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

Join hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan for intimate conversations with leading vegan activists, animal rights advocates, and changemakers transforming our world. Each week, Our Hen House brings you inspiring stories from the frontlines of animal liberation, practical activism strategies, and the latest developments in the fight for animal rights. Whether you're a seasoned activist or newly vegan, discover how to make a difference for animals through engaging interviews and actionable insights.

Drawing the Line on Factory Farms: Policy Approaches to Industrial Agriculture

Our Hen House presents an eye-opening conversation about the growing movement to limit factory farming through state legislation, focusing on New York’s efforts while exploring the broader national implications. This episode explores how advocates are working to address the environmental devastation and animal suffering caused by industrial animal agriculture through policy change. This episode explores: The details of New York’s proposed…

09-19
43:13

The Hen Report: “You ok?” | Animal Rights in Challenging Political Times

In this candid conversation, Jasmin and Mariann explore how animal advocates maintain their focus during politically challenging times, reminding listeners that their commitment to changing the world for animals remains central even when everything else feels overwhelming. This episode explores: How animal rights activism provides perspective during politically tumultuous times Zoe Rosenberg’s trial for rescuing chickens from a Purdue slaughterhouse Colombia’s…

09-18
29:14

AI, Slaughterhouse Shenanigans, and Legal Victories | Rising Anxieties

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, we go on a whirlwind tour through the meat industry’s latest absurdities. From a meat industry writer’s hilariously misguided claim about “the first real science fiction movie” to the EPA’s disturbing rollback of slaughterhouse waste regulations (because nothing says “unleashing prosperity” like animal blood in the water supply), Mariann doesn’t hold back. The episode culminates…

09-16
17:35

From A Vegan Dinner to Jail Time: Adam Durand on His Groundbreaking Open Rescue Case

What happens when a casual vegan dinner leads to one of the most significant open rescue cases in US animal rights history? This week, we’re joined by Adam Durand, who went from rule-following citizen to jailbird activist after exposing conditions at Wegmans Egg Farm back in 2004. Adam shares the wild journey of sneaking into a factory farm with a ragtag…

09-12
46:02

The Hen Report: “Who invited the vegan?” | The Squirrel Who Crossed the Political Divide

In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, we welcome back our favorite constitutional law scholar and wingman Michael Dorf to dish about the viral saga of Peanut the Squirrel. What started as a heartbreaking story about a beloved social media star squirrel and his raccoon friend Fred—both killed by New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation under troubling circumstances—turned into a…

09-11
41:16

Rising Anxieties: Shareholder Activism, Cultivated Meat, and Media Bias

In this week’s emotional rollercoaster of righteous indignation, Mariann dives headfirst into the meat industry’s latest shenanigans. From legal battles over lab-grown meat to the absurdity of milk being crowned official state beverage in 20 states (water, anyone?), to the heartbreaking reality of dairy farm fatalities, this episode serves up a buffet of reasons why the meat industry should be nervous.…

09-09
19:43

Forget the Judgment, Remember the Bond: Carol Mithers on “Rethinking Rescue”

In her eye-opening book, Rethinking Rescue, journalist Carol Mithers examines how poverty and economic inequality create impossible choices for pet owners who love their animals but lack resources to keep them. Through the remarkable story of Lori Wiese, who pioneered community-based animal care in Los Angeles’ most underserved neighborhoods, Mithers demonstrates not only that we can’t adopt our way out of…

09-05
55:26

The Hen Report: “It’s the Cow, Not the How” | Media Critique & Food System Myths

In this eye-opening episode of The Hen Report, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan welcome back Jan Dutkiewicz, professor of political science at Pratt Institute and co-author of the forthcoming book Feed the People: Why Industrial Food is Good and How to Make it Even Better. The conversation centers on a problematic New York Times article about animal rights activism in…

09-04
44:27

Rising Anxieties: Shareholder Activism, Cultivated Meat, and Media Bias

In this week’s episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan examines several developments causing concern within the meat industry. From evolving shareholder activism tactics to questionable comparisons between cultivated meat and lab-grown diamonds, the episode reveals how animal agriculture interests are responding to various challenges while continuing to rely on government support and biased media coverage. This episode explores: The evolution of…

09-02
14:16

Animal Law Breakthrough: Court Recognizes Dogs as Family Members with Christopher Berry

This episode of the Animal Law Podcast features Christopher Berry, Executive Director of the Nonhuman Rights Project, discussing a groundbreaking court case that recognizes companion animals as family members in certain legal contexts. Mariann and Christopher explore how this New York decision challenges decades of precedent that treated beloved pets as mere property rather than family, potentially opening new doors for…

08-29
01:07:16

The Hen Report: “It’s Not Happening” | Protein Myths and Animal Rights Advocacy

In this week’s Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann weave through a tapestry of topics with their signature blend of wit and passion. From Rochester’s unseasonably cold August weather to the legal victory against “Alligator Alcatraz,” the conversation takes delightful detours while tackling serious issues like the persistent protein myths still plaguing vegans and the complexities of meat reduction trends worldwide. This…

08-28
43:48

Factory Farms are VULNERABLE: Water Scarcity and Activism Are Changing Animal Agriculture | Rising Anxieties

In this week’s episode of Rising Anxieties, we examine the meat industry’s growing concerns. From water scarcity issues affecting livestock-heavy regions to unexpected anti-vax policy changes impacting animal agriculture, Mariann walks listeners through the headlines that have industry executives worried. The episode covers everything from depleting aquifers in agricultural states to the prosecution of mink liberation activists, while also exploring challenges…

08-26
16:44

Little Red Barns: Exposing Factory Farms and Fascism with Will Potter

This episode explores the powerful connections between factory farming, political repression, and the rise of authoritarianism with award-winning investigative journalist Will Potter. In a thought-provoking conversation about his new book Little Red Barns: Hiding the Truth from Farm to Fable, Potter reveals how his decade-long investigation uncovered the dangerous intersection between industrial agriculture and fascist movements. With authenticity and passion, Mariann…

08-22
59:47

The Hen Report: “A Relatively Uncontroversial Proposition” | Animal Rights Strategy with Michael Dorf

This episode features a conversation with Michael Dorf, Cornell Law School professor and animal advocate, who shares insights from his presentations at Vegan Summerfest. Jasmin and Mariann discuss their upcoming “staycation” plans while reflecting on the early days of Our Hen House. This episode explores: How human rights frameworks can be applied to animal rights advocacy The nationwide shelter crisis and…

08-14
01:30:55

Senior Dog Rescue Champions: A Conversation with Sherri Franklin of Muttville

In this heartwarming episode, Jasmin and Mariann welcome Sherri Franklin, founder and executive director of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, a groundbreaking organization that has saved over 13,000 senior dogs since 2007. What began with just 27 dogs in Sherri’s kitchen has transformed into a revolutionary cage-free shelter in San Francisco that now rescues more than 27 dogs every week. Through Sherri’s…

08-08
01:04:04

The Hen Report: “YouTube Is Ruining My Personality” | Content Creation Challenges & Animal Rights News

In this delightfully candid episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann dive into a mix of animal rights victories, personal news, and the peculiarities of content creation in the digital age. Episode Highlights: Jasmin’s Big News: Jasmin reveals she’ll be playing Judy Garland in “End of the Rainbow” at Center Stage Theater in Rochester this December. Fur Industry Collapse: Discussion…

08-07
36:04

Animal Ag’s Legal Panic: Activism Crackdowns, Banned Dairy Ads, and Perdue’s Fishy Chicken Nuggets | Rising Anxieties

In this week’s delightfully disturbing dive into animal agriculture’s paranoia, Mariann Sullivan unpacks the industry’s latest pearl-clutching over those pesky activists who have the audacity to…checks notes…document actual conditions on farms. Gasp! From Canadian farmers fretting about undercover investigations to Perdue shaping chicken meat into cute sea creatures while the plant-based industry gets crucified for “confusing” labeling, the hypocrisy reaches ocean…

08-05
15:03

Defending Animal Protection Laws: Legislative Strategies Against Big Ag Pushback

In this collaborative episode with Animal Policy Alliance, Our Hen House explores the critical defensive battles being waged in state legislatures to protect animals from harmful agricultural industry bills. From blocking anti-drone legislation in Missouri to defeating rabbit farming expansion in Connecticut, our guests share their strategies for legislative success despite being outspent and outmaneuvered by powerful industry interests. Successfully blocked…

08-01
01:04:03

The Hen Report: “Lie, lie, lie. Deny, deny, deny” | Fairlife Dairy Investigation Shutters Factory Farm

In this episode of The Hen Report, Mariann and Jasmin welcome back Richard “Kudo” Couto of Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) for a crucial   follow-up to his interview from episode 819. When Kudo first appeared on the show, his major investigation into Woodcrest Dairy was just breaking, and he couldn’t share all the details. Now he returns to reveal how ARM’s…

07-31
29:26

Trump’s Egg-scuses, Pork Politics, and Farmers’ Crocodile Tears: This Week in Animal Ag Absurdity | Rising Anxieties

In this week’s Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the theater of the absurd that is animal agriculture politics. From the Trump administration’s laughable attempt to blame California’s cage-free egg laws for nationwide price hikes (spoiler alert: it’s actually bird flu), to pork industry lobbyists desperately trying to justify their existence by fighting animal welfare laws nobody asked them to fight.…

07-29
17:15

Milania Greendevald

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11-20 Reply

Robert Devereaux

some valid ideas but presented in the usual trendy brainwashed way using trendy terminology that is classic Jasmin Singer. Other ideas, such as using time and already scarce financial resources to join human racial causes when there is tons of money, time, news stories, events, and attention bring given to this broad issue already is beyond asinine! Yes, organizations should be unbiased towards race, gender, etc. and be exposed if they don't clean up their act immediately. But this movement exists to help non-humans because humans already get tons of news, financial help, discussion on TV and radio, events, charitable organizations, etc. You women are just trend hopping so you feel relevant. Let's make sure we are not guilty of these problems within our AR organizations and let's get back to focusing on the animals!!! Stop trying to hijack and divert the focus of this movement!!

11-07 Reply

Robert Devereaux

The guest didn't see a need for everyone around the world to stop eating meat. Thanks for speaking up for the Animals, Mary Ann by disagreeing with him. HSUS has stated in the past that they aren't an animal rights organization and it's easy to see that they're not kidding. Just look at their new CEO. Good reason not to have them on or to send them MONEY. The guest made some good points and I liked his passion . They are a bizarre organization ! Other than that , a good interview. Thanks , Mary Ann.

09-28 Reply

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loved her so much. especially her speech about Cow Mom, it was really powerful. thank you for this episode.

09-23 Reply

The Vegan Feed

one of the original and longest running vegan podcasts, a must for your sub list!

12-03 Reply

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