Herd Around the Barn

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Sara Boan discuss:

· Thanksgiving's little-known and surprising history

· Tips to help "mixed families" (vegan and meat eaters) feel comfortable at the Thanksgiving table

· Some of Sara's favorite Thanksgiving recipes

· Vegan butters, vegan milks, vegan sausages, including which brands/flavors work best for holiday comfort foods

Key Takeaways: 

· At celebrations that include both meat eaters and vegans, it's wise not to discuss one's dietary choices at the dinner table.

· Vegan butters and milks can easily be substituted for dairy products with no difference in taste or texture,

·         You can find an enormous variety of mouth-watering and festive-looking dishes to replace the turkey.

.         46 million turkeys--deeply loving, emotional animals--are killed in the U.S. each year for Thanksgiving alone.

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS (https://www.facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS), facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary (https://www.facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary)

Twitter: twitter.com/CASanctuary/ (https://www.twitter.com/CASanctuary/)

Books: https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings (https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings)

Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary (https://casanctuary.org/)

Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ (https://instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/)

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary)

In this episode, Kathy Stevens discusses:

* Finding the touchstones in your life to bring you back to your best self.

* The story of her greatest teacher, a sheep named Rambo, convincing a pig that life was worth living.

* The gift that animals offer humans.

Key Takeaways:

* At sanctuaries, it's not just the humans who help animals heal: other animals have an important role as well.

* Pigs are fastidious animals: their penchant for mud is to prevent sunburn, keep the bugs off, and keep cool with their lack of sweat glands.

* Connecting deeply with animals during uncertain times is a healthy way to stay grounded.

* Find the things that give you joy.

“I wouldn't leave a plant behind, much less a highly aware, sensitive, and intelligent animal dependent on humans for his very survival." – Kathy Stevens

Connect with Kathy Stevens: Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS (https://www.facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS), facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary (https://www.facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary) Twitter:   twitter.com/CASanctuary/ (https://www.twitter.com/CASanctuary/) Books:  https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings (https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings) Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary (https://casanctuary.org/) Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ (https://instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/) YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary)

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Aaron Arias discuss:

* The dramatic family history that brought the restaurant into being.

* How the restaurant changed from vegan one day per week to all vegan.

* The Arias family mission to help the community get healthy.

* The exciting expansion under way at El Palote Panadería.

Key Takeaways:

* In many Mexican restaurants, beans, tamales, and many other foods that appear vegan contain animal products such as lard.

* New vegan flavor profiles are constantly being introduced in the restaurant.

* Mylk Guys will ship vegan products to you anywhere in the country.

* It's tough for people to overcome their psychological resistance to veganism and accept that they won't be losing the flavors that they love.

“ Veganism...is like a tapestry – you’re doing it for the animals, either you’re doing it for health, either you’re doing it for whatever reason, you’re still in that tapestry and you’re still helping out all those other regions. That’s the beauty of it." – Aaron Arias Connect with Aaron Arias: Facebook: El Palote Panadería (https://www.facebook.com/elpalotepanaderia/?fref=nf) Instagram: @elpalote.vegan (https://www.instagram.com/elpalote.vegan/?hl=en) Connect with Kathy Stevens: Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS (https://www.facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS), facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary (https://www.facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary) Twitter:   twitter.com/CASanctuary/ (https://www.twitter.com/CASanctuary/) Books:  https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings (https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings) Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary (https://casanctuary.org/) Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ (https://instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/) YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary)

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Scott David discuss:

* The massive scale of Quality Pork Processors

* The program piloted by Quality Pork Processors that erases the maximum speed on the slaughter line...and the problems caused by such speed

* How hard animals fight for their lives

* How workers who must "keep the line moving" treat pigs who are too weak or injured to move

* Suggestions for individuals who want to work on behalf of animals

Key Takeaways:

* The emphasis on speed at all slaughterhouses makes an already horrible experience for animals and workers far worse than it needs to be

* Downer animals -- those too weak to stand/move on their own -- are beaten and shocked so that the line can keep moving

* Slaughterhouse workers are victims, too, under enormous pressure from management to maintain a rate of speed that is not possible without grave consequences

* The suffering of billions of animals annually vanishes if we choose not to eat them

“These animals are struggling, trying to get away however the can...but they're in a slaughterhouse: there's nowhere for them to go." – Scott David

Connect with Scott David & COK:Twitter: @TryVeg (https://twitter.com/tryveg/) & @SDUndercoverFacebook: Compassion Over KillingWebsite: COK.net (https://cok.net/) & TryVeg.comYouTube: tryvegPinterest: Compassion Over KillingInstagram: @compassion_over_killing (https://www.instagram.com/compassion_over_killing/)

Connect with Kathy Stevens:Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS (https://www.facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS), facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuaryTwitter: twitter.com/CASanctuary/Books: https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-singsWebsite: Catskill Animal SanctuaryInstagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary)

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Scott David discuss:

* Scott’s drive and willingness to take risks to do good for animals

* His work in 3 slaughterhouses as an undercover investigator

* The conditions of slaughterhouses for the human workers

* The lawsuit Compassion Over Killing filed between Superior Farms and the USDA

Key Takeaways:

* Slaughterhouses value speed over everything else – it is factory farming

* There are horrifying consequences of that speed for animals and humans

* There is no such thing as “humane slaughter”

* The COK legal victory over Superior Farms sends an important message to the industry

“For all the stuff we do, the changes we make, we still need to continue doing undercover investigations. We are always looking towards the future, trying to see which sorts of places we should check out and remind people of what we have already shown them." – Scott David Connect with Scott David & CKO: Twitter:  @TryVeg (https://twitter.com/tryveg/) & @SDUndercover (https://twitter.com/SDUndercover) Facebook:  Compassion Over Killing (https://www.facebook.com/CompassionOverKilling/) Website:  COK.net (https://cok.net/) YouTube: tryveg (https://www.youtube.com/user/tryveg/) Pinterest: Compassion Over Killing (https://www.pinterest.com/try_veg/) Instagram: @compassion_over_killing (https://www.instagram.com/compassion_over_killing/) Connect with Kathy Stevens: Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS (https://www.facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS), facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary (https://www.facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary) Twitter:   twitter.com/CASanctuary/ (https://www.twitter.com/CASanctuary/) Books:  https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings (https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings) Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary (https://casanctuary.org/) Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ (https://instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/) YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary)

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Kelly Mullins discuss:

* Health care practices at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

* Knowing animals as individuals.

* Lessons from chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep.

* The story of a determined old cow’s final hours.

Key Takeaways:

* Veterinarians learn a great deal about farmed animals from sanctuaries because of the focus on quality of life and longevity.

* Farmed animals have chronic and challenging problems and dramatically shortened lives because they have been manipulated to be far larger than they should.

* Both alternative medicine as well as western medicine are used successfully at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

* All animals communicate effectively – humans need to pay better attention!

“We pay close attention to the emotional wellbeing of the animals. That is a huge part of health and wellbeing for them." – Kelly Mullins

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS, facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary

Twitter: twitter.com/CASanctuary/

Books: https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings

Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary

Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Kelly Mullins discuss:

* Kelly’s journey from a meet-and-potatoes family to becoming the Animal Care Director at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.

* What it takes to be the Animal Care Director of an animal sanctuary.

* Recognizing the emotional life of animals.

Key Takeaways:

* Terms like “cage-free” and “grass fed” are marketing ploys to try and convince people to buy meat and animal products.

* A sanctuary’s job is to ensure each animal thrives as much as possible.

* There is no typical day in a sanctuary due to the nature of the work.

 

“Enrichment for these animals is just as important as warm straw, food, and water." – Kelly Mullins Connect with Kathy Stevens: Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS, facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary Twitter: twitter.com/CASanctuary/ Books: https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Jo McArthur discuss:

* Jo’s journey from street photography to photographing captive animals in factories, zoos, labs, and fur farms.

* Why Jo feels it’s imperative to show animals in the situations we’ve put them in.

* How she engages with the animals she photographs.

* The building of “We Animals Media” to expand Jo’s capacity to reach larger numbers.

Key Takeaways:

* The camera is a tool for social change.

* Animals understand when we’re trying to help them.

* A book gives one’s work historical weight and value.

* Sometimes, if we’re trying to do the greatest good for the greatest number, we have to give up some of what we love.

“I’m asking you to look at the cruelty and I’m asking you to self-reflect." – Jo-Anne McArthur Connect with Jo McArthur: Twitter: @WeAnimals Facebook: We Animals Website: WeAnimalsMedia.org & WeAnimalsArchive.org Books: We Animals & Captive Instagram: @weanimals Connect with Kathy Stevens: Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS, facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary Twitter: twitter.com/CASanctuary/ Books: https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Dr. Sailesh Rao discuss:

* The catalyst that caused Dr. Rao to leave his work as one of the architects of the internet to focus on saving the planet.

* His participation in 4 important social-change documentaries: The Human Experiment, Cowspiracy, What the Health, A Prayer for Compassion.

* Why the year 2026 matters: Dr. Rao’s goal, and the plan to get the world to that goal.

* Becoming kind to life in every one of our actions.

Key Takeaways:

* Humanity is on track to wipe out wildlife by 2026; therefore, it’s a game-changing moment in human evolution.

* Bring the forests back! Trees are nature’s filter – they clean the air and hold the toxins while releasing the clear, clean water.

* Animals are our family – we need to stop making people eat our family.

* According to the BBC, we have 18 months to decide the way we are going to live – to change how we live.

“If every one of us today is kind to life, kind to all animals, and we start planting trees and return forests back as a primary activity, the planet will be fine, we will be fine, the animals will be fine." – Dr. Sailesh Rao Connect with Dr. Sailesh Rao:  Website: ClimateHealers.org (http://www.climatehealers.org/) & VeganWorld2026.org (https://www.veganworld2026.org/) Connect with Kathy Stevens:  Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS (https://www.facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS), facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary (https://www.facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary) Twitter:   twitter.com/CASanctuary/ (https://www.twitter.com/CASanctuary/) Books:  https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings (https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings) Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary (https://casanctuary.org/) Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ (https://instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/) YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary)

In this episode, Kathy Stevens and Jane Velez-Mitchell discuss:

* The importance of multiple strategies in any social change movement

* How Jane scored an exclusive interview with Robert Redford

* Jane's journey from TV reporter and news anchor to host of Jane Unchained, a YouTube channel featuring live coverage of animal rights issues ignored by mainstream media

* Why mainstream media refuses to cover animal rights and animal welfare stories

* A bold initiative to create a vegan world by 2026

Key Takeaways:  

* Major animal rights news is ignored by mainstream media, so people will go to extreme lengths to get noticed, such as getting naked or getting arrested

* Jane Unchained brings coverage to news that no mainstream media will cover

* A network is a production company with a pipeline to an audience – every cell phone is a production company with a pipeline to an audience

* Jane is committed to doing her part to usher in a vegan world by 2026

“Everybody with a cell phone is a potential news network." – Jane Velez-Mitchell Connect with Jane Velez-Mitchell: Twitter: @JVM Facebook: Jane Unchained News Website: JaneUnchained.com YouTube: Jane Unchained News Instagram: @janeunchainednews Connect with Kathy Stevens: Facebook: facebook.com/kathy.stevens.CAS, facebook.com/catskillanimalsanctuary Twitter: twitter.com/CASanctuary/ Books: https://store.casanctuary.org/collections/books/products/where-the-blind-horse-sings Website: Catskill Animal Sanctuary Instagram: instagram.com/catskill_animal_sanctuary/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/CASanctuary