
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan
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Episode 592: Saving Animals ft. Catherine Kelaher
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
05/15/21 • 76 min
Author, animal activist, and founder of Australia’s NSW Hen Rescue Catherine Kelaher joins us today to provide insight into her rescue work, share her most harrowing rescue experience (and the subsequent court case!), and detail how she goes about the rehoming process for rescued hens. She also tells us about her latest book, Saving Animals, a how-to guide for aspiring activists, and just wait till you hear about how Our Hen House helped bring it into existence! (We’re kvelling!!) Catherine and Jasmin also discuss everything from the many problems with hatching programs in schools to the importance of taking care of yourself when caring for others.
Catherine is a vegan animal activist, feminist, and children’s book author who has dedicated her life to liberating caged hens. Catherine’s NSW Hen Rescue works to rehabilitate and rehome hens and other animals from factory farms. Both she and NSW Hen Rescue have received awards for animal activism and rescue. Catherine was born and raised in England and studied English literature and creative writing at Kingston Upon Thames University. She moved to Sydney, Australia, in 2006 and has been rescuing animals and trying to make the world a better place ever since.
“By using your own narrative you can bring about change for animals.”
– Catherine Kelaher
Interview Highlights:
- Why Catherine decided to write Saving Animals and some of the amazing young activists she spoke to
- Catherine’s best care tips for companion animals
- Why we need to be honest with children and young people about what happens to animals
- How to introduce children to animal rights and the need for equality
- Insights into Catherine’s work at the NSW Hen Rescue, the hens she is currently caring for, and where they have been rescued from
- The difficulties and joys of rescuing roosters and how to deal with them as compassionately as possible
Resources:
Connect with Catherine Kelaher:
- NSW Hen Rescue’s Website
- Ashland Creek Press Website
- NSW Hen Rescue on Facebook
- NSW Hen Rescue on Instagram
- NSW Hen Rescue on Twitter
Connect with Our Hen House:
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
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You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week!
Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.
The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Episode 572: Veggie Mijas ft Amy Quichiz
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
12/26/20 • 72 min
Amy Quichiz joins Our Hen House podcast co-host Jasmin Singer in this episode to tell us about an extraordinary collective she co-founded, Veggie Mijas, and how it started and how it has since grown. Amy was inspired to found this vibrant community, which has since expanded well beyond its original home on Instagram, because she wanted to show the Latinx community how they could access healthier foods, talk about their rights within the food industry, and bring their perspectives to the issues of animal liberation and environmental justice. As a woman of color from Jackson Heights, New York, Amy has witnessed the environmental racism that has given rise to a lack of resources and opportunity in Latinx communities, and is committed to forging social change.
Amy shares why veganism is a vital part of her worldview and heritage, and how white vegans can better center and include vegans (and prospective vegans) of color. Amy also discusses how the movement has changed and developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, how she and her colleagues prioritize their own mental health to continue supporting their community, and her hopes for the future. Amy feels that the work of Veggie Mijas as a social movement has the potential to inspire communities to organize for profound social change while maintaining the authenticity of Latinx culture.
In this week’s “Our Hen House Supports Vegan Businesses,” we’re supporting Maxine’s Heavenly, a vegan cookie company, and Veltree, a plant-based soul food restaurant located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“It’s always about finding your voice, finding your passion
and finding what you want to change in the world.”
– Amy Quichiz
This Week in Our Hen House:
- How the Veggie Mijas collective expanded and grew, and the unique perspective that draws people to join them
- What “decolonizing your diet” means and why what you eat isn’t necessarily an independent choice
- How Veggie Mijas’ potlucks have been successful in building community, Amy’s favorite potluck thus far, and how the potlucks double as a safe place for vegans of color to be open and honest
- How Amy has steered Veggie Mijas during the pandemic
- How Veggies Mijas plans to move forward with advocacy and events post-pandemic
- The internal work that Veggie Mijas coordinators are doing to ensure they can continue to serve their communities, and the personal and collective goals the group is focusing on
- Why the collective is addressing veganism through a feminist, queer, leftist lens
- How the plant-based lifestyle aligns with food justice and provokes meaningful conversations
Connect with Amy Quichiz :
- Veggie Mijas Website
- Veggie Mijas Cookbook
- Veggie Mijas on Facebook
- Veggie Mijas on Instagram
- Amy Quichiz on Instagram
Connect with Our Hen House:
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
__________________________
You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular ...

Episode 528: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau on Being a Joyful Vegan
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
02/22/20 • 65 min
This week Jasmin talks to the legendary Colleen Patrick-Goudreau about her new book, The Joyful Vegan, and the messages she wants people to take from the book. She also shares how she remains so Joyful in a world that often feels painful, why people continue to eat animals, what tools we can use for navigating and overcoming the most common challenges of staying the vegan course, and solutions for managing the pressure (often self-inflicted) to be a perfect vegan.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s compassionate living philosophy is propelling plant-based eating into the mainstream and forever changing how we regard animals. A recognized expert and thought leader on the culinary, social, ethical, and practical aspects of living compassionately and healthfully, Colleen is a speaker, cultural commentator, podcaster, and award-winning author of seven books. She shares her message of compassion and wellness on national and regional broadcast programs and as a monthly contributor to National Public Radio. She lives in Oakland, CA with her husband David and two cats Charlie and Michiko.
In the intro to the show, Mariann goes to Miami Beach, prompting a discussion on the horrors of plane travel, Jasmin goes to a street fair and finds some great vegan food, and Jasmin interviews Tulsi Gabbard for VegNews. Later in the episode, Mariann brings us Rising Anxieties!
As always, the award-winning weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer.
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
Our Hen House is now part of the iROAR podcast network.
You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week!
Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.
The Our Hen House theme song is written and sung by the incredible Michael Harren.

Episode 527: Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni on Wine and Investing In a Vegan Future
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
02/15/20 • 69 min
This week Mariann talks to Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni about how he became active in the animal rights movement; what he is excited about in the animal rights world, including the activities of Sea Shepard and Mercy For Animals; why he believes that animal rights organizations are at their best when run by women; and how he uses his venture capital companies use investing to increase the well-being of animals all over the world He also of course talks to us about his wine and how he has been growing it organically and free of animal products since 1989. Lastly, he offers his thoughts about battling climate change.
Born in Milan, Italy, in 1966, Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni is an award-winning entrepreneur, investor, activist, and advisor to businesses and governments around the world. He is the Chairman and CEO of NKGB Strategic Advisory (based in Switzerland) with a focus on M&A, international policy, plant-based economy, technology, and impact investing. He is the owner and honorary chairman of one of the most renowned and innovative Italian wine estates, Querciabella, organic since 1988 and biodynamic since 2000. His Tuscan wines have garnered worldwide acclaim, including “Best Italian Wine” in 2004. Querciabella currently holds one of the largest extensions of biodynamic vineyards in Europe, and has pioneered vegan agriculture, viticulture and winemaking for over two decades. He served as Economic Advisor to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy from 2014 to 2016. Mr Cossia Castiglioni is an investor in over 40 companies in the food innovation and plantbased sector, and was one of the early investors in Beyond Meat. He recently created and is about to launch a top quality gluten-free pasta brand (Bontasana), and a baby food brand (PeaKidz). He is a partner of Blue Horizon, and the main partner of Matthew Kenney’s global operations. He serves as advisor, among others, to plantbased companies Lighter, Plantable and The Vurger.
In 2017, he joined Impact NRS (New Reality Solutions) – a leading innovation company based in the US and Israel, developing transformative solutions to address persistent global challenges in human health, food production and agriculture – to serve as Senior Strategic Advisor. Among other innovations, NRS recently introduced two new cancer diagnostic and management tools that are poised to revolutionize the sector. He recently launched a new investment fund, with his partner Miray Zaki, called Dismatrix, dedicated to Dynamic Capital Solutions and Vegan Investments.
Although his expertise spans the food, finance, wine, technology, life sciences, design and art sectors, his main focus is animals. An impassioned vegan for the past few years, and an animal rights activist for over 35 years, his aim is saving animals in every possible way: from removing them from the food chain and other human activities through investment and entrepreneurship, to protecting them via direct action and strategy. He serves on the Board of Advisors of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society; on the Board of Compassion Over Killing; on the Advisory Council of Animal Equality; and on the Board of the Culture & Animals Foundation.
In the intro to the show, Jasmin‘s Vegan Lesbian Killjoy comedy act makes another appearance, Mariann and Jasmin talk about that AMAZING Joaquin Phoenix speech everyone is talking about and the reactions to and ramifications of it. Later in the episode, Mariann brings us Rising Anxieties!
As always, the award-winning weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer.
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
Our Hen House is now part of the iROAR podcast network.
You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our ...

Cruelty Free International with Monica Engebretson
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
07/16/22 • 60 min
Monica Engebretson is working to end cruel animal testing practices, and this week, she joins the podcast for an in-depth conversation about the state of medical and cosmetic animal testing. The North American Head of Public Affairs for Cruelty Free International, Monica breaks down how the global organization is working to bring an end to animal testing worldwide. Plus, she explains the difference between animal research and animal testing, the most cogent arguments for its ineffectiveness, and the existing non-animal alternatives. She also gives us an overview of animal research and testing in the United States and discusses various legislative and regulatory initiatives on behalf of animals trapped in labs.
*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Monica Engebretson.*
Monica Engebretson is the North American Head of Public Affairs for Cruelty Free International – an organization working to end animal testing worldwide. Monica has worked in the field of animal protection since 1999 with a range of experience, including fieldwork, undercover investigations, lobbying, and media and public education campaigns. She has also worked on various issues in addition to animals in research, including human-wildlife conflicts, trapping, farmed animals, and captive birds. She has helped write and pass several state laws on many of these issues. Before working professionally in the animal protection movement, Monica earned a Bachelor of Science in wildlife with a minor in environmental ethics from Humboldt State University in Northern California. Monica’s work for Cruelty Free International has focused on initiatives in the US and Canada to end cosmetic testing on animals, working to accelerate the replacement of animals in FDA regulatory testing through the Make Alternatives a Priority (MAP) campaign, advancing humane science funded by the NIH with the Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Sciences Testing (HEARTS) Act, and maximizing the number of animals released from laboratories through the Companion Animal Release from Experiments (CARE) Act.
“Every year, it’s estimated 192 million animals are used in experiments around the world, and the US is one of the largest users of animals.” – Monica Engebretson
Highlights for Episode 653:
- The complexities of testing medical and cosmetic products
- The central criticisms of using animals in experiments
- Why animal testing is a historic methodology that has proved to be ineffective
- Other non-animal testing methods that are showing signs of being more useful
- The major objections to the use of non-animal testing alternatives
- A review of the current US state and federal research and testing laws and recent changes to those laws, including what the Animal Welfare Act requires from organizations and businesses
- How Cruelty Free International is helping to ensure that non-animal testing methods are prioritized
- Some of the shortcomings in existing laws
- The Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Sciences Testing (HEARTS) Act
- Why Cruelty Free International is working at the federal level to build programs that help animals find homes once their role in research is over and how that initiative serves to remind people of the ongoing issue of animal testing
- Changes happening at the State level, particularly in New York, concerning cosmetic testing
- How the Leaping Bunny mark ensures you’re buying cruelty-free products
- How you can find out if a product is cruelty-free or vegan
- How to get in touch with and support Cruelty Free International
Resources:
Connect with Monica Engebretson:
- Cruelty Free International Website
- Sign up for general US-based alerts and newsletters at Make Their Voice Count
- Cruelty Free USA on Twitter
- Cruelty Free International on Twitter
- Cruelty Free In...

Love for Animals in Uganda with Musisi Mike
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
09/23/23 • 78 min
We love hearing from people around the world who care about animals, and this week’s guest definitely fills the bill. Tune in to hear about all of the work Musisi Mike, founder of Luv4All Uganda, is doing to grow compassion for both animals and humans, including running Uganda’s first all-vegan school.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Musisi Mike is the Founder of Luv4All Uganda, a group dedicated to caring for all lives, human and non-human, through vegan advocacy and other local programs, including The Atlas Vegan School. He received his diploma in agribusiness management and now uses his education to spread veganic farming to fight hunger in his region.
- Luv4All: Uganda Website
- Musisi Mike on Facebook
- Luv4All: Uganda Instagram
- Luv4All: Uganda on X
- Luv4All: Uganda on Vimeo
RESOURCES
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Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today.
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review!
Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.
Join us in the Our Hen House Community, or follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.
__________________________
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision-makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

Episode 507: Pete Paxton on Undercover Investigations
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
09/28/19 • 88 min
This week Mariann talks to “Pete Paxton,” which is not his real name but the alias he goes by due to the undercover nature of his incredible investigative work. He talks about his new book Rescue Dogs, the heartbreaking story of Daisy the rescued dog, his history of undercover investigations, how adopting a dog in New York City can save a puppy mill dog’s life in Missouri, and the cultural, government, and legal connections between puppy mills and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
Pete has done undercover investigations in the animal protection movement since 2001, investigating factory farms, slaughterhouses, puppy mills, pet stores, and commercial fishing. His work has been in the HBO documentaries Dealing Dogs, Death on a Factory Farm, and the Nat Geo documentary Animal Undercover. Throughout his life and over the course of his career he’s done organized and impromptu rescue of stray animals, abused animals, puppy mill dogs, animals abandoned at shelters, and animals in a disaster area. His work related to dog rescue and dog cruelty investigations, as well as information on how to rescue and advocate for dogs, are detailed in the book Rescue Dogs, written with authors Gene Stone and Nick Bromley.
In the intro to the show, Jasmin and Mariann talk about Jasmin’s recent NYC fundraiser, Jasmin’s vegan adventures in the British Isles, and Mariann and Jasmin at their area climate strikes. Later in the episode, Mariann brings us more Rising Anxieties.
As always, the award-winning weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer.
This week’s episode is brought to you in part through a generous donation from BetterHelp. Use the promo code “henhouse” for a listener discount on BetterHelp’s services.
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
Our Hen House is now part of the iROAR podcast network.
You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider making a donation, or becoming a member of our flock (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week!
The Our Hen House theme song is written and sung by the incredible Michael Harren, who is also OHH’s Director of Communications! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.

Keeping Families Together: Housing Justice for People and Their Pets with Christine Kim
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
03/14/25 • 92 min
Christine Kim, founder of My Dog is My Home, joins us to discuss the critical intersection of housing justice and animal companionship. This eye-opening conversation explores how homeless services, emergency shelters, and housing policies can better serve people and their companion animals, challenging systemic barriers that often force families to choose between shelter and keeping their pets.
This episode explores:
- The difference between “pet-friendly” and truly “pet-inclusive” housing policies
- How co-sheltering programs successfully keep people and pets together
- The connection between breed restrictions and racial discrimination in housing
- Emergency disaster response protocols for families with companion animals
- Innovative solutions for accessible homeless services
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Christine Kim is a macro social worker with a specialized interest in building programs and policies that recognize the power of the human-animal bond. During her time working in supportive housing, Christine became acutely aware of the barriers people experiencing homelessness with animals face when attempting to access shelter and housing services. Christine’s research and work with human-animal homeless families includes a publication in the pioneering book Animals in Social Work: Why and How They Matter (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014), an exhibition for The Animal Museum called My Dog Is My Home and the founding of the non-profit organization by the same name. She served as the first director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare under Mayor Bill de Blasio, and she is the recipient of the ASPCA’s 2021 Public Service Humane Awards for her leadership at the NYC Mayor’s Office during the COVID-19 pandemic. Christine currently serves as Vice Chair of the board of directors for Animal Care Centers of NYC.
RESOURCES
- Elon Musk Should Take a Hard Look at One Agency Truly Wasting Taxpayer Dollars
- Piglets Left to Die in Art Exhibition Are Stolen in Denmark
- We’re being nudged to eat meat. What if the tables were turned?
- More Than Half Of Brits Unaware Cows Must Be Impregnated To Produce Milk, Survey Finds
- My Dog Is My Home website
- My Dog is My Home’s virtual conference takes place March 25-27, 2025. Use code henhouse2025 for $65 off registration.
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview._____________________________________________
Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content!
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review!
Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.
Follow us on social ...

Episode 566: Nourishment from Within ft Haile Thomas
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
11/14/20 • 81 min
At just 19 years old, Haile Thomas is already an international speaker, wellness activist, vegan advocate, and the author of Living Lively: 80 Plant-Based Recipes to Activate Your Power and Feed Your Potential. Needless to say, we are thrilled that she is joining us on Our Hen House this week. Haile is the founder and CEO of HAPPY (Healthy, Active, Positive, Purposeful, Youth), a non-profit organization—founded when she was only 12 years old—that seeks to redefine youth empowerment through education and offers affordable peer-to-peer plant-based nutritional education. The youngest person to graduate as a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach in the United States, Haile spreads her message of empowerment and happiness from within everyday on social media with the tagline “Let’s Grow Together.”
On today’s interview, Haile shares her story of how she became passionate about holistic wellness and how the foods we eat deeply affect us in so many ways. She talks about her journey thus far (including the frightening event that motivated her to research the benefits of living plant-based), and the inspiration behind HAPPY and its work to nurture and guide the next generation towards becoming happy, informed, and active world citizens. We also discuss what we mean, and what we should mean, when we talk about “self-care,” how to find ways of taking care of yourself that actually work for YOU, and ways to help you avoid succumbing when you feel overwhelmed.
In this week’s “Our Hen House Supports Vegan Businesses” segment, we’re shouting out Misha’s Kind Foods and Lily’s Vegan Pantry, both of which are open for online ordering and shipping. Misha’s is a Black-owned plant-based company that makes artisan non-dairy cheeses and cheese spreads. Lily’s Vegan Pantry is a family owned and operated business located in the heart of Chinatown, New York City. Their goal is to offer a wide range of healthy, delicious and enjoyable vegan alternatives. Formerly known as May Wah Market, it was one of Jasmin and Mariann’s favorite shopping haunts when they lived in NYC!
“Veganism has been the catalyst for my spiritual growth and finding what really aligns with me. I think that is what veganism encourages and supports, really stepping into your own unique path, listening to your body, and finding what works for you.“
– Haile Thomas
This Week in Our Hen House:
- The three keys to the HAPPY philosophy and why Haile feels they are central to her purpose
- Why Haile chose to be vegan and how that connects to the HAPPY philosophy
- How Haile sees the connection between self-actualization and authenticity and boycotting the exploitation of animals
- What she sees as the barriers to veganism
- The HAPPY Academy, its objectives, and how and why it will be expanding in 2021
- How COVID-19 has impacted events and programs in 2020
- Haile’s book, Living Lively, and its message of nourishing from within
- What it’s like to be a young person with a huge social media following and how she feels about being labeled an “influencer”
- Favorite recipes from the book
- What gives her hope during these challenging times
Connect with Haile Thomas:
- Living Lively: 80 Plant-Based Recipies to Activate Your Power and Feed Your Potential by Haile Thomas
- The HAPPY Organization website
- Haile Thomas’ website
- Haile Thomas on LinkedIn
- The HAPPY Organization on Instagram
- Haile Thomas on Instagram
Connect with Our Hen House:
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed Worl...

Episode 609: Animal Activism: The Next Generation with Genesis and Genelle Butler
Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation
09/11/21 • 69 min
Our Hen House couldn’t be more excited to welcome youth activist Genesis Butler back to the podcast, this time joined by her powerhouse mom, Genelle Butler! In this awe-inspiring conversation, Genesis and Genelle share how the cruel reality behind chicken nuggets encouraged the 14-year old activist to stop eating meat at only three years of age. Genelle also shares how her daughter’s curiosity about breastfeeding and cow’s milk ultimately encouraged Genesis and her family to go vegan. A passionate animal rights activist, Genesis shares why she founded Genesis for Animals and Youth Climate Save, and Genelle tells us the importance of honoring kids’ questions and their innate desire to do good.
Genesis Butler is the founder of Genesis for Animals, a non-profit organization aiming to provide funding to sanctuaries and rescues who give animals a permanent home, and the youth environmental charity, Youth Climate Save. One of the youngest people ever to give a TEDx Talk, Genesis is an ethical vegan who has traveled the world advocating for animals and encouraging people to eat plant-based for animals and the planet.
Genelle Butler is an activist, organizer, and mother of five vegan children. She went vegan after Genesis convinced her it was the right thing to do for the animals. Genelle is the co-director of Youth Climate Save, alongside Genesis. In addition, she is also a coordinator for the Animal Save Movement.
“There are a lot of ways to get the message out—you just have to find a way to start. Once you start, it will show you a lot of things in a way that you didn’t see them before.” – Genesis Butler
Interview Highlights:
- What Genesis thinks about the portrayal of animals on TV programing for kids
- Why Genelle always knew that Genesis would be a leader, even when she was a baby
- Why Genesis was inspired to become vegan and why the whole family followed her lead
- Genelle’s commitment to emboldening her daughter to be an ambassador for animals
- How Genesis sees the disconnect between concern about the climate and consuming animal products
- Ways listeners can work with their communities to make changes in their lives to benefit animals
- What Genelle has done to help Genesis realize her goals
- How other kids react to Genesis’ animal advocacy
- How Genesis got to be a Marvel superhero AND meet the Pope
- Genesis’ collaboration with Million Dollar Vegan
Connect with Genesis and Genelle Butler:
- Youth Climate Save
- Youth Climate Save on Instagram
- Genesis for Animals
- Genesis for Animals on Instagram
- Genesis Butler on Instagram
Connect with Our Hen House:
Resources:
- A 10-Year Old’s Vision for Healing the Planet | Genesis Butler | TEDxCSULB
- Book Launch: Antiracism in Animal Advocacy
This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.
__________________________
You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Ap...
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Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation currently has 386 episodes available.
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The episode title 'Can Vegans be Funny? with Zach Sherwin' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation?
The average episode length on Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation is 75 minutes.
How often are episodes of Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation released?
Episodes of Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation are typically released every 6 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation?
The first episode of Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation was released on Mar 10, 2018.
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