Most of us don’t think twice about where our food comes from—but what if the system behind it was quietly putting both people and the planet at risk?
In this powerful debut of Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health, Dr. Johnny Lieberman sits down with Daria Bednarczyk, a recent graduate of Vermont Law and Graduate School with degrees spanning Animal Law, Environmental Policy, Marine Science, and Business. Daria brings her unique interdisciplinary expertise to unpack the toxic realities of CAFOs.
From manure lagoons leaking thousands of gallons of waste daily, to nitrate-contaminated drinking water and even deadly hydrogen sulfide gas exposures, Daria sheds light on the human, environmental, and animal costs of industrial farming. She shares insights from the groundbreaking CARE v. Cow Palace case, which revealed just how devastating these operations can be for surrounding communities.
Whether you live near a farm or not, this episode underscores why awareness and consumer choices matter—and why reform is long overdue.
Top 3 Takeaways
- Manure Lagoons = Public Health Risk
CAFO waste storage pits can leak thousands of gallons of untreated manure daily, contaminating air and water with toxins like nitrates and hydrogen sulfide. - Landmark Case Sets Precedent
CARE v. Cow Palace (2015) established that mismanaged manure could legally qualify as “solid waste” under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, opening the door for community lawsuits. - Industrial Farming Impacts Everyone
From nitrate-linked health risks (like Blue Baby Syndrome and cancer) to air pollution and natural disaster fallout, CAFOs affect far more than animals—they affect entire communities.
About the Guest – Daria Bednarczyk, JD, MBA, MELP
Daria is a recent graduate of Vermont Law and Graduate School, where she earned her Juris Doctor with a concentration in Animal Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science, an MBA, and a Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP).
Passionate about leveraging her diverse educational background, Daria is committed to advancing animal welfare and raising awareness of the broader human and environmental harms tied to industrial agriculture.
About the Show
Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health explores the intersection of animal welfare, public policy, and human health. Hosted by Dr. Johnny Lieberman, each episode invites changemakers, legal experts, and health advocates to shed light on what really impacts our communities—and what we can do about it.
About the Host
Dr. Johnny Lieberman is a physician, public health advocate, and lifelong animal lover with a passion for connecting the dots between animal welfare, human behavior, and the systems that shape our lives. With a background in both medicine and public health policy, Johnny brings a unique lens to conversations about how our treatment of animals impacts human health, the environment, and social justice.
In Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health, Johnny brings warmth, curiosity, and a dash of wit to tough conversations that matter. From exposing the realities of factory farming to uncovering the links between zoonotic diseases and our food systems, his goal is to empower listeners to be informed, compassionate, and engaged citizens—while still keeping it real (and sometimes bringing in puppies).
Whether he's discussing legislative loopholes or snuggling his rescue dog between recordings, Dr. Lieberman believes that creating a healthier world starts with how we treat its most vulnerable beings.
Learn more at www.doctorpodcastnetwork.co/johnnyliebermanmd
