The Vegan Compass Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with renowned animal photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur, founder of We Animals–a global resource for animal-focused visual content.

Jo-Anne has spent the past two decades capturing animal issues in over 60 countries, revealing the often unseen realities of animals trapped in human systems, from factory farms to roadside zoos–sharing their stories through hauntingly powerful imagery.

We explore Jo-Anne’s early influences, the evolution of We Animals, and the emotional toll of documenting suffering, alongside the joy, purpose, and change that can result from bearing witness. This episode is a testament to the power of photography as a tool for activism and systemic change.

Whether you’re an advocate, a storyteller, or someone seeking hope in the face of injustice, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

• Jo-Anne’s personal journey into photography and animal advocacy

• Founding and growth of We Animals Media

• What it means to bear witness, and how Jo-Anne prepares emotionally

• Why visual storytelling is crucial in building empathy 

• The role of animal photojournalism in policy change and public discourse

• How Jo-Anne teaches others to take impactful photos

Connect with Jo-Anne & We Animals:

🌐 Website

📸 Photo archive

📖 Jo-Anne’s books

📱 Instagram

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In this casual conversation between friends, we sit down with Sarah Qian, founder of Compassion Creamery—a vegan business blending indulgent oat creme cheeses with a powerful message of compassion.

Along the way, we go off script to chat about Sarah’s two rescue greyhounds and their rescue story, the importance of community, pursuing hobbies (and much more).

Trigger Warning: Sarah shares her experience with disordered eating around the 42-minute mark. Please take care while listening.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

• Leaving corporate life: What led Sarah to pursue a radically different path

• How the covid lockdown sourdough craze led her to make her own spreads which eventually inspired Compassion Creamery

• Why oat-based cheese? The story behind her unique ingredients

• The process of recipe development and launching a plant-based business

• The unexpected challenges in business

• Surprising feedback from non-vegans—and proudest moments so far

• The connection between food and self-care

• Heartfelt advice for aspiring vegan business owners

Connect with Compassion Creamery:

🌐 Website

📸 Instagram

🛒 Stockist List

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Support The Vegan Compass Podcast

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In this episode of The Vegan Compass Podcast, we sit down with Angie, the powerhouse behind Funky Pies, Bondi’s legendary vegan pie shop. 

From her early days in animal rights activism to serving up some of the tastiest vegan pies in Australia, Angie shares her inspiring journey of passion, resilience, and delicious food.

We chat about her work with Animal Liberation NSW, her fight to stop kangaroo slaughter, and what led her to open a fully vegan pie shop long before plant-based eating became mainstream. Plus, we hear about some exciting celebrity encounters at Funky Pies, the challenges of running a vegan business, and her thoughts on the future of plant-based food.

Episode Highlights:

〰️ Angie’s background in animal rights activism, campaigning with Animal Liberation NSW to stop kangaroo slaughter

〰️ A recent trip to Tanzania and the global recognition of kangaroos

〰️ The inspiration behind Funky Pies and early challenges

〰️ How attitudes towards vegan food have changed over the years

〰️ The biggest challenges of running a vegan business and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

〰️ Celebrity encounters at Funky Pies  

Connect with Funky Pies:

📍 Visit Funky Pies in Bondi

🌍 Shop online or find a stockist near youfunkypies.com.au

📱 Follow them on Instagram @funkypiesbondicafe

Other links:

🇹🇿 Tanzanian activist that Angie mentioned:

Instagram @tanzania_vegan_community

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Support The Vegan Compass Podcast

The best way to support the show is to ‘follow’ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or ‘subscribe’ on YouTube.

If you’re loving the show, please leave us a review.

Follow us on Instagram

@thevegancompass_podcast

Like us onFacebook

@TheVeganCompassPodcast

Watch onYouTube

www.youtube.com/@TheVeganCompass

Welcome to another ‘News of the week’ episode on The Vegan Compass Podcast!

Co-hosts Ric Allport and Mackenzie Cross cover this week’s news headlines —ranging from appalling gimmicks at a zoo in China, to the relentless push to ban rodeos, and a legal triumph in France that’s allowing plant-based foods to reclaim terms like “bacon” and “steak.” 

This is a safe space for all who care about animals, the environment, and a kinder future. Get comfortable, and enjoy the episode!

News headlines:

1. Chinese zoo paints dogs to look like tigers

2. Horror moment giant fish attacks ‘mermaid’ as aquarium show goes wrong

3. RSPCA raises rodeo concern

4. France scraps vegan meat label ban after final ruling

5. ⁠Even as the tide turned for fur, crocodile leather kept selling in high-end fashion. But for how much longer?⁠

6. Dolphin experience at luxury tourist park goes 'shockingly' wrong

7. Tourism industry digs in to restore tree kangaroo habitat⁠

8. Veganuary celebrates 25.8 million global participants in 2025

9. Lower cholesterol linked to shift to plant-based meat alternatives⁠

10. Nestle axes vegan KitKat after demand falls

Support The Vegan Compass Podcast

The best way to support the show is to ‘follow’ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or ‘subscribe’ on YouTube.

If you’re loving the show, please leave us a review.

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In this episode of The Vegan Compass Podcast, we sit down with one of Australia’s most experienced and dedicated animal advocates, Glenys Oogjes. 

Glenys has spent over four decades fighting for animal protection. We are so honoured to chat with her and reflect on the journey from the sole employee in the early 80s, to the nation’s leading animal advocacy group we know today as Animals Australia.

Episode Highlights:

〰️ The defining moment that inspired Glenys to begin advocating for animals.

〰️ How Animals Australia has evolved since Glenys was the sole employee in the early 1980s. 

〰️ Animals Australia’s major campaigns tackling some of Australia’s most confronting animal cruelty issues.  

〰️ How Glenys and her team push forward despite setbacks.  

〰️ Glenys’ achievement as  Victorian Senior Australian of the Year in 2024– what this recognition means to her and the animal advocacy movement.  

〰️ What Glenys is most proud of when reflecting on her career, and what’s on the horizon for 2025.  

This episode is a really special one, with so many gems of wisdom that we can all take on board in our animal advocacy work.

Connect with Animals Australia

Website: animalsaustralia.org

Social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok): @animalsaustralia 

Other resources:

VegKit vegkit.com 

New season of Freshly Picked with Simon Toohey

Instagram: @freshlypickedtv 

Website: vegkit.com/freshlypicked

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Support The Vegan Compass Podcast

The best way to support the show is to ‘follow’ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or ‘subscribe’ on YouTube.

If you’re loving the show, please leave us a review.

Follow us on Instagram

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As usual, we’ve got a packed ‘News of the week’ episode for you all today, covering a wide range of stories. Some are pretty distressing animal welfare concerns but others highlight encouraging developments for the movement.

We tackle all aspects of animal rights and vegan news, shining a light on the brutal reality faced by so many sentient beings, but we also really want to keep the focus on maintaining hope for positive change. 

We’re excited to explore these stories with you. Enjoy the episode!

The headlines:

1. ‘Insane’ X-ray leaves doctor horrified

2. Important Step To Protect Victorian Cats And Wildlife

3. Live export lobbyists ramp up WA campaign as federal election nears

4. Replacing meat with plant-based alternatives reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and weight, study finds

5. Company Makes ‘Ultra-Realistic’ Vegan Meat Using Tech Inspired By Textile Manufacturing

6. Banning of 'morally outrageous' fishing trap a major win for elusive Aussie animal

7. Animal rights investigators expose “systematic abuse” on Vietnamese frog meat farms

8. Rare bird flu outbreak detected on duck farm in California while human case is found in UK

9. Kopi luwak controversy: PETA uncovers animal cruelty in coffee trade

10. Carbon Footprint Labels Can Motivate Shoppers To Buy Plant-Based Foods

11. This Mini Kangaroo Is Bouncing Back From The Brink Of Extinction

Stay Connected with The Vegan Compass Podcast

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Watch The Vegan Compass Podcast on YouTube @TheVeganCompass

Listen to The Vegan Compass Podcast on Spotify:

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In this episode, we’re joined by Krystal Camilleri, the inspiring founder of Companion Cows and Farm Transitions Australia (FTA). 

Krystal’s journey began in 2020 with a simple yet life-changing decision to rescue two five-day-old calves, Frankie and Fletcher, from slaughter. The love and connection Krystal felt with these little ones ignited a determination to save more innocent lives, and she co-founded Companion Cows, a charity dedicated exclusively to the rescue and rehoming of dairy cows & their babies.

Through rescuing calves, Krystal witnessed firsthand the struggles of dairy farmers and their families, as well as the impact on animals and the environment. This led her to found FTA, with a visionary mission to support and assist Australia's dairy and beef farmers in transitioning out of the industry.

Episode highlights:

- The story behind Companion Cows and the incredible milestones her team achieved in 2024.  

- A glimpse into what it takes to rescue, care for, and rehome calves and ex-dairy cows.  

- The vision for Companion Cows’ newly opened sanctuary and foster station in New South Wales.  

- How Farm Transitions Australia helps farmers transition away from animal agriculture through innovative solutions like the Farm Transitions Hub.  

- The long-term impact of supporting farmers in shifting to sustainable and ethical business ventures.  

- Addressing misconceptions about working with farmers and how it aligns with ending animal exploitation.  

Tune in to hear Krystal’s inspiring journey and learn how you can support the incredible work of Companion Cows and Farm Transitions Australia!  

Get involved:

Companion Cows 

Instagram: @companion_cows

Facebook: @companioncowsaustraliaWebsite: companioncows.org

Farm Transitions Australia

Instagram: @FarmTransitionsAustralia 

Facebook: @farmtransitionsaustralia

Website: farmtransitionsaustralia.org

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Support The Vegan Compass Podcast

The best way to support the show is to ‘follow’ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or ‘subscribe’ on YouTube.

If you’re loving the show, please leave us a review.

Follow us on Instagram

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Watch on YouTube

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Join us for another episode of ‘News of the week’ where we shine a light on the news headlines that matter.

Today, we’ll be talking about some tough headlines that highlight the shocking mistreatment of sentient beings, as well as some encouraging developments in vegan food innovation and compassionate action.

We believe it’s important to examine every angle—holding people accountable when animals are harmed, and applauding the good news that shows we’re moving toward a kinder, more conscious world.

Thanks for joining us, we hope you enjoy the episode.

News headlines:

2. Factory Farms Cost UK Taxpayers Over 1.2 Billion Pounds Per Year, Says New Report

3. Farm Transparency Project protest pig welfare outside Victorian government building

4. Short-tail stingray caught and left for dead on Tennyson Beach in Adelaide’s west

5. Moove over, cows: Hebrew U researchers craft perfect bite of meat by designing plant-based steaks

6. The Future of Plant-Based Cheeses

7. Kangaroo in diaper reported roaming Florida town. Then came the jokes on social media

8. Man charged after allegedly injuring birds in suitcase

Stay Connected with The Vegan Compass Podcast

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In this episode of The Vegan Compass Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Lefki Pavlidis.

As the coordinator for Animal Liberation Victoria’s Vegan Easy initiative, Lefki is dedicated to guiding others on their journey toward compassionate living.

Vegan for over 20 years, and a graduate of the Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate Program (via the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies), she combines knowledge and experience to support participants in the 30 Day Vegan Easy Challenge.

Committed to continual growth, Lefki believes veganism is an evolving way of life, always open to learning more and advocating for animals and humans alike.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🌱 Lefki’s personal journey: From her work with Queensland’s Statewide Landcover and Trees Study, which revealed that over 90% of land clearing in Queensland is for grazing livestock, to her transition into animal advocacy.

🌱 The origins and mission of Vegan Easy, a grassroots initiative empowering people to adopt a compassionate, vegan lifestyle.

🌱 Insights into the 30 Day Vegan Easy Challenge and how it helps participants overcome challenges while transitioning to veganism.

🌱 Demographic trends and surprising shifts among participants in the challenge.

🌱 Encouraging advice for anyone considering veganism and how to take that first step.

Where to Find Vegan Easy:

🌐 Website: veganeasy.org📱

Instagram: @veganeasy

📘 Facebook: Vegan Easy

How You Can Support Vegan Easy:

Sign up for the 30 Day Vegan Easy Challenge at veganeasy.org.

Share the challenge with friends and family.

Volunteer as a mentor or donate to help grow the initiative.

More on the Qld Statewide Landcover and Trees Study

Support The Vegan Compass Podcast

The best way to support the show is to ‘follow’ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or ‘subscribe’ on YouTube.

If you’re loving the show, please leave us a review.

Follow us on Instagram

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Watch on YouTube

Welcome back to ‘News of the week’ on The Vegan Compass Podcast!

We’ve got some heavy topics to cover, starting with the wildfires in LA, and a shocking revelation regarding an animal cruelty case.

But it’s not all bad news—there’s some uplifting research to share, including a fascinating study that shows plant-rich diets are excellent for gut health.

Plus, we’ll dive into an important environmental issue where residents near Perth are calling for a tourist ban to protect a dwindling species.

Stick with us, because we’ve got a lot to unpack in today’s episode.

News headlines:

1. How Santa Ana 'devil winds' and climate change are fuelling fire conditions in California

2. How Pasadena Humane mobilized to take in pets and wildlife escaping the Eaton Fire

Donate to Pasadena Humane to support animal care efforts

3. Shark and crocodile warning as 10 melon-headed whales found dead on Kimberley beach

4. Horrific details revealed after man charged with animal cruelty

5. Residents near Perth have called for a tourist ban on a popular island to protect a dwindling species

6. Plant-rich diets boost gut health, study finds

7. A Brisbane pet shop owner has lost a bid to have a juvenile freshwater crocodile on display

8. Calls to halt kangaroo culling in Victoria’s Grampians after bushfires

9. Baby gorilla rescued from plane during smuggling attempt in Turkey

10. Health Benefits of Tofu: A Nutritious Plant-Based Superfood

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