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

Faithful listeners will know this to be true: we can’t get enough of Grass Fed, Rochester’s premier vegan butcher shop and deli. Thus, this week, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Rob Nipe and Nora Rubel, founders of Grass Fed, to the podcast. The husband-and-wife team joins us to dish why they view Grass Fed as training wheels for veganism, and they give us the breakdown of the vegan meats Rob makes, including breakfast sausage, pastrami, and barbecue brisket. Plus, they tell us how Bruce Springstreen prompted them to explore making small-batch, handcrafted plant-based meats in earnest. In our conversation, Nora also shares the joy the duo finds in connecting with customers, building relationships with Rochester’s vegan community, and the unexpected individuals who have expressed interest in their products.  Grass Fed vegan butcher shop and deli is the joint venture of Rob Nipe and Nora Rubel, offering delicious small-batch, handcrafted vegan meats made from good, plant-based ingredients. Rob (the Butcher) hails originally from New Jersey and, as a former omnivore, seeks to create delicious cruelty-free versions of the meats he previously enjoyed. He loves a challenge and has spent years perfecting his mad meat-making skills. Sharing them with his adopted city of Rochester is a dream realized. Nora (the Butcher’s Wife) loves to cook and eat. She also writes and teaches about food, culture, and religion at the University of Rochester. She understands the cultural and nostalgic connection folks have to the foods they grow up with and is excited to help them feel those connections in a cruelty-free way.  “We try to trumpet the idea of veganism as something that is attainable.” – Rob Nipe                       “There’s only so much we can do in the world to ease suffering, but there are certain things we can do to limit our impact.” – Nora Rubel Highlights for Episode 636:  Why Rob and Nora became vegan and how a plant-based diet helped Rob’s health issues How a novel helped move Nora from vegetarianism to “ethical” omnivorism to veganism What Nora means by the phrase “non-practicing vegan” and how vegan meats allow people to make the leap into going entirely plant-based The story of Rob’s decision to develop vegan meats How they developed an amazing vegan Passover celebration meal and the positive response from their friends Why they started their business in Rochester rather than a bigger city like New York Their connection to the kosher community and how important the community is to their success Nora’s work as a Jewish Studies professor at the University of Rochester and how it intersects with the Grass Fed vegan butcher project Resources: Most animal cruelty is legal on the farm. A judge is questioning that.  Once a beloved vegan ice cream brand, Coconut Bliss’ new dairy line outrages customers. A Jewish studies professor and her cheesesteak-loving husband are behind Rochester’s new kosher ‘butcher shop’ Connect with Rob Nipe and Nora Rubel: Grass Fed Website Grass Fed on Facebook Grass Fed on Instagram  Grass Fed Butcher’s Wife 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.

Joining us on the Our Hen House podcast this week are Joan E. Schaffner, JD and Rajesh K. Reddy, JD, PhD. Joan and Raj are founding members of Lawyers for the Convention on Animal Protection, an international team of law practitioners and academics committed to advocating for a global animal protection agreement. They join the podcast to share details about the Convention on Animal Protection (CAP), and how the concept came to fruition just in time for the pandemic. In our conversation, we discuss how zoonotic viruses, including COVID-19, are directly related to animal exploitation and mistreatment, as well as how the CAP aims to mitigate the risk of future pandemics. But the proposed treaty goes further than that. Joan and Raj also explore how the treaty seeks to provide certain minimum protections for all animals in human hands as well as their different lived realities—from animals used in research and testing to companion animals to farmed animals and captive wildlife—and also discuss some of the roadblocks that face such an effort. Joan E. Schaffner, JD, is an Associate Professor of Law at The George Washington University Law School. Ze received a JD from the University of Southern California and an MS in mechanical engineering from the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Joan is co-chair of the American  Bar Association (ABA) International Section, International Animal Law Committee; Past Chair and  Newsletter Vice-Chair of the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) Animal Law Committee; Founding Chair of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Section on Animal Law; and Fellow, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. Joan has received the ABA TIPS  Andrew C. Hecker Memorial Award, the AALS Excellence in Animal Law Award: Scholarship Teaching-Service, and the ABA TIPS Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award. Dr. Rajesh K. Reddy directs the Global Animal Law and Animal Law Advanced Degree Programs at the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School, where he teaches International Animal Law, Animal Legal Philosophy, and Emerging Topics in Animal Law, among others. Raj also serves on the Lewis & Clark tri-campus Committee on Equity and Inclusion, the Law School’s International Law Committee, and as a Confidential Advocate. Outside of Lewis & Clark, he chairs the International Subcommittee of the Animal Law Section of the American Bar Association and serves as a board member of Minding Animals International. He has previously served on the executive committees for the Animal Law Section of the Oregon State Bar, Humane Voters Oregon, and the diversity, equity, and inclusion nonprofit, Encompass. “Once the umbrella treaty is negotiated, there will be an opportunity for states to provide much greater protections for animals and against pandemics.” –Joan E. Schaffner, JD “Animal protection is important for pandemic prevention, but it’s critically important for conservation, for habitat preservation, and the like.” –Dr. Rajesh K. Reddy Highlights for Episode 635:  The goals for the Convention on Animal Protection and why it’s so important to make it internationally accessible Where pandemics originate, generally speaking, and how COVID-19 specifically was able to spread around the world  Why factory farms, just like live animal markets, are potential sources of zoonotic diseases What countries can expect if they sign the Convention on Animal Protection, what they would need to do, and the principles they are committing to uphold  Two progressive provisions detailed in the treaty from a social and a legal standpoint  How the Convention for Animal Protection guards against countries using it as a smokescreen  Why Dr. Reddy compares the treaty to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling Resources: Sentient Media Managing Editor listing Encompass Executive Director listing Deer Humans podcast GW Animal Law Program Connect with Joan E. Schaffner: Joan E. Schaffner on LinkedIn Connect with Dr. Rajesh K. Reddy: Rajesh K. Reddy on LinkedIn Connect with Lawyers for the CAP Email Lawyers for the CAP Connect with the Convention for Animal Protection: CAP Website CAP Video CAP on Facebook CAP on Twitter CAP on Instagram CAP 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! 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.

According to powerhouse activist and community organizer Eloísa Trinidad, an anti-colonial framework is fundamental to how she approaches activism. Eloísa, who serves as Executive Director  of both the Vegan Activist Alliance and the food justice organization Chilis on Wheels New York, is a total liberation activist. She is unapologetically adamant that species does not define personhood and emphasizes the importance of the language we use in our narratives as activists. In our conversation, we also dive into Eloísa’s work with Chilis on Wheels, where she helps provide plant-based groceries to students and families experiencing food poverty in New York. She also tells us about the Overthrow Vegan Community Fridge, New York City’s first plant-based community fridge, which Eloísa helped launch last year, alongside fellow activists. Plus, she shares why she believes true change always stems from genuine connection.  Eloísa Trinidad is a total liberation activist who approaches liberation praxis and veganism with an anti-colonial framework to raise awareness of how Western colonization has affected and continues to affect the plight of human and beyond-human persons (animals), and how it has changed the food system and our relationship with each other and to the natural world. Through her role as Executive Director at Chilis on Wheels New York, Eloísa focuses on making veganism accessible to communities in need. She is also co-founder and Executive Director at Vegan Activist Alliance, a systems change focused, community-driven anti-speciesist organization. Eloísa sits on the Board of Directors at Plant Powered Metro NY, is NY Chapter President at Hip Hop is Green, and is on the following Advisory Boards:  Center For Science in the Public Interest,  Agriculture Fairness Alliance, The Vegan Museum. “We are all persons — we just happen to be different species.” – Eloísa Trinidad Highlights for Episode 634:  Eloísa’s childhood growing up with her great grandparents in the Dominican Republic Collective liberation and why it is so fundamental to her personal mission How the Vegan Activist Alliance supports and educates activists to go beyond the streets How Chilis on Wheels is making veganism accessible to communities in need and has expanded into a nationwide network  How the vegan community fridge operates and why Eloísa believes it is a project that activists in different locales can replicate to help promote plant-based lifestyles Eloísa’s work as New York chapter president of Hip Hop is Green The Healthy Future Students and Earth Pilot Program Act and what Eloísa hopes can be accomplished by helping schools provide healthier, climate-friendly, and culturally appropriate plant-based meals The impact of poverty on the food choices people make and why it’s so important for activists to understand that not everyone has the privilege of entirely free choice   Connect with Eloísa Trinidad: Plant B Chilis on Wheels Website   Vegan Activist Alliance Website   Hip Hop is Green Website Eloisa Trinidad 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.

Rachel Dreskin, CEO of the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), joins the podcast this week to discuss why it is so vital for vegan foods to have a trade association. Rachel tells us how the organization, which advocates at both the  federal and state levels, is working to even the playing field to help plant-based brands compete against animal-based products and succeed. In this behind-the-scenes look, Rachel also breaks down the way products in a supermarket are organized, and she explains whether it’s best for plant-based foods to be allocated their own section or for them to be integrated alongside their animal-based counterparts. She also dives into the thorny issues of labeling, including why the term “plant-based” has become muddied, and how we can ensure people are fully aware of what they are purchasing.  Rachel Dreskin is the CEO of the Plant Based Foods Association, the first and only trade association representing the nation’s leading plant-based food companies, as well as the CEO of the Plant Based Foods Institute, PBFA’s sister nonprofit dedicated to driving transformation to a plant-based food system. She also serves as a board member of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, has guest lectured at top US universities like Stanford and New York University, and has been featured in Bloomberg, Fortune Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune.  “We’re finding that when products are integrated within the sections of the store that have animal-based products, the sales increase quite dramatically.” – Rachel Dreskin Highlights for Episode 633:  The types of companies that have joined PBFA How and why PBFA represents the interests of completely plant-based food brands, but also accept companies as members who have animal products in their portfolio Rachel’s thoughts on the elements that separate a successful company in the plant-based arena from one that doesn’t make it  “Vegan” versus “plant-based” terminology and why PBFA uses the term “plant-based”   Major drivers leading people to purchase plant-based foods Why PBFA is planning lifecycle assessments across the plant-based and animal-based categories so they can demonstrate the environmental benefits  Whether subsidies play a part in keeping plant-based foods from competing fairly What PBFA believes it would take to transition farmers away from growing crops destined for animal feed and toward growing crops consumed directly by humans How plant-based milk has made so much progress and Rachels’s thoughts on how it will move even further forward  ​​And lastly … how they’re going to get Starbucks to drop the up-charge for plant based milk Connect with Rachel Dreskin: Plant Based Foods Association Website Plant Based Foods Association on YouTube Plant Based Foods Association on Instagram Plant Based Foods Association on Twitter 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.

CreatureKind’s Aline Silva joins the podcast this week for a discussion about food, animals and Christianity. Reverend Silva, who serves as CreatureKind’s Co-Director, gives us an overview of the religious nonprofit, which encourages Christians to recognize faith-based reasons for caring about the well-being of all living creatures and helps them implement plant-based practices within their church communities. Founded on the belief that all animals are God’s creations and humans’ love and care must extend to all of His creations, and not just fellow humans, CreatureKind has developed a six-week course for churches that focuses on self-reflection to help individuals see how they contribute to factory farming and the oppression of animals, and how they can take steps to change. Reverend Aline Silva serves as the Co-Director of CreatureKind. Before coming to CreatureKind, she was a local parish pastor of rural and farming populations in Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado for more than 10 years. Aline shares herself as a queer, Black & Indigenous immigrant of Brazil to the US. She chooses not to eat non-human animals, her fellow worshippers of God. Aline is a pastor, a preacher, and a life coach who writes today from the un-ceded lands of the Tequesta, Taino, and Seminole peoples, namely South Florida, USA. “CreatureKind is a part of creating an overarching community of Christians who hold a deep concern for what animals are going through today.” – Aline Silva Highlights for Episode 631: Why churches and religious organizations are motivated to get in touch with CreatureKind How Aline and her team help groups and individuals fulfill a commitment to consume plant-based foods rather than animals Their philosophy on consuming animals for food and why it is rooted in the question of whether God cares for the welfare of animals How a plant-based diet does not rely on the oppression of fellow worshipers of God and how we don’t need to rely on eating animals to obtain nutrients What CreatureKind is doing to help people who want to become more active for animals and understand how large scale factory farming also damages humans Whether preachers are nervous about approaching their congregations to promote a plant-based lifestyle and how CreatureKind advises them What the CreatureKind Food Friendly Challenge is and how their toolkit helps members of a church community choose plant-based meals by starting conversations about Christianity and farmed animals Aline’s thoughts on why so many faith-based organizations have left consideration for animals off the agenda Resources Mentioned: Meet the People Getting Paid to Kill Our Planet When Being Vegan Just Isn’t Enough: How and Why I’m Making My House Net-Zero Episode 494: David Clough on Theology and Ethics Connect with Aline Silva: CreatureKind Website CreatureKind on Facebook CreatureKind on Instagram CreatureKind on Twitter 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.

Vegan Outreach India’s Richa Mehta joins us this week to talk about the spread of veganism in India.  As Director of Programs, Richa tells us how Vegan Outreach is focusing on college students and explains in detail what they are doing to educate those students about the atrocities of the dairy and meat industries while advocating for veganism, as not only more compassionate, but as a greener, more environmentally conscious approach to living. In this conversation with Jasmin, Richa also focuses specifically on dairy, and delves into the Western perception of the sacred status of cows in India, explaining the dichotomy between this belief and the reality of the country’s large dairy industry. Richa Mehta is based in Agra, India, where she is the Director of Programs at Vegan Outreach India, an organization founded in 1993 that aims to end violence towards animals. Richa has many years of experience with animal and environmental protection nonprofits and has been instrumental in the success of Vegan Outreach’s Green Tuesday Initiative, in addition to her extensive in-person outreach activities in India. Richa is also the Vice President of the Pratibha Foundation, Gujarat, India, which focuses on facilitating quality education and healthcare for underprivileged children in rural areas.  “In the long term, veganism and a complete evolution in the way we eat are the only ways we can change what is happening to animals.” – Richa Mehta Highlights for Episode 630: How the 10 Weeks to Vegan program works and why it smooths the transition to becoming vegan How Richa and her team’s outreach activities help bust the myths people believe about veganism How COVID-19 changed the way Vegan Outreach pursues their campaigns The surprising discovery that webinars are even more effective than in-person outreach Measurable results they’ve seen as a result of their efforts to help people become vegan How the Green Tuesday campaign works with corporations and other organizations to change the way that people eat Why it’s so crucial in any outreach effort to not just talk about problems, but offer a solution Richa’s factory farm investigations and why she focuses on the environment when encouraging people to change their eating habits The background of vegetarianism in India and how it fits with modern vegetarian and vegan practices Whether arguments regarding animal welfare have more traction In India than in other places Richa’s work with the Pratibha Foundation and what they have been doing to improve the lives of children in India during the pandemic What gives Richa hope for the future Resources: Farm Forward Survey Reveals Widespread Confusion about Welfare Labels Our Hen House Episode 585 w/ Soledad Robledo Connect with Richa Mehta: Vegan Outreach India Website Vegan Outreach India on Facebook Vegan Outreach India 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.

On this week’s podcast,  we are joined by Jeff Sebo, who is the director of New York University’s Animal Studies M.A. Program, to discuss his brand new book, Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves: Why Animals Matter for Pandemics, Climate Change, and Other Catastrophes. Jeff apparently can see into the future, since he began writing this incredibly prescient book in 2017—three years before the world plunged into COVID-19. We discuss why pandemic and climate change preparedness has been so inadequate and why governments even now are slashing pandemic preparedness budgets, despite what we have been through the past two years and the likelihood that things could get even worse in the future.  Jeff’s forthcoming book doesn’t just outline why societies need to end factory farming to save ourselves, it’s intensely about the animals themselves. He points out that taking responsibility for this ever increasing amount of non-human suffering is both necessary and possible and ponders what we need to do for animals to be taken seriously. Jeff also tells us about an important new report from New York University’s Guarini Center that he co-authored entitled Towards Plant-Forward Diets: A Toolkit for Local Policy Makers. This important guide is custom made for activists working with local governments to move laws and policy in a vegan direction. Jeff is a Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, and Philosophy, and Director of the Animal Studies M.A. Program at New York University. His current research focuses on bioethics, animal ethics, and environmental ethics, with a particular focus on animals, pandemics, and climate change; the moral, legal, and political status of animals; and the ethics of activism, advocacy, and philanthropy. His book Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves: Why Animals Matter for Pandemics, Climate Change, and Other Catastrophes will be published soon, and he has co-authored the books Chimpanzee Rights and Food, Animals, and the Environment. Jeff also works with animal protection and animal studies organizations. He is a board member at Minding Animals International, a mentor at Sentient Media, and a senior research affiliate at the Legal Priorities Project. “Our treatment of animals is absolutely relevant to these global threats. The way we treat animals in factory farming, deforestation, the wildlife trade, and other industries are significant drivers of pandemics, climate change, and other threats.” – Jeff Sebo Highlights for Episode 629: Whether Jeff feels there has been a turning point in public consciousness during the pandemic about what we’re doing to the world Jeff points out how we can only evaluate the worth of individual animal lives from a human vantage point and how we should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good How we have to take into account all of the limitations on our knowledge, power, and political will if we want to help animals responsibly Why Jeff thinks we should prioritize fighting factory farming Jeff’s opinions on whether there’s a fundamental flaw in human nature that explains how otherwise good people treat animals Why mink farms have turned out to be a microcosm during this pandemic and what he believes it means about our relationship to animals, and how it will affect our ability to manage the future How the Towards Plant-Forward Diets: A Toolkit for Local Policymakers report produced by the Guarini Center at NYU focuses on reducing the consumption of meat and how it could help to improve public health and reduce harm to animals and the environment Why the report is an excellent place to start for policymakers at a local level and some of the steps that cities have taken that Jeff considers positive Innovative policies that might prove to be a good way forward Resources Mentioned:  Article: An animal rights activist was in court on criminal charges. Why was the case suddenly dismissed? Unchained TV Our Hen House on Unchained TV  NY Times Article: Vegan Travel: It’s Not Fringe Anymore Connect with Jeff Sebo: Jeff Sebo’s Website Jeff Sebo on Facebook Jeff Sebo on Instagram Jeff Sebo on Twitter 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.

PJ Nyman joins the podcast this week to discuss how understanding animal exploitation on a global landscape creates bridges to other movements which, in turn, help us address the exploitation of animals in a more multifaceted way. PJ, a contributing author featured in Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation, shares what prompted them to investigate the overlap between the history of human control over nature and eating animals. They also touch on their experience coming out as LGBTQ and as an animal advocate and how the two experiences intersected. And, as an added bonus, PJ shares the books—written by a diverse array of authors—they would recommend to new vegans for varied perspectives on the importance of animal advocacy and how it overlaps with other social justice issues. PJ Nyman earned their Master’s degree in Social and Political Thought from York University and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Simon Fraser University. Formerly a program manager for Animal Place, a sanctuary for farmed animals in Northern California, PJ now works as a Corporate Relations Specialist for Mercy For Animals in Toronto, Canada, and sits on the Board of Encompass, a capacity-building organization that helps animal protection organizations and advocates advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. “Animal advocates who are experienced in marginalization and oppression approach animal advocacy with added depth.” – PJ Nyman Highlights for Episode 628: The work PJ does for Mercy for Animals in corporate relations and how they work with food companies to improve animal welfare policies PJ’s involvement with Encompass, their role there, and their essay for Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation Why PJ turned their back on an academic career in favor of animal advocacy Tendencies that disappointed PJ when they became active within the mainstream animal rights movement Why we need to expand how we do advocacy in order to encompass a broader message as a movement so that we’re meeting people where they are and speaking to a wide range of people in many different ways Understanding animal exploitation as a tool of oppression and a system of domination and why that approach makes our movement more powerful Whether PJ believes that there are different levels to the advocacy movement to change the world for animals and how they would characterize those levels How the reformation and improvement of animal welfare standards can impact workers in the industry How working on welfare reforms rather than liberation works for PJ philosophically Tangible ways forward in achieving equity for people working in the animal protection movement Why PJ feels it’s necessary to promote veganism in a way that challenges us rather than allows us to be complacent What PJ is hopeful about in animal advocacy moving into 2022 Connect with PJ Nyman: Encompass Website Mercy for Animals Website Antiracism in Animal Advocacy: Igniting Cultural Transformation 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.

Author and award-winning journalist Rachel Krantz has written a truly extraordinary book,  Open: An Uncensored Memoir of Love, Liberation, and Non-Monogamy. This week, she and Jasmin sit down to discuss this raw, vulnerable, and truly inspirational account of Rachel’s journey into the sometimes complicated world of polyamory and how that journey of self-discovery has interwoven with her veganism and animal rights activism. This wide-ranging conversation between two friends is not only a fascinating exploration of self-discovery, but depicts a story that will resonate with anyone who allows their instincts about the importance of animals and veganism to influence the course of their life. Rachel Krantz is on the advisory board for Sentient Media, and we are lucky to have her on the board of directors of Our Hen House. She is the recipient of the Peabody Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights International Radio Award, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Radio Award, and the Edward R. Murrow Award for her work as an investigative reporter. Rachel was a Lead Writer for Mercy for Animals and is also one of the three founding editors of Bustle, where she served as Senior Features Editor and before that as Senior News Editor. “When it comes to veganism, people are so defensive; there’s so much cognitive dissonance. Vegans in pop culture are often the brunt of a joke, but we are understandably trying to advocate for the animals.” – Rachel Krantz Highlights for Episode 627: Why Rachel wanted to tell the story of her first open relationship, which was also the relationship that saw her turn vegan How personal narrative can be an essential ingredient for social change and why it is crucial to put aside our egos in telling our truth Rachel’s work at Mercy for Animals and why she needed to shift away from mainstream media to focus on animal rights reporting How Rachel and Jasmin connected based on their shared passion for animal activism The importance of creating high-quality, well-referenced content when it comes to veganism How Rachel’s memoir recounts how both veganism and her primary romantic relationship contributed to her personal development How her disordered eating played out and the impact of veganism on her relationship with food Why the polyamory community might be open to veganism Connect with Rachel Krantz: Rachel Krantz’s Website Rachel Krantz on Instagram Rachel Krantz on Twitter Open: An Uncensored Memoir of Love, Liberation, and Non-Monogamy by Rachel Krantz Recommend Open to your local library 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.

Matt Johnson of Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) is an investigator, a press coordinator, and an animal rights activist extraordinaire.  About to go to trial in Iowa on felony charges, including under Iowa’s infamous Ag Gag statute, for rescuing a piglet, now named Gilly, from certain death, he shares with us the harrowing story of entering factory farms under conditions of ventilation shutdown during the early days of the pandemic, after being tipped off by a company truck driver that animals had been left to slowly suffocate to death. He also tells us about the philosophy and legal arguments behind the Right to Rescue that DxE activists argue render their actions in rescuing animals who are at risk of suffering and death justified under well-established law.  While, in addition to Matt’s, a number of trials where this theory will be argued by the defense will be coming up in the next few months, we learn in some detail how this has played out so far under very real world circumstances with his inside look into the recent trial of Wayne Hsiung, founder of DxE, for rescuing a baby goat named Rain from a farm in North Carolina in 2018. Matt Johnson is an investigator and Press Coordinator with DxE, a global grassroots network of animal rights activists. DxE activists have rescued hundreds of animals from slaughterhouses, laboratories, and other places of violence. Matt is personally facing felony burglary charges because of his part in saving Gilly the piglet from certain death. He has also been involved in many other animal rescues and in highlighting the plight of animals facing violence and pain. “The genesis of the Iowa Select Farms case was not brought about by animal rights activists saying that they object to what’s happening inside of these facilities; it was somebody who sees it all day, every day and is part of this industry.” — Matt Johnson Highlights for Episode 626: Matt’s role in the May 2020 expose of Iowa Select Farms and its use of ventilation shutdown to kill thousands of pigs How DxE learned what was happening at Iowa Select Farms from a local truck driver for the company and how they investigated and gathered intel on the atrocity How Matt rescued Gilly the piglet from certain death and how she is today Why the police picked up Matt during a raid after the rescue, despite him offering no resistance to arrest and not being a flight risk Why the FBI seemed more interested in discrediting Matt than learning the specifics of why he removed Gilly from the farm The Ridglan Farms dog breeding and research facility case, where DxE activists rescued three beagles in 2017, and why, four years later, charges are being brought against them Additional strategies DxE is using to create systemic change Matt’s appearance on Fox Business, what inspired it, and how it played out Matt’s vision for the future on how animals and humans can live in harmony on our shared planet Connect with Matt Johnson: Direct Action Everywhere Website Matt Johnson on Twitter 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 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.