Hiya Kind Hearts,
If you’re part of my Facebook community, you know that I regularly share petitions that have to do with food policy and animal welfare. Often times I’m posting about a breaking undercover investigation by Mercy for Animals (MFA). When I do, I’m always amazed by so many of my loving readers (you!). It only take a few minutes to become a voice for the voiceless and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your effort and your kindness. Signing, sharing and caring rocks, which is why I’m thrilled about this blog.
Today I’m interviewing one of my absolute heroes, Nathan Runkle, the founder of Mercy for Animals. If you can believe it, Nathan started MFA when he was fifteen years old. FIFTEEN. I’m simply in awe of his vision and dedication. There aren’t many individuals who will stand up to big business and demand change, let alone witness severe suffering and stick with it. And get this, he’s already been doing this work for half his life and he doesn’t show any signs of stopping.
Watch my interview with Nathan Runkle above or download it here and listen on the go. Note: To download the mp3 file right click (or Ctrl+Click on a Mac) on the link and “Save Link As” to save it to your computer.
Mercy for Animals does work that few are brave enough to do, heartbreaking work that pulls back the curtain and shows what’s truly going on in factory farms.
I interviewed Nathan to give you the opportunity to connect with MFA’s amazing mission. I also wanted you to hear first hand that MFA’s advocacy isn’t about convincing the world to go vegan—it’s about passing legislation designed to protect helpless farm animals from a life of abuse and confinement. It’s about pushing for transparency, setting humane standards for all farms, and inspiring more and more individuals to vote with their dollars at the supermarket.
Here’s what we covered in our conversation:
- A behind-the-scenes look at how Mercy For Animals carries out undercover investigations.
- How factory farms impact animals AND the people who work there.
- What everyone should know about ag-gag laws.
- What really happens when you sign an online petition.
- How individuals can make the biggest impact for animal welfare.
- Mercy for Animals’ landmark successes—Hip, hip, hooray!
- If you aren’t 100% plant-based, what you can do to protect animal welfare through food choices.
- If you’re curious about a plant-based diet, learn how to get started (without the overwhelm) at ChooseVeg.com.
- How Nathan prevents burnout despite his high-stress position. (Hint: Self-care to the rescue!)
I hope that you’ll take the time to watch this video and that it moves you and inspires you in some way. Lastly, I want to leave you with this beautiful quote from our interview:
Such a great interview! I’m veg and my husband is vegan. I know I could make better choices so appreciated the reminder on how to eat responsibly. It takes a bit more effort to find a local farmer with eggs or cheese that is made from humanely responsible farming practices but to let go of the guilt (!) it will be worth my time to be more aware. So impressed with the work of this organization – I can’t imagine how tough it must be to do the undercover work but how necessary it is!
Thank you so much for posting this interview. It’s so inspiring, and is helping me to renew my commitment to give up eating animal products. I’ve found it difficult sometimes, living in a household with meat-eaters. I will definitely go to the websites he and you mentioned, for support!
Thanks again!
Thank you Kris and Nathan for your thoughtful and informative discussion. You inspire us all to think differently–I’m grateful to you both.
Peace to all beings, Brian
Thanks pal! xo
Nathan Runkie…..you are my hero! I believe some of my friends have “unfriended” me due to me sharing so many posts and petitions displaying cruelty to animals. But my mission to help bring awareness will endure. Thank you for being so inspiring! I feel like i’m not alone and have found so much support in Kris Carr, Evolve, and now Mercy for Animals 🙂
Keep doing what your doing! XOXOX!!
Thank you for this interview! I just made a donation & will continue to do so thru out the year.
Mercy for Animals is one of my fave orgs! One of the best investments I’ve made as an activist is my super cute MFA hoodie!
I’ve had random people all over the country (I always wear it while traveling) give me a thumbs up, or stop me and ask where I got it or just say “oh wow! I love that”.
People might not want to face the reality of animal cruelty or make changes to their diet (yet), but even something as small as a sweatshirt can plant the seed in a person’s mind.
I could not be more grateful for the work Nathan has done with Mercy for Animals, or any sadder that this organization had to exist in the first place. While I could never witness the undercover videos myself without trying to protect the animals, I have the utmost admiration for the courage and strength of those who do. Thank you for Mercy for Animals. Hopefully we won’t need you much longer.
I loved this interview! Just recently i decided to move to a vegetarian/vegan diet – I am trying to go full vegan but I still need to adjust a bit and learn a bit more about vegan nutrition and some more recipes – But I am glad to know that if we all make a bit of effort we can save millions of animals from cruelty, plus we look and feel better ourselves too, so everyone wins! 🙂 Thanks for your work, for both of you! You guys are awesome!
Excellent write up, I need to truly enhance the content I have.
I have attemptedto blog on third part systems, it did just
not transpire just how I wanted it to. But your website has
providing me a desire to do so. I am bookmarking your website
and checking it out from time to time. Thank you!