When I first met Taj Uppal, he came across to me as soft-spoken but confident and determined. I remember being unsurprised to later see a video of Taj, now an attorney, attempting to give a police officer animal cruelty evidence of a Meyenberg goat milk factory farm in California. Taj had just helped to rescue emaciated baby goats from the Whole Foods supplier and had returned, along with his fellow rescuers, in the hopes of helping the rest of the animals. Taj was instead arrested, and later charged with felonies. He and three others face over 6 years in prison for their role in the rescue.

Taj is putting an enormous amount on the line for his convictions: specifically a promising law career, and his own freedom. But what so resonates with me is the pain and guilt he feels for the suffering that is shared amongst his loved ones. It's something I share with Taj, when taking on high-risk actions, the idea of causing stress and worry to those closest to me is an enormous weight to carry. I really appreciate that Taj is open and vulnerable enough to share it with the world. I hope that Taj's family sees what a truly remarkable person they raised. He embodies some of the best qualities we can have as people: compassion, kindness, courage, humility, sacrifice. Taj's actions were out of love for suffering animals, and a burning desire to alleviate that suffering. They should be celebrated, not prosecuted.

This conversation is also available on YouTube.

Links:

Taj's substack

Taj's IG

Rescue video

Direct Action Everywhere

Right to Rescue

Watch Dominion

Watch Earthlings

Back when I started my podcast two years ago, I'd always ask my guests if they had a channel to recommend. Numerous times, guests brought up That Chip Guy. And it's easy to see why. He's a phenomenal vegan street outreacher and debater who also works collaboratively with other activists. Cip and I have discussed doing a podcast for awhile, but for one reason or another hadn't gotten around to doing one. So I'm thrilled that we finally got to do it.

I already liked Cip before, but even moreso after doing the podcast. He's a very thoughtful, introspective person, constantly evaluating the best way. And in fact, that was what surprised me most about our interview was his sincere questioning of the right path forward. I know that whatever path Cip embarks on next, the animals will benefit from it.

This conversation is also available on YouTube.

Links:

That Chip Guy on YouTube

On IG

On FB

On TikTok

We the Free

Watch Dominion

Watch Earthlings

Darius Fullmer had plenty of reason to withdraw from the animal rights movement, having served prison time as one of the SHAC 7. The Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences was an inflection point in the movement, notable for the tremendous successes achieved by grassroots activists, ultimately undone by severe government repression. Six activists from the campaign in America, including Darius, served prison sentences for their role. But Darius didn't go away. He's now an attorney with the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project, helping activists facing repression themselves.I'm fascinated to speak with activists who put the plight of animals above themselves, and Darius surely did that. Similar to my conversations with fellow SHAC 7 prisoner Andy Stepanian and SHAC UK activist and author Tom Harris, this conversation was insightful on many levels and ended up feeling like a quick conversation, not a multiple hour podcast. I'm grateful to Darius for helping the animals and fellow activists in his current work, and I hope you find the conversation as valuable as I did.This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:AALDPAALDP IGNational Lawyers Guild'Know Your Rights' workshop"The Animal People"