Are pets on the menu? The psychology behind our diets with Dr. Melanie Joy

Are pets on the menu? The psychology behind our diets with Dr. Melanie Joy

Author: Vegan Lifestyle Coach: Jenny Cheifetz July 8, 2026 Duration: 1:17:58

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Melanie Joy, PhD, is a Harvard-educated psychologist, international trainer, and author of eight books, including the award-winning “Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows,” “Beyond Beliefs: A Guide to Improving Relationships and Communication for Vegans, Vegetarians, and Meat Eaters,” and “How to End Injustice Everywhere.” She is the eighth recipient of the Institute of Jainology’s Ahimsa Award, which was previously given to Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. Her work has been featured by media outlets around the world, including the BBC, ABC Australia, NPR, and The New York Times. She is also the founding president of the nonprofit organization Beyond Carnism. You can learn more about her work at carnism.org.


The Juicy Bits:

  1. What is CARNISM? The invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals and not others. It's the opposite of veganism. Everyone has a belief system and most people make a choice to eat animals.
  2. Carnism is a global system whereby each culture has their own list of animals that they'll eat and not eat, and each culture finds other cultures offensive and wrong.
  3. Carnism is a dominant belief system, so common that it is woven into the fabric of society, shaping norms, laws, and behaviors.
  4. Carnism creates psychological defense mechanism that disconnect people from the reality of what they're doing -- supporting an industry that needlessly slaughters animals. The 3 Ns of justification are that eating meat is NORMAL, NATURAL, and NECESSARY.
  5. Carnism conditions people to feel defensive against anyone that challenges their right to eat animals.
  6. The quickest way to reduce the worldwide animal suffering is to ask people to be as vegan as possible.
  7. There is a high rate of burnout amongst vegan activists due to the overwhelming sense of responsibility they feel to reduce animal cruelty. YOU HAVE PERMISSION NOT TO ADVOCATE. REST.
  8. The most important thing any of us can do is commit to our own self-regulation.
  9. A vegan ally is a supporter of vegans and someone who is as vegan as possible.
  10. Watch Melanie's "What to Say to Vegans" video HERE.
  11. Vegans are shamed and made to feel like they are "picky" and "overly sensitive." YOUR SENSITIVITY IS BEAUTIFUL! What's concerning is the global scale numbing when it comes to animal cruelty.
  12. Check out Melanie's links:
  13. https://www.instagram.com/drmelaniejoy⁠

    ⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyondcarnism⁠

    ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmelaniejoy/⁠

    ⁠https://www.facebook.com/melaniejoyphd⁠

    ⁠https://facebook.com/beyondcarnism⁠

    ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondCarnism⁠


  14. Melanie's favorite foods include: healthy vegan pizza, kale salad, anything healthy, tasty, and vegan!


**The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to constitute legal or medical advice; all information, content, and material on this site are for general informational purposes only. This podcast contains links to other third party websites. Such links are only for the convenience and enjoyment of the user.


Hosted by Vegan Lifestyle Coach Jenny Cheifetz, The Flirty Vegan is a warm and engaging space for anyone curious about plant-based living. This isn't about strict rules or judgment; it's about the vibrant, practical, and often deeply personal journey of aligning your choices with your values. Each episode feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend, exploring the many facets of a compassionate lifestyle. You'll hear discussions that go beyond food, touching on the ethical decision to honor animals, the tangible impact on planetary conservation, and the personal health benefits that come from this mindful approach. Jenny guides these inspiring and important talks, weaving together stories from guests and her own experience to demystify the transition and celebrate its joys. The podcast naturally delves into the challenges and triumphs, offering listeners a sense of community and realistic advice. Whether you're fully committed or just dipping a toe in, the dialogue here is designed to educate and connect, leaving you with both motivation and a clearer understanding of how these choices ripple out into the world. It’s an invitation to explore a more intentional way of living, filled with discovery and genuine enthusiasm for making a difference.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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