In this episode, Mariann sits down with Bruce Friedrich, Founder and President of The Good Food Institute and author of Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity’s Favorite Food and Our Future, for a wide-ranging conversation about why the plant-based and cultivated meat revolution isn’t dead — it’s just getting started. Alternative proteins are a global food security imperative, …
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan tackle three meaty topics: the psychological toll of watching graphic animal footage, the loaded politics of the word “vegan” (is it an identity, a type of food, a diet, or a moral theory?), and the bizarre cultural obsession with meat as a symbol of masculinity — from a Texas …
Mariann Sullivan returns with another serving of industry-grade anxiety, covering everything from animal rights extremism accusations and the Trump administration’s failed egg lawsuit to cultivated meat bans, dairy farmers who think new brushes make up for everything, and a New York Times writer who is absolutely certain her sled dogs are volunteers. It’s a lot — but that’s kind of the …
When Canadian animal rights lawyer and Animal Justice Executive Director Camille Labchuk discovered that a Manitoba horse exporter had shipped 97 horses to Japan in December 2022 — on a rerouted flight projected to exceed Canada’s 28-hour transport limit and without a legally required contingency plan covering the full journey — she did something almost unheard of in Canadian animal law: …
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann are joined by open rescue pioneer Adam Durand to discuss the dramatic March 15th Ridglan Rescue — a coordinated action in which 100 activists descended on a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility supplying dogs to medical research labs, ultimately freeing 22 dogs despite reinforced doors, an aggressively blocking vehicle, and on-site arrests. …
This week on Rising Anxieties, Mariann digs into the messy, maddening world of animal agriculture — where trade economics trump bird lives, hunting bans aren’t actually hunting bans, a Wisconsin egg farm is trying to buy public wetlands to keep nature away from its chickens, and the dairy lobby is running a protein campaign that conveniently forgot soy milk exists. Avian …
Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan sit down with Penimah (Penny) Tehilah, Executive Director of the Animal Activism Collective (AAC), and Suzie Stork, Executive Director of the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT), for a deep dive into the strategy, structure, and surprising effectiveness of grassroots animal rights campaigning — and why winnable, targeted pressure campaigns are one of the most …
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann dive into the emotional and political landscape of animal advocacy — from the dramatic DXE rescue operation at Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin to a surprising New York Times piece on MAGA figures warming up to animal rights. They also celebrate a major legal win for the long-stalled New York City foie …
Mariann Sullivan is in her feelings — and honestly, same. This week on Rising Anxieties, she unpacks the emotional rollercoaster of the Ridglan beagle rescue, where activists risked arrest to free dogs from a Wisconsin testing facility, and then pivots to the slower-motion disasters unfolding in legislatures and regulatory agencies across the country. Ridglan Farms rescue – 22 beagles freed, 8 …
In this timely conversation, Dr. Michael Klaper and Dr. Zach Burns join Jasmin and Mariann to discuss the growing movement to integrate nutrition education into medical school curricula, and why plant-based medicine is more urgently needed — and more achievable — than ever. The episode covers: RFK Jr. secured commitments from 53 U.S. medical schools to add nutrition curriculum, opening the …
Join Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan in this engaging episode of The Hen Report as they delve into the latest in animal rights. From a review of the new Pixar film Hoppers to exploring the idea of existential welfare campaigns, this episode is packed with activism insight. They also discuss whether it’s actually true that vegans are widely disliked and the …
Mariann Sullivan dives into the latest animal rights news, exploring why activists’ maps, while totally legal, have the industry up in arms in California and beyond. This episode of Rising Anxieties tackles the ever-evolving strategies of animal activists and the nervous industry responses. This episode explores: The launch of an interactive map by DXE of California’s livestock sector. The impact of …
Join us this week for an engaging conversation with Sarah Levy and Captain Paul Watson as they discuss their groundbreaking book, The Only Flag Worth Flying: Direct Action and The Enforcement of International Marine Conservation Law. This episode dives into the critical challenges facing marine life and how the Captain Paul Watson Foundation is stepping in to fill enforcement gaps. This …
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan delve into the psychological barriers to activism and the importance of community action for animal rights. They discuss a thought-provoking YouTube video that explores feelings of powerlessness and how to overcome them. The conversation highlights the role of community and small actions in creating significant change for animals. This …
In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan delves into the shifting landscape of the meat industry, where giants in the animal-abuse industry are quietly investing in plant-protein startups while publicly supporting beef. Join us for a witty yet insightful examination of the meat industry’s latest moves. This episode explores: Investment in plant-based startups amidst their beef promotions. The changing politics …
In this episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan sits down with Dr. Neil Dullaghan, political scientist and author of The Compassion Mandate: Remaking the European Union’s Leadership on Farmed Animal Welfare. Together, they explore the complexities and challenges of EU farmed animal policies. This episode explores: The historical progress and current state of farmed animal welfare in the EU. …
Join Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan as they dive into thought-provoking discussions on activism and communication strategies. This episode explores the importance of listening and asking questions to foster change, drawing from insights in Adam Grant’s Think Again. Mariann shares her thoughts on building a big tent for animal lovers, emphasizing the need to connect on shared values. Tune in for …
In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the tangled web of meat industry self-love, dubious animal welfare claims, and the ever-pressing need for more protein (or is it fiber?). Join us as we unravel the contradictions and complexities that plague the world of animal agriculture. This episode explores: The meat industry’s self-aggrandizing narratives and how they obscure the …
The pet bird industry conceals shocking cruelty behind closed doors, with millions of birds suffering in commercial breeding facilities that supply major pet store chains. In this powerful interview, Cameron Harsh, Interim US Executive Director at World Animal Protection US, reveals the disturbing findings of their recent investigation into bird mills and discusses efforts to end this exploitative trade through legislative …
This episode of The Hen Report explores how to navigate a world filled with animal exploitation. Jasmin and Mariann discuss finding balance between ethical living and practical engagement with mainstream culture—from mentally veganizing cooking shows to exploring local towns with a vegan eye. They share encouraging news about Indonesia banning elephant rides and the USDA’s pause on methane digesters that have …
In this eye-opening episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan exposes the dairy and animal agriculture industry’s latest manipulation tactics with her signature wit and clarity. From the misleading rhetoric attempting to justify livestock mistreatment, to the dairy industry’s aggressive push to get whole milk back into schools, to the disturbing “Beef on Dairy Revolution” that commodifies cows’ reproductive systems, this episode …
Animal Outlook‘s recent investigation into six New York “family farms” selling raw milk reveals these operations subject cows to the same cruel practices found in industrial dairy, despite marketing based on pastoral imagery and claims of superior animal welfare. Executive Director Ben Williamson shares how their undercover work exposed filthy living conditions, painful health issues, and public health risks that led …
This week’s Hen Report explores the complex intersection of animal rights with technology, research, and activism. Hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan dive into the ethical implications of AI on animal welfare, highlighting how AI systems reflect human biases against animals while potentially offering both setbacks and opportunities for animal advocacy. The episode also covers groundbreaking developments in primate research, ongoing …
In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into how the animal agriculture industry is getting increasingly nervous about the accelerating momentum of animal rights activism. From Wyoming rodeo defenders panicking over a proposed NYC rodeo ban to Oregon’s groundbreaking ballot initiative that would remove exemptions from animal cruelty laws, the industry’s anxieties are on full display. Meanwhile, dairy farmers’ …
In this eye-opening episode of Our Hen House, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan speak with Jan Dutkiewicz and Gabriel Rosenberg about their groundbreaking new book, Feed the People: Why Industrial Food Is Good and How to Make It Even Better. The authors present compelling evidence that our food system myths are preventing real progress, particularly when it comes to animal agriculture, …
In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann dive into critical discussions about animal advocacy and the many ways we can all contribute to changing the world for animals. The conversation explores different approaches to animal activism beyond just career choices, highlighting the importance of finding your unique path in the movement. This episode explores: The debate around …
Mariann Sullivan dives into the animal agriculture industry’s mounting concerns, from suspicious attacks on farmer advocacy groups to the triple threat of disease outbreaks threatening farmed animals nationwide. This episode explores how Big Ag’s propaganda machine works overtime to discredit genuine farmer coalitions while simultaneously battling an unprecedented rise in health crises that their own practices help perpetuate. This episode explores: …
In this compelling episode, Mariann Sullivan interviews Wayne Hsiung and attorney Steffen Seitz about Wayne’s conviction following animal rescues at factory farms in California. The case hinges on several groundbreaking legal arguments, including the judge’s refusal to allow a necessity defense for rescuing suffering animals, constitutional concerns about the treatment of veganism as a belief system, and First Amendment implications for …
In this thought-provoking episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan welcome Harvard Law student Akber Khan to discuss the complex intersections of animal rights activism with the unfolding political crisis in America. As political tensions heighten in the US and globally, they explore how animal advocates can effectively position their work within anti-fascist frameworks while navigating challenging conversations …
This episode of Rising Anxieties dissects a New York Review of Books article that acknowledges factory farm horrors while stopping short of the obvious conclusion: stop eating chickens. Mariann cuts through the nonsense of backyard chicken enthusiasts who claim moral superiority while perpetuating exploitation; eye-rolls at legislators who prioritize wolf delisting and “official chicken wing flavors” over meaningful change; and questions …
This episode explores the hidden realities of fish farming with Laura Lee Cascada, founder of the Aquaculture Accountability Project. Despite being marketed as an environmentally friendly solution to overfishing, aquaculture has created factory farms on water that cause widespread suffering to sea animals, contribute to environmental degradation, and pose serious human health risks. Cascada debunks the industry’s greenwashing tactics and reveals …
In this candid episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore the striking parallels between fascism and animal exploitation while navigating our current political climate. The hosts share their struggles with maintaining focus during times of political upheaval, discussing how the same mechanisms that enable factory farming—othering, dehumanization, and secrecy—mirror tactics used by authoritarian regimes. Despite the heaviness of these …
The animal agriculture industry’s nightmares are our fuel this week as Mariann dives into the poultry sector’s desperate scramble to combat the mysterious avian metapneumovirus that’s dethroned bird flu as their top concern. Meanwhile, Big Ag’s dystopian push to expand the H-2A visa program threatens to create a permanent underclass of “temporarily permanent” workers with virtually no rights—because nothing says “ethical …
In this thought-provoking interview, Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka return to Our Hen House to discuss their groundbreaking new book Animals and the Right to Politics from Oxford University Press. The authors challenge us to move beyond simply acknowledging animals’ moral status and instead recognize them as capable of making collective decisions within their communities, explaining that the “inner citadel of …
In this lively episode of The Hen Report, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan navigate the evolving landscape of animal advocacy with their signature blend of wit and wisdom. From discussing the first recorded death from “meat tick” syndrome to analyzing a New York Times article on grass-fed beef’s environmental impact, they balance serious animal rights content with moments of levity. …
In this entertaining episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan and legal expert Michael Dorf dive headfirst into the bizarre world of RFK Jr.’s controversial new food pyramid and dietary guidelines. With equal parts horror and humor, they dissect how these scientifically questionable recommendations prioritize beef consumption while dismissing plant-based diets through deeply flawed analysis. The episode explores the concerning environmental implications …
In this profound conversation with animal rights lawyer Wayne Hsiung, we explore the reasons for his journey into seminary studies, his wife Rose Patterson’s upcoming legal battles for rescuing beagles from MBR Acres and sheep from King Charles’s farm in the UK, and the potential watershed moment for ending animal experimentation with RFK Jr.’s recent statements as Secretary of Health and …
In this thought-provoking episode of The Hen Report, Mariann Sullivan is joined by Cornell Law professor and animal advocate Michael Dorf to explore the complex phenomenon of “strange bedfellows” in the animal rights movement. They examine how activists navigate situations where they find themselves aligned with unexpected allies on animal issues, while potentially disagreeing on other social and political matters. This …
In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the meat industry’s desperate attempts to declare veganism “dead” while simultaneously scrambling to rebrand their unsustainable practices. With her signature blend of skepticism and hope, Mariann unpacks Jessica Scott-Reid’s insightful Sentient Media article that reveals how Big Animal Ag’s obituaries for veganism conveniently ignore their own $300 billion industry’s massive lobbying …
In this thought-provoking conversation, Mariann Sullivan speaks with Matthew Dominguez, US Executive Director of Compassion in World Farming, about creating meaningful change for farmed animals through strategic advocacy. Dominguez shares insights from his extensive career working on welfare reforms while building toward systemic change in our food system. From the inefficiency of feeding crops to animals to the economic and environmental …
In a bold legal challenge that could redefine animal protection law, PETA is taking on the Maine Lobster Festival for steaming 16,000 lobsters alive on public parkland. The case hinges on Maine’s unique animal cruelty statute that protects “every living sentient creature” – a definition that evolves with scientific understanding. PETA’s Director of Litigation, Asher Smith, explains their creative approach using …
In this festive episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann weave through holiday greetings, literary achievements, and thought-provoking discussions about animal advocacy in unexpected places. From Jasmin’s exciting book deal as a literary agent to reflections on grief, pet cloning ethics, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways animal rights themes are appearing in mainstream literature, this conversation showcases how animal …
In this eye-opening interview, journalist Melanie Kaplan takes us behind the closed doors of animal research facilities through the lens of her powerful book Lab Dog. After adopting Hammy, a beagle rescued from a laboratory, Kaplan embarked on a cross-country journey to investigate the secretive world of dog testing and breeding facilities. With remarkable compassion and journalistic integrity, she reveals the …
In this heartwarming holiday edition of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann blend seasonal cheer with serious animal advocacy updates. The hosts navigate between lighthearted holiday traditions and the sobering realities facing animals worldwide, demonstrating Our Hen House’s signature ability to balance urgency with accessibility. This episode explores: The crisis facing animal shelters nationwide, with adoption rates down while costs for …
In this eye-opening episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dissects the agricultural industry’s transparent anxiety about the growing popularity of plant-based diets. From Farm Babe’s desperate defense of animal agriculture’s “sustainability” to Oklahoma’s hypocritical farmland ownership laws that conveniently exempt Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods, we witness an industry scrambling to maintain relevance as consumers increasingly recognize the environmental and ethical problems with …
This episode explores how writers can authentically represent animals in literature with authors and publishers John Yunker and Midge Raymond, who discuss their new book Animal Writes and their Writing for Animals workshop. They share techniques for portraying animals as individuals rather than stereotypes, and offer guidance for writers who want to advocate for animals through their work. This episode explores: …
This episode explores the changing landscape for animals as major media companies and the fashion industry take a stand against fur, while activists continue to face challenges in their fight for justice. Jasmin and Mariann discuss recent victories in the fur-free movement, including Hearst magazines and New York Fashion Week banning fur, alongside the sobering news of activist Zoe Rosenberg’s jail …
In this week’s edition of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the animal agriculture industry’s latest nightmares—which, unsurprisingly, include you. From hand-wringing about the movement’s supposed $865 million war chest to the Reddit whistleblower exposing paid anti-vegan trolls, we’re clearly living rent-free in Big Ag’s collective consciousness. Meanwhile, Iowa’s 110 billion pounds of untracked manure mysteriously “disappears,” Zoe Rosenberg faces jail …
This episode continues our special series featuring the Animal Policy Alliance, showcasing how policy advocates are creating institutional change for animals across America. Jodi Gruhn of Wholesome Minnesota, Judy Wolf of Animal Protection New Mexico, and Brenna Anderst of the Animal Policy Alliance discuss their collaborative strategies to increase plant-based food accessibility in schools and government institutions while building powerful coalitions …
In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore how animal rights themes are increasingly appearing in mainstream media – from the explicit animal liberation narrative in Wicked to the vegan consciousness in Apple TV’s Pluribus. They celebrate recent policy victories while examining why veganism often faces social resistance, emphasizing that effective advocacy keeps animals, not vegan identity, …
This week, Mariann dives headfirst into the murky waters of the UK’s “Spycops Scandal,” where undercover officers infiltrated animal rights groups with tactics ranging from the questionable to the downright duplicitous. Then, brace yourself for Mariann’s special brand of eye-rolling commentary on the self-congratulatory bubble of animal agriculture, where farming isn’t just a job but apparently a divine calling passed down …
In this intellectually stimulating episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan speaks with constitutional law expert Michael Dorf about his innovative course “Animals and the Constitution.” Dorf shares how fundamental legal principles intersect with animal protection, revealing both the limitations and opportunities within our constitutional framework for advancing animal rights. This episode explores: Constitutional standing for animals: How courts determine …
This Thanksgiving episode of The Hen Report serves up a hearty helping of gratitude alongside meaningful animal advocacy discussions. Jasmin and Mariann reflect on the growth of Our Hen House, which now reaches thousands of listeners weekly through multiple podcast formats. The episode features producer Vicki Beechler’s thoughtful review of Kendra Coulter’s new novel “The Tortoise’s Tale,” a beautifully crafted story …
This Thanksgiving, Our Hen House proudly presents our beloved holiday tradition: “Sanctuary: A Radio Play.” First performed in 2017 at New York City’s Symphony Space during the Culture & Animals Foundation’s Compassion Arts Festival, this darkly comedic tale continues to resonate with anyone who has navigated vegan ethics around holiday dinner tables. This episode explores: A retired couple’s relationship tested when one …
In this irreverent episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan unpacks the latest worries keeping animal agriculture executives up at night—from avian influenza contingency plans to the surprising alliance between premium meat brands and animal advocates. With her trademark wit, Mariann dissects the absurdity of turkey “pardoning” ceremonies, exposes the dairy industry’s push to flood schools with whole milk (while conveniently excluding …
In this thought-provoking episode, Jasmin and Mariann sit down with Seth Green from Stanford’s Humane and Sustainable Food Lab and Benny Smith from Allied Scholars for Animal Protection to tackle the million-dollar question: how do we actually get people to stop eating animals? The conversation dives into Seth’s fascinating meta-analysis of intervention studies and sparks a passionate debate about what really …
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann reflect on the peculiar psychology behind our collective blind spots to animal suffering, inspired by a thought-provoking Carl Sagan quote about the painful process of acknowledging when we’ve been “bamboozled.” From unexpected wildlife encounters to groundbreaking animal testing reforms, the duo navigates the latest developments in animal rights with their signature …
In this awkwardly revealing Thanksgiving episode, Mariann dives into the meat industry’s internal civil war as beef enthusiasts attempt a coup against Big Turkey just in time for the holidays. We witness the spectacle of industry professionals clutching their pearls when faced with market competition while simultaneously patting themselves on the back for their “noble sacrifice” of industrial animal slaughter. Meanwhile, …
Filmmakers Annie Laurie Medonis and Tracy Nichole Cring discuss their documentary A Culinary Uprising, which chronicles Bloodroot, one of the last remaining feminist restaurants in America. Founded in the 1970s, this Connecticut establishment has spent nearly five decades creating a unique space where veganism, feminism, and community intersect through intentional food practices and inclusive principles. Sadly, the restaurant will be closing …
In this delightful episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann welcome back vegan comedian Myq Kaplan for a conversation that seamlessly weaves humor with compassion. Myq, whose comedy special “Rini” premieres on YouTube November 19th, shares profound insights on how comedy can help bridge the cognitive dissonance many experience around animal consumption. With his characteristic thoughtfulness and quick wit, Myq …