VP#67: Congruence over Convenience: Jazz Singer, Reiki Master, & Feline Entrepreneur Risa Branch on Going Vegan in TX, the Myth of Vegan Non-Diversity, Tough Truths about Finding a Vegan Mate, & More!

Risa Branch is a jazz and blues singer, Reiki Master, and professional cat-sitter based in New York City. She’s also a dedicated, longtime vegan, having adopted the lifestyle as a teenager, and she’s been advocating for animals and veganism for all of her adult life. Risa has recorded two albums, and she’s been featured in a variety of media as a vegan music artist. Resources: Website: http://RisaBranch.com  Facebook: http://Facebook.com/RisaBranch  Instagram:http://Instagram.com/RisaBranch Risa Branch animal rights song “Strange Fruit”: https://risa.bandcamp.com/track/strange-fruit Documentary appearance in I’m Vegan: https://youtu.be/l08as25vCVc Outtake: https://youtu.be/mokrYJ9pBAk?si=hnZEY7WTHZEdQqck Other Risa press: Tenderly magazine: Not Every Singer Is Here to Start the Party The Syncopated Times (cover story): https://syncopatedtimes.com/risa-branch-a-passion-for-tradition/ Black Vegans Rock blog: http://www.blackvegansrock.com/blog/2016/1/8/feature-risa Women in Jazz podcast: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/women-in-jazz/episode-08-risa-branch-3hZAx8o-5dD/ Mindful Minutes with Musicians podcast: https://www.youtube.com/live/Gr9VfRzooDg?si=JU249IrMsAdnaAVq Vegan Werden (German publication): https://veganwerden.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/risa/Other resources mentioned: Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating by Erik Marcus: https://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Ethics-Eating-Erik-Marcus/dp/0935526870 You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass NYC Vegan Restaurants: Organic Grill: https://www.theorganicgrill.com/ Urban Vegan Kitchen: https://urbanvegankitchen.com/ Caravan of Dreams: https://www.caravanofdreams.net/ Happy Cow: https://www.happycow.net/ NYC Vegan Drinks: https://vegandrinks.nyc/ Berlin Vegan Jass Bar Barkett: http://barkett.berlin/ Cadence - Vegan Soul Food: https://www.overthrowhospitality.com/location/cadence/ Slutty Vegan: https://sluttyveganatl.com/ By Any Greens Necessary by Tracye McQuirter: https://byanygreensnecessary.com/ Diet for a New America by John Robbins: https://www.amazon.com/Diet-New-America-Choices-Happiness/dp/193207354X Marrying Myself by Christine Melanie Benson: https://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Myself-Christine-Melanie-Benson/dp/1685130763/