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Hosted by Shawna Barker, plant-based nutritionist and longtime vegan, Vegan Boss Radio is your place to explore everything from plant-based nutrition and health to vegan lifestyle, ethics, fitness, and the real-life challenges of living your values in a non-vegan world.
Whether you’re vegan, plant-curious, or simply interested in eating more plants and feeling your best, you’ll find practical, evidence-informed conversations designed to help you thrive.
Each episode features fascinating people from all walks of life, including nutrition experts, doctors, athletes, entrepreneurs, authors, activists, and the many other amazing vegans out there making a difference, sharing their knowledge, stories, and experiences.
Subscribe and start exploring Vegan Boss Radio.
Want personalized guidance with your plant-based diet?
Shawna offers 1:1 nutrition consultations and plant-based nutrition support through Synergy Nutrition, helping you build a healthy, balanced approach to eating more plants, without the overwhelm.
👉 Nutrition Services: synergynutrition.ca
Instagram: @vegan_boss
Facebook: @veganbossradio
And be sure to check out our new apparel line, Vegan Boss Apparel on our Shop page and Instagram: @veganbossapparel
Episodes
Aug 15, 2026
Aug 15, 2026
35 min
What does it actually take to create political change for animals?
In this episode, I'm joined by Sam Schillinger, Oregon Campaign Director for Pro-Animal Future, to talk about animal advocacy, political organizing, and how we can turn concern for animals into meaningful policy change.
Sam and I discuss his journey into animal advocacy and his work with Pro-Animal Future, including the campaign to ban the sale of force-fed foie gras in Portland. We talk about why political advocacy is such an important tool for the animal movement, how campaigns can bring animal issues into conversations with voters and elected officials, and the importance of getting more people involved in creating change.
We also discuss what makes a political campaign effective, how advocates can work within existing political systems, and the different ways people can contribute to the movement, even if they don't consider themselves activists.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Sam's journey into animal advocacy
- Pro-Animal Future and its approach to political change
- The campaign to ban the sale of force-fed foie gras in Portland
- Why political advocacy is an important tool for helping animals
- Working with politicians, activists, and voters
- Building political power for animals
- How grassroots campaigns can create meaningful policy change
- Different ways to get involved in animal advocacy
- Why we need more people participating in the movement
About Sam Schillinger
Sam Schillinger is the Oregon Campaign Director for Pro-Animal Future. Originally from Iowa, he graduated from Luther College (Decorah, IA) in 2022 and moved to Oregon two years ago. He got to work immediately advocating for animals. Most recently, he led Pro-Animal Future’s campaign to ban the sale of force-fed foie gras in the city of Portland.
When he’s not working with politicians and activists to help animals, Sam enjoys supporting live theatre, traveling, watching CBS Survivor, and playing poker. He’s also an accomplished runner with five marathons and two ultramarathons under his belt.
Learn More & Get Involved
Sam recommended these resources for listeners who want to learn more about political advocacy for animals and the work of Pro-Animal Future:
Get Political for Animals — Free E-book Download
If this episode gave you a new perspective on how you can advocate for animals, share it with someone who might be interested in getting involved.
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Interested in learning more about plant-based nutrition?
Registration is now open for my 15-hour Plant-Based Nutrition course through Pacific Rim College!
📅 Wednesdays, 12–3pm PST
📅 September 2nd - October 7th (no class on September 30th)
Although it's an elective within the Holistic Nutrition program, it's open to everyone. If you enjoy diving into the science behind plant-based nutrition, this course is designed like a traditional college class with lectures, quizzes, activities, and plenty of opportunities to deepen your understanding.
Register by emailing registrar@pacificrimcollege.com or visit Pacific Rim College to learn more.
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Work With Me:
If you're ready to go plant-based or already are and want to feel more confident about your nutrition, I offer private consultations with personalized, evidence-based guidance. No overwhelm, just clarity.
Book your free 15-minute discovery call at synergynutrition.ca
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Vegan Boss Resources:
🛒 Supplements: 100% vegan, carefully curated and 10% off everything, always. Visit my Online Store. Ships across Canada.
👕 Apparel: Wear the message. Shop Vegan Boss Apparel and follow @veganbossapparel on Instagram.
🎧 Enjoying the show? Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review, it genuinely helps more people find the podcast.
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About Your Host:
Shawna Barker is a nutritionist with a BSc. in Nutrition and has been vegan since 2002. With over 14 years of experience, she brings evidence-based insights to help you build a plant-based life that actually works for you.
📩 DM me anytime on Instagram @vegan_boss
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