Behind the Scenes with The Bloody Vegans Podcast
Jim Moore has interviewed countless vegan athletes, activists, authors, chefs and businesspeople on The Bloody Vegans Podcast. Now he also helps people grow their own podcasts through his production company Bloody Vegans Productions.
Lisa talks to Jim about becoming one of the UK’s most popular vegan podcasters. Find out more here:
You’ve interviewed a really wide range of vegans – including athletes, activists, authors, chefs, businesspeople and more. What has interviewing these people told you about where the vegan scene is at the moment?
It has certainly shown me that vegan culture is a broad church – there are so many diverse points of view and a rich and varied gamut of opinions, interests and approaches that exist within the community. Whereas some see these conflicting views as a sign of discord, I view this breadth with real optimism. To me, the fact that you cannot pin down a singular ‘vegan’ world view shows that veganism is growing and becoming a normal part of society.
Each approach is contributing to a collective aim to end the exploitation of non-human animals – whether that be taking direct non-violent action, founding a successful vegan business, or performing as a vegan athlete at the highest level. Seeking to exclude all forms of exploitation of animals is becoming an accepted position to take in broader society, so it stands to reason that individuals can live by that philosophy and have polar opposite passions, interests and ways to communicate. They are all needed, and they are all fascinating.
Every guest I have spoken to on the podcast has shared a unique perspective on veganism and each one has expanded my understanding and deepened my own belief in living a compassionate life.
Out of all the people you have interviewed, who surprised you the most?
That is a tough question! I have been lucky enough to speak with some real heroes of mine: Captains Paul Watson and Peter Hammarstedt from Sea Shepherd; feminist author Carol J. Adams; seminal documentary film makers John Lewis and Keegan Kuhn, to name just a few. But I would have to say the conversation that surprised me the most was with former NHL player TJ Galiardi.
TJ played in the NHL for 10 years and turned to a plant-based diet to improve his performance before adopting veganism as he discovered more about the ethics. However, it was his post ice hockey career that was most surprising as TJ went on to start a business called Outcast Foods with the aim of tackling the enormous problem of food waste. Almost a billion tons of fruit and vegetables are wasted each year and his business aimed to dehydrate that would-be waste so that it could be ‘upcycled’ into new food products. The lesson I learnt from TJ’s example was to never stop looking for opportunity to reduce harm, reduce waste and to reduce my impact on the world and its inhabitants.
The interview made me revisit the definition of veganism (Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals) especially the line ‘as far as is possible and practicable’, and to start to consider this a moving target rather than a static position.
"I can’t express how much I love podcasts and podcasting. If I am not making them then I am listening to them. You can listen to a podcast on the nursery run, doing the washing, going for a run, out shopping or almost anywhere."
How hard was it to find people to interview when you first started out with the podcast, and how has that changed now that you’re more well-known?
I am staggered by how generous vegans are with their time. Early on I remember reaching out to BAFTA winning director Alex Lockwood with very little expectation of receiving a reply, but not only did he agree to come on the podcast he also re-recorded half of the interview due to a technical issue. Now that the podcast has gained a modicum of very modest notoriety I have to reach out less and have more inbound requests from guests wanting to appear on the show.
Most people know you as a podcast host, but you also run your own production company helping others launch their own vegan podcasts. Why do you think podcasting is such a good way for someone to spread the vegan message?
I can’t express how much I love podcasts and podcasting. If I am not making them then I am listening to them; they are the perfect medium to engage in whilst getting on with the day to day. You can listen to a podcast on the nursery run, doing the washing, going for a run, out shopping or almost anywhere. Every show I listen to taps into what I need in that moment whether I want to learn, laugh, or cry. There is a podcast or an episode for everything. I believe it is this breadth of possibility that makes podcasting a valuable tool in spreading the vegan message. Humans have a diverse range of passions and podcasting can serve each one of those. They have the potential to engage people around veganism in a myriad of ways only limited by the imagination of its creator.
Do we have room for more vegan podcasts? Are there still angles and niches that aren’t being covered yet?
It would be impossible to list the number of possible niches and different show formats that currently do not exist in the world of vegan podcasting. Most people are familiar with the interview format, but a podcast can engage people in so many ways. A podcast can be a monthly long-form documentary or a 5-minute daily skill share; it can be a scripted comedy or a panel quiz show; it can capture a live event or be used to call activists to action. The possibilities for podcasts to engage people around veganism are endless.
What’s the best bit of advice you would give to someone thinking about starting their own vegan podcast?
The piece of advice I always give is simply to start. You can enlist help, you can research online, you can even take a course to find out the practical things you need to know – there are countless resources out there now. It has never been technically easier to record some audio and publish it to a podcasting platform. Just record something – it probably won’t be how your show eventually ends up sounding but once you have even one episode out in the world you can iterate, evolve, and improve.
Learn more about The Bloody Vegans Podcast at their website: www.thebloodyveganspodcast.co.uk and get support with your new podcast project at www.bloodyvegansproductions.com
Lisa Fox says:
Jim has built a business around his two main passions in life, podcasting and veganism, and is a great example of why you shouldn’t let lack of knowledge hold you back. Who knows, maybe you’re the next big vegan podcaster in waiting!
