NBSV 201: John Sanbonmatsu on The Omnivore’s Deception — the myth of ethical meat
- Karina Inkster
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 27
Is “ethical meat” just a comforting bedtime story for omnivores?
Philosopher and author John Sanbonmatsu joins me to unpack the myths that keep animal exploitation hidden in plain sight — from the illusion of “humane” farming to the deep cultural stories we tell ourselves to feel morally innocent.
Drawing from his new book The Omnivore’s Deception, John explores why confronting speciesism, and the civilizational systems built on it, is essential not just for animals, but for the future of life on Earth. This is a thought-provoking, no-B.S. conversation that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable realities.
Important topics we discussed:
>> The link between speciesism and human oppression
>> Sartre’s concept of bad faith: how people lie to themselves to maintain their moral innocence while supporting violent systems
>> Critiquing mainstream climate and environmental movements for avoiding addressing animal agriculture
Connect with John:
>> John's website
>> John on Bluesky
Mentioned in this episode:
>> John's book, The Omnivore's Deception
Episode transcript:
Access a full transcript of the episode here.
Share your thoughts:
>> Comment on the episode's Facebook post.
>> Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews really help, and I read each one!
Subscribe to the show:
>> Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify.
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