It's been a minute since I had Wayne on the podcast. A lot has happened since then. Probably most siginificantly for Wayne is that he's gotten married. I wanted to catch up with Wayne about life, marriage, and the state of the animal rights movement. We also discuss the massive increase in animal agriculture subsidies inside the "Big, Beautiful Bill" that was recently passed by the U.S. Senate, and being haggled over right now in the House.

It's always a joy to chat with Wayne, and I'm really happy that he has found some real bright spots in the world.

You can also watch this on YouTube.

Links:

Wayne's YouTube

Wayne's blogWayne's IG

Wayne's TikTok

Wayne's FaceBook

Watch Earthlings

Watch Dominion

Dr. Jerry Vlasak has one hell of a resume in the animal liberation movement. From his deep involvement in the legendary Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) campaign, to joining Captain Paul Watson on the high seas to stop whaling and seal hunts, to running the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, few people I know have spent more time and done so much for the animals. I consider myself incredibly lucky to even know him, much less stand side by side with him at demonstrations. In this conversation we talk about his adventures with Watson, going before Senator Jim Inhofe to voice the animal rights position of the SHAC activists, and even the controversial remarks he made about violence that have followed him around during his decades in the movement. As part of the animal liberation press office, Jerry gives voice to the anonymous animal liberationists who are unable to speak. Whether he's giving voice to the activists with no voice or the animals, or performing life-saving surgery during his long medical career, Jerry has spent his time in the service of others. He's a kind, generous man, quite the opposite of how the animal exploitation industries would try to paint him. It's a true honor to have him on my podcast.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Press OfficeIGBooks and merchCAFT websiteCAFT IGAAC IGWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

Of all the activist content I've reviewed since starting this channel, I probably have watched more of Mel and Steve's videos than anyone else. The reason for that is simple. The quality of their work is matched by the intense passion and energy they bring. And because of that, they are cranking out banger after banger so that every time I go live, there's a new Mel and Steve video to check out. While the channel started and remains a platform for street outreach, Mel and Steve have also begun doing investigations on farms, and bringing viewers directly to slaughterhouses during livestreams. We discuss the time they brought Chris Hines's brother Colin to a pig farm before Colin was vegan. It's been interesting to hear about that experience from Chris, Colin, and now Mel and Steve as well. If it isn't obvious from their commitment to the animals or their street outreach, Mel and Steve are just the loveliest people, and I was truly honored to have them on the program.This conversation is also available on YouTube. Mel and Steve's YouTubeM&S LinktreeM&S IGFBTikTokPart 1 of Colin VideoMy interview with ColinMy interview with Chris HinesWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

George Martin, Carnism Debunked, joins the channel for a discussion about some of the most harmful things in the vegan movement over the last decade or so. As a self-described centrist, George has been one of the fiercest critics of some on the political left's gatekeeping of animal rights, as well as intersectionalism in the movement. He often takes on topics that others are timid to touch and isn't afraid of the isolation that could bring. I have not always agreed with George's takes, but I agree with him more than not. And I appreciate how willing he is to take on tough topics.Beyond that, I find George to be one of the most articulate and clear when it comes to advocating animal rights. I appreciate his good-natured style in debates, and how he seems to relish in the pursuit of truth. As I told him in the interview, I think we are lucky to have in the movement. We discussed Seaspiracy director Ali Tabrizi failing to navigate the marshmallow minefield (hat tip my friend Felix for that line), the short story "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" and of course intersectionalism in this episode. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:George's YouTubeGeorge's IGGeorge's FBCarnismdebunked.com"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" videoPodcast with Natalie FultonPodcast with Wayne Hsiung Watch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

I've been an admirer of Jim Sande's music for decades. Jim makes rich, layered sonic tapestries that are hard to describe in a few words. I was so deeply moved by what I consider his masterpience album "Harvest Bell Ride" that I reached out to him, and he responded with a kind message of his own. This was probably 20 years ago. Since then, I've kept a sporadic, sparse correspondence with him over the years. Finally, I decided why not ask him to be on my program?There are several reasons for doing so. For one, I felt Jim was a hidden gem of sorts, a composer few knew about that more ought to. Another reason was purely selfish: I just wanted to talk to the guy and pick his brain. Remember the old saying "Never meet your heroes"? That didn't apply here. Jim was as kind and gracious and interesting as I expected him to be, if not moreso. Talking to him felt like talking to an old friend, and in a way I was. The way I listen to Jim Sande is oddly specific. I listen to him often while reading Haruki Murakami novels. I've shared with him that they pair so well together that it's as if they collaborated, and that I can't really read Murakami without listening to Sande's music, because it feels incomplete. And to this day, I still don't.I also hear in Jim's music a sensitivity, a kindess that made it feel appropriate to bring him on what is primarily an animal rights channel. And interestingly enough, we did discuss animals quite a bit. Perhaps it's his Buddhist background, his artist sensibility, or some combination, but he seems to hold a deep reverence for animals. I forgot that over the years, his paintings, another passion of his, have largely been of animals, and only recalled that as I looked for photos after the fact for a thumbnail (haha!).In any case, I deeply enjoyed getting to know Jim a bit better, and I hope some of you will discover him and find his music through this conversation. This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Jim's blogJim on SpotifyJim on FacebookJim on IG"Harvest Bell Ride"Jim on YouTubeWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

Elizabeth MeLampy's book "Forget the Camel" is unforgettable. It's a look at a world most of us know very little about: the world of animal festivals. I've come to learn animal festivals are nearly everywhere, yet most of them detailed in this book I'd never heard of. And while there are some well-known festivals like the Iditarod sled dog race and the Groundhog Day festival, even those I got a richer understanding of after reading "Forget the Camel."

I have come to know Elizabeth because she plans to work on a book about the open rescue movement. After reading her recently released debut novel, I am even more looking forward to that book. Because Elizabeth brought an enormous amount of care and thoughtfulness to this project on animal festivals, which was simultaneously a continuation of her grandmother's unfinished work on this same topic as well as grappling with her own concerns as someone who wants a better world for animals. The book asks hard questions about festivals that are centered on animals who have not in any way consented to their use. And Elizabeth asked those questions in a way that is honest and open-minded, and leaves us with a provocative work that will keep you thinking after you've closed the book.

This interview is also available on YouTube.

Links:

The book

Elizabeth's website

Elizabeth on IG

Watch Earthlings

Watch Dominion

Steven Lee August, AKA Vegan Heretic has led a fascinating life as an entertainer, activist and author. He made a living as a juggler and magician in Las Vegas, but his real passion is his Christian faith and his compassion for animals. And as a Christian animal rights activist, he has a lot of wisdom to share, especially with non-Christians, particularly when it comes to effective outreach TO Christians. And so when life came to a standstill during Covid, Steven parked himself at a local vegan restaurant where, for hours on end, powered by coffee refills, he penned his book "Vegans Vs. The Verses." It's a handy guide to all things vegan in the Bible and how to effectively communicate that message of kindness towards all living beings. Steven embodies the best of Christianity, and was a real joy to speak with. This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Steven's book "Vegans vs. The Verses"Steven's YouTubeSteven's IGSteven's websiteVegan TheologyCreation Care ChurchWatch ChristspiracyWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

John Curtin has been involved in the animal liberation movement since before I was even born. He's taken the fight to the teeth of the vivisection industry, a fight that continues to this day. John has spent the last 3 1/2 years as a resident of Camp Beagle, an ongoing protest camp outside of beagle breeding facility MBR Acres in the UK. He's rescued animals, raided laboratories and been to prison numerous times standing up for animals. But don't call him a hero.If you try calling John a hero, he'll correct you that he's just a knobhead. And I love that. We need a few more knobheads like John in this movement. John got raw in this interview, telling me about things he says he rarely talks about. Crazy traumatic experiences, watching a hunter die in front of his face, desecrating a grave. I was honored to be able to ask John about the late Jill Phipps, Barry Horne, and Mike Hill, all of whom he knew personally. John is a bit mad in the best way, an old punk. But what makes John such a special person is his absolute love for animals. I've watched him break down numerous times over the plight of the beagles at MBR Acres. There's a bottle of champaigne at Camp Beagle that's only going to be opened when that place shuts down. I can't wait to watch that video.This conversation is also available on YouTube.If you're a UK resident, sign the petition to end testing on dogs.Links:John's IGThe Camp Beagle IGCamp Beagle FBThe Camp BeagleJill Phipps docWatch EarthlingsWatch DominionJohn's book recs:The Dreaded ComparisonThe Bloodless RevolutionEternal Treblinka