Hope for the Animals

(Please note: the audio in the interview has some “Zoom twang.” Apologies for the audio quality.) Our guest this episode is Emily Moran Barwick, who will also be presenting at the Humane Hoax Online Conference on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Emily is an animal-liberation activist, educator, writer, artist, and international speaker. She founded Bite Size Vegan where she provides free educational videos, essays, eCourses, and resources on all aspects of veganism. Communication has never come easily to Emily as she is Autistic, but she credits her Autism for her deep and empathetic connection with nonhuman animals, and believes that by seeing the world differently, she’s better able to help others begin to think differently. Hope and Emily dig deep into the humane myth and Emily’s unique perspective on the issue. They discuss the contradictory nature of humane labeling and how even well-meaning animal and vegan advocates can fall victim to its allure. Resources:BiteSizeVegan.orgHumane Hoax Online Conference (2/26/22)Learn More and Support this Podcast:Compassionate LivingHope for the Animals Podcast

Allison Argo is a filmmaker known for her emotionally-charged, intimate portraits of abused and endangered animals. The nearly two dozen films she’s produced, directed, and written have all been broadcast by PBS and/or National Geographic and have won over 100 awards internationally. Her most recent film, The Last Pig, premiered on PBS last year after appearing at 42 film festivals. The Last Pig is about the poignant journey of a pig farmers who, after 10 years of raising and killing pigs, decided he couldn’t do it anymore. Allison shares how documenting this heart wrenching and life-changing story affected her and her own life choices. She also discusses her new film, still in production, about farmed animal sanctuaries and a new concept called Animal Centered Design where animal rescue facilities are creating spaces for the resident animals that are more attentive to their physical and emotional needs. This new film continues Allison’s mission to provide a voice for those who are not heard—and to deepen understanding and respect for all beings.Resources:ArgoFilms.comThe Last PigThe Humane Hoax Online Conference (Saturday, February 26)AfroVegan Society- Veguary CampaignLearn More and Support this Podcast:Compassionate LivingHope for the Animals Podcast

 Happy Holidays! Hope’s guest for this special holiday episode is her husband and best friend of 21 years, Cogen Bohanec. Over the years, Cogen and Hope have come across numerous animals in distress and have jumped into action to help animals both wild and domestic. In this episode, they recall some of their exciting, touching, and harrowing rescue stories to share them with you. A little about Cogen. He received his PhD from the Center for Dharma Studies (CDS) in the History and Culture of Religions with an emphasis in Hindu Dharma and ethics. He also holds an MA in Buddhist Studies and has spent over 20 years studying, practicing, and teaching Eastern Religions (Yoga, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism). He has translated and taught Sanskrit for nearly ten years and has studied both Yoga and Sanskrit in India. He has also assisted Hope for two decades in her animal rights work as well as co-authoring the book, The Ultimate Betrayal, with Hope.  Resources:Episode 40: Rescuing Kukkuta: A New Level of LoveFilm: TurlockLearn More and Support this Podcast:Compassionate LivingHope for the Animals Podcast

Vegan Voices Series 6: Did you know that chickens purr? Learn about purring chickens and so much more in this wonderful conversation with Karen Davis, President and Founder of United Poultry Concerns. Karen is the author of numerous essays and books and cares for over 100 rescued birds at the UPC sanctuary in Virginia. In this episode, Karen shares the story of some hens recently released from a laboratory who are the newest residents at UPC sanctuary. Karen also discusses her essay in Vegan Voices: Essays By Inspiring Changemakers where she talks about the tragic phenomenon of the considerable decline of wild bird populations as the number of farmed birds increases. She also discusses the nature of suffering and reveals the deep connection between physical and psychological suffering. Karen then invites us into the world of the chickens’ vibrant voices and how rich and varied their sounds and expressions are. Join us for this in-depth exploration of all things chicken. Resources:United Poultry ConcernsBook: Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring ChangemakersOther episodes with Karen: Episode 28: Celebrating Chickens with Karen DavisEpisode 14: Talkin’ About Turkeys with Karen Davis

Vegan Voices Series 5: Hope starts us off by announcing the Vegan Voices Contest winners and a breakdown of Facebook’s animal abuse content policy. Then she has a conversation with Larry Weiss, a retired attorney who practiced law in California for 36 years. He was a criminal defense attorney and then moved to the field of animal law, specializing in the defense of animal activists. Larry wrote a poem for the anthology Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers. Larry reads an excerpt from his poem and talks to Hope about the importance of kindness in activism. He also shares some history of the animal rights movement going back to the 1980s. Larry and Hope talk about how critical undercover investigative video is to the vegan movement, his unique insight as a lawyer into ag-gag laws, and the power of the animal farming lobby. Resources:Book: Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers

Today on the podcast, Hope digs into traditions. With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, compassionate people are thinking of the millions of beautiful turkeys destined for the holiday dinner table. The iconic Norman Rockwell image of the decapitated dead bird on a platter is a tradition in the U.S. that we hold on to as dearly as the last biscuit in the basket. But traditions are actually more malleable than one might think and Hope offers some examples are how traditions come and go and why the tradition of the Thanksgiving turkey must be scrutinized and left behind in an ethical and compassionate society.Resources:UPC Turkey InfoBook: More Than a Meal, the Turkey in History, Myth, Ritual, and Reality by Karen Davis of UPCHope for the Animals Podcast: Reason for Vegan 4: The Turkey Meat Industry Exposed

Vegan Voices Series 4: Hope starts us off with an update from one of our recent Glimmers of Hope segments and some thoughts on the climate summit in Glasgow. She then has a conversation with Rae Sikora who has been a spokesperson for animals, the environment, and human rights for over forty years. Rae is the co-founder of The Institute for Humane Education, VegFund, Santa Fe Vegan, and Plant Peace Daily. She is the author and co-author of numerous books and has also contributed an essay in the new anthology Vegan Voices: Essays By Inspiring Changemakers. Her essay, called “There is No Other,” is a reflection on how our proximity to and relationship with others, human and nonhuman, can determine how we treat them. Hope and Rae have an inspiring conversation about how important it is to recognize each individual and not judge any being with our preconceived notions of the group they are part of.  They discuss the culture of animals and Rae also offers some thoughts for combating compassion fatigue and despair with selfcare.Resources:Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring ChangemakersPlant Peace Daily DOVE Retreat CenterBook: Little Jew on the Soul TrainSanta Fe Vegan FaceBook Group  

Vegan Voices Series 3: Twelve years ago, Stephanie Redcross-West started the company Vegan Mainstream which provides tools, training, and support for the brave individuals who identify themselves as vegan professionals. Stephanie has contributed an essay to the anthology Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers, edited by Joanne Kong, that explores her work inspiring others to turn their vegan passion into successful businesses. She talks to Hope about how anyone can align their career with their vegan values and how to get started. Stephanie dreams big and is helping business entrepreneurs to transform their dreams and ideas into tangible goals to create a just, sustainable, vegan future.Resources: Vegan MainstreamVegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers

Vegan Voices Series 2: Thomas Wade Jackson is the director of the award-winning, feature-length documentary, A Prayer for Compassion and the founder of The Compassion Project, a multi-media production company. He also has an essay in the new anthology Vegan Voices, Essays by Inspiring Changemakers, edited by Joanne Kong. Thomas and Hope have a wonderful conversation about the connection between spirituality and veganism, what the Bible says about our relationship with animals, his latest film project, and his essay in Vegan Voices called Vegangelism and the Gospel of Spiritual Alignment. Thomas explains why he calls himself a Vegangelist and shares with us the “good news” about veganism. Resources:Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring ChangemakersA Prayer for Compassion (film)Interfaith Vegan CoalitionCompassion Consortium   

 Vegan Voices Series: Dr. Joanne Kong has been praised throughout the world as one of the most compelling advocates for veganism today. She has given presentations at numerous vegan events, summits, and conferences. Joanne has written books and has a TEDx talk called The Power of Plant-Based Eating. Her new  anthology, Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers, is the inspiration for our new Vegan Voices Series where we will be featuring selected authors from this book throughout the fall. Join us to hear all about this ambitious book with over 50 animal advocacy writers, all with different journeys, experiences, and unique forms of activism. Resources:Link to Buy the Book:  https://lanternpm.org/books/vegan-voices/Website: www.vegansmakeadifference.comTEDx Talk: The Power of Plant-Based Eating, Joanne Kong