S3, Ep8: Vegan Pet Food & Lab-Grown Meat, with Ryan Bethencourt

Dec 9, 2020

Ryan Bethencourt, a scientist and bio-tech entrepreneur, shares insights as the CEO of Wild Earth, a leader in sustainable plant-based pet food. He discusses the challenges of aligning his vegan values with his biotech career. The conversation includes breakthroughs in vegan pet nutrition and the importance of cell-grown meat options. Ryan also reflects on his experience on Shark Tank, dispels myths about vegan pet diets, and highlights the environmental impact of pet food, advocating for a future where pets can enjoy cruelty-free nutrition.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Innovations in Vegan Pet Nutrition

01:43 • 26min

Exploring Vegan Pet Food: Challenges and Innovations

27:35 • 5min

Revolutionizing Pet Nutrition

32:37 • 14min

Rethinking Pet Food Standards and Sustainable Living

46:36 • 2min

Engagement and Gratitude: Episode Wrap-Up

48:12 • 3min

This season of The ChickPeeps is brought to you by our friends at Vivo Life! Use our code 'chickpeeps10' to get 10% off your order at vivolife.com.

In this episode Evy and Tylor interview scientist, bio-tech entrepreneur and CEO of Wild Earth, Ryan Bethencourt. Ryan’s company, Wild Earth, produces sustainable, healthy, plant-based companion animal food and reached an international audience following a successful pitch featured on the television show Shark Tank.

While you’re listening, please take a moment to check out the link to our sponsor. Not only are Vivo Life a great, vegan company, but their support also allows us to continue to produce The ChickPeeps for you! We love them and their products and we think you will too.

Also in this episode…

Ryan talks about the initial challenge of reconciling his ideological veganism with his career in biotech.
Tylor is pleased when Ryan shares which Hogwarts house he’d be in.
Ryan divulges which billionaire he’s helped convert to a more plant based lifestyle.
He talks about the resistance of his Cuban family when he initially went vegan and explains why he believes it was hard for them to accept.
The importance of technological breakthroughs that will expedite the transition to vegan products, and return wild animals to wild habitats.
Tylor asks Ryan about his experience on Shark Tank and they discuss educating that audience on the efficacy of plant based dog food.
Ryan breaks the misconception that the meat in commercial pet foods is a byproduct of the meat people eat, and explains where it really comes from...
Lab grown meat for cats is coming, and much sooner than you think! Ryan shares about the advancement in biotech innovation that will bring cruelty free meat to the mainstream pet food market.
Ryan explains why he’s completely happy to be caught eating his own dog food, and challenges other CEOS of dog food companies to do the same!

Links:

Ryan’s linkedin, twitter and instagram

Wild Earth Website

Drug used to euthanize animals found in dog food

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