Hope for the Animals

On this episode, we switch things up and our host, Hope Bohanec, is interviewed by Michele Granberg of Animal Activism Collective, AAC. Today we are sharing with you a recording of Hope being interviewed by Michele for the Animal Liberation Hour Podcast where they talk about Hope’s activist origin story, why she started her nonprofit Compassionate Living, and her thoughts on exposing humanewashing and speciesism. Hope also gets into the spiritual aspect of veganism and nonviolence revealing parallels to Dharma traditions and she talks about Ahimsa, a Sanskrit term meaning non-harming. Resources:Animal Activism CollectiveThe Animal Liberation Hour PodcastHumane Hoax Project Online Panel Discussion, July 19, More info and registration here.Hope’s books:The Ultimate Betrayal: Is There Happy Meat?The Humane Hoax: Essays Exposing the Myth of Happy Meat, Humane Dairy, and Ethical Eggs

On this episode Hope talks with author John Sanbonmatsu about his new book The Omnivore’s Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves. This engaging book covers a variety of philosophical aspects of meat-eating culture, offers insight into our fraught relationship with farmed animal and explores the importance of incorporating love into our ethics. John and Hope discuss humanewashing and the deception around the reality of animal farming, the cognitive dissonance of loving and eating animals, and how eating meat is an aspect  of the US culture wars. They also debate a pessimistic vs. optimistic view of the trajectory of the last few decades of vegan and animal activism. John Sanbonmatsu is a Professor of Philosophy at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, where he teaches ethics and politics, among other topics.   He is the author of The Postmodern Prince and editor of the book Critical Theory and Animal Liberation. His new book, The Omnivore’s Deception:  What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves (New York University Press) challenges the myth of "enlightened" omnivorism and the idea that we can have our meat and our conscience too.  MUSICAL BONUS:At the conclusion of the episode, we share with you a new song by vegan musician Brent Ratkovich titled “Trying.” This beautiful song is a heartfelt love letter to farmed animals that conveys a profound vegan message.Resources:Book: The Omnivore’s DeceptionHumane Hoax Panel Discussion: July 19, information and registration here: https://www.humanehoax.org/upcoming-eventBrent Ratkovich: preview and purchase music: brentratkovich.bandcamp.comSupport this Podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

In this episode, we explore the psychological aspects of living vegan on our social, emotional, and even spiritual psychology. Angela Crawford, the author of “The Vegan Transformation: A Journey to Heal Yourself and the World,” shares her research having interviewed hundreds of vegans to uncover common themes related to the benefits and challenges of living vegan. She talks about value alignment, the different stages of readiness for people to hear the vegan message, and the importance of including ourselves in our circle of compassion. Angela Crawford, Ph.D. is a psychologist, vegan educator, and author of The Vegan Transformation: A Journey to Heal Yourself and the World (Lantern, 2025). She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and previously worked as a psychotherapist for 25 years, empowering clients toward greater holistic well-being. She is certified as a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator (MSVA), licensed PCRM Food for Life instructor, and Transformational Coach. Resources:Angela’s WebsiteBuy the Book from LanternSocial media links:  @angelacrawfordphd on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedInSupport this Podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

Fires, hurricanes, floods—animals are also victims of recent unprecedented natural disasters. Diana Hulet, an environmental writer and animal photojournalist, shares her experience documenting the destruction of the recent LA fires and its impact on animals. She witnessed distressed wildlife, people risking their lives to protect animals, and participated in animal rescues. Diana and Hope discuss the climate crisis and how all these recent “un-natural” disasters are fueled by human actions. Diana also shares her personal contemplative practice, which helps her navigate the difficult subject matter she encounters in her work.Diana Hulet is a Pacific Northwest and Colorado-based environmental writer, animal photojournalist, and yoga teacher with over three decades of experience in yoga philosophy and contemplative traditions. After establishing her own Yoga studio and leading trainings and retreats internationally, Diana pivoted her attention and received a Bachelor of Science degree at Oregon State University in 2017, focusing on environmental ethics, ecology, and climate change. Diana's growing concern for the well-being of animals prompted her to pick up a camera and begin documenting the details of their lives. Her ongoing project, What if We Saw Them,  encourages reflection on our relationship with animals in various contexts, advocating for compassion as a catalyst for systemic change. She is a contributor to two animal photojournalist nonprofits We Animals and Sanctuary Doc, where she also serves as the Board Vice President. Resources:Diana Hulet WebsiteSanctuary Doc What If We Saw Them ProjectSupport this podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living 

Erin Wing is currently serving as the Deputy Director of Investigations for Animal Outlook and previously worked as an undercover investigator. Erin completed four investigations in the dairy, chicken and aquaculture industries, including the first-ever undercover expose of salmon aquaculture in the U.S. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian and The New York Times.Erin’s investigations and her advocacy work shed light on the interconnection of human and animal exploitation that occurs on farms in the animal agriculture system. Erin shares personal accounts from her compelling investigations to illustrate the dangers speciesism poses to all sentient beings on the planet. She also shares what it’s like to live on a farmed animal sanctuary and the stark contrast of the animals’ experience from industry to freedom. Erin said, “When it comes to learning how to process trauma, my greatest teachers have been animals.” Resources:Animal OutlookAnimal PartisanEugene VeganFestErin’s first episode on Hope for the Animals Support this Podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

Today’s show is a replay of an earlier episode with the amazing lauren Ornelas, founder of Food Empowerment Project. Food Empowerment Project is a vegan food justice nonprofit that promotes veganism, works to bring attention to the rights of farm workers, highlights the lack of access to healthy foods in Black and Brown communities, and raise awareness about the worst forms of slavery, including child labor, in the chocolate industry. Lauren has been deeply involved in animal rights activism since 1987 and was the director of VivaUSA before founding Food Empowerment Project.Lauren and Hope talk about the connections between food, veganism, and human rights with issues like child and slave labor chocolate production, food deserts and access to produce and healthy food, and Food Empowerment Project’s Fight for the Oceans campaign highlighting the struggles of the ocean and her sea creatures. Lauren will be speaking at Compassionate Living’s upcoming Eugene VeganFest on May 4, 2025. Resources:Food Empowerment ProjectLauren’s TEDx Talk: The Power of our Food ChoicesAbout child labor and slavery in chocolate production and the FEP’s recommended chocolate listEugene VeganFest, 5/4/25

We are honored to have a legend on the podcast today, Seth Tibbott founded Turtle Island Foods in 1980, now the “Tofurky Company.” For 15 years Seth pursued his dream as a pioneer of the early plant-based foods movement. In 1995, Seth introduced the first nationally marketed vegan holiday roast named “Tofurky” which soon became the most well-known meat alternative brand in the US. Tofurky is now a household word (even spell check knew what I was trying to type!) It has been mentioned on numerous TV shows, including The X-Files, The Tonight Show, and even as the answer to a $400 question on Jeopardy. Seth has chronicled his “40-year overnight success story” in a new book, In Search of the Wild Tofurky. On this episode, Seth talks about the history of plant based foods in the US (going back farther then you think!) as well as the history of the iconic Tofurky. He then takes us into the future as well with innovations in mock meats with advances like alt protein fermentation and 3D printed steak!  Resources:  Book: In Search of the Wild Tofurky by Seth TibbottEugene VeganFestSupport this podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living

 On today's show, author and host Hope Bohanec is flying solo and offering a new analysis of the Humane Hoax. She will break down humane meat marketing jargon, unpack and categorize the harms of the humane hoax, and talk about language, labeling, speciesism, and more. Resources:BOOK: The Humane Hoax: Essays Exposing the Myth of Happy Meat, Humane Dairy, and Ethical Eggs by Hope BohanecThe Humane Hoax ProjectSupport this podcast:Compassionate LivingHope for the Animals Podcast 

Can you use some positive news for the new year? We’ve got you covered with this interview!  Matthew Halteman has written a book called Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan and it is full of positive vegan vibes. Matthew is a professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and fellow in the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, UK. He is the author of Compassionate Eating as Care of Creation and coeditor of Philosophy Comes to Dinner: Arguments About the Ethics of Eating. Matthew puts a hopeful spin on going vegan in his new book and helps us to frame the issue with positivity and joy. Hope and Matt explore veganism as a philosophy and how we can deepen the vegan conversation to apply to every aspect of life. Matt shares how he feels that love is a crucial component to a vegan life, both self-love and love for others. They also get into the psychological aspects of vegan arguments and confrontations and effective communication. Resources:Book: Hungry, Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan by Matt HaltemanAhimsa Living CircleSecond Saturday of the MonthNext Circle: Saturday, February 8, Register hereLantern Voices: Lantern Publishing and Media's new podcastSupport this Podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate Living 

Welcome to 2025! For our first podcast of the year, we dive into spiritual veganism with Hope and her husband Cogen Bohanec. They start with their genesis stories of their spiritual journeys and how they have evolved in their 25-year marriage. Then they introduce a new project, the Ahimsa Living Circle, an ongoing monthly virtual gathering to support the community of veg-curious, pre-vegans, and vegans focused on the Dharma traditions and in particular Jain Dharma, in a circle of encouragement and compassion. The Ahimsa Living Circle is a collaborative event co-hosted by Arihanta Institute and Compassionate Living. Hope and Cogen also talk about the importance of changing our culture and evolving our fundamental nature of who we are, and not just changing what we do. They also explore veganism beyond the boycott and talk about philosophical and spiritual veganism. Ahimsa Living CircleSecond Saturday of the MonthFirst Circle Starts on Saturday, January 11, 202510:00 – 11:30am PT / 1 – 2:30pm ETRegister here for this free virtual eventSupport this podcast:Hope for the Animals PodcastCompassionate LivingSocial Media:FacebookInstagramYouTube