In Episode 106 we try our hand at a little poetry, and ask, "how can poetry and art act as powerful tools for connecting with animals on both personal and political levels." Joined by guests Natasha Matsaert and Julie Knopp, the episode explores their recent involvement in National Animal Rights Day (NARD) and how art has helped raise awareness for animal rights.
The Power of Individual Stories
The conversation begins with Natasha explaining how NARD events focus on making animals visible as individuals rather than a homogenized collective. Natasha, an anthrozoologist, shares her thoughts on how paying attention to individual animal lives can emphasize their worth and dignity.
The Workshop and Its Impact
Natasha describes the recent NARD event in Bristol where she organized a storytelling workshop alongside Julie and Scottish poet Gordon Meade. The workshop featured creative writing exercises and discussions on how powerful animal stories can drive change. Julie shared tips on writing that inspires action, touching upon the elements that make stories "sticky": simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotional, and story-based.
Engaging the Public with Poetry
Julie elaborates on how the workshop helped incorporate different approaches to storytelling. For example, Gordon’s tips on Ekphrastic poetry allowed participants to write from an animal's perspective, creating a deeper emotional connection. Natasha shares a poem written during the workshop that brings to life the voice of a goat slated for sacrifice during a holiday.
The Importance of Vulnerability and Simplicity
Both Julie and Natasha emphasize the need for vulnerability and simplicity in advocacy writing. Julie shares some valuable advice on how to make writing more accessible, such as using tools like the Hemingway editor to simplify language and ensure it’s digestible for a broader audience.
Reflections on Animal Treatment
Julie and Natasha discuss the emotional weight of their work and the pushback they sometimes receive. Julie highlights the dire statistics on factory farming and the brutal realities faced by billions of animals each year. Natasha suggests that shifting our perspective on animals and moving beyond anthropocentrism are crucial steps toward more ethical relationships.
Conclusion
By giving a voice to individual animal stories, creative writing workshops, like those organized for NARD, foster deep emotional connections and inspire action.
Guests: Julie Knopp is a writer and animal advocate based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Julie’s writing has been featured in HuffPost, New York Daily News, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and other prominent media outlets. Julie holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and enjoys teaching change-makers how they can use writing and media strategy to advance their cause. To learn more about Julie, visit julieknopp.com.
Natasha Matsaert is a communications specialist with a background in social media management, ethical storytelling, and animal advocacy. With Master's degrees in Social Anthropology and Anthrozoology and extensive experience in the charity sector, Natasha is passionate about amplifying voices for animal rights and social justice. She has worked with organizations such as Animal Think Tank and The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, creating engaging content that drives meaningful change.
Book Recommendations: The Cow with Ear Tag #1389 by Kathryn Gillespie
Other Links: https://www.startribune.com/article/600284345/
Other articles by Julie Knopp
Dog Factory Farms in the United States? Consumers Can End It - Published in Truthout
To Save Wild Birds, Eat More Plants - Published in MinnPost
These Are The 4 Words We Wish We'd Never Been Told While Grieving Our Cat's Death - Published in HuffPost
As a Former Teacher, Classroom Chick-hatching Projects Haunt Me - Published by Minneapolis Star Tribune
(This blog post was written with the help of AI and edited for content and accuracy by Marika Bell)
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