Our Hen House

This episode of the Animal Law Podcast features Christopher Berry, Executive Director of the Nonhuman Rights Project, discussing a groundbreaking court case that recognizes companion animals as family members in certain legal contexts. Mariann and Christopher explore how this New York decision challenges decades of precedent that treated beloved pets as mere property rather than family, potentially opening new doors for…

In this week’s Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann weave through a tapestry of topics with their signature blend of wit and passion. From Rochester’s unseasonably cold August weather to the legal victory against “Alligator Alcatraz,” the conversation takes delightful detours while tackling serious issues like the persistent protein myths still plaguing vegans and the complexities of meat reduction trends worldwide. This…

In this week’s episode of Rising Anxieties, we examine the meat industry’s growing concerns. From water scarcity issues affecting livestock-heavy regions to unexpected anti-vax policy changes impacting animal agriculture, Mariann walks listeners through the headlines that have industry executives worried. The episode covers everything from depleting aquifers in agricultural states to the prosecution of mink liberation activists, while also exploring challenges…

This episode explores the powerful connections between factory farming, political repression, and the rise of authoritarianism with award-winning investigative journalist Will Potter. In a thought-provoking conversation about his new book Little Red Barns: Hiding the Truth from Farm to Fable, Potter reveals how his decade-long investigation uncovered the dangerous intersection between industrial agriculture and fascist movements. With authenticity and passion, Mariann…

This episode features a conversation with Michael Dorf, Cornell Law School professor and animal advocate, who shares insights from his presentations at Vegan Summerfest. Jasmin and Mariann discuss their upcoming “staycation” plans while reflecting on the early days of Our Hen House. This episode explores: How human rights frameworks can be applied to animal rights advocacy The nationwide shelter crisis and…

In this heartwarming episode, Jasmin and Mariann welcome Sherri Franklin, founder and executive director of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, a groundbreaking organization that has saved over 13,000 senior dogs since 2007. What began with just 27 dogs in Sherri’s kitchen has transformed into a revolutionary cage-free shelter in San Francisco that now rescues more than 27 dogs every week. Through Sherri’s…

In this delightfully candid episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann dive into a mix of animal rights victories, personal news, and the peculiarities of content creation in the digital age. Episode Highlights: Jasmin’s Big News: Jasmin reveals she’ll be playing Judy Garland in “End of the Rainbow” at Center Stage Theater in Rochester this December. Fur Industry Collapse: Discussion…

In this week’s delightfully disturbing dive into animal agriculture’s paranoia, Mariann Sullivan unpacks the industry’s latest pearl-clutching over those pesky activists who have the audacity to…checks notes…document actual conditions on farms. Gasp! From Canadian farmers fretting about undercover investigations to Perdue shaping chicken meat into cute sea creatures while the plant-based industry gets crucified for “confusing” labeling, the hypocrisy reaches ocean…

In this collaborative episode with Animal Policy Alliance, Our Hen House explores the critical defensive battles being waged in state legislatures to protect animals from harmful agricultural industry bills. From blocking anti-drone legislation in Missouri to defeating rabbit farming expansion in Connecticut, our guests share their strategies for legislative success despite being outspent and outmaneuvered by powerful industry interests. Successfully blocked…

In this episode of The Hen Report, Mariann and Jasmin welcome back Richard “Kudo” Couto of Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) for a crucial   follow-up to his interview from episode 819. When Kudo first appeared on the show, his major investigation into Woodcrest Dairy was just breaking, and he couldn’t share all the details. Now he returns to reveal how ARM’s…

In this week’s Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the theater of the absurd that is animal agriculture politics. From the Trump administration’s laughable attempt to blame California’s cage-free egg laws for nationwide price hikes (spoiler alert: it’s actually bird flu), to pork industry lobbyists desperately trying to justify their existence by fighting animal welfare laws nobody asked them to fight.…

In this compelling episode, Mariann Sullivan speaks with Elise Bennett, Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, about the lawsuit challenging the controversial immigration detention facility in Florida’s Everglades. Bennett details how this hastily constructed center in Big Cypress National Preserve threatens endangered species, water quality, and the integrity of a crucial ecosystem that has received billions in restoration funding…

In this compelling episode, Mariann Sullivan speaks with Elise Bennett, Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, about the lawsuit challenging the controversial immigration detention facility in Florida’s Everglades. Bennett details how this hastily constructed center in Big Cypress National Preserve threatens endangered species, water quality, and the integrity of a crucial ecosystem that has received billions in restoration funding…

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the agricultural industry’s latest pearl-clutching moments. From state fair organizers panicking over PETA’s “Hell on Wheels” truck to a farmer claiming slaughterhouse screams are “edited,” this episode exposes the absurd lengths the animal agriculture industry will go to avoid confronting reality. Meanwhile, Trader Joe’s is suing activists, and politicians are suggesting…

This week we dive into the mysterious kingdom of fungi with infectious enthusiasm and scientific precision. Our conversation with ecologist Aishwarya Veerabahu takes us on a journey from underground mycelial networks to the emerging world of mushroom-based alternatives to animal products. The unique perspective bridges the gap between ecological understanding and animal rights, demonstrating how our relationship with the fungal world…

In a world seemingly drowning in sordid headlines, Jasmin and Mariann take a refreshing dive into some genuinely positive developments for animals. From chimpanzees finally escaping laboratory confinement to plant-based milk options becoming more accessible in schools, this episode serves up a welcome plate of good news with just enough irreverent commentary to keep it real. The hosts navigate through victories…

In this delightfully sardonic edition of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan takes us on a whirlwind tour through the landscape of animal agriculture’s latest woes. From the Trump administration’s absurd lawsuit blaming California’s modest animal welfare laws (not bird flu!) for egg price hikes, to the stomach-turning news of deadly salmonella outbreaks from those same eggs, this episode showcases the industry’s spectacular…

In this thought-provoking episode of Our Hen House, Mariann Sullivan interviews philosopher John Sanbonmatsu about his groundbreaking book The Omnivore’s Deception: What We Get Wrong About Meat, Animals, and Ourselves. With intellectual rigor and a touch of irreverence, Sanbonmatsu dismantles the cultural narratives that keep some people comfortably consuming animals while knowing better. From exposing the “humane meat” mythology popularized by…

In this delightfully chaotic episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan stumble through podcast identity confusion before diving into pressing animal rights news and media recommendations. The pair balance serious discussions about animal welfare trade policies and methane production with lighthearted moments about Jasmin’s new senior dog adoption and her “Hens Before Mens” t-shirt that sparks unexpected veganism…

In this week’s parched edition of Rising Anxieties, Mariann dives into the meat industry’s growing water crisis – where aquifers are disappearing faster than industry excuses. While Texas suffers floods, livestock regions face exceptional drought conditions with vital aquifers dropping several feet annually. The meat industry’s brilliant solution? Water-free animals and air-to-water technology! Meanwhile, lab-grown salmon makes a splash in Portland’s…