Better Life for Animals

What happens when an animal sanctuary becomes more than a place of rescue? In this episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss talks with Simone Scampoli, Executive Director of Capra Libera Tutti, an animal sanctuary in Italy where rescued farmed animals are given the opportunity to make choices, form relationships and live as individuals. Simone shares the remarkable story of how a former farm became an animal sanctuary and why animal agency is central to the work of Capra Libera Tutti. They discuss farm animal rescue, animal rights, vegan education, sanctuary life and animal advocacy, including why sanctuaries are not petting zoos and how simply observing animals can transform the way people see them. Simone also shares how the sanctuary educates children and non-vegan visitors through storytelling, builds a community of supporters, approaches fundraising and manages the emotional demands of animal advocacy. It's a powerful conversation about rescued animals, compassion and the important role sanctuaries can play in creating a different future for animals. Full Show Notes www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/086-Simone-Scampoli Be sure to subscribe and leave a rating and review. This helps us reach more people about compassion to animals.

Five rescued pigs became twelve in just two months. For Kathy Cullen, founder of Jolene's Retreat, that unexpected turn was the beginning of a much bigger journey. Kathy spent 25 years as a teacher before animal advocacy changed the direction of her life. When five pigs suddenly needed somewhere safe to go, she wasn't prepared to take them. But when she learned they could otherwise go to slaughter, she said yes. Soon she discovered two of the females were pregnant. Five pigs quickly became twelve. In this episode of Better Life for Animals, Cheryl Moss talks with Kathy about what happened next and what she has learned from creating a sanctuary for rescued animals. Kathy discusses why sanctuaries are not petting zoos and why respecting an animal's boundaries is so important. Living with rescued pigs has given her a firsthand view of just how different their personalities, preferences and relationships can be. Kathy also opens up about the emotional realities of animal advocacy and why having ways to reset is essential when doing difficult work. She shares what it is like operating a sanctuary in the heart of an animal agriculture area and why that can be particularly challenging. At the center of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: animals are individuals. Through Jolene's Retreat, Kathy hopes to give people opportunities to meet rescued animals, learn their stories and begin seeing farmed animals in a very different way. https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/084-Kathy-Cullen

Internationally recognized fine art photographer Robert Sturman has spent more than two decades documenting dignity, resilience and healing. His work has taken him into prisons, military communities and cultures around the world. Then a rescued coonhound named Otis entered his life and gave his work an entirely new purpose. Otis survived the laboratory-testing industry and still carries an identification tattoo inside his ear. When Robert agreed to foster him, it took only moments for him to understand that Otis had found his permanent home. In this moving conversation with host Cheryl Moss, Robert shares how Otis transformed his understanding of animals and strengthened his commitment to advocacy. He discusses the cultural conditioning that allows animal exploitation to remain hidden, the intelligence and dignity he sees in Otis and the importance of turning compassion into meaningful action. Robert and Otis are also featured in Born on Death Row, a documentary created to expose the largely hidden industry that breeds dogs and other animals for laboratory research. This episode is an invitation to see animals differently, question what society has taught us to accept and consider the everyday choices that can help create a more compassionate world. Listen to the complete episode: https://www.BetterLifeForAnimals.com/podcast/082-Robert-Sturman Learn more about the Born on Death Row documentary at BODRDoc.org

Most people never see what happens behind the walls of animal testing facilities. In this powerful episode of Better Life for Animals, host Cheryl Moss sits down with animal advocate Pamela Smith to discuss her involvement in the widely publicized open rescue at Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin facility that breeds beagles for laboratory testing. Pamela shares her personal journey from becoming an ethical vegan to taking direct action on behalf of animals. She offers a firsthand account of the rescue effort, the emotional reality of helping beagles destined for experimentation, and why she believes public awareness is one of the most powerful tools for creating change. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why beagles are commonly used in laboratory testing • What an open rescue is and how it differs from other forms of activism • What Pamela experienced during the Ridglan Farms rescue effort • Why many animal advocates believe animal testing is outdated • How modern alternatives to animal experimentation are changing the conversation • The importance of public awareness in advancing animal welfare • How Compassion Without Borders helps street dogs and families in Mexico • Practical ways individuals can get involved in animal advocacy This conversation is both educational and inspiring, offering a closer look at the realities of animal testing while highlighting the growing movement working toward a more compassionate future for animals. Learn more: https://www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/070-Pamela-Smith

What if the animals in our lives are here to teach us how to heal? In this episode of Better Life for Animals, Cheryl Moss welcomes author, animal communicator, Reiki practitioner, and podcast host Stephanie Stephan for a powerful conversation about the emotional wisdom animals carry and the lessons humans can learn from them. Stephanie shares deeply personal stories about rescue animals, sanctuary experiences, energy healing, and the profound impact animals have had on her spiritual and emotional journey. Through her work and her book, The Path to Unconditional Love: Lessons in Heart-Centered Living from Our Animal Teachers, Stephanie explores how animals naturally embody presence, gratitude, empathy, resilience, and unconditional love. During this inspiring discussion, listeners will learn: • Why animals may be more emotionally present than humans • How sanctuary animals teach resilience and healing • What heart-centered living really means • The role of Reiki and energy healing with animals • How humans can deepen communication with animals • Why slowing down and listening matters • The healing power of unconditional love Stephanie also shares moving stories involving her rescue dog Spikey, traumatized sanctuary animals who found healing through compassion, and her experience helping an injured deer transition peacefully through loving presence and Reiki. This episode is a beautiful reminder that animals are not beneath us. They are alongside us, helping guide humanity back toward compassion, connection, and healing. Learn more and listen to the full episode: https://betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/068-Stephanie-Stephan

Most people move through life without questioning the systems around them. Then something changes. Maybe it's watching footage from a factory farm. Maybe it's meeting a rescued animal and realizing they are far more emotionally complex than we were taught to believe. Or maybe it's the unsettling realization that the products we once consumed without thought are connected to immense suffering hidden behind closed doors. For many vegans, that moment creates a profound psychological shift. The world no longer looks the same. In this deeply thought-provoking episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast, Cheryl Moss sits down with vegan psychologist, author, and speaker Clare Mann to explore the emotional reality of awakening to animal suffering while living in a society that continues to normalize it. Clare coined the term vystopia to describe the emotional distress, grief, and isolation many ethical vegans experience after becoming aware of the disconnect between society's stated love for animals and its participation in systems of exploitation. This conversation goes far beyond food choices. Together, Cheryl and Clare unpack the hidden psychology behind why people resist changing their behavior, even when they genuinely care about animals. They explore cognitive dissonance, denial, emotional self-protection, social conditioning, cultural traditions, and the powerful influence of conformity. You'll also hear practical guidance for becoming a more effective advocate without burning out emotionally. Rather than relying solely on facts, Clare explains why compassionate communication, emotional connection, and thoughtful questions often create far more meaningful conversations than confrontation or debate. Throughout the episode, Cheryl and Clare role-play real-world conversations many vegans encounter with family members, coworkers, and friends. Clare shares strategies designed to reduce defensiveness while helping people feel safe enough to reflect on their own beliefs and behaviors. This episode is especially important for: • Vegans navigating feelings of grief, frustration, or isolation • Animal advocates seeking healthier ways to communicate • Anyone curious about the psychology behind resistance to veganism • People interested in cognitive dissonance and human behavior • Those searching for hope in the movement for animals The conversation also shines a light on the healing role animal sanctuaries play in helping people reconnect with animals as individuals instead of commodities. Despite the emotional weight of the topic, the episode ultimately delivers a message of hope: meaningful change is possible, and it often begins with one honest, compassionate conversation at a time. https://betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/066-Clare-Mann About Clare Mann Clare Mann is a vegan psychologist, speaker, communications coach, and author known internationally for her work on the psychological impacts of living ethically in a non-vegan world. Her groundbreaking work on vystopia has helped countless vegans better understand the emotional challenges that can arise after awakening to the realities of animal exploitation.

Why do so many people care deeply about animals, yet still struggle to connect the dots when it comes to farmed animals? In this compelling episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast, Cheryl Moss sits down with Ayelette Robinson for a conversation that goes far beyond veganism and advocacy slogans. Together, they explore the emotional and cultural barriers that shape how society views animals and why connection, not confrontation, is often what creates lasting change. Ayelette shares her fascinating journey from corporate law and technology into animal advocacy, sanctuary leadership, and storytelling. She opens up about the moment she realized her daily choices were no longer aligned with her values and how that realization changed the course of her life. This episode dives into the power of sanctuaries to transform hearts, why humane education matters, and how storytelling in film and media can help normalize compassion for animals in everyday life. Cheryl and Ayelette also discuss the importance of meeting people where they are, leading with empathy, and helping others see animals as individuals rather than products. You'll also hear about the work being done at Blue Barn Farm & Sanctuary, the importance of monthly donor support, and why building emotional connection may be one of the most effective tools in creating a better future for animals. If you have ever wondered how real cultural change happens, this is a conversation you will not want to miss. Learn more and listen here: www.betterlifeforanimals.com/podcast/064-Ayelette-Robinson