Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
394 episodes — Page 2 of 8
The Hen Report: “I’m Infiltrating the Space” | Animal Rights and Anti-Fascism
In this thought-provoking episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan welcome Harvard Law student Akber Khan to discuss the complex intersections of animal rights activism with the unfolding political crisis in America. As political tensions heighten in the US and globally, they explore how animal advocates can effectively position their work within anti-fascist frameworks while navigating challenging conversations…
Backyard Chicken Hypocrisy: From Fancy Hens to the ‘Agency’ to Kill | Rising Anxieties
This episode of Rising Anxieties dissects a New York Review of Books article that acknowledges factory farm horrors while stopping short of the obvious conclusion: stop eating chickens. Mariann cuts through the nonsense of backyard chicken enthusiasts who claim moral superiority while perpetuating exploitation; eye-rolls at legislators who prioritize wolf delisting and “official chicken wing flavors” over meaningful change; and questions…
Exposing Aquaculture’s Cruelty with Laura Lee Cascada
This episode explores the hidden realities of fish farming with Laura Lee Cascada, founder of the Aquaculture Accountability Project. Despite being marketed as an environmentally friendly solution to overfishing, aquaculture has created factory farms on water that cause widespread suffering to sea animals, contribute to environmental degradation, and pose serious human health risks. Cascada debunks the industry’s greenwashing tactics and reveals…
The Hen Report: “There Are A Lot of Parallels” | Fascism, Animal Rights, and Finding Hope in Uncertain Times
In this candid episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore the striking parallels between fascism and animal exploitation while navigating our current political climate. The hosts share their struggles with maintaining focus during times of political upheaval, discussing how the same mechanisms that enable factory farming—othering, dehumanization, and secrecy—mirror tactics used by authoritarian regimes. Despite the heaviness of these…
Industry Panics: New Diseases, Labor Exploitation, and Cattle Market Collapse | Rising Anxieties
The animal agriculture industry’s nightmares are our fuel this week as Mariann dives into the poultry sector’s desperate scramble to combat the mysterious avian metapneumovirus that’s dethroned bird flu as their top concern. Meanwhile, Big Ag’s dystopian push to expand the H-2A visa program threatens to create a permanent underclass of “temporarily permanent” workers with virtually no rights—because nothing says “ethical…
Animals and the Right to Politics with Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka
In this thought-provoking interview, Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka return to Our Hen House to discuss their groundbreaking new book Animals and the Right to Politics from Oxford University Press. The authors challenge us to move beyond simply acknowledging animals’ moral status and instead recognize them as capable of making collective decisions within their communities, explaining that the “inner citadel of…
The Hen Report: “Chalk That Up As A Success” | Navigating Veganism’s Evolution in Mainstream Culture
In this lively episode of The Hen Report, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan navigate the evolving landscape of animal advocacy with their signature blend of wit and wisdom. From discussing the first recorded death from “meat tick” syndrome to analyzing a New York Times article on grass-fed beef’s environmental impact, they balance serious animal rights content with moments of levity.…
The Controversial New Food Pyramid with Michael Dorf | Rising Anxieties
In this entertaining episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan and legal expert Michael Dorf dive headfirst into the bizarre world of RFK Jr.’s controversial new food pyramid and dietary guidelines. With equal parts horror and humor, they dissect how these scientifically questionable recommendations prioritize beef consumption while dismissing plant-based diets through deeply flawed analysis. The episode explores the concerning environmental implications…
Faith, Justice, and Animal Liberation with Wayne Hsiung
In this profound conversation with animal rights lawyer Wayne Hsiung, we explore the reasons for his journey into seminary studies, his wife Rose Patterson’s upcoming legal battles for rescuing beagles from MBR Acres and sheep from King Charles’s farm in the UK, and the potential watershed moment for ending animal experimentation with RFK Jr.’s recent statements as Secretary of Health and…
The Hen Report: “Strange Bedfellows” | Navigating Alliances in Animal Rights Advocacy
In this thought-provoking episode of The Hen Report, Mariann Sullivan is joined by Cornell Law professor and animal advocate Michael Dorf to explore the complex phenomenon of “strange bedfellows” in the animal rights movement. They examine how activists navigate situations where they find themselves aligned with unexpected allies on animal issues, while potentially disagreeing on other social and political matters. This…
The Meat Industry’s Panic Button: Veganism Isn’t Dead After All | Rising Anxieties
In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the meat industry’s desperate attempts to declare veganism “dead” while simultaneously scrambling to rebrand their unsustainable practices. With her signature blend of skepticism and hope, Mariann unpacks Jessica Scott-Reid’s insightful Sentient Media article that reveals how Big Animal Ag’s obituaries for veganism conveniently ignore their own $300 billion industry’s massive lobbying…
Building a Coalition Against Factory Farming with Matthew Dominguez
In this thought-provoking conversation, Mariann Sullivan speaks with Matthew Dominguez, US Executive Director of Compassion in World Farming, about creating meaningful change for farmed animals through strategic advocacy. Dominguez shares insights from his extensive career working on welfare reforms while building toward systemic change in our food system. From the inefficiency of feeding crops to animals to the economic and environmental…
The Case of the Lobster, a “Living, Sentient Creature”
In a bold legal challenge that could redefine animal protection law, PETA is taking on the Maine Lobster Festival for steaming 16,000 lobsters alive on public parkland. The case hinges on Maine’s unique animal cruelty statute that protects “every living sentient creature” – a definition that evolves with scientific understanding. PETA’s Director of Litigation, Asher Smith, explains their creative approach using…
The Hen Report: “Is It Doing Anything?” | Animal Advocacy in Media, Literature, and Tech
In this festive episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann weave through holiday greetings, literary achievements, and thought-provoking discussions about animal advocacy in unexpected places. From Jasmin’s exciting book deal as a literary agent to reflections on grief, pet cloning ethics, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways animal rights themes are appearing in mainstream literature, this conversation showcases how animal…
Uncovering the Truth Behind Lab Dogs with Author Melanie Kaplan
In this eye-opening interview, journalist Melanie Kaplan takes us behind the closed doors of animal research facilities through the lens of her powerful book Lab Dog. After adopting Hammy, a beagle rescued from a laboratory, Kaplan embarked on a cross-country journey to investigate the secretive world of dog testing and breeding facilities. With remarkable compassion and journalistic integrity, she reveals the…
The Hen Report: “Just Be That Vegan” | Holiday Reflections and Animal Rights Updates
In this heartwarming holiday edition of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann blend seasonal cheer with serious animal advocacy updates. The hosts navigate between lighthearted holiday traditions and the sobering realities facing animals worldwide, demonstrating Our Hen House’s signature ability to balance urgency with accessibility. This episode explores: The crisis facing animal shelters nationwide, with adoption rates down while costs for…
Animal Ag’s Panic Over Plant-Based Diets | Rising Anxieties
In this eye-opening episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dissects the agricultural industry’s transparent anxiety about the growing popularity of plant-based diets. From Farm Babe’s desperate defense of animal agriculture’s “sustainability” to Oklahoma’s hypocritical farmland ownership laws that conveniently exempt Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods, we witness an industry scrambling to maintain relevance as consumers increasingly recognize the environmental and ethical problems with…
Animal Writes: Crafting Authentic Animal Narratives with John Yunker and Midge Raymond
This episode explores how writers can authentically represent animals in literature with authors and publishers John Yunker and Midge Raymond, who discuss their new book Animal Writes and their Writing for Animals workshop. They share techniques for portraying animals as individuals rather than stereotypes, and offer guidance for writers who want to advocate for animals through their work. This episode explores:…
The Hen Report: “ Let’s Be Even Louder Than Before” | Animal Rights Media, Fur Ban Victory, Vegan Activism
This episode explores the changing landscape for animals as major media companies and the fashion industry take a stand against fur, while activists continue to face challenges in their fight for justice. Jasmin and Mariann discuss recent victories in the fur-free movement, including Hearst magazines and New York Fashion Week banning fur, alongside the sobering news of activist Zoe Rosenberg’s jail…
Industry Paranoia and Wolf Wars | Rising Anxieties
In this week’s edition of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the animal agriculture industry’s latest nightmares—which, unsurprisingly, include you. From hand-wringing about the movement’s supposed $865 million war chest to the Reddit whistleblower exposing paid anti-vegan trolls, we’re clearly living rent-free in Big Ag’s collective consciousness. Meanwhile, Iowa’s 110 billion pounds of untracked manure mysteriously “disappears,” Zoe Rosenberg faces jail…
Plant-Based Policy Initiatives with Animal Policy Alliance
This episode continues our special series featuring the Animal Policy Alliance, showcasing how policy advocates are creating institutional change for animals across America. Jodi Gruhn of Wholesome Minnesota, Judy Wolf of Animal Protection New Mexico, and Brenna Anderst of the Animal Policy Alliance discuss their collaborative strategies to increase plant-based food accessibility in schools and government institutions while building powerful coalitions…
The Hen Report: “Constantly Center the Animals” | Vegan Media, Animal Liberation in Pop Culture, and Effective Advocacy
In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore how animal rights themes are increasingly appearing in mainstream media – from the explicit animal liberation narrative in Wicked to the vegan consciousness in Apple TV’s Pluribus. They celebrate recent policy victories while examining why veganism often faces social resistance, emphasizing that effective advocacy keeps animals, not vegan identity,…
Spycops & Farm Propaganda: Exposing Animal Agriculture’s Self-Mythology | Rising Anxieties
This week, Mariann dives headfirst into the murky waters of the UK’s “Spycops Scandal,” where undercover officers infiltrated animal rights groups with tactics ranging from the questionable to the downright duplicitous. Then, brace yourself for Mariann’s special brand of eye-rolling commentary on the self-congratulatory bubble of animal agriculture, where farming isn’t just a job but apparently a divine calling passed down…
Animals and the Constitution with Michael Dorf
In this intellectually stimulating episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan speaks with constitutional law expert Michael Dorf about his innovative course “Animals and the Constitution.” Dorf shares how fundamental legal principles intersect with animal protection, revealing both the limitations and opportunities within our constitutional framework for advancing animal rights. This episode explores: Constitutional standing for animals: How courts determine…
The Hen Report: “We Have You and You Have Us” | Thanksgiving Thoughts on Advocacy, Literature & Vegan Proteins
This Thanksgiving episode of The Hen Report serves up a hearty helping of gratitude alongside meaningful animal advocacy discussions. Jasmin and Mariann reflect on the growth of Our Hen House, which now reaches thousands of listeners weekly through multiple podcast formats. The episode features producer Vicki Beechler’s thoughtful review of Kendra Coulter’s new novel “The Tortoise’s Tale,” a beautifully crafted story…
Sanctuary: A Radio Play – Our Annual Thanksgiving Tradition Returns!
This Thanksgiving, Our Hen House proudly presents our beloved holiday tradition: “Sanctuary: A Radio Play.” First performed in 2017 at New York City’s Symphony Space during the Culture & Animals Foundation’s Compassion Arts Festival, this darkly comedic tale continues to resonate with anyone who has navigated vegan ethics around holiday dinner tables. This episode explores: A retired couple’s relationship tested when one…
From Pardoning Turkeys to Pushing Milk: What’s Making Big Ag Nervous? | Rising Anxieties
In this irreverent episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan unpacks the latest worries keeping animal agriculture executives up at night—from avian influenza contingency plans to the surprising alliance between premium meat brands and animal advocates. With her trademark wit, Mariann dissects the absurdity of turkey “pardoning” ceremonies, exposes the dairy industry’s push to flood schools with whole milk (while conveniently excluding…
The Vegan Persuasion Problem: What Actually Works to End Animal Consumption?
In this thought-provoking episode, Jasmin and Mariann sit down with Seth Green from Stanford’s Humane and Sustainable Food Lab and Benny Smith from Allied Scholars for Animal Protection to tackle the million-dollar question: how do we actually get people to stop eating animals? The conversation dives into Seth’s fascinating meta-analysis of intervention studies and sparks a passionate debate about what really…
The Hen Report: “The World Should Be Very Different” | Animal Rights, Ethical Awakenings, and Wildlife Crossings
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann reflect on the peculiar psychology behind our collective blind spots to animal suffering, inspired by a thought-provoking Carl Sagan quote about the painful process of acknowledging when we’ve been “bamboozled.” From unexpected wildlife encounters to groundbreaking animal testing reforms, the duo navigates the latest developments in animal rights with their signature…
Meat Industry Cannibalism: When Turkey and Beef Producers Go to War | Rising Anxieties
In this awkwardly revealing Thanksgiving episode, Mariann dives into the meat industry’s internal civil war as beef enthusiasts attempt a coup against Big Turkey just in time for the holidays. We witness the spectacle of industry professionals clutching their pearls when faced with market competition while simultaneously patting themselves on the back for their “noble sacrifice” of industrial animal slaughter. Meanwhile,…
Feminism and Veganism: The Story of Bloodroot
Filmmakers Annie Laurie Medonis and Tracy Nichole Cring discuss their documentary A Culinary Uprising, which chronicles Bloodroot, one of the last remaining feminist restaurants in America. Founded in the 1970s, this Connecticut establishment has spent nearly five decades creating a unique space where veganism, feminism, and community intersect through intentional food practices and inclusive principles. Sadly, the restaurant will be closing…
The Hen Report: “Both Vegan and Funny” | Comedy and Animal Advocacy with Myq Kaplan
In this delightful episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann welcome back vegan comedian Myq Kaplan for a conversation that seamlessly weaves humor with compassion. Myq, whose comedy special “Rini” premieres on YouTube November 19th, shares profound insights on how comedy can help bridge the cognitive dissonance many experience around animal consumption. With his characteristic thoughtfulness and quick wit, Myq…
Ostrich Executions & Selective Outrage | Rising Anxieties
In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan unpacks the bewildering world of selective animal concern, from the bizarre Canadian ostrich saga that attracted celebrity saviors to the dairy industry’s reluctant admission that cows might actually have “preferred associates” (heaven forbid we call them friends). The episode dives into slaughterhouse-linked antibiotic resistance causing UTIs, the twisted marketing of chicken nuggets shaped…
Fighting Back Against Anti-Farmed Animal Legislation with Animal Policy Alliance
In this compelling episode, Mariann Sullivan speaks with three passionate advocates working to protect farmed animals through legislative action. Brian Hackett (Director of Government Relations at Associated Humane Societies), Amit Dhuleshia (co-founder of Strategic Action for Animals), and Hannah Truxell (Senior Policy Counsel with The Humane League) share their experiences fighting against the EATS Act—federal legislation that threatens to overturn state…
The Hen Report: “That’s Not How The Law Works” | Legal Battles for Animal Rights
In this powerful episode of The Hen Report, Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer speak with Steffen Seitz, a Yale Law School graduate and fellow with the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project at the University of Denver, about critical legal developments affecting animal rights activism across the United States. This episode explores: The recent conviction of activist Zoe Rosenberg on felony and…
Vegan Menu Tantrums and Deadly Dairy ‘Career Changes’ | Rising Anxieties
In this week’s episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan unpacks the absurdity of a Brazilian chef throwing a culinary hissy fit over preparing an all-vegan menu for Prince William’s sustainability event (comparing it to Iron Maiden playing jazz, which honestly sounds amazing). She also dives into the poultry industry’s shocking revelation that factory farming might gasp breed disease, explores Iowa officials’…
The Case of the Overlooked Law: Challenging Animal Confinement Through Forgotten Legislation
Attorneys Will Lowrey (Animal Partisan) and Jessica Blome (Greenfire Law) join Mariann to discuss their battle to use California’s century-old animal protection laws to help dairy calves confined in tiny hutches. Despite having clear evidence that a dairy farm was violating Penal Code Section 597t by denying calves adequate exercise, they encountered a frustrating maze of procedural obstacles that prevented them…
The Hen Report: “The Status Update Of Your Life” | Monkeys on the Loose, Stolen Surfboards, and Birthday Banter
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin (celebrating her birthday) and Mariann deliver a delightfully chaotic news roundup featuring animals who seem to be staging their own revolution. From escaped lab monkeys to surfboard-stealing sea otters in Santa Cruz, the duo explores these wild and emotional stories alongside significant animal rights victories. Between Broadway tangents and birthday celebrations, they share…
Animal Ag’s Climate Denial and Bizarre PR Tactics | Rising Anxieties
This week on Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives headfirst into the media’s convenient climate amnesia, where apparently animal agriculture’s massive emissions are just too spicy for mainstream coverage. A mere 3.8% of climate articles dare mention meat production—shocking absolutely no one who’s been paying attention. Meanwhile, the agricultural industry clutches its pearls at being called out, with one writer genuinely suggesting…
Challenging Industrial Animal Agriculture on All Fronts with Jessica Culpepper
In this enlightening conversation, Mariann Sullivan speaks with Jessica Culpepper, Executive Director of FarmSTAND, about their unique approach to dismantling industrial animal agriculture through legal advocacy that unites multiple stakeholders. Culpepper shares how FarmSTAND strategically challenges the systems that enable animal exploitation by representing workers, communities, and animals simultaneously—creating powerful coalitions against corporate interests that typically divide these groups. Rather than…
Animal Trusteeship – A Revolutionary Framework for Wildlife Advocacy
In this thought-provoking interview, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan speak with Liv Baker and Kristin Stewart from PAN Works about their groundbreaking “animal trusteeship” framework – a new approach that transforms how we advocate for wild animals in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Key Points: Wildlife Representation Framework: Pan Works has developed an innovative animal trusteeship model that gives wild…
The Hen Report: “Animal Rights will do that to you.” | Seaquarium Closes, USDA Failures & Cultivated Cat Food
In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann balance the melancholy of fall with a lively rundown of animal rights news. Between linguistic deep dives and Jasmin’s theatrical preparations (complete with “lozengers” of questionable etymology), the duo delivers updates that actually matter for animals. They discuss the USDA’s increasingly toothless enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, celebrate the…
Animal Agriculture Exposes Its Own Cruelty | Rising Anxieties
In this week’s sardonic serving of Rising Anxieties, Mariann dives into the absurdist theater that is animal agriculture PR. From a tone-deaf defense of “necessary” mutilations (apparently clipping animals’ teeth is just like childproofing your home—who knew?), to some flattering paranoia about our movement’s supposed wealth and power, to the truly disturbing footage uncovered by Animal Partisan showing law enforcement conspiring…
From Slaughterhouse to Out of Sight: Gail Eisnitz’s Lifelong Mission to Document Animal Suffering
In this powerful episode, we speak with legendary investigator Gail Eisnitz about her new memoir, Out of Sight: An Undercover Investigator’s Fight for Animal Rights and Her Own Survival. Eisnitz shares her remarkable journey from HSUS writer to becoming their only female national investigator, and ultimately chief investigator for the Humane Farming Association, all while battling an undiagnosed visual processing disorder.…
The Hen Report: “We Are Just One Other Being” | Veganic Farming with Jimmy Videle
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jimmy Videle joins the hens to discuss veganic farming at his Québec farm where he grows food without animal inputs, introduces his new book “Preserving Our Sacred Lands,” and shares details about the upcoming Veganic Summit (November 7-9). The hosts also cover Zoe Rosenberg’s animal rescue trial receiving coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle…
Reading Between Industry Lines: What Gives Big Meat the Cold Sweats | Rising Anxieties
In this revealing episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan peels back the paper-thin veneer of PR to expose what’s really making Big Meat break into a sweat. From industry giants simultaneously fighting and adopting plant-based alternatives to the hilariously transparent attempts to convince consumers that dairy cows don’t actually care about their calves (spoiler alert: they absolutely do), we’re treated to…
What’s Next for Animals with Tracy Reiman, PETA’s New President
This episode explores the vision and priorities of Tracy Reiman, PETA‘s new president with over three decades of experience in animal advocacy. In this compelling conversation, Reiman shares insights into PETA’s evolving strategies to reach younger generations through innovative technology, while continuing their groundbreaking work through investigations, campaigns, and legal action. With 10.4 million members worldwide, PETA remains focused on creating…
The Hen Report: “When Something Shifts” | Theories of Change in Animal Advocacy and Jane Goodall’s Legacy
In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann navigate everything from protein powder debates to theories of change in animal activism with their signature blend of warmth and wit. The duo shares breaking news about Jane Goodall’s passing at 91—reflecting on her revolutionary approach to animal research and advocacy—while lamenting environmental organizations’ persistent reluctance to directly address animal…
How Media Hides the Truth About Soy | Rising Anxieties
In this spirited episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan ditches the intro song and dives headfirst into the media’s maddening blind spots around animal agriculture. With her trademark blend of righteous indignation and sharp wit, Mariann unpacks how mainstream outlets consistently fail to connect the dots between soy production, deforestation, and animal feed—all while industry spin doctors work overtime to rebrand…
The Case of Banning the Truth in a Public Park | First Amendment, Animal Agriculture & Free Speech
In this thought-provoking episode of the Animal Law Podcast, we dive into a First Amendment case that cuts straight to the heart of animal advocacy: can the government prevent activists from showing the public what actually happens to animals in industrial agriculture? Mariann speaks with Sara Berinhout of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) and John Greil of the University…