How I Learned to Love Shrimp

Lewis Bollard, who leads the farm animal welfare program at Open Philanthropy, shares insights on transforming animal advocacy. He discusses the moral complexities and biases within the movement, suggesting innovative technologies like OvoSexing to improve welfare standards. Lewis highlights the pitfalls of blocking factory farms and emphasizes strategic investments in advocacy. He also explores the potential role of transformative AI and the need for a nuanced approach to engage various communities. This enlightening conversation offers a fresh perspective on advancing animal welfare.

Cass Sunstein, a Harvard Law professor and former Obama official, delves into the complexities of animal welfare views and societal contradictions. He discusses the challenge of self-silencing, where personal ethics clash with social norms. Sunstein emphasizes the importance of reimagining animal welfare as more than just preventing suffering, advocating for fulfilling lives for animals. Through effective communication and policy integration, he shares strategies for normalizing conversations about animal rights, despite societal pushback.

Thom Norman, co-founder of FarmKind and former nuclear energy lawyer, discusses the effectiveness of asking for donations over promoting dietary changes in animal advocacy. He explores the complexities surrounding public perceptions of food choices and the challenges of behavior change. Thom shares insights on innovative fundraising strategies that have successfully raised over $100,000, and the impact of AI on animal welfare in farming. He encourages broader engagement in animal advocacy through philanthropy and creative approaches to connect with supporters.

Alice Di Concetto, Executive Director and Chief Legal Advisor at the European Institute for Animal Law & Policy, discusses the stalled EU animal welfare reforms and the challenges of advocacy. She highlights the clash between domestic and import standards and the impact of trade policies. Alice delves into the push for cage-free laws and the complexities of mobilizing public support. She also explores the intersection of animal rights and environmentalism, urging for a more coordinated approach to advocacy while reminiscing about recent reforms in various EU countries.

In a thought-provoking discussion, James O'Brien, Director of Philanthropy at Mobius and former member of Extinction Rebellion, shares his transformative journey through activism. He reflects on the psychological toll of disruptive protests and the evolution of his strategies for fostering change. The conversation dives into the complexities of prioritizing animal welfare versus climate issues and critiques the polarization within social movements. O'Brien emphasizes the ethical implications of disruptive activism and the necessity for collaboration to achieve real progress.

In this engaging discussion, Katie Cantrell, Co-founder and CEO of Greener by Default, shares her innovative strategies for promoting plant-based eating. She reveals how changing default menu options in hospitals has significantly shifted dietary behaviors without overwhelming consumers. Cantrell emphasizes the importance of choice architecture and effective communication in animal advocacy. Expect insights on adapting traditional meals to enhance appeal and the power of nudging in making plant-based choices more accessible and appealing, all while addressing the complexities of consumer habits.

In a milestone discussion, David Coman-Hidy emphasizes the crucial role of policy advocacy for the animal movement's growth. Carolina Galvani shares innovative public policy strategies while Alex Holst reveals how fermentation is revolutionizing alternative proteins. Carley Betts highlights strategies for securing cage-free commitments from corporations, and Karolina Sarek sheds light on the pressing need to support overlooked species like shrimp. Together, these leaders offer a blueprint for the future of animal advocacy.

Kelvey Vander Hart, a Senior Fellow at the Wilberforce Institute, blends her political right-of-center perspective with her Christian faith to advocate for animal welfare. She discusses building bipartisan coalitions around specific issues, emphasizing the unity of mercy, compassion, and justice. Vander Hart highlights the historical significance of figures like William Wilberforce in shaping advocacy. She also touches on the necessity of engaging faith communities and the impact of storytelling in fostering understanding across diverse beliefs.

David Kay, the first employee at Upside Foods and an MBA student at Harvard, offers a captivating look into the cultivated meat industry. He discusses the balance between environmental, health, and animal welfare messaging, and shares his unique journey from animal advocacy to the forefront of cultivated meat innovation. Key topics include significant challenges like political polarization, the distinction between cultivated and plant-based meats, and the recent FDA approval of cultivated pork fat. Kay emphasizes the vital role of collaboration and elite institutions in shaping a sustainable future for alternative proteins.

A critical look at the entwined relationship between parenthood and the animal advocacy movement. Julia Reinelt shares her insights on how organisations can become more supportive to parents in the advocacy space.• Julia introduces herself and discusses her journey in the animal advocacy movement • The challenges of balancing advocacy work and parenting • Understanding the family-unfriendly aspects of the animal advocacy movement • Suggestions on creating more inclusive environments for parents within organisations • The impact of geographical location on parental support in advocacy • Insights on the necessity of normalising parenting conversations across the movement • How advocating for family-friendly policies can foster sustainability • The role of the AVA summits in promoting family-friendly initiatives • Calls for listeners to engage with these conversations and advocate for change www.avasummit.comSubscribe to our monthly newsletter and​ follow us on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube  | TikTok If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review us - we would really appreciate it! Likewise, feel free to share it with anyone who you think might enjoy it. You can send us feedback and guest recommendations via Twitter or email us at hello@howilearnedtoloveshrimp.com. Enjoy!