Will Potter's novel "Little Red Barns: Hiding the Truth, From Farm to Fable" had an instant impact on me. Beyond it being exceptionally readable despite delving into dark topics, the book resonated with me as a former journalist who similarly felt the tension between "bearing witness" and living the story you're telling. Unsurprisingly, Will described that this 10 year project turned into something of a memoir as he navigated the shifting landscape of government repression of activist movements, particularly the animal rights movement."Little Red Barns" takes us beyond the mythical barnyard walls the industry has intentionally erected into the reality of modern animal agriculture. The words on the pages are alarming because the apocalyptic world it describes is right down the road, not far off. And today, not in the future.Beyond Will's extraordinary books, including "Green is the New Red" which I also highly recommend, I deeply enjoyed getting a chance to speak with him, and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Will's websiteWill's YouTube"Little Red Barns""Green is the New Red"Will's IGWill's FBWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

I recently came across a story in the Raleigh News&Observer about PETA condemning research Duke University scientists were conducting on pigs to study decompression sickness, or "the Bends." This grotesque study subjected pigs to unspeakable suffering, and ultimately death. Shriya Swaminathan, science policy advisor at PETA, has been on top of the issue for years. Just 3 years prior she was on another podcast talking about similar research being conducted on sheep at the University of Wisconsin Madison. I wonder how many animals will pay the price for humanity's hubris.This type of work can be grim and depressing, so I feel deeply grateful for people like Shriya who dedicate their lives to pursuing an end to this exploitation. I highly encourage everyone to follow the links below and urge an immediate end to cruel testing on animals.

This podcast is also available on YouTube.Links:Act NowPETA's YouTubeNews&Observer storyPETA's IGPETA's FBPETA's TikTokWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

Animal rights attorney Wayne Hsiung revisits the podcast to give an update on the Ridglan beagle trial. It's Wayne's first time on the podcast since we became co-defendants for rescuing dogs from Ridglan Farms, a notorious breeder of laboratory beagles.

Wayne explains how on August 24th, our due process rights were violated and how this fits into a pattern in the legal system, and institutions as a whole. Luckily we have voices and microphones we intend to use, but the animals too often have no one to speak out for them. Stay tuned for developments in the Ridglan trial.

Join the Save the Dogs summit from Sept. 4-6 in Madison, WI. Details here

Join the March to Abolish Animal Testing Sept. 12-26

https://savethedogs.io/ for all the info you need.

Additional links:

Wayne's YouTube

Wayne's blog

Wayne's IG

Wayne's TikTok

Wayne's FaceBook

Watch Earthlings

Watch Dominion