They Called Him a Terrorist for Saving Animals (ft. Andy Stepanian)

In this episode of Jamie’s Corner, Jamie Logan sits down with Andy Stepanian — animal rights activist, SHAC 7 defendant, and former political prisoner — for one of the most raw and revealing conversations we’ve ever had on the show. Andy traces the path from early environmental activism to the SHAC 7 campaign, explaining how strategic pressure can expose corporate cruelty and bring down multi million dollar industries. He shares the deeply human side of being a political prisoner — the isolation, the unexpected community, and the fight to stay vegan and stay sane inside solitary confinement. We dive into prison life, unexpected friendships with people labeled “terrorists,” and the lessons he carries forward to today’s movement — including why activists must unite, how identity politics can fracture impact, and what we must do right now to support activists like Zoe Rosenberg, facing years for rescuing chickens. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about animals, justice, or the power of speaking truth to power. 🎧 Jamie's Corner is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube! 👉 Follow us: itsjamiescorner.com https://www.petaindia.com 📚 Instagram: instagram.com/itsjamiescorner instagram.com/andystepanian 🙏 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/itsjamiescorner Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4EfzXcBI227SSYcTS55kqo?si=53863a4ac58d4c88 Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jamies-corner/id1616904718 🕙 CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Introduction & the early days of activism 02:11 Andy's path to veganism 04:27 Shift to high-risk direct action (targeting fur shops) 07:22 The SHAC 7 Campaign 09:15 Targeting the financial pillars of Huntington Life Sciences (HLS) 10:03 The strategy of "starving the organism" and the campaign's success 12:50 The conviction: The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act vs. protected speech 19:45 Life as a Political Prisoner 21:59 Maintaining a vegan diet in solitary confinement (losing 28 lbs) 26:59 Unexpected friendships 30:30 Helping a fellow inmate 30:30 Supporting Activists: The Case of Zoe Rosenberg 41:34 Intersectionality and movement unity 42:40 Why divisiveness is counterproductive 46:13 Building coalition 54:10 How veganism is foundational to global peace 01:05:22 Conclusion