Our Hen House: Vegan & Animal Rights Movement | Stories from the Frontlines of Animal Liberation

In this spirited episode, Jasmin introduces her newest family member—a senior Chihuahua named June—while Mariann delivers both encouraging and concerning news from the animal rights world. The duo dives into Kenny Torrella’s thought-provoking Vox article about the surprising effectiveness of showing people the reality of factory farming through well-made documentaries like Dominion, challeng...

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the latest concerns from the animal agriculture industry—and what’s concerning us about them. From beef producers lobbying for the “Big Beautiful Bill” that would allow them to pass on up to $30 million tax-free to their heirs, to the American Butter Institute’s meltdown over Country Crock’s dairy-free p...

In a groundbreaking episode of The Animal Law Podcast, we explored radical new concepts that could fundamentally transform how constitutional law treats animals. Host Mariann Sullivan welcomed Cambridge University’s Raffael Fasel and Queen Mary University’s John Adenitire to discuss their book “Animals and the Constitution: Towards Sentience-Based Constitutionalism” –...

In this lively episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann swap stories from Vermont road trips to unexpected animal activism, all while tackling the psychological framing of veganism and celebrating rare wins for wildlife. Between family dinner dynamics and debunking anti-vegan psychology, our hosts remind us why standing firm in our ethics isn’t a “psychological prison” but r...

This week on Rising Anxieties, we dive into the agricultural industry’s panic attack over Trump’s flip-flopping immigration policies. From ICE raids causing dairy farm labor shortages to the bizarre 1300% surge in white South African H-2A visa workers, the industry’s self-interest is on full display. Financial institutions wielding their power against conventional animal agricult...

The fearless founder of Animal Recovery Mission takes no prisoners in his quest to expose the darkest corners of animal exploitation. Richard “Kudo” Couto, a former Miami Beach real estate developer turned undercover investigator, joins us to reveal how his organization infiltrates illegal slaughterhouses, exposes factory farm abuses, and challenges corporate giants like Coca-Cola&#821...

This week on The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore the ethical complexities of “slaughter-free” dairy, the alarming push to sell public lands, and the passing of vegan pioneer John Robbins. Between tales of their recent adventure to Lily Dale (a town of spiritualists) and the Lucille Ball Museum, they dive into why even the most humane dairy operations ultimately prove…

This week, Mariann Sullivan dives into the disturbing synergy between immigration policies and the meat industry, exposing a system designed to exploit vulnerable workers. From the Trump administration’s extension of dangerous line speed waivers to the calculated immigration “crisis” that may lead to even more exploitative visa programs, the podcast reveals how Big Ag thrives on...

In this captivating conversation, media strategist Natalie Fulton reveals how she’s transformed animal advocacy through her work at Pro Animal Future and her popular YouTube channel. Moving beyond the typical vegan food content, Natalie shares her journey from pandemic-inspired vegan to digital storyteller activist who successfully brings animal rights messaging to mainstream audiences. From...

This week on The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan navigate challenging political times while delivering animal rights news with their signature blend of insight and humor. They cover everything from labor issues in animal agriculture to exciting vegan product launches before welcoming psychologist and author Dr. Melanie Joy to discuss her surprising pivot from non-fiction to fiction...

In this eye-opening episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into alarming developments that should have everyone’s anxiety levels soaring. From the CDC’s confirmation that the bird flu virus infecting a Michigan dairy worker is capable of airborne transmission, to the meat industry’s coordinated efforts to combat what they call “anti-meat activism” through...

In this illuminating episode of Our Hen House, listeners dive into the vibrant ecosystem of grassroots animal advocacy with three powerhouse changemakers who are transforming the movement from the ground up. James Hattersley (We The Free), Carrie LeBlanc (Compassion Works International), and Steven Rouk (Connect For Animals) share their innovative approaches to building sustainable activism networ...

In this week’s Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann navigate the delicate balance of activism while celebrating groundbreaking developments in food technology. From Mariann’s new camera angle (complete with curious pets) to troubling industry revelations, the hosts offer their characteristic blend of wit and wisdom on living compassionately in a complex world. Cultivated Salmon Milestone: Wi...

This week on Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives beak-first into the taxpayer-funded fever dream that is the animal agriculture industry’s response to bird flu. From senators begging for vaccine handouts to pork producers suddenly discovering biosecurity (better late than never!), it’s a masterclass in how industrial farming turns every crisis into a government funding opportunity...

In this eye-opening episode, Mariann Sullivan speaks with three pioneering advocates who are successfully preventing octopus factory farming across the United States. Amanda Fox (Executive Director of Animal Rights Initiative), Allie Taylor (President of Voters for Animal Rights), and Brenna Anderst (Senior Policy Advisor at The Humane League) share how their coalition has already secured bans in...

In this Hen Report, Jasmin recounts her adventures at a vegan-friendly baby shower (complete with vegan trivia!), while Mariann contemplates deep philosophical questions. From air-fried apples with caramel salt to the explosion of pistachio milk in mainstream grocery stores, the duo weaves serious animal rights discussions with their trademark humor and warmth, proving once again that changing the...

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann serves up a buffet of agricultural catastrophes that have the industry shaking in their boots. From parasitic invasions to explosive grain silos to the pork industry’s bizarre meltdown over a health report that barely mentions them, it’s a masterclass in how industrial animal agriculture consistently creates its own problems—then demands tax...

In this episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan welcomes back Will Lowrey, legal counsel for Animal Partisan, alongside David Rosengard, managing attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund‘s Criminal Justice Program. They dive into an obscure but potentially game-changing legal tool: laws in certain states that allow private citizens to obtain search warrants when they have evide...

In this thought-provoking episode, Jasmin and Mariann welcome back Our Hen House’s “wingman” Michael Dorf to discuss a recent Daily Show segment that mockingly covered efforts to improve shrimp welfare. The conversation delves into the challenges of advocating for less charismatic animals, the complexities of welfare reforms, and the surprising effectiveness of humor in introduci...

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan examines current developments in animal agriculture and political food policies so you don’t have to. From RFK Jr.’s contradictory stances on vaccines and ultra-processed foods to industry insiders acknowledging that cultivated protein may replace conventional meat production in the future, this episode dives into the contradictions...

Sebastian Joy, founder of Kickstarting for Good, shares his innovative approach to transforming our global food system. Sebastian, who went from leading a tiny vegetarian society to helping build a worldwide movement at ProVeg International, reveals how mentorship has helped launch initiatives raising over $500 million for plant-based innovation. With candid stories about developing B12-fortified...

In this delightfully loopy episode of The Hen Report (affectionately dubbed “Henry Port” by hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan), the duo spans topics from coast to coast while delivering their signature wit and animal rights commentary. Jasmin checks in from Los Angeles, where she’s attending the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit, reminiscing about her time living in the spr...

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan exposes how the animal agriculture industry is desperately attempting to rebrand itself while facing mounting environmental and ethical challenges. This episode explores: How factory farming is co-opting “regenerative agriculture” as their newest meaningless buzzword to greenwash industrial practices The meat industry’s shocki...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with activist Robert Grillo, founder of Free From Harm, who shares his strategic approach to creating systemic change for animals. From disrupting congressional hearings to confronting food industry executives, Robert explains how his organization uses targeted activism to challenge the status quo and push for a transition to a plant-based food system. How Rob...

This Hen Report episode explores the concerning developments in animal agriculture and the inspiring grassroots efforts fighting back against institutional apathy. Jasmin and Mariann deliver a news roundup that examines: How the Trump administration’s $1 billion bird flu plan funnels taxpayer money to the poultry industry while ignoring the root causes of the crisis and the spread to dairy c...