This week we talk about the crazy guy that wanted to punch me at the Farmer's Market as I protested the 'humane' cow killer(including audio from this interaction), we play the first part of our Clifton Roberts Interview, talk about Harambe and the DxE actions at the Sanders' speeches and more. Enjoy!

This week we release our best podcast to date. Everything from Ryan's latest grocery store advocacy to our trip to the Charlotte Vegfest and the latest vegan news.

This week we talk about some things in the news, Ryan rants about the treatment of deer and we offers some tips on how to help with Animal Liberation Day.

This week we talk about the struggles of just navigating the world between camping and having the world show its appreciation for you by trying to feed you abused and murdered animals. And then we discuss 12-18-21 Animal Liberation Day and what this is, what it means for the vegan community and how you can be a part of making this happen.

Today we talk about the Smithfield Pig Save All Day Vigil (and the art of blocking a moving truck), some awesome younger animal activists and a wounded duck named Chara.

Being an animal activist family is like riding a roller coaster... we have our ups and downs with successes and pitfalls. This week we talk about some interesting interactions with non-vegans and the termination of the Hogs to Ham program.

This week we talk about our visits to Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary and the importance of sanctuaries in the vegan movement. Then we discuss the importance of vegans speaking up.

How Can I Be Sad at a Cookout?

by Elle Phillips

How can I be sad at a cookout?

you asked me

Well, you didn’t ask me because I do not go to your cookouts so you could not have seen my face

Why do I not go to cookouts?

Because I do not see what you see I do not smell what you smell

I do not celebrate the way you celebrate with meat on a grill No I do not ever miss the taste of the meat you are grilling… I do, however, miss the bliss that your ignorance and denial bring you

I wish I could still feel that I wish my children could have experienced that feeling

But we can’t because our eyes have been opened to what was inside that cellophane-wrapped package

To us it was never a dinner meant for the grill nor something to make our stomach rumble or our mouth salivate

To us it was a baby calf named Lucas and his mother Ruby nuzzling each other’s soft black faces and mooing back and forth

To us it was a pig named Wee Wee and his best friend Scooter who laid in the sunshine and let us rub their bellies and scratch them behind their ears

To us it was a chicken named Helen who we held in our hands and pet her silky white feathers and felt her warmth while her newborn chicks pecked at the earth so unaware of the fate that could have been theirs… if today had been their day to be invited to your cookout.

So why do I not join in your celebration?

Because I cannot be happy at your cookout I cannot look into your eyes without filling up with sadness and anger and rage and disgust and hatred and I know you will see all of this in my eyes and I might ruin your cookout

I have to worry about ruining your cookout when it is me who cannot even look at your dinner without seeing the flesh and dead bodies of my friends and know how completely unnecessary it was to put them on your plates instead of fruits or vegetables or beans or bread or any other food, ANY OTHER FOOD…

You can’t eat that food?

You don’t like that food?

You can’t live without meat?

Well, I DON’T CARE!

You killed my friends so you could have a cookout!

You think this is fun?

It is not fun for me!

It is not fun for the animals who wanted to live and have their bellies rubbed and feel the love of their mothers and snuggle with their babies

It is not fun for anyone who cares or feels an ounce of compassion

I do not take a breath and smell your “delicious” meat

I smell death and fear and hatred and gluttony and greed and murder

The scent of meat cooking on the grill means someone I love has died and you killed them

So no, I will not be at your cookout

Join Ryan and Elle as they introduce themselves and their family, explain their vegan beginnings and their journey into animal activism. Check out our webpage at www.ouranimalactivistfamily.com