Making Your Voice Heard: Public Comments, Rulemaking, and Animal Welfare with Nicole Wood | Ep 15

What if you could directly shape the rules that govern factory farming, environmental protections, and more without ever running for office? In this eye-opening episode of Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health, host Dr. Johnny Lieberman talks with Nicole Wood, a second-year law student at Lewis & Clark Law School focused on animal law and industrial agriculture reform. Nicole explains the rulemaking process, where agencies turn broad laws into enforceable details, and how anyone can submit public comments during open periods to make their perspective count. Drawing from their own journey from growing up around family farms to becoming a vegan advocate and active commenter on issues like feedlot pollution Nicole demystifies terms like "humane washing" and "greenwashing," exposes misleading industry labels, and offers practical steps: using regulations.gov and federalregister.gov, crafting persuasive comments with personal testimony and facts, and even building records for future legal challenges. Whether you're passionate about animal rights, the environment, public health, or any regulated issue, this episode empowers you to move beyond frustration and into action balancing industry influence with your voice as a consumer, parent, or concerned citizen. Top 3 Takeaways: Public Comment Periods Are Open to Everyone When agencies propose or update rules (under laws they've been tasked to implement), they must open a notice-and-comment period anyone can submit input via regulations.gov. No expertise or direct impact required; your perspective adds visibility and can influence outcomes. Persuasive Comments Combine Personal Testimony and Facts Start with who you are and why the issue matters to you (e.g., as a consumer or parent), then back it up with evidence, studies, or corrections to agency claims. Agencies review and often respond to comments in groups when finalizing rules; strong, fact-based input carries real weight. "Humane Washing" and "Greenwashing" Exploit Consumer Values Labels like "cage-free" or "climate-friendly" often mislead chickens may still be overcrowded and stressed, or companies claim net-zero goals without plans or tech to achieve them (as in Tyson's settled case). Research beyond marketing; public comments help challenge these gaps in regulation. About the Guest:   Nicole Wood is a second year JD student at Lewis & Clark Law School, specializing in animal law with a focus on challenging industrial animal agriculture through regulatory advocacy, consumer protection, and environmental law. A longtime vegan advocate, Nicole serves as Symposium Editor for the Animal Law Review, External Projects Chair for the Animal Legal Defense Fund student chapter, and has contributed to public comments on issues like feedlot pollution permits. Their pre-law experience in financial compliance sharpened their eye for regulatory gaps, driving their commitment to corporate transparency and animal protection. Nicole is a 2025-26 Law Scholars for Change recipient for their dedication to farmed animal advocacy. Websites: ALDF: Animal Rights and Welfare : https://aldf.org/article/take-action/ Food and Water Watch: Clean Water, Climate Change, Wildlife Protection, Fighting Factory Farms: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/get-involved/ Center for Food Safety: Pesticides, Clean Water, Fighting Factory Farms, Wildlife Protection: https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/policy-comments New comment opportunities in press releases: https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/news Brooks Institute: Animal Rights and Welfare : https://thebrooksinstitute.org/subscribe About the Show: Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health explores the intersection of animal welfare, public policy, and human health. Hosted by Dr. Johnny Lieberman, each episode invites changemakers, legal experts, and health advocates to shed light on what really impacts our communities—and what we can do about it. About the Host: Dr. Johnny Lieberman is a physician, public health advocate, and lifelong animal lover with a passion for connecting the dots between animal welfare, human behavior, and the systems that shape our lives. With a background in both medicine and public health policy, Johnny brings a unique lens to conversations about how our treatment of animals impacts human health, the environment, and social justice. In Puppies, Pandemics, and Public Health, Johnny brings warmth, curiosity, and a dash of wit to tough conversations that matter. From exposing the realities of factory farming to uncovering the links between zoonotic diseases and our food systems, his goal is to empower listeners to be informed, compassionate, and engaged citizens while still keeping it real (and sometimes bringing in puppies). Whether he's discussing legislative loopholes or snuggling his rescue dog between recordings, Dr. Lieberman believes that creating a healthier world starts with how we treat its most vulnerable beings. Connect with Dr. Johnny Lieberman Email: [email protected]