Freedom of Species

Adam, Hayden, Lottie and Nick discuss whether the show Pluribus (Apple TV) promotes a pro-animal rights message, including highlighting the “straw man” arguments against veganism in the show and in fan reactions to it. We also cover what we’d each do in the Pluribus scenario, not necessarily advocating for cannibalism, and the Pluribus as an analogy for communism while the main character Carol rep...

In this episode Lottie and Nick talked about diversity of tactics, innovation of tactics and radical flank effects in social movements, and what animal (or any other!) activists can learn from these phenomena. We argue for unity in fighting for our common goal of ANIMAL LIBERATION. But we discuss how diverse tactics, both radical and moderate, can be positive for social movements.  Resources we dr...

On Sunday June 14th 2026, the Freedom of Species team had yet another nail-biting animal trivia show to raise donations for 3CR's Radiothon 2026! This year is special as it is 3CR's 50th birthday!! Listen along to our trivia show - Can you guess the answers before the listeners? CORRECTION: The animal sound played in the show was in fact a quail, not a bandicoot!! Trev apologises sincerely. Luckil...

     On today's show we chat about songs with animal liberation themes that we have been listening to. Unfortunately due to copyright restrictions, we cannot include the songs in the podcast and have listed them below so you can check them out.      Songs we played on the show:Good Boy by Paris Paloma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NfyIpE4zawThe Beast Within by EcotageMaking Do by Lake Street Dr...

Soy boys, militants, social justice warriors, hypocrites, bleeding hearts, hippies... stereotypes abound when people talk about vegans!  In today's show, Lottie, Nick and Hayden tackle these vegan stereotypes. We talk about what truth some of these stereotypes have and what they get wrong.  In terms of how this can influence our animal justice activism, we discuss a model of attitude change from s...

   We discuss the documentary film Christspiracy (2024) that was seven years in the making and poses questions about faith and the ethics of eating animals.    Links:    The film: https://christspiracy.com/    Why Are So Few Christians Vegan? A Reflection on Charles Camosy’s “Why All Christians Should Go Vegan” by Kim Socha and Rowan Taylor (2017): https://animalliberationcurrents.com/why-are-so-f...

     We welcome Dr Dana Kolsky from Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA) to discuss animal testing, including the recently released documentary film How to Make Drugs and Feel Great about Everything. Dana's bio:Dana is a dedicated veterinary surgeon whose career is driven by a deep commitment to animal welfare. Since 2018, she has cared for small animals with compassion and integrity, guiding count...

This week Savanna sits down with Nick and Ruby Ramsden (recently finished her PhD research on vegan activism in Japan).  We talk about Japan's culture towards animal rights and animal welfare issues in at Nara Park and Animal cafes in Japan.  Articles: Nara  https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15210364 https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15935109 https://www.japan-suki.com/en/visit/places/nara-deer-...

Why are so many climate activists still hungry for flesh? In today's show, Betty and Nick talk about the importance of adressing animal agriculture within the climate justice movement. Those of us living in the global North must be willing to confront how our daily consumption choices contribute to climate change as well as understanding how corperations and governments continue to profit from env...

 Most Victorians care about wildlife. Most Victorians hate animal cruelty. Yet Victoria is one of the few states left that still allows a recreational duck and quail shouting season. For 83 days each year, duck and quail shooters can run around dressed like Rambo, blasting small birds out of the sky for fun.  But what happens after the shots are fired? Listen to our interview with duck rescuer Nat...

   We celebrate the life and incredible contributions of Chris Rust and share tributes from Chris's loved ones, friends and comrades. For decades, through Food not Bombs, Chris embodied a quiet, unwavering commitment to solidarity, anarchist DIY ethics, and animal rights. Through FNB, Chris brought people together, created spaces of care and solidarity, and lived out his belief in mutual aid, comm...

   On today's FoS show we're talking total liberation, countering the mainstream vegan narrative and community building with guests Claire and Jesse.  We discuss their personal journeys into activism and the founding of The Raven Corps, Cool Kids Snack Cakes and Vegans Against Fascism.    Bios:    Claire is a long-time vegan activist, humane educators, and animal rights attorney. She's the founder...

 It's 3CR Subscriber Week 2026! Listen in as we cram the most Freedom Of Species hosts physically possible into the 3CR studio to help play animal trivia with the listeners, in an effort to gain more subscribers. If you are not a subscriber yet or haven't re-subscribed recently, please do! https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribe  Music Played:'Sneaky Meat Boys' by Hot Tubs Time Machine - https://hottubst...

On this week’s episode, host Savanna talks with Jennifer and Elise about dating as a vegan, their experiences good and bad, online dating and Valentine’s Day ideas.  If anyone is interested in being interviewed for Jennifer’s PhD research on dating, you can email her at: datingculturesresearch@gmail.com  Music: Animal Liberation by Los Fastidios. Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini. Hello Kitty by...

Claire, Ruby, Lottie and Nick discuss the animal rights themes in the Wicked movie series. We also explore representations of racism and ableism in the movies, as well as connections between racism, ableism and animal oppression.  Resources on overlapping human and animal oppression:  Food Empowerment Project on slavery: https://foodispower.org/human-labor-slavery/  Food Empowerment Project on env...

On this Summer Special, Claire, Ruby, Hayden and Nick discuss Reddit stories through a social justice lens. The stories cover: appropriate attire for meeting your partner’s parents, surprise birthdays, TikTok trends, sparkling water, leave for work to care for companion animals, movie theatre etiquette when you’re allergic to dogs, sharing food on dates and calling out line cutters.  This is our f...

On this Summer Special, Lottie, Hayden and Nick discuss ways to use technologies more ethically.  We will have one more Summer Special next Sunday Jan 18. Normal Freedom of Species programming will resume on Jan 25.  Music: Spotify loves ICE by Dope Knife. Heavy Foot by Mon Rovia. Robot Writes a Love Song by PUP.  Links: Book: 'Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives' by Siddharth...

In today’s show, Betty and Trev discuss the impact of persistent meat propaganda on the general perception of veganism and plant-based nutrition. Meat propaganda refers to marketing and media efforts that promote consumption of animal products while downplaying their environmental and health impacts. This can include misleading information that aims to protect the interests of meat, livestock and...

Elise and Savanna discuss their dream vegan menus as we make the case for vegan eating as celebration rather than deprivation. Savanna is now a part of the Freedom of Species team, so keep your eye out for her shows in 2026!  Links: This episode is based on the format of the foodie podcast Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, but with a vegan twist. For those wanting to check out that show,...

Test your knowledge of animal liberation film by seeing if you can think of the answers quicker than the listeners who texted in during the live show. There are questions about recent movies, including some related to the upcoming Animal Liberation Film Festival, but also questions on older movies going back as far as 1995!  The Animal Liberation Film Festival is being held from December 5-6 in Me...

Savanna, Gonzalo and Nick discuss the upcoming Animal Liberation Film Festival. This event is being held from December 5-6 in Melbourne, at Cinema Nova. For more information on the festival, go to: https://alff.org.au/ Also see the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/25038308422432519  Additional links: We briefly discuss this article as a follow-up to an issue we raised on t...

 In the early 1800s, colonial Sydney transformed from a drunken shanty town ruled by military oligarchs to a developed city ruled by pastoral capitalists. Australia’s first wool baron, John MacArthur, continued to grow his wealth while maintaining a powerful position in the colony, despite his corruption and role in overthrowing Governor William Bligh in the 1808 Rum Rebellion.  Australian wool de...

Katie and Nick discuss the TV show Poker Face and its representations of vegans and animal rights.  Links: “I’m a Murderer”: Poker Face’s Vegan Feeling by Brigitte N. McCray: https://www.popmatters.com/poker-face-rian-johnson-veganism Poker Face Season 2 Episode 6’s Surprising New Victim Confirms The Season’s Secret Theme by Nick Bythrow: https://screenrant.com/poker-face-season-2-episode-6-animal...

 Meg and Ash have a casual discussion about the future of veganism. How veganism is intrisically linked to avocating for animal rights, how attitudes toward vegans and a vegan lifestyle are changing and the economic, ethical and societal predictions for 2050 and beyond. Audio:  How Veganism Can Change the World - The Economist https://youtu.be/hwoL6hWd4l0?si=I90qy3ICjh78fQYc Diet and identity: The...

    We discussed anarcho-punk and animal rights with our guest Pat, focusing on bands that influenced us and helped shape our political awareness. Pat is a friend to many at  3CR and formerly was a co-host of Roominations and Thursday Breakfast programs.  The punk subculture, particularly the anarcho-punk and straight edge movements, has maintained a strong association with animal rights activism...