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Will Potter is an award-winning investigative journalist and TED Senior Fellow who has spent decades exposing political repression, corporate power, and the erosion of civil liberties. His new book, Little Red Barns, is the culmination of a 10-year investigation that began with factory farms and expanded into censorship laws, government overreach, and the rise of authoritarian movements—all intertwined with climate change and ecological collapse.
In this conversation, Will walks us through the myth of the storybook farm, the origins of Ag-Gag laws, and the real-world consequences of labelling truth-tellers as terrorists. From growing up in Fort-Worth, Texas, to punk rock influences, the FBI knocking on the door, and testifying before Congress, he reflects on the personal and societal costs of bearing witness to systemic cruelty.
We explore how the same systems that exploit animals also enable human oppression, how journalists can navigate hostility and censorship, and what it takes to stay engaged—and hopeful—when confronting the darkest realities.
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Why, The FBI Has Only Itself to Blame for Creating a Will Potter.
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The influence of Punk Rock in Will’s life.
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Writing Little Red Barns was a 10 year journey. What did Will think he was going to investigate going in?
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The story of the little red barn, and farms in general is the first story we learn.
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The myth of, “a romantic narrative of farming that has remained safe and unchanged for generation.”
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The intersection between industrial agriculture and fascist movements.
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Fascism is sold as a return to a mythological past.
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How the systems that exploit animals also enable human oppression.
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What it means to tell the truth when powerful industries want silence.
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Baring witness in this era of rising authoritarianism: “I think we’ve arrived in a culture that, where it is explicit or not, we all know there is a danger to empathy.”
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How to stay engaged and hopeful when confronting such dark realities.
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Will’s thoughts on depression and PTSD: “Depression is awareness of all of this evil and abuse and violence without the agency to do something about it.”
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Does anything give Will hope that these narratives can be rewritten—that truth can still cut through propaganda.
Needless to say, I could have spoken to Will for hours. We barely scratched the surface of this web of complex, interconnected issues. I come away again with respect and gratitude for individuals—like Will—who have the courage to face the atrocities of our world without turning away, without giving up, and without being threatened into submission.
It makes me want to play a bigger game. I hope it inspires you to do the same.
Will’s books, Little Red Barns: | Green Is The New Red:
Will’s next project, How to Live in a World on Fire, is coming soon. Sign up to his email list to stay updated. (opt-in at bottom of his website)
Will mentioned, The Sunrise Movement:
This journal and daily planner follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.
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With love and gratitude plant friends.
EATING PLANT BASED IS SO MUCH EASIER THAN I EXPECTED!