The Simple Heart w/ Wayne Hsiung

Wayne delves into his emotional and profound journey, fresh from his release from jail following the Sonoma Trial. This episode provides a candid exploration of Wayne's time behind bars, offering a unique perspective on the parallels between jail life and factory farms. Listeners will gain insight into the sentencing and probation conditions imposed on Wayne, highlighting the restriction that prevents him from seeing 14 of his "co-conspirators," including Priya. This episode poignantly covers the second to last day Wayne and Priya are allowed to spend together. Furthermore, Wayne examines the tactics used by the prosecution and the owner of Sunrise Farms, uncovering the layers of complexity and controversy surrounding the trial. Take action: ⁠https://www.blog.simpleheart.org⁠⁠https://www.simpleheart.org/action⁠ ⁠https://www.righttorescue.com/⁠Share this episode with friends

The heart-wrenching ordeal of Ruby the horse in Sonoma County unveiled a chilling viewpoint entrenched in our legal system: "Animals are property," as the County's Operations Manager for Animal Control voiced. But this is not where the conversation ends. Steven Wise, affiliated with the Nonhuman Rights Project, pushes back, advocating fervently for the recognition of animal personhood. He draws parallels to past societal injustices, where marginalized groups, such as women and people of color, were denied personhood. When non-persons are relegated to mere 'things,' they're overlooked and unprotected by the laws meant to ensure justice. Ruby's story stands as a painful testament to this gap in our legal perspective. However, not all is bleak. The tale of Ruth, a rescued chicken in the Sonoma County Trial, serves as a beacon of hope and activism. Her rescue and subsequent visibility in the legal arena underscore the potential for change. But with change comes resistance. Priya and Wayne, some of the people behind Ruth's rescue, now face legal repercussions, highlighting the high stakes of this fight. The broader implications stretch beyond animals, touching on how society views and values life. The Sonoma County jury decision could reshape society's views and values of all living beings. The measure of a good society is how it treats the powerless. Calls to action: Subscribe to Wayne's blog on Substack at ⁠⁠https://www.blog.simpleheart.org⁠⁠ Take action at ⁠⁠https://www.simpleheart.org/action⁠ Get involved at ⁠⁠https://www.simpleheart.org/actionlog⁠⁠ Sign ⁠https://www.righttorescue.com/⁠ petition Follow #SonomaRescueTrial Share this podcast episode & show with friends

Wayne dives into the scorching reality of the summer of 2023, officially declared by the UN as the hottest on record. As the tendrils of climate change tighten their grip, our planet is subjected to catastrophic consequences. From the disturbing Maui fires to the harrowing tales of animals and humans alike struggling against nature's fury, the evidence is overwhelming. But is nature truly to blame? Our deep dive into the issue reveals a stark reality – humans' callous disregard for our natural systems is the root cause. It's not just about the devastating stories that hit the headlines. Wayne also discusses the Sonoma Rescue Trial, spotlighting how big systems, including household names like Costco and Whole Foods, have mistreated animals. This case goes beyond the issue of animal rights; it asks us to introspect on the very foundation of our society. Do we perpetuate a culture of cruelty, or can we foster one of compassion? Rescue shouldn't be an occasional act of goodwill or a headline story; it should be our way of life. Join us as we envision a different world—a world where society pivots from exploitation to rejuvenation. Imagine a society where we don't ransack our invaluable natural resources but instead breathe life back into them. What if, instead of raising skyscraping factory farms that obliterate ecosystems, we built sanctuaries for creatures, whether they walk our streets or roam our wilds? Calls to action: Subscribe to Wayne's blog on Substack at ⁠https://www.blog.simpleheart.org⁠ Take action at ⁠https://www.simpleheart.org/action Get involved at ⁠https://www.simpleheart.org/actionlog⁠ Sign https://www.righttorescue.com/ petition Follow #SonomaRescueTrial Share this podcast episode & show with friends

Animal activists Priya and Wayne discuss the essence of open rescue, emphasizing its symbolic role in the animal rights movement beyond just a tactic. Sharing their experiences of facing trials, challenges with the legal system, and personal confrontations with powerful entities, they reflect on their inspirations, particularly the animals they seek to save. The story underscores the sacrifices they’re willing to make and the importance of standing up for what is right, even against overwhelming odds. Get involved at https://www.simpleheart.org/actionlog. Take action at https://www.simpleheart.org/action. Subscribe to Wayne's blog on Substack at https://www.blog.simpleheart.org/.

Dive deep with Wayne into The Simple Heart’s eye-opening post, “How Saving One Hen Can Save Billions.” In 2017, Julianne Perry rescued a calf, leading many to question how we could save all 12,000 who were left behind. Perry set the stage for a debate that extended far beyond the confines of a single animal rescue. This episode explores the societal rules that bind us and the monumental impact of a story. Discover why institutions hold the key, how the Sonoma Rescue Trial symbolizes a turning point, and why the plight of one animal can galvanize a global movement. Beyond the obstacles and industry pushback, this is a tale of hope, truth, and the unyielding power of compassion. Tune in and be inspired – because change starts with saving just one life.

Curtis Vollmar was convicted in Utah for leafleting on a public sidewalk. Tracy Murphy was charged with grand larceny for aiding two stray cows who wandered onto her property. And, most recently, a member of Congress wrote a letter to the FBI asking for action to be taken against "vegan extremists." There is a moral panic over animal rights unfolding across the country – but if we play our hand correctly, we can harness it to make change for animals. I speak with Jeremy Beckham, executive director of the Utah Animal Rights Coalition, about what we all need to know about moral panics, mob mentality, and how we can make repression backfire.

Defendant Alicia Santurio and attorney Jonathan Frohnmayer on how we won another historic victory in the Foster Farms Trial.

I’m pausing the podcast, to take on some big new projects. What I’ve learned from the last couple years, and what’s coming next.

Leighton Woodhouse is a journalist documentary filmmaker, and an iconoclast. He’s a (former?) leftist who now critiques movements for police accountability, racial justice, and even climate change. I disagree with him — vehemently in some cases — on almost all of these issues (and even on some aspects of animal rights: the cause that originally brought us together). But he’s also a dear friend, and someone who has shown kindness to vulnerable beings in their times of need. I will always remember the time he found an orphaned kitten on the road, and the passion and effort he brought to saving her life. This conversation is a lot of things, as we discuss everything from the culture of policing to the root cause of homelessness. But what I think shows more than anything is how to disagree with a friend. Leighton and I have drifted apart, in our political views, but he knows that he’ll always be a friend.

Helena Merk is the CEO and founder of Spirals Protocol, a green cryptocurrency startup that aims to use blockchain technology to create effortless and verifiable climate impact. NOTE: This podcast has a lot of technical jargon. If you’re new to crypto, check out this blog for a simple guide to some of the terms and concepts: https://simpleheart.substack.com/p/a-green-guide-to-cryptocurrency-podcast

Priya and I talk about our experiences inside Whole Foods’ highest-rated turkey farm, our efforts to change our families’ traditions around Thanksgiving, and the best time to drink coffee. Priya Sawhney is co-founder of the animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere. Jeff Bezos disruption: https://youtu.be/QKuNZdGsQ_I Bernie Sanders disruption: https://fb.watch/gXwN7jSIYM/

Criminal law scholar Hadar Aviram, who testified on my behalf at the Smithfield trial, joins me in a conversation about power, corruption, and her theory that some of the greatest wrongs in life are caused by people acting in fear. Read Hadar's blog on the trial: https://www.hadaraviram.com/2022/10/08/smithfieldtrial-the-most-absurd-miscarriage-of-justice-youve-never-heard-of/

A few simple tenets of Buddhist thinking have lifted millions of people globally from anxiety or despair, and empowered them to become their best selves. How can we apply these ancient traditions to modern life? Music by Dayzee Deva

In 1986, Gene Baur saw a sheep lying in the so-called “dead pile” at Lancaster Stockyards. But this sheep wasn’t dead. She lifted her head, and Gene rushed her to receive veterinary care. The story of Hilda is just one of many that Gene has to tell from his nearly four decades of animal rights activism. But it all comes back to the same foundational idea: when we are at our best, we are rescuers of animals, not their tormenters. Hilda’s story from Farm Sanctuary: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/news-stories/hilda/ The Power of Open Rescue (article by DxE co-founder Ronnie Rose): https://medium.com/@ronnierose/the-power-of-open-rescue-58b250323a32

Eric, Matthew, and I discuss “moral theories,” why they matter, and how they converge around animal rights Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)

Alex Chow and Anna Kwok are activists with the Hong Kong Democracy Council, where they’ve challenged efforts by the Chinese government to restrict civil liberties and silence dissent. Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)

We’re trying something new: recordings of our short in-person conversations on Friday nights. These short conversations will be released on Mondays. Our usual podcast will be released on Thursdays. Let us know what you think! References: 2019 DxE Year End Video: https://youtu.be/VT61lSOP6sQ Photo of fireworks and fishnet relationships: https://i0.wp.com/www.austinweeklynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Michael-column-art.png?fit=1188%2C1248&ssl=1 Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)

In my last conversation with Prof. Justin Marceau, we talked about his personal journey – from an aspiring pilot in the Air Force Academy, to Harvard-educated lawyer defending inmates on death row. What we did not get a chance to discuss, however, was Justin’s importance to the historic trial that ended with not guilty verdicts, for both me and my co-defendant Paul Darwin Picklesimer, in southern Utah. And, as I tell Justin in this podcast, he played a key role. This is not just because of his testimony at trial, which in my view changed the tenor of the case. It’s because Justin gave me wise counsel – that I did not take as seriously as I should have – about the risks of doing open rescue work, against some of the most powerful corporate interests in the nation. It’s because Justin has elevated the importance of criminal defense work, including a new activist defense project he is launching at the University of Denver College of Law. (As Justin says, we cannot protect animals, if we do not protect those who rescue them.) And, perhaps most important, it’s because Justin has come to me – despite coming from an elite and highly-credentialed background – with a philosophy on change: Don’t do what everyone else is doing. Fill the gaps. That simple message is crucial at this point in history, not just for animal rights, but for politics and society. We talk about that idea, and much more, in this conversation. Enjoy! Beyond Cages: Animal Law and Criminal Punishment (Justin Marceau’s book) Palliative Animal Law: The War on Animal Cruelty - Harvard Law Review Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)

There were so many cliffhangers in the recent open rescue trial in Utah. The mistrial that was nearly declared on the first day, due to the court’s failure to provide us information about jurors. The decision to close our case, despite not calling all of our witnesses, because of a strategic error I had made in failing to prep one of our witnesses. And the gamble to move forward with submitting the trial to a jury, even when the court agreed that there was a fundamental miscarraige of justice – the state’s efforts to paint Smithfield in a rosy light, while denying us the ability to show evidence of animal cruelty – on the last day. Jeremy Beckham, a long-time activist who has sued the government around a dozen times – and won every case – is the perfect person to break it down with me. The trial, which was described by the judge as the greatest in the history of St. George, had so many wrinkles to it that those who were watching from Zoom just would not pick up. Thankfully, Jeremy was sitting in the gallery, one of the small number of people allowed into the courtroom, all the way through trial. There are a lot of lessons we can learn from the trial about social change, the law, and even human psychology. This conversation will help us start to draw them out. The New York Times - Animal Rights Activists Are Acquitted in Smithfield Piglet Case The Intercept - ACTIVISTS ACQUITTED IN TRIAL FOR TAKING PIGLETS FROM SMITHFIELD FOODS The Salt Lake Tribune - Animal rights activists found not guilty on all charges after two piglets were taken from Circle Four Farms in Utah Jeremy Beckahm’s animal rights organization - Utah Animal Rights Coalition (UARC)

It’s still a little hard to believe. But on October 8, just a few days ago, a jury in southern Utah found me not guilty on all charges. The next few podcasts will discuss the trial, and its aftermath. But this first episode will focus on what came before: the incredible mobilization of people across the nation and world to fight with us against Smithfield, and for the right to rescue. Almira Tanner is lead organizer of the grassroots animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). She was the one, behind the scenes, ensuring all the trains ran on time – from the disruption of an NFL game on Monday Night Football to managing the theater in St. George where supporters gathered to watch the trial. Curtis Vollmar is the grassroots lead for Compassionate Bay, a 501(c)(4) organization that has pushed some of the most groundbreaking legislation in animal rights history, including a nearly-successful effort to impose a moratorium on new factory farms. Curtis was the activist who, in July 2022, was charged with disorderly conduct for merely leafleting in Beaver County, Utah regarding the Smithfield trial. His case, and the death threats against animal rights activists, were the basis for our successful effort to move the Smithfield trial from Beaver to Washington County. Finally, Paul Darwin Picklesimer was my co-defendant in the Smithfield trial, and a lead investigator in the DxE Open Rescue Network. Among other things, Paul is also responsible for the design aesthetic of DxE. You’ll hear all the work these folks did behind the scenes to make sure that the story of the Smithfield trial reached, not just the mainstream media, but became a powerful narrative in communities across the nation. How did we do it? What were the impacts? What were our mistakes? You’ll hear it all on this episode – and also how you played a crucial role, too. Music by Dayzee Deva (cover of "Everybody Have Fun Tonight”)