Herd Around the Barn

In this episode, Kathy continues her conversation with Erica Meier, Director of Compassion over Killing. They discuss:

-- COK's investigation of Cook Aquaculture, one of the world's largest factory farms for fish

-- what the public doesn't know about fish farming

-- Erica's response to the common criticism that cruelty investigators target "the bad apples" of animal agriculture

-- progress made in 2019: was it enough to label it "the year of the vegan?"

Key Takeaways:

-- fish farming causes just as much suffering as the farming of land animals--but on an even vaster scale

-- labeling horribly cruel practices as "standard" exempts them from cruelty statutes -- but it shouldn't

-- farm sanctuaries have a central role to play in changing the world for animals

-- 2019 seemed to be a tipping point: both Kathy and Erica expect stunning and rapid change for animals and the environment in 2020 and beyond.

In this episode, Kathy and Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing, discuss:

-- How factory farms and slaughterhouses are "exploitation machines," harming animals, humans, and the environment

-- Food retailers' responsiveness to consumer concerns: we have far more power than we recognize

-- the Starbucks campaign as an example of the above

-- The likelihood that 2020 will be a game-changing year for animals

In this episode, Kathy and Renee King-Sonnen discuss:Renee’s transition from a cattle rancher’s wife to a vegan animal advocate, thanks to the influence of a tiny calf named Rowdy GirlThe extreme emotional toll that cattle ranching took on herThe differences in how ranches and sanctuaries treat animalsThe distress of other ranching families who want to create new, non-exploitive ways to use their landKEY TAKEAWAYS:Many animal farmers are desperate for a new way to make a living.Animal farming is a dying industry, and RAP is an extraordinary support system for farmers wanting to keep their land but reinvent themselves.We must reclaim the Earth for the animals.

In this episode, Julie Squires--lifecoach, compassion fatigue specialist, and host of the podcast Rekindling--discusses with Kathy:

--the suicide epidemic within veterinary medicine

--Julie's own personal struggle with mental health, and how it informs her work with others

--what compassion fatigue is, and how we can "retrain our brain" to overcome it

Key Takeaways:

--we're not taught how to be "mentally healthy"

--our brains are hardwired to think negatively; we must literally retrain them if we want to feel better

--circumstances are not the cause of our feelings: rather, our thoughts about those circumstances are the cause of our feelings

--Julie has several tools--from her podcast, to her workshops, to 1:1 coaching, to help "animal workers" reboot and reenergize to be our happiest, healthiest, most impactful selves

In this episode, Kathy reviews both extraordinary advancements and disturbing developments from 2019:

-- the remarkable trajectory of the Impossible and Beyond Burgers

-- new vegan food products launched in 2019 or ready for 2020

-- encouraging developments from industries other than food: new vegan leather companies, 40 makeup companies that have gone vegan, and more

-- the Trump administration's continued assault on animals

-- grim results of hastening global warming

Key Takeaways:

-- Whether we feel hopeful or defeated by 2019 developments is irrelevant. What's important is to use our extraordinary privilege to be our best and most powerful selves.

This episode was brought to you by Catskill Animal Sanctuary

In this podcast, Kathy and Rachel, Executive Director of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, discuss:

1. the role of farm sanctuaries in changing the world for all of us

2. issues to consider if you're thinking of starting an animal sanctuary

3. a couple books worth reading!

4. lessons from a little duck named Puddles

Key Takeaways:

1. Sanctuaries bring good-hearted people face-to-face with the animals they consume in moments that are frequently life-changing.

2. Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle is the greatest step one can make to combat global warming.

2. Proceed with caution if you're considering opening a sanctuary!

3. Animals offer important lessons even to those who work with them every day, often affirming that "in the ways that truly matter, we're all the same."

In the first of a two part conversation, Kathy and Rachel McCrystal discuss:

-- Rachel's unusual childhood growing up in the desert, and how that informed her work on behalf of animals today

-- Woodstock Sanctuary and some of the animals who reside there

-- what each of these movement leaders have learned from the animals

-- some of the "ah-ha's" Rachel has had in her first years as Executive Director

On this podcast, Kathy Stevens discusses:

-- the heroic effort to save a beloved cow named Russell

-- the extraordinary grit and resolve of the Sanctuary team

This episode is brought to you by the team at Castksill Animal Sanctuary

In this episode, Kathy and Valerie discuss:

The many species of animals cared for by accredited sanctuaries around the country

GFAS’ role as the sanctuary movement’s “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval”

The process used by GFAS to give “two thumbs up” to the country’s best sanctuaries

Signs that indicate a sanctuary might be in trouble

GFAS plans to foster collaboration between sanctuaries

Key Takeaways:

Scores of wonderful sanctuaries are dotted around the country, but even the best need support

It’s far too easy to become a sanctuary; 50% of sanctuaries fail in the first 3 years

 

There are important distinctions between “true” sanctuaries and others that Valerie labels “illegitimate”

 

This show is brought to you by Catskill Animal Sanctuary

In this episode, Kathy and Leah discuss:

Leah’s leap of faith to leave her life in England and move to Georgia to understand, and ultimately partner with, chicken farmers

The lives led by newborn chicks in the six weeks they live before being killed for human consumption

Her relationship with chicken farmer Craig Watts which allowed her to see that farmers, too, are agribusiness victims

Working with Jim Purdue of the iconic Purdue family who wants to “be the disruptor” of the chicken industry

Key Takeaways:

The slaughter line at chicken facilities move so fast that gruesome errors are routine and working conditions are equally inhumane

Many farmers long to get out of the business of growing animals, but are too indebted to do so.

Listening to, understanding, and working with “the enemy” is the best way to bring about real and lasting change

 

This show is brought to you by Catskill Animal Sanctuary.