Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation Ecoflix with David Casselman
David Casselman is paving the way for a new era of media, and he joins us on the podcast this week for an in depth conversation about Ecoflix, the world’s first not-for-profit media group committed to helping animals and the planet. The philanthropist explains how the platform aims to provide its viewers with inspiring, educational content relating to animals that, in turn, financially supports the very animals featured. We also discuss the environment, and David emphasizes the devastating impact climate change has on all animals and how Ecoflix shines a light on the subject matter. Plus, he tells us how Ecoflix ensures that its partners’ values align with the media group’s overarching purpose of saving animals and protecting the planet.
*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Jasmin’s interview with David Casselman.*
David Casselman is a philanthropist, a trained psychologist, and a trial lawyer. After a 42-year career trying cases, writing, and teaching law in Los Angeles, David moved full time into his area of passion: saving animals. As a lawyer, he provided over 40 years of pro bono legal assistance to animals of all kinds. As a co-founder of the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), David partnered with Lek Chailert and her husband, Darrick Thompson, to develop CWS and support their Elephant Nature Park sanctuary in Thailand. Mr. Casselman also serves on various other boards, including the Whale Sanctuary Project and the Wolf Connection, as a pro bono advisor and donor. Mr. Casselman founded Ecoflix, the first not-for-profit global media service dedicated to saving animals and the planet. In this capacity, Mr. Casselman has been supporting animal causes around the world. Ecoflix is now streaming worldwide on all forms of media, including Apple and Android TV. All subscription dollars are donated as just one part of the efforts of Mr. Casselman and Ecoflix to save animals and protect ecosystem biodiversity around the world.
“We’re trying to find a better way to provide information and motivation about the critical issues that affect us — particularly animals on the planet — without lecturing.” – David Casselman
Highlights for Episode 646:
- How Ecoflix funds animal advocacy
- How the service is funded and how listeners can sign up
- The animal advocacy organizations that Ecoflix is partnering with, including Born Free, In Defense of Animals, Mercy for Animals, and Wolf Connection
- How Ecoflix creates its content and why it shares content created by partners and other documentary makers
- David explains how they came up with some of the popular kids’ series on Ecoflix, including On Safari with Nala
- Why Ecoflix also puts out bite-sized content for people who don’t have time to watch long documentaries regularly
- Why David believes that animals unlock an appreciation of the natural world within people
- The importance of seeing the good in humans despite all the harm they do in the world
- The starfish story that inspires David and reminds him that we can all do better when we know better
- How David encourages people to take action to advocate for animals via the programing available on Ecoflix
- David’s role as the co-founder of the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and the Eco Sanctuary Thailand and what those organizations aim to achieve
Resources:
- In Our Time podcast: Peter Kropotkin
- Ringling Circus is Returning. Lions, Tigers and Dumbo are not.
- Abbot’s Butcher
Connect with David Casselman:
Connect with Our Hen House:
_____________________________________________
Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today.
You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!
Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.
The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.
__________________________
This episode is brought to you in part by Abbot’s Butcher. Abbot’s Butcher is leading the next generation of plant-based meat. The products are crafted in the kitchen—not a lab—and provide bold flavors and a hearty bite by using real food ingredients. Free of soy, gluten, preservatives, and natural/artificial flavors, Abbot’s Butcher’s plant-based proteins are the cleanest (and most delicious) meat alternatives you can buy. Find Abbot’s Butcher “Chorizo,” Ground “Beef,” or Chopped Chick’n at Target or your nearest retailer.
__________________________
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.