This episode explores the powerful connections between factory farming, political repression, and the rise of authoritarianism with award-winning investigative journalist Will Potter. In a thought-provoking conversation about his new book Little Red Barns: Hiding the Truth from Farm to Fable, Potter reveals how his decade-long investigation uncovered the dangerous intersection between industrial agriculture and fascist movements. With authenticity and passion, Mariann and Will discuss how bearing witness to animal suffering can illuminate broader patterns of violence and political manipulation in our society.

This episode explores:

• How the meat industry uses the “little red barn” mythology to mask the reality of factory farming, while fascist movements similarly invoke a return to an idealized past
• Why animal advocates have been “canaries in the coal mine” for social movements challenging state and corporate power
• The evolution of investigative journalism and how animal rights organizations have filled crucial gaps in exposing industry practices
• The psychological toll of bearing witness to suffering and strategies for maintaining resilience while refusing to look away
• How reframing our relationship with animals could help address interconnected crises of climate change, authoritarianism, and violence

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Will Potter is an award-winning investigative journalist and author, and a leading international voice challenging attacks on civil liberties in the name of fighting “terrorism.” Will was the first investigative journalist to be named a TED Senior Fellow, and has addressed governmental bodies including the U.S. Congress, Australian Parliament, and Council of Europe. He is the author of Green Is the New Red, which exposed the FBI’s targeting of environmentalists as “terrorists.” His new book, Little Red Barns: Hiding the truth from farm to fable, is a 10-year investigation of factory farms and fascism.

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Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

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