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Podcast Profile: Sentientism

podcast imageTwitter: @sentientism@JamieWoodhouse
Site: sentientism.info
190 episodes
2020 to present
Average episode: 73 minutes
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Categories: Interview-Style • Life Philosophy

Podcaster's summary: We discuss the biggest questions: "what's real?", "who matters?" and "how to make a better world?" with scientists, celebrities, activists, writers and philosophers. | The Sentientism worldview is "evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings." It's a simple, yet radical, philosophy that's grounded in reality (naturalistic epistemology) and has compassion for all sentient beings (mostly human and non-human animals)? Naturalism & sentiocentrism combined. | Find out more at https://sentientism.info/ or join a group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sentientism. Also on YouTube!

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List Updated: 2024-Mar-29 06:08 UTC. Episodes: 190. Feedback: @TrueSciPhi.

Episodes
2024-Mar-25 • 109 minutes
"Your Neighbour Kills Puppies" - Tom Harris - Activist, Artist & Author - Sentientism Ep:190
Tom is an internationally acclaimed artist, published author, and social justice activist. He is an expert and consultant on animal liberation history and strategy, and the global animal rights movement. His first book, Your Neighbour Kills Puppies was released in March 2024. The book is the previously untold story of one of the world’s most powerful social justice campaigns, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC). Tom became involved in the animal liberation movement at the age of fifteen when he attended h...
2024-Mar-13 • 47 minutes
"A new world of animal justice" - Sabine Brels of World Animal Justice - Sentientism 189
Dr Sabine Brels is a lawyer dedicated to advancing animal protection law worldwide. She teaches international and comparative animal law and published books on animal related-issues in French and English. In the last 15 years, she directed Global Animal Law (GAL) project and worked as legal advisor for the World Federation for Animals, the Eurogroup for Animals, and Compassion in World Farming. Besides her consulting work, she is currently leading the World Animal Justice NGO that she founded in 2023. | In ...
2024-Mar-08 • 70 minutes
Talking to Humanists about Sentientism - Cross-post bonus from Podcast for Inquiry - Sentientism 188
This episode is a bonus cross-post of my discussion with Leslie Rosenblood, host of Podcast For Inquiry. Podcast For Inquiry is produced by the Center For Inquiry Canada. Leslie describes it as a podcast for scientific, skeptical, secular, rational and humanistic (and maybe now sentientst) inquiry. Make sure you go and subscribe there too. | I also wanted to extend a warm welcome to everyone who has recently joined one of our online Sentientism communities. More people join us there every day - whether they...
2024-Feb-26 • 86 minutes
"What if we saw ourselves as species diplomats?" - David Peña-Guzmán of Overthink and SFSU - Sentientism 187
David specializes in European philosophy, the history and philosophy of science and the philosophy of animal minds. He is interested in the problem of consciousness, the study of lived experience and the value of the humanities. David lives in San Francisco, California. He is Associate Professor of Humanities at San Francisco State University. He has previously worked at Johns Hopkins University, Laurentian University, Dillard University, and Emory University (where he received his Ph.D. in 2015). He is the...
2024-Feb-20 • 66 minutes
Could animal farming be good for the animals? The Logic of the Larder - with Nick Pendergrast - Cross-post bonus episode from 3CR's Freedom of Species radio show and podcast - Sentientism 186
This episode is a bonus cross post of my conversation with ⁠Nick Pendergrast⁠⁠⁠ on the 3CR ⁠⁠⁠Freedom of Species⁠⁠ radio show and podcast he co-hosts. In this, my third time as their guest (thank you!), we talk about the "Logic of the Larder" - an argument that animal farming could potentially be good for animals. | You can subscribe to 3CR's ⁠⁠⁠Freedom of Species⁠ wherever you listen. ⁠⁠3CR is a community radio station based in Melbourne⁠⁠⁠, Australia. Nick and the other co-hosts have a fascinati...
2024-Feb-02 • 83 minutes
"If you combine rationality and compassion you have the essence" - Jonathan Leighton of OPIS - Sentientism 185
Jonathan is an ethics strategist, writer, social change | advocate and public speaker. He is Executive Director of the Organisation for the Prevention of Intense Suffering (OPIS), a Swiss-based think-and-do tank that promotes the prevention of human and non-human suffering as our overriding global ethical priority. His book, The Battle for Compassion: Ethics in an Apathetic Universe, explores the question "What matters?". His new book The Tango of Ethics: Intuition, Rationality and the Prevention ...
2024-Jan-23 • 87 minutes
Is veganism a moral obligation? Ghostless Machine cross-post bonus - Sentientism 184
Welcome to episode 184 of the Sentientism Podcast. A podcast about what's real, who matters and how we can make a better world. | The Sentientism worldview answers those deep questions by committing to evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings. | This episode is a bonus cross-post of my discussion with Ariel Pontes. His Ghostless Machine podcast includes a series of dialogues where he has friendly disagreements over controversial topics with a variety of guests. I had the pleasure of being hi...
2024-Jan-15 • 111 minutes
Don't underestimate your influence! - Chris Bryant of Bryant Research - Sentientism 183
Chris is the Director of Bryant Research and the Head of Policy at the Alternative Proteins Association. He is a social scientist and an expert on alternative protein markets and marketing. He has published several papers on consumer acceptance, policy, nutritional value, and other social dimensions of cultivated meat, plant-based meat, and fermentation-derived animal product alternatives. He has worked with alternative protein companies and non-profits, including THIS, Formo, Ivy Farm Technologies, Aleph F...
2024-Jan-08 • 99 minutes
160: "Mother Cow, Mother India" - Yamini Narayanan - International Development A/Prof - Sentientism
Yamini is Senior Lecturer in International and Community Development at Deakin University. Her work makes substantive contributions to the rapidly emergent field of South Asian Animal Studies through a twin focus on animals in political and urban life in India. It addresses species as an explicit identity category in Indian national politics through the intersections of #anthropocentrism, #sectarianism, and #casteism. Her book Mother Cow, Mother India offers one of the first empirical critiques of India’s c...
2023-Dec-20 • 89 minutes
Waking Cosmos - a cross-post bonus episode - Sentientism 182
Welcome to episode 182 of the Sentientism Podcast. A podcast about what's real, who matters and how we can make a better world. The Sentientism worldview answers those deep questions by committing to evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings. | This episode is a bonus cross-post of my discussion with Adrian David Nelson. His Waking Cosmos podcast (here on Apple) explores the nature of consciousness, reality, ethics, and life’s place in the universe. The video version of our conversation is now...
2023-Dec-13 • 81 minutes
Christof Koch & IIT - "Consciousness is not a computation... it's a state of being" - Sentientism 181
Christof is a neurophysiologist and computational neuroscientist best known for his work on the neural basis of consciousness on which he worked with Nobel Prize winner Francis Crick for 24 years. He is the president and chief scientist of the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle. | Christof describes his passion in life as "to understand how I came to be in this wonderful, mysterious universe. Not so much me, personally, but me as a conscious, experiencing thing surrounding by other conscious...
2023-Dec-04 • 74 minutes
S-Risks with Tobias Baumann - "Avoiding the Worst... a moral catastrophe" - Sentientism 180
Tobias co-founded the Center for Reducing Suffering with Magnus Vinding. CRS is a research center that works to create a future with less suffering, taking all sentient beings into account. More broadly, Tobias is involved in the effective altruism movement which applies evidence and reason to find the most effective ways to help others. In his new book, Avoiding the Worst: How to Prevent a Moral Catastrophe, Tobias lays out the concept of risks of future suffering (s-risks) and outlines ways to steer the w...
2023-Nov-22 • 59 minutes
Melanie Joy - "How to End Injustice Everywhere" - Sentientism 179
Melanie Joy, PhD, is a Harvard-educated psychologist specializing in relationships, communication, and social transformation. She is the award-winning author of six books, including the new How to End Injustice Everywhere and the bestselling Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows and Getting Relationships Right: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in Life, Love, and Work. Melanie is also an internationally recognized speaker and trainer who’s presented her work in fifty countries across six continents. | ...
2023-Nov-16 • 65 minutes
178: "A commitment to solidarity and a stubborn commitment to hope" - Defending Animals Author - Kendra Coulter - Sentientism
Kendra is a professor at Huron University and a fellow of the OxfordCentre for Animal Ethics. She is a leading expert on animals and work, animal protection organizations and policy, and gender equity. Kendra has led multiple research projects enriching our understanding of human-animal work and animals’ own forms of labour in important new directions including through development of the concepts of humane jobs, interspecies solidarity, and ecosocial reproduction. | Kendra's latest book is Defending Animals...
2023-Nov-13 • 64 minutes
177: "Vegan Reflections" on animals and systems - with Jordi Casamitjana from Vegan FTA - a cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a bonus cross-post of my discussion with Jordi Casamitjana on his Vegan Reflections series for the VeganFTA YouTube channel. Make sure you go and subscribe if you haven't already. | I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did talking to Jordi - feedback and suggestions are always welcome. As ever I'm only one Sentientist so others will disagree! If you want to hear me interview Jordi for Sentientism check out episode 104 on the Sentientism YouTube or podcast. | These are the two blogs we di...
2023-Nov-05 • 78 minutes
176: "Your Robot Dog Will Die" Author Arin Greenwood - Sentientism
Arin Greenwood describes herself as an animal writer, novelist and lawyer. Her young adult book "Your Robot Dog Will Die" was published in 2018. Arin was animal welfare editor for The Huffington Post and now writes about dogs, cats, and other animals for The Today Show, The Dodo, The Washington Post, Slate, Creative Loafing, the American Bar Association Journal and many other publications. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matt...
2023-Oct-22 • 79 minutes
175: "Making the kind choice becomes this gift" - Molly Elwood - Elwoods Dog Meat CEO - Sentientism
Molly is a writer, copywriter, editor, creative strategist and an animal rights activist. She is Founder and CEO of the non-existent farm, Elwoods Organic Dog Meat. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. | We discuss: | 00:00 Clips | 01:35 Welcome | 03:20 Molly's Intr...
2023-Oct-16 • 93 minutes
174: "Law is a reflection of the people that make it" - Iyan Offor - Sentientism
Dr Iyan Offor is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Birmingham City University conducting interdisciplinary, theoretical research focusing on global animal law, environmental justice, intersectionality, posthumanism and law in the Anthropocene. Iyan is passionate about delivering legal education and research that will lead to the improvement of protections for animals and the environment in law. Iyan teaches international environmental law and human rights, legal theory, legal research, and constitutional law. He ...
2023-Oct-10 • 79 minutes
173: "Welfare protections have failed animals" - Legal Academic Dr Jane Kotzmann - Sentientism
Jane is an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Deakin Law School. Jane obtained degrees in Commerce, Law (with Honours), and a PhD in human rights law from Deakin University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Teach for Australia) from the University of Melbourne. Jane has published research in relation to the human right to education, the human rights of disabled people, animal rights, and animal related laws. She has taught a variety of units, including human rights law, administrative law ...
2023-Oct-05 • 68 minutes
172: "The Animal Turn" - talking about Sentientism with Claudia Hirtenfelder - a cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a bonus cross-post of my discussion about Sentientism with Claudia Hirtenfelder on her wonderful podcast, The Animal Turn. Make sure you go and subscribe if you haven't already. Go back and listen from the start too! Claudia has hosted so many mind-expanding conversations spanning five seasons so far. | In ⁠Sentientist Conversations⁠ we talk about the three most important questions: “what’s real?”, “what (and who) matters?” and "how can we make a better future?" | The Sentientism w...
2023-Sep-29 • 95 minutes
171: "We've made a civilizational error" - Philosopher John Sanbonmatsu - Sentientism
John is a writer, philosopher, cultural critic and magician. He is best known for his book, The Postmodern Prince, and for his more recent work in Critical Animal Studies where he edited the collection "Critical Theory and Animal Liberation". Also in that field his book "The Omnivore's Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and the Nature of Moral Life" will be published by NYU Press in 2024. He has taught at the University of Illinois Chicago, DePaul University, and the Unive...
2023-Sep-19 • 83 minutes
170: "Think more like six year olds!" - Psychology Researcher Luke McGuire - Sentientism
Luke is a lecturer working in the Department of Psychology at the University of Exeter. His research examines social and moral development between childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Between 2017 and 2020 he worked as a postdoctoral research fellow on the Wellcome Trust, ESRC and NSF funded “STEM Teens” project. This project examined the role of youth educators in informal science learning sites, both by longitudinally following youth educators and by quasi-experimentally examining their role in the...
2023-Sep-18 • 84 minutes
169: A Sentientism Salon with the American Ethical Union - with Amy Halpern-Laff and Jamie Woodhouse - hosted by Hugh Taft-Morales - a cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a bonus cross-post of a salon session about Sentientism with the American Ethical Union back in February 2022 hosted by Hugh Taft-Morales. Amy Halpern-Laff and I (Jamie Woodhouse) presented the Sentientism worldview and we had a great Q&A session with the group. | If you prefer video you can watch the session on the AEU YouTube channel here. | Find out more about the AEU on their website here. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” &...
2023-Sep-13 • 72 minutes
168: "Most people think they're better than average" - Tania Lombrozo - Psychologist - Sentientism
Tania is the Arthur W. Marks Professor of Psychology at Princeton University. She oversees the Concepts and Cognition Laboratory, which uses the empirical tools of cognitive psychology and the conceptual tools of analytic philosophy to study the human mind. Their research focuses on topics including explanation, learning, causal reasoning, and folk epistemology. Tania is the recipient of numerous early-career awards including the Stanton Prize from the Society for Philosophy and Psychology, the Spence Awar...
2023-Sep-05 • 56 minutes
2: Being a Vegan Atheist activist and actress in Hollywood - "Sentientism feels like home!" - Sentientist Conversations - Carole Davis #1
Jamie talks to actress, singer/song-writer, author and activist Carole Raphaelle Davis about Sentientism, what she believes and what matters morally.  If you prefer reading to listening, we've posted an article based on this conversation here. | You can watch the video of our conversation here on our Sentientism YouTube channel. Why not subscribe there as well as to this podcast? | Carole Raphaelle Davis is an actress, recording artist, writer and activist best known for her roles in Sex and the City a...
2023-Sep-01 • 82 minutes
167: What kind of relationships do we want with AI and other sentient beings? - Novelist and AI Researcher Jared Moore - Sentientism
Jared is a researcher at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Until the summer of 2023 he was a lecturer at the University of Washington School of Computer Science. While there he created a class on the philosophy of AI and created and taught an ethics course as well as teaching technical artificial intelligence courses. His satirical novel "The Strength of The Illusion" was published in the summer of 2023. Previous Sentientism guest Mark Solms called it "extraordinary". | In...
2023-Aug-25 • 80 minutes
166: "An Aligned AGI would end factory farming" - Kat Woods - EA Charity Co-Founder - Sentientism
Kat is an effective altruist who co-founded Nonlinear (incubating artificial intelligence extinction risk non-profits), Charity Entrepreneurship (helping people start new, effective charities), and Charity Science Health. She describes her main focus today as trying "to make transformative artificial intelligence go well instead of poorly." | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason &...
2023-Aug-18 • 86 minutes
165: "I don't believe that people are born bad" - Alexandra Paul - Actress and Activist - Sentientism
Alexandra is an actress, activist and health coach. She has appeared in more than 100 feature films and television programs starring alongside actors including Tom Hanks, Pamela Anderson, Pierce Brosnan, Kevin Costner and Dan Ackroyd. She is internationally recognized for her 5-year starring role in the tv series Baywatch. | Alexandra has been a lifelong and often award-winning (and arrested!) activist, spanning causes including animal liberation, environmentalism, human population, peace, voting rights and...
2023-Aug-15 • 39 minutes
164: Talking about Sentientism on "Knowing Animals" with philosopher Josh Milburn - a cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a bonus cross-post of my conversation about Sentientism with Josh Milburn on his Knowing Animals podcast, founded by the late and much loved Siobhan O'Sullivan, as part of their Protecting Animals series. | Make sure you subscribe to Knowing Animals wherever you listen. Of course Josh has also been my guest on Sentientism back in episode 50. You can find it here on the Sentientism YouTube (don't forget to subscribe and click the bell!) and here on the Sentientism Podcast. | In Sentientist Co...
2023-Aug-04 • 70 minutes
163: "It was a huge wake-up call... I felt like I'd been living a lie" - Lawyer Delci Winders - Sentientism
Delci is an animal protection lawyer, scholar, teacher and programme builder. She is an associate professor of law and Director & Founder of the Animal Law and Policy Institute at Vermont Law and Graduate School. The Institute is committed to training animal advocacy leaders (e.g. masters degrees and programmes, Farmed Animal Advocacy Clinic) and serving as a resource hub. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is ...
2023-Jul-25 • 70 minutes
162: "What I learned from that power was that I didn't want it" - Jo-Anne McArthur - Photojournalist - Sentientism
Jo-Anne McArthur is a photojournalist, public speaker, animal rights activist and author. She is best known for her We Animals Media project, a media agency and photography project documenting human relationships with animals. Jo-Anne offers presentations about human relationships with animals in educational and other environments and provides photographs and other media for those working to help animals. | | Jo-Anne was the primary subject of the 2013 documentary The Ghosts in Our Machine, directed by Liz...
2023-Jul-13 • 69 minutes
161: India has a rich history of pro-animal thought. So why aren't we using that in our advocacy (instead of global north narratives)? - Varda Mehrotra - Sentientism
Varda Mehrotra is an animal advocate and movement builder, exploring intersectional solutions. Most recently, she founded Samayu to undertake intersectional work and apply a systems approach for issues surrounding justice and animals in food systems. Under her decade-long leadership, FIAPO - India’s federation for animal organisations - was recognized as one of the most effective animal charities. She has spearheaded several large-scale undercover investigations, campaigns for farmed animals, companion anim...
2023-Jun-27 • 94 minutes
159: Should non-sentient agents matter too? - Philosopher Nicolas Delon - Sentientism
Nicolas is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies at the New College of Florida. In Fall 2023, he will join the College of Charleston as Assistant Professor of Philosophy. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. | We discuss: | 00:00 Welcome | 01:55 Nico's Int...
2023-Jun-16 • 110 minutes
158: "A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness" - Walter Veit - Sentientism
Walter is an inter-disciplinary philosopher. He works primarily on the Philosophy of Cognitive and Biological Sciences, the Philosophy of Mind, Applied Ethics and particularly in the intersections of those fields. Much of his recent work has focused on animal minds, welfare, and ethics, as well as evolution. His new book ‘A Philosophy for the Science of Animal Consciousness‘ integrates this research into a coherent whole. It is being launched today (16th June) with Routledge. | In Sentientist Conversations ...
2023-Jun-12 • 78 minutes
157: “This is a critical decade… the calm before the storm” - Anita Krajnc & Nicola Harris from Plant Based Treaty - Sentientism
Anita is Executive Director of the Plant Based Treaty initiative and the Animal Save Movement, a worldwide network of Save groups bearing witness to farmed animals & promoting veganism & love-based, grassroots activism. She describes herself as an animal rights and an environmental activist. She is the co-author of the book "The Secret Lives of Pigs". | Nicola is Director of Communications for the Plant Based Treaty initiative and works on the Animal Save Movement's communications team. Sh...
2023-May-23 • 102 minutes
156: "Animal Liberation Now!" - Peter Singer - Sentientism
Peter Singer is often referred to as the “world’s most influential living philosopher.” He is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. He specialises in applied ethics, approaching the subject from a secular, naturalistic, utilitarian perspective. He wrote the books "Animal Liberation", Why Vegan? and "Animal Liberation Now!" (launched on the same day as this episode! - speaking tour here), in which he argues against speciesism and for a shift to plant-based food...
2023-May-16 • 95 minutes
155: Dogs and pigs have meaningful lives! - Philosopher Michael Hauskeller - Sentientism
Michael is head of philosophy at the University of Liverpool. His current work spans transhumanism, death & meaning. He has written a vast range of topics, including on whether non-human animals can have meaningful lives & "What It Is Like to Be a Bot". He says of his work: "As a philosopher, I am a generalist, which is a nice way of saying that I have done many different things & I am not really an expert on anything in particular." | In Sentientist Conversations we talk abo...
2023-May-10 • 82 minutes
154: "With great power comes great responsibility" - Elan Abrell - Cultural Anthropologist & Author - Sentientism
Elan is a cultural anthropologist focusing on human-animal interactions, environmental justice, and food politics. He is assistant professor of the practice in environmental studies and coordinator of the animal studies minor at Wesleyan University. He is the author of the Gregory Bateson Prize winning book: "Saving Animals: Multispecies Ecologies of Rescue and Care". He also contributed a chapter called "The Empty Promises of Cultured Meat" to the book "The Good it Promises, the Ha...
2023-Apr-27 • 108 minutes
153: "Just dive in and meet people where they're at" - Ashley Byrne - PETA Outreach Director - Sentientism
Ashley is Director of Outreach for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). She has led a broad range of PETA’s campaigns and has been interviewed about her work to promote animal rights by the LA Times, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and in many other publications. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.&quo...
2023-Apr-24 • 61 minutes
152: Conspiracism, misinformation & disinformation in the vegan movement - with Nick Pendergrast & Adam Cardilini - Cross-post bonus episode from 3CR's Freedom of Species
This episode is a bonus cross post of my conversation with Nick Pendergrast⁠⁠ and Adam Cardilini on their 3CR Freedom of Species podcast about conspiracism, misinformation and disinformation in the vegan and animal advocacy movements and how to communicate effectively with those caught up in them. Of course, we also talk about Sentientism⁠⁠'s commitment to naturalistic epistemology via "evidence and reason". | You can subscribe to 3CR's ⁠⁠Freedom of Species wherever you listen. ⁠3CR is a community...
2023-Apr-19 • 140 minutes
151: "I went vegan finally when I fell in love with one" - filmmaker and writer Jay Shapiro - Sentientism
Jay Shapiro is an award winning filmmaker, writer, & podcaster. He directed the film Islam & the Future of Tolerance, based around a post 9/11 conversation between Sam Harris & Maajid Nawaz. He produces and creates a wide range of content, writes on his "What Jay Thinks" blog & hosts the Dilemma podcast - I had the pleasure of being his guest for a Dilemma hangout about Sentientism back in 2020. He loves thoughtful deep dives into philosophy, psychology, & political analysis. |...
2023-Mar-23 • 115 minutes
150: Should Effective Altruism Take Abolitionism More Seriously? - Dhruv Makwana - Sentientism
Dhruv is a PhD student at the Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge. He has interests in psychology, philosophy and animal advocacy. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠here on YouTube⁠. | We discuss: | 00:00 Welcome | 01:33 Dhruv Intro | 02:25 What's Real? | - Born in India, m...
2023-Mar-17 • 70 minutes
149: "Why is it so hard to talk about meat?" - Cross-post bonus episode with Jenny Splitter from her FutureFeed substack talking to Jamie Woodhouse
This episode is a bonus cross-post of my conversation about "Why is it so hard to talk about meat?", and of course Sentientism, with Jenny Splitter for her FutureFeed substack - make sure you go and subscribe! Jenny is managing Editor for Sentient Media. She is an award-winning journalist and contributor to outlets like Vox, Everyday Health, Popular Mechanics, The Guardian and others. She’s one of the founding members of, and a contributor to SciMoms. I was also lucky to have Jenny as my guest on Sentientis...
2023-Mar-11 • 76 minutes
148: "Vegan pets... They're enjoying their lives more & they're living longer" - Dr. Andrew Knight - Professor and Dog & Cat Vet - Sentientism
Andrew is Professor of Animal Welfare & Ethics & Founding Director of the University of Winchester Centre for Animal Welfare. He also holds many other academic and veterinary positions. | Ever since helping launch Australia’s campaign against the live sheep trade to the Middle East in the early 1990s, he has advocated on behalf of animals. For nearly a decade prior to 2012 he practiced veterinary medicine, mostly around London. In 2013 – 2014 he directed the Clinical Skills Laboratory and taugh...
2023-Mar-05 • 87 minutes
147: "Animal research... much harm with very little benefit" - Neuroscientist Dr Katherine Roe from PETA - Sentientism
Katherine is chief of Science Advancement and Outreach (SAO) at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). SAO aims to change the paradigm of biomedical research by promoting the development & implementation of cutting-edge strategies in biomedical research & training & eliminating the use of animals in experimentation. Katherine earned her bachelor’s degrees in biology psychology from Syracuse University and her Ph.D. in experimental psychology and cognitive science from the University...
2023-Feb-27 • 80 minutes
146: Bursting "The Reality Bubble" - Ziya Tong - Science broadcaster and author - Sentientism
Ziya is a television presenter, producer, author and board member. She was the co-host of Discovery Channel’s long-running primetime science magazine, Daily Planet. In 2019 she wrote the book “The Reality Bubble“. Ziya serves on the boards of a range of NGOs and charities, including PEN Canada, We Animals Media and WWF International. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all s...
2023-Feb-21 • 94 minutes
145: A US Constitution For All Sentient Beings - Maybe Sooner Than We Think? - Michael Dorf - US Constitutional Law Professor - Sentientism
Michael is a law professor and scholar of U.S. constitutional law. He is the Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law at Cornell Law School. In addition to constitutional law, Michael has taught courses in civil procedure and federal courts. He has written/co-written/edited six books, including Beating Hearts: Abortion and Animal Rights (co-written with his wife, Sherry Colb), as well as scores of law review articles about American constitutional law. He is also a columnist for Verdict. Michael is a former law cl...
2023-Feb-12 • 87 minutes
144: “How do you find meaning in a universe that’s doomed?” - Astrophysicst Dr. Katie Mack @AstroKatie - Sentientism
Katie is a theoretical cosmologist who holds the Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at Perimeter Institute. Her academic research investigates dark matter, vacuum decay and the epoch of reionisation. Katie is also a popular science communicator who participates in social media and regularly writes for Scientific American, Slate, Sky & Telescope, Time and Cosmos. She is the author of the book “The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)” | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about...
2023-Feb-09 • 62 minutes
143: "Why bad beliefs happen to good people" - Philosopher Neil Levy - Sentientism
Neil is a professor of philosophy with research interests spanning philosophy of mind, psychology, free will, moral responsibility, epistemology & applied ethics. He is Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics & professor of philosophy at Macquarie University, Sydney. From 2010, he was head of neuroethics at the Florey Institutes of Neuroscience in Melbourne. He has written many papers & books, including “Bad Beliefs: Why They Happen to Good People“. | In Sentienti...
2023-Feb-09 • 94 minutes
142: "Veterinarians are merchants of doubt for animal ag" - Dr. Crystal Heath - Founder of Our Honor - Sentientism
Crystal is a veterinary practitioner, a journalist and an activist. She is the co-founder of Our Honor, a charity aiming to create an organized network of veterinary professionals who are able to challenge unethical institutionalised systems and amplify the voices of those who have been marginalised. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our ...
2023-Jan-26 • 77 minutes
141: "All suffering matters morally" - Eva Hamer of Pax Fauna - Sentientism
Eva is the operations lead for the startup non-profit Pax Fauna. Pax Fauna exists to design a more effective social movement for animal freedom in the U.S. Eva has been organizing in the animal freedom movement since 2015 when she started working with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) in Chicago, where she focused on building community, writing protest music, and compiling the movements’ songs into an online songbook used by advocates around the world. She started working full time as DxE’s legal coordina...
2023-Jan-23 • 79 minutes
140: "Animal rights is a social justice issue now" - Fashion Activist Bel Jacobs - Sentientism
Between 1999 and 2014, Bel was Style Editor for Metro. The fall of Rana Plaza in 2013 forced a re-assessment; today, she is a writer, speaker and activist with a focus on animal rights, the climate emergency and the toxic fashion system. Bel has taken part in and moderated numerous panels for brands and organisations and has been interviewed about her work in activism, alternative systems in fashion and culture change. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s re...
2023-Jan-18 • 80 minutes
139: Going Beyond Atheism... to Sentientism? Cross-post bonus episode with Nathan Alexander, Todd Tavares (Beyond Atheism podcast) & Jamie Woodhouse
This episode is a bonus cross post of my conversation about Sentientism with Nathan and Todd on their Beyond Atheism podcast. Beyond Atheism moves beyond questions of gods' existence to ask "what's next in a godless world?" If that question interests you make sure you go and subscribe. Many thanks to Todd and Nathan for inviting me. I think they're on their way to Sentientism… | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what (and who) matters?” | Sent...
2023-Jan-16 • 77 minutes
138: "Who am I to take another's life?" - Paige Parsons Roache of UnchainedTV - Sentientism
Paige is Communications Director for the streaming platform UnchainedTV. After initially going vegan “for the environment” Jane became an ethical vegan after attending her first vigil with LA Animal Save. Paige later became a Contributor for JaneUnchained News where she reported on vigils, PETA protests, VegFests, book launches, Cubes of Truth & vegan conferences. Paige then became Booker for LunchBreakLIVE, a daily cooking show & Senior Booker for JaneUnChained News. Now, as UnchainedTV Comms Direc...
2023-Jan-08 • 84 minutes
137: "What is it like to be another animal?" - Lori Marino - Sentientism
Lori is Executive Director of The Kimmela Center and Founder & President of The Whale Sanctuary Project. She is a neuroscientist and expert in animal behavior and intelligence, formerly on the faculty of Emory University where she was also a faculty member at the Emory Center for Ethics. She is internationally known for her work on the evolution of the brain and intelligence in dolphins and whales and marine mammal welfare in captivity, as well as cognition in farmed animals through The Someone Project....
2022-Dec-11 • 89 minutes
136: "Rationality comes with responsibility" - Kathy Hessler - Sentientism
Kathy is Assistant Dean, Animal Legal Education at George Washington University Law School and Director of the Animal Legal Education Initiative. Kathy has been a clinical law professor for 30 years and has been teaching animal law for 22 years. She is the first law professor hired to teach animal law full-time. Kathy helped develop the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School (L&C). For fourteen years she taught there and directed the Animal Law Clinic. She also created and di...
2022-Nov-28 • 89 minutes
135: "The Creative Lives of Animals" - Author Carol Gigliotti - Sentientism
Carol is an author, artist, animal activist and scholar whose work focuses on the reality of animals’ lives as important contributors to the biodiversity of this planet. She is Professor Emerita of Design and Dynamic Media and Critical and Cultural Studies at the Emily Carr University of Design, Vancouver, BC. CANADA. Her most recent book is The Creative Lives of Animals. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evid...
2022-Nov-23 • 88 minutes
134: "It just started to not make sense" - ObjectivelyDan - Host of "Truth Wanted" - Sentientism
Dan is the host of Truth Wanted, a call-in talk show that's part of the Atheist Community of Austin.Truth Wanted focuses on how and why people believe what they believe - and how we can talk about beliefs in more effective ways - whether it’s karma or Christ, Bigfoot or crystals. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “who matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here ...
2022-Nov-15 • 75 minutes
133: "I relate directly to other creatures - I don't need any belief system" - Karen Davis - United Poultry Concerns President - Sentientism
Karen is an animal rights advocate and president of United Poultry Concerns. UPC is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 to address the treatment of domestic fowl in farming – including chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Karen also runs an animal sanctuary. She is the author of several books on veganism and animal rights, including Prisoned Chickens, Poisoned Eggs: An Inside Look at the Modern Poultry Industry (1997) and The Holocaust and the Henmaid's Tale: A Case for Comparing Atrocities (2005). | In Sent...
2022-Oct-30 • 76 minutes
132: "I agree wholeheartedly with Sentientism" - A.C. Grayling - Humanist Philosopher & Author - Sentientism
Anthony or A.C. is a philosopher and author. In 2011 he founded and became the first Master of New College of the Humanities. Anthony is the author of over 30 books including The Future of Moral Values, What Is Good?, The Meaning of Things, The Good Book & The God Argument. He was a fellow of the World Economic Forum, & is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature & the Royal Society of Arts. Anthony is a vice-president of Humanists UK & an honorary associate of the National Secular Societ...
2022-Oct-23 • 63 minutes
131: "Watching Earthlings hit me really hard" - Sandra Nomoto - Author of Vegan Marketing Success Stories - Sentientism
Sandra describes herself as a vegan foodie, content writer & editor and wife on a mission to empower others to make small, meaningful decisions & actions that will help make the world a better place. She is co-host of VEG Networking Canada, a place where plant-based & vegan companies connect & collaborate. Sandra is the author of the book “Vegan Marketing Success Stories“. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Se...
2022-Oct-15 • 81 minutes
130: Consumers can drive compassionate change - Ethos CEO Jill Ettinger - Sentientism
Jill has been a leading voice in digital media for more than a decade. She’s been published in outlets including MTV, The Huffington Post, and the Village Voice. She served as Head of Content for a popular vegan media platform from 2017-2020, with a reach of more than 50 million per month. She has worked with a number of impact media platforms to help build their traffic and positioning, as well as with leading brands and celebrities working to make the world a more sustainable and ethical space. Jill is th...
2022-Sep-30 • 67 minutes
129: "We gotta make friends... that's the path to liberation" - Matt Johnson - Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) - Sentientism
Matt is Press Coordinator and an investigator for Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). As part of his activism he has conducted animal farm investigations, been threatened with prison for rescuing farm animals from abuse and pranked NewsMax and FoxNews by posing as the CEO of Smithfield Foods – exposing to millions of viewers the damage their industry does to non-human animals, human animals and to the planet. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “wh...
2022-Sep-25 • 92 minutes
128: "I'm so happy to be doing the right thing" - Alene Anello - Legal Impact for Chickens President & Founder - Sentientism
Alene is the President and Founder of Legal Impact for Chickens. She graduated from Harvard Law School, clerked for a federal judge and then started litigating for animals. She has worked at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and The Good Food Institute. Alene is licensed to practice law in New York, the District of Columbia, and California. Alene is committed to helping chickens to honor the memories of her two beloved avian family members, Conrad and Zeke. |...
2022-Sep-18 • 83 minutes
127: "Sensitivity has driven me to understand" - Economist & Author Chaitanya Talreja - Sentientism
Chaitanya is Assistant Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in the Centre for Regulatory Policy and Governance. He has a PhD in Economics. Chaitanya’s research interests include economic development strategies in the global south, structural change, economic development and regulatory policy, urban economics, and non-anthropocentric strategies/alternatives to anthropocentric value systems in progress and conservation including food systems research (and maybe Sentientist Economics?) | I...
2022-Sep-10 • 71 minutes
126: "I've always identified with the 'Other'" - Adrian Tchaikovsky - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Author - Sentientism
Adrian is a multi-award winning fantasy and science fiction author. He is known best for his series Shadows of the Apt and for his novel Children of Time. Children of Time was awarded the 30th Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2016. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss: | 00:00 Preview! | 00:55 Welc...
2022-Sep-02 • 132 minutes
125: "Religion is at the intersection of everything I care about" - YouTuber & Podcaster Emerson Green - Sentientism
Emerson is the host of the Counter Apologetics & Walden Pod podcasts, focusing mostly on religion, atheism and consciousness. Both are also available on his Emerson Green YouTube channel. You can find all his links here. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss: | 00:00 Welcome | 01:32 Emers...
2022-Sep-02 • 90 minutes
124: "People can't not eat free vegan food!" - Pearl Monique Cole Brunt - Sentientism
Pearl describes herself as “poly-vocational”. She is a foreign relations & management consultant with an MA in International Relations & an MBA in International Business. She is a vegan whole foods advocate via her “Le Twisted Spoon” club. Pearl is also a community organiser, public speaker & sometimes a political candidate! | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for a...
2022-Aug-10 • 58 minutes
123: "Let's make a world with less suffering today!" Ingrid Newkirk - PETA founder and president - Sentientism
Ingrid is an animal activist and the president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world’s largest animal rights organization. She is the author of several books, including "The PETA Practical Guide to Animal Rights", "Animalkind" and the 30th anniversary new edition of "Freeing The Animals". Ingrid has worked for the animal-protection movement since 1972. She has been given the following awards: Washingtonian of the Year, 1980; Courage of Conscience Award, 1995; Shining World Compass...
2022-Aug-01 • 103 minutes
122: From dairy farmer to animal activist - Vegan FTA's Jackie Norman - Sentientism
Jackie is a former dairy & beef farmer turned full-time animal rights advocate. She is head of communications and a founding board member for the global non-profit, Vegan FTA (For The Animals). She also co-hosts their podcast and live shows. Jackie is also an author and public speaker. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversati...
2022-Jul-22 • 77 minutes
121: "Compassion is a boundless capacity" - Lisa Kemmerer - Sentientism
Lisa is an activist and academic who specialises in anymal and environmental ethics. She was an associate professor of philosophy and religion at Montana State University Billings until she retired in 2020 to found and lead the educational, vegan umbrella organization, Tapestry. Lisa is the author or editor of ten books including Animals and World Religions. She has also written over 100 articles and book chapters. Lisa coined the term anymal as a “correct” term for non-human animals. | In Sentientist ...
2022-Jul-15 • 85 minutes
120: "The Politics of Love" - Writer Philip McKibbin - Sentientism
Philip is a writer from Aotearoa New Zealand, of Pākehā (NZ European) & Māori (Ngāi Tahu) descent. He is a PhD candidate at the Uni of Sydney, affiliated with the Sydney Environment Institute. He holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy from The Uni of Auckland & diplomas in te reo Māori (the Māori language) from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Philip has written for publications such as the Guardian, Newsroom, & Takahē. His book, Love Notes: for a Politics of Love, is published by Lantern Books. In 2018, he...
2022-Jun-29 • 76 minutes
119: "I have this instinct to go to the underdog" - Ana Bradley - Sentient Media ED - Sentientism
Ana Bradley is Executive Director of Sentient Media. Sentient Media is a non-profit journalism outlet aimed at making transparent the suffering that goes on in our food systems and inspiring readers to think more about the implications of what we eat. Ana also hosts the Sentient Media podcast. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conver...
2022-Jun-18 • 81 minutes
118: "You can definitely be a victim & a perpetrator" - Erin Wing - Animal Outlook Deputy Director of Investigations - Sentientism
Erin is the Deputy Director of Investigations at Animal Outlook, a national animal-advocacy nonprofit organisation. Erin was an undercover investigator for two years. She left the field after her last investigation at the Dick Van Dam Dairy in California, where she saw cruelty, abuse & suffering every day. Through her new position with Animal Outlook, Erin works closely with investigators, providing support & resources. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “...
2022-Jun-14 • 78 minutes
117: Intro to Sentientism (30 mins) "Evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings"
This episode is a recording of my presentation about Sentientism to the Terra.do climate change platform & community. Many thanks to Adam and the team for inviting me. My core presentation runs for about 30 minutes - the rest is an open conversation with the group. Drop me an email at hello at sentientism dot info if you'd like a copy of the slides - or you can see them on the YouTube of my presentation. | Terra.do is the world’s first online climate learning platform and community for professionals loo...
2022-Jun-08 • 71 minutes
116: "As people who are harmed - how can we possibly perpetrate harm?" - LoriKim Alexander - Sentientism
LoriKim (she/her/we/our) describes herself as an educator, organiser, activist, conservationist, abolitionist, naturalist & healer. Originally from Jamaica & now living in the Bronx, USA, LoriKim has dedicated her life to working for social & environmental justice specifically organizing around LGBTQIA+, Black, Brown & Indigenous communities.  LoriKim’s work in anthropology & her training as a biologist has helped her work against environmental racism, in providing environmental edu...
2022-Jun-01 • 54 minutes
115: Sentientist Economics - Nicolas Treich - Sentientism
Nicolas is a research associate at INRAE (L’institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement) and the Toulouse School of Economics. His work focuses on risk and decision theory, environmental economics, benefit-cost analysis and, more recently, on animal welfare. He has published scientific papers on subjects including the precautionary principle, the value of statistical life, and climate policy. He has organized several international conferences and written numerous art...
2022-May-28 • 63 minutes
114: "Humility should underpin our efforts to understand" - Journalist Marina Bolotnikova - Sentientism
Marina is a journalist, currently focusing on factory farming and the criminalization of activists who fight it. Marina has written for Vox, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Intercept and many other publications. She used to be an editor for Harvard Magazine. Before that, she wrote and edited for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Toledo Blade and The Harvard Crimson. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is ...
2022-May-22 • 87 minutes
113: "We are reflective animals - which comes with responsibility" - Susana Monsó - Sentientism
Susana is an assistant professor based at the Department of Logic, History, and Philosophy of Science of UNED, working on animal ethics and the philosophy of animal minds. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Complutense University of Madrid, an MA in Global Ethics and Human Values from King’s College London and a PhD in Philosophy from UNED, Spain. She has been a post-doc fellow at the University of Graz and at the Messerli Research Institute in Vienna. Susana describes her research interest as focusing on “w...
2022-May-16 • 99 minutes
112: "Ought flows from sentience" - neuropsychologist & "Hidden Spring" author Mark Solms
Mark is a psychoanalyst and neuropsychologist, best known for his discovery of the brain mechanisms of dreaming and his use of psychoanalytic methods in contemporary neuroscience. He holds the Chair of Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital and is the President of the South African Psychoanalytical Association. He is also Research Chair of the International Psychoanalytical Association. Mark has received numerous awards, notably Honorary Membership of the New York Psychoan...
2022-May-13 • 83 minutes
111: "The basis of all value is sentience" - Steve Sapontzis Take #2 - Sentientism
Steve is a philosopher and professor emeritus of philosophy at California State University, East Bay who specializes in animal ethics, environmental ethics and meta-ethics. He was co-founder in 1985 of the journal Between the Species: A Journal of Ethics and served as its initial co-editor. Steve was a member of the board of the American Philosophical Quarterly (1991–1994). In 1983, Steve founded, with his wife Jeanne, the Hayward Friends of Animals Humane Society. They now operate Second Chance, Helping th...
2022-May-06 • 115 minutes
110: "Bringing individual animals into the frame" - Author & Ethnographer Kathryn Gillespie - Sentientism
Kathryn Gillespie PhD  (kathrynagillespie.com) is a writer, multispecies ethnographer, & feminist geographer. She is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Kentucky in the Department of Geography & the Applied Environmental & Sustainability Studies Program. Her research & teaching interests focus on: ethnography & qualitative methods; feminist & multi-species theory & methods; food & agriculture; political economy; critical animal studies; human-environment relation...
2022-May-01 • 91 minutes
109: "Incorrect beliefs impact the lives of others" - Street Epistemologist Mark Solomon - Sentientism
Dr. Mark Solomon is an author, neuropsychologist, musician and radio show/podcast host whose work touches on a wide range of topics. Mark produces a national Street Epistemology radio show/podcast called "Being Reasonable" (beingreasonableshow.com, @B_Reasonable_, @Being Reasonable) | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation...
2022-Apr-29 • 60 minutes
108: 3CR's Freedom of Species - talking about Sentientism with Nick Pendergrast - Cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a bonus cross-post from my conversation about Sentientism with Nick Pendergrast on his Freedom of Species show on the 3CR community radio station based in Melbourne. Nick, who was my guest on Sentientism back on episode 88, turns the tables and asks me what's real, what matters and how to make a better world. | Make sure to tune in to 3CR and subscribe to Nick's Freedom of Species and Progressive Podcast Australia podcasts. | Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient...
2022-Apr-22 • 106 minutes
107: "The Weight of Empathy" - author Lucas Spiegel - Sentientism
Lucas studied and practiced architecture in the U.S., Canada, and India before leaving it all behind in an effort to rethink what it is to live a meaningful life. Since then he's traveled the world, started a philanthropic enterprise, Haven Hearts, and written a beautiful, compassionate book. Along the way he enjoys playing frisbee, making things with his hands, and befriending every dog who crosses his path. | He is the author of The Weight of Empathy, a travel memoir. Lucas describes it as an exploration ...
2022-Apr-18 • 106 minutes
106: "There's a myth that we can't understand animals... if we listen, we can" - Adam Cardilini - Sentientism
Adam is a Lecturer in Env. Sci. at Deakin Uni. He works on questions related to ecology, conservation & society. He is most interested in: i) how concern for Animals informs environmental values & practice, ii) the env. potential of transitioning to plant-based agri & iii) more critical approaches to how the sciences consider Animals. Adam wants to leverage research to help create a better future for Animals, the environment & humans. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most...
2022-Apr-07 • 104 minutes
105: "The world is going to get better for animals in our lifetime" - Species Podcast host Macken Murphy - Sentientism
Macken is a writer and science educator. He hosts a weekly podcast about animals, Species, recommended by both Apple and BBC’s Wildlife magazine. He is currently studying anthropology at the University of Oxford. He has written a children’s book about animal symbiosis, Animal SideKicks. | *Content Warning - description of violence* | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all se...
2022-Mar-29 • 101 minutes
104: “Veganism is the secular manifestation of Ahimsa” – author Jordi Casamitjana – Sentientism
Jordi is an ethical vegan, a zoologist and a veganism content writer and consultant. He has been involved in different aspects of animal protection for many years. He became well-known for securing ethical veganism as a protected characteristic under the UK Equality Act 2010 in a landmark Employment Tribunal case. He has worked doing campaigning, lobbying, scientific research, undercover investigations and consultancy. He has authored several books, including “Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey...
2022-Mar-25 • 89 minutes
103: "Humanism is just way too focused on one animal" - Philosopher Constantine Sandis - Sentientism
Constantine is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, Director of Lex Academic & a Fellow of the RSA. He describes his philosophical interests as “unfashionably broad, but I work primarily in the philosophy of action, moral psychology & interpersonal understanding. I also have an interest in the psychology of philosophy, as advanced by Hume, Nietzsche, & Wittgenstein.” He spent most of his twenties as a theatre director & playwright. | In Sentientist Conversations we tal...
2022-Mar-22 • 79 minutes
102: Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg - talking about Sentientism - Cross-post bonus episode
I had the pleasure of talking about Sentientism on the Clearer Thinking podcast hosted by Spencer Greenberg. This is a cross-post of our episode so make sure you go subscribe to Clearer Thinking too. Clearer Thinking is a podcast about ideas that truly matter. If you enjoy learning about powerful, practical concepts and frameworks, or wish you had more deep, intellectual conversations in your life, then you’ll love this podcast!  | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important quest...
2022-Mar-18 • 67 minutes
101: "There's a caste angle to how animal cruelty works in India" - Karthik Pulugurtha - Fish Welfare Initiative - Sentientism
Karthik is MD of the Fish Welfare Initiative, India. He has a background in animal welfare & ethical livelihoods. He is a PhD scholar at the National Academy of Legal Studies & Research in India & previously managed the university’s Animal Law Centre. While there, researched the unethical practices associated with industrialised egg production in India. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, ...
2022-Mar-10 • 77 minutes
100: "I am relentlessly naturalistic" - Barbara J. King - Animal Author & Advocate & Anthropologist - 100th Episode!!
Barbara is emerita professor of anthropology at William & Mary and a freelance science writer and public speaker. The author of seven books, including the new Animals’ Best Friends: Putting Compassion to Work for Animals in Captivity and in the Wild, Barbara focuses on animal emotion and cognition, the ethics of our relationships with animals, and the evolutionary history of language, culture, and religion. Her book How Animals Grieve has been translated into 7 languages and her TED talk ...
2022-Mar-04 • 79 minutes
99: "The right to a fair start in life" - Carter Dillard of Fair Start Movement - Sentientism
Carter is Policy Director and Board Member of the Fair Start Movement, an organisation dedicated to giving every child a fair start in life. He is the author of Justice as a Fair Start in Life. Carter began his career as an Honors Program appointee to the U.S. Department of Justice. He later served as a legal adviser to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in the national security law division. He wrote his thesis reformulating the right to have children under Jeremy Waldron, his extensive academic wor...
2022-Mar-01 • 76 minutes
98: "Wars start because someone gets annoyed." - Dr Richard Firth-Godbehere - History of Emotion - Sentientism
Dr. Richard Firth-Godbehere PhD is one of the world’s leading experts on disgust and emotions. He is an independent researcher and consultant in the history, language, science & philosophy of emotions & an honorary research fellow at the centre for the history of the emotions, Queen Mary University of London. Richard’s first book, "A Human History of Emotions" (also known as "Homo Emoticus") will soon be published in over a dozen languages in countries ranging from Japan to the USA, from Australia t...
2022-Feb-21 • 59 minutes
97: "Widening our circle is part of the logic of being a rational human" - Steve Sapontzis - AUDIO WARNING: SUBTITLES ARE ON THE SENTIENTISM YOUTUBE VERSION - SORRY!
Steve (stevesapontzis.com) is professor emeritus of philosophy at California State University, East Bay. He specialises in animal ethics, environmental ethics & meta-ethics. He was co-founder in 1985 of Between the Species: A Journal of Ethics & served as its initial co-editor. Steve was a member of the board of the American Philosophical Quarterly. In 1983, Steve founded, with his wife Jeanne, the Hayward Friends of Animals Humane Society. They now operate Second Chance, Helping the Pets of People ...
2022-Feb-14 • 97 minutes
96: "It's the same fight regardless" - Ex-Mormon writer Coral Sands - Sentientism
Coral is an aspiring writer, an animal rescue volunteer/donor & runs a bunny boarding & grooming business. She is an ex-Mormon atheist & a "meat & potatoes girl" turned vegan. Find Coral & her content at: @atheist_vegan, & wattpad.com/user/VCoralSandsV & inkitt.com/veganatheist & on YouTube. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient be...
2022-Feb-06 • 79 minutes
95: "The Sustainable Development Goals are all about us humans!" - Dr. Helen Kopnina - Sentientism
Helen (@hkopnina) is Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Business at the University of Northumbria & also lectures at The Hague University. Her research focuses on environmental education, biodiversity & corporate sustainability. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss: | 00:00 Welcome | 01:...
2022-Jan-28 • 88 minutes
94: Let's create more effective, compasionate narratives - Writer Alex Lockwood - Sentientist Conversation
Alex (@alexlockwood & alexlockwood.co.uk) is a fiction & non-fiction writer. He is Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Research in Media & Cultural Studies at Uni of Sunderland. He has a PhD in Creative Writing from Newcastle University & has published stories, essays & journalism in a wide range of magazines, journals & newspapers. He has a particular fascination with how we write about our engagements and relations with the nonhuman world. Alex’s debut non-fiction work, The Pig in Th...
2022-Jan-21 • 89 minutes
93: "I believe in the abolition of cages - human & non-human" - Rachel Krantz, author of "Open" - Sentientist Conversation
Rachel is a multi-award winning writer, podcast host & media consultant. Her memoir, “Open – An Uncensored Memoir Of Love, Liberation, And Non-Monogomy” was published in 2022. She is on the advisory board for Sentient Media & the board of directors of Our Hen House. Rachel does nonprofit media consulting, especially for vegan organizations & brands. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reas...
2022-Jan-19 • 95 minutes
92: "Science denial is about identity, not facts" - Lee McIntyre, philosopher of Science and author of "How to Talk to a Science Denier" - Sentientist Conversation
Lee McIntyre (leemcintyrebooks.com & @LeeCMcIntyre) is a Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy & History of Science at Boston University & an Instructor in Ethics at Harvard Extension School. Lee is the author of How to Talk to a Science Denier as well as many other books, essays & papers. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek, Scientific American, the Boston Globe, the New Statesman & the Humanist. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most importan...
2022-Jan-16 • 75 minutes
91: "Learning can liberate" - Mary Pat Champeau - Institute for Humane Education - Sentientist Conversation
Mary Pat (@mpchampeau) is the director of graduate programs at the Institute for Humane Education (@HumaneEducation & humaneeducation.org) & faculty at Antioch University. Mary Pat has been in the field of education since 1979 when she began teaching as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger. Before joining IHE, she worked in refugee camps in Asia & supervised culture & language programs for the World Trade Institute in New York. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important ...
2022-Jan-13 • 85 minutes
90: "We're simply asking for what we want - to criminalise abuse & killing" - David Michelson of YesOnIP13 - Sentientist Conversation
David is an activist & chief petitioner of the Yes On IP13 campaign (www.yesonip13.org & @yesonip13) which aims to outlaw the harming & killing of sentient animals in the US state of Oregon. That's without exceptions for animal agriculture, hunting, research or other forms of exploitation. Originally with a background in psychology & public health, David’s switch to activism began after bearing witness to pigs being killed in gas chambers. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two...
2022-Jan-06 • 60 minutes
89: How can Africa avoid industrialised animal farming? - Cameron King of Animal Advocacy Africa - Sentientist Conversation
Cameron ([email protected]) is the Operations Lead for Animal Advocacy Africa (also @Animal_Africa). Cameron ran his own eCommerce business for several years before pivoting to charity entrepreneurship to have a more extensive & substantial positive impact on the world. Cameron has been involved in the Effective Altruism community for over ten years & went through Charity Entrepreneurship’s 2020 incubation program. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important qu...
2021-Dec-11 • 91 minutes
88: "Punk music was my gateway into politics & ethics" - Sociologist Nick Pendergrast - Sentientist Conversation
Nick (@NickPende & theconversation) is a Sociologist who researches social movements, social change & Critical Animal Studies. He is a member of The Institute for Critical Animal Studies, the International Association of Vegan Sociologists & The Australian Sociological Association. Nick co-hosts the Freedom of Species podcast & radio show on Melbourne’s 3CR community radio station & also co-hosts the Progressive Podcast Australia podcast with his partner Katie. | In Sentientist Conversat...
2021-Dec-05 • 80 minutes
87: "You CAN change other people!" - Howie Jacobson of Plant Yourself - Sentientist Conversation
Howie (@askhowie & plantyourself.com) is a coach & author & podcast host. His coaching work with people & organisations focuses on leadership, values, productivity & health. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss: | 00:00 Welcome | 02:01 Howie's Intro | - Coaching & wri...
2021-Nov-30 • 76 minutes
86: "There's not a huge difference between how we treat farmed animals & how we treat people - as resources" Nandita Bajaj of Population Balance - Sentientist Conversation
Nandita is the ED of Population Balance which works to address the impacts of human overpopulation & overconsumption on the planet, people & animals. As faculty with the Institute for Humane Education, Nandita teaches a course “Pronatalism & Overpopulation” about the pervasive pressure on women to have children & the impacts on them, families, non-human animals & the planet. Previously, Nandita worked as a high school physics & math teacher & an administrator in both the public &...
2021-Nov-23 • 81 minutes
85: "If you have experienced suffering you're aware of its badness" - Philosopher Michael Huemer - Sentientist Conversation
Michael Huemer (@FakeNousBlog) is a professor of philosophy at the University of Colorado. He is the author of more than seventy academic articles in epistemology, ethics, metaethics, metaphysics, & political philosophy, as well as eight amazing books that YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BUY including Skepticism & the Veil of Perception, Ethical Intuitionism, The Problem of Political Authority, Approaching Infinity, Paradox Lost, & Dialogues on Ethical Vegetarianism. He blogs at fakenous.net. | In Sentie...
2021-Nov-14 • 58 minutes
84: "Nobody likes hypocrisy but we're all hypocrites" - Dr. Brian Earp - Sentientist Conversation
Dr. Brian Earp (@briandavidearp) is Associate Director of the Yale-Hastings Program in Ethics & Health Policy & a Research Fellow at the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford. His work is cross-disciplinary, following training in philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, history & sociology of science and medicine, & ethics. He has written extensively on resisting traditional & religious justifications for causing harm – particularly to children through genital ...
2021-Nov-09 • 71 minutes
83: “If I can open my mind about veganism… I can do anything… it was so liberating” - Jamila Anahata of the Afro-Vegan Society - Sentientist Conversations
Jamila (thesoulfulveganista.com & @Jamila_Anahata) is an activist, blogger & holistic lifestyle coach. She is aso Marketing Director of the Afro-Vegan Society. Sign up for their NAVCON2021 summit on Nov 13th - open to all!. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss: | 0:00 Welcome | 01:12...
2021-Nov-04 • 79 minutes
82: "It's the greatest transformation in human history... Who wouldn't want to be part of that?" - Dr. Sailesh Rao of Climate Healers - Sentientist Conversations
Dr. Sailesh Rao (climatehealers.org) is Founder & Exec Dir of Climate Healers, a non-profit working to heal the climate. After a glittering career in tech he switched to focus on solving our environmental crises. Dr. Rao is the author of two books, Carbon Dharma & Carbon Yoga, & is an Exec Producer of several documentaries including, The Human Experiment (2013), Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014), What The Health (2017), A Prayer for Compassion (2019) & They’re Trying to Kill Us (2...
2021-Oct-30 • 98 minutes
81: "Ethical value flows from reality" - Pablo Perez Castello - Sentientist Conversations
Pablo (@PabloPCastello & on LinkedIn) is a Research Assistant at the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law & a Junior Fellow of the Animals & Biodiversity programme of the Global Research Network (GRN) think tank. He is a PhD candidate at Royal Holloway (UoL). His research in Philosophy focuses on understanding the importance of human language in producing human dominion over animals. He also investigates the role animal language can play in relation to the participation of animals in political...
2021-Oct-25 • 60 minutes
80: Healthy Planet radio show on Sentientism with Bob DiBenedetto - cross-post bonus episode
Healthy Planet is hosted by Bob DiBenedetto. His WUSB radio show aims to help people learn about the powerful effect our everyday choices can have in creating a healthy and compassionate world. | Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” More at Sentientism.info. Join our "I'm a Sentientist" wall via this simple form. | Everyone, Sentientist or not, is welcome in our groups. The biggest so far is here on FaceBook. | | --- | | Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.s...
2021-Oct-25 • 89 minutes
79: "'I love what you do for me' - isn't love!" - Cat Besch - Vietnam Animal Aid & Rescue Founder - Sentientist Conversation
Cat (@CatBeschVN) founded and leads Vietnam Animal Aid & Rescue. She is also a writer & activist addressing many non-human animal issues. | | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | | We discuss: | 0:00 Welcome | | 1:10 Cat's Intro | - Founding Vietnam Animal Aid & Rescue | - Growing up in Vi...
2021-Oct-13 • 68 minutes
78: "A whole new relationship with non human animals that will blow people’s minds!" - Jonina Turzi - Sentientist Conversation
Jonina (@JoninaTurzi) is cofounder of Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, a volunteer district leader for HSUS, & a doctor of physical therapy & yoga educator. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | | We discuss: | 0:00 Welcome | | 1:24 Jonina's Intro | - Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, physical therapy, yoga ...
2021-Oct-05 • 65 minutes
77: Rod Graham's "Being" - cross-post bonus episode on Sentientism
This episode is a bonus cross-post from Rod Graham's Being series on YouTube where I talked to Rod about Sentientism. You can watch the video of our conversation on his channel here. | Check out and subscribe to Rod's channel and give him a follow on Twitter. | | I hope you enjoy our conversation! As ever, this is my personal perspective so many other Sentientists will disagree - while still agreeing on "evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings." | Sentientism: | sentientism.info | Sentienti...
2021-Sep-22 • 66 minutes
76: Humanism will Evolve into Sentientism - Peter Tatchell - Sentientist Conversations
Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell & petertatchell.net) has been an activist for human rights, democracy, LGBT+ freedom and global justice since 1967. Watch the Netflix documentary about his life, "Hating Peter Tatchell". He directs the Peter Tatchell foundation (petertatchellfoundation.org). | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our convers...
2021-Sep-14 • 60 minutes
75: Should Stoics be vegan? - Philosopher Massimo Pigliucci - Sentientist Conversation
Massimo (figsinwinter.blog & @mpigliucci) is Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. He co-hosted the Rationally Speaking Podcast & was the editor in chief for the magazine Scientia Salon. He is an outspoken critic of pseudoscience & creationism & an advocate for secularism, science education & Stoicism.  | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compas...
2021-Sep-06 • 86 minutes
74: Author C Lou Hamilton - "I'm increasingly unsatisfied with anyone who has any degree of privilege who claims to be doing social justice work who has no time for veganism" - Sentientism
C Lou / Carrie (@clouhamilton1 & veganismsexandpolitics.com & drcarriehamilton.com) is an author, editor & translator. She wrote the book "Veganism, Sex & Politics: Tales of Danger & Pleasure" about her vegan journey & how veganism relates to wider social justice issues including feminist, queer & anti-racist politics as well as environmentalism. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "e...
2021-Aug-27 • 65 minutes
73: Artists of Data Science - cross-post bonus episode on the Philosophy of Sentientism
This episode is a bonus cross-post from The Artists of Data Science podcast where I talk to Harpreet Sahota about Sentientism. We cover some of my personal perspectives too - so as ever, many other Sentientists will disagree. | Harpreet has hosted an eclectic range of guests in his 171 episodes so far. If it looks interesting, why not subscribe to TADS as well as Sentientism! | | --- | | Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sentientism/message...
2021-Aug-25 • 68 minutes
72: "Making Compassion Easier" - Tobias Leenaert - Author and meta-advocate - Sentientist Conversation
Tobias (@TobiasLeenaert) is an author & a vegan advocacy consultant. He blogs at Veganstrategist.org & wrote "How to Create a Vegan World". He is the co-founder of ProVeg International. He is an Effective Altruist - thinking about the best ways to achieve a compassionate society. He also describes himself as a "Slow opinionist". | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for a...
2021-Aug-13 • 58 minutes
71: "Boom! - the entire world changed - everyone was questioning everything" - Mariann Sullivan - Podcast Host and Activist Lawyer/Lecturer - Sentientist Conversation
Mariann (@marisul) is Co-host with previous guest Jasmin Singer of the Our Hen House podcast and host of the Animal Law Podcast. She is a lawyer, lecturer, teacher and animal rights activist. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on the Sentientism YouTube. | We discuss: | 0:00 Welcome | | 1:40 Mariann's Intro. An A...
2021-Aug-02 • 60 minutes
70: "Social progress is ultimately inevitable" - @Soytheist Aditya Prakash - Sentientist Conversation
Aditya (https://www.soytheist.com/ & https://www.youtube.com/c/Soytheist) is an animal rights advocate from Assam in India. His @Soytheist YouTube channel focuses on taking a straightforward & rational approach to animal rights, identity politics & occasionally religion & atheism. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our con...
2021-Jul-30 • 76 minutes
69: Pineal Podcast - cross-post bonus episode about Sentientism
This episode is a bonus cross-post from the Pineal Podcast (https://www.pinealpodcast.com/) where I talked to Josh Smith (https://twitter.com/Pinealpodcast) about Sentientism. | We cover some of my personal perspectives too - so as ever, other Sentientists will disagree. | In his own words, Josh created the Pineal podcast to help awaken his spirit. He talks to people about their own journeys to explore the ways they think, how they acquired their views on life and seek to discover areas where commonality ca...
2021-Jul-28 • 79 minutes
68: Are Panpsychism, Veganism and Sentientism Compatible? - Luke Roelofs, Philosopher of Mind - Sentientist Conversation
Luke (lukeroelofs.com & Majestic Equality) is a philosopher of mind at the Centre for Mind, Brain & Consciousness at New York University. Although Luke works primarily on philosophy of mind & metaphysics, their areas of interest include ethics, social & political philosophy, early modern philosophy and philosophy of gender & sexuality. Their book, "Reason, Empathy, and the Minds of Others" is under contract with Oxford University Press. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the tw...
2021-Jul-22 • 58 minutes
67: "We need to develop Mental Immunity against epidemics of nonsense" - Andy Norman - Sentientist Conversation
Andy Norman (https://andynorman.org/ & https://twitter.com/DrAndyNo), PhD is the author of "Mental Immunity". His work has appeared in Scientific American, Psychology Today, Skeptic, Free Inquiry & The Humanist. He has appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, public radio, The BBC & The Young Turks. He champions the emerging science of mental immunity as the antidote to bad ideas, disinformation, propaganda, hate & division. Andy directs the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University &am...
2021-Jul-16 • 59 minutes
66: "Time has come for animals to be globally protected in UN-iversal law" - Sabine Brels of the World Federation for Animals
Sabine is legal advisor to the World Federation for Animals (https://wfa.org/). In 2014, she cofounded the Global Animal Law (GAL https://www.globalanimallaw.org/) Association and led work on the creation and update of the first complete Animal Welfare Legislation Database. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on Yo...
2021-Jul-06 • 50 minutes
65: "When I adopted a dog - my whole worldview shifted" - Aditya from Animal Ethics - Sentientist Conversation
Aditya is the wild animal suffering outreach coordinator for Animal Ethics in India. He works in grass-roots animal activism with a variety of organisations. He is studying Animal Protection Law at the National Legal Studies Research Institute in India. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss: ...
2021-Jul-01 • 57 minutes
64: "The conversation has to start with you" - Jenny Splitter - Journalist and SciMom Founder - Sentientist Conversation
Jenny (@jennysplitter and jennysplitter.com) is an award-winning journalist & science writer covering food, agriculture, climate change, biodiversity, health & technology. Her work has been published across a wide range of media outlets including Vox, Forbes, Observer, The Washington Post, Popular Mechanics and New York Magazine. Jenny is a co-founder & contributing editor to the science communication project SciMoms. She is also a podcast host on the Animal Studies channel of the New Books Netw...
2021-Jun-28 • 53 minutes
63: "May all beings be happy & free from suffering" - Cebuan Bliss - Sentientist Conversations
Cebuan (Cebby) Bliss (https://twitter.com/CebbyBliss) is a PhD candidate researching animal and biodiversity governance at Radboud University in the Netherlands (https://www.ru.nl/english/people/bliss-... | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is also on the Sentientism YouTube Channel. | We discuss: | 0:00 Welcome | | 1:03 ...
2021-Jun-21 • 78 minutes
62: "Animal farming will end by the end of this century" - Jacy Reese Anthis - Sentientist Conversation
Jacy (https://twitter.com/jacyanthis & https://jacyanthis.com/) is a social scientist & co-founder of the Sentience Institute (https://www.sentienceinstitute.org/). His acclaimed book, The End of Animal Farming  (https://jacyanthis.com/book), analyzes the development & popularisation of food technologies such as plant-based & cultivated meat. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Sentientism is "evidence, re...
2021-Jun-15 • 51 minutes
61: "You cannot go wrong with compassion" - Frans de Waal - Animal Morality - Sentientist Conversations
Frans (fransdewaal.com) is a primatologist & ethologist. He is Professor of Primate Behavior at Emory University, director of the Living Links Center at Emory & the author of many books including "Chimpanzee Politics", "Our Inner Ape" & "The Bonobo & the Atheist". He has featured in TV/radio productions & TED talks viewed by tens of millions of people. His research centers on primate social behavior, including conflict resolution, cooperation, inequity aversion, & food-sharing. He is...
2021-Jun-12 • 83 minutes
60: "That's moral progress - you have to interfere in things" - Philosopher Kyle Johannsen - Sentientism
Kyle (https://twitter.com/KyleJohannsen2 and https://philpeople.org/profiles/kyle-johannsen)... is Adjunct Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Queen's University. His research is in social & political philosophy, & in animal & env. ethics. He teaches normative ethics, metaethics, bioethics, business ethics, cyberethics, the philosophy of law & critical thinking. He is the author of "Wild Animal Ethics". | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s r...
2021-Jun-09 • 38 minutes
59: "I'm positive about our future... I experienced the rapid change in my own views" - Lu Shegay - Institute of Animal Law of Asia - Sentientist Conversation
Lu (https://twitter.com/LuShegay) is an animal law attorney from Kazakhstan, now based in the USA. She is the co-founder and Managing Director of the Institute of Animal Law of Asia (https://www.ialasia.org/ and https://twitter.com/ianimallawasia). | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss: | 0:00 ...
2021-Jun-07 • 58 minutes
58: "Factory farming is a complete disaster" - FT Journalist Henry Mance - Sentientist Conversations
Henry (https://twitter.com/henrymance) is the chief features writer for the Financial Times newspaper. He is the author of "How to Love Animals in a Human Shaped World." (https://uk.bookshop.org/books/160670892... | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our Conversation is on the Sentientism YouTube. | We discuss: | 0:00 Welcome | 1:27 Henry's I...
2021-Jun-02 • 81 minutes
57: "We don't need a god - we can do it ourselves" - Philosopher Richard Brown - Sentientist Conversation
Richard (https://twitter.com/onemorebrown & https://onemorebrown.com/)  is a philosopher at CUNY. His work is focused on the philosophy of mind, consciousness studies & the foundations of cognitive science. He also has interests & projects in the philosophy of language, metaethics, philosophy of physics, logic, the philosophy of logic and the history of philosophy. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism...
2021-May-24 • 76 minutes
56: "We are entropic eddies complex enough to have woken up" - Hugo Award winning Sci-Fi author Peter Watts - Sentientist Conversation
Peter Watts (https://rifters.com/) is a Hugo Award winning sci-fi author. His works include the Rifters trilogy (e.g. Starfish) & the Firefall series (e.g. Blindsight). He earned a Ph.D from the Univ of BC Canada. He held several academic positions & worked as a marine-mammal biologist before becoming an author.  | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient b...
2021-May-18 • 68 minutes
55: "We don't have to wait until the 24th century for a Star Trek future" - Christopher Sebastian - Sentientist Conversations
Christopher Sebastian is the director of social media for Peace Advocacy Network, sits on the Advisory Council for Encompass, is a senior fellow at Sentient Media, is co-founder of VGN, and lectures at Columbia University in the Department of Social Work for the graduate course POP: Power, Oppression, & Privilege. Using a multidisciplinary approach that includes media theory, political science, & social psychology, he focuses on how human relationships with other animals shape our attitudes about ra...
2021-May-15 • 78 minutes
54: Suffering matters even if we didn't cause it - Heather Browning - from Zookeeping to Philosophy
Heather (https://twitter.com/zoophilosophy & https://www.heatherbrowning.net/) is a scientist, philosopher & a former zookeeper & welfare officer. She is now a researcher at the London School of Economics specialising in animal sentience, welfare, & ethics.  | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on...
2021-May-11 • 42 minutes
53: "I would consider myself a Sentientist now" - Tennis pro Marcus Daniell - Sentientist Conversation
Marcus (https://twitter.com/MarcusDaniell) is a professional tennis player from New Zealand. He is a philanthropist and an advocate for effective altruism through his work as the founder of High Impact Athletes (https://highimpactathletes.org/) and as a member of Giving What We Can.  | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation ...
2021-May-06 • 70 minutes
52: "Ending animal testing is a win-win for humans and animals" - neurologist CEO Aysha Akhtar - Sentientist Conversation
Aysha (https://twitter.com/DrAyshaAkhtar & http://www.ayshaakhtar.com/) is a neurologist, public health specialist & author. She is President & CEO of the Center for Contemporary Sciences (https://contemporarysciences.org/). She worked for the Office of Counterterrorism & Emerging Threats of the FDA & served as Lieutenant Commander in the US Public Health Service. She is a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. Aysha wrote: "Animals &  Public Health: Why treating animals...
2021-May-02 • 90 minutes
51: "There is no 'us and them' " - Yasmine Mohammed - Ex-muslim activist - Sentientist Conversation
Yasmine (https://twitter.com/YasMohammedxx & https://www.yasminemohammed.com/) is a rights activist, advocating for the rights of women living within Islamic majority countries. Yasmine founded Free Hearts Free Minds (https://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com/). Her book, Unveiled, recalls her experiences growing up in a fundamentalist Islamic household & her arranged marriage to a member of Al-Qaeda. | In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what...
2021-Apr-28 • 69 minutes
50: "Animal activists don't have to be on the political left" - Josh Milburn - Sentientist Conversation
Josh (https://josh-milburn.com/ & https://twitter.com/JoshLMilburn & https://www.instagram.com/aveganphilosopher/)... is a moral & political philosopher with research interests in animal ethics, the philosophy of food, liberal & libertarian political theory & applied ethics. He is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the Dept of Politics & International Relations at the University of Sheffield. He co-hosts the Knowing Animals podcast. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk ...
2021-Apr-24 • 74 minutes
49: "I'm concerned with oppression in all its forms" - philosopher Joey Tuminello of Farm Forward, the Better Food Foundation and McNeese University - Sentientist Conversation
Joey (https://josephtuminello.academia.edu/) is asst. professor of philosophy at McNeese State Uni & program coordinator for the nonprofits Farm Forward & Better Food Foundation (See also Default Veg). His research covers philosophies of food, medicine, animals & environment. He teaches biomedical ethics & sections of ethical theory & existentialism. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "e...
2021-Apr-20 • 87 minutes
48: "Maybe moral systems are harmful! Like religion they are used to divide us." - Walter Veit - philosopher, scientist and sentientist - Sentientist Conversation
Walter (https://twitter.com/wrwveit & https://walterveit.com/) is an interdisciplinary scientist, philosopher & writer focusing on biology, minds & ethics. He publishes the ‘Science & Philosophy‘ series on Psychology Today & Medium. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?" Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." | Our conversation is also here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/...
2021-Apr-16 • 79 minutes
47: "Freedom, equality & avoiding harm to others" - Kristof Dhont - Social Psychologist - Sentientist Conversations
Kristof is a social psychologist and senior lecturer at the university of Kent where he runs SHARKLab (Study of Human InterGroup & Animal Relations). He is the author of "Why We Love and Exploit Animals". | We discuss: | - The psychology of human-animal relations | - Links between sexism, racism & speciesism | - "Us humans are weird". We're not fully rational decision makers | - Being sceptical of our own rationality | - Knowing the right answer isn't the same as persuading others to agree or make c...
2021-Apr-12 • 63 minutes
46: "The root of all evil is thinking some suffering doesn't matter" - Jane Velez-Mitchell Unchained - Sentientist Conversation
Jane (https://twitter.com/JVM) is a TV broadcaster, author, journalist & now CEO of the animal rights non-profit Jane Unchained (https://janeunchained.com/). She has written four books, two of which were NY Times bestsellers. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is here on the Sentientism YouTube. | We discuss: | - ...
2021-Apr-09 • 68 minutes
45: "Children are much less speciesist than adults" - researcher Matti Wilks - Sentientist Conversations
Matti (https://www.mattiwilks.com/ and @matti_wilks) is a post-doctoral researcher at Yale University, working with Professor Paul Bloom. She studies moral psychology & moral development - including attitudes to cultivated meat & the "natural", the moral status of various types of entities & altruism. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings."...
2021-Apr-06 • 56 minutes
44: "There is suffering - end it!" - Actress Victoria Lynn - Sentientist Conversation
Victoria (https://www.victorialynn.me/ & https://twitter.com/incertaspecie) is an actress, film producer, writer, voiceover artist and animal activist. She has appeared in Netflix's "Haunted", the Comedy Central show "Nathan for You", in various theatre productions & in the video game "Kingdom Come: Delieverance". Victoria is an animal rights activist. She co-founded the production company Quantum Kitten. Look out for Victoria's new Cosmic Creature app (https://www.victoria-hogan.com/cosmic-c... | I...
2021-Apr-05 • 44 minutes
43: "We're at the beginning of a huge movement" - Author Julie Taylor - Sentientist Conversation
Julie is an author, artist and animal activist. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." | The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | We discuss (with Luna barking in the background): | - Growing up reading the Children's Encyclopaedia | - Julie's life in public service & social work | - Studying Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism | - Spiri...
2021-Apr-01 • 41 minutes
42: Conscious Basket Show - cross-post bonus episode about Sentientism
This episode is a bonus cross-post from The Conscious Basket Show where I talked to Samantha McCord (https://twitter.com/ConsciousBasket) about Sentientism. | Samantha has founded Conscious Basket (https://www.consciousbasket.com/) as a marketplace for people trying to take more ethical decisions about the products they buy. In her companion podcast and Youtube she interviews all sorts of people working to make the world a better place. | Why not visit and subscribe to her channels? | Sentientism: | sentien...
2021-Mar-29 • 61 minutes
41: "Morality isn't linked to religion" - Amy Wilson - Activist Lawyer - Sentientist Conversations
Amy Wilson (https://twitter.com/Ms_AmyPWilson) is an Animal, Human & Earth Rights Lawyer. She founded the Animal Law Reform & Animal Law Africa NGOs. She works as the Aquatic Animal Law Initiative Fellow at the Center for Animal Law Studies and volunteers with a number of other organizations in South Africa, across Africa and in the USA. In South Africa, Amy has leadership roles with the Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations and the Humane Education Trust. Throughout Africa, she works wi...
2021-Mar-27 • 44 minutes
40: "Compassion needs to be grounded in reality" - Jessica Pierce - Bioethicist and Author - Sentientist Conversation
Jessica Pierce (https://www.jessicapierce.net/) is a bioethicist & writer. Her work focuses on human-animal relationships & interconnections between ecosystems & health. Her "All dogs go to heaven" blog at Psychology Today is here https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-dogs-go-heaven.... | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is "evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings." The vide...
2021-Mar-22 • 61 minutes
39: "The Peppa Pig Paradox" - activist academic Lynda Korimboccus - Sentientist Conversations
Lynda (https://twitter.com/LMKorimboccus and http://www.korimboccus.com/) is an anthrozoologist, sociologist & philosopher who teaches sociology in Scottish Further Education. She is also a musician, songwriter, writer and artist. Lynda is Editor-in-Chief of the Student Journal of Vegan Sociology (http://www.vegansociology.com/journal/)... Lynda’s recent paper, “The Peppa Pig Paradox”, was published in the Journal for Critical Animal Studies (http://journalforcriticalanimalstudies....   In the...
2021-Mar-16 • 54 minutes
38: "Sentientism captures everything - it's future proof" - Michael Dello-Iacovo - Sentientist Conversation
Michael Dello-Iacovo (http://www.michaeldello.com/ and https://twitter.com/MichaelDello) is a PhD candidate in space science, looking at off-Earth exploration, mining & asteroid impact risk. Michael hosts the Morality is Hard podcast where he examines ethical questions and argues that everyday ethical choices are harder than we think they are. He is currently on the New South Wales state committee for the Animal Justice Party and is a committee member of the party’s youth wing. Michael has dedicated his...
2021-Mar-14 • 55 minutes
37: "No judgement... just how do we solve this?" - Humane Educator Zoe Weil - Sentientist Conversations
Zoe (https://twitter.com/ZoeWeil) is the co-founder & president of the Institute for Humane Education (https://humaneeducation.org/). She is considered a pioneer in the comprehensive humane education movement. She has authored seven books both for adults & children, including Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World & Meaningful Life. Zoe writes the Becoming a Solutionary blog at Psychology today. She has made numerous TV & radio appearances and has given six TED talks, i...
2021-Mar-09 • 64 minutes
36: "The Ocean is Alive" - Ocean Ecologist Glenn Edney - Sentientist Conversations
Glenn Edney (https://oceanspirit.org/) is an Ocean ecologist, underwater naturalist, sailor and professional diver. He has been exploring the Ocean and interacting with Ocean life for more than 30 years. He has an MSc in Holistic Science from Schumacher College and Plymouth University UK. His research is focused on understanding the Ocean as a living system and the role she plays as the primary life support system for our planet. He has a strong interest in bringing together traditional indigenous Ocean kno...
2021-Mar-05 • 50 minutes
35: "We can't understand humans without recognising that we are animals" - Diana Fleischman - Sentientist Conversations
Dr Diana Fleischman is an evolutionary psychologist & an author. Until recently she was a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth. Her field of research includes the study of disgust, human sexuality, hormones & behaviour. She is involved in the effective altruism & animal welfare movements & identifies as a feminist and a Sentientist. Diana's 2018 Darwin Day Lecture, hosted by Humanists UK, was part of the inspiration for our work developing & raising awareness of Sentientism. Y...
2021-Mar-01 • 83 minutes
34: "Maybe the point of being is to be loving" - Comedian Myq Kaplan - Sentientist Conversations
Myq is a stand-up comedian (http://myqkaplan.com/ and https://twitter.com/myqkaplan). He has performed on the Tonight Show, Conan, the Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Seth Meyers, the Late Late Show with James Corden, in his own half-hour Comedy Central Presents special, and in his own one-hour special on Netflix and now Amazon, “Small, Dork, and Handsome.” He has been a finalist on Last Comic Standing and recently appeared on America’s Got Talent. His debut album “Vegan Mind Meld” was one o...
2021-Feb-24 • 52 minutes
33: "Us humans are slow learners" - Kim Stallwood - author & scholar - Sentientist Conversation
Kim is an animal rights author, independent scholar, consultant, and speaker. He has 45 years of personal commitment as a vegan and professional experience in leadership positions with some of the world’s foremost animal advocacy organisations. The Kim Stallwood Archive is held by The British Library. He wrote Growl: Life Lessons, Hard Truths, and Bold Strategies from an Animal Advocate with a Foreword by Brian May (Lantern Books, 2014). He is currently working on the biography of an elephant called Topsy. ...
2021-Feb-19 • 45 minutes
32: Talking to Humanist animals about other animals (and sentient beings) - A talk about Sentientism to the Dorset Humanists Group
I gave this presentation to a meeting of the Dorset Humanist Group in the UK. It was a pleasure to be invited to talk and I really enjoyed the energetic and constructive discussion that followed. | Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already - listen to our back catalogue - give us a rating and/or a review - and recommend us to your friends (and enemies). | Given the audience were mostly Humanists I focused this presentation on how Sentientism extends Humanist concepts of evidence, reason and compassio...
2021-Feb-16 • 59 minutes
31: "Every individual matters" - Marc Bekoff and Compassionate Conservation - Sentientist Conversation
Marc is profesor emeritus of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has published  31 books, won many awards for his research on animal behavior, animal emotions, compassionate conservation, & animal protection, has worked closely with Jane Goodall, & is a former Guggenheim Fellow. Marc's latest books are "Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do" & "Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible" (with J...
2021-Feb-10 • 43 minutes
30: "If you hand most people a knife they won't stab a cow!" - John Oberg - Sentientist Conversation
John is a professional animal advocate & public speaker. You can support his work at https://www.patreon.com/JohnOberg | and follow him at https://twitter.com/JohnOberg. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”  Sentientism is "evidence, commitment & compassion for all sentient beings." | Full show notes and the video of our conversation are here: https://youtu.be/UTZlwC4nHq8 | We discuss: | - John's career in anim...
2021-Feb-06 • 49 minutes
29: “Vet training reduces empathy for animals” – Vet Kevin Saldanha – New Sentientist Conversation
Kevin is a community vet, based in Ontario, Canada. He grew up in East Africa & Goa, India & then moved to Canada. He has held leadership roles, originally in Catholic community organisations &, more recently, Humanist community organisations. | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is “evidence, commitment & compassion for all sentient beings.” | Full show notes are here: https://sentientism.i...
2021-Feb-03 • 39 minutes
28: "It's frustrating that so many atheists & humanists are proud of having broken one form of indoctrination yet remain blind to another" - Godless Spellchecker - Sentientism cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a cross-post from the Godless Spellchecker Podcast where Steven Knight interviewed me (Jamie) about Sentientism. | We started our conversation by discussing an incident where I was attacked in front of my daughter by a white supremacist gang (it was ages ago and we're both fine thanks). That doesn't have too much to do with Sentientism and contains some strong language, so I've left it out of this version. If you'd like to hear it, you can find it on the Godless Spellchecker feed. | Stephen'...
2021-Jan-30 • 80 minutes
27: "Vegan stuff is going to be hot!" - Dr. Corey Lee Wrenn - Sentientist Conversations
Corey Lee Wrenn is a UK-based American sociologist and scholar of social movements and human-nonhuman relations. She is a lecturer in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent. Corey says: “The magnitude of nonhuman suffering is such that activists can’t afford to take chances. My work is designed to take the guesswork out of social movement mobilization and animal rights activism, and I need your help to implement the findings.” | Full show notes are here: https:/...
2021-Jan-27 • 58 minutes
26: “Change is possible but hard” – Jeff Sebo – Author, Activist, Philosopher – Sentientist Conversation
Jeff Sebo is Clinical Assoc. Prof. of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, & Philosophy, & Director of the Animal Studies M.A. Program at New York University. He is on the executive committee at the NYU Center for Environmental & Animal Protection & the advisory board for the Animals in Context series at NYU Press. He is a board member at Animal Charity Evaluators, a board member at Minding Animals International, an Exec. Cttee. member at the Animals &...
2021-Jan-24 • 67 minutes
25: “Imagining a better future through our everyday decisions” – Podcaster and academic Claudia Hirtenfelder – Sentientist Conversation
Claudia Hirtenfelder is a PhD Candidate in Geography at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. She is host of The Animal Turn Podcast (Subscribe!) | In these Sentientist Conversations we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” Sentientism is “evidence, commitment & compassion for all sentient beings.” | The video of our conversation is here on YouTube. | Full show notes are here: https://sentientism.info/imagining-a-better-future-through-our-everyday-decision......
2021-Jan-21 • 66 minutes
24: "Breeding into suffering is the root of the problem." - Sentient Media founder Mikko Järvenpää - Sentientist Conversations
Mikko is a tech start-up founder and CEO (now https://candle.to/). He founded & is now board chair of Sentient Media - an organisation dedicated to making the world a better place for all sentient beings through journalism. | Full show notes are here: https://sentientism.info/breeding-into-suffering-is-the-root-of-the-problem-sent... | In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”. Sentientism is "evidence, commitment & compa...
2021-Jan-18 • 102 minutes
23: Two for Tea - Sentientism cross-post bonus episode (me being grilled by a Zoroastrian, unabashedly speciesist meat-eater...)
This is a bonus cross-post episode from the Two for Tea podcast where I (Jamie) was interviewed about Sentientism. Two for Tea is a podcast about politics, culture and society by Iona Italia and Helen Pluckrose. Make sure you subscribe to their podcast as well as mine! They host thoughtful conversations with a fascinating range of guests. | Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” You can find out more at Sentientism.info. Why not join our “wall” using our simple “I’m a Se...
2021-Jan-18 • 54 minutes
22: "A Fabulous Vegan Future!" - Jasmin Singer, Author & Activist - Sentientist Conversations
Jasmin Singer is the author of “The VegNews Guide to Being a Fabulous Vegan” and the memoir “Always Too Much and Never Enough“. She’s the co-founder & co-host of the award-winning Our Hen House podcast & nonprofit (now in its eleventh year), the Director of Editorial for Kinder Beauty, & the editor of the Encompass Essays: “Pursuing Racial Equity in Animal Advocacy”. Jasmin was named a “40 Under 40” by The Advocate Magazine, a top “Eco-Preneur” by Go Magazine & can be seen in documentaries i...
2021-Jan-14 • 67 minutes
21: "How can I have been morally asleep for so long?" - Prof Randall Abate - Sentientist Conversation
Randall is an author and environmental, animal, climate and constitutional law professor at Monmouth University in New Jersey. His books include “What Can Animal Law Learn From Environmental Law?” and “Climate Change and the Voiceless: Protecting Future Generations, Wildlife, and Natural Resources”. | In these Sentientist Conversations (subscribe!), we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”. Sentientism is “evidence, commitment & compassion for a...
2021-Jan-11 • 76 minutes
20: “De-centring the human” – Robot (and other non-human) Rights author Josh Gellers - Sentientist Conversation
Josh Gellers is an associate professor at the University of North Florida. His work spans animal, environmental and artificial intelligence ethics and law. He is a research fellow with the Earth System Governance Project and is a Fulbright scholar. He is Author of “Rights for Robots: Artificial Intelligence, Animal and Environmental Law” (open access!). | Full show notes are here: https://sentientism.info/de-centring-the-human-new-sentientist-conversation-with... | In these Sentientist Conversations (subscr...
2021-Jan-08 • 37 minutes
19: "Diverse sentients could live in mutual symbiosis" - Artist Graham Bessellieu - Sentientist Conversations
Full show notes at: https://sentientism.info/diverse-sentients-could-live-in-mutual-symbiosis-graham... The video is here on the Sentientism YouTube channel. | Graham is an artist, a photographer and a video/audio content producer. | In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”. Sentientism is “evidence, commitment & compassion for all sentient beings.” | We discuss: | | Being raised Christian | Going from a soprano to a bass...
2021-Jan-04 • 68 minutes
18: "Being in balance with ourselves and the rest of the living world" - Author Gill Coombs - Sentientist Conversation
Gill is an author, coach & counsellor. She was a UK parliamentary candidate for the Green Party. She focuses on helping people live in balance with themselves & the rest of the living world. Her books include “The Trembling Warrior”, “Hearing our Calling” & “The Game”. | In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”. Sentientism is “evidence, commitment & compassion for all sentient beings.” | Full show notes are at h...
2020-Dec-30 • 47 minutes
17: "The only moral discrimination?" - Future Based - Sentientism cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a cross-post from the Future Based Podcast where Annika van den Born interviewed me (Jamie) about Sentientism. | The podcast is part of the Future Based initiative that aims to facilitate inter-disciplinary discussions and collaborations about our collective future. | Annika and I discuss how naturalism and sentiocentrism come together in Sentientism. We talk about the risks of environmental movements extending their moral circles too far (biocentrism, ecocentrism or holism) while ignoring s...
2020-Dec-28 • 69 minutes
16: “How can we do the most good for non-human animals?” - Jamie Harris – Animal Advocacy Careers co-founder & Sentience Institute Researcher - Sentientist Conversations
Full show notes are here: https://sentientism.info/how-can-we-do-the-most-good-for-non-human-animals-jamie... | You can find the video of our conversation here https://youtu.be/ea_v6kWCGZQ | Jamie is co-founder of and researcher at the non-profit Animal Advocacy Careers, a researcher at the Sentience Institute and host of the Sentience Institute Podcast (subscribe!) | In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”. Sentientism is “evi...
2020-Dec-24 • 55 minutes
15: "Let's end humanity's war on the rest of the planet" - Better Meat CEO & Hall of Famer Paul Shapiro - Sentientist Conversations
Paul Shapiro https://twitter.com/PaulHShapiro is the author of the national bestseller "Clean Meat": https://cleanmeat.com/. He's also the CEO of The Better Meat Co. https://www.bettermeat.co/, a four-time TEDx speaker, host of the Business for Good Podcast https://www.businessforgoodpodcast.com/ & inductee in the Animal Rights Hall of Fame.  | In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?”. Sentientism is "evidence, commitme...
2020-Dec-19 • 43 minutes
14: Give Yourself The Chat - Sentientism cross-post bonus episode
This episode is a cross-post from the Give Yourself The Chat podcast where I (Jamie) was interviewed about Sentientism. | Peter Lewis is a coach, consultant and, as we found out in this conversation, a fellow Sentientist. Peter's podcast focuses on personal development and practical philosophy. If that sounds interesting - why not subscribe to the podcast and sign up for his mailing list at https://peterlewiscoaching.com/? | Sentientism is “Evidence, reason & compassion for all sentient beings.” You can...
2020-Dec-15 • 39 minutes
13: “Humans might one day need to beg AIs for our sentient rights” – AI expert Roman Yampolskiy – Sentientist Conversations
Full show notes & links here. | Roman is a Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Louisville. He is known for his work on behavioral biometrics, the security of cyberworlds & artificial intelligence safety. He founded the field of intellectology – the analysis of the forms & limits of intelligence. He is director of the Cyber Security Laboratory in the department of Computer Engineering &Computer Science at the Speed School of Engineering. Roman has written over...
2020-Dec-11 • 54 minutes
12: "As a vet I felt helpless" - Vicky Bond, Managing Director of Humane League UK - Sentientist Conversations
Vicky is Managing Director of The Humane League UK . She trained as a vet and worked in the animal agriculture industry before leaving to focus on campaigning for non-human animals. | In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Full show notes and links here. | This conversation is also available here on our Sentientism YouTube Channel. Why not subscribe there too? | We discuss: | - Feeling an early affinity with animals, volunte...
2020-Dec-09 • 55 minutes
11: “No victim, no problem!” – Floris van den Berg - Activist Vegan Atheist Philosopher - Sentientist Conversations
Visit Sentientism.info (click here) for full show notes! | Subscribe to the Sentientism YouTube channel to watch the video of our conversation. | Floris’s bio states he is “a philosopher and therefore an atheist”. He is a practical, activist, vegan philosopher. He has written a number of books including “Philosophy for a Better World”, “On Green Liberty”, “De vrolijke veganist” (“The Happy Vegan”) and “Hoe komen we van religie af?” (“How to get rid of religion. An inconvenient liberal paradox”). In 2017, Fl...
2020-Dec-07 • 40 minutes
10: “We’ll look back on this era of humanity as barbaric” – Campaigner CEO Naomi Smith - Sentientist Conversations
Naomi is the CEO of Best for Britain, the UK’s leading non-partisan advocacy group upholding internationalist values. Before her campaigning and political career she worked in the corporate world and chaired a number of voluntary groups. She describes herself as an internationalist, xenophile, humanist, vegan. She co-hosts the Oh God What Now? (formerly Remainiacs) and The Bunker podcasts. | In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matter...
2020-Dec-04 • 58 minutes
9: "We need to systematise benevolence" - David Pearce - Sentientist Conversations
David Pearce is a philosopher & co-founder of the World Transhumanist Organisation, now Humanity+. His work centres on "The Hedonistic Imperative" - a moral obligation to work towards the abolition of suffering in all sentient life." | You can find the video of our conversation here. | We discuss: | - "The Hedonistic Imperative"  | - Using biotech to abolish suffering & replace it with gradients of hedonic bliss | - Compassion, Buddhism, negative utilitarianism & the need to systematise ben...
2020-Dec-01 • 70 minutes
8: "My enemy, which I will destroy, is arbitrariness!" - Sentientist Conversations - Stijn Bruers
In these Sentientist Conversations, we talk about the two most important questions: “what’s real?” & “what matters?” | Stijn is a physicist (phd), economist (phd in progress), animal activist, rational moral philosopher (another phd) and an Effective Altruist! He co-founded and is president of EA Belgium. He’s currently researching economics at the university of Leuven. | We talk about: | | Academic activism | God not saving Stijn from swimming classes | Martial arts, Star Wars & eastern/Buddhis...
2020-Nov-29 • 54 minutes
7: From Devout Sunday School Teacher to Atheist, Vegan, Sentientist Academic and Author - Sentientist Conversations - John Adenitire
John shares his story, from being a devout Pentecostalist Sunday School Teacher in Nigeria to being a Sentientist, atheist, vegan academic and author. Video version here. | John is Strategic Lecturer in the School of Law and a Fellow of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. He is a cellist and dancer. | We discuss: | | John growing up in Nigeria, then Italy in an evangelical, pentecostal family (both parents are missionaries and reverends) and community | Bei...
2020-Nov-26 • 46 minutes
6: “I love the idea of Sentientism” - Bestselling Author AJ Jacobs
New York Times bestselling (4 times!) author and journalist AJ Jacobs experiments on himself to help us all learn. | In this Sentientist Conversation he talks with Jamie about what he believes, what matters morally, and how his writing projects link to Sentientism's tenets of evidence, reason and universal compassion. | | The video of our conversation is here - why not subscribe on YouTube too? | AJ: “I love the idea of Sentientism” | | We discuss: | - Sentientist themes in AJ's personal experimentation w...
2020-Nov-23 • 20 minutes
5: Prince throws a creationist tantrum! - Sentientist Conversations - Carole Raphaelle Davis #2
What's it like to have Prince throw a creationist tantrum when you take him on his first trip to a natural history museum? | Carole Raphaelle Davis tells us what it's like to be a radical feminist, atheist, vegan (and Sentientist) in the showbiz world of Hollywood. | "Sentientism feels like home!"  | We talk about: | - What it was like to work with and socialise with Prince - and how his religiosity affected their relationship | - How animal ethics and veganism are finally, irreversibly going "mainstre...
2020-Nov-20 • 76 minutes
4: "Do you want a habitable planet for your children?" - Sentientist Conversations - Zion Lights
Zion Lights is an author & activist known for her environmental work & science communication. She is UK director of Environmental Progress. She has been a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion (XR) UK on TV and radio, and founded & edited XR’s Hourglass newspaper. She has written for The Huffington Post, authored the evidence-based nonfiction book The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting, and given a TEDx talk. | | To watch instead of listen, here's our conversation on YouTube. | We talk about: | ...
2020-Nov-18 • 72 minutes
3: "We have a golden opportunity to re-imagine our relationships with non-human animals." - Sentientist Conversations - Joe Wills
In this Sentientist Conversation I talk to Law and Rights Lecturer and Author, Dr. Joe Wills. We talk about what’s real and what matters morally. | | “We have a golden opportunity to re-imagine our relationships with non-human animals.” | We discuss: | – Religious indoctrination and influences in childhood | – Morality without the supernatural | – The dangers of having too narrow a moral circle (within and beyond humanity) | – Extending our moral circle (and avoiding moral doughnuts!) | – Social norms that...
2020-Nov-12 • 2 minutes
1: Welcome to the Sentientism Podcast! Evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings.
Hi, | Welcome to our new podcast. This is just a quick trailer. | | You can look forward to conversations with celebrities, activists, academics and interested lay people about "what's real?" and "what matters?". | | While Sentientism is a very simple, common sense, philosophy, it has some deeply radical implications! A commitment to evidence, reason and compassion for all sentient beings might seem obvious, but almost everyone on the planet disagrees with it, for now... | | To find out more about Sentie...