86: The Kids Are All Right

The courts can legally take the money aspect out of fossil fuel production.

Since 2015, 21 young people have been engaged in the ongoing battle to sue the United States government for denying their constitutional right to life and liberty by supporting and prioritizing profiting enterprises over the right to life and liberty. Juliana v. United States, which transcends political party lines, has the potential to change the course of climate activism, by deinstitutionalizing the support of fossil fuels on public lands.

Originally aired on November 1, 2023 on KPOV’s Open Air

70: When Disaster Strikes

The Pet Evacuation Team is there when disaster strikes.

It takes a strong gut just to watch the commercials that show animal suffering and the amazing people at Pet Evacuation Team are in the middle of these scenes during the heat of the moment to provide emergency care with smiles in their hearts. With their reliance solely on volunteers and donations, PET provides evacuations and seizures for domestic and farm animals due to wildfire, abuse, hoarding or neglect.

Originally aired on May 22, 2023 on KPOV’s The Monday Point

69: Dead On The Doorstep

Redmond Police are looking for the perpetrator of an extreme act of outlaw behavior.

A terribly heart and law breaking hate crime occurs in what feels like not such a small town in Oregon anymore, in an investigation that is still underway. A still unknown perpetrator left a raccoon carcass at the steps of the mayor’s law office labeled with his name and that of the only black city councilman currently serving in Redmond. This leaves them to wonder whether a person who would go to this extreme to send a message would possibly take the next step with human life.

Originally aired on June 15, 2023 on KPOV’s The Thursday Point

68: Vegans For Planetary Evolution

Veganism is a huge leap for your own development, but that’s not where the fight ends.

After vividly dreaming of merging into full understanding with animals, Gwenna Hunter began a vegan community that continues to grow and realize its own strength and purpose. The fight for freedom continues beyond animals into human rights, social justice and encouraging people from all different backgrounds to actively engage in the conversation. When there is access and exposure to wholesome choices, we can choose to heal ourselves and the planet.

Originally aired February 14, 2023 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

52: Beer Profits Local Community

Cascade Lakes Brewing Company’s new nonprofit status is similar to that of the Bob’s Red Mill company.

In true craft spirit, the owners of Cascade Lakes Brewing Company are breaking the beer industry mold by becoming the first nonprofit brewery in Central Oregon. In the past, they have worked alongside Habitat For Humanity, Central Oregon Trail Alliance and Brightside Animal Center but decided to take it to the next level. In addition to donating all proceeds to local nonprofits, they are also significantly expanding the benefits packages for their employees and bumping up wages, to have a positive impact on their local community and place they call home. Will it become a new industry standard?

Originally aired on December 21, 2022 on KPOV’s The Wednesday Point

44: Vulnerable To Violence

As we learn about the animal psyche, we can better understand our own humanity.

From rescuing rabbits and tortoises to studying PTSD in elephants in Africa, animals are in desperate need of our compassion to harness healthy relationships within their own communities and beyond. The fact is that every sentient being can undergo trauma and the lasting effects are devastating for them and for the continuation of inter-species understanding. It is within our power to limit their exposure to human-created violence and in turn heal the long-standing karma between the hunter and the hunted.

Originally aired on September 28, 2021 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

32: Something To Squawk About

To care about the well-being of other sentient creatures does not make you a trader of your ‘own kind’.

Understanding what it means to be earthlings, animals and then humans is the center of this discussion with Debra Merskin and Carrie Freeman, animal rights activists and authors in the field. Non-human animals must have equal and proper representation in the media to both honor and respect, with accuracy, these other communities of species. In re-empowering the notion of animality, we are all someone, never something.

Originally aired on August 10, 2021 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

28: Chomping Responsibly

She hasn’t drank out of a plastic bottle in 7 years to do her part in stopping the destruction of the environment.

Food is just food, until one day, it means more. And it was in this fashion that everything changed for Paige Parsons Roache when she took on the sustainability/veganism movement and balanced out the pleasures of her life to allow animals to have theirs. Now she is a full time vegan lifestyle advocate, connecting like minded foodies at Unchained TV and bringing vegan cooking content to the world.

Originally aired on February 22, 2022 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

21: Save The Animals, Save Yourself

Even snails intuitively “board up” their shells with multiple layers of weather-proof slime in preparation of an incoming storm.

Animals are unmistakably intelligent in ways that humans are only beginning to understand, Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA, expresses passionately. Humans, ultimately, could learn from the behaviors and emotional temperaments of all of Earth’s creatures, who are incredibly loyal to each other and are wonderful caretakers, nurturers and partners. Become aware of the immense effort working to preserve the entire orchestra of life and asking the tough questions.

Originally aired on July 23, 2020 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

15: For The Love Of Animals

A rational, calm and gentle approach is most effective for tempering the communication that resonates with people.

Animal rights activist and educator Vanessa Marsot brings her intriguing insights about the cruelties of animal consumption and how to approach the topic across cultures. She opens up about her real-world experience defending animal rights against cultural and religious tradition, her passion for the connectedness of all beings and a global vision for the vegan community.

Originally aired on June 14, 2022 on KPOV’s All Things Vegan

12: A Horse Is A Healer

Horses help people find their innate sense of self, relieve anxiety and promote all-around equilibrium.

The research is growing about the physiological benefits of being around horses and is shown to steady the heart, calm the mind and relieve dis-ease. Founded upon her lifelong passion for horses and vast experience, Darcy Bedortha, owns and operates the equine therapy program Horses on the Ranch. Hear how these amazing creatures are helping people on their healing journey.

Originally aired on March 1, 2022 on KPOV’s The Tuesday Point