The Farah Amber Podcast

In this episode, we're joined by Rebecca Loviconi, an investigative filmmaker and photojournalist known for her documentary Slay, which exposes the fashion industry's use of fur and animal skins. Rebecca has spent years going undercover inside factory farms across Europe, China, and the US, documenting egg operations, fur farms, dairy farms, and feedlots most people will never see.We talk about the disconnect between the products we consume and the animals they come from, the devastating reality of "winter lambing" in the wool industry, and the disturbing luxury market for baby animal skins.We also get a first look at her upcoming documentary, Crime or Rescue, which follows activists who break the law to save animals from abuse, including the story behind the historic Ridglan Farms beagle rescue, and two activists whose real-life love story unfolded during filming.To follow Rebecca's work and get updates on Crime or Rescue: find her on Instagram @rloviconiTime stamps:00:00 — Teaser00:31 — Introduction01:31 — Introduction by Rebecca02:51 — Rebecca's Path from Journalism to Investigative Filmmaking04:06 — Her First Time Inside a Factory Farm & Bearing Witness to Suffering09:19 — Why People Stay Disconnected from Where Food Comes From14:54 — Winter Lambing and the Truth Behind "Sustainable" Wool18:45 — Going Undercover at a UGG Sheepskin Factory20:11 — The Luxury Market for Baby Animal Skins22:15 — Introducing Her New Documentary, Crime or Rescue22:46 — A Love Story Born from Open Rescue24:48 — Is It a Crime, or Is It a Rescue?26:31 — Fighting for the Right to Rescue28:52 — Inside a "High Welfare" Egg Farm37:03 — The Hidden Factory Farms Behind the Pet Industry38:50 — Freedom Through Information, Not Judgment41:26 — Closing MessageThanks for listening!!Much love,Farah AmberWatch the podcast on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/0DJtvrrHA-U Connect with me: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr Connect with Rebecca: https://www.instagram.com/rloviconi More links: ⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/farahamber Contact me: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Melanie Joy, a psychologist, founding president of Beyond Carnism, and the author of eight books, including the groundbreaking Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows.Melanie breaks down the psychology of "Carnism”, the invisible belief system that conditions us to love some animals while eating others. We discuss why good people participate in harmful systems, how to handle the "annoying vegan" stereotype, and how to stay effective in our advocacy without burning out.We also talk about:The Invisible Shield: Why people shut down when talking about animalsVegan Allies: Why you don’t need everyone to go 100% vegan to make an impactNavigating Relationships: How to talk to non-vegan family without the dramaThe Pioneer Price: Managing the emotional toll of living in a non-vegan worldSustainable Activism: Why self-compassion is a tool for the long haulTo support Beyond Carnism & access free resources for advocates: go to https://www.carnism.org & https://www.veganadvocacy.org Time stamps:00:00 — Teaser00:28 — Introduction02:16 — Introduction by Melanie03:30 — How Melanie's Vegan Journey Began05:00 — Carnism: The Invisible Belief System07:46 — Navigating Relationships with Non-Vegans14:20 — Mental Health in Vegan Advocacy15:22 — Good People Can Do Harmful Things18:23 — The Importance of Effective, Non-Shaming Advocacy21:43 — How to Break Through the Carnism Bubble23:27 — The Importance of Impact over Argument30:27 — Resources & ConclusionThanks for listening!!Much love,Farah AmberWatch the podcast on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/WuVhOpb--20 Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr Connect with Melanie Joy & Beyond Carnism: https://www.instagram.com/drmelaniejoy https://www.instagram.com/beyondcarnism https://www.carnism.orgMore links: https://hoo.be/farahamber Contact me: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by Wasseem Emam, Founder and Executive Director of Ethical Seafood Research, an applied research organisation focused on improving the welfare of animals in aquatic food systems, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts. To date, ESR has helped improve the lives of over 300 million aquatic animals across 12 countries.Wasseem takes us behind the scenes of the fish farming industry, from earthen pond farms in Egypt and Kenya to the brutal realities of how fish are slaughtered, and what it actually takes to make change from the inside.We also talk about:- What aquaculture actually looks like and why it's so different from what you imagine- How ESR reached 1,000 fish farms in Egypt using a welfare assessment app- The cruel reality of how fish are killed and the more humane alternatives that exist- Why Wasseem changed his mind about salmon farming being the "gold standard"- The dark side of caviar and bluefin tuna farming- The fishmeal problem and how farmed salmon is affecting food security in Africa- The tension between animal welfare reform and animal rights abolitionTo learn more about Ethical Seafood Research and to support them, go to: ethicalseafoodresearch.org Thanks for listening!!Much love,Farah AmberTime stamps:00:00 —Teaser & Intro01:59 — Introduction by Wasseem02:51 — Founding Ethical Seafood Research03:33 — Fish Welfare in the Industry | Aquaculture vs. Wild-Caught06:05 — Zanzibar Seaweed Farming Project09:28 —The Fish Welfare Assessment App11:29 — Monitoring Transparency & Welfare Standards14:05 — How Fish Are Slaughtered on Ice & Better Methods19:22 — Animal Rights vs Welfare 22:55 — Certification Labels27:12 — Octopus Farming28:50 — Salmon Farming 32:48 — Caviar Industry & Sturgeon Welfare38:07 — Bluefin Tuna Farming42:16 — Know Your Labels43:29 — The Fishmeal Problem & Fish In: Fish Out46:08 — Stocking Density & Species Diversity 50:56 — Industry Pressure Tactics53:22 — Eyestalk Ablation54:04 — Wild-Caught vs. Farmed & Closing Thoughts59:42 — ConclusionListen to the episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/2IMIEzcDwGEConnect with me: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr Connect with Wasseem & ESR:https://www.instagram.com/wasseem.e https://www.instagram.com/ethicalseafoodresearch www.ethicalseafoodresearch.org More links: https://hoo.be/farahamber Contact me: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by two incredible activists: Zoe Rosenberg, investigator and rescuer with Direct Action Everywhere, and Rose Patterson, co-director of Animal Rising. Both are facing criminal charges for openly rescuing animals from extreme suffering and they share their stories in full.Zoe explains how she took part in a major investigation into Purdue’s Petaluma Poultry in California, uncovered routine cruelty, and rescued four severely abused chickens from the slaughterhouse floor. For saving those birds, she’s now been convicted on felony and misdemeanor charges and faces up to 4.5 years in jail at her upcoming sentencing.Rose shares the inside story of the two open rescues at MBR Acres, the UK’s notorious beagle breeding facility for animal testing. She describes entering the sheds, the smell, the conditions, and carrying puppies to safety, before being caught by police. She now faces burglary charges and up to 10 years in prison, with trials running throughout 2025 and early 2026.To support Zoe, Rose, and ongoing rescue trials: go to animalrising.org and directactioneverywhere.com Thanks for listening!!Much love,Farah AmberTime stamps:00:00 — Introduction01:38 — Zoe’s Introduction02:16 — Rose’s Introduction03:07 — Zoe’s Rescue at Petaluma Poultry05:26 — Rose’s Rescue at MBR Acres09:22 — What They Hope These Trials Will Change14:54 — Why They Rescued These Animals21:57 — How It Feels to Be Prosecuted for Saving Lives25:33 — ConclusionWatch the podcast on Youtube here. Connect with me: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr Connect with Rose & Zoe: https://www.instagram.com/rose__patterson/ https://www.instagram.com/zoe_rooster/ https://www.instagram.com/directactioneverywhere/ https://www.instagram.com/animal.rising More links: ⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/farahamber Contact me: [email protected]

In this episode, we’re joined by Rose Patterson and Ben Newman, co-director of Animal Rising, the UK group behind some of the most high-profile animal rights actions of the last few years.Rose and Ben share the full story of their open rescues at MBR Acres, the UK’s only beagle breeding facility for animal testing, including how they infiltrated the site, broke in under 24/7 security, and carried beagle puppies to freedom.For saving those dogs, they’re now facing burglary charges and potential prison sentences of up to 10 years, with trials beginning at the end of 2025.We also talk about:Why beagles are used in toxicology tests and what actually happens to themThe emotional reality of going inside farmsAnimal Rising’s strategy to end factory farming in the UKTheir massive nationwide investigationHow they’re blocking new factory farms through legal challenges and local campaignsTo support Animal Rising & the beagle rescue trials: go to animalrising.org Thanks for listening!!Much love,Farah AmberTime stamps:00:00 — Introduction01:33 — Introduction by Rose & Ben02:07 — Ben’s Vegan Journey03:20 — Rose’s Vegan Journey04:30 — Beagle Rescue at MBR Acres15:30 — Arrests & Charges for the Rescue17:20 — Animal Rising’s Project to End Factory Farming20:06 — CAFF System & Blocking Factory Farms22:20 — How to Support Animal Rising25:10 — ConclusionWatch the podcast on Youtube here.Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr Connect with Rose & Ben at Animal Rising: https://www.instagram.com/animal.rising  https://www.instagram.com/rose__patterson/ https://www.instagram.com/bennewman90 www.animalrising.org More links: ⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/farahamber Contact me: [email protected]