In this solo episode of Hope for the Animals, host Hope Bohanec breaks down major recent developments shaking the vegan and animal advocacy world. From the return of beef and dairy to the top of U.S. dietary guidelines, to government-backed support for the beef industry, to controversial new campaigns encouraging people to donate money instead of going vegan — Hope examines how political power, industry influence, and shifting advocacy strategies impact animals, public health, and social change.

Hope calls for renewed moral clarity, reminding listeners that behind every policy and marketing campaign are living, feeling beings. With honesty, urgency, and compassion, she explores why ethics must stay at the center of veganism, why individual choices still matter, and why speaking up is more important than ever — especially feels like we're moving backward. With heartfelt conviction, this episode challenges complacency, defends individual action, and encourages advocates to stay vocal, critical, and empowered in the long game for animal freedom.

Support this podcast:

Hope for the Animals Podcast

Compassionate Living

Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Grassroots activism is at the heart of justice movements, but animal advocacy has undergone significant changes in recent years. The grassroots has dried up and resources and energy has shifted. Laila Kassam has dedicated the past decade to researching social justice movements and analyzing their effectiveness. She will share her insights and practical strategies for implementing a healthy movement ecosystem in our latest episode.

Laila is a Founder and Director of Project Phoenix, cultivating a national network of organizations and individuals working toward shared goals for animal freedom. Laila is a Co-Founder and former Director of Animal Think Tank where she served for six years. She is co-editor of the book ‘Rethinking Food and Agriculture: New Ways Forward’ which envisions a truly just and sustainable food system. She is on the Advisory Board of Animal Advocacy Careers and The Empathy Project and a mentor for Kickstarting for Good. Laila has been involved in social change for most of her career having previously worked in international development for 15 years. She has a PhD in Development Economics (SOAS) and an MSc in Development Management (LSE).

Resources:

• Project Phoenix Website: https://www.project-phoenix.org.uk/
• Substack Post: Have we lost our nerve as a movement?: https://projectphoenixuk.substack.com/p/have-we-lost-our-nerve-as-a-movement
• Animal Freedom Network: https://www.animalfreedom.org.uk/
• Substack post on the first phase of the RSPCA campaign last year: https://projectphoenixuk.substack.com/p/for-charlie-a-unified-campaign-to

Support this podcast:

Hope for the Animals Podcast

Compassionate Living

Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Hope’s husband, Cogen, returns to the show for a unique discussion on the portrayal of animal personhood in media. They delve into the evolution of children’s entertainment and examine the representation of animals as individual, intelligent persons. Cogen and Hope explore how the depiction of animal personhood in these films has shaped our perception of animals. From Mickey Mouse to Charlotte’s Web and the Muppets, they examine how we have come to empathize with animals and recognize their emotional nature and how far we still have to go.

Films discussed:

Early Mickey Mouse Cartoons
Bambi
Dumbo
The Fox and the Hound
Beauty and the Beast
Princess and the Frog
101 Dalmatians
The Secret of NIHM
Charlotte’s Web
Babe
Finding Nemo
Finding Dory
Moana
Luca
Brother Bear
Kung Fu Panda
The Lion King
The Muppets