Toby's Oddcast: love, justice, agriculture, travel, economy, activism, biodiversity, nature and more

Bel Jacobs. Love, Grief & Reconciliation. Part 2.

Love, Grief & Reconciliation: In the second part of this episode, Bel and I continue our deep, joyful and raw conversation. Bel presents the life so far of The Empathy Project https://www.theempathyproject.co.uk/. Starting off as a platform for her journalism, then on through the creation of the Empathy Project Film (https://www.theempathyproject.co.uk/film), leading to the understanding that the focus on children and education must be a priority...It has morphed into a cultural project, with a greater story yet to tell. We talk sanctuary, how these spaces allow autonomy and self expression for those animals lucky enough to find themselves living out the rest of their lives in one. And how there is a movement that is emerging, connecting sanctuary with education, activism and awareness. Bel shares they immensely sad story of Orelha, the 10 year old dog in Brasil who was live-streamed being tortured to death. (https://www.speciesunite.com/news-stories/public-outrage-sweeps-brazil-after-killing-of-beloved-street-dog). And how she wants to bring his story and similar stories from closer to home, in to schools, especially in areas where acts like this occur. Bel Jacobs is brave and kind, and I am so very glad she is on the side of love and truth. Please always feel free to leave a comment or two, I am always interested in what my listeners have to share, and am always up for making these episodes as accessible and interesting as possible. **This podcast was recorded on the 16th April 2026, and is part two of a two part episode**. A huge thank you to MobyGratis https://mobygratis.com/ for graciously supplying the music for the intro and interludes. Warning: Some of the topics may be triggering to those who feel empathy and compassion with both human and no-human animals.

Bel Jacobs- Love, Grief & Reconciliation. Part 1.

"Love, Grief and Reconciliation": A simple but clear summary of Bel Jacobs' Theory of Change (which I was told by Bel had been tweaked since the last time we spoke. What is a Theory of Change without the possibility of change itself?!). In this episode I sit down with Bel Jacobs, in different rooms in different counties, and talk about so so much. Bel is an activist, a thinker, an explorer, a diviner of truth. Having spent 13 years in the fashion industry, her story is a rare one of breaking out of a bubble of comfort and security, into a washing machine or reality on final spin, and doing her very best to make sure everything keeps turning and everyone is cared for. We share thoughts on the reasons people act, why we 'do something', and how the act of action not only increases the chance of a more beautiful world for all, but is also for the benefit of ourselves. We clearly feel calmer and more at peace when we are helping, doing, listening, sharing. Bel shares her thoughts on what her role is in all of this. "..to speak up for other species in as strategic and effective way as I can" is one of her conclusions. We talk about The Empathy Project https://www.theempathyproject.co.uk/, and her theory of change, based around the understanding that we have to be strategic, consciously use language, and how the necessity to relearn kinship is vital. As all great friends do, we talk about many different subjects; The fact that our boundaries are set by a human lense, that there is yearning, wisdom in children, we discuss how hypernormalisation and being comfortable in our bubbles is part of the distraction and entertainment created for us through capitalism....you get the picture!! Come join us..! Please always feel free to leave a comment or two, I am always interested in what my listeners have to share, and am always up for making these episodes as accessible and interesting as possible. **This podcast was recorded on the 16th April 2026, and is part one of a two part episode**. A huge thank you to MobyGratis https://mobygratis.com/ for graciously supplying the music for the intro and interludes. Warning: Some of the topics may be triggering to those who feel empathy and compassion with both human and no-human animals.

Gem De Silva- From undercover investigations to sonic art.

My guest on this episode is Gem De silva, an animal rights activist for over 40 years, with 30+ years of that dedicated to undercover investigations. From working with the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) in the 1980s, he set up Tracks Investigations https://www.tracksinvestigations.org/ and has travelled the world documenting the truth behind the use, exploitation and commodification of animals at the hands of humans. His work has been central to many different campaigns and actions, and has lead directly to systemic change. The dream of every animal rights activist. Due to the nature of the investigations, Gem has been working silently in the background, but in the last 5 years has been more public. We met at the end of last year (2025) at a meeting of the fantastic Oxfordshire Coalition of Animal Advocates https://www.instagram.com/oxcoanimaladvocates?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== where Gem is getting back to his activism roots. I was honoured that he agreed to jump in to the Oddcast on 27th January 2026 to share his wisdom and experiences with us all! Everyone's journey in to activism and veganism is unique and wonderful, and Gem's is just that! Through listening to Punk music in his youth, admiring the art and reading the sleeves of the albums, Gem was introduced to the issues that animals face on a daily basis. This is one of the gifts that music and art gave to him, which he is honouring with the creation of his own L.P., in collaboration with Gnostic Front, called 'Industry Standard' "a first-of-its-kind sonic art album that documents animal exploitation through sound rather than imagery"https://www.tracksinvestigations.org/industrystandard Available on BandCamp https://gnosticfront.bandcamp.com/album/industry-standard). Also available in vinyl with an 8 page colour insert with photography and track content. It was so much fun recording this episode, and also editing it as I have been given permission to us tracks from the L.P. to enhance the journey for us all. There is a warning at the beginning of the episode, some of the sounds can be triggering at times, so if that is the case, please skip on a few seconds as the content is so wonderful. Enjoy......please share if you so desire, and leave a message or a comment. I am very happy to hear if you enjoy my work, and how I can grow and improve what I offer.

Nathan & The Beagles- Part 2

"Success is the ability to go from defeat to defeat without giving up" In part two Nathan talks the night he, and other brave members of Animal Rising https://www.animalrising.org/, entered the hell that is MBR Acres https://realmedia.press/siege-at-mbr-acres/ and liberated 18 beagle puppies from a life of suffering and painful death. Exploring the sensory overload when entering the kennels, and the elation of knowing that he was part of an action that actually made a difference to 18 individual's lives. Nathan talks about the trial itself and how a mix of self representation and barristers works really well as a form of defence. He also shares how it felt to face the legal system for something that actually saved the lives of those lucky beagle puppies. He and 4 other liberators were recently found guilty of burglary, and await sentencing (on the 19th February 2026). This interview took place on 27th January 2026 A huge thank you to MobyGratis https://mobygratis.com/ for providing the musical interludes

Nathan & The Beagles- Part 1

"The true test of our compassion isn't for the people who need it the most, it is for the people who deserve it the least" Nathan Luca McGovern is my guest in this two part episode. He is a truly inspiring young man who has deep-rooted convictions (pun intended) and lives them every day! In part one Nathan talks about how he found his way in to activism with an understanding that things need to change and who best to be part of that change than himself. He shares his experiences with Just Stop Oil https://juststopoil.org/, Plant Based Universities https://plantbaseduniversities.org/, and now Animal Rising https://www.animalrising.org/), a plethora of justice movements who base their actions around non-violence and focus on system change. This interview took place on 27th January 2026 A huge thank you to MobyGratis https://mobygratis.com/ for the musical interludes