Our Hen House

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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:…

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…

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…

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…