One recent afternoon I was finishing Charles Patterson's book "Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust" when I came across an eye-catching chapter. But it wasn't the title: "Hitler's Baby," which caught my eye. It was the name immediately following it: Liesel Appel. Liesel Appel? Where had I heard that name before? I thought I remembered the name from Facebook, of all places. Sure enough, when I checked my Facebook buddies, there was Liesel Appel. But wait... Hitler's Baby? I quickly read through Liesel's chapter and immediately sent her a message inviting her to do an interview. It turns out that was a wise decision.

Liesel and I met when the animal rights activist and attorney Wayne Hsiung, who I co-produce a YouTube channel with, was on trial in North Carolina for rescuing a sick goat. I don't recall us having an actual conversation, though. I'm pretty sure if we had, I would have remembered it, because there is something about the way Liesel speaks that commands attention. She is kind, soft-spoken and unassuming, but there seems to be poignancy behind every word she utters. At least that is my experience during this conversation. When I invited her to be on my channel, she also informed me she had written several books, including an autobiography. I ordered it and was floored by the richness and depth of Liesel's story.

I was deeply, deeply honored to speak with Liesel for this channel, and if you listen to the contents of the interview, you will understand why. The story she tells is utterly spellbinding and, in fact, we barely scratched the surface. For that reason, Liesel and I intend to continue the conversation, so stay tuned for part 2! This conversation is also available on YouTube here.

Liesel's memoir "The Neighbor's Son"

"Eternal Treblinka" by Charles Patterson

Earthlings Documentary

Earthlings" is the film which first linked for me the concepts examined in "Eternal Treblinka" and is the reason I went vegan. Vegan Linked did an outstanding video profile of Liesel.

YouTube video of this conversation. Upon my arrival in Berkeley, California for my first look into Direct Action Everywhere's press operation, one of the first people to greet me was Michelle Del Cueto. DxE's international coordinator and I were easy friends. She, along with DxE's press coordinator at the time, Matt Johnson, were my two steady companions during that first visit. And despite several years of friendship, I had never really gotten Michelle's personal story.

What I knew about Michelle before was her bravery and dedication to animal rights. I knew her to be outspoken and unwavering in the face of injustice. I knew she also is the person behind the lens of some of the most iconic photos and videos in DxE's history. I knew that if you drive a car after she's been in it to turn the radio down as fast as you can, lest you lose your hearing. But what I learned about her during this conversation, especially her background in Mexico City, only makes me admire her all the more. Michelle is a genuine badass.

This video is also available as a podcast, wherever you download them.

Register for the convergence

The Yes on J website

Right to Rescue website

DxE's website

Michelle's IG

DxE's IG

DxE's X/Twitter

DxE's FB

DxE's YouTube

Punk Rock Vegan Movie

Dominion Documentary

Earthlings Documentary

Just as Hunter S. Thompson put it in his seminal 1970 article about the Kentucky Derby, sled dog racing is decadent and depraved. Decadent: characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline. Depraved: morally corrupt; wicked. (Oxford Languages) So apt is this title that the whistleblower describing to me in vivid detail the deplorable treatment of dogs he witnessed during his time working for a musher characterized these conditions as "above average" in the industry. Yet, he still felt the need to alert the authorities to what he saw. Mac Thompson recalls his time in the sled dog industry in Minnesota and his time working in a roadside zoo in South Carolina. I sincerely thank Mac for shedding light on this often-overlooked example of mankind's arrogant, speciesist attitude towards our fellow creatures. Such a sorry excuse for entertainment, a practice future humans will look back on with utter contempt.

This conversation on YouTube. Links: Sled Dogs 2016 film (free with ads) Sled Dogs film trailer YouTube playlist on sled dog industry Whistler Sled Dog Massacre Humanemushing.org Mac Thompson's YouTube Dominion Documentary Earthlings Documentary