S2, Ep2: Joyful Veganism with Colleen Patrick Goudreau
Nov 13, 2019
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Renowned author, activist, Colleen Patrick Goudreau discusses joyful veganism, the importance of language in animal advocacy, and effective communication strategies in promoting vegan values. Topics include bearing witness as an activist, handling conflicts with family members, and the power of compassionate communication.
Veganism promotes joy and compassion, not just a diet choice.
Effective communication as a vegan activist emphasizes honesty and understanding.
Utilizing compassionate language in discussing veganism shapes societal perceptions towards animals.
Deep dives
The Importance of Joy in Veganism
Promoting joy in veganism is critical as it shifts the focus from sacrifice to abundance. Veganism should be seen as a means to an end, leading towards unconditional compassion and optimal wellness. The ultimate goal is to be as compassionate as possible, not just as vegan as possible. By cultivating joy and celebrating the values of compassion and kindness, veganism becomes a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle.
Communicating Effectively as a Vegan Activist
Effective communication as a vegan activist involves speaking from personal experience and truth rather than using accusatory language. Encouraging honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity in conversations with others can create a more open and understanding dialogue. It is essential to focus on intentions, aiming to raise awareness and inspire change, rather than forcing beliefs or viewpoints onto others.
Navigating Family Conversations about Veganism
When discussing veganism with family, it is crucial to approach conversations with clarity and understanding. Avoiding accusatory language and sharing personal stories and reasons for being vegan can foster better understanding. Prioritizing relationships and seeking to connect with loved ones on a heartfelt level allows for more authentic and effective communication about vegan values and beliefs.
Importance of Mindful Language in Animal Rights Advocacy
Using language that reflects compassion and mindfulness towards animals is crucial in shaping societal perceptions and values regarding animal treatment. Words and expressions play a significant role in influencing our relationship with other animals, with language often reflecting and driving systematic violence against them. By encouraging more mindful phrasing and challenging traditional idioms that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, individuals can promote a more compassionate and respectful narrative surrounding animals.
Navigating the Use of Vegan Food Labels
The discussion around labeling vegan food products raises important considerations about language and normalization. While some opt for terms like 'vegan meat' to represent plant-based alternatives, others prefer using non-vegan terms such as 'chicken nuggets' to integrate these foods into everyday language. This choice reflects the ongoing debate about how to accurately represent vegan products and challenge traditional food categorizations. Additionally, the conversation highlights the broader societal implications of food labeling and the importance of reframing language to align with ethical values.
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This week on The ChickPeeps, Evy speaks to renowned author, speaker, activist and all-around dazzlingly joyful vegan, Colleen Patrick Goudreau about learning how best to discuss and share our vegan values with others. Colleen also reveals insights on the importance of incorporating joy into one’s personal vegan lifestyle, and shares her passion for animal-related etymology and her conviction that we need to be mindful about using language that doesn’t normalise animal abuse. Also on this episode…
Why be a joyful vegan?
Bearing witness as a vegan activist - Are we betraying the animals if we choose not to share or look at images of violent animal abuse?
What is the most responsible way to channel one’s anger as a new vegan?
The role of vulnerability in sharing your vegan values.
‘Veganism is the way to reach our goal of being as compassionate as we can; the goal is not to be as vegan as we can be, the goal is to be as compassionate as we can be.’
Colleen coaches Evy through how to approach and handle a conflict about veganism with a family member.
Colleen is the vegan therapist we all need!
‘Do your work and step back’. Colleen shares how she releases the urge to control how the information she’s sharing is being received.
Communicating your message so that people will listen: ‘Do you want to be right or do you want to be effective?’
‘Pizza’ or ‘Vegan pizza’: Evy and Tylor discuss listener Uma’s question on whether or not we should be declaring our veganism at every meal.
