Colleen Patrick Goudreau is author, most recently, of The Joyful Vegan.
It's a book about joy, yes, but joy as a strategic imperative in a world that is relentless in trying to undermine our resolve about living compassionate and brave lives.
While steadfastness and willpower and outrage can provide bursts of energy for our journey, Goudreau asserts, it's joy that gives us the long-burning, clean fuel that allows us to come from love and compassion and understanding in all our interactions.
We talked about a pivotal moment in Goudreau's life and activism - when she encountered a group of dove hunters and opened her heart - and her stance - instead of reacting out of the judgment and fear that was coursing through her body. And how from that point on, she cultivated her ability to drop into that loving place even in the face of fierce and disrespectful opposition.
We talked about her book, The Joyful Vegan, as a manual for not only becoming vegan, but staying vegan. About the natural phases that one goes through, and how to navigate them with skill, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
If you're vegan, this conversation will give you new tools and perspectives to become a more effective advocate and role model.
If you're not vegan, this conversation will help you understand veganism better, not as a militant and restrictive view of the world, but a creative and compassionate stance to do the best we can in an imperfect and often hard world.