Best Animal Rights Podcasts (2024)

1
The Emotional Lives of Animals with Dr. Marc Bekoff 58:43

1h ago58:43

58:43

Making an emotional connection to a non-human animal is a defining moment in many peoples’ lives. It could be the family dog, a squirrel who hops past a window every day, or a black bear known to meander through a local forest. It’s that connection that can help people understand the depth of non-human animal emotion and make changes in how they vi…

1
The Human-Animal Bond w/ Dr Pia Salk 1:13:23

1h ago1:13:23

1:13:23

Humans’ relationships with the other creatures on this planet range from deep love to dreadful cruelty and everything in between. What are the roots of this confused and contradictory reality? This week, we are joined by Dr Pia Salk to discuss the mysteries of human psychology as it relates to animals. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Pia Salk is a clinical psycho…

1
Ep. 324: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Experimenter Kill Baboons Despite PETA Offer For Sanctuary 28:07

1d ago28:07

28:07

Why did the Eastern Virginia Medical School and vivisector Gerarld Pepe kill four mother baboons--Jemma, Cookie, Toya and Tara-- in spite of PETA's offer to save the aging baboons. PETA Sr. VP Daphna Nachminovich talks with Emil Guillermo. For more information go to PETA.org The PETA Podcast PETA, the world's largest animal rights organization, is …

1
VICTORY: Fighting Ag-Gag in Ontario with Camille Labchuk 32:27

4d ago32:27

32:27

Investigations into farms by animal advocacy groups is an essential tool to exposing serious, systemic abuses of animals, failures to follow basic policy, and have led to criminal charges. But the Ontario government wanted to stop that – and introduced Bill 156 in 2020. The Bill, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, was challenged…

1
How Theater Can Change the World for Animals w/ Grace Howarth & Anastasia Bunce 1:16:50

7d ago1:16:50

1:16:50

What does a night out at the theater (or theatre, in this case) have to do with activism? A whole lot if it’s up to Anastasia Bunce & Grace Howarth, who join us this week to discuss Patch Plays, the vegan troupe that is producing theater that pays attention to the lives, and deaths, of animals. ABOUT OUR GUESTS Grace Joy Howarth is a playwright, au…

1
Ep. 323: PETA Video Captures Suicide Death Race At Ocala Breeders Sale 20:30

8d ago20:30

20:30

A "suicide race" is what jockeys call the sprints young horses are forced to run to get top dollar at places like the Ocala Breeders Sale in Florida. On April 10, 2024, a horse raced to its death, a jockey was hurt, and the president of the sale allegedly assaulted a PETA investigator who captured it all on video. Kathy Guillermo, PETA Sr. VP on Eq…

1
When Animals Dream w/ David Peña-Guzmán 1:48:29

14d ago1:48:29

1:48:29

Everyone who lives with an animal would think it rather obvious that they dream, but believe it or not, this is not an accepted fact in the scientific community. This week, we speak with David Peña-Guzmán about his book When Animals Dream: The Hidden World of Animal Consciousness. ABOUT OUR GUEST David M. Peña-Guzmán is an associate professor of hu…

1
Ep. 322: Misothery? Like Misogyny only Toward Animals says author Jim Mason 58:38

15d ago58:38

58:38

What is misothery? Akin to misogyny, author Jim Mason has coined "misothery" as the phrase describing how we "other" animals. Mason, a co-author with philosopher Peter Singer on "Animal Factories," has written a new edition of his 1993 classic, "An Unnatural Order--Roots of Our Destruction of Nature." Mason connects our "othering" of animals with r…

1
Horseracing Wrongs w/ Patrick Battuello 1:15:30

22d ago1:15:30

1:15:30

Horseracing’s popularity has declined over the years, so how is this industry still alive? This week we are joined by Patrick Battuello of Horseracing Wrongs, who sheds light on the brutality and corruption that is the horseracing industry. ABOUT OUR GUEST Patrick Battuello has been writing on animal rights issues since 2009, when he launched the A…

1
Ep.321: For Cesar Chavez Day, A Lesson In Empathy From Barbara J. King 39:22

22d ago39:22

39:22

Cesar Chavez fought for farmworker rights, but he was also a devout animal lover and did not eat animal flesh. In honor of Cesar Chavez Day (March 31), we reprise our interview with Barbara J. King who talks about empathy toward animals. For some like Chavez it's developed over time through their dogs and animal companions, as King explains, recogn…

1
Animal Law Podcast #106: A Case Farms Case of Cruelty 40:18

23d ago40:18

40:18

Sarah Gold of Legal Impact for Chickens joins us to discuss litigation against giant poultry factory Case Farms. As you may know, I am a big fan of efforts to get anti-cruelty laws to do what they were meant to do, that is, protecting animals from cruelty. What a concept! Those efforts can be extraordinarily difficult to mount, and so I was particu…

1
Depaving Hamilton with Green Venture 28:05

25d ago28:05

28:05

A concrete laden Barton Street runs the distance of lower Hamilton, marking the transition from residential housing to commercial and industrial spaces – what many people think of when they hear Steel City. But along this busy street something magical is happening: swatches of concrete are vanishing, to be replaced by naturalized gardens. Flowers, …

1
Animal Justice Academy w/ Kimberly Carroll 1:04:57

28d ago1:04:57

1:04:57

Have you ever thought, “Animals are suffering, I have to DO something!!! But what?” Kimberly Carroll of Animal Justice Academy joins us to discuss the amazing, free, online program designed to help people who care about animals turn themselves into people who are doing something about it. ABOUT OUR GUEST Kimberly Carroll is a coach for changemakers…

1
Ep. 320: The Animal Cruelty of No-Kill Shelters in Los Angeles 29:50

29d ago29:50

29:50

It's an emergency situation at the animal shelters in Los Angeles, which are suffering from an overpopulation problem that, in turn, shuts out the growing number of animals that still need homes. The city's"no-kill" policy was intended to be a "feel-good" measure, but it has resulted in a lack of space in increasingly crowded shelters and animals a…

1
Humane Canada's Summit for Animals 16:05

1M ago16:05

16:05

If you don’t already have passes to Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals May 5 to 7 in Halifax, you’re going to miss out on an awful lot! The annual event is organized by Humane Canada, the national federation of humane societies and SPCAs, and presenting sponsor PetSmart Charities of Canada. The Summit for Animals brings together people who work on …

1
Stop Ventilation Shutdown! w/ Dr Crystal Heath 1:10:12

1M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

The work of activists brought the use of ventilation shutdown as a “depopulation” method during avian flu and COVID slowdowns to light, but what is the status of this cruel method of killing? Dr. Crystal Heath joins us once again to discuss the use of heat stroke in factory farms and the campaigns to combat this cruelty. ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Crystal…

1
Ep. 319: Deaths At the Iditarod Hasten PETA's Call To End Cruel Race 26:38

1M ago26:38

26:38

A third dog died on March 12 at the 2024 Iditarod, the 1,000-mile race of animal cruelty held every year in Alaska. A three-year-old male dog named Henry is the third death in three days. Two other race dogs, Bog, a two-year-old, and George, a four-year-old both died on Sunday. "The Iditarod is the shame of Alaska," said Tracy Reiman, PETA's execut…

1
The Art of Simone Diamond 31:15

1M ago31:15

31:15

Simone Diamond is a Coast Salish artist who creates art pieces in the Coast Salish style. You may have seen Simone’s designs featured on products from companies like Native Northwest, on her popular Instagram account, or in The Fur-Bearers’ kids activity book. Simone joins Defender Radio to talk about how spirituality is infused with her art, the i…

1
Plantega w/ Nil Zacharias 1:21:08

1M ago1:21:08

1:21:08

Every once in a while, someone comes up with a brand new idea for getting people to try and love delicious vegan food. Nil Zacharias joins us to talk about how he is making his brilliant idea a reality with Plantega, a ready-to-launch vegan menu that has been adopted by bodegas across New York City and is getting ready to take over the world. ABOUT…

1
Ep.318: Get the link to watch New PETA Doc Now Free On YouTube--Exec. Producer Bill Maher's "THE FAILED EXPERIMENT." 30:34

1M ago30:34

30:34

Watch "The Failed Experiment," a new documentary executive produced by Bill Maher, available now for free on YouTube. (See the link below). Kathy Guillermo, PETA Sr.VP on Laboratory Investigations, says too many people don't understand what animal experimentation is all about. Catch up quickly. Listen to the podcast and then watch the documentary t…

1
Defending Animals w/ Kendra Coulter 1:31:28

2M ago1:31:28

1:31:28

When animals are neglected or abused, whose responsibility is it to respond? Kendra Coulter, author of Defending Animals, joins us to discuss her book’s deep dive into the patchwork of governmental and non-profit organizations that make up animal response teams. ABOUT OUR GUEST Kendra Coulter is a Professor in Management and Organizational Studies …

1
Animal Law Podcast #105: Breaking the Rules?: Taxpayer-Funded Animal Research Outside the US 40:38

2M ago40:38

40:38

Vanessa Shakib joins me once again, and this time, we will be discussing litigation brought by her client, White Coat Waste Project, about a really extraordinary situation at the National Institutes of Health. As you probably know, the NIH funds massive, massive amounts of research on animals. What you may not know is that much of that research doe…

1
Ep. 317: "Christspiracy" Director Kip Andersen Asks How would Jesus Kill An Animal For A Meal. 44:18

2M ago44:18

44:18

Kip Andersen, director of "Cowspiracy," "Seaspiracy," and "What the Health," now adds to his accomplishments the new movie, "Christspiracy," on the ethical and spiritual questions around killing animals for meat. With co-creator Kameron Waters, the movie opens in more than 600 theaters on March 20. For tickets, go to Christspiracy.com and use the c…

1
Hip Hop is Green w/ Keith Tucker 1:11:22

2M ago1:11:22

1:11:22

What do animal rights and veganism have to do with hip hop? So much more than you might think! Keith Tucker of Hip Hop is Green joins us this week to discuss the organization’s extraordinary work spreading the word in the hip hop community. ABOUT OUR GUEST Keith Tucker founded the nonprofit Hip Hop is Green, the first hip hop organization to provid…

1
Ep. 316: Anti-Speciesist Theme Anchors Ishmael Reed's "The Shine Challenge, 2024." 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

Playwright, author, and poet Ishmael Reed's new play, "The Shine Challenge, 2024," gives animals a voice in the fight for justice. Shine is a black man said to have survived the Titanic in 1912. But he's accused of sinking the ship and put on trial. Who saves the African American Shine? The animals. Specifically, a polar bear and a shark. It's surr…

1
Thrive Philanthropy w/ Jessika Ava 1:11:00

2M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

There is so much animal activism going on around the world, but how does it all get funded? Jessika Ava joins us to discuss the work of Thrive Philanthropy, a global grantmaker that accelerates alternatives to industrial animal agriculture and amplifies just, sustainable, plant-based food systems across the world. ABOUT OUR GUEST Jessika Ava, MS, M…

1
Ep. 315: Bainbridge, Georgia Residents Fight Monkey Farm With Assist From PETA 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

A new company formed by former key employees of Charles River Labs and Envigo is trying to build a monkey farm in Bainbridge, Decatur County, Georgia that will house up to 30,000 monkeys to be bred for experimentation. But they never told the residents about the plans. Now PETA is helping them put a stop to the project. Amy Meyer, PETA's manager of…

1
The Lives of Wild Dogs with Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin 43:05

2M ago43:05

43:05

Improving the lives of dogs across Canada and around the world is a hefty goal – but by talking about the lives of wild dogs, Dr. Valli Fraser-Celin is getting closer to reaching that goal every day. Dr. Fraser-Celin, who has worked with African wild dogs, dogs in Indigenous communities in Canada, and identifying how a one-health approach makes an …

1
Greener by Default w/ Katie Cantrell & Ilana Braverman 1:03:57

2M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

When it comes to food, taking away people’s choices generally won’t work, but it’s entirely possible to help them make better ones. Greener By Default’s Katie Cantrell & Ilana Braverman join us this week to discuss their successes in making the plant-based choice the obvious one on event menus and in cafeterias and dining halls around the world. AB…

1
Ep. 314: PETA'S Equine Matters Update: From Clydesdales to the Crystal Meth Race Horse 31:27

2M ago31:27

31:27

TV's "Saturday Night Live" did a one-liner on the crystal meth racehorse in Ohio. Find out why the real story is not all that funny. Plus, despite a happy ending with the Clydesdales featured in a Super Bowl ad, cruelty and horse abuse continue. And it's often undetected by law enforcement were it not for whistleblowers and the advocacy of PETA. If…

1
The Switch: Winter Planting for Wildlife 4:41

2M ago4:41

4:41

It’s grey, generally cold, damp, and rather unpleasant in early February across Canada. Fortunately, it’s a great time of year to get outside and start planting! Now, I know I’m out on a bit of a limb here, but late winter and early spring are actually ideal for sowing many vital, native plant species across Canada. To tie this into how it helps wi…

1
Who Are We Having for Dinner? w/ Molly Elwood 1:09:10

3M ago1:09:10

1:09:10

Molly Elwood joins us to discuss how Elwood’s Organic Dog Meat has brilliantly channeled repulsion into activism that gets people thinking about who they might have on their plate. ABOUT OUR GUEST Molly Elwood is a writer, copywriter, storyteller, and creative strategist. Between creative agencies and in-house creative teams, she has spent more tha…

1
Animal Law Podcast #104: The Biogas Nightmare 53:35

3M ago53:35

53:35

Christine Ball-Blakely of the Animal Legal Defense Fund joins us to discuss the work of a coalition of organizations that has filed petitions for rulemaking regarding the unbelievable subsidization, with your tax money, of “biogas,” aka factory farm gas, which, as far as I am concerned, appears to be an out and out scam to prop up factory farming, …

1
Ep.313: Compassion for Animals is Universal As PETA Latino Puts Pressure to End the Cruelty at Miami Seaquarium 30:37

3M ago30:37

30:37

PETA Latino has kept the pressure on Miami Seaquarium ever since the death of Lolita the Orca last year. Now Miami-Dade County officials want the park shutdown for its pattern of animal abuse and new violations from the USDA citing the Animal Welfare Act. PETA Latino's Alicia Aguayo talks to PETA Podcast host, Emil Guillermo. Take action now at PET…

1
Trapped In The Past Documentary Series with John E. Marriott 41:55

3M ago41:55

41:55

Killing neck snares are cruel devices that experts and scientists have shown to be ineffective and inhumane. Yet they remain common across Canada. A new documentary series, Trapped In The Past, is challenging why killing neck snares remain legal to use, what impact they have on wildlife, and how a lack of updated regulations puts wildlife, people, …

1
Picturing Pigs w/ Jane Casteline & Shannon Johnstone 1:04:11

3M ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Billboards. They’re everywhere, whether you like it or not, so why not use them to help animals? Jane Casteline & Shannon Johnstone join us this week to discuss their project, Picturing Pigs, and the challenges they had to overcome to get their message onto billboards in the home of factory farming and why this is a form of activism that we can all…

1
Ep. 312: "Survival At Stake"--New Book by PETA'S Poorva Joshipura 40:55

3M ago40:55

40:55

Poorva Joshipura, Sr. VP of International Affairs for PETA Foundation UK, has authored her second book, "Survival at Stake." It's about how too often we forget that our lives are intertwined with all other animals and how unless we change our ways and treat animals more kindly or even go vegan, our survival as a species is at stake. Available where…

1
Plant-Based Eating Gets Edgy with Candice Hutchings 35:31

3M ago35:31

35:31

Eating a plant-based diet is a great way to be healthy and reduce your impact on the environment and climate crisis. Making the change can be intimidating, especially if, like me, you grew up on meat and potatoes. Fortunately, folks like Candice Hutchings are making it easier than ever to eat plant-based. Known by her millions of online followers a…

1
Can China Go Vegan? w/ Jian Yi 1:07:51

3M ago1:07:51

1:07:51

We all know that China is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to vegan advocacy, but what is the status of advocacy there? Join us as Jian Yi sheds light on his work with The Good Food Fund and China Vegan Society. ABOUT OUR GUEST JIAN Yi (简艺/簡藝) is an independent filmmaker and food activist. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at Harvard …

1
Ep. 311: PETA On Why The King Of England Should Go Faux Bear Fur 24:42

3M ago24:42

24:42

Bears are killed in Canada then shipped to the UK to be used as ceremonial caps for Buckingham Palace guards, a PETA investigation found. One bear, one cap, one needless atrocity. Join the movement to end the wearable trophy hunt, go to PETA.org and urge the Ministry of Defense to use faux bear fur. Emil Guillermo talks with PETA UK's Kate Werner. …

1
The Switch: Rain Barrel Benefits 4:09

3M ago4:09

4:09

Are you an active gardener looking for ways to reduce your impact on the local environment? Rain barrels are a great, accessible place to start! Join me for a quick conversation about the known - and perhaps less known - benefits of using rain barrels around your home. Have you had success with rain barrels, or created an innovative solution? Let m…

1
The Smell of Money w/ Jamie Berger 1:06:50

3M ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Factory farms destroy lives, both animal and human. Jamie Berger joins us this week to discuss the making of the documentary The Smell of Money and the devastation caused to eastern North Carolina and its residents by this evil industry. ABOUT OUR GUEST Jamie Berger is a writer and filmmaker born and raised in North Carolina. Her writing has been f…

1
Ep. 310: Exec. Producer Bill Maher's "THE FAILED EXPERIMENT," new documentary. Available on Prime Video. 30:36

3M ago30:36

30:36

Watch "The Failed Experiment," a new documentary executive produced by Bill Maher. Kathy Guillermo, PETA Sr.VP on Laboratory Investigations, says too many people don't understand what animal experimentation is all about. Catch up quickly. Listen to the podcast and then watch the documentary to find out how animals continue to be tortured in laborat…

1
Return of the British Beavers 44:48

3M ago44:48

44:48

Beavers are incredible animals who have complex social lives, engineer essential ecosystems, and can help us develop climate resilience. In Canada, beavers were nearly wiped out by fur trappers, but their populations slowly returned, though not to their pre-colonization levels. But in Britain, European beavers haven’t had the opportunity to return …

1
AI for Animal Activists w/ Tom Conger 1:32:05

4M ago1:32:05

1:32:05

Are you excited about ChatGPT? Do you hate the very thought of Chat GPT? Have you never heard of ChatGPT? No matter, you need to listen to this episode to find out how generative AI can help activists get more done for animals in less time. Join us as Tom Conger reveals all about new tools to help us help animals. ABOUT OUR GUEST As Executive Direc…

1
Ep.309: Animal Hoarding: The Line Between Too Many Animals and Animal Cruelty 42:44

4M ago42:44

42:44

Animal hoarding? "It's a crisis," says Henry Brzezinski, El Dorado County Animal Services chief in Northern California. Brzezinski has spent over 35 years fighting for animal welfare from South Carolina to California and knows about hoarding all too well. He defines the problem and profiles the typical hoarder. He also says what you should be on th…

1
Creating Sanctuary for Wild Animals w/ Matt Perry 1:20:52

4M ago1:20:52

1:20:52

Recently, we had a very special excursion that we cannot wait to share with you. Land that used to be a farm is now overflowing with native plants, which, of course, draw in native insects. So then the native birds move in, and suddenly, it’s heaven! And did we mention the beavers??? Join us for this guided tour with Matt Perry, our guest this week…

1
Animal Law Podcast #103: The Case of the Ad on the Bus 52:10

4M ago52:10

52:10

Matthew Strugar joins us, once again, to talk about the many surprising legal issues that arise vis-a-vis bus ads. Specifically, we’ll be discussing White Coat Waste Project v Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, a relatively recent case that involves a rather odd bus ad policy that prohibits “advertising intended to influence members of…

1
Ep.308: Identifying Animal: DxE's Co-Founder Wayne Hsiung on The Risks of Animal Rescue. 1:32:13

4M ago1:32:13

1:32:13

Wayne Hsiung was released on December 9, 2023 after serving a sentence of 38 days in a Sonoma County (Calif.) jail for trying to free animals from the cruelty of factory farms. I talked to Wayne as he prepared for the trial earlier in the year. He was optimistic, considering he had just beaten the attempts in Utah to convict him on similar charges.…

1
Literary Animals w/ Sangamithra Iyer 1:12:21

4M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

It isn’t easy to write about animals, especially if the goal is to actually portray them as they are and not just use them, as so often happens, as symbols, metaphors, and mirrors. In order to confront these difficulties, Sangamithra Iyer recently launched The Literary Animal Project to bring writers and readers into conversation to explore the man…

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