Our Hen House

Sebastian Joy, founder of Kickstarting for Good, shares his innovative approach to transforming our global food system. Sebastian, who went from leading a tiny vegetarian society to helping build a worldwide movement at ProVeg International, reveals how mentorship has helped launch initiatives raising over $500 million for plant-based innovation. With candid stories about developing B12-fortified toothpaste (when everyone said it was…

In this delightfully loopy episode of The Hen Report (affectionately dubbed “Henry Port” by hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan), the duo spans topics from coast to coast while delivering their signature wit and animal rights commentary. Jasmin checks in from Los Angeles, where she’s attending the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit, reminiscing about her time living in the sprawling city…

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan exposes how the animal agriculture industry is desperately attempting to rebrand itself while facing mounting environmental and ethical challenges. This episode explores: How factory farming is co-opting “regenerative agriculture” as their newest meaningless buzzword to greenwash industrial practices The meat industry’s shocking new strategy to recruit teenagers aged 16-18 by giving them “hands-on…

In this powerful episode, we sit down with activist Robert Grillo, founder of Free From Harm, who shares his strategic approach to creating systemic change for animals. From disrupting congressional hearings to confronting food industry executives, Robert explains how his organization uses targeted activism to challenge the status quo and push for a transition to a plant-based food system. How Robert…

This Hen Report episode explores the concerning developments in animal agriculture and the inspiring grassroots efforts fighting back against institutional apathy. Jasmin and Mariann deliver a news roundup that examines: How the Trump administration’s $1 billion bird flu plan funnels taxpayer money to the poultry industry while ignoring the root causes of the crisis and the spread to dairy cows The…

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann dives into the animal agriculture industry’s publications to uncover what’s making them sweat these days. As she often points out, only two groups truly know what happens behind closed factory farm doors: advocates and the industry itself. The Rising Anxieties podcast uses their own words to pull back the curtain on what they are…

Danielle Hanosh, co-founder and executive director of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet), returns to Our Hen House to share how this innovative program has grown to 18 sanctuaries nationwide with plans to expand into Canada. LEAP provides middle and high school students with hands-on humane education at farm sanctuaries, offering an ethical alternative to traditional 4H and FFA…

This Hen Report episode explores the disturbing parallels between systems of oppression, from ICE operations to the meat industry, and the looming threats to public health from factory farming. Jasmin and Mariann deliver a sobering Hen Report that examines: How the meat industry and immigration enforcement share similar dehumanizing tactics, with both systems relying on workers who must carry out brutal…

This week, we welcome hero activist Zoe Rosenberg, who generously joined us amid her ongoing legal battle to discuss Direct Action Everywhere’s campaign against Petaluma Poultry. Zoe provided valuable context about the deceptive marketing of this Purdue subsidiary, which claims to offer “free range” and “organic” chickens while investigations reveal deplorable conditions. She shared her personal journey from early investigations to…

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…