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

We’re so honored to welcome Anita Krajnc and Nicola Harris to help us start off 2022 with dynamic and effective activism for animals and the planet! Anita is the co-founder of Animal Save Movement and Nicola serves as the nonprofit’s Director of Communications. They talk about their decision to establish climate- and health-focused chapters of Animal Save Movement, in addition to the animal rights chapter, in order to connect with a larger audience. They also share why, as part of the climate chapter, Animal Save Movement has launched the Plant Based Treaty, an international movement fighting for a treaty that will center food systems in the fight against climate change. They also tell us how they are currently working to gather grassroots support from communities around the globe so that, ultimately, the treaty can be positioned as a companion to the Paris Agreement. They also share with us their related efforts to end animal-gifting programs that provide communities in developing nations around the world with farmed animals. Anita Krajnc co-founded Animal Save Movement with the mission of spreading the idea that we all have a moral duty to bear witness, end animal agriculture, and reforest the earth. Animal Save Movement first launched in December 2010. Toronto Pig Save came soon after, after Anita adopted her dog, Mr. Bean. Anita Krajnc is a co-founder of Toronto Pig Save. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Toronto and her doctoral thesis was based on the role of scientific knowledge and public education in building international environmental regimes.  Nicola Harris is a communications director at Animal Save Movement. She became a vegan activist and Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaigner in 2002. When she took on the role of communications in 2007, Nicola became a victim of state repression and, alongside other campaigners, received a prison sentence for her activism under controversial and undemocratic legislation targeting freedom of expression. Nicola is currently a core participant in a UK Government inquiry into the policing of protests and is listed in the miscarriage of justice category. “Having something slightly less bad is not an option—this is code red for humanity.” —Nicola Harris “The root cause of our climate crisis is how we treat other animals. Once we change that, then we’ll move toward a completely different way of living on the planet, where we have forests we co-habitat with other species.” – Anita Krajnc Highlights for Episode 625: The goals and mission of the Plant Based Treaty The three principles of the Plant Based Treaty, who needs to sign it, and the strategy for turning the powerful principles into policy How the Fossil Fuel Treaty campaign has been a model for how to offer solutions to the life-threatening climate crisis The short term solutions that animal agriculture is offering to combat climate change and why they won’t work Why everybody should be taking the plant-based treaty to their local representatives and urging them to take action How Animal Save Movement is helping people all over the world pressure their politicians Suggestions for policies that cities and towns can institute  Why Anita and Nicole are excited about New York City having a plant-based mayor Where people can find out more about the Plant Based Treaty and how to sign it The recent UN Climate Change Conference, how they managed to deny science, and why their disappointing conclusions have made grassroots action even more critical What the Stop Animal Gifting campaign entails and why they are so passionate about ending the practice How Anita and Nicola respond to arguments that plant-based diets undermine the traditions and freedoms of indigenous peoples The importance of bearing witness to animals’ suffering by holding vigils Connect with Anita Krajnc & Nicola Harris: Animal Save Movement Plant Based Treaty Animal Save Movement on Instagram Animal Save Movement on Facebook Animal Save Movement on Twitter Animal Save Movement on TikTok Animal Save Movement on YouTube Plant Based Treaty on Instagram Plant Based Treaty on Facebook Plant Based Treaty on Twitter Plant Based Treaty 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 invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

Father Massimo da Qumran of the Sacred Order of the Hesychasts of San Giovanni Climaco, a spiritual community with residences near Milan and Florence, joins the podcast for this Christmas episode. He shares with us how he practices Christianity, how that practice relates to animals and veganism, and why religion often neglects the relationship between God and animals and their purpose on Earth. A priest and monk in the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, with a belief system rooted in the very early practice of Christianity by the Essenes, Father Massimo explains his belief in the equality of humans and animals. He illustrates how he and others practice this belief by keeping animals off their plates, rescuing animals from slaughterhouses, running animal sanctuaries, rehabilitating wildlife, and incorporating animals into prayer. The Sacred Order of the Hesychasts of San Giovanni Climaco teaches people to truly connect with themselves to experience a deeper relationship with God and nature. Among their outreach efforts, during the ongoing pandemic, they launched a vegan food program for the surrounding community and increased their digital outreach efforts, helping them grow their community. Father Massimo belongs to the Sacred Order of the Hesychasts of San Giovanni Climaco established by Archiepiscopal Decree and belonging to the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht. Members of this community do not eat meat or fish and believe in the equality of humans and animals. The community is part of the religious and spiritual tradition of the Christian Church of the East, that values above all the spiritual development of man, a contemplative life of quiet prayer, and attaining a mystical union with the Divine. Their two residential communities, Eremo degli Angeli and Montecuccoli Abbey, where Father Massimo is based, include animal sanctuaries and accept visitors who are interested in cultivating a lifestyle based on respect for nature, for others, and for animals. Very special thanks to Julia Klauss to providing translation for portions of Father Massimo’s interview. To listen to the entire interview, complete with full Italian replies, click here. “Jesus Christ came for animals, too.” —Father Massimo Highlights for Episode 624: How the Sacred Order of the Hesychasts of San Giovanni Climaco teaches people how to connect with themselves, and through this, experience a connection with God How the order incorporates respect for all beings into everyday life Living alongside animals rescued from slaughterhouses  Their special program for international volunteers to help care for the animals who live at Montecuccoli Abbey, near Florence How veganism relates to Christianity Why the Order considers eating animals to be a sin Online activities that expanded during the pandemic and how their community grew by hundreds of people who then visited the Abbey and took courses with the Sacred Order of the Hesychasts of San Giovanni Climaco How widespread veganism is in Italy and whether people are becoming more interested in adopting a diet without animals Why Father Massimo and the Order are working on a television ad regarding our relationship with animals and how that integrates into their advocacy efforts How the Sacred Order celebrates Christmas How you can visit the monastery or learn more about its work Connect with Father Massimo: Abbey of Montecuccoli Website Hermitage of the Angels Website 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 invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

The trailblazing Monica Chen, Executive Director of Factory Farming Awareness Coalition (FFAC), joins the podcast this week for an inside look into how the nonprofit is working to change the world for animals through education and mentorship. FFAC has recently shifted its educational programming to focus on high school and college students, and is seeing outstanding results.  Also, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, FFAC’s outreach and programming continues to inform the public about the enormous harms of animal agriculture to animals, the environment, and human health.  Among other strategies, they are connecting with community and religious organizations to deepen relationships and open minds about what’s really happening behind closed doors in our broken food system. Monica Chen is is responsible for overseeing FFAC’s administration, programs, and strategic planning. She joined the team in 2018 and helped found the organization’s intern program. Before joining FFAC, Monica worked in residential environmental education, taught sexual health, and served as an instructor for the Prison University Project at San Quentin. She currently volunteers her time as a crisis support counselor, and her activism is focused on the interconnectedness of social justice issues. Monica also loves walking and spending time with her guinea pig, Emcee. “It’s so much more powerful when students come to their own conclusions and recognize the impact they can have in choosing to eat differently and partaking in various campaigns. We’re thinking about systemic solutions, institutional solutions, and individual solutions.” – Monica Chen Highlights for Episode 623: Topics covered in FFAC’s programs for students, educators, and individuals How FFAC connects with students via the Student Mentorship Program and why linking high school students with college student mentors has proved so beneficial on an individual and organizational level How 2020 changed the way the organization conducts outreach activities What prompted the FFAC team to reflect and be intentional about what they wanted to achieve How they pivot their messaging so it resonates with each unique audience The importance of networking to spread the message of equality for animals Why Monica was initially reluctant to call herself an animal-rights activist and how her perspective changed Why diversity and inclusivity in the animal-rights movement is essential The importance of meeting people where they are at Monica’s belief that people are starting to become more aware of the connections between animal agriculture and climate change Why labor conditions in the animal agriculture industry resonate so profoundly with people Growing awareness of the relationships between food justice and racial justice Monica’s personal experience as a Chinese-American woman in a leadership role in the animal rights movement How Monica makes sure to hold space for the emotional experiences of the young people that she works with Connect with Monica Chen: Factory Farming Awareness Coalition Website Factory Farming Awareness Coalition on Facebook Factory Farming Awareness Coalition on Instagram Factory Farming Awareness Coalition 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! We invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

Keegan Kuhn and John Lewis, the remarkable filmmakers behind the new documentary, They’re Trying to Kill Us, join the podcast this week for a critical conversation about the deadly effects of the meat-centric standard American diet, how it impacts Black communities with particular harshness, and how hip-hop artists are a crucial part of the movement to save Black lives through diet change. In our discussion of the film, which is executive produced by vegan NBA player Chris Paul and vegan Grammy Award-winner Billie Eilish, Keegan and John share why they see hip-hop as such an important tool for the empowerment and survival of Black communities and why artists of the genre—such as Mýa, Ne-Yo, Styles P., and Mathematics from the Wu-Tang Clan (all featured in the film)—are so passionate about the need to change what people eat.  We talk about intentionality, whether there’s an effort to destroy Black communities through a lack of nutritional education, and, regardless of intent, that the obvious bottom line is that profits consistently are considered more important than people. We also discuss the questions that arise regarding communicating the facts of animal abuse when a film centers primarily on the health impacts of an animal-centered diet. Keegan Kuhn is the award-winning co-director of the highly acclaimed documentary film Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret, which was executive produced for Netflix by Leonardo DiCaprio, What The Health, executive produced by Joaquin Phoenix, and Running For Good: The Fiona Oakes Documentary, executive produced by James Cromwell. He is also the owner and operator of First Spark Media, a digital film production company tailored to creating films for social justice. Fitness expert John Lewis has spent over two decades in the health industry and played Division I college basketball. His education in business coupled with his love for health and fitness gave him the ability to start his venture – Bad Ass Vegan – a health and nutrition company that strives to educate individuals on plant based nutrition.  Together, John and Keegan have teamed up to create They’re Trying to Kill Us, which seeks answers to why Americans of color suffer from disproportionately higher rates of chronic disease and explores the links between food, disease, race, poverty, and institutional racism. “Veganism is the biggest middle finger you can give the government. What better way to show a system—that wants to keep you sick, down, and unhealthy—who’s the boss than to be healthy, happy and thriving.” – John Lewis “Veganism is social justice, and social justice is veganism. I think we have to see that all forms of oppression are connected. If you care about non-human animals, and that’s the reason why you’re vegan, you should also care about human animals as well and the oppression that they face.” – Keegan Kuhn Highlights for Episode 622: Why the influence of hip-hop as a way to spread the vegan message intrigued John and made him believe that it could be an important tool to reach people Why some of the artists featured in the film became vegans after filming The hip-hop artists in the movie, including Mýa, Neo, Styles P., and Mathematics from the Wu-Tang Clang Why systemic racism and political issues that are explored within hip-hop are the centerpiece of the film and how veganism connects to them Why it is important that white people should go vegan to undermine racism, and why it’s a tough connection for a lot of people to make Why John was inspired to engage in activism and why he decided that this was going to be the way he was going to change the world How John’s mother’s illness has made him feel about the repercussions of the lack of nutritional information and healthy food available in Black communities Why John and Keegan have both dedicated themselves to putting information out there and helping people reach their own solutions Why they talk only tangentially about the conditions of animals in the documentary Follow the film: They’re Trying to Kill Us documentary They’re Trying to Kill Us on Facebook They’re Trying to Kill Us on Instagram Connect with John Lewis: John’s Website John on Instagram John on Facebook John on YouTube Connect with Keegan: Keegan on Instagram Keegan on Facebook First Spark Media Website 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 invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Tracye McQuirter, MPH, back to the podcast this week to discuss her remarkable program: 10 Million Black Vegan Women. Initially launched last year as 10,000 Black Vegan Women, Tracye is back after she realized she had been thinking too small about how many people this accessible, online program could reach. So, after exceeding expectations by helping 15,000 Black women go vegan the first time around, this time her improved and expanded plan will help 1 million Black women adopt a plant-based lifestyle every year for the next 10 years. In discussing this not-for-profit program, much of which will be available for free, Tracye talks about why Black women are in the midst of a health crisis and how a shift in diet can positively impact so many chronic health conditions.  But her goals are not just related to individual health. She also shares why the Black Lives Matter movement has played a role in incentivizing people to think seriously about adopting a plant-based lifestyle and how changing one’s diet can open one up to so many social justice issues, including animal rights. Tracye McQuirter is a vegan change agent, award-winning public health nutritionist, speaker, and best-selling author of By Any Greens Necessary, the first vegan diet book for Black women. In 2020, Tracye created the 10,000 Black Vegan Women program, which encourages women to go vegan for 21 days and experience the extraordinary health benefits of the plant-based lifestyle. Tracye was a health advisor for the Black Women’s Health Imperative, an advisor for the Spelman College Wellness Revolution, an adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia Center for Nutrition, Diet, and Health, and the program director of the first federally funded vegan nutrition program. “I would love for half of the women, half of the Black women in the United States—Black women and girls—to go vegan in 10 years.” – Tracy McQuirter Highlights for Episode 621: Why COVID-19 highlighted the health and social issues Black women face How the results of the 10,000 Black Vegan Women program encouraged Tracye to launch a campaign with the goal of reaching 10 million women What it’s like participating in the 10 Million Black Vegan Women program, including recipes, exercise advice, and guest speakers Tracye’s vision for her next ten years in promoting the vegan lifestyle Tracye’s future plans to start a certification program for Black women to be trained as vegan coaches for other women The major obstacles that people face when first trying a plant-based diet Why Tracye believes that veganism is both a personal and a political act Tracye’s blueprint for eating a healthy, affordable vegan diet Connect with Tracye McQuirter: 10 Million Black Vegan Women Website 10 Million Black Vegan Women on Instagram By Any Greens Necessary Website Tracye on Facebook Tracye on Instagram Tracye 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! We invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

Wow! We are truly over the moon to be joined this week by the incredibly talented actress and activist, Evanna Lynch, who you undoubtedly recognize from her role as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films. Yup, you read that right! A passionate vegan animal rights advocate, Evanna joins Jasmin for a thought-provoking conversation that ranges from advocacy approaches, to overcoming challenges through self-reflection, to the power of personal narrative, to her personal history with disordered eating, and so much more. In discussing her recently released memoir The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, Evanna gets personal, opening up about her inspiration to write a book that shifts the narrative regarding eating disorders from the physical aspects to the existential pain of the disease. She also shares the scoop about her podcast, ChickPeeps, and how it showcases vegan living in an uplifting way. Evanna Lynch made her film debut in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and reprised her role in subsequent sequels to critical praise, concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. As an activist, she advocates for veganism and animal rights and has launched both a vegan-themed podcast and the cruelty-free cosmetics brand, Kinder Beauty. Evanna’s new memoir, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting, reveals how she overcame a life-threatening eating disorder, began to conquer her self-hate, and confronted her fear of leaving girlhood for the unpredictable journey of being a woman. “Veganism can be such a healing device for people; it can also give people a sense of purpose—a purpose for their eating that is an extension of their values, their heart, and their sensitivity.” – Evanna Lynch Highlights: Why Evanna initially felt nervous about sharing her experiences in The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting Why Evanna was so surprised that so many people were interested in her memoir — particularly her mother’s neighbors! The parallels between writing and acting Evanna’s thoughts on the mindset of people who hide disordered eating behind veganism How the ‘crowding out ‘method of moving to a plant-based diet works Evanna’s reaction to the fact that so many eating disorder treatment facilities refuse to cater to vegans The animals who shared Evanna’s childhood and the role they played in shaping her relationship with animals. Evanna’s podcast ChickPeeps and some of the favorite subjects explored on the show The Kinder Beauty Box subscription and why Evanna was motivated to co-found the self-care service The back story behind Evanna’s short film, You Eat Other Animals, and where listeners can watch it Connect with Evanna Lynch: Evanna’s website Evanna on Instagram The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy and The Glory of Growing Up; A Memoir by Evanna Lynch ChickPeeps Podcast Kinder Beauty Box You Eat Other Animals? short film 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 invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

Welcome to this very special holiday episode in which we present Sanctuary: A Radio Play, an annual Thanksgiving tradition at Our Hen House! This special performance marks the world premiere of John Yunker’s Sanctuary at New York City’s Symphony Space during the Culture & Animals Foundation’s Compassion Arts Festival. We were thrilled to have been a part of this witty, engaging, and incisive production that portrays the different journeys we embark on when we begin to learn about animal exploitation. Here at Our Hen House, we are longtime proponents of theater as a tool for vegan advocacy; the medium serves as a lens into human behavior and allows the audience to safely explore their feelings around animal equality and why they choose to eat animals. A dark comedy, Sanctuary tells the story of Richard (John Frusciante) and Lisa (Mariann Sullivan), a happily married couple whose blissful retirement to small-town Oregon is thrown into disarray when Lisa suddenly decides to go vegan and insists on celebrating Thanksgiving without a turkey AND alongside her new friend and animal activist, Meg (Jasmin Singer). Husband Richard invites his unsuspecting buddy Charley (Michael Harren), who also happens to be the local exterminator, in the hopes of forcing Lisa to stick with the traditional meal. The resulting tensions soon push relationships over the edge. Sanctuary tells the story behind the struggles and joys of navigating vegan ethics around loved ones who don’t quite understand. (Sound effects are by Emmy winner Eric Milano.) “When we think of animal-rights activism, we often think of protests. But equally vivid conflicts are taking place over dining room tables and in restaurants and at barbecues.” – John Yunker 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 invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

The remarkable Katja M. Guenther, PhD joins the podcast this week for an eye-opening interview about companion animal shelters and their practices, and the intersections of poverty, race, stigma, and animals. This is an interview you won’t want to miss. Dr. Guenther, a sociologist and author of The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals, describes her three years of ethnographic research at a high-intake shelter in Los Angeles and uses what she learned there to discuss the dichotomy between our love for the animals we claim to treat as our best friends and our continued use of shelter killing as a ‘solution’ to unhoused companion animals who live in underserved communities. She breaks down how shelters may deflect blame onto what they characterize as “irresponsible owners” instead of looking at the social problems that give rise to situations which result in harsh, and often deadly, outcomes for animals.  She also discusses acts of resistance by both the humans and the animals in the shelter and explains why she believes animal rescue and shelter advocates should be doing more to end poverty. Katja M. Guenther is a Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies at the University of California, Riverside. Her main areas of research, writing, and activism are feminist politics and the human exploitation of non-human animals. Her newest book, The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals, is the 2021 recipient of the Distinguished Book Award given by the American Sociological Association’s Section on Animals & Society. She is currently developing a feminist analysis of how rescuers of companion and free-roaming animals represent and negotiate those relationships. She is also researching the roles community (“feral”) cats occupy in low-income communities and the relationships they build with human caregivers. “People who are involved in animal rescue—if they’re truly committed to helping companion animals stay with their original guardians […] and avoiding the severing or disruption of relationships with companion animals—absolutely need to be doing more to work against poverty.” – Katja Guenther Highlights: The dramatic contrast between what happens to animals in wealthier communities when they lose their homes, as opposed to those in poor communities. How pit bulls epitomize attitudes towards Black masculinity and how shelter policies against pit bulls can act to discriminate racially Adverse conditions that pit bulls experience at the shelter, regardless of any kind of behavior testing How not to fall into the trap of equating poverty with irresponsibility towards companion animals Resistance, both from humans and animals, to policies within animal shelters How mourning becomes an act of defiance Connect with Katja Guenther: Katja Guenther’s Website Katja Guenther on Instagram Katja Guenther 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! We invite you to join our end-of-year matching campaign where your donations will be TRIPLED, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000, between now and December 31! 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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.

This week, Our Hen House is excited to welcome two amazing guests to the show, each an inspirational example of what is happening at the grassroots of the vegan movement! Our first guest, animal rights activist (and flock member!) Sue Fischer joins us to discuss the damage cattle ranchers and dairy farmers are inflicting on the land and wildlife of California’s Point Reyes National Seashore. She explains why politicians don’t seem to be paying attention to local residents and animal advocates who are questioning the practice. Sue also describes the collaboration between activists, private citizens, biologists, photographers, conservationists, and others who share the common cause of saving the National Seashore and saving all of its inhabitants, including the iconic and rare Tule Elk. Related to the campaign, Our Hen House is also honored to share a very moving song written by talented musician (and also flock member!) Charity Kahn and her band The Invisible Bee. The Tule Elk Song supports the movement to save the indigenous elk in Point Reyes National Park from the threat of starvation and murder as a result of the private ranching industry’s stronghold on our public lands.  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. Our second guest on today’s show, Dr. Judy Brangman, is a board-certified internal medicine and lifestyle medicine physician. An advocate for whole food plant-based diets, Dr. Judy is affectionately known as “The Plant Based MD.” She joins us to share her extensive knowledge of plant-based nutrition and gives us the inside scoop into the medical profession. She describes about how she became involved in promoting the plant-based lifestyle (both virtually and in person), the goals of her practice, and her experience with COVID-19. Dr. Judy also shares how making small changes towards changing your diet can have a significant impact on your health. As the founder and owner of Newell Health, a lifestyle medicine company, Dr. Judy Brangman helps individuals make effective lifestyle changes that can prevent and reverse chronic diseases. She is mindful of medication interactions and aims to help her patients minimize their medication dependence as much as possible. A native of Bermuda, Dr. Judy obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wake Forest School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency at East Carolina University/Vidant Hospital. It was during residency when she saw the devastating consequences that poor health can have from a physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual standpoint, that she began to search for ways to prevent chronic diseases. It was then that she first learned about plant-based nutrition. Since then Dr. Judy has gone on to obtain a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.  “The goal is that hopefully sooner than later, the Tule elk will be free because it is heartbreaking to know that these animals are suffering the way that they are.” – Sue Fischer “Most patients have chronic conditions that evidence has shown could be improved with better diet and lifestyle changes. Some of them can be prevented and even potentially reversed … when you change your eating.” – Dr. Judy Brangman Highlights: The history of the persecution of the Tule elk in California Why bringing the attention of animal agriculture issues to major media markets is so critical How the Tule elk demonstrate the interconnectedness of the exploitation of farmed animals and the devastation of wild animals. The environmental and welfare impact on the Tule elk of fencing them in Why the Tule elk are a political issue, and what the current administration is doing (or not doing) to support their interests Why even winning a lawsuit to remove ranching from the national park hasn’t had any effect Judy’s advice on the best way for a doctor to incorporate advice on diet into their practice Why physicians have so little training on diet and nutrition A sneak peek into Dr. Judy’s new plant-based eating course Spreading the word on the vegan diet and how to introduce the idea to your community and social circle Judy’s personal experience of COVID-19 how it changed her approach with her patients Medication dependency and how it interacts with diet How your skin can serve as an essential barometer for knowing whether what you’re eating is serving you or not Resources: The Shame of Point Reyes Documentary on YouTube The Tule Elk Song Tule Elk: The Killing of a Native Species Connect with Our Guests: Save Point Reyes National Seashore The Plant Based MD website The Plant Based MD on Facebook The Plant Based MD on Instagram Charity Kahn’s The Invisible Bee website Charity Kahn’s JamJamJam website 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! Last weekend 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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 tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

The extraordinary Crystal Heath, DVM, joins the podcast this week for a desperately needed conversation about the veterinary profession and the alarming attitude of so many of its members toward animal rights. Dr. Heath, who is a vegan animal rights activist herself, shares shocking truths about the influence the animal agriculture industry holds over veterinary schools across the country. In fact, the very industry killing billions of farmed animals is shaping the vets of tomorrow. Dr. Heath also tells us about Our Honor, the organization she founded to provide support for veterinarians who want to buck the system, and shares her incredible activist efforts, including how she’s helping veterinary students advocate for more humane medical practices, how she’s empowering other vegan veterinarians, how she’s challenging the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and how she and other veterinarians are fighting to stop the hideously cruel practice of ventilation shutdown. Dr. Crystal Heath is a resident of Berkeley, California, and a graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She currently works in shelter medicine and high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter. She has a lifelong love of animals and enjoys volunteering in rural communities and providing veterinary services to needy populations. Dr. Heath is on the founding committee of Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown, urging the AVMA to re-classify ventilation shutdown as a “not recommended” depopulation method. She is also the founder of Vet Harmony, a veterinary practice providing accessible care and educating the public, and Our Honor, an organization empowering animal professionals who want to speak their conscience and create more ethical systems within the field. “We have to get the conversation going and talk with veterinary medical associations about envisioning the future of animals that doesn’t rely on exploitation. That future exists.” – Dr. Crystal Heath  Interview Highlights: Why certain veterinary schools continue to kill healthy animals to practice surgical techniques and how students are working tirelessly to bring that practice to an end The prevalence of imposter syndrome in veterinary school and how it harms animals How future veterinarians can learn everything they need to know without harming animals Why Dr. Heath believes that ventilation shutdown could be a turning point in opening veterinarians’ eyes to what is going on in the animal agriculture industry Why veterinarians and the AVMA need to help build connections to animal rights groups to create a future for animals where fewer animals are hurt Why the future involves investing our money in plant-based alternatives rather than pouring funds into slaughterhouses How advocates can connect with veterinarians for expert guidance and advice Connect with Crystal Heath: Dr. Heath on Twitter Dr. Heath on Instagram Veterinarians Against Ventilation Shutdown Website Our Honor Website Vet Harmony Website The Green Pill 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! Last weekend 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.  Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a  nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! If you’re a regular listener and would like to connect with us more personally, we invite you to join our flock for $10/month or $100/year. So, if you enjoy our podcasts, 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. __________________________ 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 tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.