In this episode of Jamie’s Corner, Jamie Logan sits down with Andy Stepanian — animal rights activist, SHAC 7 defendant, and former political prisoner — for one of the most raw and revealing conversations we’ve ever had on the show.
Andy traces the path from early environmental activism to the SHAC 7 campaign, explaining how strategic pressure can expose corporate cruelty and bring down multi million dollar industries. He shares the deeply human side of being a political prisoner — the isolation, the unexpected community, and the fight to stay vegan and stay sane inside solitary confinement.
We dive into prison life, unexpected friendships with people labeled “terrorists,” and the lessons he carries forward to today’s movement — including why activists must unite, how identity politics can fracture impact, and what we must do right now to support activists like Zoe Rosenberg, facing years for rescuing chickens.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about animals, justice, or the power of speaking truth to power.
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🕙 CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Introduction & the early days of activism
02:11 Andy's path to veganism
04:27 Shift to high-risk direct action (targeting fur shops)
07:22 The SHAC 7 Campaign
09:15 Targeting the financial pillars of Huntington Life Sciences (HLS)
10:03 The strategy of "starving the organism" and the campaign's success
12:50 The conviction: The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act vs. protected speech
19:45 Life as a Political Prisoner
21:59 Maintaining a vegan diet in solitary confinement (losing 28 lbs)
26:59 Unexpected friendships
30:30 Helping a fellow inmate
30:30 Supporting Activists: The Case of Zoe Rosenberg
41:34 Intersectionality and movement unity
42:40 Why divisiveness is counterproductive
46:13 Building coalition
54:10 How veganism is foundational to global peace
01:05:22 Conclusion