The Animal Wellness podcast is produced by Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. It focuses on improving the lives of animals in the United States and abroad through legislation and by influencing businesses to create a more humane economy. The show is hosted by veteran journalist and animal-advocate Joseph Grove. Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and Podbean offer subscriptions to the free show.
Milk: It does a body bad | Episode 33
Dec 13th, 2021
In this shocking episode, Dr. Martin Mills and Olympic cyclist Dottsie Bausch discuss this terrible waste of tax dollars, the systemic racism in the school lunch program that foists milk upon our school children and the cruelty among our bovine friends.
Team Biden: Are they helping animals? | Episode 32
Oct 16th, 2021
The report on the Biden administration from the perspective of animal welfare isn't good. Not enough is being done to undo or curtail Trump administration policies, and little – if anything – is being initiated to realize the hopes of many advocates.
Minks, COVID and captivity: What’s bad for them is bad for us | Episode 31
Jul 24th, 2021
Mink captivity for human consumption is cruel, and it represents real and present danger to people. We feature Dr. Jim Keen, co-author of a new report about the deadly link between COVID-19 and humans and what we need to do about it now.
Emotions, spirituality and the rich, valuable lives of animals | Episode 30
Jun 22nd, 2021
In her new book, Enter the Animal, Teya Brooks Pribac examines academic and popular discourse on animals’ experiences of grief and spirituality. She shares her firsthand experiences and research on the complex, little understood topic of animal emotions.
Wild horses and the fight against round-ups and slaughter | Episode 29
Jun 17th, 2021
Guest Carol Walker, a fierce advocate for wild horses and partners with us for legislative and regulatory protections, discusses the more than 70,000 domestic and wild horses being rounded up each year to be shipped to Mexico and Canada for processing and human consumption in around the world.
Bob Baffert, doping and an industry in need of further reform | Episode 28
May 29th, 2021
Our guest is Joe Gorajec, former head of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and the founder of Horse Racing Integrity Consulting. The panel discusses Bob Baffert, the 2021 Kentucky Derby doping scandal and the need for additional reforms and enforcement in Thoroughbred racing.
Good intentions with a tragic result for a bear | Episode 27
Apr 30th, 2021
Oregon first-responder and Greensville fire chief Gene Davies tells the story of how the best of intentions resulted in criminal charges for him and the barrel of a gun for a young, friendly bear that he took home while arrangements were being made with a rescue agency.
David Brooks on his new book, “Animal Dreams” | Episode 26
Apr 16th, 2021
David Brooks, an Australian author, poet and essayist discusses his newest book, "Animal Dreams." The collection of essays examines what non-human animals think of other animals and, by extension, how they treat them.
Kangaroos are NOT shoes! | Episode 25
Feb 10th, 2021
Kangaroos are the No. 1 commercially slaughtered mammal in the world. A new micro-documentary produced by guest Gavin Polone shows how athletic wear is made from among nature's most fascinating and unique creatures. Go here to sign a petition for Nike, one of the largest retailers of these products.
Animal Wellness: What’s ahead in 2021 | Episode 24
Jan 14th, 2021
Not since FDR swept Herbert Hoover from office in 1932 has there been such a seismic shift in the nation's government. What does that mean for animals as their advocates prepare to navigate a new political landscape? We look ahead, as well as to review some accomplishments and disappointments in their work with the outgoing Congress.
Are mink farms about to undo the work toward a Covid vaccine? | Episode 23
Dec 8th, 2020
Scott Beckstead, the newly appointed director of campaigns for Animal Wellness Action, discusses his childhood experiences on a mink farm as well as the mink's extraordinary ability to catch, mutate and re-lease the Corona virus to humans. Will we ever learn?
PAST Act faces challenges, featuring Clant Seay | Episode 22
Nov 22nd, 2020
Animal Wellness Action finds its PAST Act momentum challenged by groups inside the animal-welfare community. Anti-soring grassroots organizer Clant Seay, a.k.a. Billy Go Boy, makes an impassioned appeal to get the bill voted and signed into law.
Bad News for big-lickers and Part II of Monty Roberts | Episode 21
Nov 12th, 2020
Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, shares big news for the PAST Act. In addition, host Joseph Grove continues the conversation with horse-trainer Monty Roberts, who is recognized globally for his pioneering methods in violence-free training as well as his work with sufferers of PTSD.
Part I: Monty Roberts on violence-free training & horse protection | Episode 20
Sep 28th, 2020
Monty Roberts discusses how he overcame horrific child abuse to eventually become the horse-trainer for Queen Elizabeth II. Marty Irby, himself recently recognized by Her Majesty, shares exciting news from the Hill on legislative protections for our equine friends.
Henry Bergh: A Traitor to His Species | Episode 19
Sep 21st, 2020
Dr. Ernest Freeberg talks about his latest work of history, "A Traitor to His Species: Henry Bergh and the Birth of the Animal Rights Movement." It explores the volatile, groundbreaking advocacy of the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Kentucky: why Is such a beautiful state so horrible to its animals and children? | Episode 18
Jul 19th, 2020
Until recent laws at last banned human-on-animal sex and gave veterinarians protection to report suspected abuse, Kentucky was 11 years running at the bottom of all states concerning animal welfare. It’s still dead-last when it comes to child welfare. In this episode, host we talk to Kathryn Callahan, the former director for Kentucky for the Humane Society of the US.
What humans can learn from animals with Carl Safina | Episode 17
Jun 15th, 2020
Carl Safina is a pioneer when it comes to understanding the hidden — and instructive — lives of animals. In this interview about his latest book, “Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace,” he talks about what we can learn about being human from chimpanzees, parrots, pigeons and whales, much of it relevant to today’s headlines.
The bloodbath of killing contests | Episode 16
Jun 3rd, 2020
Growing attention to wildlife killing contests has resulted in six states implementing bans against a bloodbath legitimate hunters, environmentalists and animal-activists alike find appalling. Guests Camilla Fox, from Project Coyote and producer/director of the documentary “Killing Games: Wildlife in the Crosshairs” talks about what is being done to outlaw them in the remaining 44 states.