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

In this week’s parched edition of Rising Anxieties, Mariann dives into the meat industry’s growing water crisis – where aquifers are disappearing faster than industry excuses. While Texas suffers floods, livestock regions face exceptional drought conditions with vital aquifers dropping several feet annually. The meat industry’s brilliant solution? Water-free animals and air-to-water technology! Meanwhile, lab-grown salmon makes a splash in Portland’s elite dining scene, and Big Ag celebrates their latest government handout in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Turns out water isn’t the only thing the industry is draining! Aquifers in Crisis: Livestock-heavy regions facing severe drought while underground water sources drop 2-7 feet annually in key meat-producing states Meat Industry’s Water Woes: Industry insider admits animal agriculture uses “unbelievable amounts of water” with dire supply chain implications Cultivated Meat: Reluctant Savior?: Meat industry publications begrudgingly acknowledge lab-grown proteins might be their only sustainable option Sustainable Salmon Arrives: Lab-grown seafood now available (if you can get a reservation) at an exclusive Portland restaurant David vs. Goliath Delusion: Animal agriculture industry hilariously portrays itself as the “underdog” against “well-funded opposition” Disease Updates: New foot-and-mouth disease strain in Turkey; experts warn against letting bird flu spread unchecked through poultry farms Big Ag’s Windfall: Industry celebrates the “One Big Beautiful Bill” with expanded payments for feed crops and animal health tax safeguards We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this spirited episode, Jasmin introduces her newest family member—a senior Chihuahua named June—while Mariann delivers both encouraging and concerning news from the animal rights world. The duo dives into Kenny Torrella’s thought-provoking Vox article about the surprising effectiveness of showing people the reality of factory farming through well-made documentaries like Dominion, challenging current conventional wisdom about animal advocacy strategies. They celebrate Mexico’s landmark ban on marine mammals in captivity and discuss Switzerland’s new meat labeling requirements, while examining the evolving landscape of cultivated meat technology and public lands protection. Episode Highlights: Dominion’s Impact: New research suggests that showing people high-quality footage of factory farming conditions can reduce meat consumption by 12.2% Mexico Makes History: Unanimous vote bans marine mammals in captivity, affecting approximately 350 dolphins Public Lands Protected: Provision to sell public lands removed from controversial legislation Switzerland’s New Labels: The country now requires labeling of meat products from animals subjected to certain painful procedures without anesthesia Cultivated Meat Progress: Advancements in pig fat cell production could transform the market Animal Welfare Act Weakened: Supreme Court decision further limits enforcement capabilities Open Rescue and Necessity: Discussion of Mariann’s law review article examining legal defenses for animal rescuers RESOURCES Can New York keep sewage sludge out of our food system? Environmental Connections on WXXI Sen. Mike Lee removes public lands provision from Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” Mexico bans use of captive marine mammals for entertainment Pig Fat Cell Production Could Transform Lab-Grown Meat Labs Once Fined Pennies, Now Not Fined At All Is it even possible to convince people to stop eating meat? From July 1, food labels in Switzerland will have to disclose whether products of animal origin involve painful practices. The Swiss federal government has approved a series of ordinances requiring the labelling of meat, eggs and foie gras. The Real Cost of Eggs Desperate Times and Desperate Measures: When Is Rescuing Animals “Necessary?” We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the latest concerns from the animal agriculture industry—and what’s concerning us about them. From beef producers lobbying for the “Big Beautiful Bill” that would allow them to pass on up to $30 million tax-free to their heirs, to the American Butter Institute’s meltdown over Country Crock’s dairy-free products, the industry’s anxieties are showing. Plus, PETA faces royal backlash after criticizing William and Kate for breeding puppies during an animal homelessness crisis, and we examine the troubling normalization of dairy farming practices through a 4-H club story that reveals how children are taught to love calves without understanding they actually need their mothers. This episode explores: How the “Big Beautiful Bill” would permanently expand estate tax exemptions to $15 million per individual, helping animal agriculture dynasties maintain generational control of land The dairy industry’s aggressive pushback against Country Crock’s plant-based “butter” labeling PETA’s criticism of the Prince and Princess of Wales for breeding dogs while shelters are full, sparking outrage in British media The concerning way children are introduced to animal agriculture through emotional connections to calves in dairy farming Why these industry anxieties might signal potential vulnerability in the animal agriculture system   We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In a groundbreaking episode of The Animal Law Podcast, we explored radical new concepts that could fundamentally transform how constitutional law treats animals. Host Mariann Sullivan welcomed Cambridge University’s Raffael Fasel and Queen Mary University’s John Adenitire to discuss their book “Animals and the Constitution: Towards Sentience-Based Constitutionalism” – a work that challenges centuries of legal tradition by proposing constitutional frameworks that recognize the inherent worth of all sentient beings. While traditional constitutions rely on the “hypothetical consent of the governed,” this revolutionary approach acknowledges that billions of sentient beings are governed by constitutional systems but have no voice in shaping them. The authors argue for a dramatic shift from anthropocentric legal structures to ones that provide “due concern” for all creatures capable of experiencing pain, pleasure, and complex emotions. Key Discussion Points: The historical evolution of constitutionalism from divine right monarchy to modern democratic systems Why sentience, rather than rationality or autonomy, should be the foundation for constitutional worth How existing animal welfare protections in constitutions worldwide fall short of true recognition The application of proportionality principles when animal and human interests conflict Practical challenges of implementing constitutional rights for domesticated and wild animals The role of micro-boards and participatory democracy in determining animal interests Real-world examples from Ecuador’s rights of nature to Switzerland’s animal dignity provisions Why this “realistic utopia” framework offers hope for incremental progress toward comprehensive animal rights This episode challenges listeners to reconsider fundamental assumptions about law, democracy, and moral consideration – making complex constitutional theory accessible to animal advocates seeking systemic change. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Dr John Olusegun Adenitire is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London, School of Law and a Co-Director of the Forum on Decentering the Human, an inter-disciplinary research centre. He completed his PhD in Law at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge. He has held visiting research fellowships at Yale, Oxford, New York University, and Fordham University. He has published extensively on constitutional rights, discrimination law and theory, and animal rights. He teaches animal rights law, public law, legal philosophy and EU law at Queen Mary. Dr Raffael Fasel is Assistant Professor in Public Law at Cambridge University and founding Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law. Dr. Fasel is a leading voice in animal rights jurisprudence, holding degrees from Cambridge (PhD), Yale (LLM), UCL (MA Philosophy), and Fribourg (LLB, LLM). His award-winning research earned the prestigious Yorke Prize and SNSF Ambizione grant. Recent publications include More Equal Than Others: Humans and the Rights of Other Animals (Oxford 2024), Animal Rights Law (Hart 2023), and Animals and the Constitution (Oxford 2025). Expert in constitutional theory, human rights, and animal law with visiting positions at Harvard, Yale, Oxford, and NYU. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. ********** You can listen to the Animal Law Podcast directly on our website (at the top of this page) or you can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher. Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would consider making a donation or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Don’t forget to also listen to the award-winning,  weekly signature OHH podcast — now in its fifteenth glorious year!

In this lively episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann swap stories from Vermont road trips to unexpected animal activism, all while tackling the psychological framing of veganism and celebrating rare wins for wildlife. Between family dinner dynamics and debunking anti-vegan psychology, our hosts remind us why standing firm in our ethics isn’t a “psychological prison” but rather a path to integrity. This episode explores: The grassroots fight against dog tethering in Clinton County, NY, where citizens are being silenced despite overwhelming community support A critical analysis of a controversial Veg Out article claiming vegans have higher rates of depression due to “strict ethical codes” Promising new Faunalytics research showing vegan challenges lead to 10-28% retention rates and community-based approaches show significant promise A rare environmental victory as conservation efforts halt a destructive mining project near Georgia’s wildlife-rich Okefenokee Swamp Preview of the upcoming Animal Law Podcast featuring a fascinating discussion on animals and constitutional rights RESOURCES Supporters of dog tether law not ready to give up I studied why vegans have higher rates of depression and discovered a hidden psychological pattern that’s destroying careers and relationships for everyone Tactics In Practice: The Science Of Vegan Challenges Historic land deal halts mine planned next to Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

This week on Rising Anxieties, we dive into the agricultural industry’s panic attack over Trump’s flip-flopping immigration policies. From ICE raids causing dairy farm labor shortages to the bizarre 1300% surge in white South African H-2A visa workers, the industry’s self-interest is on full display. Financial institutions wielding their power against conventional animal agriculture practices The flesh-eating screwworm nightmare threatening to cross the border (at a potential $8 billion cleanup cost) Why conspiracy theorists think Trader Joe’s chicken is secretly vaccinated against bird flu (it’s not) How the industry consistently prioritizes profits over both workers and animals The success of cage-free egg pledges and the money behind them   We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

The fearless founder of Animal Recovery Mission takes no prisoners in his quest to expose the darkest corners of animal exploitation. Richard “Kudo” Couto, a former Miami Beach real estate developer turned undercover investigator, joins us to reveal how his organization infiltrates illegal slaughterhouses, exposes factory farm abuses, and challenges corporate giants like Coca-Cola’s Fairlife. From Miami’s underground horse meat trade to dairy industry horrors, Kudo shares breaking news about ARM’s ninth Fairlife investigation and explains how his team of tough-as-nails investigators risk their lives to document animal abuse that others won’t touch. This episode explores: How ARM’s investigations have led to over 1,000 felony prosecutions, targeting organized crime networks involved in illegal slaughterhouse operations The shocking truth behind Fairlife’s “humane” marketing claims and ARM’s ongoing legal battles with Coca-Cola Why ARM’s sanctuary serves as both a haven for rescued animals and rehabilitation center for investigators suffering from PTSD How ARM’s international work exposes animal sacrifice practices in countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and India The connection between masculinity and animal protection, challenging traditional notions of strength ABOUT OUR GUEST Richard “Kudo” Couto founded the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) in 2010 after retiring from Miami Beach real estate development. As a leading undercover investigator, Kudo exposes the most violent animal abuse operations worldwide. ARM has conducted record-breaking investigations resulting in over 1,000 felony prosecutions, including the largest dairy farm and animal agriculture investigations in history. Their work has shut down 75+ illegal slaughterhouses and numerous animal fighting operations across the globe. An Emmy Award-winner, Kudo collaborates with the FBI, DEA, and environmental agencies to ensure justice for abused animals. His investigations have been featured in documentaries and news stories worldwide, most recently exposing Coca-Cola owned Fairlife milk’s dairy operations throughout the United States. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

This week on The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore the ethical complexities of “slaughter-free” dairy, the alarming push to sell public lands, and the passing of vegan pioneer John Robbins. Between tales of their recent adventure to Lily Dale (a town of spiritualists) and the Lucille Ball Museum, they dive into why even the most humane dairy operations ultimately prove that veganism is the only sustainable path forward. Why the $18/gallon “slaughter-free” milk from Gita Valley Dairy demonstrates the fundamental unsustainability of animal agriculture, even at its most ethical How public land sales threaten wild animals and biodiversity, connecting animal rights to broader environmental justice issues The profound legacy of John Robbins, whose groundbreaking book “Diet for a New America” created a framework connecting personal health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare Why consent and agency should be central concepts when discussing animal rights, especially when reaching younger generations RESOURCES The War on Public Lands Rising Anxieties: Big Ag’s Immigration Racket Here’s What It Takes to Produce Slaughter-Free Milk John Robbins, Author of ‘Diet for a New America’, Dies at 77 We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

This week, Mariann Sullivan dives into the disturbing synergy between immigration policies and the meat industry, exposing a system designed to exploit vulnerable workers. From the Trump administration’s extension of dangerous line speed waivers to the calculated immigration “crisis” that may lead to even more exploitative visa programs, the podcast reveals how Big Ag thrives on maintaining a vulnerable workforce. With line speeds doubling over the past half-century while wages have plummeted by 50% since 1975, workers—many undocumented—face crippling injuries and dangerous conditions while processing animals at breakneck speeds of up to six per minute. Immigration raids seemingly targeting farms may be part of a larger strategy to revise H2A visas  30-50% of meat industry workers are undocumented, with foreign-born workers comprising 60-90% in some industries in some states Ohio House unanimously passed a bill targeting plant-based alternatives and potentially banning lab-grown meat from schools and food stamp eligibility Recent food safety concerns include 92,000 pounds of recalled milk and a salmonella outbreak from eggs affecting seven states We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

In this captivating conversation, media strategist Natalie Fulton reveals how she’s transformed animal advocacy through her work at Pro Animal Future and her popular YouTube channel. Moving beyond the typical vegan food content, Natalie shares her journey from pandemic-inspired vegan to digital storyteller activist who successfully brings animal rights messaging to mainstream audiences. From her strategic shift toward political advocacy through ballot initiatives to her undercover infiltration of meat industry propaganda programs, Natalie offers a refreshing blend of humor, stoic philosophy, and practical wisdom for creating meaningful change in a challenging media landscape. Episode Highlights: The strategic shift from “consumer frame” to “civic frame” in animal advocacy Tips for growing a successful social media presence that reaches beyond vegans Behind-the-scenes insights from Pro Animal Future’s ballot initiative campaigns Parallels between the gay marriage movement and animal rights strategies Natalie’s hilarious infiltration of the “Masters of Beef Advocacy” program Understanding Gen Z’s approach to veganism and plant-based eating How stoic philosophy helps maintain resilience when facing criticism The power of having multiple vegans in social groups to normalize compassionate choices ABOUT OUR GUEST Natalie Fulton serves as the Media and Content Lead at Pro-Animal Future, where she leverages her creative talents to amplify messages of compassion for animals. A dedicated activist for four years, Natalie has established herself as an engaging public speaker who effectively communicates complex animal rights issues with clarity and conviction. She’s known for her versatile social media content that ranges from informative, educational videos to her signature humorous takes. Through her work, Natalie demonstrates how strategic digital storytelling can help build bridges and create meaningful change for animals. We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ 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. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! 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. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.