to work for good. And I’m also looking forward to hearing wh...
2023-06-2251 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastAnimal Welfare: A Mixed Blessing?Could our messaging around wins in the area of farmed animal welfare create obstacles to our ultimate fight for animal rights and abolition of animals in our food system? Here are my thoughts.
2023-06-0907 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastInfluencing Activists and Institutions with Amanda TrenchardIn this episode I am joined by Amanda Trenchard, a long-time vegan, animal advocate and dog-mom of two. Her activism began in college when she was president of the veg club on campus and interned for the Humane League as a Campus Organizer. Shortly after graduating, she interned at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and has spent the past 5 1/2 years working on the Food Service Innovation team there, working to increase access to plant-based entrees throughout the food service industry. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Lead Coordinator to plan and execute the annual...
2023-06-0838 min
The Bloody Vegans PodcastIntroducing The Unexpected Activist PodcastIn this week's episode of The Bloody Vegans Podcast I introduce a brand new podcast by Author Tracey Kleber entitled The Unexpected Activist Podcast. In this episode Tracey chats with Frances Gonzales Founder and Owner of Vegan Wines and learn what differentiates a vegan wine from a non-vegan wine and how drinking, sharing and selling vegan wine can be its own form of activism. We’ll also learn about the founding of VegFest Puerto Rico and Frances’ own vegan story.
Frances Gonzalez is the owner of Vegan Wines, a company dedicated to providing high-quality vegan...
2023-05-2949 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastHow Social Media Can Help Us Change the World for AnimalsIn this episode I’ll share a conversation with my friend, fellow activist, and social media mentor John Oberg.
John Oberg is an animal activist dedicated to making the world a kinder place for animals by utilizing the power of social media. In late 2018, he became an independent animal advocate, funded through individual donations, focusing on amplifying pro-animal content in the digital space. Previously, he served as Director of New Media for The Humane League and as Director of Communications for Vegan Outreach. In his decade of experience in social media advocacy, he has accumulated 250,000 followers, his pos...
2023-05-2535 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastWine as ActivismDid you know that some wine isn’t vegan? Many people are surprised to learn how animal products infiltrate the winemaking process. In Episode 2 I will speak with Frances Gonzalez, Founder and Owner of Vegan Wines and learn what differentiates a vegan wine from a non-vegan wine and how drinking, sharing and selling vegan wine can be its own form of activism. We’ll also learn about the founding of VegFest Puerto Rico and Frances’ own vegan story.
Frances Gonzalez is the owner of Vegan Wines, a company dedicated to providing high-quality vegan-friendly wines to wine enthusiasts across the world. She...
2023-05-2547 min
The Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastCreating La Dolce Vita for Animals in ItalyIn this episode we will visit with Simone Scampoli, a seasoned Italian animal rights activist who helps manage a beautiful oasis for animals in the hills of Lazio about an hour from Rome, Santuario Capra Libera Tutti. (The interview is in English.)
I met Simone when we were both participating in outreach events at COP26 in Glasgow organized by the Plant Based Treaty Team. And then had the opportunity to visit the Sanctuary in 2022 when I was in Italy working on my book. Listen as Simone tells us about the evolution of this magical place and how...
2023-05-2536 minThe Unexpected Activist - A Vegan PodcastIntroducing The Unexpected Activist PodcastTracey Kleber author of ‘Mud, Grapes & White Linen: a beautiful vegan life’ shares conversations about all things vegan, creating your own brand of activism, and what it's like to embark on a passion-driven new chapter, no matter your age.
Welcome to the unexpected activist podcast. Tune in for conversations about all things vegan, creating your own brand of activism, and what it's like to embark on a passion-driven New Chapter No matter your age. I'm your host, Tracy Kleber, author of the book, 'Mud, Grapes and White Linen - A beautiful vegan life', founder and...
2023-05-2202 min
RuffRiders Rescue TailsEpisode 007 - Skull PupIn episode 7 of the RuffRiders Rescue Tails Podcast we hear the rescue story of a faithful companion named Brody, sponsored by our friends at FUREVER USA. We talk with Tracey Kleber of Skull Pup, and how their unique personalized apparel commemorates the dogs we've loved and lost, while benefiting their rescue shelter partners. Finally, we meet Galena, an Australian Shepherd / Golden Retriever mix available for adoption from RuffRiders, in our Unadoptables feature.Show Links:FUREVER USA#RescueLivesMatter Membership ProgramSkull Pup WebsiteSkull Pup FacebookSkull Pup In...
2019-02-2631 min