Each year, more than 70 billion land animals are raised and slaughtered for food, yet most people never think twice about the individuals behind those numbers. Elizabeth Novogratz is determined to change that.
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As the founder and president of Species Unite and host of the podcast by the same name, Elizabeth has built a global media platform that amplifies the voices of animals and those who fight for them. On the Better Life for Animals Podcast, hosted by Cheryl Moss, she shared her story, her strategy, and her hope for a more compassionate future.
From Travel to Transformation: The Origins of Species Unite
Elizabeth’s journey began with firsthand exposure to cruelty in the global animal trade. What started as curiosity during her travels turned into a mission to spotlight unsung heroes around the
world who were helping animals under dire circumstances. Species Unite launched in 2018 as a podcast but quickly evolved into a full-scale nonprofit media platform.
What sets Species Unite apart is its approach. It doesn’t preach. It informs. And it speaks directly to the vast majority of people who love animals yet still consume them. The result? A remarkable 70 percent of their non-vegan audience reports reducing or eliminating animal products after engaging with the platform.
A Media Platform Built on Compassion and Curiosity
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Species Unite covers everything from factory farming to cultivated meat, animal testing to compassionate coexistence. Under Elizabeth’s leadership, the podcast has grown to more than 250 episodes and sparked global conversations around ethical living. The platform also hosts action campaigns, including the popular “30 Days of Action for Animals,” which invites people to take simple steps each day to help animals.
This accessible, solution-focused format has built a thriving community of people who feel empowered to create change. It’s not about guilt. It’s about awareness, compassion, and action.
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Shifting the Narrative: From Vilified Wolves to Jungle School for Orangutans
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Elizabeth’s storytelling often centers on shifting perception. Whether highlighting wolves wrongly demonized in the American West or sharing tales of baby orangutans attending jungle school in Sumatra, her stories reconnect listeners with the individuality of animals. These narratives inspire empathy, without overwhelming the audience with despair.
She shared how even heart-heavy topics like alligator farming or thrill killing are carefully balanced with stories of hope and progress. Her aim is to keep people engaged long enough to care and then act.
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Scaling Compassion Through Technology and Cultivated Meat
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While Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for sanctuary life and grassroots action, she also places her highest hopes on technology. Cultivated meat, next-generation plant-based foods, and sustainable alternatives to leather all hold massive potential to replace animal products on a global scale.
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She recently became one of the first people in New York to taste cultivated chicken, not out of desire, but to support a technology she believes can end slaughter. Her takeaway was clear: if cultivated meat is affordable, accessible, and indistinguishable from conventional meat, most consumers will make the switch.
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Building a Movement Without Judgment
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A longtime meditation practitioner and co-creator of the mindfulness game Moloka, Elizabeth credits meditation with helping her shape a judgment-free approach to activism. Species Unite isn’t about converting people overnight. It’s about meeting them where they are, offering stories and resources, and trusting that small steps lead to major shifts.
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This philosophy shows up in everything from how she structures content to how she engages with her team and audience. There’s no ego, no division. Just a focus on helping people move toward more compassionate choices, one decision at a time.
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Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[02:00] Elizabeth Novogratz was called to her life’s work early on.
[04:00] Species Unite highlights unsung heroes.
[07:00] Knowing your audience creates greater impact.
[09:00] 30-Day challenges work for change.
[11:45] “Elephants don’t like sunflowers” and other amazing stories from Species Unite.
[13:30] Villainizing wolves is based on propaganda.
[15:45] Hatred for wolves is a strong metaphor for human hatred.
[19:30] Balancing the harsh reality of animal cruelty with acts of kindness.
[22:00] Minds are changing due to documentaries.
[26:00] Animal sanctuaries are essential to humanizing the reality of animals.
[27:30] One small town was shocked over the treatment of 30,000 monkeys.
[32:00] How we treat animals is how we treat ourselves.
[35:30] The reality of cultivated meat and why it’s a doable option for the animals.
[39:45] How to start making compassionate choices around animals.
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About Elizabeth Novogratz
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Elizabeth Novogratz is the founder and president of Species Unite, a nonprofit media project to help people transition off of animal products. She was called at an early age to devote her life to elevating all animal life after witnessing inhumane animal agriculture and trade in the U.S. and abroad. After a decade of travel into places most of us could not, she founded Species Unite: a nonprofit that brings the brightest people and best non-animal products together on one curated media platform. She hosts the Species Unite podcast, which uncovers the latest in “future food” (cultivated meat), vegan fashion, and plant-forward meals.
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Elizabeth is also the co-founder of Maloka, a virtual reality meditation game that’s bringing mindfulness to the metaverse. In an earlier life, she spent over a decade creating and propagating content to help people make healthier lifestyle choices. She co-founded and served as editor in chief of the Well Daily, a website and daily email that brought wellness, meditation, and health to humans everywhere. She co-authored, Wall Street Journal book of the month, Just Sit, A Meditation Guidebook for Those Who Know They Should but Don’t. As a writer, producer, founder, and creative, Elizabeth is committed to changing the story for animals. She fiercely believes in the power of helping us see what we’re not paying attention to in order to open our hearts and do better.
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About Cheryl Moss
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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. 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.
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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.
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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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https://www.facebook.com/BLFAnimals/
https://x.com/betterlife4anim
https://www.instagram.com/betterlife4animals/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmossabetterlifeforanimals/
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