Vegan Voices Unhinged

Episode Summary

Lorraine and Steve share a series of positive updates from their vegan activism and community work. They reflect on the success of a recent vegan dining club at The Greenhouse in Fleet and look ahead to the next gathering at Blue Sardinia in Guildford. The hosts also celebrate being accepted onto Animal Aid's school speaker programme, opening up new opportunities to engage young people through talks and cooking demonstrations.

The conversation then turns to Viva!’s largest-ever outreach event in Godalming, where experienced activists supported and mentored newer volunteers.

Later, Lorraine and Steve discuss Animal Rising's farrowing crate protest in London, which drew attention to the treatment of mother pigs in intensive farming systems. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to get involved with the upcoming mass lobby at Parliament focused on factory farming, Frankenchickens, and Project Slingshot.

Key Timings

00:00 – Introduction and positive vegan news
00:30 – Vegan dining club at The Greenhouse in Fleet
01:26 – Upcoming Guildford dining club at Blue Sardinia
02:24 – Supporting local vegan-friendly venues
03:20 – Passing the Animal Aid school speaker interview
05:56 – Training for school talks and vegan cooking demonstrations
07:19 – Viva!’s biggest outreach event in Godalming
08:19 – Coaching and supporting new outreach volunteers
10:33 – Conversation with a trainee vet
13:17 – Speaking with a vegetarian family
14:16 – Water-use quiz: plant milks vs dairy milk
20:50 – Visiting Michelle's farrowing crate protest in London
23:33 – Upcoming Elwood's campaign and outreach opportunities
25:29 – Call to action: Project Slingshot mass lobby
27:06 – Listener feedback and closing thoughts

Keywords

Veganism, vegan activism, animal rights, vegan outreach, community building, vegan dining clubs, Viva!, Animal Aid, school speakers, plant-based living, dairy farming, environmental impact, farrowing crates, Animal Rising, Frankenchickens, Project Slingshot, grassroots activism, vegan community UK.

Resources

• The Greenhouse, Fleet
  https://www.thegreenhousefleet.co.uk
• Animal Aid School Speaker Programme
  https://www.animalaid.org.uk/how-can-you-help/become-a-school-speaker
• Viva! Outreach & Street Actions
  https://viva.org.uk/viva-volunteer-community/outreach-hosts-and-supporters
• Project Slingshot
  https://projectslingshot.com
• Elwood's Organic Dog Meat Campaign
  https://www.elwooddogmeat.com
• Water Use in plant and dairy Milks https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/environmental-footprint-milks

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Shireen Kasam discusses the realities of the dairy industry, its impact on health, animals, and the environment, and how plant-based nutrition offers a better alternative. She shares insights from her role in the VIVA! documentary "What do you really know about dairy?" and the importance of evidence-based information for health professionals and the public.

Key Topics

The realities of dairy production and its impact on animals

Health claims and misconceptions about dairy consumption

Evidence-based reasons to avoid dairy and adopt plant-based diets

The influence of industry marketing on public perceptions of dairy

The role of health professionals in promoting plant-based nutrition

The significance of the VIVA documentary in raising awareness

The connection between dairy consumption and health issues like eczema and cancer

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Shireen Kasam and the documentary

02:32 What inspired Dr. Kasam to participate in the VIVA project

04:16 The truth about dairy and human health

08:00 Inside the horrors of the dairy industry

12:29 Health risks associated with cow's milk

16:27 The emotional impact of witnessing dairy industry practices

20:10 The marketing tactics of the dairy industry

24:20 The future of plant-based nutrition and activism

26:29 Call to action: how to get involved and spread awareness

Keywords

dairy industry, plant-based nutrition, vegan advocacy, animal welfare, health impacts of dairy, dairy industry secrets, vegan documentary, dairy alternatives, health professional education, environmental impact of dairy

Resources

Viva! Documentary Website

Eating Plant Based - Book by Dr Shireen Kassam

Lorraine and Steve speak with Holly Johnson, Senior Editor of Vegan Food and Living about her path into veganism, the realities of plant-based journalism, and why community matters so much in the movement. The conversation covers activism through food, misinformation about ultra processed foods, and how to keep showing up with optimism in a noisy world.

• Holly’s compassion for animals began in childhood
• A vegan bootcamp and cooking workshop changed everything at age 39
• Veganism transformed both her health and her career
• She enjoys the creative process of sourcing recipes and making content
• Learning the truth about factory farming has been the hardest part
• Ultra processed food narratives are often unfairly used against vegan food
• Cooking impressive vegan meals is her favorite form of activism
• Community at events like Vegan Campout helps people stay motivated
• Her call to action is to stay positive, hopeful, and lead by example

• foodfacts.org
• Vegan Food and Living - https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/
• Vegan Campout - https://www.vegancampout.co.uk/
• Vegan Women’s Club - https://www.veganwomensclub.com/

In this episode of Vegan Voices Unhinged, Lorraine and Steve celebrate their second anniversary and Steve's birthday while taking listeners along on a week-long trip to Venice and a birthday getaway at a vegan boutique hotel in Lake Garda.

They share their experiences of navigating two vegan-friendly destinations in Italy, from discovering Venice's only vegan restaurant to enjoying a memorable five-course birthday meal in Lake Garda.

The conversation then turns to animal activism and current campaigns, including Animal Rising's farrowing crate protest in Trafalgar Square, the realities of farrowing crates, and the campaign to release Luna to a sanctuary. You can learn more about the campaign and sign the petition at Luna Campaign.

They also discuss Viva!'s film premiere, What Do You Really Know About Dairy?, and how the documentary aims to challenge common myths surrounding milk and dairy consumption. More information and the film trailer are available at What Do You Really Know About Dairy?.

00:13 – Introduction, anniversary celebrations, and birthday episode setup

00:24 – Venice trip and the story behind the holiday

01:21 – First impressions of Venice

02:12 – Dining at Venice's only vegan restaurant

03:28 – Celebrating two years together and the story of meeting on Hinge

04:03 – Steve's surprise birthday trip to Lake Garda

04:46 – The vegan boutique hotel experience

05:16 – A memorable five-course birthday dinner

06:42 – Vegan food shopping and cooking during the trip

08:09 – Walking tour of Venice and the city's history

08:39 – Upcoming visit to London and supporting Michelle

09:42 – Understanding farrowing crates and why campaigners oppose them

13:29 – Viva!'s film premiere and discussion of dairy myths

16:51 – Call to action begins

17:03 – Petitions, support in Trafalgar Square, and outreach training opportunities

18:01 – Closing reflections on positive and impactful animal advocacy campaigns

Venice, Lake Garda, vegan travel, anniversary, birthday surprise, vegan restaurant, vegan boutique hotel, farrowing crates, Animal Rising, Michelle, Luna, sanctuary, Viva!, dairy myths, animal activism, call to action

Information on the farrowing crate protest, Michelle, and the campaign to release Luna to a sanctuary:

Luna Campaign & Petition:
https://luna.animalrising.org/

Information about the film and campaign What Do You Really Know About Dairy?:

Film Information & Trailer:
https://viva.org.uk/appeals/what-do-you-really-know-about-dairy/

Summary

In this episode, Lorraine and Steve speak with award-winning registered dietitian, author, and plant-based nutrition pioneer Vesanto Melina about the evolution of vegan nutrition, the politics of food guidance, and how a well-planned plant-based diet can support long-term health. Vesanto shares personal stories from her decades in nutrition, her transition to veganism, and practical advice for aging well with plant-based eating. The conversation also explores environmental impacts, activism, and how to make vegan eating realistic, enjoyable, and sustainable.

Key Points

• Vesanto’s journey from teaching nutrition to becoming a long-time vegan advocate
• Why she sees a well-planned vegan diet as the healthiest approach
• How industry lobbying has influenced food messaging and dietary guidelines
• The difference between vegan junk food and a nutrient-dense vegan diet
• Why plant-based eating matters for health, ethics, and the environment
• Practical advice for older adults: more protein, calcium, B12, B6, and fewer empty calories
• The role of community, recipes, and activism in making veganism accessible
• Encouragement to move toward veganism gradually rather than aiming for perfection

Timeline

00:00 Introduction to Vesanto Melina
01:28 What a typical day looks like
03:09 Plant-based living, community, and Plant-Powered Seniors
04:23 Early nutrition teaching and family influences
06:59 India, vegetarian food, and learning about animal welfare
09:17 Becoming vegan gradually
10:59 Becoming Vegan and its influence
11:40 Canada’s food guide and plant-based groups
13:17 Concerns about the U.S. food guide
15:20 Environmental impact of meat and dairy
17:34 Water use and dairy production
19:15 Becoming fully plant-based in 1993
21:13 Husband, family, and shared plant-based eating
22:10 Eating out, HappyCow, and supporting vegan restaurants
24:00 Well-planned vegan diets vs vegan junk food
26:38 Fortified foods and processed vegan products
28:46 Hardest and best parts of the vegan journey
32:40 Staying healthy and active at 84
38:18 Activism through food, community, and policy
44:22 Rethinking assumptions about veganism
45:20 Health conditions addressed in Plant-Powered Seniors
48:28 Favorite vegan meal and meal prep
53:54 Favorite vegan restaurants
55:18 Closing thoughts and farewell

Keywords

Vesanto Melina MS RD, vegan nutrition, plant-based diet, Becoming Vegan, Plant-Powered Seniors, whole food vegan, older adults nutrition, vegan diet for seniors, plant-based health, Canada Food Guide, environmental impact of meat, dairy water use, fortified soy milk, vegan activism, HappyCow, vegan restaurants, legumes, pulses, tofu, calcium, vitamin B12, sustainable eating

Resources

• NutriSpeak - https://www.nutrispeak.com
• Plant-Powered Seniors - https://plant-poweredseniors.com

• Plant-Powered Protein - plant-poweredprotein.com
• HappyCow - https://www.happycow.net
• Vancouver Cohousing — https://www.vancouvercohousing.comNotes

0:00 – Welcome and first impressions of Vegan Camp Out
1:49 – What Vegan Camp Out is and why it matters
3:12 – Festival areas and the challenge of fitting everything in
5:11 – Top speakers: Earthling Ed
8:25 – Top speakers: George Monbiot
11:57 – Top speakers: Zach Polanski
18:05 – Top speakers: Moby
23:28 – Food highlights begin
24:54 – Giuseppe’s Tiramisu
26:23 – Happy Cow Ice Cream
27:42 – Tiba Tempeh Bowl
28:39 – Vegan Fried Chicken
29:36 – Community and people they met
34:08 – DJ Beaves in the jungle
35:35 – Handing out 1,000 podcast cards
37:31 – Call to action and wrap-up

• Viva! — vegan charity and official sponsor/partner of Vegan Camp Out https://viva.org.uk
• Vegan Camp Out — festival website https://www.vegancampout.co.uk

Summary:

In this episode of Vegan Voices Unhinged, Lorraine and Steve discuss the record-breaking droughts and heat waves affecting the UK, and how climate change is already impacting humans, animals, agriculture, and water security. They connect the dots between extreme weather, environmental policy, and the overlooked role of animal agriculture in driving water use, emissions, and biodiversity loss. The conversation also highlights practical steps individuals can take, from changing diet to contacting local councillors.

Key Points:

• The UK is experiencing severe drought conditions, hosepipe bans, and rising concerns about future water restrictions.
• Heat waves are becoming more dangerous, with homes, children, older adults, and animals all especially vulnerable.
• Climate change is already disrupting habitats, food supplies, migration patterns, and increasing disease and extinction risk for animals.
• Animal agriculture uses enormous amounts of water, with dairy cited as needing around 700–1,000 litres of water for 1 litre of milk.
• The hosts argue that environmental conversations often ignore food systems and focus too narrowly on fossil fuels and recycling.
• They discuss the Climate Change Committee’s “A Well-Adapted UK” report, which warns the UK is not prepared for worsening climate impacts.
• The episode emphasizes that dietary change is one of the most immediate personal actions people can take.

Timeline:

• 0:02 — Introduction to droughts, heat waves, and climate impacts
• 1:55 — Drought status, hosepipe bans, and possible water restrictions
• 4:38 — How climate change threatens animals and ecosystems
• 6:34 — Climate Change Committee report and UK overheating risks
• 8:54 — Agriculture, crop stress, and water demand in animal farming
• 9:20 — Water footprint of dairy production
• 11:14 — Why water-saving advice often ignores food systems
• 15:00 — Climate inaction, economic costs, and the need for urgent measures
• 18:40 — Discussion of Eating Our Way to Extinction
• 21:16 — Food production as a major climate factor
• 24:38 — Positive actions: plant-based diets and reduced animal product use
• 26:02 — Call to action: contact local councillors and share the documentary

Action Items:

• Write to your local councillor and ask them to treat the climate emergency seriously.
• Watch Eating Our Way to Extinction on YouTube.
• Share the documentary with friends who care about the environment.
• Attend a local climate emergency briefing if one is available near you.
• Reduce or eliminate animal products, especially dairy, as a practical climate action.

Summary

In this episode, Clif Grant shares his lifelong journey into veganism, the motivations behind his activism, and practical tips for engaging others in animal rights advocacy. Discover how personal experiences and powerful speeches can inspire meaningful change.

Key topics

Clif Grant's early experiences with animal cruelty

The impact of Gary Yourofsky's speech on Clif

Effective street activism and sign strategies

The importance of community in vegan activism

Mental health challenges for activists and coping strategies

The misconception of vegans as extremists

Practical tips for engaging non-vegans

The role of social media in activism

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Clif Grant and his activism

01:54 Early childhood experiences with animal cruelty

08:00 The influence of Gary Yourofsky's speech

11:58 Hardest and best parts of being vegan

18:27 Clif's activism methods and street outreach

22:46 Using the 10-point scale to engage others

28:19 Dealing with pre-activism anxiety

32:38 Challenging misconceptions about vegans

35:04 Favorite vegan meals and restaurants

38:26 Creating anonymous activism accounts

42:06 Building community through vegan dining clubs

42:56 The importance of community for activists

Keywords

veganism, animal rights, activism, vegan outreach, mental health activism, vegan food, vegan community, vegan tips, vegan stories

Join Lorraine and Steve in this episode as they share heartfelt updates on vegan community spots, applaud innovation in vegan pet food, explore the versatility of tofu, and discuss upcoming activism and events. This episode underscores the importance of supporting vegan businesses, products, and activism to create a compassionate future. In this episode:

• Sad news about the closing of Vermillion Cafe, a beloved vegan restaurant, and ways to support before it closes at the end of September
• Spotlight on Arielle from Just Be Kind Dog and Cat Food, a pioneering vegan pet food brand nominated for Sustainability Innovator of the Year
• Extensive discussion on tofu – its versatility in cooking, misconceptions, and delicious recipes like vegan chocolate mousse
• A vegan product quiz testing knowledge on common vegan-friendly foods and ingredients
• Updates on upcoming vegan activism, vegan campout, and efforts to promote plant-based eating through local initiatives
• Reflection on the canceled Great Vegan Gathering and supporting animal sanctuaries

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and heartfelt news about Vermillion Cafe closing 00:52 - Support local vegan businesses and the importance of community

02:19 - Highlighting Arielle's vegan pet food innovations and award nomination

03:16 - The impact of plant-based diets on pets and how to support transition

03:46 - Tofu’s role in a vegan diet and its versatility explained

04:15 - Delicious tofu recipes including vegan chocolate mousse

05:10 - The benefits of tofu and how to incorporate it daily

07:55 - Sharing tofu recipes via social media and fun ideas like reels 08:25 - Reaction to vegan Biscoff biscuits and vegan quiz introduction 09:24 - Vegan quiz questions covering Oreo, peanut butter, marshmallows, baked beans, and more

20:02 - Upcoming community meetings and activism plans

22:15 - Vegan campout excitement and preparations

23:13 - Sad news about the cancellation of the Great Vegan Gathering but encouraging support for upcoming events

24:38 - Closing thoughts and excitement for upcoming interviews and activism

Resources & Links:

• Just Be Kind Dog and Cat Food

Keith McHenry, co-founder of Food Not Bombs, shares the origins of the movement, the birth of Food Not Bombs, his personal vegan journey, and the impact of veganism on activism and social change. Keith McHenry shares his experiences with language barriers, vegan activism, the evolution of veganism, challenges and misconceptions, vegan cuisine, writing memoirs, and the Anarchist Cookbook.

Takeaways

• Food Not Bombs began as an accidental activism against war, leading to the birth of a movement focused on sharing vegan food with the homeless.
• Keith McHenry's vegan journey was inspired by a personal experience with raising chickens and a defining moment involving the butchering of roosters.
• The impact of veganism on activism and social change is evident in the recognition and respect received by Food Not Bombs activists in various global communities. Navigating language barriers in foreign countries can lead to unexpected culinary experiences.
• Vegan activism and outreach play a crucial role in promoting the vegan lifestyle and dispelling misconceptions.

Chapters

• 00:00 Origins of Food Not Bombs
• 04:56 The Birth of Food Not Bombs
• 15:59 The Vegan Journey
• 22:55 Impact of Veganism
• 27:59 Navigating Language Barriers
• 29:39 Vegan Activism and Outreach
• 32:38 The Evolution of Veganism
• 33:47 Challenges and Misconceptions
• 36:37 Vegan Cuisine and Restaurants
• 39:55 Writing Memoirs and Publishing
• 49:05 Anarchist Cookbook and Nonviolence

Resources

Food Not Bombs Website: https://foodnotbombs.net/new_site/