Beyond Species

Season 1, Episode 17. In this episode, we hear from lauren, from the Food Empowerment Project. lauren explains how food justice is central to FEP’s advocacy for social justice for both human and nonhuman animals. We hear about some of the initiatives taking place, including the chocolate list – and how a plantbased diet doesn’t necessarily equal an ethical one. We also hear from lauren about the importance of a decolonial approach to understanding diets and how chapter-based activist groups can be damaging to the grassroots movement.

Season 1, Episode 16. In this episode, we hear from Oz and Keith, also known as Lonely Vegan. We consider the effectiveness of sharing undercover investigation footage on social media, as well as the emotional cost, which can lead to burnout. We hear about the corruption of farm industry regulators, issues with the activist identity, and how anger can be a motivating factor but also a detriment to activism. We reflect on the current state of the movement and the importance of knowing the history, as we learn to move forward.

Season 1, Episode 15. In this episode, we hear from Solarpunk Anarchist. He provides an introduction to solarpunk, a science fiction genre that sprang up around 2010, which imagines a hopeful future for all. He expands on the links between solarpunk and anarchism, in particular social ecology, which seems to mirror the ideals of solarpunk. Solarpunk Anarchist explains some of the practical steps that might be taken to create a solarpunk world and how this niche genre might inform our social justice movements.

Season 1, Episode 14. In this episode, we hear from Giulia, who is based in Italy and part of the anti-speciesist collective, Insectionals. We hear from Giulia about the need for direct action but also for effective public education; some of the issues around humans being centred in the movement; the importance of anti-speciesist language, and a need for a closer look at the theory and approaches often used in the animal rights movement.

Season 1, Episode, 13. In this episode, we hear from Jamie. Jamie advocates for human and nonhuman animal rights using the philosophy of sentientism as an ethical grounding. Sentientism uses evidence and reason to inform our moral decision making. Jamie explains how anti-speciesism and sentientism can be combined, but how this can also be problematic for some anti-speciesist activists. He also digs deeper into some of the questions posted by sentientism, in relation to veganism, environmentalism and artificial intelligence.

Season 1, Episode 12. In this episode, we hear from Camila. Based in Argentina, Camila explains why mainstream vegan advocacy doesn’t work there. She speaks about the need for a new approach, rooted in institutional education and tailored for the specific challenges of the region. Camila is also learning about feminism, and considers how this links to anti speciesist activism.

Season 1, Episode 11. In this episode, we hear from Danny. Danny tells us about his journey from the far right of the political spectrum to his current post left, anarchist position. He explains the basics of anarchism and the importance of direct action, along with some history of these in the animal liberation movement. Danny also covers security culture and shares his thoughts on the celebrity culture within the vegan social movement.

Season 1, Episode 10. In this episode, we hear from Isa. Based near Kuala Lumpur, Isa’s activism has a strong focus on food justice and anarchism. We hear about his involvement with Food Not Bombs and DIY activism like chalking and graffiti. Isa also tells us how his experience in chef school and the music scene, and a health issue, led him to explore veganism.

Season 1, Episode 9. In this episode, we hear from Justin. Justin speaks to us about the advocacy work of Triangle Chicken Advocates and the Microsanctuary Resource Center. They explain that sanctuary can be offered at any scale. By bringing nonhumans into our homes, we are able to deepen our understanding of them as individuals. This opens up a range of possibilities for activism and education, and leads us towards a deeper engagement with vegan practice. We also hear about some of the challenges of liberation and sanctuary provision.

Season 1, Episode 8. In this episode, we hear from Connie. Connie is a founding member of the Agriculture Fairness Alliance and Vegan Justice League, based in the US. She speaks about the need for vegans to get political, and direct much needed resources into lobbying for system change. Connie explains how the supply and demand rhetoric of the vegan movement fails within a food system rigged by government and the industry, resulting in overproduction and stockpiling. Human and nonhuman animal issues are inextricably linked, and a holistic approach is needed if we want to achieve animal liberation.