
How I Learned to Love Shrimp
How I Learned To Love Shrimp is a podcast showcasing innovative and impactful ways to help animals and build the animal advocacy movement. We talk to experts about a variety of topics: animal rights, animal welfare, alternative proteins, the future of food, and much more. Whether it's political change, protest, technological innovation or grassroots campaigns, we aim to cover it all with deep dives we release every two weeks.Subscribe and please do share with any interested folks! You can also leave feedback and suggestions by contacting us directly through our website.
Latest episodes

May 12, 2025 • 48min
James on Changed My Mind, talking about disruptive protests and social movements
Today, we’re sharing a different kind of episode. Not an episode of How I Learned to Love Shrimp but an appearance that I, James, made on another podcast, Changed My Mind. It's all about what causes people to change their mind and this time, I talk about my experience with changing my view on disruptive protests and social movements. This podcast is run by Aidan and Thom from FarmKind, who some listeners may know about, as a great new charity working to raise funds for animal issues. You can listen to more of their podcast here on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. How I Learned To Live Shrimp will be back as normal next week. Enjoy!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!

7 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h 4min
Katie Cantrell on shifting millions of meals to plant-based
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.

Apr 15, 2025 • 57min
50th Episode Special: 5 leaders on key changes and opportunities in the animal movement
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.

Apr 2, 2025 • 57min
Kelvey Vander Hart on appealing to wide range of political and religious beliefs
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.

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 8min
David Kay on the emerging cultivated meat industry
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.

Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 8min
Julia Reinelt on why supporting parents is integral to the success and sustainability of our work
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!

Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 19min
Aarti Bhavana on mental health and keeping companies accountable to their commitments
This episode discusses the intersection of mental health and animal advocacy, highlighting the critical need for self-care among advocates. Aarti Bhavana shares her experiences with emotional tolls from animal suffering, corporate accountability, and practical strategies for sustaining passion in the long term.• Exploring the toxic mindset of 100% dedication in animal advocacy • Importance of addressing mental health in nonprofit sectors • Underlying emotions of advocates witnessing animal suffering • The role and growth of corporate accountability in animal welfare • Practical self-care strategies and boundaries for advocates • Insights into shifting perspectives on animal welfare legislationResources;Bharat Initiative for Accountability Marconi Union - Weightless Cupa Larrc Instagram Our world in data – amount of suffering for cage-free based on welfare footprint Jayasimha Podcast Episode - Cage-free credits Heads Up - Creative campaigns newsletterIf 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!

10 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 19min
Haven King-Nobles on why high agency is critical for entrepreneurship
Haven King-Nobles, co-founder and executive director of the Fish Welfare Initiative, dives into the concept of high agency in entrepreneurship. He shares insights from his journey as a young entrepreneur, discussing the key traits for success and the mistakes he learned from. Haven elaborates on the ethical aspects of fish welfare, particularly in relation to pre-slaughter techniques in India. He also emphasizes the need for adaptability and local engagement in charity entrepreneurship, underlining the transformative impact of a proactive mindset.

6 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 5min
Ben Newman on campaigning against the RSPCA and the role of welfare labels
Ben Newman, co-director of Animal Rising and seasoned animal welfare activist, shares insights from his disruptive protest experiences. He discusses the controversial campaign against the RSPCA, arguing its welfare labeling may mislead the public about animal farming practices. Newman also highlights the challenges of mass arrests in activism, advocating for targeted strategies that foster effective public engagement. The conversation touches on legal risks of direct action rescues and the need for unified advocacy in the face of evolving animal rights complexities.

13 snips
Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 17min
Almira Tanner & Aidan Kankyoku on their grassroots ballot initiatives and how to lose forward
Almira Tanner, lead organizer of Direct Action Everywhere, and Aidan Kankyoku, strategy lead for Pro Animal Future, share their inspiring insights on grassroots activism. They discuss recent ballot initiatives aimed at promoting animal welfare and the importance of 'losing forward' against tough opposition. The duo emphasizes adaptability, collaboration, and the power of narrative over funding in campaigning. With personal stories of resilience, they highlight the vital role of community education and strategic planning in the fight for social and animal justice.