Episode 464: Mark Hawthorne

This week, Mariann talks to author Mark Hawthorne about the 10th anniversary edition of his important book, Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism. He discusses expanding the book to cover things like self-care, social justice, and other issues for activists in the 21st century. He also talks about the progress and setbacks he’s seen in the last ten years, the social media revolution’s impact on movements for animal rights, and the continuing rise of grassroots activism. There are so many great takeaways from this interview, and you’ll want to make sure to pre-order the book today! 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 the bestselling Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism, which has just been updated as a 10th-anniversary edition. Mark is a frequent contributor to VegNews magazine, and he volunteers with the vegan food justice group Food Empowerment Project. You’ll find him blogging about activism at markhawthorne.com and tweeting @markhawthorne.

Also, Mariann and Jasmin discuss an email from a listener about a very difficult situation in Florida involving an invasive species of lionfish who have been displaced into Florida and are decimating the local fish population, and how this relates to the perils of speciesism. Lastly, Mariann brings us some Rising Anxieties.

As always, the award-winning weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by Mariann Sullivan and Jasmin Singer.



This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.

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The Our Hen House theme song is written and sung by the incredible Michael Harren, who is also OHH’s Director of Communications! Don’t forget to tune into Our Hen House’s other two podcasts: The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and The Animal Law Podcast.