In this episode of Barn & Beyond, we sit down with Daniel Parilo, a neuroscience graduate of Notre Dame, for a thoughtful conversation about what it means for animals to think, feel, and experience the world. Drawing from ideas in animal sentience, consciousness, and cognition, Daniel helps us explore how science is reshaping the way we understand nonhuman minds.

Together, we discuss the growing evidence that animals are more emotionally and cognitively complex than they are often given credit for, and how that understanding has shaped Daniel’s views as a vegan. From questions of awareness and suffering to the ethical responsibilities humans have toward other species, this episode invites listeners to reconsider the lives of animals beyond the barn and beyond our assumptions.

Whether you are curious about neuroscience, animal ethics, veganism, or the inner lives of other beings, this conversation offers an accessible and compassionate look at why animal minds matter.

In Season 1, Episode 6 of Barn & Beyond, host Chase welcomes special guests Jessica Haze, a longtime Barn Sanctuary volunteer, MOB Beauty collaborator, and vegan and cruelty-free beauty and fashion professional, along with Sadie Quagliotto, social media specialist and founder of Hip in Detroit, an online community centered on all things Detroit. Together, they share their experiences at Barn Sanctuary and reflect on how compassion, advocacy, and community shape their work. The conversation also dives into the ins and outs of vegan and cruelty-free beauty and fashion, while exploring how social media can be used as a powerful tool to educate and inspire people to make kinder, more conscious choices in their everyday lives.

To learn more about Jessica Haze and her MOB Beauty collaborations, visit: https://mobbeauty.com/pages/jessicahaze?srsltid=AfmBOopOyA0ikWiRK1S0jNHBqBAZzbC1o9TXwYF7XcPyEMnLXThsi3xS and follow @jessicahazemua on Instagram

To learn more about Sadie Quagliotto and her work with social media, visit: www.sadiequagliotto.com and follow @sadiehipindetroit on instagram

To learn more about Barn Sanctuary, visit: www.BarnSanctuary.org

In this episode of Barn & Beyond, host Chase DeBack sits down with Barn Sanctuary’s Director of Facilities, Jack Shankland, for a thoughtful conversation about the work that keeps a sanctuary running and evolving. Jack shares updates on the sanctuary’s facilities, reflects on some of the biggest changes he has witnessed over his last six years there, and tells stories that reveal both the challenges and the heart behind caring for rescued animals. They also explore the way non-vegan media—especially video games and television—can shape how we think about animals, and how repeated exposure to those portrayals can normalize or desensitize us to exploitation. It’s an honest, wide-ranging discussion about sanctuary life, personal perspective, and the media we consume every day.