I've been an admirer of Jim Sande's music for decades. Jim makes rich, layered sonic tapestries that are hard to describe in a few words. I was so deeply moved by what I consider his masterpience album "Harvest Bell Ride" that I reached out to him, and he responded with a kind message of his own. This was probably 20 years ago. Since then, I've kept a sporadic, sparse correspondence with him over the years. Finally, I decided why not ask him to be on my program?There are several reasons for doing so. For one, I felt Jim was a hidden gem of sorts, a composer few knew about that more ought to. Another reason was purely selfish: I just wanted to talk to the guy and pick his brain. Remember the old saying "Never meet your heroes"? That didn't apply here. Jim was as kind and gracious and interesting as I expected him to be, if not moreso. Talking to him felt like talking to an old friend, and in a way I was. The way I listen to Jim Sande is oddly specific. I listen to him often while reading Haruki Murakami novels. I've shared with him that they pair so well together that it's as if they collaborated, and that I can't really read Murakami without listening to Sande's music, because it feels incomplete. And to this day, I still don't.I also hear in Jim's music a sensitivity, a kindess that made it feel appropriate to bring him on what is primarily an animal rights channel. And interestingly enough, we did discuss animals quite a bit. Perhaps it's his Buddhist background, his artist sensibility, or some combination, but he seems to hold a deep reverence for animals. I forgot that over the years, his paintings, another passion of his, have largely been of animals, and only recalled that as I looked for photos after the fact for a thumbnail (haha!).In any case, I deeply enjoyed getting to know Jim a bit better, and I hope some of you will discover him and find his music through this conversation. This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Jim's blogJim on SpotifyJim on FacebookJim on IG"Harvest Bell Ride"Jim on YouTubeWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

Elizabeth MeLampy's book "Forget the Camel" is unforgettable. It's a look at a world most of us know very little about: the world of animal festivals. I've come to learn animal festivals are nearly everywhere, yet most of them detailed in this book I'd never heard of. And while there are some well-known festivals like the Iditarod sled dog race and the Groundhog Day festival, even those I got a richer understanding of after reading "Forget the Camel."

I have come to know Elizabeth because she plans to work on a book about the open rescue movement. After reading her recently released debut novel, I am even more looking forward to that book. Because Elizabeth brought an enormous amount of care and thoughtfulness to this project on animal festivals, which was simultaneously a continuation of her grandmother's unfinished work on this same topic as well as grappling with her own concerns as someone who wants a better world for animals. The book asks hard questions about festivals that are centered on animals who have not in any way consented to their use. And Elizabeth asked those questions in a way that is honest and open-minded, and leaves us with a provocative work that will keep you thinking after you've closed the book.

This interview is also available on YouTube.

Links:

The book

Elizabeth's website

Elizabeth on IG

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Steven Lee August, AKA Vegan Heretic has led a fascinating life as an entertainer, activist and author. He made a living as a juggler and magician in Las Vegas, but his real passion is his Christian faith and his compassion for animals. And as a Christian animal rights activist, he has a lot of wisdom to share, especially with non-Christians, particularly when it comes to effective outreach TO Christians. And so when life came to a standstill during Covid, Steven parked himself at a local vegan restaurant where, for hours on end, powered by coffee refills, he penned his book "Vegans Vs. The Verses." It's a handy guide to all things vegan in the Bible and how to effectively communicate that message of kindness towards all living beings. Steven embodies the best of Christianity, and was a real joy to speak with. This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Steven's book "Vegans vs. The Verses"Steven's YouTubeSteven's IGSteven's websiteVegan TheologyCreation Care ChurchWatch ChristspiracyWatch EarthlingsWatch Dominion

John Curtin has been involved in the animal liberation movement since before I was even born. He's taken the fight to the teeth of the vivisection industry, a fight that continues to this day. John has spent the last 3 1/2 years as a resident of Camp Beagle, an ongoing protest camp outside of beagle breeding facility MBR Acres in the UK. He's rescued animals, raided laboratories and been to prison numerous times standing up for animals. But don't call him a hero.If you try calling John a hero, he'll correct you that he's just a knobhead. And I love that. We need a few more knobheads like John in this movement. John got raw in this interview, telling me about things he says he rarely talks about. Crazy traumatic experiences, watching a hunter die in front of his face, desecrating a grave. I was honored to be able to ask John about the late Jill Phipps, Barry Horne, and Mike Hill, all of whom he knew personally. John is a bit mad in the best way, an old punk. But what makes John such a special person is his absolute love for animals. I've watched him break down numerous times over the plight of the beagles at MBR Acres. There's a bottle of champaigne at Camp Beagle that's only going to be opened when that place shuts down. I can't wait to watch that video.This conversation is also available on YouTube.If you're a UK resident, sign the petition to end testing on dogs.Links:John's IGThe Camp Beagle IGCamp Beagle FBThe Camp BeagleJill Phipps docWatch EarthlingsWatch DominionJohn's book recs:The Dreaded ComparisonThe Bloodless RevolutionEternal Treblinka

Shakira is someone whose love for animals has been her life's passion. Whether as a veterinary nurse or animal rights activist, caring for animals is what she does. And standing up for animals has come at a cost for her. She's faced consequences legally and professionally, but doesn't regret it, despite the hardships. And why? Because of them.I am so grateful that we have people like Shakira in this world. Her courage and conviction is exemplary, something we should all try to emulate. If the world had as much kindness and compassion as she did, we would live in a beautiful utopia, a world with far less pain and suffering. As she said during our conversation, she has a few "mini-me's" following in her footsteps. I hope this interview will inspire a few more. This conversation is also available on YouTube.Links:Shakira's IGShakira's TikTokShakira's YouTubeShakira's LinkTreeWatch DominionWatch Earthlings

Colin Pink-Hines is the brother of Chris Hines, a prolific UK-based animal rights activist. Colin is an animal lover himself, and always admired his brother's work. But it wasn't until Chris invited Colin to join a small team of activists to document conditions on a pig farm that it really hit home for him. That made what Chris had been telling him all those years immediate and real. The team followed up with a visit to a slaughterhouse that solidified in Colin the urgency of the atrocity happening to animals. And now Colin is not only vegan but an animal rights activist. Colin's transformation is really a credit to his openmindedness and courage to take a chance, and also to his close bond with Chris. It was during an interview with Chris that I realized I had questions for Colin he was game to answer. I want to shout out the incredible activists Mel and Steve, whose channel @Itsmelandsteve is where this series appeared on, as well as the investigator Calvin Tasker for doing the incredible work to bring light into the darkness of these horrible places. He took the incredible photo used in the thumbnail. And of course Chris for suggesting the conversation. His Youtube is @chrishinesofficial This conversation is also available on YouTube. Links: Colin's IG The farm visit The vigil The team discusses Chris's IG Mel and Steve IG Calvin's IG My interview with Chris Watch Earthlings Watch Dominion

If you are someone who consumes a lot of animal rights content on YouTube or social media, there's a good chance you've come across Chris Hines whether you knew it or not. Chris is a longtime activist, investigator, videographer and photographer. He's also a filmmaker. He's been working on a documentary that will be a thorough look at the strong links between music and animal rights. Chris was media liasion for Meat the Victims UK, an organizer with Save and Anonymous for the Voiceless, and a musician who ran a music magazine. He's worked closely with the prolific animal rights activist Joey Carbstrong and collaborated with loads of other well-known activists like David Ramms and Mel and Steve. We talk about some of that work. He's also indirectly the reason I discovered the deathcore band To The Grave. Chris is also just a really kind, down to the earth guy who's easy to talk to. This conversation was over two hours but it flew by for me. I feel like I could've talked to Chris for another 10 hours easy. This conversation is also available on YouTube.

Links: Chris Hines YouTube Chris on IG Chris on FB Chris on Bluesky Taking Note film on IG Taking Note on FB The Most Transparent Slaughterhouse on Earth Hogwood Documentary Pignorant film Mel and Steve video of Chris's brother Me reacting to Chris's BBC interview The Ghosts in Our Machine Punk Rock Vegan Movie

We are soon going to witness the fruits of 16 years of labor from Chris Cooney, aka Vegan Zombie. Chris came up with the concept of a zombie film with a vegan message so long ago that it happened nearly a decade before I was even a brand new vegan. I had never spoken with him until this interview, and I found it one of the most inspiring conversations I've had. Chris embodies the very concept of JUST TRY IT that has been a mantra for me since turning towards activism, music, and other life passions. I am so impressed by how he persevered towards achieving one of his major life goals with a miniscule budget and crew. This film looks scary and fun, and it may pack a surprising emotional bang, as Chris hints at in this conversation. Hear how he managed to make a feature film on a shoestring budget, grinding out a film in which he starred, directed and edited, just a mindboggling achievement. And that doesn't even get into his successful YouTube channel @TheVeganZombie which is one of the longest running vegan channels there is. Oh, and this interview is coming out on Chris's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS, and thank you so much for your dedication to following your heart and helping animals. This conversation is also available on YouTube. Links: A44 Trailer A44movie.com Vegan Zombie YouTube Vegan Zombie IG Vegan Zombie FB Vegan Zombie TikTok A44 on IG A44 on FB