Episode 184: “The greatest danger to our future is apathy.”

Welcome to the 184^th episode of Our Hen House, featuring Virginia Messina, R.D. and JL Fields [transcript].
In today’s episode, Jasmin will tell you about 3 restaurants in the Midwest where she ate last week (which might just be the best restaurants she’s ever been to in the whole wide world). We’ll chat about what went down on Mariann’s chat with the amazing law students interning with the Equal Justice Alliance; we’ll tell you about what wise words Jasmin’s grandmother told her that wound up tattooed on Jasmin’s chest; and we’ll marvel at a 16-year-old activist who is changing the world. In our “Rising Anxieties” segment, we’ll look at the latest from National Hog Farmer Magazine – this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Beyond that, we’ll talk about what is perhaps the greatest AR stunt ever played – resulting in 200,000 people watching footage of animal cruelty. And we’ll read you a moving letter that United Poultry Concerns founder Karen Davis had published in Smithsonian Magazine. You’ll also hear a couple incredibly touching podcast dedications, and you’ll learn how you too can dedicate a podcast episode to a loved one.
Joining us today are two of our favorite people, Virginia Messina, R.D., and JL Fields. Ginny and JL’s new book, Vegan for Her: The Woman’s Guide to Being Healthy and Fit on a Plant-Based Diet came out just this past week, and vegans everywhere are eating it up. They will tell us all about this unique book – which, dare we say, might be your new bible – and they’ll give us all an important glimpse into health issues specific to women – including the latest about bone health, the skinny on fats, nutrient needs throughout a woman’s life-cycle; the relationship between veganism and weight loss; and the role that community plays in becoming and staying vegan. They’ll also talk about veganism beyond the plate, favorite recipes and go-to simple foods to incorporate into your diet, whether eating disorders are higher in the vegan population, and what it’s like to cohabitate with an omnivore. Plus, you’ll learn how you can get a copy of Vegan for Her while supporting Our Hen House’s efforts to change the world for animals.
For our review, Our Hen House reviewer Ari Solomon will be joining us, giving us his take on the new PBS documentary, Rape in the Fields, which investigates the hidden reality of rape for immigrant women employed in agribusiness. Find out the horrific ways that the horrors depicted in this documentary – which you can watch online, for free – intersect with animal agriculture.
All that, vegan banter, and of course, current events from the world of animal rights.
For a list of the news items we discuss in today’s episode, and then some, take a look at the breaking news ticker at the top of the page, and also check out our list of archived news items.
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“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” -Jane Goodall