The Woke Stutters Podcast

Episode 2: Susie Coston, National Shelter Director of Farm Sanctuary 

James Hyams and AJ Garcia's appearance on the Livegan Podcast. Listen to their conversation with co-hosts Kevin Lahey and Ben Le Roi. 

Season 1 finale! Ari and Mikko host the weekly vegan podcast, The VeganAri Show. They both have been involved in animal activism for over a decade. 

Episode 26: International Director of Corporate Outreach for Animal Equality, Jaya BhumitraHello and welcome back to the Woke Stutters Podcast. I am your host AJ Garcia. For episode 26, I am joined by the fabulous Jaya Bhumitra. Jaya has more than 15 years of campaigns, public affairs, and public relations experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors. She earned bachelor’s degrees in international business and marketing from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University. She currently serves as International Director of Corporate Outreach for Animal Equality, an Animal Charity Evaluators Top Charity, leading teams in Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Spain, India, Germany, the UK, and the U.S. working to effect policy changes that reduce the suffering of animals raised and killed for food. Jaya also serves on the advisory council of Encompass  and she serves on the board of Food Empowerment Project, I had both Aryenish and Lauren on the podcast a couple of months back so make sure to check those episodes out to learn about those two amazing organizations. Finally, Jaya is the editor of The Enlightenment Adventures, a series of animal-protection-themed novels by Christopher Locke, her partner in life and advocacy.

Episode 24: Development Projects Manager at the Humane League, Kristen DiederichFor episode 24, I speak The Humane League’s Development Projects Manager Kristen Diederich. As Development Projects Manager, Kristen manages direct mail and online giving. Most recently Kristen was a strong advocate of Proposition 12, which passed in California and will improve the lives of millions of animals. The Humane League ’s strategy includes hard-hitting corporate campaigns and wide-ranging outreach and education programs, supported by an extensive network of organizations, activists and supporters around the world. Kristen and I met back in 2013 while working for Mercy For Animals, and introduced her to Sprinkles’ Red Velvet Cupcakes.  

Episode 23: Author of the upcoming memoir "A Girl's Faith, Karina CalverFor episode 23 of the Woke Stutters Podcast, I am joined by Karina Calver. Karina is vegan, a trauma and relationship counselor, motivational speaker and author of the upcoming memoir A Girl’s Faith. A Girl’s Faith , due out in January, is a memoir about the extremely difficult years she endured and how she has turned her life around and become the woman she is today. Karina is one of the leaders of Hong Kong’s #Metoo movement. She speak outs in the press and is an organizer for the ‘#Metoo. Now what? Workshop’, where everyone is invited to learn, understand and tackle the horrible thing that is sexual abuse. Karina is a true inspiration and it was an honor speaking with her. With out further or due, I give you, Karina Calver. 

Episode 22 -  Executive Director of Egg-Truth, Nigel OsborneFor episode 22, I speak with the Executive Director of Egg-Truth, Nigel Osborne. Egg-Truth is an on-line resource designed to educate and inform consumers about the true nature of global egg production, the impact on the animals, and reveal the consequences on human health from egg consumption.Nigel has years of experience related to animal rights and on-line advocacy. He personally supports a variety of organizations from farm sanctuaries, animal rescue organizations and animal rights groups. Nigel's extensive background in the publishing, outdoor advertising, printing and web design industries over the last 25 years provides him with a strong, creative acumen and business management experience. Through Egg-Truth.com and it's social media channels, Nigel seeks to increase awareness among the public about global egg production and expose the conditions for the billions of hens condemned to laying every year.Source: https://www.egg-truth.com/our-team/

Episode 21Erica Meier - Executive Director of Compassion Over KillingErica has served as COK’s Executive Director since 2005, after being an active volunteer starting in 2000. Since taking the helm, she’s taken the organization to new heights with continued growth and accomplishments for animals that include ending the egg industry’s use of the misleading claim “Animal Care Certified” and successfully persuading BOCA foods to stop using eggs. Vegan for 20 years, Erica has been working in the animal protection field since college. In 2013, she was honored with the prestigious Animal Rights Hall of Fame award. Before working at COK, Erica spent several years as an animal control officer in Washington, DC where she rescued sick, stray, and homeless animals as well as enforced anti-cruelty laws.Source: http://cok.net/about/staff/

Episode 20Vegan Chef, Eddie GarzaEddie is a vegan chef and leading figure in the movement to reform food systems in Latinx communities. Garza and his work have been featured by a wide variety of media outlets in the United States and Latin America, including CNN, ¡HOLA! TV, People en Español, Telemundo, Univision, TV Azteca, Canal Nuestra Tele (Colombia), TV Venezuela, El Tiempo y El Colombiano (Colombia). Garza has collaborated with some of the nation’s most influential school districts and higher education institutions to develop and implement innovative plant-based meal programs, and has conducted culinary trainings and ideations for major hospitals, restaurant groups, culinary schools, and public school systems. Garza is a sought-after speaker, culinary coach, and bestselling author of ¡Salud! Vegan Mexican Cookbook.Source: http://www.eddiegarza.net

Epidose 19The Bearded Vegans  - Andy Tabar and Paul Steller Andy Tabar and Paul Stella, hosts of the Bearded Vegans podcast.  Paul and Andy come on every week for a discussion about all things vegan including news, reviews, interviews and issues within the vegan community. And in case you’re wondering, no, they don’t talk about their beards!

Episode 18Clifton Roberts has nearly three decades of corporate organization experiences in the technology, finance, & healthcare industries.   In his current role as Director of Cloud Policy, Clifton works with governments around the world to influence policy & legislation that is friendly to the evolution of technology while protecting the rights of consumers. Clifton previously worked in corporate ethics & compliance, working to ensure that the world’s largest producer of semi-conductors conduct business with uncompromising integrity. Clifton graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in communication design.   Clifton, who has been a vegan for 20 years, served as the 3rd ever Chief Executive Officer of the Humane Party, where he became known as a visionary in the areas of social justice, environmentalism, and animal rights. During this tenure, Clifton established the Humane Party's current conference structure and finalized proposals for ground-breaking legislation, including three proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution:American Primate Emancipation (“APE”) Amendment, which abolishes slavery with respect to all primatesEqual Rights Amendment II, which guarantees equality under the law regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender, or choice of spouse or partnerDemocracy Amendment, which replaces the Electoral College system with democratic election of the U.S. PresidentIn 2016, Clifton became the Humane Party’s first candidate for President of the United States of America and in 2018, Roberts became the party’s first ever candidate for United States Senate.   Clifton, a United States citizen, was born at Yukota Air Force Base in Japan  and currently resides in Elk Grove, California. Additional information on Clifton Roberts and his vision for a prosperous, sustainable, and cruelty-free economy is being made available through the official website for his Political campaigns (www.cliftonroberts.org).

Episode 17Rachel McCrystal - Executive Director at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. Rachel joined Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in 2014 as the organization’s first Development Director. She led the campaign to move the Sanctuary to its new location in 2015 and has mentored and managed all of the external relations for the organization. Prior to that, Rachel served in senior leadership positions at Best Friends Animal Society and the Pennsylvania SPCA. Her move into the role of Executive Director in April of 2017 cements a decade long career in service to animal rights and rescue. Before her nonprofit career, Rachel was a journalist and a ballroom dancer. She volunteers with many rescue and vegan groups, including doing humane education alongside her adored rescued pit bull, Mazzy.Source: Meet the Staff - Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

Episode 16 Ben Le Roi - Co-founder of Nation Rising and co-host of The Livegan Podcast!Be Le Roi is an animal rights activist from Southern Ontario’s farm country. He has participated in many forms of activism from vigils, marches, disruptions, cubes and various forms of outreach. He was the creator of the Scary Movie Challenge, which gained worldwide attention. Ben is a co-founder of Nation Rising. Nation Rising  is a grassroots political advocacy group. We’re bringing together individuals and organizations across Canada concerned about the environment, health, and animal rights to put pressure on the government to stop the multi-billion dollar subsidies that go to animal agriculture. Also, Ben is a co-host along side Kevin Lahey for the very popular Livegan podcast. The Livegan dedicated to learning from inspirational guests and discussing how to be a more effective activist within the growing animal rights movement.Sources: Nation Rising , Rochester VegFest

Episode 15 Jake Conroy: Digital Desing Coordinator at the Rainforest Action NetworkJake Conroy is a long-time activist, designer, and writer.  He has been involved in a wide range of grassroots activism since 1995. His dedication to change is almost matched for his desire to make it look good. Over the last 15 years, Jake has honed his skills in the fine arts, print and digital design in order to better convey messages of change to the general public in an exciting, appealing and educational way.Jake is also a co-founder of Ocean Defense International, and helped lead the first ever disruption of a whale hunt in US coastal waters. He also helped build the foundation of Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty USA (SHAC USA), one of the most successful grassroots animal rights campaigns in history. Due to his involvement with SHAC USA, he was a co-defendant in the SHAC7 case and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison. Sources: Rainforest Action Network: Our Team  , The BaseFind out more Jake and his work: FacebookTwitterForest Action NetworkAre We Winning // A Challenge to James AspeyMy Friends Do The Coolest Sh*t // Episode 1: Michael PetrelisMusic:Pulbic Enemy: Fear of a Black Planet Earth CrisisBook Recommendations: Ready for Revolution: The Life and Struggles of Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture)

Episode 14Lauren Ornelas - Founder and Executive Director of the Food Empowerment ProjectLauren has been active in the animal rights movement for more than 30 years. She is the former executive director of Viva!USA, a national nonprofit vegan advocacy organization that Viva!UK asked her to start in 1999. While lauren was the director of Viva!USA, she investigated factory farms and ran consumer campaigns. In cooperation with activists across the country, she persuaded Trader Joe’s to stop selling all duck meat and achieved corporate changes within Whole Foods Market, Pier 1 Imports, and others, and she helped halt the construction of an industrial dairy operation in California. lauren was also the spark that got the founder of Whole Foods Market to become a vegan. In addition, she served as campaign director with the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition for six years. WatchSource : Food Empowerment Project - Our TeamFound out more Lauren and her work @ Food Empowerment ProjectFacebookTwitterYouTubeBlogSupport The Food Empowerment Project : DonateLauren’s TEDx Talk: Watch on YouTubeLinks to other things mentioned in the Podcast:F.E.P.’s Chocolate List appVallejo: City of Opportunity Lacks Access to Healthy FoodBringing Community Voices to the Table; Food Access in San José Data Analysis Book Recommendations: Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism: New Tactics, New TechnologyBleating Hearts: The Hidden World of Animal SufferingA Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Compassion Toward AllAuthor Recommendations: Carol Adams Practice JonesTracye McQuarterDr. Breeze HarperAph KoMark HawthorneChimamanda Ngozi AdichieSandra Cisneros

KR (short for Karla Rosa) Vargas is a queer, vegan Xicanista born in California to immigrant parents from Central and South America. They have over 10 years of experience speaking in front of an audience, and have traveled across the U.S. and overseas working in community development, conflict resolution, human rights, animal rights, sexual and domestic abuse, and mass incarceration.A first generation American and college graduate, KR has also published empowering stories of overcoming poverty and abuse to find strength in activism and social work. They are available to speak at conferences, festivals, and other events interested in the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, health, food, and speciesism.Karla has a degree in Communication from Ithaca College in New York, and is certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies in partnership with Cornell University.   Pronouns: they/them/theirsSource: https://www.larazaforliberation.org/team/Find out more about KR and their work @ La Raza for LiberationLa Raza for Liberation on Facebook Suppor KR and La Raza for LiberationLa Raza for Liberation on PatreonBook Recommendations by KRFood Justice: A PrimerVeganism in an Oppressive World 

Woke Stutters Episode 12 - Jacy Reese Jacy Reese is the Research Director of Sentience Institute, a nonprofit think tank researching how social movements succeed in expanding humanity’s moral circle using the perspective of effective altruism. He is currently writing a book, The End of Animal Farming (November 2018), that illuminates humanity’s transition to an animal-free food system.Hello and welcome back to the Woke Stutters Podcast. I am your host AJ Garcia and today I speak with Jacy Reese. Jacy is a writer, social scientist, and co-founder of Sentience Institute. He previously worked as a Senior Fellow at Sentience Politics, and before that at Animal Charity Evaluators as Chair of the Board of Directors and then as a full-time researcher. On November 6th,, he is publishing his first book, The End of Animal Farming, which “outlines an evidence-based roadmap to a humane, ethical, efficient food system where slaughterhouses are obsoleteFind out more about Jacy and his work @ Jacy Reese WebsiteJacy on FacebookJacy on TwitterThe Sentience InstituteOther things mentions on this podcastWhy Fact Don't Change our MindsThe Good Food InstituteImpossible FoodsBeyond MeatFarming Attitudes Survey 2017British-Anti Slavery Case StudyJacy on TEDx80,000 HoursAnimal Charity Evaluators

Episode 11 : Tobias Leenaert Tobias Leenaert, aka the Vegan Strategist. Tobias is the author of How to Creater a Vegan World: a Pragmatic Approach. He is a slow opinionist, effective altruist and a strategist who gives presentations around the world about vegan advocacy. He is the cofounder and former director of EVA (Ethical Vegetarian Alternative), a Belgian organization. EVA is the first vegetarian/vegan organization to receive funding from the a national government and successfully launched a campaign that resulted in the city of Ghent to be the first city to officially adopt a weekly vegetarian day. Tobias also co-founded Proveg International which is a food awareness organization that wants to reduce the consumption of animal products worldwide with 50% by 2040. Find out more about Tobias Leenaert's work : Vegan strategist : www.veganstrategist.org Book:  How to Create a Vegan World: a Pragmatic ApproachProVeg International : www.proveg.com Email : Tobias@veganstrategist.orgFacebook : www.facebook.com/tobiasleenaert

Woke Stutters Episode 10Episode 10 : AJ Garcia interviews Animal Rights Activist Rich Adams aka Rich the Vegan. Woke Stutters host AJ Garcia talks with Rich Adams about his incredible 633km trek across South Korea, Something he did in the name of animal liberation. We also talk about his journey to becoming vegan and what are some effective ways to do activism. Today, for episode 10, I interview Rich Adams, aka Rich the Vegan. Rich is one extraordinary human being. He trekked 633km all  the way across South Korea to raise awareness about animal liberation. He did this nothing but a kick scooter, no motor. Rich shares his amazing experience, his journey into veganism and some effective ways to advocate for animals. Rich and I first met about 8 years ago before we both became vegan and it is super cool to hear his story and journey.Get in Touch With Rich: Facebook:Rich AdamsRich The VeganInstagramRich.The.VeganKDS Adoption ProfileAdopt a Dog

An interview founder and executive director of Encompass Aryenish Birdie. Prior to Encompass Aryenish spent seven years at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine promoting alternatives to animal tests, where she was As a federal lobbyist. In addition to her involvement in animal protection, Aryenish has worked in other social justice movements, including those striving for racial empowerment, queer rights, and reproductive freedom. Aryenish and I talk about the urgent need for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive animal protection movement. We also discuss #Metoo and #ARMeToo, and how to get rid of the toxicity that is any form of harassment in the workplace and society as a whole. As a minority and a survivor of sexual harassment myself, this episode hits home.  Extras : Encompass : http://encompassmovement.orgThe Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong, Dan Pallotta : https://youtu.be/bfAzi6D5FpMAJ Garcia's #ARMeToo Statement : https://www.facebook.com/AJGarciaLive/posts/1181326428670398?pnref=story