The Power of Play: Using Improv to Strengthen Animal Advocacy with Zoe Novic and Austin Meyer

In this engaging episode, documentary filmmaker Austin Meyer and sanctuary director Zoe Novic share how improvisation techniques can revolutionize animal advocacy. From their work leading “Advocacy Playground” workshops at the Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit to Austin’s compelling animal-focused documentaries, the couple demonstrates how creativity and playfulness can strengthen activism while building essential skills like listening and adaptability. Their unique approach combines professional expertise with a deep commitment to animal protection, offering fresh perspectives on advocacy techniques.

This episode explores:

• How improv principles like “Yes, and” can enhance activist communication and campaign planning
• The importance of incorporating play and creativity into serious advocacy work
• Strategies for telling compelling animal stories through documentary filmmaking
• Ways to build connection and trust within animal advocacy organizations
• The value of bringing National Geographic-style storytelling to farm animal narratives

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Zoe is the Executive Director of the Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE). By day, she combines her passion for animal advocacy, public health, and education at the CAPE animal sanctuary. By night, Zoe can be found playing music, performing in live theater, or leading improv-based leadership workshops with her partner, Austin.

Austin is a documentary filmmaker, National Geographic Explorer, and theatrical improviser. By day, he takes the chaos around him and tries to arrange it into meaningful stories, both with his camera and on stage. By night, Austin can be found running in the mountains, playing mandolin, and wondering how he got so lucky to call Zoe his partner in crime and in life.

RESOURCES 

• • • • Water Bear documentary
      • Center for Animal Protection & Education (CAPE) website
      • Collective Capital website
      • Austin Meyer Films website
      • CAPE on Linkedin
      • CAPE on Instagram
      • CAPE on Facebook
      • Austin Meyer on Instagram
      • Austin Meyer Youtube

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview.

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