Sometimes the shift into veganism doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in layers. A documentary. A book. A conversation. And then one day something clicks so deeply that you can never see the world the same way again.
In this special episode of the Better Life for Animals Podcast, the tables are turned as Kathleen Gage, the producer behind the show and founder of Vegan Visibility, steps in front of the microphone.
Host Cheryl Moss sits down with Kathleen for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about the moment she fully connected the dots between the animals we love and the systems that exploit them. What began as a personal journey for health 
evolved into a life mission centered on compassion, awareness, and amplifying the voices of those working to protect animals.
Together, Cheryl and Kathleen explore the emotional awakening many people experience when they begin to understand the reality of factory farming and why education, storytelling, and community support are essential for creating lasting change.
They also discuss the growing work of Better Life for Animals, including the spotlight being placed on animal sanctuaries across the country and the innovative programs designed to support them.
The Moment the Disconnect Became Clear
For Kathleen, the journey toward veganism started with a health decision. At age 64, she was dealing with inflammation and began exploring a plant-based way of eating to improve her well-being.
At the time, she did not identify as vegan. In fact, like many people, she held common misconceptions about vegans and viewed veganism primarily as a diet rather than an ethical framework.
That changed as she began consuming more information. Documentaries, books, blogs, and podcasts slowly revealed the reality of the industrial animal agriculture system.
Then came a moment she would never forget.
While walking through the meat department at a grocery store, Kathleen suddenly saw what was behind the packaging. Instead of products, she saw animals who had suffered.
That was the moment she fully connected the dots and embraced veganism as a way of life.
The Emotional Journey Many Vegans Experience
Kathleen speaks candidly about the emotional stages many people go through once they become aware of the suffering embedded in the food system.
There can be sadness. Anger. Frustration. And often guilt for not seeing it sooner.
These feelings are explored in the book Vystopia by Clare Mann, which both Kathleen and Cheryl discuss during the conversation. The book describes the psychological distress that can arise when someone becomes aware of the widespread exploitation of 
animals in a society that largely ignores it.
But rather than allowing these emotions to create division, Kathleen emphasizes the importance of learning how to communicate compassionately and effectively with others.
Helping people understand the issue without alienating them is one of the most important challenges in animal advocacy.
Amplifying the Voices of Animal Sanctuaries
Another major theme of the episode is the work being done through the Better Life for Animals Podcast to highlight animal sanctuaries and the people who dedicate their lives to caring for rescued animals.
Many sanctuary founders operate with extremely limited resources. Some manage the animals almost entirely on their own while also working full-time jobs to keep the sanctuary financially afloat.
Through the podcast, Cheryl and Kathleen are bringing these stories into the spotlight so more people understand both the challenges and the extraordinary compassion behind sanctuary work.
The show has already featured a wide range of guests, including sanctuary founders, advocates, journalists, and experts working across the animal protection movement.
These conversations help listeners see the full picture of what it takes to rescue animals and provide them with safe, loving homes.
The Funding Blueprint for Animal Sanctuaries
Recognizing the financial struggles many sanctuaries face, the Better Life for Animals team recently launched the Funding Blueprint for Sanctuaries Summit.
The summit focuses on practical strategies for helping sanctuaries build sustainable revenue streams, attract donors, and strengthen their long-term operations.
In addition to the summit, the organization has also hosted educational masterclasses covering topics such as grant writing and media outreach. These tools help sanctuary founders develop the skills needed to secure funding and grow their impact.
The goal is simple but powerful: help sanctuaries thrive so they can continue rescuing and caring for animals.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Compassionate Leaders
Another exciting initiative discussed in the episode is the development of programs aimed at teenagers who are interested in leadership and animal advocacy.
Working alongside Danielle Hanosh, founder of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet), Better Life for Animals hopes to expand opportunities for young people to learn about compassion, responsibility, and ethical leadership.
The idea is to connect young people with animal sanctuaries and help them develop the skills and awareness needed to become advocates for animals and the planet.
By investing in youth education, the movement can grow stronger and more sustainable over time.
Small Choices That Create Big Change
Throughout the conversation, Kathleen emphasizes that creating a better world for animals doesn’t require perfection. It starts with awareness and simple daily choices.
Those choices can include:
● Choosing plant-based meals
● Supporting animal sanctuaries
● Buying cruelty-free products
● Educating ourselves about the impact of our consumption
When multiplied across millions of people, those individual choices create powerful ripple effects.
A Mission Rooted in Compassion
Both Cheryl and Kathleen share a belief that compassion for animals ultimately benefits everyone. It supports environmental sustainability, promotes healthier lifestyles, and encourages a deeper sense of responsibility toward all living beings.
The mission of Better Life for Animals is to continue amplifying the voices of advocates, sanctuary founders, and changemakers who are working every day to build a kinder world.
And as this episode makes clear, the movement continues to grow through awareness, education, and the courage to speak up.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[02:00] The layers of veganism.
[04:00] Kathleen’s moment of clarity was a visceral response to packaged meat.
[08:00] The truth taken in degrees.
[11:00] What’s coming for BLFA.
[14:45] Why LEAP is so vital to young people.
[19:00] Misguided government information.
[23:30] Cheryl’s journey into veganism.
[28:00] How Kathleen started working in the animal space.
[33:00] Stand out stories.
[38:45] Cheryl’s inspiration for children’s books.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts. Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. She also joined the Board of Directors for Blue Barn Farm and Sanctuary in Creswell, Oregon. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.
Learn more: www.veganvisibility.com
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders. She is also the founder of the Funding Blueprint for Sanctuaries summit designed to empower those involved with sanctuaries sustainable funding streams.
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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