For Animals For Earth - Simple ideas to make a difference: Recent Episodes
Brandy Heyde Montague
Hi there, I'm Brandy, a Disney engineer turned gentle activist podcaster, on a journey to help animals and the environment. In this show, I interview creators and activists in all corners of the world who make a difference for animals and the earth in their daily lives. Throughout each episode, we discover new, simple ideas that we can all try, to help in our lives. I'm passionate about cutting through the overwhelm, bringing in diverse voices, and celebrating the fact that I'm not perfect.
I look forward to joining forces with you, and making a difference together. Welcome to the show!
Guys! As many as 550,000 animals are suffering in wildlife tourism worldwide. Many are in captive situations and forced to perform tricks, give people rides, or be handled for selfies.
This is an area where we actually can make a big impact as an individual consumer by simply choosing not to support those activities.
You’ll learn how to identify cruel wildlife tourism and what to do instead with Melissa Matlow of World Animal Protection in my interview today.
We cover:
- When is Wildlife Tourism Cruel?
- Travel Companies Who Are Helping
- Elephant Rides
- Swim with Dolphins
- Global Ecotourism Councils
- Canadian Laws for Wildlife in Tourism
- Seeing Animals in the Wild
- Seeing Wildlife with Children
- Future of Wildlife in Tourism
- How to Avoid Burnout
I hope you’ll check it out! And please share with friends in the tourism industry. They can reach out to Melissa to partner and become Wildlife Friendly companies easily!
Thank you!!
SHOW NOTES & FOLLOW UP LINKS:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/82
FOLLOW MELISSA:
https://www.instagram.com/Worldanimalprotectioncanada
Dr. Lori Marino is famous for her work on sentience in animals. She's a neuroscientist, an expert in animal behavior, and an incredible advocate.
She’s been featured in films like Blackfish, Unlocking the Cage, and Long Gone Wild, talking about sentience in animals.
She’s on the team building The Whale Sanctuary Project – an alternative for whales who have only known captivity and will have the chance to live in nature.
Lori is the Founder & Executive Director of The Kimmela Center for Scholarship-based Animal Advocacy. This group focuses on bringing science to animal law. Lori sits on the edge of combining animal welfare and science by studying sentience in animals and has published over 140 papers!
Personally, I think the work that Lori does studying sentience in animals is some of the coolest work in the world. By using science, data, and controlled tests, she’s leading the way for us to better understand what animals are REALLY thinking and feeling.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/81
CONTACT LORI:
MarinoLori@outlook.com
CONTACT YOUR CONGRESS PEOPLE:
https://secure.everyaction.com/siREbzv8bkeEDSA1XgTN7w2
The Fair & Fowl Ranking Report is produced by @TheHumaneLeague and @openwingalliance . About 100 animal welfare organizations come together to influence brands to only source cage-free eggs. Once the pledges are made, the groups follow up to ensure that the brands are working toward their goals.
In the Fair & Fowl Ranking Report, they rank brands who are transparent and reporting their progress with a favorable “good egg” rating. They rank brands who are not reporting and ignore their outreach efforts with a “bad egg” rating. The Fair & Fowl Ranking Report for the Global Travel Industry was recently released.
Brooke Fane, Global Corporate Campaigns Coordinator for The Humane League, joined me in episode 80 to discuss the Fair & Fowl Ranking Report. We chatted about the various rankings and which travel brands are doing well or leaving something to be desired in their reporting.
We also talked about the Humane Hospitality Campaign which was so successful that the three companies who made changes from the campaign should ultimately impact 861,000 hens annually. That’s 861,000 less animals suffering while trapped in cages with about an iPad’s size footprint to live on. Amazing!
SHOW NOTES (INC. VIDEO & AUDIO):
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/80
Thanks guys!
Climate anxiety seems to be a growing topic of conversation. Have you heard of this? And do you resonate with it? I certainly do.
I worried about the climate before, but I’ve felt the anxiety take a stronghold these past five years since I started For Animals. For Earth. The weight of never doing enough to make a difference is quite heavy.
My friend, Ame Vanorio, has always inspired me. She’s a poster child for sustainable living and she recently created a Climate Anxiety workbook to share what she does to keep herself healthy. This was a perfect topic for me and a great chance to share her workbook.
You can listen or watch our interview. Or, quickly skip to the 5 simple ideas to manage climate anxiety.
BUY AME'S BOOK ON AMAZON:
https://www.amazon.com/Climate-Eco-Anxiety-Guided-Journal-Workbook/dp/B0CPCN467M
LISTEN/WATCH/READ THE INTERVIEW:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/79
Are zoos ethical? We’ll help you find that answer for yourself in today’s interview. As imagined, it’s not a simple yes or no.
I’m joined by Rob Laidlaw, the founder of Zoocheck, a wildlife protection organization based in Canada. He’s an author of ten children’s books, a chartered biologist, a speaker, and one of the most successful animal rights advocates of the century.
He’s down to earth, humble and kind, and does not seem to be deterred by the roadblocks we often hit as we fight for animals. He’s a wealth of knowledge, and we’re so thankful that he shared his thoughts and perspectives with us in this interview.
In today’s conversation, we address “are zoos ethical?” through the following topics:
- Types of Zoos
- How Have Zoos Changed Over Time?
- Design Tricks Used by Zoos
- Where Do Zoo Animals Come From?
- Negative Effects of Captivity on Animals
- How Can We Help Animals in Zoos?
- What about Conservation and Education?
- What Should We Do When We Visit a Zoo?
- Zoos of the Future
SHOW NOTES (WITH VIDEO, AUDIO, & BLOG POST):
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/78
CONTACT ROB & ZOOCHECK:
https://www.zoocheck.com/
CONTACT BRANDY:
hello@ForAnimalsForEarth.com
Pet evacuation and disaster relief are topics that are near and dear to my heart. The new Pet Help and Rescue App (PHaR) is an answer to many of our prayers. It is going to change the face of planning for animals in disasters, something that is often forgotten when these things happen.
App co-founder Dave Crawford lived through the Marshall Wildfire in 2021, but his home and an estimated 1,000 neighboring pets did not. He went door to door looking for animals and was able to save one dog, Chief. Following the fire, Dave joined fellow animal lovers in coming up with a plan to save animals in future disasters. Through generous funding and many many hours of hard work, they dreamed up this new neighborhood planning app for pet evacuation and disaster relief.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/77
PET HELP & RESCUE APP:
https://www.PHaR.org/
EPISODE 76 WITH DAVE:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/76
CONTACT BRANDY:
hello@ForAnimalsForEarth.com
Wildlife emergency app, Animal Help Now, provides 24 hour wildlife rescue and advice based on your location. The database contains only humane wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians for wildlife emergencies and conflict.
I interviewed co-founder and executive director, Dave Crawford, in episode 76. The thing that I love most about the Animal Help Now wildlife emergency app is that it was created within the wildlife rehabilitation community. It specifically lists people who have been trained in humane wildlife emergency and conflict treatment.
They will advise solutions with the best possible outcome for the animal. This is not likely to happen if you simply search Google for help.
Download the app now so that you have it quickly available if you do see an animal in need. And please share this in your neighborhood groups and with friends!
Apple:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animalhelpnow!/id511153457
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ahnow
Direct Website:
https://AHNow.org
LISTEN, WATCH OR READ INTERVIEW:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/76
CONTACT BRANDY:
hello@ForAnimalsForEarth.com
There are some big things going on in animal welfare law right now that need our help. Like ASAP need us to reach out to our Senators and Representatives to urge them to vote on the side of animal protection.
Gabriel Wildgen from The Humane League joined me in today’s episode to give us the low down. In this conversation, you’ll learn all about what’s happening (spurred by retaliation when California’s Prop 12 was passed in 2018 to help farm animals), and how to quickly contact your Congresspeople.
Please share this as widely as you can. Like and comment so that we can reach more people quickly.
The more time that passes, the more danger that we can’t stop it from happening. Thank you SO much. 😘
LISTEN, WATCH, or READ:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/75
LOOKUP & MESSAGE YOUR CONGRESSPEOPLE:
https://secure.everyaction.com/-Tsqp_2WnkOIwThSsDZqKA2
Oluwakemi Oluwasegun (“Kemi”) is changing the face of sustainability in her Nigerian community with cassava and kindness, and she's looking for support.
She lives in the quiet and peaceful community of Ila Orangun, Nigeria. She happens to be one of the most genuine and kind people that I have met. She has not had an easy life, yet grounded in God, she’s constantly thinking about how she can help other people.
She discussed three projects with us in this episode: her cassava factory and potential cassava farm (Winners Food Processing), reusable pads for the girls in her community, and donations of physical goods to help local orphanages with the Oluwadabira Foundation.
Investing in or supporting Kemi’s projects is simple. She’s looking for people who can donate money, clothing, shoes, bags, books, etc. that will keep her projects afloat.
If we can’t support her directly, we can share her work with those around us. We never know who may be able to help. Thank you for listening.
Listen, Watch or Read Details:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/74
Reach out to Kemi:
OluwakemiOluwasegun@yahoo.com
Dr. Vicky Bond, president of The Humane League, walks us through the truth about eggs. We discuss everything from what life looks like for egg-laying hens in our industrialized food system to which eggs to buy at the store if we’re not vegan.
The Humane League is a global non-profit organization focused on helping animals who are raised for food. The group educates and influences the public, and decision-makers within brands such as McDonald’s and Jollibee, to pledge and work to use only cage-free eggs by 2025.
They started this project in 2015 when only 6-7% of hens were cage-free in the US. Now the U.S. is at 40% and big brands such as Nestle have proven that it’s possible to go 100% cage-free.
Vicky believes that it is possible that we can end caged hens in our lifetime, but it takes the work of many animal lovers coming together to make that happen. The Humane League provides the framework, and we simply need to sign up for the Fast Action Network and contribute a couple of minutes per day to be a part of this movement.
FAST ACTION NETWORK:
https://thehumaneleague.org/fast-action-network
SHOW NOTES:
https://foranimalsforearth.com/show/73
So remember when I said that I was bringing the show back and we were off of the hiatus a year ago? I did TRULY believe that the show was back. But, we weren't! My move to Orlando turned out to be way more consuming than I had hoped. That being said, the show is now officially starting back up. And I cannot wait to learn more and help animals with you. Reach out or comment below if you're ready and excited. I can't wait to hear from you. Thank you for your never-ending support. You're amazing.
How to avoid burnout… this is the million-dollar question for so many of us, right? We want to help animals and the earth but it’s exhausting. And when other people don’t seem to be on board it gets even harder.
I’ve been struggling with burnout this year. Our move to Florida was announced a year ago, and the saga of deciding whether to go, and then executing on it has been… intense! I found myself with very little momentum to do anything.
I did however feel inspired to bounce back after watching my earth-loving friends slay their businesses and decided to ask them how they avoid burnout. It turned into this panel discussion. The overarching theme was:
SIMPLIFY. Begin by REALLY knowing ourselves. Choose our priorities by NARROWING DOWN and ONLY CHOOSING those that align with WHO WE ARE, and WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS in our life. And then STAY IN OUR LANE and keep delivering on those few priorities. Simple right? ;-)
CONTACT INFO:
Annemarie Sampson on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sustainablelife.live/
Siham Omer on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wildlyblack/
Lindsey Biondo on the web at https://www.violetrevolt.com/
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/71
I have had so much fun getting to know Captain Amado Watson these past six months and learning more about Belize ecotourism. His tour company, Caye Caulker Reef Friendly Tours, is very different from the average company you’ll find in Belize. He specifically focuses on providing animal friendly and reef friendly tours to guests.
People from everywhere in the world come to see the Belize reef that is thriving. But how do we as humans keep Belize ecotourism thriving while inevitably leaving our footprint on this magnificent place?
We get into that in this episode!
BOOK A TOUR WITH AMADO:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccreeffriendlytours/
What’s App: Amado at +501 633 2275
Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g291963-d6225089-r250844679-Reef_Friendly_Tours-Caye_Caulker_Belize_Cayes.html
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/show/70
Hi guys! So sorry for the unexpected 5-month hiatus! I'm back and can't wait to begin doing interviews with you again. ..xx
Reketta Peterson joins me from Fairbanks, Alaska to talk about how we may be promoting anti-blackness in sustainability, without even knowing it. Reketta is a BIPOC health equity consultant at RSP Consulting, an author, and a therapist. She’s passionate about bringing people together and sparking conversations about anti-blackness and inclusivity.
There were many strong words that came up in our conversation, and I thought it would be good to call them out here as food for thought: resistance, dismissive, inclusive, perspective, awareness, struggle, autonomy.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Reketta urges us to pay attention to our language when we speak, with a special focus on how what we’re saying is being received. Is the person we’re talking to feeling small or unheard? Are they losing their sense of autonomy, and are we controlling what their actions should be?
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/68
Hi friend! Today's episode is a quick update to share the lay of the land for the next few weeks. Join me next week for "Ways We May Be Promoting Anti-Blackness in Sustainability, Without Even Knowing It".
FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/freelibrary
JOIN EMAIL LIST:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/emaillist
CONTACT ME:
hello@ForAnimalsForEarth.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ForAnimalsForEarth
Tis’ the season for gift-giving, and I’ve curated 5 DIY minimalist gift ideas for your earth and animal-loving friends.
I personally find this season to be a tough balance on my values. Gifts are expected in most of my circles, and they are a part of our Christmas tradition. My kids genuinely get so excited when Christmas comes around, and I love to see their eyes light up when they see presents under the tree. I also like to give something small to my neighbors, and to the people who genuinely light up my life each day. It’s such a nice way to say thank you.
But… how do we give gifts in a conscious way? It’s hard, isn’t it? I hope that this list will give you a good idea to try. Let me know in the comments if you try any of these DIY minimalist gift ideas, or if you have favorites of your own. I would love to update this each year with 5 new ideas.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Try one of the DIY gift ideas on this list.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/66
Ulara Nakagawa of Elephants in Japan taught me today about elephants in captivity. She specifically focuses on helping elephants who are in solitary captivity in Japan, but her organization teaches about elephant welfare all over the world.
She shared a helpful analogy:
An elephant, in captivity alone, in a small concrete zoo, is like a human being, being locked into a bathroom, not being allowed to talk to anyone, and being kept there for 60+ years.
It puts it into perspective, doesn’t it? Elephants are increasingly known as sensitive, smart, and compassionate beings who need significant stimulation and space to roam. They show signs of stress through deeply repetitive coping behaviors such as bobbing, walking back and forth, or flipping over the same toy in the same way, again and again.
Ulara’s investigations have not only uncovered torturous conditions in zoos in Japan but ways to make things better in the short term, midterm, and long term for each elephant. Her findings pertain to elephants in captivity everywhere, and we can all read, learn and spread the word around us.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Read the Solitary Elephants in Japan report on the Elephants in Japan website. Then funnel our emotions into a tiny action to help elephants in captivity. I've rounded up tons of ideas in the show notes and linked to the report there.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/65
COP26 Climate Summit… have you heard this set of words left and right for the past few weeks? There’s a good reason why. This is an incredibly important moment in time as the climate continues to suffer from global greenhouse emissions that are too high and a lack of forests to process them.
COP26 is wrapping up in Glasgow now, but number 26 is just this year’s conference. This climate summit happens every year, and a lot of pressure exists right now to not only have it happen annually but to require countries to update their pledges yearly as well.
I have outlined what the conference is, some history to it, new announcements that were made this year, why activists are upset, and what we can do to take some power into our own hands.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Spark conversation about the Summit in a non-confrontational way. If you learn something new today, or you choose an idea from the list at the end to try, share that with a friend and see if you can spark some conversation about what’s happening. Send that little ripple into the world. ;-)
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/64
Jess Taylor and Natalie Ringeis of Love the Green Life Org taught me how to build a Certified Wildlife Habitat in my own backyard today! This is such a cool and simple way to not only help wildlife, but to actually become friends with the animals that we share our space with here on earth.
Put on by the National Wildlife Federation, this is actually pretty simple. We provide sources for cover, food, water, a place to raise young and make it all sustainable. Check out the episode for details and links to get started.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Spend 15 minutes in the backyard. Take coffee, a journal, a coloring book, etc. and observe. Use this as a starting point to build a certified wildlife habitat that genuinely helps the animals in our yard.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/63
Episode 62 is a bit of a bonus episode where I share some milestones and turning points in my own personal journey looking for ways to help animals. It’s been hard for me to make a difference and find sustainable ways to do so over the years as my life changes. I hope this is interesting and that you can relate with your own journey. Let me know!
SIMPLE IDEA:
Keep going and don’t give up. (I tell myself everyday lol.)
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/62
Hans Pfister, president of Cayuga Collection, joined me from San Jose, Costa Rica to talk about sustainable tourism. We spent our time discussing how he does things differently with his group of sustainable luxury hotels. He says, “Fire can be something very useful, but it can also be very destructive. Tourism is the same way.” He urges the hospitality industry and consumers alike to think local, think long-term, and get creative.
Hans took me through how they do things differently at Cayuga Collection, giving us a list of things to look for when we're booking a vacation. Details can be found in the show notes (linked below).
SIMPLE IDEA:
Ask questions. Call the hotel that we are thinking of booking. Ask them, “What do you do to be sustainable? What does sustainability mean for you?” If we get a good answer, we can feel comfortable booking. When we’re at the destination, ask the staff questions such as, “How did this place look 20 years ago before tourism? Has it improved? Is it worse?” Share what we find with the people around us.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/61
Hans Pfister, president of Cayuga Collection, joined me from San Jose, Costa Rica to talk about sustainable tourism. We spent our time discussing how he does things differently with his group of sustainable luxury hotels. He says, “Fire can be something very useful, but it can also be very destructive. Tourism is the same way.” He urges the hospitality industry and consumers alike to think local, think long-term, and get creative.
Hans took me through how they do things differently at Cayuga Collection, giving us a list of things to look for when we're booking a vacation. Details can be found in the show notes (linked below).
SIMPLE IDEA:
Ask questions. Call the hotel that we are thinking of booking. Ask them, “What do you do to be sustainable? What does sustainability mean for you?” If we get a good answer, we can feel comfortable booking. When we’re at the destination, ask the staff questions such as, “How did this place look 20 years ago before tourism? Has it improved? Is it worse?” Share what we find with the people around us.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/60
Wondering what to do with an old t-shirt that you just found in your closet? It’s not straightforward, is it?
We know that if we donate it to Goodwill, it’s likely to find its way to the landfill. If we hand it off to someone else, they’re likely to donate it, and it comes back around to the landfill.
So what can we do with that old t-shirt? I’ve put together these 8 unique ideas, with links to easy tutorials in the show notes.
- Use dye to cover up stains
- Repair it
- Turn it into a cute yoga top
- Turn it into a tote bag
- Make no heat hair rollers for curls
- Create fabric twist ties
- Make dog beds for the local shelter
- Create a rice heating pad
SHOW NOTES:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/59
Lesley-Anne Pereira joined me to chat about how to start a sustainable closet. She is a fashion blogger at Style Me Sustainably (StyleMeSustainably.com), based in Glendora, California. Lesley-Anne brings a perspective to sustainable fashion that is different from most activists I have met. She is fun, grounded, and easy going. She says that she “refuses to let fashion be the villain”, and she exudes that attitude.
Lesley-Anne walks us through her easy tips for starting a sustainable closet and encourages us to bring the fun back into fashion. Her light-hearted attitude is a breath of fresh air in what often feels like a heavy task – navigating sustainability.
SHOW NOTES:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/58
I love sustainable products marketplaces. They make life as a conscious consumer so much easier by pulling together products that are all made ethically, without significantly harming the environment.
I've added a list of 30+ marketplaces that I think are good and offer a wide variety of options to our free library (linked below). I chose 6 to highlight today: Leaf'd, Made Trade, Blk + Grn, The Cura Co., Ten Thousand Villages, Uncommon Goods.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/57
FREE DOWNLOAD:
To access the full list of 30+ Sustainable Products Marketplaces, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/freelibrary
Nicole Navarro runs Pawsitive Beginnings (PawsitiveBeginnings.org), a rescue that saves foxes from fur farms and provides them with a safe and permanent home in Key Largo, Florida.
Did you know that fur farms are not only operating, but are alive and thriving in the United States? Although rescue is growing, only a fraction of the animals are saved. And the only purpose for keeping them on the farm is to kill them for their fur.
This is a very cruel, no silver linings, far from glamorous, industry. And it likely won’t stop until people stop purchasing fur.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Boycott brands who use fur. Topping this list are Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, and Yves Saint Laurent. These brands continue to fund the cruel fur farms industry. Giving them our money (even if it’s not for fur clothing) gives them money to spend on perpetuating the practice. It’s best to boycott the brand as a whole.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/56
Natural remedies for anxiety and panic attacks are a daily part of my life. Do you ever feel like you are milliseconds away from a panic attack? I think that’s just part of being an empath and feeling the pain of humans and animals around us. But how do we manage it so that we can continue to go out and make changes in the world?
That’s the million dollar question.
Below are four natural remedies that I pull from in my daily life. These usually help me calm my nerves enough to pull out of that extreme anxiety mode and move forward.
-
Young Living Valor essential oil
-
Chakra crystals & meditation
-
Boxed Breathing & Gassho
-
Guided meditation on Insight Timer
SIMPLE IDEA:
Try one of these 4 ideas next time anxiety or panic is bothering you. And share one simple idea of your own in the show note comments (link below).
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/55
WANT TO START A PODCAST?
If you listened to today’s episode and you want to start a podcast, or become a part of the mastermind that I’m in, check out Wit & Wire here: https://brandyhmontague--witandwire.thrivecart.com/podcast-launch-accelerator (affiliate)
Azizi Birkeland joined me from Bali, Indonesia to talk about Tiny Green Chef, her business designed to teach plant based cooking with kids.
Although Tiny Green Chef is definitely about teaching kids to cook, it’s far more than that. It’s a lifestyle and a philosophy about connecting to family, knowing who we are, and embracing personal preference, even as a young child.
In this interview, Azizi shares a ton of great tips for connecting to our children in cooking, but also in life in general. Enjoy! And let me know if you sign up for the course.
TINY GREEN CHEF COURSE:
www.TinyGreenChef.com
SIMPLE IDEA:
Eat more plants. There are many ideas for how to do this: choose one meal a day to eat plant-based, or one day a week, or try switching out a snack tomorrow. Choose an apple, or banana, even broccoli or peas rather than trail mix or a granola bar.
PODCASTING WEBINAR:
“How to Launch a Podcast in 2021, and Get Your First 1000 Downloads” webinar from Wit & Wire is happening on Tuesday, September 14th, 2021. You can sign up to join here:
https://brandyhmontague--witandwire.thrivecart.com/podcast-launch-accelerator/5fe2828d826e8/ (affiliate)
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/54
Why should we care about the environment? Here are 3 statistics that I keep top of mind for conversations about animals and the earth. Please comment below, and link to the source, to let us know of any other statistics that you keep top of mind. Thank you!
3 STATISTICS TO KEEP TOP OF MIND:
- A 10-year US government study revealed that more than 90 percent of the nation’s tested waters and fish are contaminated with pesticides.
- Farm Sanctuary found that 9 billion chickens are slaughtered for meat in the US each year, 104 million pigs, and 330 million hens are confined to lay 95 billion eggs.
- Our World in Data states that there are greater than 35,000 species that qualified to be going extinct today. That is 1/4 of the world’s mammals, 1/6 of the birds, and 40% of the amphibians.
4 SIMPLE IDEAS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
- Switch to non-toxic cleaning products. My cleaning closet.
- Choose one day per week, & eat only vegan meals that day.
- Plant trees on our property, or donate to non-profits who plant trees.
- Cut down on our personal paper usage with zero waste alternatives.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/53
This episode is a recap of Season 3. I quickly walk through the title and guest for each episode, and one of the simple ideas that they shared.
PREVIOUS EPISODES:
http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast
PHD PROGRAMS:
I also talk about my current mission: finding Phd programs to apply to over the next year. I'm looking for a school and program where I can use my engineering background to learn more, and to help animal welfare efforts with analytics. I'm particularly searching programs in Human Animal Bond or Communication, Environment and Sustainability, Public Policy or Business / Non-profit Management.
If you have any ideas for me, please reach out and share them! You can contact me at hello@ForAnimalsForEarth.com or on Instagram at @ForAnimalsForEarth.
SEASON 4 will begin in September. See you then!
Dr. Vatsala Sperling joins me from Costa Rica to talk about ayurvedic eating. She is a clinical microbiologist and homeopathic doctor practicing out of Rochester Homeopathy in Vermont.
Vatsala grew up in an Ayurvedic household and learned from the time that she was very young to appreciate Mother Earth and to live from a place of abundance, sharing and giving freely to people and animals around her.
The Ayurvedic Reset Diet is a book for people who are looking for vibrance in their lives. It’s a diet, but it’s also a way of life. Vatsala speaks to the fact that vitality doesn’t only come through what we eat, but how we eat. Our attitude toward food, our connection with the earth, and our connection with the people around us all play into our health. Ayurvedic eating gives us a road map.
SIMPLE IDEA:
SHARE FOOD WITH FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS. Only take what we need and share the rest. Ayurvedic eating includes giving freely to people and animals around us. Teach children in our lives to do this with us. Live as if there is abundance.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/50
Dr. Vatsala Sperling joins me from Costa Rica to talk about ayurvedic eating. She is a clinical microbiologist and homeopathic doctor practicing out of Rochester Homeopathy in Vermont.
Vatsala grew up in an Ayurvedic household and learned from the time that she was very young to appreciate Mother Earth and to live from a place of abundance, sharing and giving freely to people and animals around her.
The Ayurvedic Reset Diet is a book for people who are looking for vibrance in their lives. It’s a diet, but it’s also a way of life. Vatsala speaks to the fact that vitality doesn’t only come through what we eat, but how we eat. Our attitude toward food, our connection with the earth, and our connection with the people around us all play into our health. Ayurvedic eating gives us a road map.
SIMPLE IDEA:
SHARE FOOD WITH FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS. Only take what we need and share the rest. Ayurvedic eating includes giving freely to people and animals around us. Teach children in our lives to do this with us. Live as if there is abundance.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/50
Do you sign petitions for animals often? I used to sign things as they came across my view, but it was once or twice a year, and never something that I consciously did.
I realized a few years ago that some non-profits round up lists of current petitions and make them extremely easy to sign. They have forms that look up our local government representatives, or simply add our signature to a list.
This episode includes a list of my 6 favorite sites.
SIMPLE IDEA:
The simple idea for today is to schedule one day per month, pick one favorite website, and sign a few petitions on that day each month. My favorite number is 16. So I’m planning to sign in to one of these sites on the 16th each month to sign a couple of petitions.
6 PLACES TO SIGN PETITIONS FOR ANIMALS:
- The Nature Conservancy - https://support.nature.org/site/SPageNavigator/action_center/action_center.html
- National Resource Defense Council - https://www.nrdc.org/actions
- One Green Planet - https://www.onegreenplanet.org/tag/petitions/
- World Wildlife Fund - https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=can_home
- Green Peace USA - https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/take-action/ Green Peace Global - https://www.greenpeace.org/global/
- Lady Freethinker - https://ladyfreethinker.org/category/speakout-petitions/
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/49
Tom joins me from Pacific Grove, California. He is an executive producer at Kibble Creative (https://www.kibblecreative.com/) where he makes animal welfare media including videos, short films, and documentaries to help animal interest groups further their mission in the world.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Think. Sometimes we go through life in a routine and don't really notice how what we're doing impacts people, animals and the environment. If we stop to think a few times a day, we'll cultivate more awareness of our impact in the universe.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/48
I get asked this a lot: "What products do you use?" Over the years I've done countless hours of my own research, deciding whether I believed in companies enough to use their products or not. And I'm in love with my conscious makeup drawer.
And I'm excited to share it with you! We can all support these companies together and help them grow.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Try the Skin Carisma Ingredient Analyzer at SkinCarisma.com.This is my go to tool for conscious makeup. Copy and paste ingredients for a free report and learn how any product aligns (or doesn't align) with your needs and values.
FREEBIE:
It was extremely hard to choose just 5 items! I’m obsessed with ALL of them. So I went ahead and put ALL of my conscious makeup drawer items into a free download with clickable links. Get that here:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/MyMakeupDrawer
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/47
Lindsey joins me from Detroit, Michigan. She’s about to launch her new sustainable, slow fashion line called Violet Revolt. Lindsey hand sews every piece in her line from certified organic plant-based fabrics that have been naturally dyed.
She additionally works with a social enterprise based in northern Kenya, to source hand-beaded embellishments that are placed in different places on each item that she adds them to. A portion of all proceeds goes to help wildlife conservation. And each piece is a truly unique wearable piece of art.
VIOLET REVOLT:
https://www.violetrevolt.com/
SIMPLE IDEA:
Save up, and invest in pieces.Sustainable, slow fashion can cost more money, but it’s worth it to save up and purchase just one piece that means a lot to us, has a clear story that we can retell, has a positive energy that we can feel, and makes the world a better place.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/46
I’m speaking at the Plant Power Virtual Summit 2021 next week!
My workshop is called “How to Make a Difference, Without Spending a Lot of Time”. I hope you will come join me. It’s free!
FULL EPISODE:
Love the Green Life Podcast:
https://www.lovethegreenlife.org/podcast/episode/1d83980a/animal-reiki-and-connection-with-brandy-heyde-montague-of-the-for-animals-for-earth-podcast
SIGN UP FOR SUMMIT:
https://www.lovethegreenlife.org/summit
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/45
Stephanie joins me from Kirkland, Washington to talk about zero waste stores and bulk shopping. Stephanie is the CEO of Scoop Marketplace, and now Scoop Intelligence.
Scoop Marketplace is a zero waste grocery store where people bring their own reusable containers to purchase package free food, home goods and personal care items.
Scoop Intelligence is an education platform for eco entrepreneurs who want to open their own zero waste stores, or would just like help along their eco journey.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Celebrate the wins. Rather than focusing on what still needs to change, focus on what has been done. Acknowledge our progress.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/44
photo credit: freepik.com
Ehud Sperling, founder and president of Inner Traditions International, joined me on the podcast this week.
If you’re an Eco Warrior, you’re going to love hearing from Ehud. He shares advice for every eco warrior who experiences overwhelm and defeat. He encourages us to focus on our creativity and imagination, and stay out of useless debates that hold us back.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Plant a tree or garden.
SHOW NOTES:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/43
I had such a blast talking with Kim Iffert from Crossroads Campus on the podcast this week.
Crossroads Campus is a multifaceted social enterprise and nonprofit supporting the Nashville area.
Crossroads includes a pet rescue, affordable housing, internships, job training, a retail shop, a grooming facility, and humane education outreach! They bring together people and animals and through that strong human-animal bond have seen incredible transformations.
As our charity of the month, we're coming together as a community to like and support them on social media. You can follow them at @CrossroadsPets on Facebook and Instagram and $5 for everything sold in our Etsy shop this month will be donated too.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Wait for consent. When it comes to animals, they need to have a voice. Before we start changing things, pay attention to what they are doing, their body language, and what they’re saying before we make a move. This easily applies to humans as well. Patience. Stop. Observe.
SHOW NOTES:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/42
My view of animal reiki is a little different from most reiki practitioners. I’ve learned the Let Animals Lead® method by Kathleen Prasad, in which we share space with an animal and let the animal lead the session.
Together we focus on meditation and going within for healing, rather than immediately placing our hands on an animal. We let the animal decide how the session will go.
I truly believe that a power higher than us connects our souls to each other, the animals, and the earth around us. I see an animal reiki session as an opportunity to quiet our minds, calm our hearts, and sit together for the higher good of the people, and the animals, present.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Learn more about animal reiki in one of these 3 ways:
- Coast to Coast Reiki Chats: a series of casual video chats to learn more about reiki
- Books & Classes: explore books and classes (affiliate) from my teacher
- Future Workshop Led by Me: sign up for the waiting list if you’re interested
CLUBHOUSE:
@BrandyHMontague - 2pm pst on Mondays
SHOW NOTES:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/41
Maho joins me to talk about animal protection in Japan. Maho and I met in 2011 after the earthquake and tsunami, when we were working to help some local rescue groups there. Maho continued on to become an amazing warrior for farm animals, especially the egg laying hen, who she works hard now to free from confinement with The Humane League Japan.
Maho meets with corporations to influence them to pledge to go cage free. She also works with egg producers to influence them to produce more cage free eggs, to provide to the market.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Look at our plate when we sit down to eat and think about our food. Trace it back to its root. Where is it coming from and if it is meat or eggs, how were the animals raised, kept, and slaughtered? Make changes to clean up what we eat.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/40
What are your Earth Day plans? I was reflecting on the transition of Earth Day over the last 30 years that I’ve been aware that it exists. Now we have Earth Month, which I do appreciate a full April focus. But I think realistically we need Earth 365, every day of the year. I know you all feel the same way. ;-)
Anyway… I do get excited about marking the day, especially with the kids. I came up with 5 activities that you may want to choose from if you haven’t already made plans. They’re simple. And they’ll take you less than 10 minutes to get a plan in place. I’m doing #1 on the list this year.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Pick one of these 5 and make a plan.
SHOW NOTES:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/39
Kimber joins me from Seattle, Washington to talk about kimber elements, a social enterprise focused on sculpting bonds between women and wildlife in Kenya.
Kimber’s organization creates jewelry that combines the traditional craft of the Maasai people, including intricate beadwork, with the minimalist aesthetic Kimber has refined herself, over years of being a metalsmith.
Proceeds from jewelry sales support economic stability for women living in the Amboseli region, where interaction with wildlife is common, and give young girls the opportunity to study wildlife conservation.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Purchase products that support communities living near wildlife. Become a part of a sustainable solution by contributing to the income of people living in areas that are likely to have wildlife conflict. Kimber elements is a great option. Check the show notes for more ideas.
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/38
How do we apply the UN Sustainable Development Goals to our personal lives? Here are my favorite resources from the United Nations website.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Download the ACT NOW app from the UN.org website and try new simple actions each day.
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS WEBSITE:
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals
SHOW NOTES (WITH CLICKABLE LINKS & TRANSCRIPT):
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/37
Sustainability really starts at the individual level. If we don’t have conversations to support each other, we often don’t understand what others are going through. We can become discouraged when we look at the world and see that others aren’t aligning with what we believe is important. And sadly, that can cause us to give up. Of course we make a bigger difference together when we all align on a topic, but sometimes we don’t align, and that doesn’t mean that we’re not still making a difference, in our own ways.
Jae co-hosts the In Omnia Paratus Podcast with her friend Angela. It’s a fun and witty show about facing life after college and navigating the dreaded quarter life crisis.
SIMPLE IDEA:
The simple idea for today's episode is to define our own “why” and to join in more conversations.
Why is sustainability important to us? What about our lives has influenced this passion?
Will you come tell us your answers? Pick from these 2 options:
-
Join us in our Clubhouse Room (Sustainability & me: What is your WHY?) on Tuesday, March 30th at 12:00noon pst. https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/xp9R8dzv
-
Leave a voice memo for our Round Up Episode in which we will highlight all of our why’s, so that we can gain inspiration and learn from each other. https://anchor.fm/foranimalsforearth (click Message)
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsforEarth.com/podcast/36
As you've probably noticed, our minds, bodies and souls flourish when we connect with nature. But sometimes it's not as easy to get out on a long, nourishing hike as we would like it to be.
SIMPLE IDEA:
This episode includes 5 simple ideas that I use to connect with nature in my daily life.
As well as one easy grounding exercise that you can use to connect with nature quickly if you only have a few minutes to soak it in.
SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/35
Vanessa Lizano joined me for this interview on her phone, one hand holding it up to her ear, and one hand holding a baby sloth in her lap. We chat about her volunteer program, where people can go and live on property to volunteer with animals. And we chat about the ups and downs, and the bravery it takes to rescue animals in Costa Rica.
SIMPLE IDEA:
Stop Animal Selfies: aka don’t take photos touching or holding animals when we travel to other countries
SHOW NOTES:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/34
Looking for easy vegan and gluten free substitutes? I remember a friend telling me, “It’s easy to be vegan once you figure out what your substitutes are.” and I have to agree that she’s right.
In this episode I quickly take you through 5 vegan and gluten free substitutes that have changed my life. I have been a vegetarian most of my life, but about 3 years ago I discovered that I have Graves Disease and need to eat gluten free as well.
It was hard at first, but I finally found my substitutes, and now cooking at home is fairly easy and straightforward.
I hope that my list will make it easy on you too. For more of my favorite vegan and gluten free substitutes, visit the show notes at:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/33
Do you find yourself wanting to buy ethical and sustainable clothing? But it takes forever to find brands that you trust? I wanted:
- laborers paid a living wage,
- ethical working conditions,
- sustainable materials,
- sustainable processes,
- cruelty free,
- net zero carbon emissions….
The list goes on doesn’t it?! And it’s really hard to find brands that openly communicate all of these things.
But I found a company that has made it super easy, and one of the founders, Erin Houston, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania came on the podcast today!
Erin Houston and Emily Kenney started Wearwell in 2019. Wearwell is a membership service that makes finding ethical and sustainable clothing easy. I joined the service about 6 months ago, and I have been in love.
I recently became an ambassador, and I can’t wait to be a part of Wearwell’s movement into the future. I cannot recommend this company more.
LINK TO WEARWELL (AFFILIATE LINK):
You can check out their service here, and try 1 month free! https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/wearwell
SHOW NOTES:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/32
REMINDERS:
Support our charity of the month CARE Foundation by liking and sharing posts at:
https://Instagram.com/CareFoundationFlorida
Join our free 5 Day Conscious Lifestyle challenge:
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/lifestylechallenge
Leave a Rating & Review (Thank you!!):
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/apple
Share this show with a friend (Thank you!!):
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast
Call your local animal shelter or refuge first before taking these items, to make sure that they need them.
-
Old towels and blankets
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Unused Medication & Cleaning Supplies
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Buy One, Get One
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Surplus veggies, fruits, pet food
-
Free marketing
Bonus: Donate old toys to local animal shelters or wildlife refuge.
More ideas at “10 Unique Places to Donate Old Toys” (ForAnimalsForEarth.com/donatetoys) and "Help Animal Shelters This Season - 5 Simple Ways" (foranimalsforearth.com/5-simple-ways-to-help-animal-shelters-this-season/)
CHARITY OF THE MONTH:
CARE Foundation Florida
Instagram: @CareFoundationFlorida
Website: thecarefoundation.org
FREE 5 DAY CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE CHALLENGE:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/31
SHOW NOTES, AUDIO, TRANSCRIPT:
ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/31
Christin takes me behind the scenes to talk about a few wild animals she has in her life. And what they have taught her about various species.
She runs The CARE Foundation, an exotic animal rescue, and wildlife education centernear Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Christin lives on CARE’s property with more than 200 wild animals. She tells us how each of those animals has a unique personality, and she knows each of them very well.
In today’s episode, Christin introduces us to:
- Famous Amos, the spider monkey
- Blonde, and other snakes and reptiles
- Chimera, the liliger (2 parts lion, 1 part tiger)
- Katrina and Tyrian, tigers
You can support Christin and CARE Foundation by visiting on a tour, donating money and products (scroll down on home page), or following and sharing on social media.
For show notes (to watch the interview and important links): https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/30
Christin joins me from Apopka, Florida, just north of Walt Disney World, where she runs The CARE Foundation, an exotic animals rescue and wildlife education center.
Christin lives on CARE's property with more than 200 animals that she has given refuge to in her sanctuary.
Christin has a unique situation because she holds over 27 licenses and usually does not turn an animal away. She's a bit of a "one stop shop" for Fish & Wildlife or people surrendering their pets. And I'd like to offer that she's a "one stop shop" for tourists too, or locals who would like to see exotic wildlife.
In today's episode:
- Christin introduces us to her life there on property
- Tours that we can try if we visit (or live in) Central Florida
- Important things to think about when considering an exotic animal as a pet
- How sanctuaries have been impacted by COVID-19
- How important it is that sanctuaries work together
- How we can jump in and help sanctuaries in our local area
Show notes, video and audio from the interview can be found at ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/29
Thrift stores! I’ve been dipping my toe in this past year. This is a new topic for me, especially becoming a focus since I interviewed Diana Kohne from Trade Closet in episode 18.
If you can’t thrift shop locally and want to try online, here are 5 shops you may not yet know. In addition, we have a blog post on our website with over 50 online thrift stores that you can check out. Let me know if you find something good!
5 thrift stores mentioned in this episode:
- Omnia
- depop
- Tradesy
- Tonle Open Closet
- Patagonia Worn Wear
Show notes & list of 50+ online thrift stores: ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/28
Laura Vena, from Blockhead Brigade, joins me from Long Beach, California to talk about helping pit bulls.
She challenges our perception of pit bulls, introducing many common myths and the truth behind those myths.
Throughout our conversation, she pushes us to stop thinking of dogs in “breeds”, but to think of each one as a truly unique individual. Just like us.
Dogs, regardless of breed, have numerous facets to their personality and behavior. They have things that make them joyous, and things that make them scared.
We cannot predict temperament solely based on breed. And decisions about pit bulls in shelters, in government, and in housing should not do this either.
TODAY’S SIMPLE IDEA:
HAVE THE FACTS TOP OF MIND. Lookup the “All Dogs Are Individuals” infographic and memorize some of the facts. Respectfully share these facts when we have an opportunity. And point people to Animal Farm Foundation to learn more.
SHOW NOTES:
Including video of the live interview and links to everything we discussed.
https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/27
Season 3 of the For Animals. For Earth. Podcast is launching today! Here are 3 big changes happening this season:
- Slightly different show format (interviews & roundups)
- Launch 5 Day Conscious Lifestyle Challenge (ForAnimalsForEarth.com/lifestylechallenge)
- Charity of the Month (this month is Blockhead Brigade)
Detailed show notes at ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/26
Happy New Year! I hope you’re finding 2021 more relaxing and grounded than 2020.
We’ll pick back up with live interviews in mid to late January. In the mean time, I thought it would be nice to pull together a recap of each of our seasons. I enjoyed going back and reviewing all of the content that we’ve covered! Our guests have shared over 90 simple ideas that we can all try in our daily lives to help animals and the earth.
This is the season 2 recap (season 1 is in episode 24). Episodes in season 2 include:
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- Music is Medicine for Activists
-
- Talking to Horses
-
- Ethically Sourced Crystals
- 16 & 17. Wildlife Rescue
-
- Trade Closet
-
- Eco Friendly Costumes
-
- Sustainable Jewelry
- 21 & 22. Ecological Impact Centers
-
- Sustainable, Ethical Supply Chains
For show notes, which include a list of all of the simple ideas and links to each episode, visit https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/25
Merry Christmas! This episode happens to be coming out on Christmas Eve (which happens to be my favorite day of the year ;-). I hope you're finding peace, joy, and love this season.
We’ll pick back up with live interviews in the middle of January. In the mean time, I thought it would be nice to pull together a recap of each of our seasons. I enjoyed going back and reviewing all of the content that we’ve covered! Our guests have shared over 90 simple ideas that we can all try in our daily lives to help animals and the earth.
This is the season 1 recap. Episodes in season 1 include:
- Organic Foods & Nutrition
- Sustainability, Fast Fashion & the Future
- Green Beauty Ingredients & Non Toxic Anti-aging
- Help Monarch Butterflies
- Become an Animal Shelter Volunteer
- Fight Cystic Acne with Non Toxic Spot Care
- Compassion Toward Every Living Being
- Fundraise for Animal Shelters
- Artisan Foods
For show notes, which include a list of all of the simple ideas and links to each episode, visit https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/24
Sustainable, ethical supply chains may not sound like the sexiest topic… BUT… what if I tell you that we’re talking about the future of shopping? Now that gets exciting! And it’s the same thing!
Steve joined me from Portland, Oregon to talk about his new start-up, The Provenance Chain Network. The Provenance Chain Network is going to change the way we shop, and the way that business is done in the future.
Using a combination of new technologies, such as blockchain and incentive mechanisms, supplier information will become clear, transparent, and honest. We will look at a product in the store, or online, and know exactly:
- where it came from
- what it was made of
- who made each part of it along the way
- was it made with child labor? forced labor?
- was it made with sustainable ingredients?
- was it tested on an animal?
- was it carbon neutral?
We can make our purchase decisions based on the values that are most important to us. I know many of us try hard to do this already, but it’s a lot of work, and a lot of research. And usually, we don’t actually know if a brand is lying, or not. We have to go off of their marketing, the information on their website, and sometimes a phone call.
With the Provenance Chain Network, we will know for sure that the promises a brand makes are true. And we will know in detail if a product matches our values, or not. Making the decision to purchase sustainable, ethical products really easy.
This technology benefits consumers and brands, and Steve’s team has also worked on ideas to benefit suppliers who are willing to get on board and share their information. We can easily see how these pieces coming together will clean up the murkiness of our supply chains. And everyone will be incentivized, every step of the way, from a seed company to the consumer. We will all come together to protect people, animals, and the earth. I can’t wait to see where this is in 20 years!
For show notes and behind the scenes video of our interview, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/23
Jason joins me from Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica to talk about permaculture, ecological impact centers, and living a life of impact. He owns a farm where he's worked with the local community for years to create a sustainable place that people can come to visit, to live, and to learn.
Jason recently started the Sharing Insights Podcast, through which he's helping people who are connected to ecological impact centers connect. He's bringing together:
- people who own land and would like to start a center
- people who already own a center and would like to hear best practices from others
- and people who are ecological enthusiasts who would like to learn more about this movement and see where they can get involved
In part 1 (episode 21) Jason shared his journey to Costa Rica and what an ecological impact center is.
In part 2 (episode 22) Jason tells us how we can get involved in ecological impact centers and shares a few different simple ideas for living a more conscious life.
Show notes with links to everything Jason mentions, a video of our live interview, audio from both episodes and full show notes, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/22
Jason joins me from Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica to talk about permaculture, ecological impact centers, and living a life of impact. He owns a farm where he's worked with the local community for years to create a sustainable place that people can come to visit, to live, and to learn.
Jason recently started the Sharing Insights Podcast, through which he's helping people who are connected to ecological impact centers connect. He's bringing together:
- people who own land and would like to start a center
- people who already own a center and would like to hear best practices from others
- and people who are ecological enthusiasts who would like to learn more about this movement and see where they can get involved
In part 1 (episode 21) Jason shared his journey to Costa Rica and what an ecological impact center is.
In part 2 (episode 22) Jason tells us how we can get involved in ecological impact centers and shares a few different simple ideas for living a more conscious life.
Show notes with links to everything Jason mentions, a video of our live interview, audio from both episodes and full show notes, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/21
Stephanie Maslow Blackman joins me from Chelsea, New York to talk about making sustainable jewelry. Stephanie runs Metalicious Jewelry, a hand made collection of heirloom jewelry, that she makes with recycled metals and ethically mined gemstones.
Stephanie and I met this Summer when we exchanged blog posts. She wrote a post to help us find ethical jewelry when shopping as a consumer. And I wrote a post about how I use healing crystals for anxiety. That exchange opened a new can of worms for me. I could no longer look past where the gemstones in my life come from.
Stephanie helped me begin researching the rough gemstone industry, and that research led me to Nicholas Pearson, who I spoke to in episode 15 about ethically sourcing healing crystals. And it led me to my conversation today with Stephanie, to really dig into the environmental impact of jewelry. And specifically, how we can purchase sustainable jewelry, lessening our individual impact on the earth.
Our simple idea for today is to ask questions when we’re purchasing a piece of jewelry. Does the metal come from recycled metal? Was the gemstone ethically mined? And ask for proof. If a jeweler can’t clearly tell us the answer to those questions, move on to one who can. Stephanie says that there are many jewelers out there now who truly make sustainable jewelry, so we can find one.
For today’s show notes, for the audio podcast episode, and for a link to our behind the scenes video interview, go to https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/20
Eco friendly costumes. Yep! Did you know there was such a thing? I didn't. Until I talked to Katie and Rachel about their costume line, Hijinks Costumes.
Katie and Rachel join me from Los Angeles, California. They open up about what it takes to start an ethical, sustainability-focused business, and how they did it. They talk about their mission to create high quality, durable costumes that will be passed down from generation to generation, inspiring creative fun in kids forever.
And they share 6 awesome simple ideas that we can all try in our daily lives to help the earth and animals.
Simple idea #1: spend a little more when we’re purchasing something new, to invest in a small business that makes sustainability a priority.
For show notes, and to watch, listen or read the interview, visit: http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/19
Diana Kohne joins me in episode 18 from Northeast Los Angeles to talk about second hand stores and her new community project, Trade Closet. Trade Closet is a private Facebook group for local women to trade clothing, hand bags, and shoes. Trade Closet builds the local community through genuine friendships among women. It cuts down on consumerism, waste, and the carbon impact of shipping long distances. And, because it’s trading rather than buying, it’s accessible to most anyone.
If you’re interested in starting a Trade Closet in your area after listening, please reach out to Diana. She would love to talk to you.
Show notes include links of everything we talked about today and the audio-only podcast version as well. You’ll find them at: http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/18
Ame Vanorio joins me from Falmouth, Kentucky to answer, "What do I do if I find a...". Fill in the blank. She answers the following scenarios for me. You can go directly to the written answers in the show notes.
-
Turtle in the road
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Stray cat without a home
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Snake, opossum, gopher, etc. in back yard
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Raccoon in yard or trash
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Coyote or deer in the neighborhood
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Bird has fallen from a tree
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Mice in the house
Ame runs Fox Run Environmental Education Center, where she helps animals recover from injury or loss of a parent, to be released back into the wild. She combines her background in education and environmental science, teaching people how to live off the grid, help wildlife, use alternative energy, organically garden, use medicinal herbs, and the list goes on.
She shares 3 clear simple ideas for how we can help wildlife:
1. Compassion. First and foremost, when we see a wild animal, start from a place of compassion. There’s a chance the animal is near us because it is sick, or injured, or stressed.
2. Download Animal Help Now App. Ever get stuck seeing an animal and not knowing what to do? You can literally tap on the app and find a wildlife rehabilitator near you to ask.
3. Place a Wildlife Rescue Kit in our car. This will help us to have what we need if we find an animal in trouble. We ALL really can help with wildlife rescue. Link to DIY kit.
Ame even encourages everyone to study more and become a wildlife rehabilitator if interested. Her website is a wealth of information. I seriously think we could get a college degree by just reading her blog posts!
Show notes are available at http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/17
Ame Vanorio joins me from Falmouth, Kentucky to talk all about wildlife rescue. She runs Fox Run Environmental Education Center, where she rehabilitates animals to be released back into the wild. She lives off the grid, teaching people about wildlife, alternative energy, organic gardening, medicinal herbs, and the list goes on.
Ame’s background is in both education and environmental science. I believe that comes through in everything she does. She brings a humane angle to learning about animals such as opossums, raccoons, even snakes. She not only teaches us the science behind their physical bodies and environments, but helps us understand emotion and how each animal is actually a lot like us.
She shares 3 clear simple ideas that we can use to actually help with wildlife rescue ourselves.
1. Compassion. First and foremost, when we see a wild animal, start from a place of compassion. There’s a chance the animal is near us because it is sick, or injured, or stressed.
2. Download Animal Help Now App. Ever get stuck seeing an animal and not knowing what to do? You can literally tap on the app and find a wildlife rehabilitator near you to ask.
3. Place a Wildlife Rescue Kit in our car. This will help us to have what we need if we find an animal in trouble. We ALL really can help with wildlife rescue. Link to DIY kit.
Ame even encourages everyone to study more and become a wildlife rehabilitator if interested. Her website is a wealth of information. I seriously think we could get a college degree by just reading her blog posts!
We go through multiple “I Found an Animal, What Should I Do?” scenarios in our interview.
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Turtle in the road
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Stray cat without a home
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Snake, opossum, gopher, etc. in back yard
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Raccoon in yard or trash
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Coyote or deer in the neighborhood
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Bird has fallen from a tree
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Mice in the house
Show notes are available at http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/16
Nicholas joins me from Orlando, Florida to talk all about ethically sourced crystals. We really dig in during this episode, talking about the ambiguity of the gemstone industry, and where we can realistically make a difference.
Have you ever tried using crystals to help you feel better? I was surprised to find that they actually calm my nerves and help me to feel more grounded when they are near. But why?
This is a question I've wondered for a very long time. Coming from an engineering background I tend to want to explain everything. I've seen the effect of crystals in my life, and in my reiki sessions. For the most part I've chalked it up to the placebo effect, but I've always known there appeared to be something more to it. Regardless, there was enough for me to continue to turn back to them in times of need.
Then I found Nicholas.
Nicholas is a writer and teacher, well known for his books on crystals and gemstones. He has a special talent for bridging the gap between science and spirituality. And he can explain, at least in part, what phenomenon is happening when we hold a crystal near.
In addition to how crystals work, I've struggled with an even deeper question. Where do these crystals come from? And are they destroying the earth and people's lives in the process of getting to me?
This is an incredibly complicated question to answer. But recently a fire lit up in me again, and I didn't want to give up. I'm so excited that Nicholas offered to talk to me in depth about this subject. He shares tips and tricks for finding ethically sourced crystals. And he helps us better understand the industry, and why choosing consciously isn't always as easy as it sounds. Enjoy!
For detailed show notes and links to many additional resources, visit http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/15
The simple idea for today's episode is to consciously stay open to learning, even if we've been around horses our entire lives. Charlotte points out that being open allows us to be more available for our horses, making their lives more fulfilling. And that's what we all want right? For our animals to feel fulfilled.
Charlotte Chanler can talk horse. Seriously! She is an animal communicator and medium who spends a lot of time talking to horses. She grew up in the traditional competition circuit from the time that she was a little girl, sometimes witnessing the power of alternative healing techniques.
As Charlotte grew, she honed her intuition and began to connect to the animals around her more deeply. She now brings a gentle, holistic approach to helping animals and their people connect.
Charlotte is a co-founder of Hearthorse, an online community and subscription box for people whose hearts belong to their horses. She focuses on infusing a positive approach toward training and interacting with horses in everything she does.
She’s a voice for the rescue community, and encourages everyone to stay open, continue to learn, and continue to connect with their horse on a deeper, more understanding level.
Charlotte is joining me from her home in Los Angeles, California (amazingly just 2 miles up the road from me!)
For detailed show notes, including a summary of our conversation, live video recording, and links to everything important, visit:
http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/14
The simple idea for today's episode is to stop and listen intentionally, to the song of nature. Where do we feel it in our body? What thought and emotion does it evoke? Journal, or share this with a friend. And come back to center with renewed strength and grounded energy to go back out and fight for animals and the planet.
Ada Ketchie and Nathan Getzin of Wakes join me from Wenatchee, Washington in episode 13. We talk about how “Music is Medicine”. Ada and Nathan have an incredible talent for helping individuals heal through sound bath, music, meditation, and movement. Their immersive experiences are especially key for empaths (you and me). We feel the pain of animals, and of the earth deeply. How do you process your pain?
I had watched a documentary called Planet of the Humans by Jeff Gibbs and Michael Moore a few days before this interview. The closing scene of that movie rocked me to my core. I had a tough time bouncing back from it honestly, and I knew that talking with Ada and Nathan would help me. They truly believe that we all have an important role to play here, and by healing ourselves constantly with music, we stay strong enough to do it.
If you sometimes want to give up and throw in the towel, this episode is for you. We’ve got this. ;-). And we’re going to continually bounce back and keep doing what we can do, to make a difference. Animals need us. The earth needs us.
For a full list of show notes, video recording from the interview and links to everything we discuss visit https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/13
Next week is an exciting week. We’re kicking off Season Two of the podcast!
Season Two is coming with 2 big changes:
- Almost all episodes will be recorded live! So you can join us, and ask your questions too!
- We’ll have a new show structure with a quick 7-10 minute interview up front, including the simple idea that we can all try. And then we’ll dig into our guest’s background and more resources for those who want to stick around for the full scoop.
So will you join me? It’s so much fun when listeners tune in and comment in the live interviews. It gives me the chance to feel your energy and connect with you. Sitting behind a microphone talking into a podcast doesn’t quite have the same effect. ;-)
You can sign up to be reminded when we go live on Facebook or YouTube through links here: http://bit.ly/fafepodcast-live
Season Two kicks off at 1PM PST (4PM EST) on Tuesday, October 6th with Wakes.Life. Ada and Nathan will be talking to us about How Music is Medicine. Can’t wait to see you there! (And don’t worry if you can’t make it. The episode will be on our podcast, on YouTube, and on Facebook well into the future.)
Julie Rosenberg talks to us today about her artisan foods marketplace, Julie’s Beet. Her shop carries “culinary gems from around the world” and specifically seeks out brands that we won’t find in the big stores. Her goal is to only sell the best of the best and to inspire people to consciously purchase their food, knowing the story behind it, and relishing in the flavors.
The simple action that we can all take after today's episode is to shop at Julie’s Beet and support artisan chefs and Julie. Five additional simple ideas that Julie shared are:
- Keep it local. Seek out foods that are grown in our local area, and are in season.
- Go off the beaten path. Rather than going to Starbucks, find a local coffee shop instead.
- At the Farmer's Market, choose one new thing to try, or tell our kids that we'll let them pick any one new thing to try.
- Have a good olive oil, salt and spice blend on hand at home, and use these to elevate meat or vegetables into artisan foods.
- Take time to read the story behind our food, before we buy it.
If you'd like to connect with Julie, watch the video recording of this episode, or read show notes, please visit http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/11
Dr. Monisha Seth from Orlando, Florida and Franklin's Friends talks to us about how she helps animal shelters and rescues in her local area by fundraising. She explains how she started with just a small group of five friends walking in the Orlando SPCA's annual fundraiser, raising $500. Over the years that group of friends continued to grow their impact and have now raised $1.6M and provide grants to many rescue groups, all over Central Florida.
SIMPLE ACTIONS we can take if we're feeling compelled to make a difference for animals too:
- Use PetFinder.com to look for a new pet to adopt (don’t shop)
- Start small by joining a fundraiser for our local shelter
Show notes: http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/10
Katherine ("Katie") Katsenis from Panos Productions Photography talks to us in episode 9 about stopping to see the world through a different lens, one of compassion.
She shares the driving force behind her current fine art photography project, "Mother-Child", which is grounded in her Buddhist beliefs. I originally brought Katie on the show to talk about gifting experiences, or items that will last a lifetime. But when we began talking, she really made me think about the compassion that always exists between a mother and her child, that transcends all species and all types of mother-child relationships. As human beings we can all use practice in viewing the entire world through a lens of compassion.
The simple action that we can take after today's episode is to practice compassion in every moment, even when we see an ant on the sidewalk, or find a spider in the shower. Although this isn't easy, it will slowly change our lives, and the lives of those around us.
If you'd like to connect with Katie, watch video snippets from this episode, or read show notes, please visit http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/9
Nga Tran talks to us today about using non-toxic skin care to fight cystic acne. Her new skin care line, Skin Society, does just this. The spot treatment and clarifying gels are clean beauty options for fighting what we all hate: acne.
The simple action that we can all take after today's episode is to try Skin Society’s products if we struggle with acne. In addition, even if we don’t struggle with acne, we can do simple things to help the environment. Examples include fully emptying our product bottles before throwing them into the trash. Or, reusing small product bottles for travel.
Why should we consider doing this? Because toxic skin care products have been found in our waterways and oceans. They’re known to be killing animals and microscopically entering back into our bodies to cause illness and disease. In addition, simply using clean beauty products helps us reduce our body burden and live healthier.
If you'd like to connect with Nga, watch video snippets from this episode, or read show notes, please visit http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/8
Marissa from De La Doggies talks to us today about using photography to become an animal shelter volunteer, and help rescued animals find homes. Marissa lives in Los Angeles and is a pet and human photographer. For over 10 years, she’s been helping rescues around LA take photos of the animals that they save. These photos are then shared all over social media to speed up the adoption process.
The simple action that we can all take after today's episode is to share photos of animals that need homes when we see them on Facebook or Instagram. Or, we can go one step further, and join a "Friends of" Facebook group for our local shelter and proactively look for animals to share.
Why should we consider doing this? Because sharing photos absolutely saves lives. Marissa shares how she has seen numerous animals find homes at the last minute, just because someone shared their photo.
If you'd like to connect with Marissa, watch video snippets from this episode, or read show notes, please visit http://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast/7
Patti from Inner Peace Reiki in New York talks to us today about helping monarch butterflies. The population is declining rapidly, and without monarchs, our world is not only less beautiful, but we're in serious danger of not having enough food to eat. Monarch butterflies are pollinators, who make our crops grow and our vegetable gardens flourish. They eat milkweed, and the disappearance of milkweed is one of the largest contributing factors to their decline. The good news is that we can plant milkweed easily, at our own homes, to help.
The simple action that we can take after today's episode is to go to our local nursery and ask for milkweed seeds. Then plant them somewhere at home. Patti has a small Facebook group to help anyone who is interested and either has questions, or wants to help monarchs with other people (to make it fun!). You can find us at The Butterfly Lady.
For show notes and more simple ideas to make a difference for monarchs, go to http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/6
Episodes 3, 4 and 5 make up a three part conversation with Paige Padgett from Los Angeles. We're talking all about green beauty! Paige is a Hollywood makeup artist, who has been using clean beauty products on her celebrity clients for over 15 years. Her passion for the environment and making a difference in the world led her into studying what goes into makeup, and how we can use makeup and skin care to actually nourish our bodies.
Paige blogs and shares green product recommendations at PaigePadgett.com. She is the author of the book "The Green Beauty Rules: An Essential Guide to Toxic-Free Beauty, Green Glamour, and Glowing Skin". And Paige is the founder of a new makeup and skin care brand called Erthling.
In episode 5, we share part 3 of our conversation with Paige. In this episode we spend time talking about how beauty products impact the environment. And how our choices of what we put on our bodies are also choices about what we put into the environment.
The simple action we can take after today's episode is to sign up for Paige's Free 5 Day Clean Beauty Challenge. Or, buy her book! Either of these options will start us on the path of changing out our skin care to be more conscious, and better for our bodies and the environment. Everything that Paige teaches and recommends looks at green beauty in this holistic way.
For detailed show notes of all three episodes, go to http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/5
We're talking to Paige from Los Angeles about green beauty in episodes 3, 4 and 5. Paige is a Hollywood makeup artist, who has been passionate about using clean beauty products for over 15 years. She believes that makeup should be fun, and harmless, to our bodies, to the earth, and to the people who make it..
Paige is an author, of the book "The Green Beauty Rules: An Essential Guide to Toxic-Free Beauty, Green Glamour, and Glowing Skin". She blogs about green beauty and shares her favorite recommendations at PaigePadgett.com. And Paige is about to launch a brand new sustainable, vegan, clean and fair trade makeup line called Erthling.
In episode 4, we share part 2 of our conversation with Paige. We get into some recommendations today! We talk about deodorant, acne and the holy grail of anti-aging.
If you feel compelled to do something different with your beauty products after listening, you can take the simple action of exfoliating daily, and taking care of your health. Paige and I spend about half of episode 4 talking about anti-aging! And Paige shares some awesome natural products to use. But in the end, she reminds us that the best thing we can do for our skin is to eat healthy, drink lots of water, don't smoke, use clean products, and exfoliate daily. So that's the simple action for today!
For detailed show notes of all three episodes, go to http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/4
Paige from Los Angeles talks to us about green beauty in episodes 3, 4 and 5. Paige is a Hollywood makeup artist, who recognized the need for clean beauty products for her celebrity clients over 15 years ago. Her passion for the environment led her into learning about how products are made and how various ingredients impact the earth, and our bodies.
Paige is the author of the book "The Green Beauty Rules: An Essential Guide to Toxic-Free Beauty, Green Glamour, and Glowing Skin". She blogs at PaigePadgett.com, and is the founder of the new makeup brand, Erthling.
In episode 3, we share part 1 of our conversation with Paige. We start with her story, from gazing at her mother's beauty as a child, to doing makeup for some of the most well known Hollywood celebrities. If you feel compelled to do something different with your makeup or skincare after listening, try looking up your products in the free database at SkinCarisma.com.
SkinCarisma.com is amazing. You can copy and paste the ingredients for any product into their Cosmetic Analyzer. It will generate a detailed report for the product, including a breakdown of each ingredient and how it may impact your body. This report will help you to decide if the product is a good choice for you or not.
For detailed show notes of all three episodes, go to http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/3
Laura from Seattle, Washington and Fashion for Conservation encourages us to truly define our own unique style, choosing a look that stands the test of time and makes us feel confident when we walk into a room. To bring more sustainability and less fast fashion into our lives, we can start by borrowing and trading our clothes when we need something new. If that doesn't work, we can try second hand shops, or purchasing from small artisans at local boutiques, farmer's markets, or even on Etsy. Each of us truly makes a difference when it comes to changing the world of fashion.
SIMPLE ACTIONS you can take if you’re feeling compelled to make a difference with what you wear:
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Spend time and thought defining your own unique style, and move away from trends.
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Borrow or trade clothes with friends or family.
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Purchase and re-sell using second hand shops.
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Buy handmade goods from small artisans. (Farmer's markets, Etsy, or local shops that specialize in this are great places to start.)
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Choose sustainable fabrics when you do buy new clothes.
Show notes: http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/2
Brooke from Edmond, Oklahoma's Natural Freedom Farm shares tips for improved health and nutrition. Brooke encourages everyone to cook with organic foods, grown in the earth. By doing this, we become more aware of our bodies, and of the earth and environment around us. This extra energy and awareness changes our everyday lives. So get outside, and get your hands dirty!
5 SIMPLE ACTIONS you can take if you’re feeling compelled to make a difference with what you eat:
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Cook more meals with organic foods grown IN the earth (veggies!)
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Try growing your own fruits & veggies with a small garden or planter box
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If eating meat, make sure it is ethically sourced
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Make cooking time special – watch or listen to something you love
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Let your kids help! Both in the garden & cooking
Show notes: http://foranimalsforearth.com/podcast/1
The world is filled with stories of how animals and the environment are suffering. Yet it’s often hard to find a way to help. Most of us want to see animals happy, and we all want to save the earth. BUT HOW DO WE DO IT? Especially in our busy everyday lives.
The For Animals For Earth Podcast exists to help all of us discover those SIMPLE things that we can do, that will make a difference. The show is hosted by myself, Brandy Heyde Montague. I’m the founder of For Animals For Earth and a passionate animal and earth advocate. I interview people in all corners of the world who are doing something to help either animals, or the earth. As they tell their stories, they help us understand why what they’re doing is important, and why we may want to help in that area too.
We summarize every conversation into a few easy, actionable steps that we can take in our lives if we feel inspired to do something different. Each of our guests are then available for follow up questions or support after the show. Our show notes have everything you need, including the conversation outline, links to places to start, our guest’s contact info, and most importantly the list of simple ideas that you can try in your life.
You can find all show notes at: https://ForAnimalsForEarth.com/podcast
Thank you for bringing your love and compassion to the world and for stopping by our show. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and come over and say hi at @ForAnimalsForEarth on Instagram. I can’t wait to hear from you and to make a difference together.