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May 5, 2009 Unravelling the Acronym: Will Potter Exposes the AETA (Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act) 
In this interview, Will Potter, award-winning independent journalist and creator of GreenIsTheNewRed.com, demystifies the AETA (Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act) and discusses the implications of the act for advocates. Potter argues that the AETA is a significant threat not only to those who engage in illegal activities on behalf of animals, but also to aboveground activists and even to those outside of the movement. Tune in to hear about the meaning and troubling history of the law, its larger social and political context, and its particular effects on incarcerated activists. News links:
Download mp3s of the interview: November 25, 2008 ProAnima: Animal Rights Lessons from Brazil 
Brazil boasts some of the world's most progressive animal welfare legislation, but unfortunately what's on paper has not materialized for the majority of the country's animals. Despite the general lack of legal enforcement in Brazil, the organization ProAnima has made great strides for animals, and has carved a space for animal rights within public debate. ProAnima, a non-profit and volunteer group based in Brasília, focuses on ending the use of animals in circuses and horse carting, changing public policy on Leishmaniasis disease, and stopping the mass slaughter of street dogs and cats. In this interview we connect with ProAnima's founder Simone de Lima to discuss the organization's achievements, including how its members gained the police's sympathy and shifted the public's view of circuses. Additionally, de Lima details the campaign issues, while she also describes the link between colonialism and circuses, and offers fascinating insight into rural and urban attitudes toward animals. News links:
Download mp3s of the interview: Tags: Companion Animals | Politics
August 5, 2008 AnimaNaturalis: Helping Animals in Ecuador and Beyond 
A bullfight in Quito, Ecuador. © iStockphoto.com / Evert Van Scherpenzeel Fueled by a dedicated group of animal activists, AnimaNaturalis continues to effect positive change for animals in Latin America. In this interview, we connect with Paula Gilbert who provides a behind the scenes peek into the work of the organization and the treatment of animals in Ecuador, in particular. Hear how Gilbert and others use creative — and sometimes even surprising — tactics to challenge practices such as bull- and cockfighting. Listen in, too, for information about AnimaNaturalis' appeals to Ecuador's constitutional assembly. In the aftermath of those appeals, the organization wonders, should the creation of a political party for animals be the next step? News links:
Download mp3s of the interview: Tags: Politics
April 3, 2007 Cows, Colonialism, and Capitalism: Interview with David Nibert 
Well-known within the animal movements as the author of Animal Rights/Human Rights: Entanglements of Oppression and Liberation, Dr. David Nibert is a professor of Sociology at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Historically grounded, and passionately argued, Nibert's theory contends that oppression is primarily underpinned by economic gain and supported by state ideology. His scholarship offers both an economic analysis of oppression, including animal oppression, and a strong call for socialism. Beyond simply considering the roles animals have played within human society, significantly, Nibert also attempts to account for animals' experiences and perspectives throughout history. His recent paper entitled "Cows, Profits, and Genocide: The Oppressive Side of 'Beef' Consumption," recently presented at Brock's "Thinking about Animals: Domination, Captivity, Liberation" conference, carries forward Nibert's economic critique through a sustained case study. Focusing on capitalism, colonialism, and their intimate connection to the exploitation of cows, Nibert explores how the colonization of the Americas was intertwined with the growth of the "beef" industry. Provocatively, he ties his historical insights into contemporary examples: "The entangled oppression of devalued humans and cows is most obvious today in Brazil and the Darfur region in western Sudan — where murder and displacement are tied to the expansion of the profitable 'beef industry.'" Tune in to hear more about this and related arguments.
Download mp3s of the interview: December 5, 2006 Vegan Blogging & Other Indie Media: Or, the many fans of Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World On this show, we venture into the vegan blogosphere, to tackle some serious and not-so-serious questions about the role of independent media within the animal and veggie movements. Blogging, a recent player in the world of alternative media, has provided unique forums for discussion and an opportunity for vegans to challenge mainstream representations of both the diet and animal activism. Additionally, blogging has helped form virtual communities centered on marginalized perspectives or interests, even (or especially?) when local "real world" communities can be small or simply non-existent. First, we connect with Colin, a Ph.D. student in Peace Studies, who tells us about his stimulating blog veganarky.net. We learn about why he believes that veganism and anarchy fit so well together, and what two debates on his site have garnered the most attention. (Hint: Ever heard of Gary Francione or Lee Hall?) Check it out, and share some of your own words. Next up, we chat with Suzanne about the dizzying world of vegan ice cream, and the magic of arrowroot powder. From pumpkin to blueberry cheese cake, Suzanne of Vegan Ice Cream Paradise knows all the tricks for making homemade non-dairy treats. Besides being a whiz in the kitchen, the adventurous Suzanne also volunteers with Vegan Outreach. Currently, she's big on the Adopt-A-College campaign. Tune in to find out more. Then, Megan the Vegan tells us how blogging helps her express her inner foodie. Between sheets of flaky philo or snuggled into layers of yuba, Megan knows a thing or two about delicious wrapped food. But her culinary skills extend farther into hearty dishes, pretty soups, exciting salads, and much more, all beautifully plated. Despite denial of her athletic prowess, Megan also manages to squeeze in a marathon or triathlon here and there. (!) Finally, at long last, we check in with Amanda about her self-made online magazine The Toronto Vegan Project. Did you know that Toronto features an organic vegan spa, or that vegetables in taro nest is one of the most popular dishes at Bo De Duyen, a veg Chinese and Vietnamese resto? These are just a couple of insights provided through the site. The TVP offers restaurant reviews and interviews, profiles of local vegans, articles, and step-by-step recipes. We should also mention, this is tiring work for just one person! She'd love your help. Volunteer by contacting Amanda at info@torontoveganproject.com. Download mp3s of the interview: part 1 (3.46 MB) and part 2 (2.67 MB) December 27, 2005 The Green Party of Canada with leader, Jim Harris, and Environment Critic, Sharon Labchuk The Green Party of Canada will be seeking your votes in Canada's next federal election, January 23, 2006. With arguably the best animal protection plank in the world (written by Rebecca Aldworth), the GPC appears to represent a viable choice for those concerned with getting the Canadian government to prioritize animal welfare issues in parliament. However, some of the GPC's policies, like cutting taxes, may not represent the views of many leftist thinkers who would typically be in favour of voting for a party with an environmentally progressive platform. Joining us are party leader, Jim Harris, and Environment Critic, Sharon Labchuk, to discuss their party's policies. Download mp3s of the interview: part 1 (4.2 MB) and part 2 (2.54 MB) Tags: Politics
September 20, 2005 Callers discuss political strategies for change in the months before Canada’s next election 
Please visit www.ndp.ca and educate Canadian NDP leader Jack Layton about the horrors of foie gras production and ask him to join us in educating others on the plight of all factory farmed animals. From the Toronto Star: "Jack Layton is sitting on the patio of Bodega restaurant on Baldwin St. in Toronto, spreading foie gras on toast and, it seems, trying out portions of his stump speech." This quote was a springboard for an open discussion on how best to reach our political leaders in Canada, reform the political climate, and combine our efforts to make some real change for animals in this country before a spring election. Download mp3s of the interview: part 1 (3.23 MB) and part 2 (1.72 MB) Tags: Politics
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