331 - You’ve Been Lied To About Veganism | The Truth About Animal Rights Activism | Gary Yourofsky
Release Date: 07/30/2025
Switch4Good
What happens when you take one of America’s most culturally diverse food cities and put plants at the center of the plate? Ellen Kanner takes us deep into the flavors, traditions, and food memories that shaped her as a fifth-generation Miamian, chef, and author, sharing how she reimagines beloved dishes without losing the flavors, textures, and cultural meaning that make them special. Along the way, she shares her “Rule of One,” challenges some of the biggest myths about plant-based cooking, and makes a compelling case for approaching food as a full-body experience. It’s a delicious...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
Physiotherapist, nutritionist, and The Proof is in the Plants author Simon Hill joins Dotsie and Alexandra to trace how a single terrifying moment reshaped his entire career, and what the evidence really says about eating for a long, healthy life. When Simon was 15, he watched his father, just 41 years old with no prior health issues, suffer a heart attack right in front of him on a remote Sunday afternoon. That day, combined with a growing frustration over the "bro science" he was fed while working with elite AFL and VFL athletes, sent him back to school for a master's in nutrition science...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
What drives someone to pursue not just one extraordinary path, but two? Olympic gold medalist and physician Imogen Grant has devoted herself to two radically different disciplines, medicine and rowing, and somehow managed to reach the pinnacle of both. But listening to her speak about the human body, “the perfect stroke,” and what draws her so deeply into each, and the divide between them starts to disappear. She brings a rare depth and poetry to the things she does, with an endlessly curious, deeply disciplined nature and a genuine fascination with discovery. She also gets candid about...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
Can the way we eat and live actually lower our risk of cancer? That question sits close to my heart, and in this episode I sit down with Dr. Shireen Kassam, consultant hematologist, lifestyle medicine physician, and founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK to dig into what the science really says. Dr. Kassam has spent years at the intersection of clinical oncology and nutrition, and what she shares here is both hopeful and practical. We talk through how diet, exercise, body weight, alcohol, smoking, sleep, and the gut microbiome each shape cancer risk, and why our daily choices matter...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
Protein has become the buzzword of the moment, but how much of what we're hearing is grounded in science? Registered dietitian and nutrition researcher David Goldman returns to separate facts from marketing and explain what the research actually says about meeting your protein needs, building muscle, and healthy aging. And then there’s this: They say you are what you eat. David's research suggests the story doesn't end there. The plant foods you eat may influence how attractive you appear to others. Packed with practical advice and refreshing clarity, this episode will leave you better...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
Young people today are inheriting a world they didn’t design. They’re facing a climate crisis, a food system that puts profit before health, and a constant stream of misinformation that can make meaningful change feel impossible. But a new generation of advocates is already stepping up, asking difficult questions and challenging outdated systems. In this episode, we talk with Lucy Whitney and Gianna Klein, recent graduates of NYU and Cornell who studied sustainability, the environment, and the connection between what we eat and the only habitable planet we’ve got. Through Switch4Good’s...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
A move from Houston to a cattle ranch in rural Texas was never meant to alter the course of her life so completely, but that is exactly what happened for Renee King-Sonnen, founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary. What began as a new chapter alongside her husband became something far more complicated as her relationship with the animals deepened and she confronted realities on the ranch she could no longer ignore, reshaping everything from her marriage to her identity and sense of purpose. That internal shift led to the creation of a sanctuary for rescued animals and the path she now walks in advocacy...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
By age 35, Javant Benton found himself at a crossroads. He was 85 pounds overweight, prediabetic, prehypertensive, and undergoing tests for cancer. Confronted with his own mortality, he knew something had to change. What began as a personal search for greater well-being became a journey of creativity, discovery, and transformation in the kitchen, where familiar comfort foods were transformed into something nourishing and satisfying. In this episode, Javant shares the wake-up call that altered his trajectory, the lessons he learned along the way, and how his determination to feel better...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
For more than two decades, Indra Lahiri has dedicated her life to rescuing animals who have survived unimaginable trauma at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in northeastern Pennsylvania. But through years of witnessing suffering day after day, Indra found herself facing something many caregivers, advocates, and helping professionals quietly struggle with: burnout, chronic stress, and secondary trauma. In this conversation, Indra shares how animals helped reshape her understanding of healing, emotional connection, and resilience. We also talk about the restorative power of animals and nature, the...
info_outlineSwitch4Good
In this very special episode, Alexandra Paul returns to the podcast for a powerful, and at times difficult, conversation. For those of you new here, you may know her from Baywatch or some of the iconic films she’s appeared in. Longtime listeners already know her for her decades of activism, often stepping into spaces most people would never consider. Recently, she made headlines after being arrested during an animal rights operation at a breeding facility in Wisconsin, where activists entered the property and removed dogs being used for research, bringing the issue into the national...
info_outlineWhat would it take for you to risk everything for what you believe in?
Today’s guest has done exactly that and more.
Gary Yourofsky is one of the most influential and unflinching voices in the fight for animal liberation. His viral speech “The Best Speech You Will Ever Hear” has inspired millions and sparked global debate. He’s been arrested, banned from countries, and never backed down from telling the truth, even when it cost him.
Tune in to hear this legendary activist share what drives him, what works in the fight for animals, and what’s pulling him back into the arena now.
What we discuss in this episode:
-
How and why Gary first became an activist.
-
What led Gary to step away from activism, and why he chose to return now.
-
The toughest audience Gary has ever faced, the hardest demographic to reach, and the unlikely group that surprised him with their openness.
-
Why you can make a difference, and what actually moves the needle.
-
The shared dietary habits making both vegans and carnivores sick.
-
Gary’s take on cell-based meats.
-
The most powerful speech Gary ever gave.
-
The life-altering epiphanies Gary had during his time in prison.
-
What it was like to free over 1,000 minks, and why that moment still matters.
Resources:
-
The Best Speech You Will Ever Hear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5hGQDLprA8&rco=1
-
Gary Yourofsky (@realgaryyourofsky) • Instagram photos and videos
Click the link below to support the FISCAL Act
https://switch4good.org/fiscal-act/
Share the website and get your resources here
Send us a voice message and ask a question. We want to hear from you!
Dairy-Free Swaps Guide: Easy Anti-Inflammatory Meals, Recipes, and Tips
https://switch4good.org/dairy-free-swaps-guide
SUPPORT SWITCH4GOOD
https://switch4good.org/support-us/
★☆★ JOIN OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP ★☆★
https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcastchat
★☆★ SWITCH4GOOD WEBSITE ★☆★
★☆★ ONLINE STORE ★☆★
https://shop.switch4good.org/shop/
★☆★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM ★☆★
https://www.instagram.com/Switch4Good/
★☆★ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ★☆★
https://www.facebook.com/Switch4Good/
★☆★ FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ★☆★
https://twitter.com/Switch4GoodOrg
★☆★ AMAZON STORE ★☆★
https://www.amazon.com/shop/switch4good
★☆★ DOWNLOAD THE ABILLION APP ★☆★
https://app.abillion.com/users/switch4good