

Viva! Vegan Podcast
Viva!
Welcome to the Viva! Vegan Podcast and News Minisode!
Co-hosted by Viva!’s head of comms, Faye Lewis, and Viva!'s head of investigations, Lex Rigby, each month they’ll be serving up some cracking in-depth chats with some of the most interesting figures in the vegan movement.
Each Podcast episode features a different individual – breaking down their vegan journey and recounting their highs and lows – followed by a candid chat between Faye and Lex on everything from mushroom-based leather alternatives to terrible cooking blunders.
In our Vegan News Minisode, we deep-dive into the world of vegan news and politics in a quick ten-minute round-up of newsworthy events in veganism.
No matter where you are in your vegan journey, there’ll be something for you in the Viva! Vegan Podcast and News Minisode.
The show is presented by Faye Lewis and Lex Rigby and is released on the first of every month.
Co-hosted by Viva!’s head of comms, Faye Lewis, and Viva!'s head of investigations, Lex Rigby, each month they’ll be serving up some cracking in-depth chats with some of the most interesting figures in the vegan movement.
Each Podcast episode features a different individual – breaking down their vegan journey and recounting their highs and lows – followed by a candid chat between Faye and Lex on everything from mushroom-based leather alternatives to terrible cooking blunders.
In our Vegan News Minisode, we deep-dive into the world of vegan news and politics in a quick ten-minute round-up of newsworthy events in veganism.
No matter where you are in your vegan journey, there’ll be something for you in the Viva! Vegan Podcast and News Minisode.
The show is presented by Faye Lewis and Lex Rigby and is released on the first of every month.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 1, 2024 • 54min
Captain Paul Watson: founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
In this episode, Issy sits down with Captain Paul Watson, a pioneering animal rights activist who founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an anti-poaching and direct action group focused on marine conservation activism. In this episode, Issy and Paul discuss: the release of his new book Hitman for the Kindness Club his direct action saving animals in the oceans and his lifetime commitment to making the world a better place for all its inhabitants His fascinating knowledge of marine biology and passion for all animal life About Our Show Listen now by clicking the play icon below. We’re also on , , , and . Get the latest episode, straight to your mobile device or computer. It’s automatic and completely free. Copyright owned by Viva! Bristol 2024. Not for re-use without our written agreement. All featured music and content used by permission. Produced by Faye Lewis for Viva!.

Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 16min
Earthling Ed: vegan educator, best-selling author, public speaker and content creator
Ed Winters is a vegan educator, best-selling author, public speaker and content creator, widely known for his viral debates, speeches, and video essays. In this episode, Issy sits down with Ed to discuss his new book How to Argue With a Meat Eater (And Win Every Time), his nine-year vegan journey, how his mindset shifted from thinking vegans were humourless and attention seekers, to being one of the leading voices in the movement. In this conversation Issy and Ed discuss topics, such as: Ed’s childhood and how university changed his mindset Specism Rupert the Hamster, his companion animal and his love of broccoli Expression, vulnerability in having your views questioned Culture wars and pseudo science Critical thinking Listen to the full episode here Watch the Episodes On Also on Viva! Spotify Apple Music

Mar 1, 2024 • 35min
Georgie Purcell: Animal Justice Party MP, advocate for animals and humans alike!
Georgie Purcell, the Animal Justice Party MP, and a distinguished member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing Northern Victoria, made headlines in 2020 with her courageous inaugural speech. Despite being the youngest woman ever elected in the state, Georgie faced adversity head-on, openly addressing her past as a stripper and confronting the online abuse and misogyny that followed. Since then she has worked tirelessly for both animals and humans alike. She sits down with Faye to delve into her remarkable journey, tracing her path from activism to the halls of power. Join us as she shares her resilient pursuit of equality and justice, using her platform to advocate for meaningful change. In this conversation, Georgie and Faye discuss topics, such as: parliament being a 'boys' club Georgie's early start in activism her recent setback on duck shooting not being banned in Australia a real need for change in politics and structures globally the incredible work she has achieved to date and what is next About Our Show Listen now by clicking the play icon below. We’re also on , , , and . Get the latest episode, straight to your mobile device or computer. It’s automatic and completely free. Copyright owned by Viva! Bristol 2024. Not for re-use without our written agreement. All featured music and content used by permission. Produced by Faye Lewis for Viva!.

Mar 1, 2024 • 36min
Dani Taylor: PlantBuild co-founder and vegan figure competitor and champion
Dani Taylor is a vegan figure competitor and champion, the co-founder of VeganProteins.com, and also a co-founder of PlantBuilt.com As an overweight child and adolescent who believed that was the way she was “meant to be”, Dani switched to an ethical vegan diet and lost 30 pounds. At this point, she realised she had the power to change the way she looked and felt. She began lifting weights and doing cardio, and she is now a gold medal champion several times over and one of the best professional athletes in the bodybuilding community. In this conversation, Dani and Faye discuss topics such as: the resounding success of the PlantBuilt team, who obliterated the competition at Mr America across bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, kettlebell sport, and CrossFit the myths surrounding diet still pedalled by the meat and dairy industries Dani's journey into personal training and her reasons for going vegan how anyone can make a positive change through their diet and exercise Find out more about Dani and the PlantBuild team here: About Our Show Listen now by clicking the play icon below. We’re also on , , , and . Get the latest episode, straight to your mobile device or computer. It’s automatic and completely free. Copyright owned by Viva! Bristol 2023. Not for re-use without our written agreement. All featured music and content used by permission. Produced by Faye Lewis for Viva!.

Mar 1, 2024 • 48min
Emma Håkansson: director of Collective Fashion Justice
In this episode, we are joined by Emma Håkansson, an incredible activist from Australia who is campaigning for the end of animal exploitation within the fashion industry while also reducing the toll fashion has on the environment and the people who work in the industry. She founded her organisation, Collective Fashion Justice, to enable changes by educating future fashion minds, creating conversations with industry professionals and working towards legislative change. Emma is the author of How Veganism Can Save Us, Total Ethics Fashion and the soon-to-be-released Sub-Human: A 21st-Century Ethic; on Animals, Collective Liberation, and Us All. She was also heavily involved in the production of Slay, the pioneering documentary that investigates fur, leather and wool, greenwashing and the impact that brands using animal skins have on people, the planet and animals. In this eye-opening conversation, Emma sits down with hosts Issy and Rachel to discuss: her vegan journey and how she got into activism, including the production of Slay the fashion industry's lack of transparency in material sourcing and the price animals pay for our fashion choices the ethical conundrum of choosing which fabrics to wear in a world that glamorises the use of animal skins debunking myths around the alleged sustainability of wearing animal products — and much more Find out more about Emma here: About Our Show Listen now by clicking the play icon below. We’re also on , , , and . Get the latest episode, straight to your mobile device or computer. It’s automatic and completely free. Copyright owned by Viva! Bristol 2023. Not for re-use without our written agreement. All featured music and content used by permission. Produced by Faye Lewis for Viva!.

Mar 1, 2024 • 56min
Mark Wakeling: from hunter and soldier to vegan animal sanctuary owner
Mark Wakeling’s journey from hunter and soldier to vegan animal sanctuary owner is captivating. The son of a man who ran livestock markets, where he worked as a boy, he used to hunt and fish and then became a soldier. After years in London as an actor and acting teacher, he returned to the country to find peace at Amberwood Sanctuary.
👉🏽Founded in 2021, his sanctuary currently looks after 42 animals – 10 cows, 27 sheep and five pigs. The sanctuary is located at a former beef farm in the Oxfordshire countryside of England. ✨Their mission is to provide a safe home for animals who otherwise face slaughter. ✨This experience of turning a beef farm into a vegan sanctuary has inspired Mark’s vision of making it happen everywhere. For more information, visit About Our Show Listen now by clicking the play icon below. We’re also on , , , and . Get the latest episode straight to your mobile device or computer. It’s automatic and completely free. Copyright owned by Viva! Bristol 2023. Not for re-use without our written agreement. All featured music and content used by permission. Produced by Faye Lewis for Viva!.

Mar 1, 2024 • 55min
Jane Valez-Mitchell: journalist, activist and vegan media mogul!
Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning broadcast journalist, best-selling author, and the founder and managing editor of the streaming service UnchainedTV. At the helm of , Velez-Mitchell has built a network of filmmakers, journalists, content creators, and animal rights activists who are all working towards a common goal: to make it as easy as possible for a global audience who isn’t necessarily interested in animal rights to stumble upon content with an underlying vegan message — for free. In this conversation, Jane and Faye discuss topics such as: her childhood and early activist days her prolific journalism career working with CNN, TruTV, E!, Celebrity Justice and, of course, UnchainedTV mass media and its power in terms of spreading the vegan message how the climate apocalypse is coming! Find out more about Jane and UnchainedTV, visit here: About Our Show Listen now by clicking the play icon below. We’re also on , , , and . Get the latest episode, straight to your mobile device or computer. It’s automatic and completely free. Copyright owned by Viva! Bristol 2023. Not for re-use without our written agreement. All featured music and content used by permission. Produced by Faye Lewis for Viva!.

Feb 19, 2024 • 7min
#30 Vegan News Minisode - February 2024
The Vegan News Minisode with Faye Lewis Bringing you the latest news from the world of veganism: Episode 30: February 2024 Welcome to the Vegan News Minisode, brought to you by leading vegan charity Viva!. Presenter Faye is this month joined by Rachel as they bring you the latest plant-based lifestyle, food and animal campaigns news from around the globe. In this episode, Faye and Rachel discuss Veganuary, a 3D-printed vegan eel, the , how a 100% switch to plant-based diets in England could save the NHS £6.7 billion a year and the criticism surrounding Mark Zuckerberg's new ‘beef’ farm...

Dec 18, 2023 • 11min
#28 Vegan News Minisode - December 2023
The Vegan News Minisode with Faye Lewis Bringing you the latest news from the world of veganism: Episode 28: December 2023 Welcome to the Vegan News Minisode, brought to you by leading vegan charity Viva!. Presenter Faye is this month joined by Rachel as they bring you the latest plant-based lifestyle, food and animal campaigns news from around the globe. In this episode, Faye and Rachel discuss having a vegan Christmas, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, and their Viva! highlights for 2023...

Nov 16, 2023 • 21min
#27 Vegan News Minisode - November 2023
The Vegan News Minisode with Faye Lewis Bringing you the latest news from the world of veganism: Episode 27: November 2023 Welcome to the Vegan News Minisode, brought to you by leading vegan charity Viva!. Presenter Faye is this month joined by Issy as they bring you the latest plant-based lifestyle, food and animal campaigns news from around the globe. In this episode, Faye and Issy discuss how , ), the charges brought against , , the horrifying news that and much more...