NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 70 - On pessimism, optimism and fantasy versus reality

LISTEN HERE (Huge apologies for the terrible audio quality, I hit record without first verifying the input, so instead of my logitech headphones it was set to the inbuilt mic, which is why there is all that noise and stuff.  It happens sometimes lol )

Here is the article of the interview with Gary Francione that I mentioned: http://www.free.org.il/english/articles/gary.html

(What he says is about "passivity" and exactly is not necessarily what I paraphrased, but it certainly made me understand that the "pacifist" claim made against us is trying to insinuate "passivity" and that is not true).
Here is another quote from Gary Francione about this subject:

"Those who claim that the abolitionist approach [to animal rights] advises inactivity misunderstand that the idea is to engage in *effective* advocacy rather than in wheel-spinning and counterproductive activity that generates donations and bequests for large groups."


Here is the article by Randy Sandberg on his Vegans for Peace website that I mentioned:
http://vegansforpeace.org/2010/03/13/why-are-you-a-vegetarian/

Here is the article by Emmy James that I mentioned:
Facebook link (you will probably only be able to see it if you are a facebook contact of Emmy's)


Here is the quote by Mylène Ouellet that I mentioned:
http://quotesonslavery.org/whats-hard-about-veganism-isnt-being-vegan/

Here is the must read article Why Veganism by Eva Batt:
http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/text/why-veganism-by-eva-batt/
Also available HERE

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 69 - With special guest William Paul!

LISTEN HERE

This week I speak with William Paul my fellow abolitionist street staller and vegan advocate from Auckland.  We discuss the NZ Vegetarian Society Festival that was held in October, our future plans for advocacy and we also discuss the Auckland Abolitionist Vegans Association, which we will be launching soon!

Congratulations to Jordan Wyatt from Coexisting with Nonhuman Animals for creating the Invercargill Vegan Society!

Become a member if you live nearby, or become an honorary member by going to this blog entry and leaving a comment:
http://coexistingwithnonhumananimals.blogspot.com/2010/12/invercargill-vegan-society-business.html

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 68 - The tragedy of owning sentient beings. Dedicated to Floyd, the sweetest little tabby cat you could ever meet

LISTEN HERE

This is the link to the thread on the abolitionist approach forum I was talking about:
"Fears"
Here are the new photos of the stall now that Aotea Square is renovated, the square is behind us we are on the footpath next to the main entrance side.

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 67 - Reflections, updates and the repressed memory of my first animal-use-showing video!

LISTEN HERE

Revelations!   Now I am wondering if that WAS indeed my first exposure to a video showing animal use, or have I repressed other memories from my specieisist past...?

Here is a link to the article I mentioned from the UK abolitionists that made the Aberdeen Voice

Here is a link to the article I mentioned on the Vegan Salt blog: Guest Post

Thanks for listening!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 66 - Update on Duffy the cat plus my elevator experience and other stories

LISTEN HERE

here is a photo of Duffy in his hopefully new and permanent home:

This is the link to Professor Gary Francione's latest commentary where he gives great advice about talking to non vegans about veganism: Five Principles

This is a link to Barbara DeGrande's latest podcast about personal relationships as a vegan: Dating While Vegan

Here is a link to Mylène Ouellet's latest article: What's Sometimes Hardest

Here is a link to Adam Kochanowicz's Vegan Help Bot I mentioned: http://twitter.com/veganhelp
and to his website: Vegan FM

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 65 - Domestication (homage to Duffy the cat)

LISTEN HERE

This podcast is dedicated to Duffy

This week I talk about a situation I personally dealt with and how I chose to deal with it, and I ask everyone to comment if there are anything someone feels needs to be said.

I also quote from one of my favourite websites, Quotes on Slavery and this is the quote I chose to read:
"I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice"

Thanks for listening

 

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 63 - Interview with Professor Gary L. Francione Part 1

LISTEN HERE

I have the absolute pleasure of having Professor Gary L. Francione as a guest.  This is part 1 of the interview.  Enjoy!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 64 - Interview with Professor Gary L. Francione Part 2

LISTEN HERE

This is Part 2 of the interview.   with Professor Gary L. Francione.
Enjoy!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 62 - Uniformity in the message of truth

Listen HERE

This week I speak of an email I received, special thanks to Doug Hines, and I speak of a wonderful concept that was given to me by Randy Sandberg.

Please visit the wonderful Quotes on Slavery website: http://quotesonslavery.org/

Here is a quote I think relevant to the theme of this podcast:

"A common criticism is that the time is not yet ripe for our reform. Can time ever be ripe for any reform unless it is ripened by human determination? Did Wilberforce wait for the ripening of time before he commenced his fight against slavery? Did Edwin Chadwick, Lord Shaftesbury, and Charles Kingsley wait for such a non-existent moment before trying to convince the great dead weight of public opinion that clean water and bathrooms would be an improvement? If they had declared their intention to poison everybody the opposition they met could hardly have been greater. There is an obvious danger in leaving the fulfilment of our ideals to posterity, for posterity may not have our ideal. Evolution can be retrogressive as well as progressive, indeed there seems always to be a strong gravitation the wrong way unless existing standards are guarded and new visions honoured. For this reason we have formed our [Vegan] Group, the first of its kind, we believe, in this or any other country.
~ Donald Watson (November, 1944)"

 http://quotesonslavery.org/a-common-criticism-is-that-the-time-is-not-yet-ripe-for-our-reform/

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 61 - The sociology of posting "meat" pictures on animal rights threads

Listen HERE

Analysing the sociology behind the posting of pictures of flesh and animal products on Animal Rights internet forums. 

Special guests Roger Yates from On Human Nonhuman Relations, and wonderful abolitionist advocate Timothy E. Putnam!

Enjoy

I forgot to add that in honour of Dr. Yates this is a BELLS podcast.
(Bells courtesy of Zsebi the kitten)

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 60 - Special Guest Diane Ellis, spokesperson for Vegecat vegan cat food

Listen HERE

This episode it was a pleasure and a joy to feature Diane Ellis who was referred to me by James Peden from Harbingers of a New Age, creators of Vegecat and Vegedog.  Diane is their spokesperson, and is among other things an expert on feline nutrition, who has successfully raised three cats (and two dogs - of course!) on diets free from animal products, which is a success story I wish we could hear more of.

She has very positive experiences and lots of great knowledge to share, for those who are interested in the issue, those who have tried to implement a dietary change for their felines (such as myself) and were not successful, or for those who are considering doing so now or in the future, in order for them to make an informed decision and hear positive and helpful information.

We talk about Diane's wonderful cats Tomato, Razzie and Coconut, and I hope to have photos and videos soon.  We talk about how the Vegecat food was created, and how important it is to follow the recipes provided by Harbingers of a New Age, as they were specially formulated with the help of a veterinarian Andrew Knight.  We mention the horrors of commercial pet food and talk about the fear that many vegans have that they will harm their feline refugees if they attempt to feed them anything but a meat based diet, and discuss why some cats have not thrived on other vegan diet foods.

You can contact Diane for advice and help through: leadwithyourheart@msn.com
The following websites were mentioned in the podcast and are the links to the information about commercial diets, and also to the website containing information about Vegecat vegan cat food from Harbingers of a New Age.

(Note and disclaimer: I am providing any links listed below due to the pertinent information to the issues and products discussed in this podcast episode.   I do not necessarily endorse or agree with absolutely everything stated on these sites.  Additionally I do not necessarily endorse links that are provided on these sites.)
http://www.vegepet.com/forcats.html
http://www.vegepets.info/pages/meat_based_commercial_diets.htm


 Thanks Diane for coming on the show!

UPDATE:
Diane has asked me to post this update, because she wants people to be aware that although she loves the fact that people are interested and need advice, she does have to make a living, and cannot answer every single email!  You can also go to her website to reference advice on this matter also: http://www.leadwithyourheart.net/Homemade_Vege_Meals.php where there is listed a limited time discounted price list for consultations in case you are able:
$75.00 per a 1 hour session for all pets and humans in the same household.
$45.00 per a 30 minute session per one household.
These reduced prices will expire on December 31st, 2010.

If you get some Vegecat remember that the creator of the product James Peden is very knowledgeable and helpful also, and their website has tons of FAQs.

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 59 - Notes from the Stall: Learning from criticism

Listen  HERE

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 58 - Interview with Emmy James from the Vegan For Life Podcast!

Listen HERE

This week I have the absolute pleasure of interviewing new NZ abolitionist podcaster and animator Emmy James from the Vegan For Life Podcast.  We talk about her journey to veganism, her animation and podcast, and her plans for the future as a vegan in this world.

Enjoy!  Thanks to Emmy for coming on the show, please listen to her podcast!

Here is a link to the Vegan For Live Blog: http://vegan-for-life.blogspot.com/
To access the podcast on iTunes click HERE
This is a link to Emmy's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/veggiegirl142

PLEASE VOTE for Emmy's design: Corel Digital Art Competition Emmy James

We mentioned Sam from Food for Though Radio
And Jordan Wyatt from Coexisting With Nonhuman Animals

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 57 - the key word is UNEQUIVOCAL

Listen HERE

This week I talk about too much stuff to write about here, but the following are all the relevant links:
The NEW NZ ABOLITIONIST VEGAN PODCAST from Vegan For Life
Now available in iTunes

Mylène Ouellet's podcast is also on iTunes
Veganacious' Barbara DeGrande new podcast episode is here oo and here is an interview she did with Mylène!  Darn, I knew I had missed something out! >:(

Sam Tucker's latest episode can be accessed through this page
LiveVegan's podcast can be accessed through their You Tube channel here
*Gasp* I hope I didn't miss something out.

OOPS I did it again.  Oh dear.   I said Four thousand eight hunded animals were killed by PETA in 2009 but according to the article it was 2, 352.  However, that doesn't change my point,  still  I apologise for again getting my figures wrong:
8 Animals on Opposing Views by Gary Francione

That link is to an opposing views page that linked to an Abolitionist Approach blog entry related to the story.  Have a look at the comments and you will see what I mean.  For example, the comment by Heidi Parker, Mail Coordinator, PETA Foundation and the comment immediately following her comment, for that matter.

Here is a link to the Vegan Examiner Adam Kochanowicz's article on the Mercy For Animals video: My Thoughts on MFA's video

Here is a link to the article about the UN: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/02/un-report-meat-free-diet

Finally, here is a link to Vegan Poet M. Butterflies Katz's blog where she has the articles: The Vegan Truth

I hope I remembered everything!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 56 - Veganism is not a diet, also I re-visit and clarify some things I said in the last episode, plus my updated job profile!

 Listen HERE

This week I talk about a Veganism is not a diet, and I also just want to clarify some of the things I said last time, just to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.  Also, I have a new update about my profile from my job, there is a permanent entry and they have put a link to this website, for which I am very surprised and pleased :)

Here is a link to the new profile:
http://www.vetcare.net.nz/elizabeth.html

This is the link to the CNN article that I mention:
Global bake sale is 'sweet' activism

And this is the link to the article I mention from My Face is on Fire :
Flirting With Hypocrisy -- A 'Kinda" Diet

Thanks for listening!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 55 - Domestication, Abortion and some topics for future episode

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

This week I talk about my new job, the new member of my family, domestication and why I am more and more opposed to it every day, and I talk about the irrelevancy of the abortion issue to animal rights.
Here is a link to the "Elizabeth Collins cont'd" part of my "profile" from my new job (scroll down):
http://www.vetcare.net.nz/about_us.html

This is the link to the debate on Michael Medved's radio show between Gary L.  Francione and Wesley J.Smith:
http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/media/mp3/michael-medved-20100416.mp3
This is a link to the article requesting people to call in next time:
http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/live-call-in-on-michael-medveds-radio-program/

These are the links to the discussion about promoting veganism: FIrstly the original article by Stephanie Ernst that started the discussion off:
http://challengeoppression.com/2010/04/15/a-vegan-but-not-an-activist-sure-an-animal-lover-but-not-a-vegan-nope/
Then Mylène's article:
http://my-face-is-on-fire.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-doing-more-than-bare-minimum.html
Gary Francione's twitlonger:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/livevegan/are-we-morally-obligated-as-individuals-to-promote-veganism-beyond-our-being-veg/383405213859 - (You have to belong to LiveVegan on facebook to read this) or you can read it here: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/u06pr
Ditto this one, Dave Langlois twitlonger: http://www.facebook.com/notes/livevegan/duties-narrow-and-wide-twitlonger-by-david-langlois/383376633859 - or you can read it here: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/u047j
Here is a link to LiveVegan's new PODCAST on YouTube where this is also discussed:
http://www.youtube.com/livevegan#p/a/u/2/H5UjOpU8hj8
And Vincent Guihan discusses it here also: http://weotheranimals.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-activism-obligation-some-thoughts.html

Finally, meet Zsebi (she put herself there, she is looking for comfort always, because normally she would be surrounded by furry, purring momma and brothers and sisters).

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 54 - New podcasts and blogs coming out and notes from the stall

Listen HERE

This week I relate some experiences from the street stall in the hopes that it will help anyone else who is promoting veganism to people.  Big shout out to William Paul for all his help and for being such a wonderful street stall colleague.

I also mention some new developments:
Barbara De Grande from Veganacious is doing a podcast!!!  Please subscribe on iTunes here and you can also listen to the first episode here.
Props to Jordan Wyatt from Coexisting with Nonhuman Animals for helping to make this happen.

OOO I just went to the blog to post the link and there is a NEW EPISODE UP!  You can access it here or I recommend subscribing on iTunes.

I also talk about singer-songwriter Ben Frost who is writing music in support of Animal Rights and posting the videos on YouTube
The first song is called I Am Someone - A Call for Veganism and the second one is called Killed for Taste, Loved for Companionship - The Notes of Moral Schizophrenia
Please subscribe to Ben on YouTube here

I mention a great new blog called Full Irish Vegan.  This is the bread I made: Wheaten Loaf Masquerading as Soda Bread.  It was so easy and delicious, especially with vegan butter and jam.

I talk about Professor Francione new commentary number 16.  Please listen here or even better, subscribe to the commentary on iTunes.

I mention Colleen Patrick Goudreau's podcast episode where she talks about personal choice.  You can hear it here

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 53 - Joint Statement by a Group of Abolitionist Vegan Feminists for International Women's Day

Listen HERE


This week I read a statement from a group of Abolitionist Vegan Feminists, including myself, voicing our objection to sexism in the animal movement.  You can also read the statement as iit is posted in various blogs whose links are below, also Porolita has read it on her YouTube channel, in English and in Spanish, and I hope to read it in Spanish also for my NZ Vegano Podcast.  I hope you enjoy and I REALLY hope you agree with it :-)


Thanks for listening. 

The essay has been signed by the following advocates:

Jo Charlebois - http://thestartingpointisveganism.blogspot.com/
Vera Cristofani
Kerry Wyler
Mylène Ouellet - http://my-face-is-on-fire.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Collins - http://nzveganpodcast.blogspot.com/
Trisha Roberts - http://lobsa.org/
Ana María Aboglio - http://anima.org.ar/
Paola Aldano de Meoño - http://www.youtube.com/porolita22

Karin Hilpisch  - http://abolitionismusabschaffungdertiers.blogspot.com/

Renata Peters  

Here are the sites featuring the essay:

My Face is on Fire
The Starting Point
Porolita22

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 52 - How I personally deal with the "you don't care about animals who are suffering NOW" accusation. (Also, please read Rain Without Thunder!)

Listen HERE

This week I talk about how I personally deal with the accusation that advocates of the abolitionist approach "don't care about animals who are suffering NOW!"  For starters, I strongly recommend listening to this debate (there is a link to the audio in the post itself. Please listen):
http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/my-dinner-at-eriks-happy-meat-diner/


and I strongly STRONGLY recommend reading Rain Without Thunder.  Please please read this book.

I also talk about how the focus of all our interactions with each other and anyone with whom we are engaging with this issue should remain on the real issue leaving ego and personality out of it. Whether or not you like me is unimportant, it is what I am saying that matters.  If you don't like what I am saying, let's talk about that not about whether or not you like my personality.  That conversation is an unforgivable waste of both our time.  As a wonderful advocate @VeraVeganA said yesterday:
"When ppl call me names & I feel sad, I rapidly focus on nonhumans again & keep on track"

Now that is what I'm talking about Vera! 


I also talk about Professor Gary Steiner who did this great interview on Animal World:
Animal World Doctor Gary Steiner: A Vegan Diet is a Moral Obligation
You can download both parts 1 and 2 (scroll down to the bottom of the screen)



Finally I talk about my revamped AUT University Club, here is the website, please let me know what you think (it is still not finished yet). A million thanks to William Paul for all the help.
http://autanimalrights.weebly.com/

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 51 - Special Guest Sam Tucker from Food for Thought Radio

Listen HERE

This week I speak to fellow NZ abolitionist and podcaster Sam Tucker about single issue campaigns, welfarist thinking and what the future may hold for a 14 year old vegan.  We also speak a little bit about living in a farming community and advocating for veganism at a school where many of the students actually live on farms themselves.

In this episode we talk about Sam's radio show and podcast, which can be accessed from the following site:
http://fftradio.wordpress.com/

We mention the last fft radio episode (which will be available in iTunes soon):
Johnny Weir and Single Issue Campaigns

Here is the article profiling Sam on Veganacious
Fierce at Fourteen


Follow Sam on Twitter:
@fftradio

And we also discuss another recent single issue campaign in New Zealand, you can read a local newspaper article about it here:
Auckland SPCA to destroy catch-a-cray games

Thanks Sam for coming on the show!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 50 - The new era has begun

Listen HERE

This week I talk about Victor Schonfeld's article in the Guardian newspaper and Ingrid Newkirk's response in the same paper.  Please go on there and comment, please help us spread the vegan message.  It is really happening, I can feel it in my bones.

These are the links

Five Fatal Flaws of Animal Activism
(Victor Schonfeld)

A pragmatic fight for animal rights
(Ingrid Newkirk)

Please read this latest blog post (and then go on to read the entire site of course) by Vincent Guihan of We Other Animals which really nicely illustrates some of the things I am bumbling on about today.
Hegemonic Tendancies


Thanks for listening!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 49 - Special Guest Jordan Wyatt from Coexisting with Nonhuman Animals

Listen HERE

This week I welcome back to the show my first ever podcast listener Jordan Wyatt from the Coexisting with Nonhuman Animals podcast, and we discuss his podcast about veganism and animal rights, what it is like to be vegan in Southland, talking to NZ farmers about veganism, the economy, the issue of sterilization, the counter movement of industry advertising and other things.

You can find Jordan's blog here:
Coexisting with Nonhuman Animals

You can subscribe to his podcast via iTunes here


Follow Jordan on twitter:
jaywontdart

and on Facebook:
#/jaywontdart

Thanks Jordan for coming back on the show!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 48 - Interview with Porolita!!

Listen HERE

This week I talk to Pao Aldana AKA Porolita, who lives in Guatemala and is spreading the vegan message on YouTube in English and in Spanish, plus educating people in her local community about veganism and abolition.  We talk about Porolita's journey to veganism, the ease and necessity of abolitionist advocacy, the usefulness of social networking sites like YouTube to spread ideas, and what it is like to be vegan in Guatemala.   Please check out Porolita's great videos on her YouTube channel:


Porolita22

and here is the video featuring her Mom, talking about her experience with illness and her doctor's advice that she immediately switch to a vegan diet in order to save her health, and what happened after:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePc0m24aDVQ&feature=email

This is the link to Porolita's vegan cooking blog (in Spanish) which she uses to educate members of her community or the surrounding regions on how easy and cheap it is to sustain a vegan diet in Guatemala and therefore other countries with similar climates and food types:

La Lonchera de Un Vegan

This is the link to the BBC World One Planet documentary that we discussed on the podcast:
Animals and Us Part 1
Animals and Us Part 2

I would like to thank Porolita for coming on my podcast!  Enjoy!

NZ Vegan Podcast Episode 47 - Three NZ abolitionists hit the streets!

Listen HERE

I have had a wonderful week hanging out with my fellow NZ abolitionists William and Vish, and we had a chance to do the street stall together!  This epidsode we talk about our experiences on Queen Street in our first street stall event of 2010.

We also mention Part 1 of the BBC Documentary Animals and Us which is archived here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p005k2zy

Thanks Vish for coming up to Auckland to visit us and thanks to both William and Vish for helping with the street stall and for coming on the podcast.

Enjoy!

And remember; THE WORLD IS VEGAN!  If we want it.