The Vegan Compass Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with C.K. Gerstel, author of ‘The Vegans Are Coming’, a sharp, satirical exploration of human behavior, cognitive dissonance, and animal exploitation.

Describing himself as a chronic overthinker who notices where human reasoning starts to wobble, C.K. uses humour, philosophy and social commentary as a crowbar to pry open difficult conversations people usually prefer to avoid. 

Beyond his book, C.K. shares the vision behind his online hub, which includes ‘The Welfare Files’, a comprehensive set of resources on Australian animal welfare standards to equip advocates with factual data. 

We also discuss navigating social media as a tool for outreach and how to maintain optimism when facing the heavy realities of animal advocacy.

Whether you are looking for new ways to talk to non-vegan friends/family or want a witty take on cognitive dissonance, this conversation is for you. It will change the way you view everyday social norms and help you become a more effective advocate.

Connect with C.K.:

• Instagram

• The Vegans Are Coming (Book)

• The Welfare Files

• The Vegans Are Cooking

• The Playground

Resources mentioned:

• Ep 52 - Escape Vystopia and Become a Thriving Vegan | Anita Marriott | Vegan Mindset Coach

• Idioms Guide

Support the show:

• Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast

• ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story

• Wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠

We are revisiting your favourite episodes, and of course, that includes none other than Chris Delforce, founder of Farm Transparency Project (FTP) and creator of the acclaimed documentaries Lucent and Dominion. In this episode, Chris shares his lifelong passion for social justice and how his journey from vegetarianism to veganism sparked a career dedicated to exposing the hidden realities of animal agriculture.

With over 14 years of investigative work, Chris has delved into more than 100 farms, slaughterhouses, and other exploitation facilities, documenting widespread animal suffering and using this evidence to demand accountability and transparency.

Chris discusses the emotional challenges of this work, the impact of undercover investigations such as the inquiry into pig gas chambers, and the evolving fight for justice for animals.

Listeners will also learn how they can support Farm Transparency Project’s mission and upcoming campaigns.

Connect with Farm Transparency Project


• Website

• Social Media: @farmtransparencyproject


• Support FTP: Donate, share their work, or volunteer

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LINKS

• Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast

• ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story

• Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠

Trigger warning: In this episode, we do detail animal experimentation statistics and procedures which are distressing. We understand if now is not the time for you to listen to this episode and you are welcome to back to it at a later date.

In this special episode, hosts Ric Allport and Mackenzie Cross recap the recent Animal Free Science protest at Sydney Town Hall, sharing personal reflections and the atmosphere of the protest.

In talking with passers by, it became apparent that many people believe animal testing has already ended in Australia. This episode aims to expose the reality that millions of mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, primates, fish, farmed animals and native animals are still subjected to cruel and painful experiments.

We highlight snippets from key speeches at the protest, including Susan Sorenson (on behalf of Emma Hurst MLC), Flavia Coleman, Robyn Kirby (Animal Free Science Advocacy), Dr Kevin Coleman, Doug Leith, Lynda Stoner, Paula Wallace (Liberty Foundation).

This episode documents the united front against animal testing and experimentation in Australia. Join us in advocating for these innocent animals hidden away in research facilities, bred for only one purpose, to suffer for so-called science. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Animals Australia Campaign on toxicity testing: toxicity.inc

• Episode 37 with Dana Kolsky from Animal Free Science Advocacy: Watch on YouTube

• Sentient Documentary

• Article: Breaking Down The Barriers To Animal-Free Research

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LINKS 

• Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast

• ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story

• Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠
  

In this episode, we sit down with filmmakers and animal advocates Kate Clere and Mick McIntyre. For nearly thirty years, this powerhouse duo has used storytelling to challenge perceptions and spark massive global conservation movements.

Kate and Mick share the origins of their personal and creative partnership, taking us back to their early days creating the documentary, ‘What To Do About Whales’. The pair were heavily involved in the push away from whaling in the late 1970s to incentivise whale watching as a lucrative tourism opportunity.

With the treatment of wildlife always front of mind, Kate and Mick embarked on another investigative documentary, ‘Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story’. Over five years of filming, they explored the shocking treatment of Australia’s native icon, which made it clear that kangaroos were in desperate need of someone to advocate for them.

Kangaroos Alive was born to promote coexistence with the kangaroo. Through their ‘Kangaroo Walks and Talks’ initiative, they take lessons from their experience with the anti-whaling campaign to promote kangaroo ecotourism in Australia.

We also discuss their highly acclaimed television series, 'Eating Plants', which covers their global travels documenting the explosive rise of plant-based eating and why the future of food leaves them feeling incredibly optimistic. 

This conversation is a beautiful reflection on a legendary partnership devoted to giving a powerful, cinematic voice to animals.

Learn more & connect with Mick and Kate:

• Kangaroos Alive Website

• Facebook profile
• Instagram

• Watch Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story

• Watch Eating Plants

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LINKS 

• Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast

• ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story

• Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes

Follow us on socials:

• Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠
  

In this episode, we sit down with vegan activist and animal rescuer Monika Ryniewicz, who has dedicated her time to advocating for two of the most stigmatised and misunderstood species on the planet: rats and pigeons.

Mon takes us inside her journey as a proud adopter of three ex-research rats from the Liberty Foundation. She shares what it was like to help her rats heal and experience simple joys for the very first time. Mon also busts the biggest myths surrounding rats, showing us why these intelligent, clean and affectionate creatures make extraordinary companion animals.

We then shift our focus to the city streets, exploring Mon’s hands-on work with urban pigeon rescue and the widespread issue of string-foot (a painful condition caused by discarded human thread, hair and plastic getting tightly wrapped around their toes and feet). Mon walks us through how she safely catches and disentangles pigeons, offering actionable ways for everyday city dwellers to help protect urban wildlife.

Whether you're curious about adopting ex-research rats, or want to learn how to help your local urban wildlife, this episode is a powerful look at how we can rewrite the narrative for two of the most stigmatised species.

Connect with Mon:

• Follow Mon on Instagram: @freefromcruelty 

• Visit the Liberty Foundation Adoption Centre: 6 Rose Street, Wyong NSW (open to the public from Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm each day). Click here to volunteer, Adopt or Donate.

• Sydney Pigeon Rescue: Follow on Facebook and Instagram

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LINKS 

• Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast

• ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story

• Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠
  

In this episode, we sit down with Bhavani Baumann, the trailblazer who is veganising Australia's deeply entrenched pub culture with her 100% vegan pub, The Chippo Hotel.

Located in Sydney’s inner suburbs, The Chippo is a historic venue that Bhavani has completely transformed into a vegan pub and bistro. From parmis, burgers and loaded fries to local craft beers and cruelty-free cocktails using aquafaba, The Chippo has fast become a neighbourhood favourite.

Bhavani takes us through the daily realities of running an independent small business in the current economic landscape, and the secrets to winning over skeptical non-vegans. As a female publican, she shares what is top of mind when creating a safe and inviting pub atmosphere.

Finally, we explore who Bhavani is outside of work – delving into her life as an independent singer-songwriter and how she finds balance amidst the demands of business ownership.

Connect with Bhavani & The Chippo:

• Website: thechippohotel.com.au

• Visit the Pub: 87-91 Abercrombie St, Chippendale NSW 2008

• Instagram: @thechippohotel

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LINKS 

• Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast
• Apply to be our guest and share your story
• Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠: @thevegancompass_podcast

• Facebook⁠: The Vegan Compass Podcast
  

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Lamarche, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Marketing at Torrens University, Australia. Fresh off the stage from speaking at the Vogue Codes Summit, Rachel joins us to discuss the intersection between fashion, veganism and consumption.

Rachel’s PhD research examined the complex consumer psychology of veganism and fashion consumption, exploring how new vegans tackle the moral dilemma of their pre-existing animal-derived garments and navigate future retail choices.

Rachel also shares insights from her academic papers and challenges us to strip away the human-centred, resource-based language that turns animals into mere textile supplies, offering a new definition of vegan fashion that centres the animals themselves.

As the founder of the innovative and award winning micro-brand Les Plantes, Rachel is undertaking research in practice to examine how luxury fashion can be entirely animal-free, petroleum-free, and meticulously designed for end-of-life compostability. 

Learn more & connect with Rachel:

• Linked In

• Academic Profile

• Les Plantes

• Instagram

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LINKS 

• Support Mackenzie in running the City2Surf, fundraising for Greyhound Rescue.
• Sponsor the podcast

• ⁠⁠Be our guest⁠⁠
• Podcast merch

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠
  

In this episode, we sit down with Anita Marriott, a former veterinarian and sustainability professional who has transitioned into a qualified, trauma-informed life and mindset coach for vegans. 

Anita’s unique path has given her a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental well-being, but it also led her through some of the darkest corners of activist burnout and Vystopia—the intense existential anguish of living in a non-vegan world.

Anita shares her raw, personal story of leaving the veterinary industry due to burnout, only to face intense social isolation and grief after aligning her lifestyle with her ethics. Recognising a critical lack of professional mental health support for vegans, Anita utilised life coaching methodologies to pull herself out of despair and recreate her life from the ground up.

Today, she dedicates her practice to helping other vegans move out of survival mode. We explore practical strategies to process systemic grief, protect your peace through boundaries, and transform your mindset to become an "irresistible invitation" for others to follow.

Learn more & connect with Anita:

• Website
• Facebook profile
• Unstoppable Vegans Facebook group

• Instagram

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LINKS 

• Sponsor the podcast

• ⁠⁠Be our guest
• Podcast merch

Please subscribe to support the show.

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠
  

In 2016, Kerrie Carroll founded Lucky Stars Sanctuary with a conviction that injured, neglected or abandoned animals deserve a safe haven to flourish. In 2019, Clint Seares joined the sanctuary as Kerrie’s devoted partner in both life and mission.

Tragically, Kerrie passed away in 2023, leaving Clint and his daughter Anna as custodians of the 100+ sanctuary residents, now located in Wooton, NSW. In this deeply moving episode, Clint sits down with us to share how they found the strength to carry the torch of Kerrie’s legacy.

Clint discusses the day-to-day life-saving work at Lucky Stars Sanctuary, including a recent incident where 19 cats and kittens were dumped in the cold and rain at the front gates. Every single one of them is now safe, vet assessed and many are ready for their forever homes.

We also dive into their forward-thinking vision of co-habitation experiences, featuring pristine on-site campsites and a gorgeous new Tiny House retreat. These overnight stays offer the ultimate sanctuary sleepover, allowing guests to connect with rescue farmed animals at twice-daily feedings. 

Learn more and support Lucky Stars:

• Donate or volunteer

• Cat Adoption Day (June 28, Wooton NSW)

• Book a camp site

• Tiny House stay

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LINKS 

Please subscribe to support the show.

• Sponsor the podcast

• ⁠⁠Be our guest

• ⁠⁠Podcast merch

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠

• Facebook⁠
  

In this episode, we sit down with Jemma Fittock, the Vice President of Free The Hounds and producer of the ‘Talking Couch Potatoes’ podcast. 

Jemma works full-time as a Registered Nurse, but her after-hours dedication is focused entirely on ending the greyhound racing industry in Western Australia.

Jemma joins us to pull back the curtain on the harsh realities of the racing industry. We dive into the core industry problems, failed welfare reforms and the powerful national and international alliances driving the movement forward.

With Tasmania’s historic phase-out legislation progressing and Western Australia’s recent Parliamentary Inquiry hearings wrapping up, the momentum to dismantle this industry is reaching a tipping point. 

Join us to learn how our community can step up and trigger a domino effect to ban greyhound racing nationwide.

Learn more & support Free the Hounds:

• FTH Website
• Talking Couch Potatoes Podcast
• Instagram
• Facebook

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds resources:

• The Blood Money Map
• Write to your MP
• Lethal Tracks 2025 (state by state report)

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LINKS 

• Sponsor the podcast
• Be our guest
• Podcast merch

Please subscribe to support the show.

Follow us on socials:

• ⁠Instagram⁠⁠
• Facebook⁠