How I Learned to Love Shrimp

David Cole is a professor of constitutional law at Georgetown University, a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books, a former national legal director of the ACLU and author of the popular book on social change in the US, Engines of Liberty. This book, a must-read for anyone interested in social movements, is the focus of our discussion today.We spoke about the importance of local organising for political momentum, why incremental progress has seemed to work for other issues, the role of in-person community in social movements, and other lessons from the US marriage equality and gun rights movements.Chapters:The book in a nutshell (00:03:45)Why incrementalism was crucial for marriage equality (00:09:36)What can we learn from the NRA and gun rights? (00:17:19)Why socialising & identity formation are key for movements (00:23:32)Symbolic vs high-impact campaigns (00:32:11)Messaging strategies in the NRA vs marriage equality (00:36:58)Dave & James debrief and key takeaways (00:40:30)Resources: Engines of Liberty – David Cole The Engagement – Sasha IssenbergWith thanks to Tom Felbar (Ambedo Media) for amazing video and audio editing! 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!

Penny, the Executive Director of Animal Activism Collective, has helped bring hundreds of new activists into the grassroots animal movement, as well as supporting dozens of local grassroots groups around the US. Collectively, these groups, and AAC’s network, have been responsible for securing dozens of victories for animals, including getting over 80 companies and restaurants to drop foie gras, fur and much more.That’s why I was very excited to speak with Penny today about something that feels pretty unique in our movement: A grassroots organisation like Animal Activism Collective working on cage-free campaigns in partnership with less grassroots-y organisations. In addition to this, we spoke about how AAC manages to get dozens of people to travel across the country to join their in-person weeks of action, why Penny thinks movement unity is important, the benefits of getting people in-person and even how Penny started caring about shrimp! This is an episode with lots of fun stories and we’re also trying something new by splicing in audio of their protests, so people can get a sense of the energy they bring.Resources:Sign up - UK Voters for Animal Mass Lobby dayConfidence Code – Katty Kay, Claire ShipmanThis is an uprising – EnglersAnimal Liberation HourAAC websiteAAC InstagramAAC YouTubeAAC email – join@animalactivismcollective.comChapters:What Penny has changed her mind on (00:03:41)The RAGE tour: 30 days straight of protest (00:09:20)AAC's collaboration with ICAW and CAFT on cage-free & fur campaigns (00:11:02)How did the collaboration between ICAW and AAC on cage-free campaigns start? (00:16:25)How did AAC's grassroots base react to welfare-focused campaigns? (00:21:20)Why Penny is so excited about pressure campaigns (00:24:20)How Penny became convinced that welfare campaigns are important (00:30:40)How do we create more similar collaborations in the movement? (00:33:48)AAC's mentorship and other programs (00:38:26)Why an organised grassroots base is essential to social change (00:46:41)Penny's recommendations and a win she's grateful for (00:58:29)With thanks to Tom Felbar (Ambedo Media) for amazing video and audio editing! 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!

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.