People who make their living from animal agriculture are often the staunchest defenders of the industry—which is why it matters when a few of them change sides and start fighting for animals instead.
This Animal Justice panel brings together former animal farmers, a slaughterhouse inspector, and a ranch worker whose conscience and compassion led them from producing and killing animals to advocating for them.
Some have gone on to open animal sanctuaries. Others have become vocal animal activists and vegan leaders. All of them offer something we don’t get often enough: firsthand accounts from inside animal agriculture—what they saw, what they did, and what sparked a change of heart that went against their livelihood, culture, and community.
Speakers
- Renée King-Sonnen — Former cattle rancher & Executive Director of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary
- Mike Lanigan — Former cattle rancher & co-founder of Farmhouse Garden Animal Home
- Jennifer Barrett — Former chicken farmer
- David Magna — Former slaughterhouse inspector turned animal rights advocate
- Edith Barabash — Former cattle ranch worker & Executive Director of Farmhouse Garden Animal Home
Chapters
- 00:00 — Introduction to the Panel and Panelists
- 07:14 — Personal Transformations: From Farmers to Advocates
- 29:12 — The Reality of Animal Agriculture
- 34:19 — Understanding Farmed Animals
- 46:36 — Shifting Perspectives on Animal Welfare
- 49:27 — The Spiritual Connection with Animals
- 53:10 — Understanding Industrial Farming Practices
- 01:01:39 — The Reality of Slaughterhouse Operations
- 01:08:27 — The Emotional Toll on Farmers
- 01:12:21 Bridging the Gap: Advocacy and Understanding
- 01:18:50 Transitioning from Animal Farming to Plant-Based Practices
Links from the Panel:
