Better Life for Animals

What happens when a powerful industry operates entirely behind closed doors? Investigative journalist and author Will Potter has spent over a decade answering that question. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast, we dive deep into the legal and political tactics used to shield factory farms from public scrutiny.

Potter, the author of Green Is the New Red and the new investigative work Little Red Barns, explains how the battle over industrial agriculture has evolved into a battle over transparency itself. We discuss the rise of "Ag-Gag" laws, the FBI's labeling of a...

A wild owl spent his entire life in a cage — until he escaped. Flaco, a Eurasian eagle owl born in captivity at the Central Park Zoo, could not fly freely for years.

When he escaped, millions of people followed his story and instinctively rooted for his freedom.

Why did his story resonate so deeply? And what does it reveal about zoos, wildlife captivity, and the state of animal protection laws in the United States? In this episode of the Better Life for

Animals podcast, animal law attorney and award-winning author Christine Mott examines th...

Chickens are intelligent, emotionally complex animals, yet they remain among the most underestimated and commodified beings in modern agriculture. In this episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss speaks with Liz Wheeler, co-founder of Secondhand Stories Chicken Sanctuary, about chicken sentience, sanctuary advocacy, and reshaping cultural narratives around farmed animals.

Liz shares the pivotal moment that led her into sanctuary work — meeting a rescued chicken named Ellen whose personality challenged deeply embedded stereotypes about chickens. That experience ultimately inspired the creation of a sanctuary operating under a capacity-for-care model, prioritizing lifelong quality of life over sc...

Factory farming impacts billions of animals, but the story does not end there. Behind the system are struggling farmers, vulnerable workers, and communities searching for better solutions. In this powerful episode, Leah Garcés shares what more than two decades of advocacy has taught her about transforming one of the most entrenched systems in our world.

From collaborating with farmers to exposing the hidden human cost of industrial agriculture, Leah offers a thoughtful and hopeful perspective on what real change requires and how each of us can help build a more compassionate food system.

Whether y...

What happens when more than 45,000 people connect with rescued farmed animals in a single year? Perspectives shift. Awareness grows. And compassion becomes personal.

In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss sits down with Kelly Nix, Executive Director of Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, to explore how sanctuaries are helping reshape the way people see animals and their role in creating a more humane world.

Drawing on her background as a special education teacher and school principal, Kelly explains why compassion is not simply taught. It is modeled and...

Most people say they care about animals. Far fewer are willing to disrupt their own comfort to protect them.

In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss speaks with Rose Patterson, Co-Director of Animal Rising, about what it actually takes to challenge systems built on animal suffering and why polite advocacy often fails to create change.

Rose has spent more than a decade on the front lines of animal advocacy, leading some of the most visible and controversial campaigns in the UK. From rescuing beagles from laboratory testing facilities to...

Across the United States, most farmed animal sanctuaries operate with limited staff, inconsistent funding, and an overwhelming daily workload. Many rely almost entirely on donations while carrying the emotional and financial responsibility of caring for animals society has discarded.

As Stephanie Mathers, Founder and CEO of Grants for Animals, says, "The sanctuaries already have 200 percent heart." What is often missing is structure, and that gap is where sustainability is either built or lost.

In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Kathleen Gage talks with Stephanie Mathers about how sanctuaries move from overwhelmed...

Billions of animals suffer each year because of human choices. While rescue saves individual lives, preventing suffering at its source creates lasting change.

In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss talks with Robin Singh, co founder of Peepal Farm, an animal rescue, veterinary clinic, and awareness organization in India.

Robin shares how his pursuit of happiness after leaving the tech industry led to emptiness, until meeting an elderly woman caring for abandoned dogs shifted his life toward purpose. That experience became the foundation for Peepal Farm's mission.

The...

What would sanctuary life look like if animals were not housed for human convenience, but instead were given environments designed around their instincts, ancestry, and emotional well being?

In this episode, Cheryl Moss speaks with Lenore Braford and Paul Drake of Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge in North Carolina. Lenore is the Founder and Executive Director, and Paul is the architect behind the refuge's innovative approach called animal centered design.

You will discover how studying animal behavior changes everything about how sanctuaries are built. For example:

Cows avoid enclosed barns because they need open...

Why Losing a Pet Hurts So Deeply — with Animal Chaplain Kaleel Sakakeeny

Did you know that more than 20,000 people every month search for help coping with the heartbreak of losing an animal companion? That number tells a powerful story. The grief that follows the loss of a beloved animal is real, intense, and often misunderstood. For many, it is one of the deepest emotional wounds they will ever experience, yet society doesn't always acknowledge the depth of that pain.

This is the life's work of Kaleel Sakakeeny, grief educator, ordained pastor, animal chaplain, and Executive Di...

Ending a 400 Year Tradition of Dancing Bears: How Wildlife SOS is Transforming Animal Protection in India

What happens when someone leaves a long corporate career to follow a calling rooted in compassion for animals? In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss talks with Dana Wilson, Director of Marketing and Communications for Wildlife SOS, about what real animal protection looks like on the ground in India.

Dana shares how his early volunteer work with animals eventually led him into full time nonprofit work. Today, Wildlife SOS operates inside one of...

What if national media coverage for your animal sanctuary did not start with a big pitch or a major publication, but with your local newspaper?

In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss sits down with Heather Ripley, founder and CEO of Orange Orchard PR, to unpack what actually works when it comes to media visibility for animal sanctuaries.

Heather shares how a successful career in traditional public relations evolved into purpose driven work after she went vegan and aligned her professional skills with animal advocacy. That shift led her...

Goats can see nearly 340 degrees around them. That single fact alone changes how most people think about goats and farm animals.

In this episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss talks with Deborah Blum, founder of Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sebastopol, California. Deborah shares how her life shifted from the restaurant world to farm animal rescue and what goats have taught her about behavior, trauma, and trust.

In this conversation, you will learn:

• Why goats are browsers, not grazers, and how that shapes sanctuary care
• How rescued animals experience trau...

When the mortgage industry collapsed, Tim Woodward took a hard look at his life and realized something was missing. A volunteer role with In Defense of Animals exposed him to the hidden crisis of animal suffering across the country and set him on a path that would change everything.

Seventeen years later, Tim is the Executive Director of Animal Rescue Corps, a national organization built to serve communities with no shelters, no animal control, and no resources when cruelty strikes. ARC works directly with law enforcement, responds at no cost, and steps in whether the case involves...

Discover how compassionate education is transforming the lives of children and rescued animals in this powerful conversation with Michele Fasnacht, founder of Solid Rock Community School and the Sanctuary at Solid Rock. Michele shares how her personal journey through childhood trauma, chronic illness, and a life changing shift to plant based living shaped an education model unlike anything else in the country.

In this episode, you will learn how rescued pigs, primates, ducks, and other farmed animals have become mentors for students, teaching empathy, responsibility, and emotional awareness through daily connection and hands on care. Michele explains...

What if compassion could change the world again, just like it did more than two thousand years ago?

In this episode, you will meet Rayane Laddi, a Buddhist vegan who is proving that kindness is not an idea. It is a practice. His work shows how ancient teachings can transform modern problems, from animal advocacy to fundraising to environmental health.

This conversation takes you inside Dharma Voices for Animals, the first organization to align Buddhist teachings with vegan living. What started with one simple question has become a global movement grounded in mindfulness, non harming...

What if two rescued goats could change the direction of your life?
That is exactly what happened to Miyoko Schinner.

In this episode, Miyoko walks through the moment she said yes to helping two baby goats and how that single choice grew into Rancho Compasión, a sanctuary now home to more than 100 rescued animals in Northern California. She shares the turning points, the setbacks, and the daily work it takes to build something that matters.

The Birth of Rancho Compasión

Miyoko explains how a short term favor became a long te...

What if the way we live with animals could change everything?

In this episode, Dr. Katherine Baxter, co-founder and CEO of the Alliance for Human-Animal Coexistence (AHAC), shares how she is leading a movement to turn conflict into cooperation, from elephants in Kenya to wolves in North America.

You will hear how a simple idea, planting sunflowers instead of maize, transformed entire communities, stopped crop raids, and created new sources of income. These same lessons are now being applied to predator conservation around the world.

Dr. Baxter brings decades of experience in animal...

Veterinarian and activist Dr. Crystal Heath has built a groundbreaking career rooted in courage, conscience, and compassion. As the executive director of Our Honor, she leads a growing movement of veterinarians who challenge unethical practices in animal testing, factory farming, and education.

In this episode, Dr. Heath discusses her journey from 4-H to animal advocacy, how she stood against ventilation shutdown during the pandemic, and why she believes the veterinary field must confront its moral contradictions. She also shares how Our Honor supports whistleblowers who speak out against cruelty and her vision for a compassionate, cruelty-free future...

If you've ever wondered how one small moment can completely change the course of your life, this episode is for you.

It started with a baby monkey named Samantha riding on the back of a poodle.

That single image changed everything for Kari Bagnall.

She walked away from a successful career in interior design and built a sanctuary that now gives nearly 200 monkeys a safe and loving home.

In today's episode, you'll hear how one act of compassion led to the creation of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary in Gainesville, Florida—
a...

What if the biggest barrier to living our values isn't ignorance, but comfort?

In this eye-opening conversation, longtime activist and author Hope Bohanec joins Kathleen to reveal the truth behind "humane" and "sustainable" labels. These words make us feel better about consuming animal products—but do they actually make a difference?

You'll learn why many so-called ethical food labels are designed to protect consumers' emotions, not animals. Hope shares what she discovered after decades investigating farms that claimed to treat animals humanely—and what she found will challenge everything you think you know.

Hope...

In the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where animal agriculture dominates the landscape, Lancaster Farm Sanctuary stands as a beacon of compassion. Co-founders Sarah Salluzzo and Jonina Turzi launched the sanctuary in 2017 with the mission to rescue farmed animals, educate the public, and build a plant-based community grounded in kindness and connection.

What began as a small property with no staff has grown into a thriving nonprofit with nearly 100 rescued residents, 40 volunteers, and a team of dedicated caregivers. Sarah, a social worker and nonprofit professional, and Jonina, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in trauma-informed care, have...

Naomi Alicia-Hallum, CEO of Generation Vegan (Gen V), shares her journey from growing up in a rural English farming village to leading one of the most influential global vegan organizations. Under her leadership, Gen V has delivered over 360,000 vegan meals, guided 160,000 people toward plant-based living, and inspired international campaigns challenging leaders to act for animals, the planet, and humanity.

Naomi discusses compassionate parenting, reaching audiences beyond the vegan community, and how Gen V empowers people to take meaningful first steps—without judgment or perfection. Her story is a reminder that each of us can help shape a ki...

In 1985, only 200 mountain gorillas were left in the wild. Today their numbers are growing thanks to conservation and ecotourism. In this episode, Cheryl welcomes Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, author and founder of Joyful Vegan Trips, to discuss how we can live more compassionately every day.

Colleen shares why labeling food as vegan can sometimes turn people away and how focusing on flavors and ingredients makes plant-based meals inviting to all. She explains how Joyful Vegan Trips creates authentic, satisfying travel experiences with plant-based meals that celebrate local culture.

The conversation also covers the importance of supporting real...

A single plant-based meal can save 1,000 gallons of water. That simple fact fuels Paige Parsons Roache's mission to build a kinder, more compassionate world.

Host Cheryl Moss sits down with Paige, a full-time activist and media professional whose journey began when her daughter chose to go vegan. That decision led Paige from family cooking experiments to animal vigils, and eventually to a leadership role amplifying plant-based and ethical living through Unchained TV, grassroots campaigns, and vegan policy initiatives.

In this episode Paige shares:

How animal vigils shaped her advocacy

Why sanctuaries...

Austin Farm Sanctuary, founded by Chris and Angela Fuller-Wigg, has grown from rescuing two goats on a half-acre to providing refuge for more than 240 farm animals on 95 acres in Cedar Creek, Texas. In this episode, Chris shares how a simple act of compassion became a thriving mission built on respect, sustainability, and community. From events like Doya Palooza to youth programs and virtual tours, discover how the sanctuary educates, inspires, and creates change for animals far beyond Texas.

Full post and video at: 

www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/030-Chris-Fuller-Wigg

Most people do care about animals, yet support industries that harm them. On this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, I talk with Dr. Faraz Harsini about why this happens and what we can do to change it.

Dr. Harsini shares his personal journey from believing animal use was "necessary" to becoming a leading voice in plant-based science and student empowerment. He outlines how Allied Scholars for Animal Protection is creating systems of change in universities across the United States.

From cultivated meat to replacing animal testing with human-relevant science, this conversation is...

Most people have heard of burnout. Fewer recognize it as the deeper emotional exhaustion known as compassion fatigue—a condition that can affect anyone who spends their life caring for others. In this powerful episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, host Cheryl Moss sits down with Juliette Watt, an Emmy-nominated writer, former ATP pilot, and long-time animal rescuer, to explore what happens when caregivers hit their breaking point.

Juliette shares her incredible journey, from working at Best Friends Animal Society during Hurricane Katrina to finding healing through her deep bond with horses. Together, they discuss th...

Most horses are rehomed an average of seven times during their lifetime. This instability often results in neglect, emotional distress, or a tragic end in the slaughter pipeline. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Cheryl Moss speaks with Lidia Kuleshnyk, also known as Lady Apona, founder of AponaHealing.com.

Lidia discusses her mission to heal the disconnection between humans and nature. She explains her L.O.V.E. Method, her use of Ho'oponopono to bring healing energy to horses, and her vision for creating equine land trusts and forever sanctuaries. She also outlines...

Can a 5-acre sanctuary in suburbia change how we treat farmed animals? Michele Waldman says yes—and she's living proof. In this episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, Michele shares how she founded Rosie's Farm Sanctuary in a residential Maryland neighborhood to bring compassion closer to home.

A licensed psychotherapist, Michele uses her deep understanding of trauma to connect people with animals in transformative ways. At Rosie's, rescued farm animals become teachers, and youth become leaders through LEAP internships, immersive tours, and hands-on humane education. From pigs painting snout art to launching state legislation, this sa...

More than 70 billion land animals are raised and slaughtered every year, yet most people rarely think about the individuals behind those numbers. Elizabeth Novogratz, founder of Species Unite, is working to change that.

In this conversation with Better Life for Animals Podcast host Cheryl Moss, Elizabeth shares her journey from witnessing cruelty in the global animal trade to building a nonprofit media platform that inspires global action.

What you'll learn in this episode:

Why 70% of Species Unite's non-vegan audience reports reducing or eliminating animal products

The promise of cultivated meat and...

Less than 3% of American students receive humane education, yet it's one of the strongest predictors of ethical leadership. In this powerful episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss speaks with Danielle Hanosh, co-founder of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet) and Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary.

A former middle school teacher, Danielle shares how her passion for education and animal welfare inspired a national movement that's transforming farm sanctuaries into youth leadership hubs. LEAP is a compassionate alternative to 4-H and FFA, teaching students public speaking, ethical decision-making, climate literacy, and animal protection—wi...

Most people don't expect to find a thriving farm animal sanctuary nestled on just four acres of land in Indiana. But Jessica Wallace isn't most people. A lifelong animal lover with a background in equine sciences and veterinary care, Jessica joined Cheryl Moss on the Better Life for Animals Podcast to share how her small but mighty sanctuary is making a big difference, especially for goats.

A Lifelong Passion Sparked by Horses

Jessica's journey started with a love for horses. She earned an associate degree in equine sciences and worked in veterinary clinics for over...

Factory farming produces over 70 billion land animals every year—yet most students are never taught to question the system behind it. In this eye-opening episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, we sit down with Zoe Weil, co-founder and president of the Institute for Humane Education (IHE), to explore how education can be a powerful force for compassion, justice, and change.

Zoe introduces us to solutionary education—an innovative, systems-based approach that teaches students to identify and solve real-world problems affecting people, animals, and the environment. From factory farming to climate change, this model empowers the next...

Can $23 a Month Offset Animal Suffering? Thom Norman of FarmKind Explains

Can a small monthly donation create massive impact for animals? In this episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss sits down with Thom Norman, co-founder and director of Outreach at FarmKind, to explore how $23 a month can reduce the suffering caused by an average omnivorous diet.

Thom introduces the concept of diet offsetting, a practical and inclusive solution for those who care about animals but may not be fully plant-based. Through FarmKind's Compassion Calculator, individuals can measure the impact of their dietary...

Unity Farm Sanctuary in Sherborn, Massachusetts is home to over 250 rescued animals, including cows, pigs, goats, turkeys, ponies, and llamas. Founded in 2016 by Kathy and John Halamka, the sanctuary provides lifelong refuge to farmed animals while serving as a hub for humane education and community outreach.

Co-founder Kathy Halamka brings her background in business and the arts to every aspect of the sanctuary. From coordinating volunteers to sharing stories through photography and writing, her hands-on leadership helps people connect deeply with the animals and the mission.

Unity's residents are never adopted out. Once they arrive...

Less than 1 percent of U.S. animal product consumers ever witness the conditions inside factory farms. Brent Ratkovich is part of the small percentage who has, and he has turned that truth into tireless action.

In this episode, Cheryl Moss sits down with longtime animal advocate Brent Ratkovich, whose journey from personal health transformation to frontline activism highlights the power of everyday people making an extraordinary impact for animals. From solo street protests to large-scale hen rescues, Brent's story is a powerful reminder that when it comes to animal rights, silence is never neutral.

A...

Over 70 billion land animals are killed for food every year, yet many of the people rescuing them, those running animal sanctuaries, struggle with visibility, funding, and the time it takes to spread their message.

On this episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast, host Cheryl Moss welcomed bestselling author and vegan book strategist Mitali Deypurkaystha, also known as The Vegan Publisher, to explore how books can amplify advocacy and help sanctuaries thrive.

A Book Is Your Mission in One Powerful Place

"There's something about writing a book," Mitali explained. "It gives people...

Animal sanctuaries are lifelines for creatures rescued from exploitation, yet their existence often remains overlooked. Pair that with the fact that fewer than 2 percent of Americans identify as vegan, and the urgency for education and advocacy becomes undeniable. Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, a global leader in animal ethics and founder of the educational nonprofit Tapestry of Peace, brought this message to life as a featured expert on the Better Life for Animals Podcast, hosted by Cheryl Moss.

From Scholar to Activist: A Life Devoted to Justice

Dr. Kemmerer holds a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard...

What is it like to be born and raised vegan in a world that normalizes animal exploitation? Sarina Farb, a lifelong ethical vegan, activist, and co-founder of the International Vegan Earth Day March, shares how she turns her values into action through education, outreach, and advocacy.

She travels the country in a vegan-themed camper van, reaching millions with her message that veganism is not just a diet but a deeply rooted principle of compassion and justice. Sarina unpacks the truth about backyard eggs, fish consumption, the ex-vegan trend, and the marketing spin pushed by the meat and...