How I Learned to Love Shrimp

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 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 - it means a lot to us!

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 newsletterWith thanks to Tom Felbar (Ambedo Media) for amazing video and audio editing! If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating and review us - it means a lot to us!

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.

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.

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.