Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

In this heartfelt conversation, author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau joins Jasmin and Mariann to discuss her eighth book, A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero Waste, Plant-Based and Cruelty Free, exploring how compassion can be a guiding force during challenging times and offering practical ways to manifest it in everyday life. This episode explores: How compassion is often misunderstood and how…

This episode reveals the winning strategies behind successful fur ban legislation, featuring advocates who have convinced communities to ditch cruel fashion! From Massachusetts towns passing bans unanimously to a creative campaign strategies in Washington DC, our guests share how grassroots advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic planning are creating a domino effect of animal protection laws across the country. This episode explores: How…

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Natalie Ahwesh of Humane Action Pennsylvania and Hannah Truxell of The Animal Policy Alliance about creating effective animal protection legislation at the local level. Learn how grassroots organizations can work with national resources to pass meaningful laws for animals, from foie gras bans to broader farmed animal protections. This episode explores: • How to…

Leading researchers from the Psychology of Human Animal Intergroup Relations (PHAIR) Society join us to explore the science behind effective animal advocacy. Social psychologists Kristof Dhont and Jared Piazza share evidence-based insights about why people resist changing their behavior toward animals despite claiming to care about them and what this means for vegan advocacy and animal rights activism. This episode explores:…

Christine Kim, founder of My Dog is My Home, joins us to discuss the critical intersection of housing justice and animal companionship. This eye-opening conversation explores how homeless services, emergency shelters, and housing policies can better serve people and their companion animals, challenging systemic barriers that often force families to choose between shelter and keeping their pets. This episode explores: The…

In this powerful episode, we welcome Frances Gonzalez, founder of Little Logan’s Farm, who shares her inspiring journey of creating a veganic sanctuary and educational space in New York’s Hudson Valley. After experiencing profound personal loss, Frances channeled her grief into building a community space that champions veganic farming and compassionate living. Through innovative farm-to-table events and educational programs, she’s breaking…

On this week’s Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore how we maintain focus on animal advocacy during times of broader crisis, discussing everything from the power of repetition in countering industry narratives to the latest developments in vegan food innovation. Through personal stories and current events, they examine why animal rights remains a crucial lens for understanding and addressing global challenges.…

Scientist Dr. Rachel Mason joins us to break down her groundbreaking research on dismantling industrial animal agriculture through systems thinking. From her work with Animal Charity Evaluators to her current research using AI to track factory farms globally, Dr. Mason reveals how different forms of activism can work together for maximum impact in challenging factory farming. This episode explores: How the…

In this engaging episode, documentary filmmaker Austin Meyer and sanctuary director Zoe Novic share how improvisation techniques can revolutionize animal advocacy. From their work leading “Advocacy Playground” workshops at the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit to Austin’s compelling animal-focused documentaries, the couple demonstrates how creativity and playfulness can strengthen activism while building essential skills like listening and adaptability. Their unique approach…

In this eye-opening episode, conservation scientist Dr. Bec Gooley challenges our perceptions of one of the most maligned animals – rats. From debunking disease myths to exposing the devastating environmental impact of rodenticides, Dr. Gooley shares groundbreaking research about how rat poisons are affecting entire ecosystems. As both a scientist and policy advocate, she discusses California’s landmark legislation restricting anticoagulant rodenticides…

In this essential episode for animal advocates, environmental experts Jennifer Molidor (Center for Biological Diversity) and Ashley Capps (A Well Fed World) expose how the meat industry uses “regenerative grazing” claims to greenwash factory farming. From debunking myths about grass-fed beef to revealing the devastating impact of cattle grazing on wildlife and climate change, this conversation equips our flock with science-backed…

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with family physician Dr. Zach Burns about transforming healthcare through plant-based nutrition. From examining the pharmaceutical industry’s influence on medical education to exploring practical solutions for chronic disease prevention, discover how integrating lifestyle medicine could revolutionize our approach to health. Through candid discussion about medical training, patient care, and systemic change, Dr. Burns shares insights…

Philosopher and researcher Bob Fischer joins us to explore the fascinating and complex world of insect consciousness. From fruit flies being used as depression models to bees playing with marbles, discover how new science is challenging everything we thought we knew about sentience. Through candid discussion about the scale of insect farming, the evidence for insect consciousness, and the practical implications…

Step inside Toronto’s Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, an innovative 1,270-square-foot activist hub providing everything from recording equipment to fake blood (yes, really) for animal advocates. This groundbreaking community space serves as a prototype for activist centers worldwide, combining practical resources with a strict “no drama” policy and the occasional karaoke night to create sustainable, accessible advocacy. Key Discussion Points: • Creating…

Science journalist and author Brandon Keim joins us to discuss his groundbreaking book “Meet the Neighbors,” exploring how recognizing animals as thinking, feeling beings transforms our relationship with nature. From urban wildlife to conservation ethics, Keim bridges the gap between scientific research and public understanding of animal intelligence, while offering hope for meaningful change in how we interact with the creatures…

In this special year-end episode, Jasmin and Mariann reflect on Our Hen House’s journey through 2024 while looking ahead to 2025. From discussing standout interviews and emerging food technology to examining media coverage of animal issues, our hosts provide their unique perspectives on the state of animal advocacy. Their candid conversation balances hope with realism, offering insights into how activists maintain…

Whistleblower and animal rights advocate Maddie Krasno exposes the dark reality of animal experimentation in university research facilities. After caring for 500+ primates at UW-Madison’s testing laboratories, Krasno reveals how the industry systematically silences workers while continuing questionable experiments with taxpayer funding. Now, as co-founder of Justify, she’s building a groundbreaking support network for former lab workers while advocating for ethical,…

Undercover investigator Pete Paxton and attorney Cailen LaBarge from Strategies for Ethical and Environmental Development (SEED) discuss their groundbreaking investigation of livestock auctions across America. After infiltrating 17 auctions in 10 states, they reveal how these largely overlooked facilities serve as crucial links in industrial animal agriculture while fostering systematic abuse. The conversation explores how cultural dynamics perpetuate cruelty, SEED’s innovative…

Vegan pioneer Victoria Moran discusses her new book “Age Like a Yogi” and explores how yoga’s principle of non-violence (ahimsa) connects with animal advocacy. Drawing from 40 years of activism, Victoria shares how spiritual practices can sustain long-term advocacy while preventing burnout. Key topics include: Why yoga philosophy naturally leads to veganism Using meditation to process activist trauma Connecting animal rights…

Join Our Hen House for an illuminating conversation with Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882 (aka Djurens Rätt), Sweden’s largest animal rights organization. Learn how this groundbreaking organization combines grassroots vegan activism with corporate outreach and legislative advocacy to create meaningful change for animals across Europe. ABOUT OUR GUEST Benny Andersson is the CEO of Project 1882, an animal rights organization…

We are thrilled to present this very special holiday episode of Sanctuary: A Radio Play, an annual Thanksgiving tradition at Our Hen House! This special performance marks the world premiere of John Yunker’s Sanctuary at New York City’s Symphony Space during the Culture & Animals Foundation’s Compassion Arts Festival. ABOUT THE PLAY A dark comedy by John Yunker, Sanctuary tells the…

Misinformation, disinformation, fake news, outright lies. When it comes to the horrific harms caused by factory farms, the truth can be hard to come by. This week, we are joined by Robbie Lockie to discuss The Freedom Food Alliance, which is helping both consumers and policymakers get the real story. ABOUT OUR GUEST Robbie Lockie is the founder and CEO of…

Is the key to reaching more people with a vegan message to stop talking about the horrors that we want to end and start talking more about what we want to create? That’s what Matthew Halteman is aiming for with his new book Hungry, Beautiful Animals, and he joins us this week to discuss details of the book and his theory…

From unmasking fake “rescues” on social media to getting stories placed in major media outlets, the work of Lady Freethinker tells people all over the world about some of the worst things that are happening to animals and, crucially, what they can do about it. This week, we are joined by Nina Jackel to hear about her work publicizing and fighting…

Join us this week as Jasmin and Mariann discuss the latest news from the world of animal rights. Plus, we share Jasmin’s keynote address to the Rochester UN as a special treat. RESOURCES Vegan Posse podcast on Youtube Animal Law Podcast #113 Tracking the U.S. bird flu outbreak has been hard. It’s about to get harder Exclusive: State and industry input…

Turning a goat dairy farm into a goat sanctuary isn’t something that happens every day. But that’s exactly what just happened in Bloomington, Indiana, and Nicole Schonemann is here to share the whole beautiful story. ABOUT OUR GUEST Nicole Schonemann is one of the four original founders of the Goat Conspiracy, a former goat dairy farm in Bloomington, Indiana, that is…

More vegan options for everybody? Yes, please!!! Britty Mann of Planted Society joins us to tell us about their Plant Based for the Planet Initiative, which encourages local restaurants to put delicious plant-based options on the menu. ABOUT OUR GUEST Britty Mann is the Founder & Executive Director of Planted Society, a nonprofit whose mission is making plant-based eating more accessible…

Interested in keeping chicken poop out of your garden? If we want to overhaul the food system, we are going to have to start from the ground up, literally. This week, Meg Kelly of the Veganic Summit joins us to share her tips and tricks for converting your garden, or your farm, to a veganic wonderland. ABOUT OUR GUEST An avid…

We are joined this week by Tom Harris to discuss his new book, Your Neighbour Kills Puppies: Inside the Animal Liberation Movement, which tells the story of the legendary SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty) campaign, which not only forever changed how the animal rights movement was viewed by the powers that be but also ended up with Tom, along with many…

California’s ban on the sale of puppies in pet stores solved the puppy mill issue for the state, right? Not so fast! LA Times’ investigative reporters Melody Gutierrez and Alene Tchekmedyian join us this week to discuss all they uncovered in their deep dive into the dark underbelly of the puppy trade in California. Also, Midge Raymond and John Yunker of…

Sanctuaries play a vital role in connecting people to the victims of animal agriculture. This week, we are joined by Sarah Salluzo & Jonina Turzi, co-founders of Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, to discuss the sanctuary, its residents, and the challenges that come along with running a refuge. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Sarah Salluzzo co-founded Lancaster Farm Sanctuary (LFS) in 2017. She holds an…

Without slaughterhouses, animal agriculture is over. So let’s do it! This week, we are joined by Shannon Blair and Malaina Watts, who both worked tirelessly to block the creation of two new slaughterhouses in Florida and helped put an end to an illegal slaughter operation as well. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Shannon Blair’s journey toward animal liberation began at age nine after…

Don’t you wish you could vote on whether you want a slaughterhouse in your city? Well, this year, in Denver, you can. Aidan Kankyoku of Pro-Animal Future joins us this week to tell us about the ever-growing movement to use citizens’ initiatives to put animals on the ballot. ABOUT OUR GUEST Aidan Kankyoku is a researcher focused on developing new strategies…

We are back this week with another Hen Report to bring you up to date on what’s happening in the world of animal rights, as well as what’s going on in the lives of our own two hens. RESOURCES Animal Law Podcast Ep 111 A Whole New Chrissy: Love, laughs and fresh starts on Bondi Beach London Zoo removes Banksy work…

We all love lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), but is seeing them in captivity really the way people should get to know them? Liz Tyson of Born Free USA joins us to discuss the organization’s goal of #KeepingWildlifeInTheWild, the legislative and policy work they are pursuing, and all about the monkeys of Texas!! ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Liz Tyson…

Why do many people see some animals’ deaths as devastating while most animal deaths are considered irrelevant and meaningless? This week, animal chaplain Sarah Bowen joins us to discuss her book, Sacred Sendoffs, and religion and spirituality as they relate to humanity’s treatment of animals. ABOUT OUR GUEST Sarah A. Bowen is co-founder of Compassion Consortium and the executive director of…

There are hundreds of vegan burgers on the market to help take cows off the menu, but what to do about steak lovers? Enter Juicy Marbles, whose Chief Brand Officer, Vladimir Mićković, joins us this week to give us the scoop on their plant-based whole cuts and the vegan scene in their home country of Slovenia. ABOUT OUR GUEST Vladimir Mićković…

On this week’s Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann bring you the latest news about animal activism and veganism, along with a few random thoughts on whatever. Then, they are joined by the incomparable Michael Dorf with a special report on this year’s Vegan Summerfest. Plus music! RESOURCES Butch Home Economics on Youtube The Vegan Grocery Store website The bird flu doom…

“Why don’t you care about humans?” is an accusatory question that most animal advocates have encountered. This week, we are joined by Poorva Joshipura to discuss her new book, Survival at Stake, which connects the dots between our treatment of animals and the future of humans. ABOUT OUR GUEST Poorva Joshipura is the author of For a Moment of Taste: How…

Wouldn’t it be great to have a single place laying out all the information and reasons behind animal rights? Well, now there is! This week, filmmaker Mark Devries joins us to discuss his new film, Humans and Other Animals, which aims to do just that. ABOUT OUR GUEST Mark DeVries is a documentary filmmaker whose award-winning work, including his prior film,…

What happens when you’ve dedicated your life to the family business and suddenly become vegan? This week, we are joined by Farah Shammas, who tells us all about how she has helped make her family’s resort hotel and the restaurants therein into a vegan-friendly oasis. She also dishes on the vegan scene in Cyprus and tells us about her books! ABOUT…

This week, we try something completely new as Jasmin and Mariann discuss recent happenings. Tune in for the latest animal rights and vegan news in pop culture, potlucks, activism, climate, rising anxieties, and also some wins from the movement! RESOURCES Danish livestock farmers to be taxed for cow and pig-made greenhouse gases Renowned Plant-Based Physician Dr John McDougall Dies Aged 77…

How can we do the most good for animals with the resources available to us? This week, we are joined by author and vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke to discuss the answers to that question in his most recent book, The Impactful Vegan. ABOUT OUR GUEST Robert is the author of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, Shred It!, Plant-Based Muscle, the New York…

What lessons are there to be learned by studying the history of the movement, and how can we apply those lessons to our activism today? This week, we are joined by Bill Wasik & Monica Murphy to discuss the research and writing of their book Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals. ABOUT OUR…

The question constantly on our minds is how to figure out the most effective ways to reach people regarding what is happening to animals and maybe even get them to stop eating them. Chris Bryant joins us this week to discuss the work of Bryant Research, a company conducting social science research to aid in the protein transition. ABOUT OUR GUEST…

Almost everyone loves an elephant. Or an orangutan. Or a tiger. So, how can we leverage that love to save the planet? This week, Leif Cocks joins us again to discuss his many projects that help protect forests, including The International Tiger Project. ABOUT OUR GUEST Leif Cocks is the Founder of Wildlife Conservation International, which incorporates The Orangutan Project, International…

We all wish for the superpower to understand what animals are communicating. This week, we are joined by biologist Mickey Pardo to discuss his work studying animal communication and social cognition in animals ranging from elephants to woodpeckers. ABOUT OUR GUEST Mickey Pardo is a biologist specializing in animal communication, animal cognition, and wildlife conservation. He earned his PhD from the…

Wouldn’t it be great if we could keep land from falling into the hands of animal agriculture and just give it to wild animals instead? That is exactly what the U.K.’s Vegan Land Movement is doing, and Gina Bates is here to tell us how they are doing it and why you should do it too. ABOUT OUR GUEST Following art…

Darwin was onto something. So how did scientists then go so completely wrong in understanding who animals really are, and where are we now? This week, we are joined by field biologist, professor, and author Marc Bekoff for a glimpse into The Emotional Lives of Animals. We also hear more about his friendship with Jane Goodall and how that led to…

How do we put farmed animals on the agenda for policymakers? This week, Gabriel Wildgen joins us to discuss the Animal Policy Alliance, a project of The Humane League that is working to connect state and local animal organizations across the US to each other and help them get what they need to compete with animal agriculture. ABOUT OUR GUEST Gabriel…