I feel silly even writing an intro for Vegan Gains, since he's one of the most recognizable vegan activists on YouTube. So I'll write this with a personal touch. There's probably no one even close to the amount of content I've viewed online as Richard Burgess. Partly, that's because he streams all the time, and they are often a very entertaining mix of subject matter. I've learned a great deal and strengthened my own convictions partly as a result of Richard's content. He is someone who doesn't care what anyone thinks. That can come off with mixed results. He can be abrasive and come across as mean, but it also makes for very honest and therefore informative viewing. I have found him personally to be very kind and generous. As someone who has watched Vegan Gains throughout the years, I feel like I know him better than I know some of the closest people to me. And I've got his back. And that is because he has the animals' backs. And regardless of people getting their feelings hurt over his choice of words, he has the backs of who he sees being victimized, no matter who they are. I find that refreshing and needed. As activists, we have to be ok with being not liked. We just have to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done. I feel like Richard embodies that in ways that are admirable. When I was scheduling interviews over on Wayne Hsiung's channel (a role I've stepped away from), Richard was a top priority of mine and it turned out to have been a nice fit, as those conversations between them have been among the liveliest and most intellectually stimulating on the channel. Richard and I have talked only very briefly prior to this interview. This is the first time we have really spoken in depth, and it was an honor. Watch this conversation on YouTube. Links: Vegan Gains YT Vegan Gains IG Toronto slaughter footage Richard video on Regan Russell Richard calling out some BS Gary Yourofsky's speech Watch Earthlings Watch Dominion

Dane Evans is the lead singer of the phenomenal Australian deathcore band To The Grave. The band has in recent years put out a steady stream of albums with a strong animal rights theme. Evans is not only trying to be the voice for the animals, but for the activists trying to save them. And what a voice it is. The word that came to me when listening to his dynamic range from guttural, demonic growls to ear-splitting high-pitched screams was "otherworldly." I've only known about To The Grave for about a week. It was during my interview with Vegan Gaze that she mentioned going to the band's show and having a fire lit under her. I had never really gotten into deathcore. I think it's probably a genre of music that could easily be garbage if not done right and my guess is I've heard some mediocre deathcore in the past. To The Grave is anything but. It is constantly shifting, constantly driving, constantly creative, fascinating to listen to. And of course there is the message. And that's what I wanted to talk to Dane about. I have seen Dane and his bandmates expand upon their animal rights beliefs in several fantastic interviews. But mostly those were interviews conducted by people from the metal scene and not the animal rights world. Dane is very much a part of both worlds, as he explained to me here. Dane can write and sing about this stuff with so much conviction because he has lived it. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Watch this conversation on YouTube. Links: To The Grave on YouTube To The Grave IG To The Grave on FB To The Grave Spotify Dane's IG Dane's YouTube On the Garza Podcast Interview on @SeenFeen Vegan Gaze on YouTube Gaze and Chris Hines on TTG Farm Transparency Project IG Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) IG Punk Rock Vegan Movie Watch Earthlings Watch Dominion

Jack Higgs has been involved with some of the wildest animal rights demonstrations I've seen. He, along with his partner Tash Peterson have garnered a huge amount of attention in Australia for their uncompromising approach to activism. That has enabled them to reach an audience far outside just a circle of vegan activists.

I have a huge amount of respect for Jack. He has evolved from filming Tash's demonstrations (which he still does) to also being more and more in the spotlight himself. And with his calm demeanor, he is a perfect complement to Tash and needs to be considering the huge amount of negativity the two of them endure to get their message out. To have a partner as charismatic as Tash and to not just shrink into the shadows is impressive by itself, but Jack is becoming one of the most confident, skilled messengers for the animals we have.

We are lucky to have Jack and Tash. They're also both incredibly kind and easygoing behind the scenes. This conversation has been among my favorites so far.

Watch this conversation on YouTube.

Links:

Jack's YouTube

Jack's IG

Jack's TikTok

Jack's Facebook

Tash's YouTube

Thich Nhat Hanh on why vegan

Earthlings Documentary

Dominion Documentary