Freedom of Species

This show features cricketing legend and Veganuary ambassador Jason “Dizzy” Gillespie on the growing number of cricketers becoming vegan, reflections on his cricket career, the documentary Earthlings, challenging speciesism (discrimination based on species), the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement and Indigenous veganism.   Links for the show: Follow Gillespie on Twitter and Instagram @dizzy259 Watch Earthlings: http://www.nationearth.com/ Gillespie’s tweet supporting Black Lives Matter and challenging “All Lives Matter” messaging: https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/jason-gillespie-calls-out-cricket-great-rodney-hogg-for-all-lives-matter-twitter-post/news-story/59100c27f5ecf0bb27ba414bca8fe4a0 Veganuary: https://au.veganuary.com/ Emma Hurst’s interview with Gillespie: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2630628270540227

We chat with Dr Matthew Selinske, a postdoctoral research associate, in the ICON (Interdisciplinary Conservation) Science Research Group at RMIT University. We discuss some work that Matthew has published about what interventions are likely to have the biggest impact on reducing the consumption of cow flesh.You can find the article through this link, We have a steak in it: Eliciting interventions to reduce beef consumption and its impact on biodiversity.You can find out more about Matthew at his website.

On this show we’re joined by animal activist and sociologist Roger Yates. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including: his activism with the Vegan Information Project, online activism in a time when other forms of activism are less possible, challenging an “animals only” mindset in the movement, the animal rights versus welfare debate, and using humour in advocacy.  Links:Roger Yates on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3l9bhw6n-Ry5xvcDYTArQThe Animal Rights Show: https://www.facebook.com/TheAnimalRightsShow/ The Vegan Information Project: https://www.facebook.com/theveganinformationproject/

We chat with Professor Hank Rothgerber from Bellarmine University, Kentucky, USA, about his research about human-animal interactions in the context of food choices. Through his work Hank aim’s to address how people psychologically approach eating animals.We discuss Hanks recent paper, ‘Meat-related cognitive dissonance: A conceptual framework for understanding how meat eaters reduce negative arousal from eating animals’.

We’re joined by comedian Myq Kaplan who discusses comedy and veganism. Check out Myq Kaplan's new album of stand-up comedy ‘A.K.A.’ at: https://www.blondemedicine.com/aka Look into all of his comedy at: http://myqkaplan.com/

We speak with Dr Mia Cobb about how people think about dogs. Mia is an animal welfare scientists researches dog welfare and human perceptions of dogs.Follow Mia on twitter @DoYouBelieveInDog.

We're joined by sociologist Corey Wrenn who discusses the impact coronavirus/COVID-19 has had on animals, as well as the role of eating animals in this virus and many other diseases.  For more on this issue, have a look at the publications on COVID-19 and animals for the Animals and Society Section of the American Sociological Association: https://www.asanet.org/asa-communities/sections/sites/animals-and-society/covid-19 You can also read Vegan Australia’s article on the connection between coronavirus and eating animals: https://www.veganaustralia.org.au/coronavirus_and_other_diseases_caused_by_animal_farming_and_hunting Plus take a look at Corey Wrenn's website: http://www.coreyleewrenn.com/ The image used for this episode is artwork by Shannon Waite, which forms a part of the collection of publications on COVID-19 and animals referred to above.

On this show we discuss the horror/comedy play ‘Scary Goats Tour’ with the producer of the play Chloe Towan and cast member Dominik Shields. You can find more information about this play on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scarygoatstourYou can buy tickets here: https://thebutterflyclub.com/show/scary-goats-tour We also cover the coronavirus and how it has impacted those in the arts. Here is a link to the article referred to on the importance of social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus: https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca Finally, we mention the recent escape from animal testing by the baboon Alfred and his two companions. You can sign a petition calling for an end to animal testing in New South Wales here: https://www.emmahurstmp.com/end_animal_testing

This show features environmental activist Mark Allen on working together across different social movements, particularly in light of recent tensions between environmental and animal movements. There are also some interviews with activists who were addressing the environmental impact of animal agriculture at the Climate Crisis: National Day of Action - Melbourne. Links for the show: Sources on the environmental impact of animal agriculture: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/2/20/21144017/local-food-carbon-footprint-climate-environmenthttps://www.slideshare.net/NickPendergrast/achieving-environmental-liberation-through-animal-liberation-by-adam-cardilini Some examples of broader messaging around tackling the environmental impact of animal agriculture, rather than/as well as messaging focusing on individual change: https://www.facebook.com/freedomofspecies/posts/3404413492918470https://www.facebook.com/freedomofspecies/photos/a.264987433527774/3406047046088448/?type=1&theater Some Facebook groups that our guest Mark Allen is involved in:Holistic Activism and Behaviour Change: https://www.facebook.com/groups/211194752603900/Regenerative Vegan: https://www.facebook.com/groups/520852854988915/ You can hear Mark discussing Holistic Activism on a previous Freedom of Species show: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode-201807011300/mark-allen-%E2%80%93-holistic-activism You can hear speeches from the Climate Crisis: National Day of Action- Melbourne: https://archive.org/details/climaterally

We speak with Rochelle and Maria from Animal Activists Australia about the work they have been doing to bring the agricultural transition issue to the climate movement. They are working as climate activists to present animal agriculture as another key issue to address in order to create a safe climate.