

How I Learned to Love Shrimp
James Özden
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 2-4 weeks.Subscribe and please do share with any interested folks! You can also leave feedback and suggestions by contacting us directly through our website.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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 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!

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 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 - 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.

6 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 1h 13min
Jesse Marks on becoming a major grant maker, The Navigation Fund and corporate campaigning
Jesse Marks, the Farm Animal Welfare Program Officer for The Navigation Fund, shares his insights on becoming a grant-maker and transforming advocacy for animal rights. He discusses the evolution of the shrimp welfare campaign and the importance of nurturing public engagement. Jesse dives into the challenges of corporate campaigning, highlighting the need for focused efforts and collaboration among organizations. He also emphasizes the significance of youth involvement and transparent funding processes, offering fresh perspectives on advancing animal welfare initiatives.

9 snips
Nov 19, 2024 • 1h 27min
Joyce Tischler: 45 years in animal law
Joyce Tischler, known as the mother of animal law, shares her 45-year journey in advocating for animal rights. She discusses her early challenges in co-founding the Animal Legal Defense Fund and taking on the US Navy in landmark cases. Joyce highlights pivotal legal battles for stray dogs and farmed animals, revealing the evolution of judicial attitudes. She emphasizes the importance of community in advocacy and reflects on her innovative approach in animal law education, combining welfare and environmental justice.

14 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 25min
Tom Harris on the SHAC campaign and the significance of grassroots advocacy
Tom Harris, an activist, artist, and author, dives into his transformative journey within the SHAC campaign, which has been pivotal in the animal rights movement. He shares eye-opening insights about effective grassroots strategies and common misconceptions surrounding SHAC. His candid reflections on prison time highlight the resilience required in activism. Additionally, Tom discusses plans to rejuvenate grassroots efforts in the UK and the significance of community engagement to drive meaningful change in animal welfare.

5 snips
Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 21min
Jakub Stencel on defining and maintaining organisational culture
Jakub Stencel is the interim director of Anima International, dedicated to fighting animal suffering. He discusses the importance of organizational culture, emphasizing transparency and the balance between freedom and responsibility. Jakub reflects on the challenges of maintaining a cohesive culture across countries while navigating leadership transitions. He highlights the significance of psychological safety in fostering communication and effectiveness, and delves into the complexities of building a diverse team aligned with Anima's vision.