According to a 2017 survey, 73% of vegans self-identify as atheists or agnostics.

That’s why I know this might not be the most popular opinion, but I deeply believe that leading a spiritual practice is not only a powerful way to deal with the struggle of being an outspoken vegan in a non-vegan world, but also an essential part of a happy healthy life.

To discuss the power of spirituality, I am joined by Victoria Moran. Victoria is a longtime animal activist, successful author (she has written more than 13 books!), fellow podcaster (she is host of the Main Street Vegan podcast), and yogi, During the interview, Victoria references many great resources to kick start your spiritual journey. Visit the episode's note to access each of her recommendations and connect with her.

As always, I invite you to follow the show. Share the podcast with the staunch atheists you know and spark a conversation. Leave a good review. Every gesture of support is appreciated, thank you.

Connect with Victoria Moran: https://victoriamoran.com/

Listen to the Main Street Podcast: https://mainstreetvegan.com/category/podcast/

Discover Victoria's books: https://victoriamoran.com/books-and-articles/

A Prayer for Compassion (documentary): https://youtu.be/KuTpNGIbp-w?si=ODujxy2d6a2e87vC

The impersonal life (book): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/552115/the-impersonal-life-by-joseph-s-benner/9780143131113

Vegetarian Christian Saints (book): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1572385.Vegetarian_Christian_Saints

A Parenthesis in Eternity: https://www.joelgoldsmithbooks.com/product/a-parenthesis-in-eternity

Interfaith Vegan Coalition: https://www.idausa.org/campaign/sustainable-activism/interfaith-vegan-coalition/

Compassion Consortium: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/

Music by KonstantinosP from Pixabay

Seth Ariel Green is a research scientist at the Humane and Sustainable Food Lab.

Humane and Sustainable Food Lab: https://www.foodlabstanford.com/

The first paper I'm talking about: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666325003861?via%3Dihub

The second: https://osf.io/z6rn2_v1

Maya Mathur, who runs the lab: https://www.mayamathur.com/

Andrew Jalil, whom I mention in contexts of Jalil et al. 2023: https://www.oxy.edu/academics/faculty/andrew-jalil

That paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00712-1

Gregg Sparkman, whom I name drop: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/psychology-neuroscience/people/faculty-directory/gregg-sparkman.html

Anderson & Nelander: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4336/12/1/2

Piester et al. (2020): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195666319312115

When I talk about Maya running several default studies, probably this is a good one to link to: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1001157/full

I mention a study on changing the size of the serving spoons: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-22495-9

Gwern’s laws of social evaluations: https://gwern.net/doc/sociology/1987-rossi

Today, we compare two different approaches to advancing the environmental cause from two vegan giants: Jane Goodall and David Attenborough.

CORRECTION: David Attenborough is not vegan. "(...) though he has significantly reduced his meat consumption for environmental reasons and recommends plant-based diets. He no longer eats red meat and consumes cheese and fish, a decision he has called a "middle-class hypocrisy" given his public advocacy."

Both have released documentaries focused on the climate crisis, animal welfare, and their personal journeys into activism. Jane Goodall's documentary, The Hope, is available on YouTube. David Attenborough's A Life on Our Planet, is on Netflix. You’ll find the links in the episode notes.

To discuss this topic, I’m joined by the amazing Alex Ventimilla Sanchez, professor in the Department of English & Film Studies at the University of Alberta. We talked about the stereotype of the Ecological Indian, the apocalyptic predictions environmentalists love to make, the collapse of humanity's birthrates, the role of plant-based diets and animal welfare in the environmental cause, and much more.

Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-ventimilla/

The Hope - Jane Goodall: https://youtu.be/4ST6pqfCTy0?si=9s-k21fN35XuFxh3

David Attenborough: A Life on our Planet: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80216393

Dismantling Indigenous Stereotypes: Indigeneity and the Environment: https://www.fewforchange.org/blog/2021/11/dismantling-indigenous-stereotypes-indigeneity-and-the-environment

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Jurassic Park Is Not Just a Movie. With Alex Ventimilla | Ep. 85 https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/2139762/

Music by Tunetank from Pixabay

I have a Big Announcement to make! In addition to the usual Tuesday episodes, I invite you to tune in every Wednesday for a special episode about the science of activism.

Every Wednesday, I will give the microphone to researchers who study the effectiveness of animal advocacy and vegan activism. Learn from them what are the best, and worst ways to make a positive difference in the world.

Since starting this podcast, I have come across strong - some would even say stubborn - opinions on what the way forward looks like. I even developed my own strong opinions.

But this is our reality check. A way to verify if our beliefs are backed by evidence and check if our perception of reality is not distorted.

So connect every Wednesday and become the most informed and effective activist out there. Thank you.

Björn Jóhann┃Researcher-Writer, Animal Advocate: https://www.bjornjohann.com/

More Than Meats The Eye | Björn | Substack: https://bjornjohannolafsson.substack.com/

The Research on Nudges: How Plant-Based Defaults Work | Better Food Foundation: https://www.betterfoodfoundation.org/research-and-reports/research-plant-based-defaults-work/

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Throughout her life and remarkable career, Jane inspired generations of scientists, brought hope to countless people from all walks of life, and urged us all to remember that “every single one of us makes a difference every day – it is up to us as to the kind of difference we make”

To discuss Jane Goodall's life and her legacy, I have with me three people who have met her and whose lives have been touched by her life work.

I am joined by Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold, the Primate Communication Scientist and Associate Director at Fauna Foundation, the only Chimp Sanctuary in Canada, and Friends of Washoe, a non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of chimpanzees. She is also the very first guest of the Vegan Report (yes, episode 1). I can say, with confidence, that without her voice, this podcast would not exist.

I am also joined by Dr. Allan Kornberg, a pediatrician who first met Dr. Goodall in his role as board chair with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Allan supports plant-based diet change as executive director of Nutrition for Families and as a board member with Physicians Association for Nutrition.

Other current affiliations include Treasurer for both Wilberforce Institute and Dharma Voices for Animals, two amazing nonprofits we have covered on this show.

And lastly, Madeline Krasno, Founder and Executive Director of Justify, the only organization in the world focused on the human cost of animal experimentation and the uniquely intimate, often painful bond between lab workers and the animals they try to care for. She appeared many times on the podcast, A testament to how deeply I value her voice and contributions.

Share this episode with the vegans you know - this episode is an inspiring invitation to action. For more meaningful conversations, follow the show. As always, thank you for listening!

Jane Goodall Institute: https://janegoodall.global/rememberingjane/

Fauna Sanctuary: https://faunafoundation.org/donate/

Friends of Washoe: https://www.friendsofwashoe.org/

Justify: https://www.whenwejustify.org/

Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries: https://sanctuaryfederation.org/donate-to-gfas/

Dr. Jane Goodall’s Final Message To The World: https://youtu.be/lfLKHY52ERc?si=_V3JhPoUExig3Pug

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Music by Gregor Quendel from Pixabay

Did you know that most of the plant-based food you are eating is grown using animal products as fertilizers? Manure, blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, and fish emulsion, All obtained from the animal exploitation industry.

But there is a better, safer, more sustainable and ethical alternative: veganic farming. Veganic agriculture uses plant-based techniques instead of animal products to grow crops. So, for example, instead of using shrimp compost for fertilization, the veganic farmer will use vegetable compost, chipped branch wood or mulch.

To discuss this topic, I have with me Meg Kelly. Meg co-founded the Veganic Agriculture Network (https://goveganic.net/). She also teaches the Learn Veganic (https://learnveganic.com/) online gardening course to empower people around the world to grow their own fruits and veggies at home.

We discussed why organic farming is problematic, the arsenic in rice, the E.Coli in lettuce, what it means to be vegan when the plants you eat were grown with animal products, and much more.

To learn more about veganic farming, sign up for free to the 2025 Edition of the Veganic Summit. It is 100% virtual. And again, 100% free. It is from November 7-9 Get your ticket now and connect with amazing speakers. I will definitely be there. Spread the word that this is happening. You can share this episode with your friends. Thank you!

Get your free ticket to the Veganic Summit NOW: https://veganicsummit.com/

Music by panji712 from Pixabay

I want to discuss the tens of millions of hens that are kept in the backyards of your neighbors. There are currently more than 85 million hens in the US, at least 1,2 million in the UK, 2 million in Australia - and those global numbers: they were a fraction of that only yesterday. Virtually all of those hens have been bred by the poultry industry. And for everyone of them, there was a male chick systematically eliminated.

For me, this is a fire in the house situation, and I wanted to talk with other vegans who share that feeling with me, who think it is time to sound the alarm bell and wake up other vegans to this unfolding tragedy.

So for this episode, a group conversation with Juliane Priesemeister, the ED of the Truth Organization, who are behind Egg-Truth.com, the reference for everything related to the poultry industry. Haidy Mansfield, Founder of Belle & Fleur, a UK based non-profit dedicated to rescuing hens. And Liz White, the leader of the Animal Protection Party of Canada, thanks to whom backyard chickens where banned in Canada's biggest city: Toronto.

Please share this episode with the vegans you know.

Egg-Truth.org: https://www.egg-truth.com/

Belle & Fleur: https://www.belleandfleur.org/contact-us

Animal Protection Party of Canada: https://www.animalprotectionparty.ca/

Why Chickens Don't Belong in your Backyard. https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/2214334/

Follow The Vegan Report on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganreportpodcast/

Follow The Vegan Report on X! https://x.com/veganreportshow

Music by Dvir Silverstone from Pixabay

Today, we respond to an episode from the Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, posted on April 17 and titled "The Best Argument Against Veganism".

For that episode, Dr. Peterson interviews Joel Salatin, co-owner of Polyface Farm and an outspoken proponent of regenerative animal farming. Joel Salatin happens to be featured in Chapter 8 of the Omnivore's Dilemma, the best-seller of author Michael Pollan. Both of them, Salatin and Pollan, have been instrumental in popularizing the idea that animal exploitation can be humane and ecological.

To debunk this Jordan Peterson interview and set the record straight, I have with me the perfect guest: John Sanbonmatsu. John has written the Omnivore's Deception, which completely obliterates the Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma. The Omnivore Deception is a true animal rights classic and I highly recommend it.

Order the Omnivore's Deception NOW: https://www.johnsanbonmatsu.com/the-omnivores-deception.html

Inside the Mad World of Meatistan. With John Sanbonmatsu | Ep. 79 https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/2063993/

Is Cell-Based Meat Good for Animals? With Leah Garces, Bruce Friedrich, Vasile Stanescu & John Sanbonmatsu | BONUS https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/2018735/

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Music by Timothy Kulig from Pixabay

Billy Nicholles is a researcher specialising in the pet food protein transition. He is based at Bryant Research, a UK research consultancy specialising in the protein transition, where he conducts research related to pet diets, with a focus on the environmental impacts of meat-based and vegan pet foods. He has published on the sustainability of pet diets, and on consumer attitudes towards alternative proteins. He was also formerly a Founders’ Associate at Omni, one of the UK’s leading vegan pet food companies. He has spoken internationally on the pet food protein transition.

Follow The Vegan Report on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veganreportpodcast/

Follow The Vegan Report on X: https://x.com/veganreportshow

Access studies and information relating to vegan pet food diets: https://sustainablepetfood.info/

Connect with Billy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-nicholles-01777821a/

Learn more about Bryant Research: https://bryantresearch.co.uk/

Music by Purrple Cat from Pixabay

"Does eating eggs from your backyard chickens vegan?" This question just accepts the premise that owning backyard chickens in the first place is acceptable. Maybe if you own lots of land in a rural area, where farming already takes place.

But this idea that vegans from the city or the suburbs can totally adopt rescue hens, put them in their small backyards and, in fact, we should give that a cool name - like micro sanctuary- is totally wrong. It means we have accepted that this is the new normal. That this cultural battle was lost, despite the popular rejection of this practice.

The Problem with Backyard Chickens: https://www.egg-truth.com/egg-blog/backyardchicken

Chicken Coop Market: https://www.factmr.com/report/2256/chicken-coop-market

Urban Chicken Ownership in Four U.S. Cities (USDA study): https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/poultry10_dr_urban_chicken_four.pdf

Got a wild animal damaging your property? It's legal to kill it in MA: https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/nature-wildlife/2025/06/05/living-with-wildlife-can-you-shoot-animal-in-your-backyard/84025037007/

Retiring from Sanctuary Life. With Catherine Gagnieux | Ep. 89 https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/2192614/

Uh Oh Canada! Animals Need Your Vote. With Liz White | Ep. 72 https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/1987257/

The Brutal Truth Behind the Egg Industry. With Nigel Osborne & Juliane Priesemeister | Ep. 08 https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/1093447/

Bearing Witness to the Cruelty of the Hidden Slaughterhouses. With Colin | Ep. 02 https://rss.com/podcasts/veganreport/1042105/

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Follow The Vegan Report on X: https://x.com/veganreportshow