Vegan Visibility Kathleen Gage

In this episode of the Vegan Visibility Podcast, I am talking with Zoe Weil, co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE).  In this enlightening conversation, we delve deep into the transformative power of humane education and solutionary thinking.
 
One central theme we explored was the incredible evolution of humane education since the late '80s. Zoe's journey began with a simple summer job teaching middle school students about animal issues, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in her life. It was during this experience that she witnessed the profound impact of education on young minds.
 
One standout student, in particular, learned about the harsh realities of animal testing and, driven by sheer determination, handwrote leaflets to raise awareness. Instead of distributing them to classmates, he took them to the streets of Philadelphia, becoming an overnight activist. This moment marked the beginning of Zoe's realization of the profound capacity of education to inspire action and create change.
 
This epiphany led Zoe to become a humane educator, dedicated to teaching about the interconnected issues of human rights, animal protection, and environmental sustainability. Through her journey, she founded the Institute for Humane Education, where they empower others to become humane educators and integrate humane education into school curricula.
 
Today, Zoe's programs and initiatives reach students worldwide, empowering them to be solutionaries who can address the most pressing global challenges. It's a journey brimming with hope and determination, recognizing the potential of young people to drive meaningful change in the world.
 
In our podcast episode, we discuss the progress and challenges in animal welfare since the '80s, the pivotal role of education in shaping a brighter future, and how individuals can contribute to creating more compassionate and sustainable systems.
 
I wholeheartedly invite you to embark on this enlightening journey of discovery and action. Listen to the full episode here: www.veganvisibility.com/265-Zoe-Weil
 
Together, let's be the change the world desperately needs. #HumaneEducation #SolutionaryThinking #BeTheChange #VeganVisibilityPodcast

Laura Katleman, Founder of Bhur Foods, shares her journey from being a vegetarian for many years to becoming a vegan. She describes how her eating habits evolved over time, starting from giving up beef, then chicken, seafood, and finally all animal products.
 
The Catalyst for Going Vegan
 
Laura’s transition to veganism wasn't a conscious decision but rather an evolution. As she became more health-conscious and her health practitioners advised her against consuming dairy, eggs, and other animal products, she naturally phased them out of her diet.
 
Embracing the Vegan Identity
 
Laura doesn’t strongly identify with the “vegan” label. She believes that being vegan works well for her body and her spiritual practice, making her feel lighter and more at ease, but avoids labels. For her, veganism is more of a personal journey than an identity she loudly proclaims.
 
Filling the Gap with Vegan Sweets
 
Laura noticed a lack of healthy vegan sweets in the market, which inspired her to start her company, Bhu Foods. She wanted to offer people transitioning away from sugar and animal products an alternative that allowed them to indulge in delicious treats without compromising their health.
 
Read the full post at: www.veganvisibility.com/264-Laura-Katleman

Meet Benjamin (Ben) Hagerty, a passionate traveler and co-manager of the travel blog, It's Bree and Ben, alongside his wife, Brianne Nemiroff. Their journey goes beyond typical travel experiences as they explore sustainable tourism and embrace a vegan business philosophy.
 
Through their platform, they offer valuable insights, travel guides, and essays about vegan and plant-based travel, making a positive impact on fellow travelers seeking mindful and sustainable adventures.
 
Benjamin's love for flavors and dishes associated with a vegan diet began during his upbringing in the vibrant San Francisco Bay area. However, it wasn't until 2015 that he and his wife, Bree, decided to fully embrace the vegan lifestyle after a one-week trial. To their delight, they felt great after abstaining from meat, prompting them to transition gradually into a vegan way of life.
 
In 2017, after tying the knot, Benjamin and Bree embarked on an extraordinary road trip adventure across the U.S. and Canada. Their year-long journey became a unique blend of travel and work, as Benjamin continued to work remotely as a travel consultant while documenting vegan-friendly places for their website.
 
Their travel experiences uncovered surprising vegan-friendly areas in unexpected places. Along the way, they encountered vibrant vegan communities in St. Louis and Kansas City, showcasing innovative and creative approaches to veganism beyond the West Coast and New England.
 
Inspired by their journey, Benjamin and Bree established their website, It's Bree and Ben. Beyond just providing information on vegan-friendly restaurants and venues, they aim to promote mindful and sustainable travel practices that align with vegan philosophy.
 
As part of his graduate school project, Benjamin conducted extensive research, uncovering four key areas of concern that shape the experiences of individuals and businesses in the vegan entrepreneurship niche. These areas include the impetus of health and well-being, the framework of inclusivity, facing "vegan phobia" and discrimination, and the cost of doing vegan business.
 
Despite the challenges faced by vegan entrepreneurs, Benjamin and Bree honor the vegan lifestyle, viewing it not just as a dietary choice but as a way of life encompassing compassion, environmental consciousness, and empathy. Through It's Bree and Ben, they share valuable insights into exploring the world through a compassionate lens, appreciating the abundance of experiences that a vegan lifestyle can offer.
 
Their journey exemplifies the profound connection between sustainable tourism, veganism, and mindful travel. As a community, we can support and uplift compassionate entrepreneurs like Benjamin and Bree while making conscious choices that positively impact the world around us.
 
The interview for the Vegan Visibility Podcast took place while Ben was in North Vancouver, BC, which rests on the ancestral homeland of the Musqueam (xwməθkwəy̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), and Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) communities.
 
Read more: http://www.veganvisibility.com/263-Benjamin-Hagerty 

In this special episode of the Vegan Visibility Podcast, I dig deep with author Chrissy Melanie Benson about her novel, "Marrying Myself."
This unique book intertwines the themes of veganism and activism, offering readers a thought-provoking narrative that sheds light on animal rights and the power of personal choices.
In this episode, we delve into Chrissy's vegan journey, her decision to incorporate activism into her writing, and the challenges and triumphs she experienced throughout the publishing process.
A Vegan Awakening:
Chrissy's journey towards veganism began as a committed vegetarian. At the time, she was unaware of the harsh realities of factory farming and the conditions in which animals were kept. However, as she began to learn more about the suffering endured by animals, particularly egg-laying hens, she felt a growing discomfort with her own participation in these industries.
Recognizing the misalignment between her actions and her values, Chrissy made the pivotal decision to become vegan in 2011. Although she initially found it challenging to navigate a world seemingly saturated with non-vegan options, her conviction and dedication to animal rights continued to strengthen.
Full post at  www.veganvisibility.com/262-Chrissy-Melanie-Benson
#MarryingMyself #VeganVisibilityPodcast #SelfDiscovery #Veganism #Compassion #Activism #BookRelease #PodcastInterview #VeganAuthor
#VeganLifestyle #VeganBooks #Empowerment #AnimalRights #VeganCommunity #BookLovers #VeganInspiration
 
 

On this episode of the Vegan Visibility show, we had the pleasure of hosting Omaid Hiwaizi, a veteran in technology marketing and an ethical vegan for almost three decades. Omaid is the founder of ReFarm Fund, a novel project aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices that align environmental impact with farmers' profitability.
 Throughout the show, Omaid shared his journey of blending his passion for veganism with his expertise in technology and fintech. He discussed his concern about the challenges faced by small-scale farmers, the rise of industrial factory farming, and the significant environmental footprint of animal farming.
 Omaid commissioned a study which demonstrated that a transition from animal and intensive farming to rotation-based arable farming and tree planting could result in a higher return on capital, even with potentially lower output, due to decreased input costs. Inspired by these findings, Omaid and his team are developing a loan product to support farmers in making this transition.
 The ReFarm Fund will provide farmers with the necessary capital to implement changes like adopting regenerative agriculture, installing renewable energy sources, and establishing structures like polytunnels and large glasshouses powered by renewable energy. The loan will be commercial, but the environmental impact of their transition will be quantified, potentially reducing their loan payments.
http://www.VeganVisibility.com/261-omaid-hiwaizi 

We're joined on this episode of the Vegan Visibility Podcast by Brett Christoffel, the CEO of All Y'all Foods, who brings over 20 years of corporate sales and sales management experience to the table. A 2020 graduate of the Austin SKU accelerator, Brett has been steering All Y'all Foods successfully for over four years. He discusses his significant transition from a Standard American Diet (SAD) to a plant-based lifestyle, a journey that inspired his thriving vegan enterprise.
Personal Journey: Brett delves into his unique dietary transformation, beginning with his first encounter with Meatless Mondays, which challenged his traditional meat-centric perspective. He shares a humorous anecdote about his inaugural experience with a meatless snack and reveals the eye-opening realization about animal cruelty and the nutritional capacity of plants that catalyzed his switch to veganism.
Cognitive Dissonance and the Reality of Meat Consumption: Brett underscores the cognitive dissonance prevalent in society when it comes to meat consumption. He advocates for a better understanding of the realities of meat production and consumption, encouraging people to embrace more peaceful, kind, and compassionate lifestyles, starting with their dietary choices.