Summary: Welcome to the 323rd episode of Our Hen House, featuring <a href="http://www.gentlebarn.org/about-us/key-staff/ellie-laks.html" target="_blank">Ellie Laks</a>, founder of <a href="http://www.gentlebarn.org/" target="_blank">The Gentle Barn</a>, an amazing place of healing for abused animals and children of all ages. As always, the award-winning, weekly Our Hen House podcast is hosted by us — <a href="http://www.jasminsinger.com" target="_blank">Jasmin Singer</a> and Mariann Sullivan.<br><br> <br> Find out what Mariann is getting for her upcoming birthday. (Psst! It involves a story about pigeons and <a href="http://www.graphicwitness.org/coe/enter.htm" target="_blank">Sue Coe</a>.) Jasmin relates her adventures on tour in Tucson, Tempe, and Salt Lake City. Check out upcoming events at <a href="http://jasminsinger.com/" target="_blank">jasminsinger.com</a>.<br> In today’s episode, you’ll be inspired by the work of Ellie Laks at <a href="http://www.gentlebarn.org/" target="_blank">The Gentle Barn</a>, where rescued animals serve at role models to at-risk children for forgiveness and healing. Her story of Chloe, the music-loving turkey who helped Julie learn to speak, will make you shine a bit brighter, too.<br> <br> This episode is sponsored by <a href="http://awfw.org/" target="_blank">A Well-Fed World</a>. A Well-Fed World is a hunger relief and animal protection organization chipping away at two of the world’s most immense, unnecessary and unconscionable forms of suffering… the suffering of people hungry from lack of food, and the suffering of animals used and abused for food. Mending our unjust food system is a critical part of solving the world’s most destructive and persistent problems. Fortunately, the plant-based foods that promote health and well-being are the same foods that conserve resources to better feed the world, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decisionmakers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at <a href="http://awfw.org" target="_blank">awfw.org</a>.<br> All that, vegan banter, and plenty of “Rising Anxieties,” too, so hug your favorite animal!<br> ***<br><br> You can listen to our podcast directly on our website (beneath this paragraph!) or you can listen and subscribe on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/our-hen-house/id350069146">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jasmin-singer/our-hen-house">Stitcher</a>! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it on iTunes and Stitcher, and don’t forget to leave us a friendly comment! Of course, we would be thrilled if you would also consider <a href="http://www.ourhenhouse.org/donate" target="_blank">making a donation</a>, or becoming a <a href="https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ourhenhouse" target="_blank">member of our flock</a> (especially if you’re a regular listener). Any amount is hugely appreciated, and Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible! Thank you for helping us create quality content, and for helping us bring you a new podcast episode each week!<br> The Our Hen House theme song is written and sung by the incredible <a href="http://michaelharren.com/">Michael Harren</a>, who is also OHH’s Social Media Director! Special thanks to OHH’s Director of Operations, Anne Green, and to our audio editor, Eric Milano, of <a href="http://www.loveloftstudio.com/">Love Loft Studios</a>. Don’t forget to also tune into Our Hen House’s two other podcasts: <a href="http://www.ourhenhouse.org/cooking/" target="_blank">The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast</a>, and <a href="http://www.ourhenhouse.org/animallaw/" target="_blank">The Animal Law Podcast</a>. <br> Let’s get squawking!<br>
