Sharon Núñez co-founded Animal Equality in 2006 to help animals. Decades later, the work continues. AE's latest campaign is to hold grocery chain Kroger accountable for their broken promise to switch to 100% cage free eggs. In addition to worldwide demonstrations, a core group of activists have staged near daily protests outside their Cincinnati headquarters.I was drawn to the campaign by the gutsy activists involved. Sharon has brought together a team of committed animal activists who stand by their word and won't back down until they've achieved their goal. The blend of grassroots activism with the backing of an international organization has created a potent mix that will have Kroger with their hands full.That said, I know what many in a movement for animal liberation might think of a campaign against cage-free eggs. And while that in itself could have been an entire podcast, Sharon was gracious and humble in giving her opinion when I presented some counterarguments to the overall philosophy of an animal welfare campaign. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. It's also available on YouTube.Links:Animal EqualityAE YouTubeAE on IGAE on FBAE on TikTokSharon's IGSharon's FB

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When I recorded this episode with animal liberation legend John Curtin, I didn't realize I'd be uploading it while he sat in a jail cell. But just as he predicted in this conversation just a day earlier, John was arrested, likely in connection with a rescue of 8 beagles from MBR Acres a week ago. Camp Beagle was also locked down and searched by police for a time but it's my understanding that protesters have finally been allowed to return. John denied any involvement in the beagle liberation and it's pretty clear from video and this conversation that he didn't know what was going on until the rescue had already taken place.

When I last had John on my podcast, it was 3 1/2 years since he and a small group of people set up a 24/7 camp outside MBR Acres, a notorious beagle breeder in the UK. Now 5 years in, the struggle continues, and the camp has been locked down. Surely Marshall BioResources CEO Scott Marshall, who admits "the writing is on the wall" as his puppy breeding empire comes under further scrutiny, is feeling the pressure and this flurry of activity from activists and authorities is only further evidence of that.

There may be some joy in witnessing the downfall of Marshall BioResources, but it's no consolation to the thousands of animals still suffering needlessly at their facilities. For John, it makes it all the worse for those still there.

Despite the grim topic, John is a real joy to speak with, among my favorite guests, which is why I invited him back. He's honest, candid, raw, and funny. And you can feel that every word comes from the heart. I can't wait to invite him back to celebrate the inevitable and permanent closure of Marshall Farms. I am calling for John's release, and the release of all the animals from Marshall BioResources.

This conversation is also available on YouTube.

Links:

Our first conversation

John's IG

The Camp Beagle IG

Camp Beagle FB

The Camp Beagle

Jill Phipps doc

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John's book recs:

The Dreaded Comparison

The Bloodless Revolution

Eternal Treblinka

Will Potter's novel "Little Red Barns: Hiding the Truth, From Farm to Fable" had an instant impact on me. Beyond it being exceptionally readable despite delving into dark topics, the book resonated with me as a former journalist who similarly felt the tension between "bearing witness" and living the story you're telling. Unsurprisingly, Will described that this 10 year project turned into something of a memoir as he navigated the shifting landscape of government repression of activist movements, particularly the animal rights movement."Little Red Barns" takes us beyond the mythical barnyard walls the industry has intentionally erected into the reality of modern animal agriculture. The words on the pages are alarming because the apocalyptic world it describes is right down the road, not far off. And today, not in the future.Beyond Will's extraordinary books, including "Green is the New Red" which I also highly recommend, I deeply enjoyed getting a chance to speak with him, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Will's websiteWill's YouTube"Little Red Barns""Green is the New Red"Will's IGWill's FBWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

I recently came across a story in the Raleigh News&Observer about PETA condemning research Duke University scientists were conducting on pigs to study decompression sickness, or "the Bends." This grotesque study subjected pigs to unspeakable suffering, and ultimately death. Shriya Swaminathan, science policy advisor at PETA, has been on top of the issue for years. Just 3 years prior she was on another podcast talking about similar research being conducted on sheep at the University of Wisconsin Madison. I wonder how many animals will pay the price for humanity's hubris.This type of work can be grim and depressing, so I feel deeply grateful for people like Shriya who dedicate their lives to pursuing an end to this exploitation. I highly encourage everyone to follow the links below and urge an immediate end to cruel testing on animals.

This podcast is also available on YouTube.Links:Act NowPETA's YouTubeNews&Observer storyPETA's IGPETA's FBPETA's TikTokWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

Animal rights attorney Wayne Hsiung revisits the podcast to give an update on the Ridglan beagle trial. It's Wayne's first time on the podcast since we became co-defendants for rescuing dogs from Ridglan Farms, a notorious breeder of laboratory beagles.

Wayne explains how on August 24th, our due process rights were violated and how this fits into a pattern in the legal system, and institutions as a whole. Luckily we have voices and microphones we intend to use, but the animals too often have no one to speak out for them. Stay tuned for developments in the Ridglan trial.

Join the Save the Dogs summit from Sept. 4-6 in Madison, WI. Details here

Join the March to Abolish Animal Testing Sept. 12-26

https://savethedogs.io/ for all the info you need.

Additional links:

Wayne's YouTube

Wayne's blog

Wayne's IG

Wayne's TikTok

Wayne's FaceBook

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When I first met Taj Uppal, he came across to me as soft-spoken but confident and determined. I remember being unsurprised to later see a video of Taj, now an attorney, attempting to give a police officer animal cruelty evidence of a Meyenberg goat milk factory farm in California. Taj had just helped to rescue emaciated baby goats from the Whole Foods supplier and had returned, along with his fellow rescuers, in the hopes of helping the rest of the animals. Taj was instead arrested, and later charged with felonies. He and three others face over 6 years in prison for their role in the rescue.

Taj is putting an enormous amount on the line for his convictions: specifically a promising law career, and his own freedom. But what so resonates with me is the pain and guilt he feels for the suffering that is shared amongst his loved ones. It's something I share with Taj, when taking on high-risk actions, the idea of causing stress and worry to those closest to me is an enormous weight to carry. I really appreciate that Taj is open and vulnerable enough to share it with the world. I hope that Taj's family sees what a truly remarkable person they raised. He embodies some of the best qualities we can have as people: compassion, kindness, courage, humility, sacrifice. Taj's actions were out of love for suffering animals, and a burning desire to alleviate that suffering. They should be celebrated, not prosecuted.

This conversation is also available on YouTube.

Links:

Taj's substack

Taj's IG

Rescue video

Direct Action Everywhere

Right to Rescue

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Back when I started my podcast two years ago, I'd always ask my guests if they had a channel to recommend. Numerous times, guests brought up That Chip Guy. And it's easy to see why. He's a phenomenal vegan street outreacher and debater who also works collaboratively with other activists. Cip and I have discussed doing a podcast for awhile, but for one reason or another hadn't gotten around to doing one. So I'm thrilled that we finally got to do it.

I already liked Cip before, but even moreso after doing the podcast. He's a very thoughtful, introspective person, constantly evaluating the best way. And in fact, that was what surprised me most about our interview was his sincere questioning of the right path forward. I know that whatever path Cip embarks on next, the animals will benefit from it.

This conversation is also available on YouTube.

Links:

That Chip Guy on YouTube

On IG

On FB

On TikTok

We the Free

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Darius Fullmer had plenty of reason to withdraw from the animal rights movement, having served prison time as one of the SHAC 7. The Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences was an inflection point in the movement, notable for the tremendous successes achieved by grassroots activists, ultimately undone by severe government repression. Six activists from the campaign in America, including Darius, served prison sentences for their role. But Darius didn't go away. He's now an attorney with the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project, helping activists facing repression themselves.I'm fascinated to speak with activists who put the plight of animals above themselves, and Darius surely did that. Similar to my conversations with fellow SHAC 7 prisoner Andy Stepanian and SHAC UK activist and author Tom Harris, this conversation was insightful on many levels and ended up feeling like a quick conversation, not a multiple hour podcast. I'm grateful to Darius for helping the animals and fellow activists in his current work, and I hope you find the conversation as valuable as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:AALDPAALDP IGNational Lawyers Guild'Know Your Rights' workshop"The Animal People"