Our Hen House

In this week’s interview, Jasmin and Mariann sit down with filmmaker Ray Cruzzola, founder of World Change Media, to discuss his moving documentary I’m Trying — a tribute to Canadian animal rights activist Regan Russell, who was killed in 2020 while protesting outside a pig slaughterhouse. Ray shares how he uses cinematic storytelling as a tool for social change, why he…

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann cover a wide range of topics: Jasmin shares behind-the-scenes moments from her theater rehearsal, including an organic conversation about veganism, tallow lotion, and gelatin that unfolded among cast members without any agenda-pushing on her part. She also pays tribute to the legacy of Tommy Raskin, animal rights activist and son of…

The animal rights movement has found its big tent: everyone hates factory farming, right? In this solo rant, Mariann Sullivan ponders “anti-factory farming” as a unifying movement strategy — specifically, the inconvenient fact that being against something isn’t the same as having a plan to replace it. She also takes on a growing narrative that out-and-proud veganism is somehow the movement’s…

In a landmark ruling, a federal court in the Northern District of California struck down four of six challenged Trump administration regulations that had significantly weakened the Endangered Species Act’s core enforcement mechanisms. Host Mariann Sullivan speaks with Noah Greenwald, Endangered Species Program Director at the Center for Biological Diversity, about the case — what was challenged, what the court decided,…

In this episode of The Hen Report, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan speak with Julia Reinelt, Executive Director of AVA International, about the upcoming Animal and Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit in Toronto (May 21–24). Julia walks listeners through what first-timers can expect, highlights the conference’s Whova app for networking and scheduling, and previews standout speakers — including documentary photographer Zed…

This week on Rising Anxieties, Mariann doesn’t let you look away — from the chaotic and heartbreaking Ridglan “rescue” that wasn’t, to a Yale study proving that just showing people a picture of a pig reduces meat orders by 22% (yes, really). Along the way, she covers a vegan vendor pushed out of Time Out Market for refusing to serve dairy,…

In this interview episode of Our Hen House, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan sit down with vegan zoologist, author, and activist Jordi Casamitjana for a wide-ranging conversation about the philosophy, legal landscape, and long-term vision of the vegan movement. Ethical veganism as a protected belief: Jordi shares the full story behind the landmark 2020 UK legal case that held that ethical…

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan cover a range of stories at the intersection of animal rights, activism, and culture. They dive deep into the ongoing Ridglan Farms beagle rescue situation — with a planned April 19th action drawing thousands — and the support from Congressman Mark Pocan, who pushed back on Ridglan’s request for…

This week on Rising Anxieties, Mariann runs through a lineup of stories that have the animal agriculture industry sweating — from a ballot initiative that could make killing animals for food illegal in Oregon, to the egg board spending a cool million to get scrambled eggs into school cafeterias, to bird flu quietly turning dairy cows into a mammalian petri dish.…

Rose Patterson, Director of Animal Rising in the UK, joins Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan for a deep dive into one of the most daring and legally complex animal rescue stories in recent UK history. Rose shares how Animal Rising evolved from a climate-focused Extinction Rebellion offshoot into a frontline animal rights organization, and what it really takes to challenge the…

In this week’s Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan mark Mariann’s 76th birthday with a wide-ranging conversation touching on animal rights, food trends, and the power of changing your mind. Mariann reflects on her Rising Anxieties episode, connecting the Declaration of Independence’s “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to animal rights, while Jasmin shares updates on her theater rehearsals…

It’s Mariann’s 76th birthday, and instead of cake, she’s serving up a surprisingly coherent framework for moving the animal rights movement forward — one that borrows from the Founding Fathers, sidesteps the usual vegan vs. welfarist cage match, and lands on a deceptively simple idea: animals deserve the right to pursue happiness, starting with the right to raise their own young.…

In this episode, Mariann sits down with Bruce Friedrich, Founder and President of The Good Food Institute and author of Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity’s Favorite Food and Our Future, for a wide-ranging conversation about why the plant-based and cultivated meat revolution isn’t dead — it’s just getting started. Alternative proteins are a global food security imperative,…

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan tackle three meaty topics: the psychological toll of watching graphic animal footage, the loaded politics of the word “vegan” (is it an identity, a type of food, a diet, or a moral theory?), and the bizarre cultural obsession with meat as a symbol of masculinity — from a Texas…

Mariann Sullivan returns with another serving of industry-grade anxiety, covering everything from animal rights extremism accusations and the Trump administration’s failed egg lawsuit to cultivated meat bans, dairy farmers who think new brushes make up for everything, and a New York Times writer who is absolutely certain her sled dogs are volunteers. It’s a lot — but that’s kind of the…

When Canadian animal rights lawyer and Animal Justice Executive Director Camille Labchuk discovered that a Manitoba horse exporter had shipped 97 horses to Japan in December 2022 — on a rerouted flight projected to exceed Canada’s 28-hour transport limit and without a legally required contingency plan covering the full journey — she did something almost unheard of in Canadian animal law:…

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann are joined by open rescue pioneer Adam Durand to discuss the dramatic March 15th Ridglan Rescue — a coordinated action in which 100 activists descended on a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility supplying dogs to medical research labs, ultimately freeing 22 dogs despite reinforced doors, an aggressively blocking vehicle, and on-site arrests.…

This week on Rising Anxieties, Mariann digs into the messy, maddening world of animal agriculture — where trade economics trump bird lives, hunting bans aren't actually hunting bans, a Wisconsin egg farm is trying to buy public wetlands to keep nature away from its chickens, and the dairy lobby is running a protein campaign that conveniently forgot soy milk exists. Avian…

Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan sit down with Penimah (Penny) Tehilah, Executive Director of the Animal Activism Collective (AAC), and Suzie Stork, Executive Director of the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT), for a deep dive into the strategy, structure, and surprising effectiveness of grassroots animal rights campaigning — and why winnable, targeted pressure campaigns are one of the most…

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann dive into the emotional and political landscape of animal advocacy — from the dramatic DXE rescue operation at Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin to a surprising New York Times piece on MAGA figures warming up to animal rights. They also celebrate a major legal win for the long-stalled New York City foie…

Mariann Sullivan is in her feelings — and honestly, same. This week on Rising Anxieties, she unpacks the emotional rollercoaster of the Ridglan beagle rescue, where activists risked arrest to free dogs from a Wisconsin testing facility, and then pivots to the slower-motion disasters unfolding in legislatures and regulatory agencies across the country. Ridglan Farms rescue – 22 beagles freed, 8…

In this timely conversation, Dr. Michael Klaper and Dr. Zach Burns join Jasmin and Mariann to discuss the growing movement to integrate nutrition education into medical school curricula, and why plant-based medicine is more urgently needed — and more achievable — than ever. The episode covers: RFK Jr. secured commitments from 53 U.S. medical schools to add nutrition curriculum, opening the…

Join Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan in this engaging episode of The Hen Report as they delve into the latest in animal rights. From a review of the new Pixar film Hoppers to exploring the idea of existential welfare campaigns, this episode is packed with activism insight. They also discuss whether it's actually true that vegans are widely disliked and the…

Mariann Sullivan dives into the latest animal rights news, exploring why activists’ maps, while totally legal, have the industry up in arms in California and beyond. This episode of Rising Anxieties tackles the ever-evolving strategies of animal activists and the nervous industry responses. This episode explores: The launch of an interactive map by DXE of California’s livestock sector. The impact of…

Join us this week for an engaging conversation with Sarah Levy and Captain Paul Watson as they discuss their groundbreaking book, The Only Flag Worth Flying: Direct Action and The Enforcement of International Marine Conservation Law. This episode dives into the critical challenges facing marine life and how the Captain Paul Watson Foundation is stepping in to fill enforcement gaps. This…

In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan delve into the psychological barriers to activism and the importance of community action for animal rights. They discuss a thought-provoking YouTube video that explores feelings of powerlessness and how to overcome them. The conversation highlights the role of community and small actions in creating significant change for animals. This…

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan delves into the shifting landscape of the meat industry, where giants in the animal-abuse industry are quietly investing in plant-protein startups while publicly supporting beef. Join us for a witty yet insightful examination of the meat industry’s latest moves. This episode explores: Investment in plant-based startups amidst their beef promotions. The changing politics…

In this episode of the Animal Law Podcast, Mariann Sullivan sits down with Dr. Neil Dullaghan, political scientist and author of The Compassion Mandate: Remaking the European Union’s Leadership on Farmed Animal Welfare. Together, they explore the complexities and challenges of EU farmed animal policies. This episode explores: The historical progress and current state of farmed animal welfare in the EU.…

Join Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan as they dive into thought-provoking discussions on activism and communication strategies. This episode explores the importance of listening and asking questions to foster change, drawing from insights in Adam Grant's Think Again. Mariann shares her thoughts on building a big tent for animal lovers, emphasizing the need to connect on shared values. Tune in for…

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the tangled web of meat industry self-love, dubious animal welfare claims, and the ever-pressing need for more protein (or is it fiber?). Join us as we unravel the contradictions and complexities that plague the world of animal agriculture. This episode explores: The meat industry’s self-aggrandizing narratives and how they obscure the…

The pet bird industry conceals shocking cruelty behind closed doors, with millions of birds suffering in commercial breeding facilities that supply major pet store chains. In this powerful interview, Cameron Harsh, Interim US Executive Director at World Animal Protection US, reveals the disturbing findings of their recent investigation into bird mills and discusses efforts to end this exploitative trade through legislative…

This episode of The Hen Report explores how to navigate a world filled with animal exploitation. Jasmin and Mariann discuss finding balance between ethical living and practical engagement with mainstream culture—from mentally veganizing cooking shows to exploring local towns with a vegan eye. They share encouraging news about Indonesia banning elephant rides and the USDA’s pause on methane digesters that have…

In this eye-opening episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan exposes the dairy and animal agriculture industry’s latest manipulation tactics with her signature wit and clarity. From the misleading rhetoric attempting to justify livestock mistreatment, to the dairy industry’s aggressive push to get whole milk back into schools, to the disturbing “Beef on Dairy Revolution” that commodifies cows’ reproductive systems, this episode…

Animal Outlook‘s recent investigation into six New York “family farms” selling raw milk reveals these operations subject cows to the same cruel practices found in industrial dairy, despite marketing based on pastoral imagery and claims of superior animal welfare. Executive Director Ben Williamson shares how their undercover work exposed filthy living conditions, painful health issues, and public health risks that led…

This week’s Hen Report explores the complex intersection of animal rights with technology, research, and activism. Hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan dive into the ethical implications of AI on animal welfare, highlighting how AI systems reflect human biases against animals while potentially offering both setbacks and opportunities for animal advocacy. The episode also covers groundbreaking developments in primate research, ongoing…

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into how the animal agriculture industry is getting increasingly nervous about the accelerating momentum of animal rights activism. From Wyoming rodeo defenders panicking over a proposed NYC rodeo ban to Oregon’s groundbreaking ballot initiative that would remove exemptions from animal cruelty laws, the industry’s anxieties are on full display. Meanwhile, dairy farmers’…

In this eye-opening episode of Our Hen House, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan speak with Jan Dutkiewicz and Gabriel Rosenberg about their groundbreaking new book, Feed the People: Why Industrial Food Is Good and How to Make It Even Better. The authors present compelling evidence that our food system myths are preventing real progress, particularly when it comes to animal agriculture,…

In this week’s episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann dive into critical discussions about animal advocacy and the many ways we can all contribute to changing the world for animals. The conversation explores different approaches to animal activism beyond just career choices, highlighting the importance of finding your unique path in the movement. This episode explores: The debate around…

Mariann Sullivan dives into the animal agriculture industry’s mounting concerns, from suspicious attacks on farmer advocacy groups to the triple threat of disease outbreaks threatening farmed animals nationwide. This episode explores how Big Ag’s propaganda machine works overtime to discredit genuine farmer coalitions while simultaneously battling an unprecedented rise in health crises that their own practices help perpetuate. This episode explores:…

In this compelling episode, Mariann Sullivan interviews Wayne Hsiung and attorney Steffen Seitz about Wayne’s conviction following animal rescues at factory farms in California. The case hinges on several groundbreaking legal arguments, including the judge’s refusal to allow a necessity defense for rescuing suffering animals, constitutional concerns about the treatment of veganism as a belief system, and First Amendment implications for…

In this thought-provoking episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan welcome Harvard Law student Akber Khan to discuss the complex intersections of animal rights activism with the unfolding political crisis in America. As political tensions heighten in the US and globally, they explore how animal advocates can effectively position their work within anti-fascist frameworks while navigating challenging conversations…

This episode of Rising Anxieties dissects a New York Review of Books article that acknowledges factory farm horrors while stopping short of the obvious conclusion: stop eating chickens. Mariann cuts through the nonsense of backyard chicken enthusiasts who claim moral superiority while perpetuating exploitation; eye-rolls at legislators who prioritize wolf delisting and “official chicken wing flavors” over meaningful change; and questions…

This episode explores the hidden realities of fish farming with Laura Lee Cascada, founder of the Aquaculture Accountability Project. Despite being marketed as an environmentally friendly solution to overfishing, aquaculture has created factory farms on water that cause widespread suffering to sea animals, contribute to environmental degradation, and pose serious human health risks. Cascada debunks the industry’s greenwashing tactics and reveals…

In this candid episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann explore the striking parallels between fascism and animal exploitation while navigating our current political climate. The hosts share their struggles with maintaining focus during times of political upheaval, discussing how the same mechanisms that enable factory farming—othering, dehumanization, and secrecy—mirror tactics used by authoritarian regimes. Despite the heaviness of these…

The animal agriculture industry’s nightmares are our fuel this week as Mariann dives into the poultry sector’s desperate scramble to combat the mysterious avian metapneumovirus that’s dethroned bird flu as their top concern. Meanwhile, Big Ag’s dystopian push to expand the H-2A visa program threatens to create a permanent underclass of “temporarily permanent” workers with virtually no rights—because nothing says “ethical…

In this thought-provoking interview, Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka return to Our Hen House to discuss their groundbreaking new book Animals and the Right to Politics from Oxford University Press. The authors challenge us to move beyond simply acknowledging animals’ moral status and instead recognize them as capable of making collective decisions within their communities, explaining that the “inner citadel of…

In this lively episode of The Hen Report, hosts Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan navigate the evolving landscape of animal advocacy with their signature blend of wit and wisdom. From discussing the first recorded death from “meat tick” syndrome to analyzing a New York Times article on grass-fed beef’s environmental impact, they balance serious animal rights content with moments of levity.…

In this entertaining episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan and legal expert Michael Dorf dive headfirst into the bizarre world of RFK Jr.’s controversial new food pyramid and dietary guidelines. With equal parts horror and humor, they dissect how these scientifically questionable recommendations prioritize beef consumption while dismissing plant-based diets through deeply flawed analysis. The episode explores the concerning environmental implications…

In this profound conversation with animal rights lawyer Wayne Hsiung, we explore the reasons for his journey into seminary studies, his wife Rose Patterson’s upcoming legal battles for rescuing beagles from MBR Acres and sheep from King Charles’s farm in the UK, and the potential watershed moment for ending animal experimentation with RFK Jr.’s recent statements as Secretary of Health and…

In this thought-provoking episode of The Hen Report, Mariann Sullivan is joined by Cornell Law professor and animal advocate Michael Dorf to explore the complex phenomenon of “strange bedfellows” in the animal rights movement. They examine how activists navigate situations where they find themselves aligned with unexpected allies on animal issues, while potentially disagreeing on other social and political matters. This…

In this episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan dives into the meat industry’s desperate attempts to declare veganism “dead” while simultaneously scrambling to rebrand their unsustainable practices. With her signature blend of skepticism and hope, Mariann unpacks Jessica Scott-Reid’s insightful Sentient Media article that reveals how Big Animal Ag’s obituaries for veganism conveniently ignore their own $300 billion industry’s massive lobbying…