Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation - Episode 527: Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni on Wine and Investing In a Vegan Future

Episode 527: Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni on Wine and Investing In a Vegan Future

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02/15/20 • 69 min

Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

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 ...

Previous Episode

Episode 526: Jessika Ava on Supporting International Vegan Advocacy

This week Mariann talks to Jessika Ava about her work with the ProVeg Program’s Global Vegan Advocacy Grants Program, which provides financial support for vegan advocacy around the world. Jessika tells us about some of the projects the program is funding that she is particularly excited about, the grassroots organizations the program supports, the advocacy work they are doing to influence food policy at the government level, and the work that the program hopes to do including providing grants for small businesses. Plus, Jessika reveals an amazing fact about her devotion to Our Hen House!
Jessika Ava is the Grants Program Director for ProVeg International, a food awareness organization with a mission to reduce global consumption of animals by 50% by the year 2040. At ProVeg, Jessika directs the Global Vegan Advocacy Grants Program, a join initiative between ProVeg and Beyond Carnism. Jessika’s niche lies in coordinating global projects, statistically analyzing project efficacy, and guiding philanthropic and grantmaking support. Her notable experience includes NGO management, grantmaking, biostatistics, and Asian street animal welfare. She holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management and an MS in Biostatistics and sits as Board Chair of Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary and is on the advisory boards of Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations and Project Humane Nepal. She shares her life with a much-loved 3-legged dog from Nepal.
In the intro to the show, Jasmin and Mariann take a trip to New York City and are thrilled by the vegan pizza options, Jasmin films an audition in a restaurant, and some commentary on the Center For Consumer Freedom’s absurd anti-fake meat Super Bowl commercial and the brilliant but unaired response ad from Impossible Burger. Jasmin and Mariann also talk about the advocacy of Elk.org, which you can learn more about here, and the upcoming International Vegan Film Festival! 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.

Next Episode

Episode 528: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau on Being a Joyful Vegan

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.