Vegan Voices Unhinged

SummaryThis week, Lorraine and Steve catch up on the latest vegan advocacy, activism, and community projects.Steve reflects on taking part in Foodrise's mass lobby at Westminster, where he met with his MP to discuss factory farming, food security, and the Government's poultry sector growth plans. He explains how lobbying works, including the "green card" system that allows members of the public to request meetings with MPs at Parliament.The conversation explores the challenges of campaigning for animal welfare reforms while advocating for a fully vegan future. Lorraine shares why she's preparing to attend her first animal vigil, and both hosts discuss upcoming activism, including the Frankenchicken campaign and Animal Aid's school-speaking training.They also provide updates from the Vegan Dining Club, which continues to grow and expand into new areas, including plans for Brighton and beyond.Finally, Steve and Lorraine discuss the power of documentary screenings, including Eating Our Way to Extinction and Viva!'s latest film, What Do You Really Know About Dairy? They encourage listeners to host or attend screenings and invite non-vegan friends to join the conversation.Key Timings00:00 - Lorraine and Steve catch up01:40 - Steve's Foodrise mass lobby experience03:07 - Poultry industry growth plans and food security04:04 - Meeting MPs and green card lobbying06:11 - The impact of mega-farms on local communities10:16 - Steve's discussion with MP Greg Stafford11:44 - Animal welfare campaigns and vegan advocacy17:35 - Lorraine's upcoming Frankenchicken lobbying event22:27 - Preparing for a first animal vigil24:30 - Animal Aid school-speaking training26:25 - Vegan Dining Club growth and expansion plans29:48 - Documentary screenings and environmental conversations34:20 - Viva!'s dairy documentary and how to support screeningsResources MentionedFoodrise - Campaigning against factory farming and intensive poultry expansion.UK Voters for Animals and the Slingshot Campaign - Political engagement for animal protection.Animal Aid - School-speaking and outreach training.Eating Our Way to Extinction - Documentary narrated by Kate Winslet.Viva! - What Do You Really Know About Dairy? documentary and screening resources.Vegan Dining Club - Building vegan communities through shared dining experiences.VegFest Brighton - Upcoming outreach and community engagement opportunities.KeywordsVegan activism, factory farming, mass lobby, MP lobbying, food security, poultry sector growth plan, Frankenchicken campaign, animal welfare, vegan advocacy, animal vigils, Vegan Dining Club, VegFest Brighton, Animal Aid, dairy industry, climate change, documentary screenings.Connect With UsIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review. You'll find Vegan Voices Unhinged on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Together, we can amplify the conversation and help create a kinder world for animals. 🐄🌱🎙️

SummaryTim Barford, founder of VegFest UK, joins the show to discuss more than four decades of vegan activism, from the punk and anarchist movements of the 1980s to building one of the UK's most influential vegan event platforms.Tim reflects on his journey into veganism, the evolution of the animal rights movement, and why he believes veganism must remain rooted in the principle that animals are not ours to use. We explore effective activism, the emotional impact of slaughterhouse vigils, the rise and challenges of VegFest, and the importance of supporting local communities while avoiding burnout.In This EpisodeTim's path from vegetarianism to veganism in the early 1980sHow punk culture, anarchism, squatting, and DIY politics shaped his activismThe role of vegan festivals and events as outreach toolsHow VegFest grew from a small Bristol event into a major national platformThe distinction between veganism as a practice and veganism as a principleHis concerns about welfare focused campaigns and messagingSupporting local vegan communities and maintaining long term resilienceTimestamps00:00 Introduction to Tim Barford and VegFest UK02:43 Music, festivals, and the VegFest atmosphere03:53 Becoming vegetarian and later vegan07:23 Punk, anarchism, squatting, and animal rights activism08:31 The best and hardest parts of 45 years as a vegan11:42 Movement growth, controversy, and shifting priorities14:08 Vegan business closures and the impact of slaughterhouse vigils16:35 How vigil work can reconnect activists to the cause19:18 Bearing witness and staying focused on animal liberation20:39 The history of veganism and movement inheritance23:20 Why organizing vegan events is Tim's preferred form of activism28:11 The origins of VegFest32:01 From 1,200 attendees to 14,000 visitors34:36 VegFest today: Birmingham, Brighton, and London37:47 The biggest misconception about veganism38:47 Veganism as a principle, not just a lifestyle41:19 Why reducing suffering is not the same as veganism45:48 The promise and limitations of campaigns such as Slingshot50:30 Institutional change versus individual change53:12 Why every strategy should point toward liberation55:49 Tim's favorite vegan meals and cooking habits60:41 Supporting VegFest and local activism64:08 Self care and avoiding burnoutKey TakeawaysVeganism is more than a diet or lifestyle. For Tim, it is a principle grounded in animal liberation.Vegan festivals and community events can be powerful spaces for outreach and education.Slaughterhouse vigils can provide a profound reminder of why animal advocacy matters.Different forms of activism can coexist, but maintaining clarity about the end goal is essential.Sustainable activism requires community support, perspective, and self care.KeywordsTim Barford, VegFest UK, vegan activism, animal rights, animal liberation, veganism, vegan festivals, vegan outreach, slaughterhouse vigils, vegan movement, community organizing, vegan businesses, activism burnout, punk culture, anarchism, self care.

SummaryLorraine and Steve are joined by Molly Elwood, founder of Elwood Dog Meat, to discuss her journey to veganism, the role of satire in animal advocacy, and why creative activism can spark meaningful conversations. Molly shares how Elwood Dog Meat uses humour, visual contrast, and provocative messaging to challenge assumptions about animals and food, encouraging people to question speciesism and animal exploitation.The conversation explores the personal side of vegan advocacy, including overcoming the fear of speaking up, handling criticism, and building confidence in discussing veganism. Molly also reflects on different forms of activism, from street outreach and educational campaigns to organisations such as Viva! and Anonymous for the Voiceless, arguing that the most sustainable and effective activism is often the kind people genuinely enjoy doing.Key Timings00:00 Introduction to Molly Elwood and Elwood Dog Meat02:00 The chicken wings moment that changed Molly's relationship with meat03:20 The video that inspired Molly to go from vegetarian to vegan07:30 Fear, confidence, and learning to ask for vegan options10:20 Early vegan debates and building a toolkit of responses12:20 Why veganism can change your entire life14:30 How Elwood Dog Meat activism works online and on the street16:00 Challenging marketing, labels, and humane-washing17:00 How the Elwood outreach table starts conversations18:40 Different activist styles and why they all matter22:20 Handling abuse, death threats, and online backlash25:40 Why sustainable activism should be enjoyable26:30 The oversized A-frame and passive activism29:00 Flyers, coupons, and solo outreach31:20 How Elwood materials are being used around the world33:30 Common assumptions about veganism that deserve reconsideration35:10 Molly's favourite vegan meals in Portland and Brighton37:00 Molly's Vegan Camp Out talk39:00 The deeper idea behind the Elwood concept42:20 Ways listeners can use Elwood resources in their own activism44:20 Closing reflections and thanksResourcesElwood Dog MeatElwood Dog Meat Resources & Outreach MaterialsAnonymous for the VoicelessViva!Vegfest UKVegan Camp OutKeywordsVeganism, vegan activism, ethical veganism, animal rights, animal advocacy, animal agriculture, Elwood Dog Meat, vegan outreach, vegan communication, speciesism, animal exploitation, street activism, Cube of Truth, sustainable activism.

SummaryLorraine and Steve speak with Dr. Arielle Griffiths, veterinary surgeon and founder of Just Be Kind Pet Food, about her transition to veganism, why she started feeding her own dog a plant-based diet, and how science is changing the conversation around pet nutrition. The episode focuses on the ethics and practicalities of vegan dog and cat food, plus the role pets can play in activism. In this episode, Arielle explains how her son first inspired her vegan journey, why her dog Ruff became the motivation for everything she does, and how products like Biobuddy and SolaVegital are being used to support healthier, more sustainable feeding choices.Key pointsDr. Arielle Griffiths founded Just Be Kind as a UK-based plant-based pet food company.She became vegan about six and a half years ago after her son went vegan first.Her veterinary training included very little nutrition education, which pushed her to research pet nutrition deeply.She says adding more plants improved health outcomes in dogs, especially with inflammatory and skin issues.Biobuddy is described as a cold-pressed superfood using biofermentation protein.She believes transitioning one dog to a vegan diet can be a powerful form of activism.Arielle says the most rewarding part of her work is seeing dogs improve and then hearing from owners who become vegan.The episode also explores vegan cat food and the challenge of replacing fish-based diets.She argues that algae oil and fermentation protein offer more sustainable alternatives.Timeline00:00 - Welcome to Dr. Arielle Griffiths and the mission behind Just Be Kind02:07 - Why Vegan Campout felt emotional and surreal04:42 - Launching Biobuddy and the move toward biofermentation protein09:42 - What inspired Arielle’s vegan journey14:06 - The hardest and best parts of becoming a vegan vet15:31 - How veterinary practices are starting to use plant-based pet food17:54 - Why transitioning one dog can be effective activism19:20 - The challenge of creating vegan cat food20:14 - Why Arielle says cats should not be fed fish24:24 - Krill, ocean depletion, and algae oil as an alternative25:48 - The case for rethinking fish-based pet food28:55 - Why Arielle believes vegan diets are healthier for dogs and cats31:29 - Keeping faith that change is possible32:26 - Favorite vegan restaurant and dessert picks34:26 - Final call to ask pet owners to rethink their pets’ dietsKey search wordsvegan pet nutrition, plant-based dog food, vegan cat food, Just Be Kind Pet Food, Dr. Arielle Griffiths, biofermentation protein, pet activism, sustainable pet food, algae oil, veterinary nutritionResourcesJust Be Kind website: https://justbekindpetfood.comNotable quotesCopy“It is a form of activism to transition dogs onto plant-based foods.”Copy“You can’t argue with science.”Copy“Dreams do come true.”Action itemsIf you know someone with a dog or cat, encourage them to consider whether a plant-based option could work for their pet.Revisit assumptions about fish-based pet food and where those ingredients come from.Look at pet health through the lens Arielle emphasizes: inflammatory issues, skin conditions, digestion, and long-term wellbeing.

Episode SummaryLorraine and Steve share a series of positive updates from their vegan activism and community work. They reflect on the success of a recent vegan dining club at The Greenhouse in Fleet and look ahead to the next gathering at Blue Sardinia in Guildford. The hosts also celebrate being accepted onto Animal Aid's school speaker programme, opening up new opportunities to engage young people through talks and cooking demonstrations.The conversation then turns to Viva!’s largest-ever outreach event in Godalming, where experienced activists supported and mentored newer volunteers.Later, Lorraine and Steve discuss Animal Rising's farrowing crate protest in London, which drew attention to the treatment of mother pigs in intensive farming systems. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to get involved with the upcoming mass lobby at Parliament focused on factory farming, Frankenchickens, and Project Slingshot.Key Timings00:00 – Introduction and positive vegan news00:30 – Vegan dining club at The Greenhouse in Fleet01:26 – Upcoming Guildford dining club at Blue Sardinia02:24 – Supporting local vegan-friendly venues03:20 – Passing the Animal Aid school speaker interview05:56 – Training for school talks and vegan cooking demonstrations07:19 – Viva!’s biggest outreach event in Godalming08:19 – Coaching and supporting new outreach volunteers10:33 – Conversation with a trainee vet13:17 – Speaking with a vegetarian family14:16 – Water-use quiz: plant milks vs dairy milk20:50 – Visiting Michelle's farrowing crate protest in London23:33 – Upcoming Elwood's campaign and outreach opportunities25:29 – Call to action: Project Slingshot mass lobby27:06 – Listener feedback and closing thoughtsKeywordsVeganism, vegan activism, animal rights, vegan outreach, community building, vegan dining clubs, Viva!, Animal Aid, school speakers, plant-based living, dairy farming, environmental impact, farrowing crates, Animal Rising, Frankenchickens, Project Slingshot, grassroots activism, vegan community UK.ResourcesThe Greenhouse, Fleethttps://www.thegreenhousefleet.co.ukAnimal Aid School Speaker Programmehttps://www.animalaid.org.uk/how-can-you-help/become-a-school-speakerViva! Outreach & Street Actionshttps://viva.org.uk/viva-volunteer-community/outreach-hosts-and-supportersProject Slingshothttps://projectslingshot.comElwood's Organic Dog Meat Campaignhttps://www.elwooddogmeat.comWater Use in plant and dairy Milks https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/environmental-footprint-milks