What happens when you suddenly realize the world around you no longer makes sense?
For many vegans, that moment arrives after learning the truth about factory farming, animal suffering, and the systems that normalize cruelty. Everyday experiences begin to look completely different. A carton of eggs is no longer just breakfast. A leather couch no longer feels like furniture. What once seemed ordinary suddenly carries a very different meaning.
That emotional and psychological shift is exactly what vegan psychologist and author Clare Mann explores in this episode of the Better Life for Animals podcast.
The Emotional Weight of Awareness
Clare Mann coined the term “Vystopia” to describe the distress many ethical vegans experience when they awaken to the realities of animal exploitation while continuing to live in a society where that suffering is normalized.
She also authored the book by the same name.
During the conversation, Clare explains how difficult it can feel to witness widespread cruelty while also navigating resistance, ridicule, and indifference from others. She shares how many advocates struggle with feelings of grief, frustration, and even isolation after becoming aware of what animals endure behind closed doors.
Rather than avoiding these emotions, Clare believes understanding them is an essential part of becoming a stronger and more resilient advocate.
Why Facts Alone Do Not Change Minds
One of the most fascinating parts of the discussion centers on why people resist change even when they care deeply about animals.
Clare explains that many people experience cognitive dissonance when confronted with information about animal suffering. They may believe cruelty is wrong while simultaneously participating in systems that support it. Instead of immediately changing behavior, many people protect themselves emotionally through denial, justification, or social conformity.
The episode also explores how culture, tradition, family habits, and fear of uncertainty all influence food choices more than most people realize.
Learning to Have Better Conversations
Cheryl and Clare also role-play common conversations vegans have with friends and family members. Clare offers practical communication strategies designed to reduce defensiveness and encourage curiosity instead of conflict.
Rather than overwhelming people with facts, she encourages advocates to ask thoughtful questions, create emotional connection, and meet people where they are.
A Vision of a More Compassionate Future
The conversation closes on a hopeful note as Clare shares why she believes society is capable of moving toward a vegan future. Animal sanctuaries, education, and compassionate communication all play a role in helping people reconnect with animals as individuals rather than commodities.
Meaningful change often begins with one honest conversation at a time.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[02:00] Vystopia is born
[05:00] What we notice changes when we become aware
[09:00] All mothers grieve the loss of their babies
[12:00] Changing tradition through awareness
[17:00] Role playing creates effective dialogue
[21:00] Although we won’t eliminate all suffering, we can reduce it
[29:00] Breaking the trance
[33:00] What is the world we want to create?
About Dr. Clare Mann
Clare Mann is a psychologist, existential psychotherapist, author, and communications trainer who originally trained as an organizational psychologist and held a number of lectureships in universities around the world. This later training as an existential psychotherapist. Her work now focuses on providing vegans, animal advocates and animal protection agencies around the globe with tools to live in this “not-yet” vegan world and communicate the imperative of veganism more effectively.
Clare coined the word Vystopia, the mental anguish of knowing about the systematized abuse of animals within a hidden dystopian world and is the author of several books, including, Vystopia: The Anguish of Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World (2018), The Myths of Choice: Why People Won’t Change and What You Can Do About It (2019), and Communicate: How to Say What Needs to be Said, When it Needs to be Said, in the Way it Needs to be Said (2012).
She co-founded the Vegan Voices Online Training, co-contributor to the Vegan Education Australia (VEA) 30-Day Vegan Challenge, and contributor to numerous books including Plant Powered Women and Everyday Vegans.
Clare continues to see clients all over the world through training and coaching programs. She provides in-person and online training to help vegans become a more powerful voice for animals as well as for vegan groups and animal protection agencies to communicate more effectively to expedite animal liberation. She is a much sought-out speaker at vegan festivals and events and is cited as one of the recommended speakers for Vegan America.
https://claremann.com/
https://veganpsychologist.com/master-class-register/
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 to create sustainable funding streams.
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Cheryl is dedicated to ending factory farming and supporting underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she recently added Vystopia Transformation to her resume. The Vystopia work, created by psychologist Clare Mann, focuses on the emotional impact many people experience after becoming aware of animal suffering and exploitation. The training offers tools for resilience, communication, and emotional well-being while continuing to advocate for positive change.
Through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, Cheryl inspires 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.
https://www.facebook.com/BLFAnimals/
https://www.instagram.com/betterlife4animals/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmossabetterlifeforanimals/
