From Philosophy to Flourishing: A Compassionate Case for Going Vegan with Matthew C. Halteman

Document Type

Podcast

Abstract

There’s a way to talk about going vegan that doesn’t involve shame, blame, or rigid rules. A way that invites people in, instead of pushing them away.

Philosopher and author Matthew C. Halteman, has written one of the most generous, wise, and unexpectedly funny books I’ve read in a long time—Hungry, Beautiful Animals. It’s a love letter to what’s possible when we stop arguing about “being vegan” and start embracing the abundance that can come from going vegan.

Matt is professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics in the UK.

In this conversation, Matt and I explore the role of family legacy, inner conflict, and philosophy in shaping our choices—and how compassion must be at the heart of advocacy if we want real change.

We speak about what it means to approach others as “vegans in waiting,” the metaphors that make change feel safe rather than threatening, and how joy—not obligation—is the most powerful fuel for transformation.

Publication Date

6-29-2025

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

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