The Simple Heart w/ Wayne Hsiung

Defendant Alicia Santurio and attorney Jonathan Frohnmayer on how we won another historic victory in the Foster Farms Trial.

I’m pausing the podcast, to take on some big new projects. What I’ve learned from the last couple years, and what’s coming next.

Leighton Woodhouse is a journalist documentary filmmaker, and an iconoclast. He’s a (former?) leftist who now critiques movements for police accountability, racial justice, and even climate change. I disagree with him — vehemently in some cases — on almost all of these issues (and even on some aspects of animal rights: the cause that originally brought us together). But he’s also a dear friend, and someone who has shown kindness to vulnerable beings in their times of need. I will always remember the time he found an orphaned kitten on the road, and the passion and effort he brought to saving her life. This conversation is a lot of things, as we discuss everything from the culture of policing to the root cause of homelessness. But what I think shows more than anything is how to disagree with a friend. Leighton and I have drifted apart, in our political views, but he knows that he’ll always be a friend.

Helena Merk is the CEO and founder of Spirals Protocol, a green cryptocurrency startup that aims to use blockchain technology to create effortless and verifiable climate impact. NOTE: This podcast has a lot of technical jargon. If you’re new to crypto, check out this blog for a simple guide to some of the terms and concepts: https://simpleheart.substack.com/p/a-green-guide-to-cryptocurrency-podcast

Priya and I talk about our experiences inside Whole Foods’ highest-rated turkey farm, our efforts to change our families’ traditions around Thanksgiving, and the best time to drink coffee. Priya Sawhney is co-founder of the animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere. Jeff Bezos disruption: https://youtu.be/QKuNZdGsQ_I Bernie Sanders disruption: https://fb.watch/gXwN7jSIYM/

Criminal law scholar Hadar Aviram, who testified on my behalf at the Smithfield trial, joins me in a conversation about power, corruption, and her theory that some of the greatest wrongs in life are caused by people acting in fear. Read Hadar's blog on the trial: https://www.hadaraviram.com/2022/10/08/smithfieldtrial-the-most-absurd-miscarriage-of-justice-youve-never-heard-of/

A few simple tenets of Buddhist thinking have lifted millions of people globally from anxiety or despair, and empowered them to become their best selves. How can we apply these ancient traditions to modern life? Music by Dayzee Deva

In 1986, Gene Baur saw a sheep lying in the so-called “dead pile” at Lancaster Stockyards. But this sheep wasn’t dead. She lifted her head, and Gene rushed her to receive veterinary care. The story of Hilda is just one of many that Gene has to tell from his nearly four decades of animal rights activism. But it all comes back to the same foundational idea: when we are at our best, we are rescuers of animals, not their tormenters. Hilda’s story from Farm Sanctuary: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/news-stories/hilda/ The Power of Open Rescue (article by DxE co-founder Ronnie Rose): https://medium.com/@ronnierose/the-power-of-open-rescue-58b250323a32

Eric, Matthew, and I discuss “moral theories,” why they matter, and how they converge around animal rights Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)

Alex Chow and Anna Kwok are activists with the Hong Kong Democracy Council, where they’ve challenged efforts by the Chinese government to restrict civil liberties and silence dissent. Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)