Ezra Klein, host of the Ezra Klein Show, joins neuroscientist Lori Marino, known for her work on animal intelligence and welfare. They delve into how our consumption of meat impacts public health, climate, and ethics. The conversation highlights the urgent need for alternatives to meat, given the links to pandemics and zoonotic diseases. They challenge perceptions around pets versus farm animals, revealing the complex intelligence of pigs and chickens. Ultimately, they advocate for rethinking our dietary choices through a compassionate lens.