Our Hen House

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…

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…

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…