Reading Between Industry Lines: What Gives Big Meat the Cold Sweats | Rising Anxieties

In this revealing episode of Rising Anxieties, Mariann Sullivan peels back the paper-thin veneer of PR to expose what’s really making Big Meat break into a sweat. From industry giants simultaneously fighting and adopting plant-based alternatives to the hilariously transparent attempts to convince consumers that dairy cows don’t actually care about their calves (spoiler alert: they absolutely do), we’re treated to a masterclass in cognitive dissonance that would make George Orwell slow-clap in appreciation. When farmers earnestly declare “bye boys” to the steers they’re shipping to slaughter while claiming deep love for these animals, you can almost hear the industry’s collective anxiety rising to a fever pitch.

This episode explores:

• How corporate animal welfare campaigns are making meaningful progress despite industry pushback and denial
• Why meat giant JBS is launching plant-based brands in Europe while abandoning similar efforts in the US
• How weight-loss drugs like Ozempic represent an existential threat to meat consumption patterns
• The increasingly desperate industry narratives attempting to justify separating dairy calves from their mothers
• The revealing language farmers use when discussing animals destined for slaughter, exposing the disconnect between claimed care and actual practice

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.

_____________________________________________

Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content!

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review!

Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, or Bluesky.

The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

Join hostesses Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan on this unique and fun award-winning podcast that focuses on changing the world for animals.

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes | Android | Google | Stitcher | RSS