Beyond Species

Season 1, Episode 7. In this episode, we hear from Gizzie. Gizzie hosts the Scum Remover podcast, which focuses on hunt sabotage. He’s also been sabbing for years and we hear about some of the history of sabbing, as well as getting an insight into how the UK hunts work. Gizzie covers the basics of how to sab and the strengths of non hierarchical organising. We also hear what the future of hunting and hunt sabbing might look like.

Season 1, Episode 6. In this episode, we hear from Elisabeth. Elisabeth’s activism has a focus on research and working with nonhuman animals from the wild. She has worked extensively with conservation groups and we hear from her about the complexities of conservation work, most of which doesn’t take an anti-speciesist approach. We learn that ethics can sometimes be a grey area, which leaves questions unanswered. Activists and the movement as a whole need to consider carefully how we care for nonhuman animals from the wild, and the implications of doing so.

Season 1, Episode 5. In this episode, we hear from Tash. Tash is a vet nurse studying Environmental Sciences. We learn what a plantbased food system might look like and some of the challenges facing it. Tash sees vegan permaculture as workable solution that can be done on a large scale. We also hear from Tash about some of her experiences as a vet nurse, and some thoughts on activism.

Season 1, Episode 4. In this episode, we hear from Meghana. As a womxn of colour, Meghana is forced to navigate her own oppression within the animal rights movement, while campaigning for justice for human and non-human animals and the environment. Hearing from Meghana, it’s clear that those of us with privilege need to work harder to unpack it and to understand oppression, if we ever want to reach liberation. Meghana finds hope in the decentralised, anti-oppression work happening in Extinction Rebellion and Animal Rebellion.

Season 1, Episode 3. In this episode, we hear from Betty, an activist based in Australia. Betty speaks about some of the challenges of working in different activist spaces. She considers some ways the animal liberation movement might move forward - evolving through strong community building - to reclaim its radical roots. Of course, it was impossible to ignore the catastrophic fires happening in Australia, but hope can be found in community self-reliance and solidarity.

Season 1, Episode 2. In this episode, we hear from Tanvir, who’s based in Richmond, Virginia (USA). They came to the animal liberation movement through the straight edge/hardcore punk scene. Tanvir gives us some idea of what it’s like to do activism solo, or in a small group, having moved away from well-known activism franchises.

Season 1, Episode 1. In this episode, we hear from Shoana. Shoana is based in the US, and spent time working on a small scale dairy farm which marketed itself as ethical and humane. Shoana speaks to some of the problems inherent in dairy farming and shines a light on the suffering that results from it. We spent a bit of time towards the end of the show discussing Million Dollar Vegan.