REPLAY: This episode with Calen Otto is from the vault and originally premiered on October 30, 2024.

Calen is a queer, anti-speciesist travel blogger who explores the big, wide world on a very small budget and is our most recurring guest on this podcast. Calen and I connected through the world of podcasting and became friends pretty instantly. It’s been over a year since Hurricane Helene devastated the Southeast part of the United States, so it felt like a good time to replay this important episode. In this episode, Calen helps us explore the profound impacts of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina. Calen shares their personal experiences during the hurricane and reads a poignant essay weaving themes of climate change, speciesism, and social justice. Calen shared this essay on their podcast, and I instantly knew Consciously Clueless listeners needed to hear!

Guest Bio: Calen Ann Otto is a queer, anti-speciesist travel blogger who explores the big, wide world on a very small budget. After completing a solo trip across the USA at the age of 19 with only $300 and a bike, Calen discovered that there are so many alternative ways to travel that cost less. Inspired by their love of meeting strangers and sharing their incredible stories, Calen created the Unruly Travel blog. There, they share photos, videos, articles, and podcast episodes from their unique travels in hopes of inspiring others to get out and grow. Calen has been to 5 continents, 35 states, 20 National Parks, and more than 20 countries as a vegan and is passionate about doing the least amount of harm wherever they go. They wrote and published 'The Art Of Unruly Travel On A Budget' travel guidebook to make travel more accessible to all. 

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Music by M Baxley

Helpful Links from Calen:

• Hurricane Helene Essay: wanderwoman.online/index.php/2024/…north-carolina/
• Donate to mutual aid orgs in WNC: preview.mailerlite.io/preview/757985…69466110330501
• Episode #24 on Hurricane Florence: Unrulytravel-podcast – Modern-love-story-pig-rescue-hurricane-florence-north-carolina

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on July 17, 2024.

Navigating the realm of sustainability and lifestyle choices can seem overwhelming, but this conversation with Tyler Chanel brings clarity and encouragement. Together, we explore small steps to reduce plastic consumption, discuss balancing convenience with sustainability, and challenge the pressure of achieving perfect sustainability. Tune in, re-learn from Tyler's experiences, and discover the seemingly small ways you can embrace a more sustainable lifestyle today.

Guest bio: Tyler Chanel is an ethical blogger and model based in Los Angeles, California. Her blog and YouTube Channel, Thrifts & Tangles, provides educational tips to inspire others to give thrifting, sustainability, and their natural selves a chance.

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Music by M Baxley

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on July 17, 2024.

Discover the transformative journey of our inspiring guest, Lauren Ornelas, who has been an unwavering advocate for veganism and social justice since childhood.

Guest Bio: Lauren Ornelas has been a deeply involved animal rights activist since 1987 and is the founder and General Programs Collective Member of Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.), a vegan food justice nonprofit that promotes veganism, champions the rights of farm workers, highlights the lack of access to healthy foods in Black and Brown communities, and raise awareness about the worst forms of slavery, including child labor, in the chocolate industry. Watch Lauren’s TEDx talk on The Power of Our Food Choices. Learn more about F.E.P.’s work at www.foodispower.org.

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Music by M Baxley

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on November 17, 2021.

Listen in as Carly and Amanda talk fast fashion, greenwashing, and how to shop sustainably in an unsustainably built world.

Amanda McCarty wanted to be an art teacher, but somehow ended up with a career in fashion that began as a seasonal part-time sales associate. She has worked in the buying and merchandising departments of some of the most iconic millennial lifestyle brands. Now she hosts two podcasts (Clotheshorse and The Department), writes epic Instagram captions, and frequently cites the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. She has been known to cry at Hello Kitty events, and she loves a good miniature museum. Her current obsessions are faux fruit, maximal design, vintage cookbooks, and workers’ rights. Connect with Amanda on her Instagram or website!

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Music by M Baxley

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on April 10th, 2024.

Listen in as Brian, the insightful host of the Conscious Action Podcast, shares his transformative journey toward a more mindful existence. He gives us a glimpse into the profound shifts he's experienced, such as overcoming road rage, and discusses how he now incorporates these life lessons into his multifaceted roles as a university teacher, business owner, and wellness advocate. Brian and I exchange personal stories, illustrating how small acts of awareness can relieve physical tension and contribute to overall well-being. We also touch on the impact of sharing our personal growth journeys online, creating spaces for authenticity and demonstrating that evolution is possible. This episode delves into the complexities of motivation, from health and environment to animal welfare, and how aligning our actions with our values can foster a deeper understanding and commitment to issues like veganism and sustainability. Join us as we explore how inner healing and education can amplify our impact on the world and how balancing personal growth with the desire to enact social change is crucial to avoiding burnout and achieving a holistic vision for a better future.

Guest Bio: Brian Berneman is a beacon in the realm of conscious living, merging his foundational expertise in neuroscience with over 15 years of holistic wellness practice. Seamlessly blending ancient wisdom with modern science, Brian offers a unique perspective on well-being that resonates with audiences globally. As the co-founder of Conscious Action and You Being You, he has cemented his commitment to promoting intentional, heart-connected living. At the core of Brian's work is a passionate mission: to guide individuals on their journey to a more mindful, balanced, and purpose-driven existence. Listen to Brian's Podcast.

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REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on March 30th, 2022.

Jake Conroy is a long-time activist, designer, and writer currently residing in Seattle, WA, USA. He helped organize and participated in successful local, regional, national, and international pressure campaigns. He also helped build the foundation of SHAC USA, considered one of the most successful grassroots animal rights campaigns in history. He and his co-organizers were arrested by the US government for their roles and dubbed the SHAC7. Jake and his codefendants were found guilty after a lengthy trial, and he was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison. In 2019, the Joaquin Phoenix produced documentary, The Animal People, was released, detailing the campaign and the controversial court case. Currently, Jake hosts the podcast Radicals & Revolutionaries and works at the Rainforest Action Network, an international organization using pressure campaigns to stop rainforest deforestation and fossil fuel extraction and support human rights. He can be found pontificating online as the Cranky Vegan, where he helps reimaginate the tactics, strategies, and optics of the grassroots animal rights movement. Connect with Jake on Instagram, YouTube, Patreon, or Facebook.

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Music by M Baxley.

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on June 30th, 2021.

Christopher “Soul” Eubanks is a climate, human, and animal rights activist who was raised in Atlanta, Ga, and has dedicated himself to doing advocacy work that combats all forms of injustice. After learning the horrors of animal exploitation, Christopher became vegan, began doing community organizing, and has helped co-organize Atlanta’s first-ever animal rights march. Christopher plans to use education, public speaking, and creativity as tools to advocate for the climate, a vegan diet, and the end of all forms of injustice. Christopher and Carly journeyed through so many enlightening stories and lessons in this episode. Connect with Christopher on Facebook, Instagram, or his website.

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Music by M Baxley.

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on August 2nd, 2023.

Join me for an enlightening chat with Calen Otto from the Unruly podcast, where we confront the challenges of being creators, sharing our lives, beliefs, and imperfections while trying to make a living. Listen as we explore the idea of living more mindfully and eco-consciously and the struggles of being a recovering perfectionist in a world that isn't set up for that. The conversation takes an interesting turn as we discuss our journey of discovering eco-friendly period products and how we both became advocates for sustainable menstruation. We shed light on the lawsuit against Thinx and how it has influenced our approach to talking about period products. We also share our thoughts on how we can consciously approach life and be comfortable with it. Navigating brand partnerships and sponsorships as content creators can be complex, but it's a topic we tackle head-on. Calen and I discuss the ethical considerations involved and how certain brands' questionable practices have posed dilemmas for us and other creators. We also explore the importance of meeting people where they are for real and lasting change, and the need to stay true to our beliefs while navigating the intricacies of online content creation and brand partnerships. Jump in as we share our experiences and insights in this engaging and thought-provoking episode.

Guest Bio: Calen Ann Otto is a queer, anti-speciesist travel blogger who explores the big wide world on a very small budget. After completing a solo trip across the USA at the age of 19 with only $300 and a bike, Calen discovered that there are so many alternative ways to travel that cost less. Inspired by their love of meeting strangers and sharing their incredible stories, Calen created the Unruly Travel blog. There, they share photos, videos, articles, and podcast episodes from their unique travels in hopes of inspiring others to get out and grow. Calen has been to 5 continents, 35 states, 20 National Parks, and more than 20 countries as a vegan and is passionate about doing the least amount of harm wherever they go. They wrote and published 'The Art Of Unruly Travel On A Budget' travel guidebook to make travel more accessible to all. 

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Music by M Baxley.

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on March 27th, 2024.

Why do environmentalists have veganphobia? What's the disconnect? And why does the vegan movement need feminism? Do you have to watch graphic animal agriculture footage to be a "real" vegan? These questions and more are answered in my conversation with Corey Lee Wrenn, a notable sociology professor from the University of Kent. Our heartfelt discussion unwraps the complex layers of empathy, personal accountability, and the broader implications of our dietary choices on the living world around us. As the dialogue unfolds, it's not just about food, but the intersection of academic research and honest advocacy. This blend shapes our journey from social justice to a pointed focus on environmental and animal rights. Corey and I navigate the challenging landscape of academia, where the quest for truth often grapples with the constraints of funding and institutional biases, particularly when examining the impact of animal agriculture on the planet. Our exchange takes on a collective spirit as we address the diverse motivations that inspire individuals to embrace veganism, from personal health to the stark realities of systemic oppression and environmental degradation. We dissect the use of graphic imagery in advocacy, weighing its powerful message against its emotional fallout, and pledge to the necessity of self-care and community support within the activism sphere.

Guest bio: Dr. Corey Lee Wrenn is a Lecturer of Sociology at the School of Social Policy, Sociology, and Social Research at the University of Kent and co-director of the Centre for the Study of Social and Political Movements. Get in touch with Dr. Wrenn on her website and Instagram.

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Music by M Baxley.

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on September 11th, 2024.

Get ready for a wild and inspiring ride with the fabulous Vegan Queens, Gemini and her daughter Myasma! Gemini takes us on a nostalgic journey back to her early days in drag during the 1980s, all while being cheered on by her supportive mother. Miasma shares her informal yet heartwarming introduction to the world of drag, leading to the creation of their unique act that brilliantly blends personal history and professional flair. And let's not forget their dramatic escape from Putin, adding an unforgettable twist to their story. We then shift gears to tackle pressing issues of intersectionality in vegan advocacy. By examining the Amazon rainforest's crucial role and critiquing misleading ethical labels, we highlight the deep connections between environmental conservation, animal agriculture, and social justice. Through candid discussions, we draw thought-provoking parallels between speciesism and homophobia, revealing how societal norms perpetuate harm and the importance of visible queerness in challenging these injustices. Finally, we explore the profound mission of Pink Triangle Theatre and the dimensions of oppression faced by both animals and marginalized communities. By sharing compelling personal anecdotes and reflections on emotions, we underscore the universal nature of feelings and the ethical implications of recognizing this interconnectedness. From laughter to grief, we embrace the messy spectrum of human emotions, advocating for a shift towards veganism and a more compassionate world. What's the connection between drag and vegan living? The Vegan Queens are here to show you.

Guest Bio: The Vegan Queens - an ever-so-traditional Mancunian drag family. Meet Gemini, the matriarch of the Haus of Andro, and her daughter Miasma. Together they are The Vegan Queens - the live-singing, pun-slinging, tofu-chomping temptresses of the North West. With their own unique brand of ‘dragtivism’, the queens aim to educate, inspire, and entertain, serving the vegan message with a side salad of sass.

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Music by M Baxley.