Our Hen House

By Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan

What's Our Hen House about?

Our Hen House is THE weekly podcast for all things animal rights and vegan. Join co-hosts Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer for inspirational chats with movers, shakers, and change-makers who are creating a better world for animals.

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Our Hen House episodes:

04.20.2024
The Human-Animal Bond w/ Dr Pia Salk
Humans’ relationships with the other creatures on this planet range from deep love to dreadful cruelty and everything in between. What are the roots of this confused and contradictory reality? This week, we are joined by Dr Pia Salk to...
04.13.2024
How Theater Can Change the World for Animals w/ Grace Howarth & Anastasia Bunce
What does a night out at the theater (or theatre, in this case) have to do with activism? A whole lot if it’s up to Anastasia Bunce & Grace Howarth, who join us this week to discuss Patch Plays, the...
04.06.2024
When Animals Dream w/ David Peña-Guzmán
Everyone who lives with an animal would think it rather obvious that they dream, but believe it or not, this is not an accepted fact in the scientific community. This week, we speak with David Peña-Guzmán about his book When...
03.30.2024
Horseracing Wrongs w/ Patrick Battuello
Horseracing’s popularity has declined over the years, so how is this industry still alive? This week we are joined by Patrick Battuello of Horseracing Wrongs, who sheds light on the brutality and corruption that is the horseracing industry. Patrick Battuello...
03.23.2024
Animal Justice Academy w/ Kimberly Carroll
Have you ever thought, “Animals are suffering, I have to DO something!!! But what?” Kimberly Carroll of Animal Justice Academy joins us to discuss the amazing, free, online program designed to help people who care about animals turn themselves into...
03.16.2024
Stop Ventilation Shutdown! w/ Dr Crystal Heath
The work of activists brought the use of ventilation shutdown as a “depopulation” method during avian flu and COVID slowdowns to light, but what is the status of this cruel method of killing? Dr. Crystal Heath joins us once again...
03.09.2024
Plantega w/ Nil Zacharias
Every once in a while, someone comes up with a brand new idea for getting people to try and love delicious vegan food. Nil Zacharias joins us to talk about how he is making his brilliant idea a reality with...
03.02.2024
Defending Animals w/ Kendra Coulter
When animals are neglected or abused, whose responsibility is it to respond? Kendra Coulter, author of Defending Animals, joins us to discuss her book’s deep dive into the patchwork of governmental and non-profit organizations that make up animal response teams....
02.24.2024
Hip Hop is Green w/ Keith Tucker
What do animal rights and veganism have to do with hip hop? So much more than you might think! Keith Tucker of Hip Hop is Green joins us this week to discuss the organization’s extraordinary work spreading the word in...
02.17.2024
Thrive Philanthropy w/ Jessika Ava
There is so much animal activism going on around the world, but how does it all get funded? Jessika Ava joins us to discuss the work of Thrive Philanthropy, a global grantmaker that accelerates alternatives to industrial animal agriculture and...
02.10.2024
Greener by Default w/ Katie Cantrell & Ilana Braverman
When it comes to food, taking away people’s choices generally won’t work, but it’s entirely possible to help them make better ones. Greener By Default’s Katie Cantrell & Ilana Braverman join us this week to discuss their successes in making...
02.03.2024
Who Are We Having for Dinner? w/ Molly Elwood
Molly Elwood joins us to discuss how Elwood’s Organic Dog Meat has brilliantly channeled repulsion into activism that gets people thinking about who they might have on their plate. Molly Elwood is a writer, copywriter, storyteller, and creative strategist. Between creative...
01.27.2024
Picturing Pigs w/ Jane Casteline & Shannon Johnstone
Billboards. They’re everywhere, whether you like it or not, so why not use them to help animals? Jane Casteline & Shannon Johnstone join us this week to discuss their project, Picturing Pigs, and the challenges they had to overcome to...
01.20.2024
Can China Go Vegan? w/ Jian Yi
We all know that China is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to vegan advocacy, but what is the status of advocacy there? Join us as Jian Yi sheds light on his work with The Good Food...
01.13.2024
The Smell of Money w/ Jamie Berger
Factory farms destroy lives, both animal and human. Jamie Berger joins us this week to discuss the making of the documentary The Smell of Money and the devastation caused to eastern North Carolina and its residents by this evil industry. Jamie Berger...
01.06.2024
AI for Animal Activists w/ Tom Conger
Are you excited about ChatGPT? Do you hate the very thought of Chat GPT? Have you never heard of ChatGPT? No matter, you need to listen to this episode to find out how generative AI can help activists get more...
12.30.2023
Creating Sanctuary for Wild Animals w/ Matt Perry
Recently, we had a very special excursion that we cannot wait to share with you. Land that used to be a farm is now overflowing with native plants, which, of course, draw in native insects. So then the native birds...
12.23.2023
Literary Animals w/ Sangamithra Iyer
It isn’t easy to write about animals, especially if the goal is to actually portray them as they are and not just use them, as so often happens, as symbols, metaphors, and mirrors. In order to confront these difficulties, Sangamithra...
12.16.2023
Scarlet Spark w/ Tania Luna
Organizations in the animal protection movement are overflowing with passion, but how can they create more efficient systems and healthy workplaces? Tania Luna is here to tell us more about her organization, Scarlet Spark, which just might have the answers...
12.09.2023
Plant Futures w/ Samantha Derrick
Students today really want to learn about the future of food, but sadly, and amazingly, most universities have little or nothing to offer that is of value. Enter Samantha Derrick, who decided to do more than complain about it and...
12.02.2023
The Vegan w/ Andrew Lipstein
It’s not every day that you come across a book that has been reviewed in The New York Times with “vegan” in the title, but somehow Andrew Lipstein managed it. He joins us this week to discuss his latest novel,...
11.25.2023
Christspiracy w/ Kip Andersen & Kam Waters
What started with the question, “Is there a spiritual way to kill an animal?” has become the newest investigative documentary from Kip Anderson, of Cowspiracy fame, and Kam Waters. Join the journey to discover why so many religions who hold...
11.21.2023
Annual HOLIDAY SPECIAL: “SANCTUARY: A RADIO PLAY” RECORDED LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY
We are thrilled to present this very special holiday episode of Sanctuary: A Radio Play, an annual Thanksgiving tradition at Our Hen House! This special performance marks the world premiere of John Yunker’s Sanctuary at New York City’s Symphony Space...
11.18.2023
Doing All Things Vegan, w/ Naijha Wright-Brown
Vegan SoulFest, the Black Veg Society, Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month, plus fabulous vegan soul food restaurant, The Land Of Kush. What do all of these things (and more) have in common? Naijha Wright-Brown, that’s what. Join us to find...
11.11.2023
How to End Injustice Everywhere w/ Dr Melanie Joy
Ever wondered where the movement would be if we could just stop infighting? Melanie Joy joins us on the podcast this week to discuss her most recent work that aims to tackle the issue of infighting and to get activists...
11.04.2023
Activism and Octopuses w/ Laura Lee Cascada
Factory farming octopuses? Hell, no! Laura Lee Cascada joins us to tell us what happened when she found out about a planned octopus farm in Hawaii and how she got to work putting an end to it. Laura Lee Cascada...
10.28.2023
A Vegan Veterinarian w/ Daniela Castillo
Do you ever wonder where all of the vegan veterinarians are? This week, we talk to one of the few, Daniela Castillo, about animal rights, wildlife conservation, environmentalism, and medicine for farmed animal rescues. Daniela Castillo is a veterinarian born...
10.21.2023
Pop-up Activism w/ Carmella Lanni
Philadelphia is known as a great destination for vegan food, but it wasn’t always so. This week we talk with Carmella Lanni, one of the activists who helps to cultivate the plant-based abundance Philly is known for via pop-up events...
10.14.2023
Transfarmation w/ Tyler Whitley
Can factory farms become real farms growing real food? Of course they can! But they might need a little help. Tyler Whitley is here to tell us all about Transfarmation, a program of Mercy for Animals working with contract growers...
10.07.2023
Stop Wasting Food! w/ Max La Manna
Ever thought about eating a banana peel? Ok, that’s an extreme example (sort of) but if you want to know more, you will love this week’s interview with Max La Manna, a self-taught plant-based chef who is looking to end...
09.30.2023
A Strategy Session w/ Aidan Kankyoku
What can we do to convince people to change their behavior? Strategy is always the hottest of topics amongst activists in the animal rights community. This week we are joined by Aidan Kankyoku of Pax Fauna to discuss just what...
09.23.2023
Love for Animals in Uganda w/ Musisi Mike
We love hearing from people around the world who care about animals, and this week’s guest definitely fills the bill. Tune in to hear about all of the work Musisi Mike, founder of Luv4All Uganda, is doing to grow compassion...
09.16.2023
Veganism in Taiwan and China w/ Gina Song Lopez
We love hearing what’s going on in the world of veganism and animal rights around the world, and this week we catch up with Gina Song Lopez, who is conducting research on the vegan and animal rights movement in Taiwan...
09.09.2023
An Animal Rights Strategy Session w/ Esther Salomon
Strategy is a big topic of debate amongst animal activists. What is the best way forward to create the most change? Esther Salomon of Animal Think Tank joins us to discuss the strategies and many lessons the animal rights community...
09.02.2023
Animal Journalism w/ Jessica Scott-Reid
Every activist knows that journalists who are willing to cover serious animal stories are all too rare, but this week we will be talking to someone who has carved out a career doing exactly that. Freelance journalist and animal advocate...
08.26.2023
Saving Animals in Nepal w/ Sneha Shrestha
There’s nothing we love more than talking to people who are saving animals in places we’ve never been to, and today we’ll be talking to Sneha Shrestha in Nepal about her extraordinary work saving dogs, helping farmed animals, and spreading...
08.19.2023
The EATS Act is a “Race to the Bottom” w/ Chris Green
Do you try to keep up with animal-related legislation but sometimes find yourself wondering what it all means? This week we get some answers regarding the hugely important EATS Act and the effort to eradicate state animal welfare laws from...
08.12.2023
The Veganic Grower’s Handbook w/ Jimmy Videle
There is no place more relaxing than a beautiful garden, and nothing better to eat than homegrown fruits and vegetables, but what is a vegan to do when all of the potting soils and fertilizers are riddled with animal products?...
08.05.2023
Sweet Farm Climate Sanctuary w/ Nate Salpeter & Shira Jacobson
Panicked about climate? Wondering what to do? Nate Salpeter and Shira Jacobson join us to discuss Sweet Farm, a sanctuary that is attacking the climate crisis from many different angles. From animal rescue to the most sophisticated agriculture technology, from...
07.29.2023
Designing for the Movement w/ Zeynep Sağlamöz
Ever felt motivated to be more active but didn’t know where to find the resources to get started? This week Mariann speaks with Zeynep Sağlamöz, Global Graphics Coordinator for Animal Save Movement, about the fantastic resources they have made available...
07.22.2023
State of the Union w/ Jane O’Hara
Has a painting or piece of artwork ever stopped you, immediately demanding your full attention? Such is so often the case with Jane O’Hara’s paintings. This week, Jane joins us for a conversation about her artwork, which highlights “the...
07.15.2023
Animal Rights ASAP! w/ Faraz Harsini
Faraz Harsini, Ph.D., realized something was missing from the animal rights movement and decided to fill that gap. The organization he founded, Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP), is helping university students and others on campus build ongoing, lasting advocacy...
07.08.2023
Saving an Endangered Species w/ Chris Allieri
Chris Allieri is on a mission to save the Piping Plover, a species of beach-nesting shorebirds at risk of extinction. Founder of the NYC Plover Project, Chris, tells us about these delightful birds, their habitat, and the factors driving their...
07.01.2023
A new type of DELINQUENT w/ Aiyana Goodfellow
Writer, liberator, and self-described DELINQUENT Aiyana Goodfellow joins the podcast this week for an eye-opening conversation that just might shift your perspective on many things, including veganism, anti-speciesism, and activism. Aiyana shares their thoughts on the mainstream vegan movement and...
06.24.2023
Vegan Comedy is Not an Oxymoron w/ Myq Kaplan
Comedian Myq Kaplan is back on the podcast this week to discuss the intersection of animal rights, activism, and the creative arts. We discuss Myq’s latest comedy album, A.K.A., as well as the recently widely released Live In Between Albums,...
06.17.2023
Weighing Animal Welfare w/ Bob Fischer
When it comes to thinking about animals, Bob Fischer believes we should be doing it more often and more deeply. A professor of philosophy at Texas State University and the author of, among other things, Animal Ethics—A Contemporary Introduction, Bob...
06.10.2023
Rowdy Girl w/ Renee King-Sonnen & Tommy Sonnen
From Texas cattle ranchers to vegan sanctuary founders, Renee King-Sonnen and Tommy Sonnen have turned around their lives and are helping others, both animal and human, to do the same. Now, the incredible story of how they have rescued and...
06.03.2023
Total Liberation w/ Yvette Baker
Longtime animal advocates may be familiar with the term total liberation, but what exactly does this mean? Yvette Baker joins us today for an exploration of total liberation activism and its profound influence on her own animal advocacy. In our...
05.27.2023
Animal Liberation Now w/ Peter Singer
This episode of Our Hen House features an animal rights legend, renowned philosopher, and ethicist, Peter Singer. In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore a range of topics, including the principle of equal consideration of interests, the nuance between sentience and...
05.20.2023
Documentaries That Change the World w/ Louie Psihoyos
This week we dive into the world of documentary filmmaking with renowned photographer and documentary film director Louie Psihoyos. Louie is perhaps best known for his 2009 film, the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove, which shed a brutal light on...

What's Our Hen House about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Our Hen House episodes:

The Human-Animal Bond w/ Dr Pia Salk

How Theater Can Change the World for Animals w/ Grace Howarth & Anastasia Bunce

When Animals Dream w/ David Peña-Guzmán

Horseracing Wrongs w/ Patrick Battuello

Animal Justice Academy w/ Kimberly Carroll

Stop Ventilation Shutdown! w/ Dr Crystal Heath

Plantega w/ Nil Zacharias

Defending Animals w/ Kendra Coulter

Hip Hop is Green w/ Keith Tucker

Thrive Philanthropy w/ Jessika Ava

Greener by Default w/ Katie Cantrell & Ilana Braverman

Who Are We Having for Dinner? w/ Molly Elwood

Picturing Pigs w/ Jane Casteline & Shannon Johnstone

Can China Go Vegan? w/ Jian Yi

The Smell of Money w/ Jamie Berger

AI for Animal Activists w/ Tom Conger

Creating Sanctuary for Wild Animals w/ Matt Perry

Literary Animals w/ Sangamithra Iyer

Scarlet Spark w/ Tania Luna

Plant Futures w/ Samantha Derrick

The Vegan w/ Andrew Lipstein

Christspiracy w/ Kip Andersen & Kam Waters

Annual HOLIDAY SPECIAL: “SANCTUARY: A RADIO PLAY” RECORDED LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY

Doing All Things Vegan, w/ Naijha Wright-Brown

How to End Injustice Everywhere w/ Dr Melanie Joy

Activism and Octopuses w/ Laura Lee Cascada

A Vegan Veterinarian w/ Daniela Castillo

Pop-up Activism w/ Carmella Lanni

Transfarmation w/ Tyler Whitley

Stop Wasting Food! w/ Max La Manna

A Strategy Session w/ Aidan Kankyoku

Love for Animals in Uganda w/ Musisi Mike

Veganism in Taiwan and China w/ Gina Song Lopez

An Animal Rights Strategy Session w/ Esther Salomon

Animal Journalism w/ Jessica Scott-Reid

Saving Animals in Nepal w/ Sneha Shrestha

The EATS Act is a “Race to the Bottom” w/ Chris Green

The Veganic Grower’s Handbook w/ Jimmy Videle

Sweet Farm Climate Sanctuary w/ Nate Salpeter & Shira Jacobson

Designing for the Movement w/ Zeynep Sağlamöz

State of the Union w/ Jane O’Hara

Animal Rights ASAP! w/ Faraz Harsini

Saving an Endangered Species w/ Chris Allieri

A new type of DELINQUENT w/ Aiyana Goodfellow

Vegan Comedy is Not an Oxymoron w/ Myq Kaplan

Weighing Animal Welfare w/ Bob Fischer

Rowdy Girl w/ Renee King-Sonnen & Tommy Sonnen

Total Liberation w/ Yvette Baker

Animal Liberation Now w/ Peter Singer

Documentaries That Change the World w/ Louie Psihoyos