Factory farming is a cruel system that has a devastating impact on the environment. What is often not understood is that it is also a social justice issue. It is the same mindset of domination and power, that leads to things like systemic racism and sexism, that allows us to treat animals like they are a mechanical process rather than beings who feel pain and suffering. It is here where our cognitive dissonance is so apparent. On one hand, we treat our house pets like kings, while on the other hand, we feel it is okay to breed, consume and/or use animals in a compassionless manner. Join us for a meaningful conversation on the far-reaching impacts of our animal cruelty and why ethical veganism, "is an antidote for so many of life’s problems."


About the Guest

Mark Hawthorne is an activist and the author of three books on animal rights and social justice: A Vegan Ethic: Embracing A Life Of Compassion Toward All, Bleating Hearts: The Hidden World of Animal Suffering, and Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism, which empowers people around the world to get active for animals. He stopped eating meat after an encounter with one of India’s many cows in 1992 and became an ethical vegan a decade later. He blogs about activism at markhawthorne.com, and you’ll find him tweeting @markhawthorne.