The Vegan Compass Podcast

The Vegan Compass Podcast

Your co-hosts, Ric Allport and Mackenzie Cross, are long-term vegans with a deep passion to propel forward the vegan movement. The Vegan Compass is your go-to podcast for hope, action and positivity in a world full of bad news. We speak with a variety of vegans and animal rights advocates who share their unique experience and the skills they implement to create a kinder world for animals.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 58 - The Vegans Are Coming | C.K. Gerstel | Author and Vegan Advocate

    In this episode, we sit down with C.K. Gerstel, author of ‘The Vegans Are Coming’, a sharp, satirical exploration of human behavior, cognitive dissonance, and animal exploitation. Describing himself as a chronic overthinker who notices where human reasoning starts to wobble, C.K. uses humour, philosophy and social commentary as a crowbar to pry open difficult conversations people usually prefer to avoid.  Beyond his book, C.K. shares the vision behind his online hub, which includes ‘The Welfare Files’, a comprehensive set of resources on Australian animal welfare standards to equip advocates with factual data.  We also discuss navigating social media as a tool for outreach and how to maintain optimism when facing the heavy realities of animal advocacy. Whether you are looking for new ways to talk to non-vegan friends/family or want a witty take on cognitive dissonance, this conversation is for you. It will change the way you view everyday social norms and help you become a more effective advocate. Connect with C.K.: Instagram The Vegans Are Coming (Book) The Welfare Files The Vegans Are Cooking The Playground Resources mentioned: Ep 52 - Escape Vystopia and Become a Thriving Vegan | Anita Marriott | Vegan Mindset CoachIdioms Guide Support the show: Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story Wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Facebook⁠

    Ep 58 - The Vegans Are Coming | C.K. Gerstel | Author and Vegan Advocate
  2. Sep 14

    Ep 57 - The Call For Animal Free Science | Ric Allport and Mackenzie Cross

    Trigger warning: In this episode, we do detail animal experimentation statistics and procedures which are distressing. We understand if now is not the time for you to listen to this episode and you are welcome to back to it at a later date. In this special episode, hosts Ric Allport and Mackenzie Cross recap the recent Animal Free Science protest at Sydney Town Hall, sharing personal reflections and the atmosphere of the protest. In talking with passers by, it became apparent that many people believe animal testing has already ended in Australia. This episode aims to expose the reality that millions of mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, primates, fish, farmed animals and native animals are still subjected to cruel and painful experiments. We highlight snippets from key speeches at the protest, including Susan Sorenson (on behalf of Emma Hurst MLC), Flavia Coleman, Robyn Kirby (Animal Free Science Advocacy), Dr Kevin Coleman, Doug Leith, Lynda Stoner, Paula Wallace (Liberty Foundation). This episode documents the united front against animal testing and experimentation in Australia. Join us in advocating for these innocent animals hidden away in research facilities, bred for only one purpose, to suffer for so-called science.  Resources Mentioned: Animals Australia Campaign on toxicity testing: toxicity.inc Episode 37 with Dana Kolsky from Animal Free Science Advocacy: Watch on YouTube Sentient Documentary Article: Breaking Down The Barriers To Animal-Free Research ____ LINKS  Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes Follow us on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Facebook⁠

    Ep 57 - The Call For Animal Free Science | Ric Allport and Mackenzie Cross
  3. Aug 31

    Ep 56 - The Global Effort For Kangaroo Conservation | Kate Clere & Mick McIntyre | Kangaroos Alive

    In this episode, we sit down with filmmakers and animal advocates Kate Clere and Mick McIntyre. For nearly thirty years, this powerhouse duo has used storytelling to challenge perceptions and spark massive global conservation movements. Kate and Mick share the origins of their personal and creative partnership, taking us back to their early days creating the documentary, ‘What To Do About Whales’. The pair were heavily involved in the push away from whaling in the late 1970s to incentivise whale watching as a lucrative tourism opportunity. With the treatment of wildlife always front of mind, Kate and Mick embarked on another investigative documentary, ‘Kangaroo: A Love-Hate Story’. Over five years of filming, they explored the shocking treatment of Australia’s native icon, which made it clear that kangaroos were in desperate need of someone to advocate for them. Kangaroos Alive was born to promote coexistence with the kangaroo. Through their ‘Kangaroo Walks and Talks’ initiative, they take lessons from their experience with the anti-whaling campaign to promote kangaroo ecotourism in Australia. We also discuss their highly acclaimed television series, 'Eating Plants', which covers their global travels documenting the explosive rise of plant-based eating and why the future of food leaves them feeling incredibly optimistic.  This conversation is a beautiful reflection on a legendary partnership devoted to giving a powerful, cinematic voice to animals. Learn more & connect with Mick and Kate: Kangaroos Alive WebsiteFacebook profileInstagramWatch Kangaroo: A Love-Hate StoryWatch Eating Plants____ LINKS  Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes Follow us on socials: Instagram⁠⁠Facebook⁠

    Ep 56 - The Global Effort For Kangaroo Conservation | Kate Clere & Mick McIntyre | Kangaroos Alive
  4. Aug 17

    Ep 55 - Advocating for Stigmatised Species | Monika Ryniewicz | Ex-research Rats and Urban Pigeons

    In this episode, we sit down with vegan activist and animal rescuer Monika Ryniewicz, who has dedicated her time to advocating for two of the most stigmatised and misunderstood species on the planet: rats and pigeons. Mon takes us inside her journey as a proud adopter of three ex-research rats from the Liberty Foundation. She shares what it was like to help her rats heal and experience simple joys for the very first time. Mon also busts the biggest myths surrounding rats, showing us why these intelligent, clean and affectionate creatures make extraordinary companion animals. We then shift our focus to the city streets, exploring Mon’s hands-on work with urban pigeon rescue and the widespread issue of string-foot (a painful condition caused by discarded human thread, hair and plastic getting tightly wrapped around their toes and feet). Mon walks us through how she safely catches and disentangles pigeons, offering actionable ways for everyday city dwellers to help protect urban wildlife. Whether you're curious about adopting ex-research rats, or want to learn how to help your local urban wildlife, this episode is a powerful look at how we can rewrite the narrative for two of the most stigmatised species. Connect with Mon: Follow Mon on Instagram: @freefromcruelty  Visit the Liberty Foundation Adoption Centre: 6 Rose Street, Wyong NSW (open to the public from Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm each day). Click here to volunteer, Adopt or Donate. Sydney Pigeon Rescue: Follow on Facebook and Instagram ____ LINKS  Vegan businesses and organisations can advertise on the podcast ⁠⁠Apply to be our guest and share your story Support the show and wear your values with our apparel, mugs and heavy-duty market totes Follow us on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Facebook⁠

    Ep 55 - Advocating for Stigmatised Species | Monika Ryniewicz | Ex-research Rats and Urban Pigeons

About

Your co-hosts, Ric Allport and Mackenzie Cross, are long-term vegans with a deep passion to propel forward the vegan movement. The Vegan Compass is your go-to podcast for hope, action and positivity in a world full of bad news. We speak with a variety of vegans and animal rights advocates who share their unique experience and the skills they implement to create a kinder world for animals.

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