Sharon Núñez co-founded Animal Equality in 2006 to help animals. Decades later, the work continues. AE's latest campaign is to hold grocery chain Kroger accountable for their broken promise to switch to 100% cage free eggs. In addition to worldwide demonstrations, a core group of activists have staged near daily protests outside their Cincinnati headquarters.I was drawn to the campaign by the gutsy activists involved. Sharon has brought together a team of committed animal activists who stand by their word and won't back down until they've achieved their goal. The blend of grassroots activism with the backing of an international organization has created a potent mix that will have Kroger with their hands full.That said, I know what many in a movement for animal liberation might think of a campaign against cage-free eggs. And while that in itself could have been an entire podcast, Sharon was gracious and humble in giving her opinion when I presented some counterarguments to the overall philosophy of an animal welfare campaign. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. It's also available on YouTube.Links:Animal EqualityAE YouTubeAE on IGAE on FBAE on TikTokSharon's IGSharon's FB

Watch Earthlings

Watch Dominion

When I recorded this episode with animal liberation legend John Curtin, I didn't realize I'd be uploading it while he sat in a jail cell. But just as he predicted in this conversation just a day earlier, John was arrested, likely in connection with a rescue of 8 beagles from MBR Acres a week ago. Camp Beagle was also locked down and searched by police for a time but it's my understanding that protesters have finally been allowed to return. John denied any involvement in the beagle liberation and it's pretty clear from video and this conversation that he didn't know what was going on until the rescue had already taken place.

When I last had John on my podcast, it was 3 1/2 years since he and a small group of people set up a 24/7 camp outside MBR Acres, a notorious beagle breeder in the UK. Now 5 years in, the struggle continues, and the camp has been locked down. Surely Marshall BioResources CEO Scott Marshall, who admits "the writing is on the wall" as his puppy breeding empire comes under further scrutiny, is feeling the pressure and this flurry of activity from activists and authorities is only further evidence of that.

There may be some joy in witnessing the downfall of Marshall BioResources, but it's no consolation to the thousands of animals still suffering needlessly at their facilities. For John, it makes it all the worse for those still there.

Despite the grim topic, John is a real joy to speak with, among my favorite guests, which is why I invited him back. He's honest, candid, raw, and funny. And you can feel that every word comes from the heart. I can't wait to invite him back to celebrate the inevitable and permanent closure of Marshall Farms. I am calling for John's release, and the release of all the animals from Marshall BioResources.

This conversation is also available on YouTube.

Links:

Our first conversation

John's IG

The Camp Beagle IG

Camp Beagle FB

The Camp Beagle

Jill Phipps doc

Watch Earthlings

Watch Dominion

John's book recs:

The Dreaded Comparison

The Bloodless Revolution

Eternal Treblinka

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