Herd Around the Barn

Latest Episodes:

The Magic of Animals: A Conversation with Acclaimed Author Sy Montgomery Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

This week, Kathy is joined by one of her all-time favorite authors, Sy Montgomery. Sy is the international bestselling author of The Good Good Pig, The Soul of an Octopus, and her most recent release The Hawk’s Way. In their joyful conversation, Kathy and Sy talk about:

Sy’s childhood growing up with animal friends and how these interspecies relationships influenced her professional career
Why Sy is so optimistic about “being alive” in this tumultuous time
The importance of seeing all animals as equals, rather than “underlings” or “babies”
How loving hawks without expecting any affection in return was “liberating” to Sy
Nancy Cowan, the master falconer who taught Sy and influenced her new book The Hawk’s Way
Christopher Hogwood, the 750 pound star of her bestselling book, who changed her life by teaching her that family doesn’t have to include those of the same genetics or species

Sy’s books are available wherever you buy books - but she hopes you’ll consider purchasing from a local bookstore. Her favorite is The Toadstool Bookshop.

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

Reflections on the Eventful Summer at CAS Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

In this special episode of Herd Around the Barn, Kathy is joined by her podcast producer, Clare, to talk about some recent news surrounding the animals at Catskill Animal Sanctuary. In their conversation, they discuss:

How CAS protected their rescued birds from avian influenza through building innovative "birdios"
Buddy III’s passing at the age of 35 and how his friend, Buddy IV, is coping with his loss
How Kathy is staying optimistic about the future, thanks to the all star team at CAS
The upcoming Goat Games virtual fundraiser, which was recently featured in The L.A. Times
Why fundraising is so vital for sanctuaries right now due to inflation and Covid-19 related financial issues

If you're interested in signing up for The Goat Games, register as an athlete here.

To attend a Break All the Rules Tour with Kathy, buy your tickets here.

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

Alene Anello is a Groundbreaking Lawyer for Chickens Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Disclaimer: This conversation contains graphic depictions of cruelty toward chickens.

This week, Kathy is joined by Harvard Law graduate and founder of the non-profit Legal Impact for Chickens, Alene Anello. In their lively conversation, the two discuss:

Alene’s relationship with her pet cockatiel, Conrad, who changed her view of animals forever
How working at PETA and the Animal Legal Defense Fund made Alene want to work for animal rights “forever”
LIC’s lawsuit against Costco, citing animal welfare law violations, following a gruesome Mercy for Animals undercover investigation
The horrific ways that chickens suffer in production plants and why Costco’s treatment of chickens demands legal action
Kathy compares Alene’s work to the Nonhuman Rights Project’s work to represent animals in a court of law
Alene teases some exciting new projects for her team at LIC

To support Legal Impact for Chickens, follow them on social media:

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

Damien Mander's Journey from Military Sniper to Anti-Poaching Vegan Activist Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

“In conservation, the lost causes are the best worth fighting for.” This week, Kathy speaks with Damien Mander, the renowned war veteran and founder of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. In this informative episode, Kathy and Damien discuss:

Damien’s unique path to animal activism after an extensive military career ultimately led to establishing found the IAPF

How Damien transitioned to a vegan lifestyle in 2012 after realizing that he “ran out of excuses” for not going plant-based sooner: “I was saving some and eating others.”

Why nature is the “best self-regulating system” and how IAPF approaches environmental issues through social justice activism, including scholarships and health care reform, in neighboring communities

Akashinga: Africa’s first armed, plant-based, all-women anti-poaching unit whose lives are completely changed by finding their voices and purpose in their work

Katana, the newest canine member of IAPF, and the role of working dogs as part of the ranger team in Africa

To follow the IAPF and stay updated on their work, check out their social media pages here:

Find the Akashinga documentary short from National Geographic here.

Watch Damien’s Ted Talk here.

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

An Announcement from Kathy Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

This week, Kathy announces some news regarding the podcast and talks about exciting upcoming developments for Catskill Animal Sanctuary!

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

Kathy's Reflections on 4th of July Fireworks Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

Kathy takes a few minutes this week to talk about the devastating impact fireworks have on all animals. She shares her personal struggles to keep her rescue Pitbull, Chumbley, calm during Fourth of July fireworks.

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

Duck Defenders: How John Di Leonardo is Creating a Humane Long Island Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

This week, Kathy is joined by John Di Leonardo, the founder and president of Humane Long Island. John’s work with PETA, and now with HLI, is the embodiment of “think globally, act locally” approach to social change. During a very lively conversation, Kathy and John talk about:

John’s work to eliminate animal use in entertainment on Long Island, including direct protests to Ringling Brothers Circus and the horrific “Banana Derby”
Humane Long Island’s incredible victory to prevent an aquarium from being built in a local mall
John’s connection to water fowl and birds who face dumping and abandonment on Long Island, and how HLI hopes to create a “transitional sanctuary” to help these animals in need
The recent PETA protest at a Manhattan Starbucks, where John joined Oscar-nominated actor James Cromwell to urge for plant-based milk upcharges to be eliminated
HLI’s teaming up with Horseracing Wrongs to protest the Belmont Stakes earlier this month

To support Humane Long Island and stay updated on John’s work, you can find them on social media:

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

Free The Animals: PETA President Ingrid Newkirk Speaks on Decades of Animal Activism Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Referred to as the “Queen of the Animal Rights Movement” by Rich Roll, PETA co-founder and bestselling author Ingrid Newkirk joins Kathy on the podcast this week to talk about the 30th anniversary edition of her landmark novel, Free The Animals: The Amazing, True Story of the Animal Liberation Front in North America. In this incredible episode, Kathy and Ingrid will talk about:

How Ingrid responds to criticism about PETA’s more “controversial” protest tactics
Free The Animals unique story as a fictional novel “completely based on fact” from the early days of the animal rights movement
The role of the Animal Liberation Front in PETA’s early days in the 1980s, and the widespread misunderstanding the ALF faced from the government and the media
The Research Modernization Deal, a fully constructed proposal from PETA to create animal-free testing in the United States
The story of Britches, a monkey who was rescued from horrific lab testing and eventually found a happily ever after with a surrogate mother
The exciting news that animal activist and Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix acquiring the film rights for the book

Find Free The Animals anywhere books are sold!

To find cruelty-free products and services online, check out PETA’s links here:

Follow PETA on all social media:

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

Two Spoons: Hannah Sunderani's French Take on Vegan Cuisine Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

In this week’s mouth-watering new episode, Kathy is joined by Hannah Sunderani - the powerhouse vegan blogger and author of The Two Spoons Cookbook. During their lively conversation, Kathy and Hannah discuss:

The incredible, and sometimes tumultuous, relationship between CAS sheep Hannah and Rambo, featured in Kathy’s books
Hannah’s unconventional road to veganism, stemming from GI issues that developed in her early 20s after losing her partner to cancer
The sometimes-hilarious experience of being vegan and living abroad in France, the land of foie gras, chocolate, and cheese
How anyone can cook French cuisine, as shown in Hannah’s ongoing Instagram series “Mitch in the Kitch”
The struggle of developing The Two Spoons Cookbook while struggling with infertility, but now celebrating its release with her son, Oliver

Follow TwoSpoons and Hannah’s work on:

Find the book at:

The Two Spoons website
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop
Or wherever you buy books online!

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Book: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary

TikTok: @CASanctuary

RE-RELEASE: Horseracing Wrongs on Why The "Sport" Must End Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

This Saturday marks the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes - the third and final leg of the Triple Crown races. To honor the horses who suffer needlessly for gambling and entertainment, we are re-releasing Kathy's conversation with longtime animal-rights activists Nicole Arciello and Patrick Battuello, founders of Horseracing Wrongs,

In this episode, they discuss:

Kathy’s childhood on a thoroughbred farm, and how it informed her attitude toward horseracing
the lives of racehorses from training to racing, to what happens when their racing careers are over
why Patrick and Nicole believe that “reforming” the industry fails to address the worst of the abuses
why they believe that horseracing is a dying industry, and how you can help bring about its end

Follow Horseracing Wrongs on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Connect with Kathy Stevens:

Facebook: Kathy Stevens, Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Twitter: @CASanctuary
Books: Where the Blind Horse Sings
Website: CASanctuary.org
Instagram: @catskill_animal_sanctuary
YouTube: Catskill Animal Sanctuary
TikTok: @CASanctuary

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