Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

When Josh and Wendy Smith adopted Roswell, the dog, they didn’t imagine caring for him would lead them to start their very own animal sanctuary. We’re thrilled to welcome Josh and Wendy to the podcast this week to hear this and more inspiring stories about their sanctuary, Odd Man Inn, their animal advocacy work, and their recent move across the country. That move involved relocating the sanctuary and its many animal residents from Washington state to a much bigger property in rural Tennessee, where they assumed the care of an additional 160 rescued pigs. Whether they are talking about their breakdown on the highway, trailer full of rescued pigs in tow, the challenges involved in refitting their new property, or the stories about what their new Southern neighbors think of their animal advocacy, the animals are always at the center of the story.  Wendy also shares how a career as a nurse prepared her not only to run a farmed animal sanctuary but also to educate people from where they are.   *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 Josh & Wendy Smith* Josh Smith is the Facility Manager and co-Founder of Odd Man Inn animal rescue; he is the Farm Dad, a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a personal interest in “Scroungineering.”  Wendy Smith is the Executive Director and co-Founder of Odd Man Inn; she is a military veteran, emergency room trauma nurse, and Farm Mom.  Josh and Wendy started Odd Man Inn because their dog Roswell, who suffered from fear-based aggression and a tendency to bite, made him extremely difficult to manage. Instead of giving up on him, they purchased land so he could leave city life in Portland behind and created a safe space for him and other animals who were out of options. “It felt like we blinked our eyes and had 60 animals on our small three-and-a-half-acre property.” – Wendy Smith “Our discussions have to be: ‘I, as your citizen brother, want you to succeed and do better than you’re doing now, not on the backs of animals.'” – Josh Smith Highlights for Episode 683:  How Josh and Wendy’s desire to give their high-needs dog some space to roam evolved into the Odd Man Inn sanctuary Why the animals coming to the sanctuary for refuge changed after Odd Man Inn officially became a non-profit organization Some of the farmed animals they have rescued from horrific situations and really connected with, including Frances, the pot-bellied pig, and Magpie, the goat How they work to educate people about animal agriculture How living in a community that is hostile to your purpose can make life challenging Why it’s so crucial for sanctuaries to plan and prepare for leadership transitions  The advice Josh and Wendy would offer to anyone interested in starting an animal sanctuary  Some of Josh and Wendy’s mentors and supporters in the sanctuary space Resources: A Deep Dive on Squalane Tyson shares the love with heart-shaped chicken nuggets (YUCK!) RSVP for the Our Hen House Community Launch Party! Connect with Josh & Wendy Smith: Odd Man Inn Website Odd Man Inn on Instagram Odd Man Inn on Facebook Odd Man Inn on Patreon Odd Man Inn on YouTube Email: Wendy@oddmaninn.org Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ 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 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.

You’re in for not one but two interviews with incredible activists in this episode! We’re thrilled to welcome both Gwenna Hunter and Sue Fischer back to the podcast for updates.   First, we catch up with Gwenna about her newest project, the Vegans of LA Food Bank. Gwenna tells us how she turned a longtime dream into a reality after partnering with Hope On Union Food Pantry to launch a monthly all-vegan food bank. Housed in a former meat market, the Vegans of LA Food Bank provides fresh produce and plant-based meats to the community. We dive into the importance of food banks, the community’s response to vegan specialty products, and the negative impacts of food deserts.  Then, Sue joins the show for an update about the Tule Elk of California’s Point Reyes National Seashore. Sue first joined us on episode 618 to tell us about the damage cattle ranchers and dairy facilities are inflicting on the members of this native elk species who call the National Seashore home. Sue tells us about the lack of water and forage available to a herd penned in by fences and how local activist groups continue to bring attention to the heartbreaking situation. She also updates us on an ongoing lawsuit regarding the promised lease extensions for dairy and cattle businesses that will allow them to take this land away from the elk and other wildlife, in spite of the fact that, as a national park, it belongs to us all. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Gwenna Hunter and here to read the interview with Sue Fischer* Gwenna Hunter is the founder of Vegans of Los Angeles, aka Vegans of LA. In May of 2022, she launched the first Vegan Food Bank in Los Angeles and is now the first Black woman to have a brick-and-mortar vegan food bank in the United States. Gwenna went vegan in February of 2016 after experiencing a supernatural awakening and sharing the same consciousness with a cow in a dream state. This experience allowed her to fully understand that cows are aware of their existence and love, as are all animals. She is also a co-author of the books Vegan Voices for Animals Liberation and Vegan Voices. Gwenna has worked in the movement doing various forms of activism to help people make the connection and reprogram their belief systems regarding the treatment of animals and how we see food.  Vegan since 2012, Sue Fischer has worked as a registered dietitian for about 15 years. Her previous advocacy had predominantly been related to food—encouraging people to eat more plants and less (preferably no) animals. It was the fall of 2018 when Sue viewed the documentary, The Shame of Point Reyes. Her discovery left her feeling incredibly sad for the suffering elk and cows, launching her activism in this area. Her current work brings together many of the most critical issues we currently face when advocating for wildlife impacted by climate change, the harms of animal agriculture, and the importance of our national park system. “People don’t realize if they’ve never dealt with food scarcity, how fearful that is, and how that can affect many areas of your life.” – Gwenna Hunter “It’s called the Tomales Point Reserve, but it’s really the Tomales Point Prison if you really think about it. The elk can’t leave.” – Sue Fischer Highlights for Episode 681:  How the Vegans of LA Foodbank partnered with the Hope on Union food pantry to begin offering vegan options Gwenna’s joy in having turned a former meat market into a vegan space, at least partially,  and how she works with vegan and non-vegan volunteers alike The kinds of food people can find at the vegan food bank and where the food comes from  How the local community has reacted to being offered plant-based foods and how Gwenna shares her expertise on vegan cooking  Messaging and resources Gwenna is creating to help educate others on the benefits of a vegan diet What’s next for the Vegans of LA food bank How local dairy and cattle operations are impacting the Tule Elk of Point Reyes National Seashore How government officials are allowing these exploitative businesses to expand their operations, despite activist organizations calling for their removal The dangerous lack of water and food for the Tule Elk and how activists attempt to provide such necessities while shedding light on the issue The rapidly declining number of Tule Elk and why Sue believes last year’s count has yet to be released Why, despite public perception, the Tule Elk aren’t truly free to roam the land Resources: Activist Defense: What Happens When Doing the Right Thing Can Land You in Jail? Egg prices are skyrocketing, and egg companies are making record profits. What gives? It’s a New Year! A message from the person who cut down the fence in Point Reyes. The Shame of Point Reyes Documentary In Defense of Animals is fighting for the survival of the rare Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore. Connect with our guests: Vegans of LA Website Vegans of Los Angeles on Instagram Save Point Reyes National Seashore Website Save Point Reyes National Seashore on Instagram Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ 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 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.

This one just might move you to tears. Why? Because it’s about ELEPHANTS! Need we say more? Scott and Kat Blais have dedicated their careers to helping captive elephants live out the rest of their lives the way nature intended. This week they join the podcast from rural Brazil, home to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, a project by the organization they founded, Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE), and the new home of some magnificent and fantastic creatures. In our conversation, we discuss the worldwide mission of GSE as well as its plans for the future. Scott and Kat also tell us why it’s essential that animal lovers avoid visiting “sanctuaries” that allow elephant-human interactions and why that kind of contact can be so damaging for these extraordinary animals. We also get into the broader issues of why it’s crucial for humans to start living within our means instead of further encroaching on animals’ habitats. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Scott & Kat Blais* Scott Blais, the CEO and co-founder of Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE), carries a lifetime of experience working for captive elephants. He is an expert in natural habitat elephant sanctuary development and the co-founder of two elephant sanctuaries: the largest in North America – The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (TES) – and the only sanctuary for elephants in South America -Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. His ground-breaking work has transformed how the world views the lives of captive elephants. Kat Blais, the cofounder of GSE, began her career with 15 years as a licensed veterinary technician, practicing in all realms, including orthopedics, emergency care, holistic medicine, and wildlife. She worked as lead caregiver and veterinary liaison at TES for six years, supervising and participating in the care of 15 resident elephants. Kat’s past elephant experiences guide her in creating a safe and healing space for elephants in South America. “People don’t stop and think about what human interaction means to the elephants. It means they were pulled away from their mothers and taken from the wild to live a life of isolation that is very unnatural for them.” – Kat Blais “It’s just amazing what happens when you give elephants space to be themselves—it’s a journey of discovery and rediscovery.” – Scott Blais Highlights for Episode 681:  The importance of climate for elephants’ wellbeing and how Scott and Kat realized the weather at their Tennessee sanctuary impacted the elephants Why elephant sanctuaries that allow visitors can be problematic and red flags to look for when researching sanctuaries Where elephants in the sanctuary come from and the recent arrivals: a mother and daughter from Argentina The sanctuary’s ongoing expansion obstacles  The number of elephants in captivity and the problems with finding them suitable sanctuaries Some of the biggest crises facing captive and wild elephants right now  Scott and Kat’s thoughts about educating the public on how best to help elephants, realistically How they share information on social media in a way that opens up the hidden lives of the elephants in their care The importance of seeing elephants as individuals rather than as a cute stereotype How Scott and Kat ensure elephants at the sanctuary are adequately cared for without intruding on their natural lifestyles How people can find out more about Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE) Resources: Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Spy Cams Reveal the Grim Reality of Slaughterhouse Gas Chambers Bill would remove defense in animal welfare cases Connect with  Scott and Kat Blais: Global Sanctuary for Elephants Website Global Sanctuary for Elephants on Instagram Global Sanctuary for Elephants on Twitter Global Sanctuary for Elephants on Facebook Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ 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 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.

What if you could feed your companion animals real meat without ever having to slaughter an animal? Because Animals is working to make this dream a reality, and the CEO and co-founder, Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., joins the podcast this week to tell us how they’re doing it. Traditional companion animal foods are made with byproducts of animal agriculture, including meat found unsuitable for the human food supply chain. In our conversation, Shannon tells us how Because Animals can create cultured meat, such as mouse and duck meat, for companion animals using cell samples obtained only once and without cruelty. Plus, she tells us how cultured meat fares against a vegan diet for dogs and cats. *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 Shannon Falconer* Shannon Falconer is the CEO and co-founder of Because Animals, a biotech start-up creating nutritious, sustainable, cultured meat pet food. Shannon holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology and worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at Stanford University prior to founding Because Animals. Shannon has spent decades volunteering in the animal rescue community and is a fur mom to her amazing rescue dog, Nori. “More than a quarter of the devastating side effects of the animal agriculture industry—in terms of deforestation, water, and fossil fuel use—are directly attributed to the foods that people feed their cats and dogs.” – Shannon Falconer Highlights for Episode 680:  How Because Animals is working to revolutionize food for companion animals How traditional food for companion animals, made from slaughtered animals, can be damaging  How Because Animals makes cultured meat without harming animals Shannon walks listeners through the process of getting cell samples and how they ensure the cultured meat is safe for consumption  The risk to people and animals of eating diseased meat from animals with undiagnosed cancers The marketing challenge of using cultured meat in food for companion animals How Because Animals assures the safety of its products without testing on animals The regulatory requirements for getting companion animal food on the market as opposed to getting human food on the market Why animal-based cultured meat is better for dogs and cats than vegan diets How Shannon’s cat inspired her to put her training and education to work to develop a companion animal food she didn’t feel guilty about buying Resources: Largest global bird flu outbreak ‘in history’ shows no sign of slowing Just Egg Full Page ad in The New York Times Pit bulls have a bad rap. These advocates say it’s a harmful myth about gentle, loving dogs Connect with Shannon Falconer: Because Animals Website  Because Animals on Facebook Because Animals on Twitter Because Animals on Instagram shannon@becauseanimals.com Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ 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 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.

We love hearing from fellow animal advocates in different parts of the world, and this week we are thrilled to welcome Linda Ncube for an exceptional conversation about animal activism in rural Zimbabwe. Linda is the founder of Humane Africa Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a “compassionate, healthy, and just environment” for animals. She joins us to explain how she’s educating her surrounding communities on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle as well as the importance of caring for all animals. A devout Seventh-day Adventist, Linda shares how her faith impacts her relationship with animals and guides her advocacy work. Plus, we get into the current state of factory farming in Zimbabwe, how colonialism has changed the traditional Zimbabwean diet, and how Linda teaches children to respect and care for animals. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Linda Ncube* Founder & Executive Director of Humane Africa Trust, Linda Ncube, is an animal lover advocating for the welfare of animals in Lupane, Zimbabwe. Humane Africa Trust is a non-profit organization with the mission of creating a better world for all animals. Her love for animals and Christian background makes her want to see human and non-human animals coexist perfectly as God’s creations. Linda is also an advocate for plant-based education and teaching communities about the benefits of eating plant-based. She is a devout member of the Seventh Day Adventist church and holds a diploma in Development Studies, Bachelor’s Degree, and a Master’s Degree in Local Governance Studies. She lives with her three human kids and four non-human kids (two dogs, Fender & Copper, and two cats, Kiratile & Jelly B Precise). A day well spent in her life is when she gives service to any non-human animal. “It’s not that people are resistant to making new connections to animals, but people need to be taught.”  – Linda Ncube  Highlights for Episode 679: Linda’s vegan advocacy work  Why people in Linda’s community are more likely to try a plant-based diet through concern for their health than concern for animals How the traditional diet in Zimbabwe changed during the colonial period and whether people are now more likely to incorporate animal products into their meals How Linda approaches teaching children about respecting and caring for animals The current promotion of factory farming in Zimbabwe and how it is changing the agricultural landscape Details of the work Linda does to bring awareness of the welfare of cats, dogs, and wild animals Resources: THE FIRST, Vegan Women, Fiction Authors, Round Table NYWBA’s Animal Law Committee presents a CLE Program: Activist Defense: What Happens When Doing the Right Thing Can Land You in Jail? Connect with Linda Ncube: Humane Africa Trust Humane Africa HAT on Twitter Humane Africa HAT on Instagram Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ 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 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.

How annoying is it when you are just getting into a good book, starting to identify with, or at least sympathize with, the protagonist, and then get thoroughly turned off when they sit down to enthusiastically eat a dead animal? Today, author Christine Melanie Benson joins us for a conversation about her recently published debut novel, Marrying Myself, in which, happily, the heroine just happens to be vegan. Christine actually switched to eating plants while she was already working on her novel, and she tells us how she ended up incorporating veganism and animal advocacy into the book. But, of course, her purpose was not just to make her vegan readers happy, but to reach others, and she shares her thoughts on why the arts seem to make people more receptive to veganism and how she carefully balances vegan messaging with storytelling. Plus, she also shares details of her new podcast, The Vegan Posse, and the community support groups for vegans that she has hosted for the last five years in her hometown of Nashville.  *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 Christine Melanie Benson* An attorney who’s been running from the law her entire professional life, Christine Melanie Benson is also a short story author, legal writer, news satire writer, and host of the Vegan Posse podcast. Her experience includes over a decade as a regular freelance legal writer for Baltimore’s The Daily Record law digest, and her fiction works have been featured in An Eclectic Mix Anthology, RomanticShorts.com, The Binnacle Maine Literary Journal, and satire website TheSpoof!. Marrying Myself is Christine’s first novel. Formerly of Boston and New York City, Christine now makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee. “Vegans are craving representation in fiction.” – Christine Melanie Benson  Highlights for Episode 678: How Julia, the main character in Marrying Myself, changed Christine as she was writing her The power of the arts and advocacy in fiction Does making your main character vegan limit your chances of getting a publisher? How writing her novel became a spiritual experience for Christine How Christine incorporates information about animal agriculture into her novel and how much is the right amount Challenges a new writer faces in getting a book deal What Christine is working on next Christine’s podcast, The Vegan Posse, and how it allows her to share conversations with the interesting, quirky people she has met on her vegan travels and adventures Why she started the Nashville-based group Vegan Peace, which aims to support vegans and those troubled by animal exploitation. Why Christine founded Vegan 101, which shares all the must-have nutritional  information for those making the vegan leap Resources: ‘I’ll stop saying I don’t eat meat – and tell people I don’t eat animals’: the thing I’ll do differently in 2023 Connect with Christine Melanie Benson: Christine Melanie Benson’s Website Vegan Posse Podcast Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ 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 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.

Have you been wondering about the state of veganism and animal rights in Uganda? Well, we’ve got you covered! Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera, founder of the Uganda Vegan Society and a passionate advocate for animals, joins us this week and fills us in on the state of veganism and, on the other hand, the growth of factory farming, in Uganda and Africa in general. She explains some of her methods for advocating for plant-based diets, including teaching people how to make affordable vegan meals at home, organizing Vegan Restaurant Week in Kampala and beyond, helping people organize potlucks, and how the annual Uganda Vegan Festival is helping her bring veganism to the forefront. We also discuss the impact of diet on the health of the average Ugandan, the unfortunate growth of dairy consumption, and why Nabaasa believes that  sharing the health benefits of a vegan diet is often the most effective route when persuading people to change their habits.  *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera* Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera is the Founder of the Uganda Vegan Society and Africa Regional Coordinator for ProVeg International. The Uganda Vegan Society is a volunteer nongovernmental organization that advocates for reduced animal consumption, healthy eating habits, compassion towards animals, and environmental conservation. “We need to promote and also invest in the production and accessibility of dairy alternatives.” – Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera Highlights for Episode 677:  Some of the diet related health issues Ugandans face Reasons why dairy products are such an important part of the Ugandan diet, and the difficulty finding affordable dairy replacements How the Ugandan president sharing his diet has been helpful The need for funding to help address the issues of diets heavy in animal products The dangers of industrial farming being introduced widely in Africa  What it’s like being an animal rights activist in Uganda The traditional Ugandan bonded relationship with farmed animals and how it differs from the relationship we have with them in the West The impact of the home slaughter of cows, goats, and hens on people’s diets Nabaasa’s activist projects, including African Vegan Restaurant Week in January 2023 and how she is connecting with other organizations across the continent Resources: Many people are celebrating Kwanzaa — we’ll find out what’s on the menu Get HAPPIER with Gretchen Rubin—listen to the award-winning podcast. Connect with Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera: Africa Vegan Restaurant Week Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera on Twitter Nabaasa Innocent Kashobera on LinkedIn Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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 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.

Wow! Camille DeAngelis visits the podcast this week and does she have a story to tell!! She is, of course, the author of Bones and All, an inverted fairy tale with a sympathetic girl monster protagonist that has since been turned into an award-winning film starring Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell. At heart, though it may not be obvious at first read, this is a book that is steeped in Camille’s personal disgust at the way we treat animals and, in our discussion, we go into detail about how that led to the decision to write a story about ‘eaters,’ as she calls the ghouls in her story. Camille has clearly cracked the code on bringing her message to the mainstream, and, happily, she is more than willing to share how. In aid of that, she tells us why she wrote her non-fiction book, A Bright Clean Mind, which is a self-help motivational book for artists and creatives that encourages readers to recognize the effect changing our diet can have on our creativity. *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 Camille Deangelis* Camille DeAngelis is the author of several novels for adults, a middle-grade novel called The Boy From Tomorrow, a travel guide to Ireland, and two more books of nonfiction, Life Without Envy: Ego Management for Creative People and A Bright Clean Mind: Veganism for Creative Transformation. Her young adult novel Bones & All won an Alex Award from the American Library Association in 2016, and Luca Guadagnino’s film adaptation arrived in theaters in November 2022. She lives in Washington, DC. “Whether you are a cannibal or a law-abiding omnivore, you are consuming flesh of a person who did not want to die.” – Camille DeAngelis Highlights for Episode 676:  Why Camille decided to explore horror in the Young Adult genre How Camille creates and develops her characters to make them both empathetic and relatable How working with a screenwriter feels and how Camille worked to maintain the integrity of her novel when turning it into a film Why self-deception is the most powerful impediment to transformation How Camille’s writing has changed since she wrote her first book. How Camille strives to find a balance between extolling the tangible benefits of veganism while not leading people to believe it’s a cure-all for everything The Main Street Vegan program and the impact it has had on Camille’s life  How Camille’s non-fiction book, A Bright Clean Mind, came into being and how it offers a new perspective on ethical veganism through the lens of art and literature, and tips on how to transition into veganism Connect with Camille Deangelis: Comet Party Website Camille DeAngelis on Instagram Camille DeAngelis on Twitter No Bones at All on YouTube Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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 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.

We’re thrilled to welcome filmmaker Ryuji Chua to the podcast this week. You may already be familiar with Ryuji, and his animal rights-focused work, thanks to his appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah earlier this year. In our conversation, Ryuji tells us why it’s important for humans to shift our messaging from broad generalizations, such as saving a species, to recognizing the plight of individual animals who are struggling. We discuss the cognitive dissonance many people have when it comes to the way the animals they eat suffer and why it’s easier for them to believe that animals lack that capacity than it is to change their habits. Plus, Ryuji shares how he came to be a late-night talk show guest, and how his conversation with Trevor Noah went in an unexpected direction. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Ryuji Chua* Ryuji Chua is a filmmaker who seeks to create a kinder world by connecting humans with non-human animals. He currently works as a video producer at Surge Activism, is an advisor for the Vegan Hacktivists, and was recently featured on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah to talk about animal rights and his latest independent documentary, “How Conscious Can A Fish Be?” “My goal was to try to get people to see animals a little bit differently—not as something, but as someone.” – Ryuji Chua Highlights for Episode 675:  Ryuji’s appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah  Why he thinks it’s so essential to help non-vegans feel like they’re not being judged when we share information about animals Why Ryuji decided to focus on fish and why there’s such huge potential to make the world better for fish, more so than other animals Why humans don’t see fish as intelligent creatures who can feel pain Some of the impressive things salmon can do  How Ryuji strikes a balance between conveying the intelligence of animals and sharing the horror of slaughterhouse footage in his videos Ryuji’s Tedx talk and why he was compelled to share his perspective on the climate crisis and its consequences for animals and ecosystems Why humans need to be shown how their actions are hurting individual animals, not just how they’re damaging species, ecosystems, or biodiversity at large Ryuji’s recent video about greyhound racing, made in conjunction with Faunalytics Some of the other topics Ryuji has tackled and his plans moving forward Resources: How Conscious Can a Fish Be? Ryuji Chua – Changing How We View Animals | The Daily Show Connect with Ryuji Chua: Ryuji Chua on Instagram Ryuji Chua on YouTube Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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 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.

We’re delighted to welcome Nirva Patel to the podcast this week for a wide-ranging conversation about the different ways she’s working to make the world a better place for animals. We begin by discussing Nirva’s background in Jainism, how the religion informs her beliefs regarding the treatment of non-human animals, and the work she has done in that realm to create change, despite some surprising pushback. Nirva also tells us about her work at Harvard Law School as a Global Policy Fellow and her role as Chair of the Board of Directors at Farm Sanctuary. Plus, Nirva shares her reasons for going back to school for a Master’s degree and how it’s helping her meet her goals of bringing animal rights issues to the forefront of people’s minds all over the world. *We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Nirva Patel* Nirva is the Global Policy Fellow in the Brooks McCormick Jr. Animal Law & Policy Program at Harvard Law School and a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She is also a registered patent attorney, biomedical engineer, and executive producer for several plant-based films, including The Game Changers, The End of Medicine, and Meat Me Halfway. For nearly a decade, Nirva worked in animal advocacy in Mumbai, India. In the U.S., she has sparked many advocacy campaigns, including successfully pushing to ban the sale of fur in the town where she lives and encouraging Jain temples across the U.S. to remove ghee and dairy from their offerings. She has provided strategic fundraising efforts for numerous non-profit capital and development campaigns in Boston. Nirva holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University, a J.D. from The New England School of Law, and an M.S. in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University. Her passion for animals is predicated on the Jain philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence), which advocates a vegan lifestyle. She lives in Boston with her husband, four children, and two rescued rabbits, Goji and Spice. “At Farm Sanctuary, animals are allowed to grow old.” – Nirva Patel Highlights for Episode 674:  Why there is still debate within the Jain community about whether they should continue to consume dairy products  Nirva’s work encouraging Jain temples to give up dairy products and the pushback and encouragement she has received  Nirva’s work at Harvard Law School as a Global Policy Fellow, including an assessment of live markets and their potential for spreading zoonotic diseases Public health implications of disregarding animal welfare  How different countries approach animal rights legislation and why it matters  Why Nirva decided to undertake a Master’s in Animal Law and Policy from Tufts University and how it helped her clarify how she wanted to move forward with effecting change for animals  The emotional response Nirva and her classmates had while bearing witness to animal exploitation and cruelty as part of the agriculture program at Tufts University Nirva’s role on the board of the International Vegan Film Festival, how she became involved, and how documentaries and films highlight animal rights issues What the folks at Farm Sanctuary are finding from observing animals going about their day uninterrupted and their plans for the future Resources: Study Finds Consumers Prefer Term ‘Plant-Based’ Over ‘Meat-Free’ or ‘Vegan’ Connect with Nirva Patel: Nirva Patel on Facebook Nirva Patel on Instagram Nirva Patel on LinkedIn Email: nirvapatel@hotmail.com Connect with Our Hen House: Our Hen House Website Our Hen House on Facebook Our Hen House on Instagram Our Hen House on Twitter _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! We just kicked off our end-of-year matching campaign, meaning that between now and December 31, your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000! That means with your donation—plus our Barnyard Benefactors and an added boost from an anonymous donor—we are hoping to raise $60k total. We can’t do it without you! The only way we’ll receive the matching funds is if we successfully reach our goal of raising $20k from our loyal supporters by the end of the year.  So, if you like Our Hen House, if you believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, if you find community and solace in our shows and resources, and if you believe in the change-making power of 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 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.