Sharing some thoughts about a milestone birthday I have coming up. And what I have decided to do to make the coming year fun and productive and to make me the best and most effective advocate for animals I can be. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Today’s guest is the one and only Jamie Logan (who I thought was going to be joining me from NY but popped up from Portland OR). I’ve been following Jamie’s work online for a while now and it’s great to have a chance to speak with her. I talk a lot about creating your own brand of activism.  And Jamie has surely done just that.  How Jamie describes herself: “I’m an animal advocate, YouTuber, Filmmaker, Content Creator and Podcast Host. I’m based in NYC and I make videos that get people thinking—Some call it ruining lives and pushing my agenda but I like to think of it as sharing an obvious truth that most people tend to ignore.” I think you’ll really enjoy learning more about Jamie.  For information on her work or to find episodes of her YouTube show and her Podcast, you can visit her website: www.itsjamiescorner.com Or follow her on social media: Instagram/Threads: @itsjamielogan Facebook: Jamie Logan For information about the The Next Girl Film: Home - The Next Girl Film And the VKind Experience event in Los Angeles, November 11-12 2023 where the film will be premiering: Home - The Vkind Experience AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

In today’s episode, I’ll recount a recent trip I took to Milan to attend a national animal rights protest, why it was so important that I was there, and what I took away from my visit.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Content and trigger warning: This podcast contains references to addiction, sexual assault, child abuse, suicide, depression, infant and pregnancy loss. In today’s episode, we’re going to take a little diversion from the subject matter I’ve been covering up to this point.  And we’re going to focus on another pillar of the podcast’s mission.  In addition to advocating for animals, I am also passionate about encouraging people to embark on passion-driven new chapters in life, something that has been transformational for me. Today’s guest, Nicole Gebhardt, is an incredible embodiment of that idea, both personally and professionally.  Her story of turning tragedy (infant and pregnancy loss, domestic abuse, sexual assault and addiction) into triumph is truly inspiring and how she has made it her own mission to empower others to do the same is amazing. I can’t wait for her to share her story. Nicole is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, author, transformational coach, Reiki Master & Emotion Code Practitioner who specializes in helping her clients step into their true power, reclaim their radiance, and live a life of fulfilment. Through one-of-a-kind coaching programs, three published books, speaking engagements, corporate workshops, retreats, masterclasses, and individual training sessions Nicole has helped women gain clarity on what they want in life, commit to healthy rituals that set them up for success, and let go of limiting beliefs that hold them back from their true potential.  Her mission is to have every woman recognize and embody their worth, love themselves fully, and become their own version of The Empowered Queen. Nicole captivates her audiences by openly sharing her story and the pivotal life lessons that changed her life, unlocking her high performance through discovering her self-worth. Her biggest strength lies in her very own life experiences, which have enabled her to intuitively heal, guide, and uplift her clients effortlessly. Nicole has seen phenomenal results in her clients & has helped more women than we could count in their personal transformation. To find out more about Nicole, follow her work, and access the coaching tools she has developed, please see the links below: Website:  www.nicolebgebhardt.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicolebgebhardt Instagram: @nicole.gebhardtGebhardt⁠ LinkedIn: Nicole B.

In today’s episode, I’ll share some thoughts about “being normal”, my own experience on the subject, and questions about normality as an aspirational concept. . FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Today I’m excited to have with me Todd Sinclair, who is joining me from his childhood hometown on Prince Edward Island in Canada. I’m so grateful that he took some time out of his family holiday to speak with us.  Here’s a little bit about Todd: Todd is a writer, podcaster and speaker, specialising in vegan lifestyle and travel. He’s the bestselling author of the Rebel Vegan trilogy: REBEL VEGAN LIFE: A Radical Take on Veganism for a Brave New World, REBEL VEGAN LIFE: Plant-Based Nutrition and Beginner’s Guide, and REBEL VEGAN TRAVEL GUIDE: Veganism on the Go. After growing up on his family’s dairy farm in eastern Canada, Sinclair knew farming wasn’t for him. So he moved continents to set up a new life in London and come out as queer. He spent 12 years working for one of the UK’s leading homelessness charities, managing a multi-million-pound budget for a 29-bed accommodation centre for vulnerable men with substance misuse issues, before being bitten by the travel bug. Sinclair’s love of travel led to a 12-year career as an international tour leader for Tucan Travel and G Adventures. He also ran his own business leading bespoke tours including some vegan tours through Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. After becoming ill in Vietnam six years ago, he was nursed back to health after being fed a plant-based diet by forward-thinking monks. He has been a devoted vegan advocate ever since and helped him gain a new sense of awareness and purpose. When the world shut down in 2020 Sinclair used that time to write the Rebel Vegan trilogy to show how vegan values are a fundamental way forward to avoid future pandemics, protect animals and the planet, and take care of our health. Today Sinclair lives his best Rebel Vegan Life in London, UK. CONTACT LINKS: Website: https://www.rebelveganlife.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebelVeganLife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelveganlife/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-sinclair/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebelVeganLife FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Today we are going back to Italy, this time to Milan, to speak with Edoardo Valsecchi, Owner, Founder and CEO of Linfa – Eat Different, a wonderful restaurant that became an instant favorite of mine after visiting in July of this year.  He is an Italian plant-based entrepreneur and a prominent figure in the restaurant and hospitality industry. After obtaining a degree in Management and Economics, he pursued his passion for food and embarked on a career in the industry. He honed his skills by training in the operational, marketing, and management areas of the most prestigious hotel facilities around the world.Today, Edoardo is the Owner, Founder, and CEO of Linfa - Eat Different, a highly regarded, high-end vegan restaurant based in the heart of Milan, Italy. With years of experience in the industry, Edoardo has built a reputation for creating innovative, high-quality cuisine that is delicious, sustainable, and healthy. His unwavering commitment to using high-quality, fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients has earned him recognition from food critics and customers alike.Under his leadership, the restaurant has become a beloved destination for locals and tourists and has garnered numerous awards and accolades. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, Edoardo realized his life dream and career goal of founding Linfa, a chic, responsible, fully plant-based restaurant and hospitality concept.Edoardo's passion for food and commitment to sustainability continues to inspire his culinary innovation and elevate the dining experience for guests.: To learn more about Edoardo and the restaurant or to make reservations please visit their website: linfamilano.com And you can follow find them on social media at: Facebook: facebook.com/linfaeatdifferent Instagram: Linfa - Eat Different (@linfaeatdifferent) • Instagram photos and videos You can find Edoardo at: LinkedIn: Edoardo Valsecchi | LinkedIn  Instagram: instagram.com/edoardo_valsecchi/ FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

In today’s episode, I share a story of how a little brindle dog named Creature changed my life and opened the gates of compassion for me.  From professed dog lover to vegan activist…a little bit about my journey. I also discuss how lovers of companion animals are wonderful candidates for conversations about veganism and expanding our circles of compassion.  I would also like to share some information about a great organization I reference in this episode, Animal Place and their Food For Thought Program. You can find them at: Website: Food For Thought - Animal Place Instagram: @foodforthoughtprogram Facebook: www.facebook.com/animalplacefoodforthought FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

In today’s episode, I share some thoughts on the role tradition plays in preventing change and the adoption of a vegan lifestyle.  And what we, as activists, might want to consider in addressing this challenge.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Today we’re staying in Scotland to visit with my guest Rebecca Knowles who is joining us from Aberdeenshire. Rebecca is the Founding Director and Head of Farm Transitions at Stockfree Farming, an organization whose mission is to inspire and support farmers in the migration away from animal agriculture and the move to alternative livelihoods that are far more sustainable and humane. They also conduct and publish research on the farming sector and use their knowledge to influence UK government officials in agriculture policy.  She is also the force behind the volunteer advocacy group Vegan Outreach Scotland.   Rebecca has a degree in Agriculture from the University of Aberdeen. Her past farm experience includes hill sheep, beef, and market gardening. I first encountered Rebecca when she participated in an online Rancher Advocacy Summit in the summer of 2021 and I was very excited to learn about all she was doing in my adopted home country. So when I learned that she would be at COP26 in Glasgow, I made sure to find her and to learn more about her work. I’ve been following her ever since. I consider it a great privilege to know Rebecca and to participate whenever I can in her projects. I hope you’ll enjoy and be inspired by my conversation with her. There is so much to learn about how we can move to a more humane world while providing sustenance and sustainable livelihoods.  If you would like to follow and support Rebecca’s work, you can find her at the links below. Stockfree Farming: https://stockfreefarming.org/ rebecca@stockfreefarming.org Vegan Outreach Scotland: https://veganoutreachscotland.co.uk  https://www.facebook.com/groups/774087146054514/ Vegan Outreach Scotland (@veganoutreachscotland) | Instagram FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Joining us today from Sunny Southern California is Tracy Keys, founder of Tracy Keys Consulting.  She has spent her entire career in the non-profit sector, and recently set out on her own as a consultant. She specializes in working with animal non-profits to strengthen their donor relationship programs and thereby increase donor retention.  If you’ve ever worked in a non-profit, you’ll know how incredibly important that is and I’m very excited to speak with Tracy about how this translates into increased revenue that can be put to work for good. And I’m also looking forward to hearing what it has been like for her beginning this exciting new entrepreneurial chapter in her life.  Tracy is a seasoned professional fundraiser, with experience across multiple disciplines, and she’s a dedicated animal advocate. When she is not traveling, she volunteers her time each weekend at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. To learn more about Tracy and her work or to reach out to engage her consulting services at the link below: tracykeysconsulting.com And you can follow her on social media at: Facebook: facebook.com/tracy.keys.3781 Twitter: Tracy Keys (@Tkeys4animals) / Twitter Instagram: instagram.com/tracykeysconsulting/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tkeysconsulting/ FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Could our messaging around wins in the area of farmed animal welfare create obstacles to our ultimate fight for animal rights and abolition of animals in our food system? Here are my thoughts.

In this episode I am joined by Amanda Trenchard, a long-time vegan, animal advocate and dog-mom of two. Her activism began in college when she was president of the veg club on campus and interned for the Humane League as a Campus Organizer. Shortly after graduating, she interned at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and has spent the past 5 1/2 years working on the Food Service Innovation team there, working to increase access to plant-based entrees throughout the food service industry. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Lead Coordinator to plan and execute the annual Richmond VegFest and two years ago, she founded Advocacy Collaborative, an online educational platform for animal advocates. Information on the work Amanda is doing and the organizations with which she is affiliated can be found below: Advocacy Collaborative Website: advocacycollab.com Instagram: @advocacycollab Twitter: @advocacycollab Humane Society of the United States’ Food Forward Website: foodforward.org Instagram: @forwardfoodcollaborative Twitter: @ForwardFood Richmond (VA) VegFest Website: veggiefest.org Instagram: @rvavegfest Twitter: @RVAVegFest FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT  podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

In this episode I’ll share a conversation with my friend, fellow activist, and social media mentor John Oberg.  John Oberg is an animal activist dedicated to making the world a kinder place for animals by utilizing the power of social media. In late 2018, he became an independent animal advocate, funded through individual donations, focusing on amplifying pro-animal content in the digital space. Previously, he served as Director of New Media for The Humane League and as Director of Communications for Vegan Outreach. In his decade of experience in social media advocacy, he has accumulated 250,000 followers, his posts have been seen hundreds of millions of times, and he has heard directly from thousands of people who've been influenced by his work. In alignment with his efforts to inspire other advocates to improve their efforts for animals on social media, he launched three online courses through the online educational platform, Advocacy Collaborative. Below please find information on how you can follow and support John’s work: Official website: JohnOberg.org Donations (via Patreon) Patreon.com/JohnOberg Donations (via Donorbox): Donorbox.org/JohnOberg General social media course: https://advocacycollab.com/mastering-social-media/ Twitter course: https://advocacycollab.com/mastering-twitter/ Instagram course: https://advocacycollab.com/mastering-instagram/ Twitter: Twitter.com/JohnOberg Instagram: Instagram.com/JohnOberg Facebook: Facebook.com/JohnObergOfficial YouTube: YouTube.com/user/JohnOberg FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT  podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Did you know that some wine isn’t vegan?  Many people are surprised to learn how animal products infiltrate the winemaking process.  In Episode 2 I will speak with Frances Gonzalez, Founder and Owner of Vegan Wines and learn what differentiates a vegan wine from a non-vegan wine and how drinking, sharing and selling vegan wine can be its own form of activism. We’ll also learn about the founding of VegFest Puerto Rico and Frances’ own vegan story.  Frances Gonzalez is the owner of Vegan Wines, a company dedicated to providing high-quality vegan-friendly wines to wine enthusiasts across the world. She founded Vegan Wines in 2017 after recognizing a need for a one-stop shop for vegan wines that did not compromise taste or quality. Frances is passionate about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and promoting ethical and responsible consumption. Through Vegan Wines, she aims to make it easier for wine lovers to enjoy their favorite beverage while making informed and conscious choices. Frances has been recognized as a leading figure in the vegan wine industry and has been featured in various publications, including Forbes, VegNews, and Wine Industry Advisor. She continues to innovate and expand Vegan Wines, collaborating with winemakers worldwide to offer her customers a diverse range of vegan wines. To learn more about Frances, the company and the wines they offer please see the information below: Website: Veganwines.com Instagram: Instagram.com/myveganwines/ and Instagram.com/francesgonzalez_newyork/ Facebook: Facebook.com/myveganwines  Twitter: Twitter.com/MyVeganWines And for info on VegFest Puerto Rico go to their website  VegFest Puerto Rico or follow on social media: (2) VegFest Puerto Rico | Facebook Instagram.com/vegfestpuertorico The next event will be held on 18 November, 2023! FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT  podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

In this episode we will visit with Simone Scampoli, a seasoned Italian animal rights activist who helps manage a beautiful oasis for animals in the hills of Lazio about an hour from Rome, Santuario Capra Libera Tutti. (The interview is in English.) I met Simone when we were both participating in outreach events at COP26 in Glasgow organized by the Plant Based Treaty Team. And then had the opportunity to visit the Sanctuary in 2022 when I was in Italy working on my book. Listen as Simone tells us about the evolution of this magical place and how they are creating not only “La Dolce Vita” for the animals, but a center for meaningful conversations about animal rights, both human and non-human. You can find more about the Sanctuary and follow their amazing stories at: Website: www.capraliberatutti.org Facebook: Facebook.com/santuariocapraliberatutti Instagram:  Instagram.com/capraliberatutti/ Twitter: Twitter.com/capraliberatutt TikTok: Tiktok.com/@capraliberatutti YouTube: Youtube.com/channel/UCI5vlgEYfb8cwTbxy1rjxPQ abillion: Download the app and review vegan products (food, beauty, clothing, household products, etc.) and you earn donation credits that can be directed to one of the organizational partners.  Capra Libera Tutti is one of the organizations they support.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT  podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.

Tracey Kleber author of ‘Mud, Grapes & White Linen: a beautiful vegan life’ shares conversations about all things vegan, creating your own brand of activism, and what it's like to embark on a passion-driven new chapter, no matter your age. Welcome to the unexpected activist podcast. Tune in for conversations about all things vegan, creating your own brand of activism, and what it's like to embark on a passion-driven New Chapter No matter your age. I'm your host, Tracy Kleber, author of the book, 'Mud, Grapes and White Linen - A beautiful vegan life', founder and director at Four Dogs and a Fish Productions, and founder and board president of the vegan advocacy nonprofit Toward a Vegan World. In 2016, I quit my job, sold my house in Los Angeles, and moved to Italy, where I dedicated my life to advocacy. All of the projects I've initiated since then, including this podcast, are driven by my passion, and my desire to make this a better world for animals. And just FYI, I did all of this after turning 50. I'm especially excited about the lineup of guests I have joining me over the next few months. All of them have amazing stories and insights that I want to share. Among other topics, we'll be discussing wine as activism with the founder and CEO of vegan wines, Francis Gonzalez, mastering social media to change the world with social media expert John Oberg, and founder of advocacy collaborative Amanda Trenchard, and we'll learn how a sanctuary in Italy is creating la dolce vita for over 300 rescued farm animals. I hope in these conversations, you will be entertained and inspired. And remember, it's never too late to try something new. Doing something no matter how small is always better than doing nothing. And it's never too late to go vegan. I'll talk to you soon. Ciao ciao. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY WORK, INCLUDING THIS PODCAST, MY BOOK, MY PRODUCTION COMPANY and MY NON-PROFIT, PLEASE GO TO theunexpectedactivist.com  AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT  podcast@theunexpectedactivist.com.