In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Melanie Joy, a psychologist, founding president of Beyond Carnism, and the author of eight books, including the groundbreaking Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows.

Melanie breaks down the psychology of "Carnism”, the invisible belief system that conditions us to love some animals while eating others. We discuss why good people participate in harmful systems, how to handle the "annoying vegan" stereotype, and how to stay effective in our advocacy without burning out.

We also talk about:

• The Invisible Shield: Why people shut down when talking about animals
• Vegan Allies: Why you don’t need everyone to go 100% vegan to make an impact
• Navigating Relationships: How to talk to non-vegan family without the drama
• The Pioneer Price: Managing the emotional toll of living in a non-vegan world
• Sustainable Activism: Why self-compassion is a tool for the long haul

To support Beyond Carnism & access free resources for advocates: go to https://www.carnism.org & https://www.veganadvocacy.org

Time stamps:

00:00 — Teaser

00:28 — Introduction

02:16 — Introduction by Melanie

03:30 — How Melanie's Vegan Journey Began

05:00 — Carnism: The Invisible Belief System

07:46 — Navigating Relationships with Non-Vegans

14:20 — Mental Health in Vegan Advocacy

15:22 — Good People Can Do Harmful Things

18:23 — The Importance of Effective, Non-Shaming Advocacy

21:43 — How to Break Through the Carnism Bubble

23:27 — The Importance of Impact over Argument

30:27 — Resources & Conclusion

Thanks for listening!!

Much love,

Farah Amber

Watch the podcast on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/WuVhOpb--20

Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr Connect with Melanie Joy & Beyond Carnism: https://www.instagram.com/drmelaniejoy https://www.instagram.com/beyondcarnism https://www.carnism.org

More links: https://hoo.be/farahamber

Contact me: farahamberh@gmail.com

In this episode, we’re joined by Wasseem Emam, Founder and Executive Director of Ethical Seafood Research, an applied research organisation focused on improving the welfare of animals in aquatic food systems, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts. To date, ESR has helped improve the lives of over 300 million aquatic animals across 12 countries.Wasseem takes us behind the scenes of the fish farming industry, from earthen pond farms in Egypt and Kenya to the brutal realities of how fish are slaughtered, and what it actually takes to make change from the inside.We also talk about:- What aquaculture actually looks like and why it's so different from what you imagine- How ESR reached 1,000 fish farms in Egypt using a welfare assessment app- The cruel reality of how fish are killed and the more humane alternatives that exist- Why Wasseem changed his mind about salmon farming being the "gold standard"- The dark side of caviar and bluefin tuna farming- The fishmeal problem and how farmed salmon is affecting food security in Africa- The tension between animal welfare reform and animal rights abolitionTo learn more about Ethical Seafood Research and to support them, go to: ethicalseafoodresearch.org Thanks for listening!!Much love,Farah AmberTime stamps:00:00 —Teaser & Intro01:59 — Introduction by Wasseem02:51 — Founding Ethical Seafood Research03:33 — Fish Welfare in the Industry | Aquaculture vs. Wild-Caught06:05 — Zanzibar Seaweed Farming Project09:28 —The Fish Welfare Assessment App11:29 — Monitoring Transparency & Welfare Standards14:05 — How Fish Are Slaughtered on Ice & Better Methods19:22 — Animal Rights vs Welfare 22:55 — Certification Labels27:12 — Octopus Farming28:50 — Salmon Farming 32:48 — Caviar Industry & Sturgeon Welfare38:07 — Bluefin Tuna Farming42:16 — Know Your Labels43:29 — The Fishmeal Problem & Fish In: Fish Out46:08 — Stocking Density & Species Diversity 50:56 — Industry Pressure Tactics53:22 — Eyestalk Ablation54:04 — Wild-Caught vs. Farmed & Closing Thoughts59:42 — ConclusionListen to the episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/2IMIEzcDwGEConnect with me: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr Connect with Wasseem & ESR:https://www.instagram.com/wasseem.e https://www.instagram.com/ethicalseafoodresearch www.ethicalseafoodresearch.org More links: https://hoo.be/farahamber Contact me: farahamberh@gmail.com

In this episode, we’re joined by two incredible activists: Zoe Rosenberg, investigator and rescuer with Direct Action Everywhere, and Rose Patterson, co-director of Animal Rising. Both are facing criminal charges for openly rescuing animals from extreme suffering and they share their stories in full.

Zoe explains how she took part in a major investigation into Purdue’s Petaluma Poultry in California, uncovered routine cruelty, and rescued four severely abused chickens from the slaughterhouse floor. For saving those birds, she’s now been convicted on felony and misdemeanor charges and faces up to 4.5 years in jail at her upcoming sentencing.

Rose shares the inside story of the two open rescues at MBR Acres, the UK’s notorious beagle breeding facility for animal testing. She describes entering the sheds, the smell, the conditions, and carrying puppies to safety, before being caught by police. She now faces burglary charges and up to 10 years in prison, with trials running throughout 2025 and early 2026.

To support Zoe, Rose, and ongoing rescue trials: go to animalrising.org and directactioneverywhere.com

Thanks for listening!!

Much love,

Farah Amber

Time stamps:

00:00 — Introduction

01:38 — Zoe’s Introduction

02:16 — Rose’s Introduction

03:07 — Zoe’s Rescue at Petaluma Poultry

05:26 — Rose’s Rescue at MBR Acres

09:22 — What They Hope These Trials Will Change

14:54 — Why They Rescued These Animals

21:57 — How It Feels to Be Prosecuted for Saving Lives

25:33 — Conclusion

Watch the podcast on Youtube here.

Connect with me: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/farahamberr

Connect with Rose & Zoe:

https://www.instagram.com/rose__patterson/

https://www.instagram.com/zoe_rooster/

https://www.instagram.com/directactioneverywhere/

https://www.instagram.com/animal.rising

More links: ⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/farahamber

Contact me: farahamberh@gmail.com