To be honest, I wasn't that excited to interview Gary Yourofsky. Yes, I admire his advocacy for animals. Yes, I recommend his speech. Yes, I think he is a hero for the animals. Yet...I wasn't stoked. And no, it's not for the reason you think. It's not because of Gary's various controversial statements. It's not because of his views on politics or war. No offense to Gary or any other animal activist, I care about as much about his views on the Middle East as I do about his favorite color. I care about his views on what he's an expert on, animal rights and animal liberation. And Gary knows a lot about it. So why wasn't I revved up?It's because I didn't think I had anything to offer to the conversation. Gary has come back after a years-long hiatus from public advocacy. He was basically out of the spotlight by the time I even went vegan. Since coming back several months back, he's done dozens and dozens of interviews. What could I possibly add to this?Well, I was wrong to think about it this way. I'm going to try to explain why. In texting with Gary and then the few moments we spoke before recording, I don't think I've ever been more at ease in a conversation. Usually there's at least a small moment of familiarization that's needed for a genuine, authentic conversation. Not so with Gary. There is no filter. It doesn't matter what I bring. Or Gary, for that matter. Only so much as Gary is a mouthpiece for the animals. And if I was an animal, I would want someone speaking EXACTLY like Gary Yourofsky. And talking with Gary even briefly, I could see this was going to be easy. I felt like I was talking to an old friend before we even started. So by the time we started recording, I was pretty pumped. So did I clickbait you into reading this? Guilty. Gary is a wrecking ball, a force of nature. You may not agree with him on everything, or like or respect him. That's your right. But if you want to question his effectiveness or dedication, you might direct your questions to Sasha Farm sanctuary, or to the animals he helps care for there or to the animals whose cages he opened. I hope you can overlook the messy signal. We did our best. Just like my conversation with John Curtin of Camp Beagle, some of these old school activists are the amazing people they are exactly because they are so uninterested in things like that, so unpolished. I love it. Despite all of this, I honestly feel this is one of the most beautiful and surprising interviews I've ever conducted, exactly because it was so natural.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Donate to SashaBest Speech You'll Ever HearGary's IGADAPTTWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

You've probably seen Jo-Anne McArthur's photography, whether you knew it or not. And if you haven't seen any of her thousands of iconic images, you've probably seen some from her many collaborators at the non-profit We Animals that she founded. Jo-Anne is simply one of the most talented and driven photojournalists working today.Shortly before our interview, I asked Jo-Anne to send me some images that stood out to her that we could analyze on the program. Not surprisingly, I had already been well-acquainted with several of them. One, in fact, was the leading image of one of the proudest recent stories facilitated by the Direct Action Everywhere press team, a feature piece about open rescue in National Geographic.To meet Jo-Anne is a treat. To be able to comb through some of the extraordinary images with her and hear the stories behind the images is something else entirely. I'm incredibly grateful to Jo-Anne for the generosity of her time and her amazing work that is changing the world for animals.This conversation is also available on YouTube and may be a more rewarding experience to be able to see her photographs.Links:We AnimalsDonate to We Animals"The Ghosts in Our Machine"Jo-Anne's websiteHer booksHer IGHer FBWe Animals IGFBBlueskyNational Geographic open rescue pieceWatch DominionWatch Earthlings

Dr. Faraz Harsini is making waves in the animal rights movement with his no-nonsense, yet approachable outreach style. His background in biomedical science lends gravitas just as his upbringing in Tehran and immigration to America is moving and inspiring. I've known about Faraz for awhile and wanted to have him on my program. But since we connected, I've learned more about him, and I now find him even more compelling. I could speak a lot about his background and professional resume, but what I admire most about Faraz is his commitment to bringing a vegan message to college campuses through his nonprofit Allied Scholars for Animal Protection. As I mentioned multiple times in this interview, it's something I wish I had come across when I was in college decades ago. This was the first time I've really spoken with Faraz. He shared that he is an introvert and I think that comes across in this interview. I think it's a kind of superpower for him, because it gives him a manner that is very disarming and gentle. I believe this is part of what makes him so effective at communicating. He also has a genuine empathy and curiosity towards others. But you'd be very mistaken if you think that he compromises on the message. He doesn't. He keeps the focus on the animals and speaking for them in the way they would want and deserve. As I said, I have admired Faraz for a while, but after speaking more with him, I'm convinced that he's among our greatest advocates. We are lucky to have him in this movement.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Allied ScholarsDonate to ASAPFaraz's YouTubeFaraz's IGFaraz's FBFaraz's BlueSky

ASAP IG

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Well, this was unfortunate. I invited Molly Elwood, CEO of Elwood's Organic Dog Meat, for what I hoped would be a cordial debate. It started out well. But things all started to go off the rails after Molly, in true Cruella de Vil style, started to cackle after describing some tragic details of what happens to her dogs. After that moment, and as the questions started to get too intense for her, she started mashing buttons on her keyboard to cause the feed to crash out over and over. I wasn't about to let her sabotage the debate, though. So I've done my best to edit it back into a seamless, watchable debate. Despite Molly's childish behavior, I am considering inviting her back for a part 2. I hesitate whether to give someone as despicable as Molly a platform. But in fairness to her, I will include her links below. However, I would warn people with regards to her website. Under no circumstances should you scroll to the bottom of the page. There's some really horrific stuff down there. If you can bear to see her, this podcast is also available on YouTube.Links:Elwood's websiteElwood's on YouTube

Elwood's IGMolly's IGElwood's FBMolly's FBElwood's TikTokElwood's BlueSkyWatch DominionWatch Earthlings

I'm really fond of this conversation, for the same reason I'm fond of Jake's channel and podcast  @plantgeezer . It's raw, honest, and unapologetically vegan AF. And even with the IDGAF attitude (or maybe because of it), Jake IMO comes across really well. It's probably because he has a huge heart for the animals. That is what is making doing all these interviews such a joy. I am seeing the best humanity has to offer, even while my guests' work may be to expose the worst of it. I started this channel with the tentative plan to expose the good in people. They've made my job easy.Jake's channel is one I just discovered, thanks to the YouTube algorithm. And watching video after video, you can see that Jake is skilled as an activist in areas from debate and humor all the way to serious investigative work. I've only just scratched the surface and it seems to me that Plant Geezer is really a channel to watch and follow. Luckily, there are a few activists I have seen at the moment that have about the same energy and drive that Jake does. But not a ton. Jake sets the bar high. We all should strive to reach that bar. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links: Jake's YouTubeJake's IGJake's TikTok"I walked straight in"Calling an abbatoirBrian debateFarmer lady debateWatch DominionWatch Earthlings

Alexandra Paul may be best known as a Hollywood actress starring in Baywatch, but most people in our movement know her for her bold and daring rescue and investigative work around factory farms. My first introduction to Alexandra was during the Sonoma trial of Wayne Hsiung, when Alexandra was one of our witnesses. Watching hours of footage from different angles of the Sunrise demonstration, rescue and civil disobedience, she impressed me with her demeanor and confidence. And why shouldn't Alexandra be confident? She had already been acquitted for rescuing chickens from a slaughterhouse truck and been a long time activist for animal, environmental, and anti-war causes. She's done numerous undercover investigations of factory farms, like the recent expose of Mountaire chicken facilities run by a major donor to Donald Trump. I'm blown away that someone like Alexandra, who could spend her time living in the lap of luxury, instead goes into hellhole factory farms to expose what's being hidden inside, and willing to sit in a jail cell for doing so. I've really enjoyed whenever I've gotten a chance to talk or joke around with Alexandra, but we have never really had a chance to really go in depth about life and activism beyond the immediate task at hand. So this was a joy, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Alexandra on IGOn FBWayne video on Mountaire investigationExtended versionVox articleWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

Dr. Alka Chandna has for decades worked to expose vivisection laboratories through her work with PETA. Having Alka on my channel is timely as PETA just released new whisteblower footage from Massachusetts General Hospital showing deplorable, horrific experiments being conducted on monkeys. Alka has been a huge help to myself and others during the time I have known her. Whenever we needed something, be it research documents, contacts, whatever it was, she has provided it. That has been my experience with everyone at PETA, by the way: timely, accessible, and professional. In this conversation we talk about the Mass General footage, and how Alka went from writing an article for her student newspaper about animal testing to Vice President of Laboratory Oversight and Special Cases at arguably the most consequential and effective animal rights organizations in the world. The animal rights movement is lucky to have her.This conversation is also available as an audio podcast, wherever you download them. Just search my name.Links:Mass General footageRecent PETA beagle investigationThe CARGO ActTest Subjects short filmThe Failed Experiment docuseriesAlka on Wayne's channelAlka on IG

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Peter Young is one of the most prominent American activists in the Animal Liberation Front, the underground direct action anonymous animal rescuers best known for raiding labs and fur farms. He's one of the most prominent because he's one of the few who are actually known. The reason for that is that he got caught, after rescuing likely in excess of 10,000 minks and foxes from fur farms. After 7 years as a fugitive, he ultimately served two years in prison. Since then, he's been freed up to talk about his life in illuminating ways.Peter's book "Liberate: Stories and Lessons on Animal Liberation Above the Law" had a huge impact on me, and not just because it was about people saving animals. It's because, as we discuss in this conversation, a lot of the book is about overcoming false perceptions and overhyped dangers that often live only in our own heads. This can be applied to any facet of your life, in and outside the animal liberation movement. That book was introduced to me at a time that could have been discouraging as I was seeing friends of mine struggling through the legal system, and in Wayne Hsiung's case, imprisoned for the open rescue of animals. Learning about the deep struggle for animal rights that's been going on for decades and the immense courage shown by Peter and all the anonymous ALF activists was a unique and timely gift of perspective.I am starting to sound like a broken record, but I was deeply honored just to meet Peter, let alone to have him on the channel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Peter Young's websitePeter on YouTubeBooksPeter's FBPeter on Nancy Grace

Animal Activism Collective chat

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It's been a minute since I had Wayne on the podcast. A lot has happened since then. Probably most siginificantly for Wayne is that he's gotten married. I wanted to catch up with Wayne about life, marriage, and the state of the animal rights movement. We also discuss the massive increase in animal agriculture subsidies inside the "Big, Beautiful Bill" that was recently passed by the U.S. Senate, and being haggled over right now in the House.

It's always a joy to chat with Wayne, and I'm really happy that he has found some real bright spots in the world.

You can also watch this on YouTube.

Links:

Wayne's YouTube

Wayne's blogWayne's IG

Wayne's TikTok

Wayne's FaceBook

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Dr. Jerry Vlasak has one hell of a resume in the animal liberation movement. From his deep involvement in the legendary Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaign, to joining Captain Paul Watson on the high seas to stop whaling and seal hunts, to running the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, few people I know have spent more time and done so much for the animals. I consider myself incredibly lucky to even know him, much less stand side by side with him at demonstrations. In this conversation we talk about his adventures with Watson, going before Senator Jim Inhofe to voice the animal rights position of the SHAC activists, and even the controversial remarks he made about violence that have followed him around during his decades in the movement. As part of the animal liberation press office, Jerry gives voice to the anonymous animal liberationists who are unable to speak. Whether he's giving voice to the activists with no voice or the animals, or performing life-saving surgery during his long medical career, Jerry has spent his time in the service of others. He's a kind, generous man, quite the opposite of how the animal exploitation industries would try to paint him. It's a true honor to have him on my podcast.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Press OfficeIGBooks and merchCAFT websiteCAFT IGAAC IGWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion