(Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart or TuneIn)

Have you ever wondered why there are some animals we love (like dogs and dolphins), some we don’t love as much (like rats and cockroaches), and some we eat (like cows, chickens and pigs)?

I remember wondering about this as a kid, but never finding any satisfactory answers. Turns out, this way of viewing and categorising animals is called ‘speciesism’. But today’s guest, animal rights activist James Aspey, calls it wrong. And in this eye opening episode, he explains why…

Motivated to raise greater awareness for the planet’s voiceless victims, in 2014 this passionate, young, animal rights activist took a 365-day vow of silence. After an entire year without uttering a single word, he ended it on Australian national television with an interview that inspired millions to make more conscious and compassionate lifestyle choices and cemented him as a charismatic new force in the fight for the ethical treatment of animals.

Ranked #3 among the “Top 25 Most Influential Vegans” by Plant Based News, James has gone on to cycle 5000kms across Australia to prove that vegans can be fit and healthy. He got tattooed for 25 hours straight to raise $20,000 for charity. He’s been featured in a multitude of prominent mainstream media outlets; given free speeches at countless schools, universities, and conferences; and attended local activism events, slaughterhouse vigils, and street outreach events all across the world. He transparently shares his life and campaigns online to a massive tribe of global followers. On YouTube, his speeches have reached tens of millions of people, with his most popular speech having been viewed over 12 million times.

Animal rights is fast becoming one of the most important issues of our lifetime, with far reaching consequences for the planet, climate change, our health, as well as the lives and welfare of the billions of voiceless creatures themselves. This conversation opened my eyes in so many ways to their plight and our role in it, and I’m so glad to be able to share Jame’s wisdom, insights and activism with you here.

So if you want to hear the truth about the industrial meat complex, unpack the double standards that society holds around animals, and learn the simple, smart, health-giving shifts you can make in your diet to respect other species, then pop in those earbuds… this episode is for you.

In this episode we chat about:

• The incredible story of how he became an animal rights activist (4:53)
• The weird double standards our society has around animals (and why so many people think it’s okay to eat a cow but not a dog) (08:48) 
• Why the term “humanely slaughtered” is just a marketing gimmick (and other ploys to be aware of) (15:01)
• The best documentaries to gain consciousness, wisdom and motivation around respecting animals and eating plant based (20:35)
• Why he took a 365 day vow of silence — and the incredible lessons he learned about animals and the cruelty of the meat industry while he was voiceless (30:01)
• Why your dollar counts and is more powerful than you now (and his top tips for becoming a conscious consumer) (40:46)
• His super effective strategy for overcoming comfort eating and how he recovered from an eating disorder (46:15) 
• The unusual thing he is working to improve within himself (58:10)

Episode resources: 

• Follow James on Instagram (Instagram)
• Become James’ Patreon (website)
• James’ Speech: This Man Will Inspire You (YouTube)
• Breaking My 365 Day Vow of Silence (YouTube)
• Earthlings (website)
• Dominion (website)
• The Game Changers (website)
• Forks Over Knives (website)
• Cowspiracy (website)
• The Power by Rhonda Byrne (Amazon)
• End Emotional Eating by Dr. Jennifer Taitz (Amazon)
• A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle (Amazon)
• The World Peace Diet by Will Tuttle (Amazon)
• Gary Yourofsky – The Most Important Speech You Will Ever Hear (YouTube)
• How Not to Die by Michael Greger (Amazon)
• How Not To Die & The Foods That Make Us Live Longer With Dr Michael Greger (podcast episode)

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honored that you’re here and would be SO grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple podcasts, that way we can inspire and educate even more people together.

P.S. Please seek advice from a qualified holistic practitioner before starting any new health practice.

P.P.S. If you’re looking for a high-impact marketing opportunity for your business and are interested in becoming a sponsor for The Melissa Ambrosini Show podcast, please email pr@melissaambrosini.com for more information.