Episode 105: “When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.”

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Welcome to the 105^th episode of Our Hen House, featuring Lori Gruen. 

In today’s episode, we discuss our foray into Brooklyn to visit the new all-vegan establishment that’s garnering tons of buzz, Dunwell Doughnuts. We’ll also share our thoughts on the hideous piece that we feel is, to say the least, off the mark, “A Dog’s Right to Life?” from the New York Times column, “The Ethicist,” as well as the on-the-mark piece from The Thinking Vegan (written by Kezia Jauron). And we’ll give you the skinny on the new Whole Foods Wellness Club, and the talk that we saw Dr. Fuhrman give this past week.

Today’s episode is full of strong, inspiring, changemaking women! First, Chicago-based jewelry designer, and animal rights activist, Michelle Rubin, will spill the beans about a prank she instigated this week. Let’s just say that Jasmin put her BFA in Acting to the test. Michelle is the talented jeweler behind the sterling silver and hematite necklaces that say “vegan” that we offer on our site in exchange for a donation. Listen closely for your chance to get in on a one-week special that Michelle is offering just to our devoted podcast listeners.

Our feature interview today is with activist and scholar, Lori Gruen, who is – among other things – the author of Ethics and Animals: An Introduction. Lori will discuss with us what’s involved in teaching animal ethics, the crossovers between animal studies and animal activism,  the role that chimpanzees have played with shaping her ethical thought, and her feelings regarding the prevalence of women in the animal protection movement.

For our review, Our Hen House’s protein-prosperous intern, Sally Tamarkin, will give us her thoughts about a subject she feels she was put on this planet to discuss: peanut butter. Sally put several peanut butter brands to the test and has determined the very best one – that is, of the unsalted, crunchy variety.

All that, vegan banter, and of course, current events from the world of animal rights.

This week’s news items include:

• “DA: State Official Told Butterball Turkey Farm Raid Was Coming” from ABC News
• “COK files lawsuit against California hatchery to stop cruel and unlawful practices” from Compassion Over Killing
• “We’re Eating Less Meat. Why?” from The New York Times
• “A Tighter Leash on Exotic Pets” from The New York Times
• “Natalie Portman Considers Doing Eating Animals: The Movie” from Vegan.com

“When you cease to make a contribution you begin to die.” -Eleanor Roosevelt 

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