Regan Russell was a dedicated animal rights activist who was tragically killed in 2020 after being struck by a pig transport truck outside a slaughterhouse. On this episode, we talk with Ray Cruzzola, director of the documentary I’m Trying, which honors Regan’s inspiring life and activism through the voices of her friends and family. Join us as we explore Regan’s story and the film’s powerful message of hope for anyone interested in joining the animal rights movement.
Links:
I’m Trying film (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/share/1D4Aaha1H2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
I’m Trying film (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/imtryingfilm?igsh=MXY5YWN0a2dha3A4
Credits:
Guest: Ray Cruzzola
Cohosts: Sweta and Jen
Editing: Sweta
Episode Summary: Jen
Theme Music: Matt Judge
Towards Ahimsa Secondary School is a non-profit, fully accredited, independent secondary school operating out of the GTA. On this episode we interview one of the co-founders, Ambika Jain, who tells us how the school works, what inspired it, and how to get involved.
Links:
https://www.imjmcanada.org/tass
Credits:
Guest: Ambika Jain
Hosts: Barbi and Steve
Editing: Sweta
Episode Summary: Barbi
Theme Music: Matt Judge
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed at the grocery store as a vegan trying to read labels and figure out what to feed your family, what to feed yourself, and how to find the best vegan products out there, or accidentally vegan products, this is the episode for you. Kimberly is the brains behind the instagram account @Accidentally_Vegan_Canada. She joins us to share tips on label reading, navigating the grocery store, and what products are amazingly and surprisingly accidentally vegan.
Links:
Animal Liberation Kitchen Holiday Market
Summary: Jeanette
Social Media: Jen
Editing: Jeanette
Theme: Matt Judge
On this episode, we compare the classic pepperoni and cheese pizza, vegan of course, from five different pizza chain restaurants. We rank everything from crust and sauce to overall flavour to see which chain delivers the most satisfying plant-based slice. Who will win the Great Vegan Pizza Taste Test?
Links:
Credits:
Hosts: Barbi, Jeanette, Sweta and Rajiv
Description: Jeanette
Editing: Jeanette
Theme: Matt Judge
On this episode, we are chatting about some of latest animal issues happening in the province. We touch on such topics as the recent exposure of dog experimentation research in London and the fate of the remaining whales and dolphins at Marineland. We also explore the opinions provided by province on these issues and their impact, if any, on their outcomes.
Credits:
Cohosts:Sweta and Jen
EpisodeSummary: Jen
Editing:Sweta
ThemeMusic: Matt Judge
Links:
Bad Attitude at Outpost Coffee https://badattitudebread.ca/https://outpostcoffee.com
Dollarama stops selling glue traps https://www.peta.org/news/dollarama-glue-trap-ban/
Aunty Em’s Holiday Pop-Up https://www.instagram.com/p/DQaHEIokX2W/
Soy Boys opening in Leslieville https://www.instagram.com/p/DQVibGQDnnx/
On this episode, we are joined by Lesley Sampson from Coyote Watch Canada. which is an all-volunteer Not-For-Profit wildlife organization that advocates positive human-wildlife coexistence with a focus on canids. We learn all about coyotes, why they are important, and how we can help them in our communities.
Links:
New vegan items at Ikea Canada
International Vegan Film Festival
Toronto Climate Week Challenge
Credits:
Hosts: Jeanette and Barbi
Guest: Lesley Sampson, Co-Founding Executive Director at Coyote Watch Canada
Summary: Jeanette
Editing: Jeanette
Theme: Matt Judge
On this episode, Sweta and Barbi share their favourite vegan YouTube channels, from local cookbook authors to famous vegan chefs. Hear about the channels they watch for recipes, travel tips, nutrition info, and more.
Credits:
Hosts: Barbi and Sweta
Summary: Barbi
Editing: Sweta
Theme music: Matt Judge
Why eat one, and love the other? For vegans, it is simple. We love all animals! Companion animals share our homes and are in our hearts, and on this episode, we offer advice about pet ownership, and share stories of our beloved dogs, cats and rabbits that have been part of our lives over the years.
Links:
The Vegan Pantry in Barrie is now The Gentle Crumb
U of T Law School Animal Law Program
10th Anniversary of Kindness at Sweet Acres Pig Sanctuary
The Walrus Talks: The Power of Animals
Credits:
Hosts: Steve, Sweta and Jeanette
Summary: Jeanette
Editing: Jeanette
Theme music: Matt Judge
Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary provides a place of peace and safety for lemurs and monkeys that have been rescued from various industries, such as the exotic pet trade, research laboratories, roadside zoos and show business. On this episode, we talk with Executive Director and Co-owner, Daina Liepa, who shares with us the history of the sanctuary and highlights the numerous issues surrounding these industries. Join us as we learn about the rescue stories of the residents, as well as the incredible work of the Story Book Farm team, whose compassion and dedication enable these beautiful beings to finally experience the freedom of choice, the freedom from fear, and a chance to heal.
Links:Save Boogie: Lonely Monkey Self Harms at Roadside Zoo
Peterborough Veg Fest (Sep 14)
Credits:
Guest: Daina Liepa, Executive Director and Co-owner of Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary (@storybookmonkeys)
Cohosts: Jen and Jeanette
Editing: Jeanette
Episode Summary: JenT
heme Music: Matt Judge
Join Barbi and Sweta as they compare five different vendors' plant-based treats, rating them on flavor, texture, and melt factor. Whether you're a longtime vegan or just curious about dairy-free options, this fun and tasty podcast is your guide to the best vegan soft serves around!
Credits
Cohosts: Barbi and Sweta
Editing: Sweta
Theme Song: Matt Judge
This summer has certainly brought us the heat, and with it, has come some interesting headlines! On this episode, we’ve grabbed a few recent stories from the news and social media to chat about - from animals on trampolines, to rats in Toronto, to a public appeal from a European zoo, to vegan snack wars! Join us as we share our thoughts on some of the latest videos and articles that have come out this summer.
Links:Burlington VegFest (Aug 16)Vegan Night Market (Aug 21 is postponed to May 2026)Dolce Vita Vegan Dinner (Aug 29)Vegan Art Show (Sept 27)BBC article on Danish Zoo and Unwanted Pets
CBC article on Rats in Toronto
Snack Wars with Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson
Identifying AI - Analysis of Animal Trampoline Videos
The case for the humane control of pigeons
CreditsCohosts: Sweta and JenEditing: SwetaEpisode Summary and Title: JenTheme Song: Matt Judge
All the members of the Veg Out podcast team gathered together to record our 600th episode at the Met Radio studios. We look back at our pilot episode from 2006, and then the team chat about their love of popcorn, where to get the best vegan gelato, protein powder tips, and share our thoughts on Craig's Cookies, Baldwin Naturals, Taqueria Vegana, and Pennies Bar.
Hosts: Barbi, Jen, Jeanette, Steve and Sweta
Editor: Jeanette
Summary: Jeanette
Theme music: Matt Judge
Want to level up your tofu? Listen to find out how!
Steve, Jeanette and special guest Hannah talk all about tofu, and how you can improve the taste and texture of this mighty protein.
Links:
Credits:
Hosts: Steve and Jeanette
Guest: Hannah
Summary: Jeanette
Editor: Jeanette
Theme: Matt Judge
On this episode, Barbi and guest host Vanessa chat with Ilana, the founder and president of everyone's favourite bakery superstar Sweets from the Earth. We learn about the origins and history of the company and what's coming next for the company.
Links:
VegTO 80th Anniversary Movie Day
Wishbone Animal Rights Lab CalendarCredits:
Hosts: Barbi and Vanessa
Guest: Ilana
Summary: Barbi
Editing: Jeanette
Theme: Matt Judge
Ever wonder what inspires the next generation of animal lawyers? On this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by law student and current president of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law Animal Justice Club, Rhea Badhwar! Rhea shares with us how the club introduces students to animal legal issues and the growing field of animal law, and empowers them to become leaders in the legal fight for animal protections in Canada.
Links
Kinderworld Retreat & Rescue Family Camp(August 8-11) https://www.kinderworld.ca/
Donkey Sanctuary of Canada Senior’s Day (July 8) https://www.instagram.com/p/DKsFQ48JiHJ/?igsh=MW1qNHFyNGViNHIxbA==
Gleam&Sip https://www.instagram.com/gleamnsip/?hl=en
Social Llama https://socialllamacafe.ca/
Lincoln Alexander School of Law (LASL) Animal Justice Club https://www.instagram.com/laslanimaljustice/
Farmed Animal Strategic Team - https://list.fastcommunity.org/community-standards
Credits
Guest: Rhea Badhwar
Cohosts: Jen and Sweta
Editing: Sweta
Episode Summary: Jen
Theme Song: Matt Judge
On this episode, Barbi and guest host Shawn Chirrey pay respects to legendary vegan cookbook author (and more) Sarah Kramer. They talk about her pioneering cookbooks, her DIY punk ethos, and the impact she had on them personally and the wider vegan community.
On this episode, Jeanette and Jen talk all about horse rescuing with Kat Krylov, founder and executive director of Promised Land Animal Sanctuary. We discuss the ethics of human interactions with horses, such as through horseback riding, racing or working environments. We also learn how Kat has reimagined and rebalanced our relationship with horses through her peaceful sanctuary and the equine-assisted therapy program offered there. Join us as we have an enlightening conversation about the lives of rescue horses.
Links:
Credits:
Hosts: Jen and Jeanette
Guest: Kat Krylov
Summary: Jen
Editing: Jeanette
Theme song: Matt Judge
Jeanette was inspired by the Veg Out potatoes episode, and the recent (non veg) cookbook Your Pasta Sucks, to do an entire episode about everyone's favourite carby meal - pasta!
Barbi and Steve join Jeanette to talk all things pasta. Should you salt your pasta water? What is pasta made of? How do you make a nutritious vegan meal out of noodles? We also learn what al dente means, and what to look for as a vegan shopping for pasta.
Links:
Farmhouse Garden Animal Home Letting Out of the Cows
Plant Based Nutrition Conference
Credits:
Hosts: Barbi, Jeanette and Steve
Editing: Jeanette
Summary: Jeanette
Theme Song: Matt Judge
The humble potato is an under-rated nutritional, affordable, and delicious vegetable. On this episode, Jen, Barbi, and Steve share their favourite ways to eat potatoes as well as some tips for storage and cooking.
Links:Veg Eco Camp
3rd Annual Anti-Vivisection World Protest Toronto
Mother’s Day Vegan High Tea Brunch Credits:
Hosts: Barbi, Jen and Steve
Editing: Jeanette
Episode Summary: Barbi
Theme Song: Matt Judge
In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Impossible Foods and animal testing in food production. We’ll revisit some issues raised in our previous episode, unpack more details about Impossible Foods, and talk about a positive example of a vegan company navigating the complexities of industry regulations. Join us as we explore the ethical and regulatory challenges facing the plant-based food sector.
Links:
https://impossiblefoods.com/blog/the-agonizing-dilemma-of-animal-testing
Animal Law Podcast: https://www.ourhenhouse.org/alp92/
Taimie Bryant's Article about Food Testing: https://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/mulr/vol106/iss1/6/Field Roast CBC Article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/field-roast-s-fake-meat-has-to-be-tested-on-real-animals-1.2781491
Field Roast Article from Trade Magazine: https://ihrmagazine.com/field-roast-to-re-enter-canadian-market-after-controversy/
Credits:
Hosts: Jen, Barbi and Sweta
Editing: Sweta
Episode Summary: Sweta
Theme Song: Matt Judge