0:00:00.160,0:00:03.840 A lot of you have been asking: [br]What's going on with Bite Size Vegan? 0:00:03.840,0:00:06.552 Where have I been? [br]What have I been up to? 0:00:06.552,0:00:09.200 Did I die? 0:00:10.480,0:00:14.407 Am I coming back? [br]Am I still vegan? 0:00:14.407,0:00:17.067 (Sarcastic snort) Please... 0:00:17.305,0:00:19.701 Well, it's time for some answers. 0:00:19.701,0:00:28.575 (Music, the sound of a pen on paper, bird song, animals and insect noises) 0:00:30.636,0:00:36.870 Hi, it's Emily from BiteSizeVegan.org, where you can find [br]free resources, eCourses, kids' content, 0:00:36.870,0:00:40.720 and a Guided Search to help you find just what [br]you need, even if you don't know what to ask! 0:00:41.360,0:00:48.503 I have been wanting to update all of you for so very, very [br]long about all the developments with Bite Size Vegan. 0:00:48.503,0:00:51.440 While I've been doing my best to keep my patrons in the loop, 0:00:51.440,0:00:56.720 I know that—for the most part—there's been [br]radio silence on my social media platforms. 0:00:56.720,0:01:00.880 A lot has happened since I had to stop [br]regular content production in order 0:01:00.880,0:01:05.028 to focus on the foundational and internal [br]aspects of Bite Size Vegan. 0:01:05.028,0:01:09.520 While there's no way for me to run through everything, [br]I wanted to touch on a few highlights. 0:01:09.520,0:01:14.080 But first, I wanted to tell you what [br]to expect from me moving forward. 0:01:14.080,0:01:18.531 I will be moving back into producing [br]new content on a regular basis. 0:01:18.531,0:01:25.040 However, my video release frequency will not be the same as [br]it used to be because, in addition to the videos, 0:01:25.040,0:01:27.193 I'll be devoting time to: 0:01:27.193,0:01:28.831 creating free eCourses; 0:01:28.831,0:01:33.200 writing free comprehensive downloadable [br]guides for all stages of veganism; 0:01:33.840,0:01:40.656 enhancing the accessibility tools and resources for all [br]existing and new content on BiteSizeVegan.org; 0:01:40.656,0:01:46.400 and ensuring that I can continue providing [br]quality content at a sustainable pace. 0:01:46.400,0:01:48.720 Plus, not to bore you with the details, 0:01:48.720,0:01:53.280 but there is a lot that has to happen behind [br]the scenes—like accounting, data management, 0:01:53.280,0:01:55.179 website updates, social media management 0:01:55.179,0:01:58.880 ...and I've lost most of you. 0:01:59.449,0:02:00.969 Moving on... 0:02:01.200,0:02:04.320 If you want to be sure to hear about new Bite Size Vegan content, 0:02:04.320,0:02:07.453 I'd encourage you to either sign up [br]for the newsletter at 0:02:07.453,0:02:09.812 BiteSizeVegan.org/Subscribe 0:02:09.812,0:02:12.383 or follow Bite Size Vegan on Telegram 0:02:12.383,0:02:15.635 at BiteSizeVegan.org/Telegram. 0:02:15.635,0:02:20.861 If you haven't noticed, social media platforms [br]have continued to make it more and more difficult 0:02:20.861,0:02:25.116 to have anyone notified of new content, even if you've subscribed, 0:02:25.116,0:02:28.882 followed, clicked a bell, done a magic incantation and 0:02:28.882,0:02:32.000 notification dance to the gods of GoogleInstaBookTube 0:02:33.040,0:02:35.784 So the newsletter and, even more so, 0:02:35.784,0:02:38.851 Telegram are the most reliable ways to ensure you're notified. 0:02:38.851,0:02:41.786 So, what have I been up to this whole time? 0:02:41.786,0:02:48.678 I have to say that I've struggled greatly with how to communicate [br]the last handful of years in some abbreviated summary. 0:02:48.678,0:02:52.686 I equally struggled with how much of the difficulties to share, 0:02:52.686,0:02:55.600 as well as how to convey the progress and victories. 0:02:56.320,0:03:00.400 I've had to accept that it's simply [br]not possible to encapsulate everything. 0:03:01.600,0:03:05.308 Until mind-meld technology [br]becomes a thing. 0:03:08.664,0:03:10.101 Nope...still not there... 0:03:11.920,0:03:16.000 I'd like to start with the biggest [br]announcement that I'm the most excited about. 0:03:16.000,0:03:19.840 I'll then share other activities [br]from the last few years, and finally, 0:03:19.840,0:03:23.680 address why I've been largely [br]absent from social media platforms. 0:03:23.680,0:03:28.640 One of the main projects I've been pouring my [br]heart and soul into is the complete rebuild of 0:03:28.640,0:03:34.160 BiteSizeVegan.org from the ground up. [br]To serve as the epicenter of Bite Size Vegan content 0:03:34.160,0:03:37.360 and provide free resources and tools to the community. 0:03:37.360,0:03:42.800 Non-vegans, new vegans, and activists [br]alike can utilize new feature such as: 0:03:42.800,0:03:46.225 an advanced guided search for finding just what you need 0:03:46.225,0:03:51.680 allowing you to create living curated results pages [br]for yourself, generate vegan cheat-sheets, 0:03:51.680,0:03:56.560 or send specific resources to non-vegan friends [br]and family, with a custom note and everything; 0:03:56.560,0:03:59.840 “Get Started” guides [br]for every phase of your vegan journey; 0:03:59.840,0:04:04.183 free eCourses that combine Bite Size Vegan [br]videos with new course content 0:04:04.183,0:04:07.738 and quiz questions for a complete educational experience; 0:04:07.738,0:04:13.440 and ways to search for content by topic, or [br]browse all content using powerful filters. 0:04:13.440,0:04:18.720 I've always intended for Bite Size Vegan to be [br]a living library of information about veganism, 0:04:18.720,0:04:23.280 bringing together the accessibility [br]of engaging digital and social media content 0:04:23.280,0:04:29.454 with the integrity and depth of research-backed, [br]transparently-cited educational content. 0:04:29.454,0:04:32.960 However, before rebuilding the site, [br]trying to find what you needed was 0:04:32.960,0:04:36.640 like walking into a library with a big pile of books [br]in the middle of the room. 0:04:37.520,0:04:39.039 Good luck! 0:04:39.039,0:04:42.830 Information is only as effective as one's ability to find it. 0:04:42.830,0:04:48.721 I founded Bite Size Vegan on the belief [br]that everyone deserves access to solid, factual information 0:04:48.721,0:04:54.054 on issues impacting their health, our planet, society, and the lives of other sentient beings. 0:04:54.054,0:05:00.080 With this belief at heart, I poured countless hours[br]and taught myself a few computer programming languages 0:05:00.080,0:05:03.360 to make it easier than ever to find exactly what you're looking for. 0:05:03.920,0:05:08.640 I'm so excited to give you an overview of the [br]new features in a dedicated video. 0:05:08.640,0:05:10.777 Of course, you can check them out for yourself [br]now at 0:05:10.777,0:05:14.534 BiteSizeVegan.org/NewSiteTour 0:05:14.720,0:05:20.720 Another significant change is that Bite Size Vegan [br]is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 0:05:20.720,0:05:23.728 In my mind, Bite Size Vegan has always been intended as a public service, 0:05:23.728,0:05:27.220 so shifting to a nonprofit made the most sense. 0:05:27.220,0:05:31.167 Though the process was far more extensive than I’d realized 0:05:31.167,0:05:35.205 and I cannot ever get back the mind-numbing, soul-sucking 0:05:35.205,0:05:39.214 time of reading dense governmental regulatory documentation 0:05:39.520,0:05:43.680 I felt it was important to align Bite Size Vegan's structure with its mission. 0:05:43.680,0:05:47.792 Bite Size Vegan being a nonprofit doesn't [br]mean it's now a large organization. 0:05:47.792,0:05:53.472 It's still just me. I’ll explain why that’s the [br]case later in this announcement. 0:05:53.588,0:05:58.800 As always, any support goes directly into the creation [br]of more educational content and resources, 0:05:58.880,0:06:04.973 but now, your donations are tax-deductible to [br]the fullest extent allowable by law. 0:06:04.973,0:06:05.840 (Yay). 0:06:06.400,0:06:11.920 Not everything during this time was [br]mind-numbing admin and dense computer coding. 0:06:11.920,0:06:16.560 I also delivered speeches around the United [br]States to primarily non-vegan audiences; 0:06:16.560,0:06:20.328 spoke on three panels at the National Animal [br]Rights Conference: 0:06:20.328,0:06:21.754 Veganism as Social Deviance, 0:06:21.754,0:06:23.803 The Power of Language and Rhetoric, 0:06:23.803,0:06:26.480 and The Power of Videos in Advocating for Animal Rights; 0:06:27.040,0:06:34.720 and had the honor of speaking, via Skype, to vegan activists [br]in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia at the Animal Activists Forum. 0:06:34.720,0:06:40.514 I published the Sydney speech, entitled "How to Speak Non-Vegan:[br]Effective Activism Through Mindful Language," 0:06:40.514,0:06:47.248 so if you happened to miss it, be sure to check it out at BiteSizeVegan.org/UseYourWords. 0:06:47.248,0:06:52.118 If you've ever struggled with how to effectively speak [br]to non-vegans about veganism 0:06:52.118,0:06:58.274 and especially how to communicate your message without[br]sacrificing your integrity, that's the speech for you. 0:06:58.274,0:07:03.056 A completely unplanned project during this time was the [br]Alive by Accident documentary. 0:07:03.056,0:07:09.816 On my first visit to Iowa Farm Sanctuary, our state’s [br]first and only vegan farmed animal sanctuary 0:07:09.816,0:07:15.040 IFS co-founder Shawn, received a call from her [br]husband, alerting us that a semi truck 0:07:15.040,0:07:19.440 carrying cows to slaughter had flipped [br]on a highway about 45 minutes away. 0:07:19.440,0:07:28.079 In the two-part documentary, I chronicled that fatal livestock trailer [br]accident, which granted eight cows bound for slaughter a chance at life 0:07:28.079,0:07:29.771 and their subsequent rescue. 0:07:29.771,0:07:37.280 In part one of Alive by Accident, you join Shawn and me as we visit [br]the crash site, begin the long search for survivors, 0:07:37.280,0:07:41.861 and finally bring the eight surviving [br]boys to their new forever home. 0:07:41.861,0:07:46.880 In part two, you get to meet the survivors—each an individual in their own right. 0:07:46.880,0:07:49.760 For those of you who have [br]yet to watch the documentary, 0:07:49.760,0:07:54.234 check it out at [br]BiteSizeVegan.org/AliveByAccident 0:07:54.234,0:07:57.296 The final project I want to highlight [br]is the new book: 0:07:57.296,0:08:00.443 "Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers." 0:08:00.678,0:08:04.960 It is a comprehensive collection of compelling essays [br]from a diverse group of vegan voices. 0:08:04.960,0:08:12.746 I had the honor of contributing to the book with my essay [br]"The Harm of 'Humane,'" which delves into the reality behind 0:08:12.746,0:08:14.967 humane labels and animal welfare legislation. 0:08:14.967,0:08:22.480 If you missed the announcement about Vegan Voices, [br]you can learn more at BiteSizeVegan.org/VeganVoicesRelease. 0:08:22.480,0:08:26.960 This incredible book is all thanks [br]to author and editor Dr. Joanne Kong. 0:08:26.960,0:08:29.840 Now that I’ve shared some highlights [br]of what I've done during this time, 0:08:29.840,0:08:35.856 I'd like to do my best to explain why Bite [br]Size Vegan is still—for the most part—just me. 0:08:35.856,0:08:37.753 When I had to stop regular content production, 0:08:37.753,0:08:42.223 one of my primary focuses was to bring in other [br]people through a combination of 0:08:42.223,0:08:46.548 professional service providers, a central employee, [br]and a team of volunteers. 0:08:46.548,0:08:52.894 Delegation always appeared to be the most logical solution to [br]the ever-increasing demands of Bite Size Vegan. 0:08:53.110,0:08:58.133 Coordinating volunteers, assistants, or [br]employees is a full time job in and of itself, 0:08:58.133,0:09:02.273 so I'd never been able to do so while actively [br]producing content. 0:09:02.273,0:09:07.982 I was cautiously optimistic that I'd be able to find and [br]involve others with Bite Size Vegan 0:09:07.982,0:09:11.138 such that I could focus on what I'm good at and leave the rest to them. 0:09:11.138,0:09:16.033 However, despite many, many efforts, this simply hasn't been the case. 0:09:16.033,0:09:19.624 It's difficult to explain why exactly. 0:09:19.624,0:09:21.368 The reasons varied with each situation. 0:09:21.368,0:09:27.890 Aside from financial considerations, a major factor [br]complicating this entire area is the nature of my Autism. 0:09:27.890,0:09:35.196 Despite what you see in my videos and speeches,[br]communication is profoundly challenging for me 0:09:36.080,0:09:40.800 especially when it comes to logistical things I'm [br]uncertain about and emotionally close to. 0:09:40.800,0:09:46.409 In order to communicate what, to many, [br]may be the most basic logistics 0:09:46.409,0:09:53.200 for me requires such extreme time and mental energy [br]that I'm left with neither to focus on my actual work. 0:09:53.201,0:09:59.399 I've had to accept that I must find a way forward that [br]works for me, with all my challenges and limitations. 0:09:59.399,0:10:04.101 This means, in part, that involving others will remain [br]much more limited than I’d like. 0:10:04.160,0:10:07.280 I appreciate that this will [br]not make sense to many people. 0:10:07.280,0:10:13.673 My inability to communicate the nature of [br]my difficulties with—well—communication, 0:10:13.840,0:10:16.372 is a source of great frustration. 0:10:16.372,0:10:19.868 Accepting that is still very much a work in progress. 0:10:19.868,0:10:24.099 Before wrapping up, I'd like to address my apparent absence from social media. 0:10:24.099,0:10:28.901 My infrequent activity has not been due to [br]my walking away—far from it. 0:10:28.901,0:10:34.178 The catch 22 of social media is that [br]creating the "appearance" of activity 0:10:34.178,0:10:42.197 meaning regular output on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, [br]consumes so much time that it inhibits actual activity and work. 0:10:42.197,0:10:49.822 This may not be the case for everyone, but for me, as an Autistic, [br]I have to shut those doors to be able to focus on what's important. 0:10:49.822,0:10:55.609 So, what may have appeared from the outside as [br]a period of inactivity was, in fact, quite the opposite 0:10:55.609,0:11:00.372 I was working extremely hard on a number of fronts, [br]some of which I've already covered. 0:11:00.372,0:11:06.796 The nature of social media platform [br]algorithms has been—and remains—the primary barrier for me 0:11:06.796,0:11:10.949 when it comes to finding a sustainable way to operate Bite Size Vegan. 0:11:10.949,0:11:13.662 I chose to make Bite Size Vegan digitally-based— 0:11:13.662,0:11:20.494 utilizing social media in order to increase access [br]to solid information that's usually made inaccessible 0:11:20.494,0:11:27.599 either through paywalls, educational requirements, or the sheer [br]lack of time most people have to conduct in-depth research. 0:11:27.599,0:11:33.385 I wanted to reach people where they are, which—[br]for better or worse—tends to be social media. 0:11:33.385,0:11:35.415 I still stand behind this mission; 0:11:35.415,0:11:42.139 open-access to researched, non-biased information is a passion of mine that runs as deep as my veganism. 0:11:42.139,0:11:48.107 However, the reality of social media algorithms is that, in order for my content to actually reach people 0:11:48.107,0:11:53.629 for subscribers and followers to be notified, as well as for the[br]content to be recommended to others 0:11:53.629,0:11:57.022 the platforms demand constant output. 0:11:57.022,0:11:59.042 While I believe in quality over quantity, 0:11:59.042,0:12:05.236 less frequent social media posts means that the content [br]I do create reaches less and less people. 0:12:05.236,0:12:09.390 Yet, the logistics of writing and producing the kind of content I do 0:12:09.390,0:12:15.644 at the pace demanded by social platforms was—and is—simply impossible in the end. 0:12:15.644,0:12:17.891 So, I'm left with the options of either: 0:12:17.891,0:12:24.056 1. producing less content and maintaining quality, [br]but sacrificing the reach of that content, or 0:12:24.056,0:12:34.034 2. producing shorter, simpler, fluffier content more frequently, thus [br]sacrificing the integrity of the content—though, perhaps increasing reach. 0:12:34.185,0:12:40.507 One of my focuses during this period of limited content production [br]has been finding how to balance the goals of Bite Size Vegan 0:12:40.507,0:12:42.659 and the demands of social media. 0:12:42.659,0:12:49.784 Or, more so, how to reach people with Bite Size Vegan content[br]and resources without compromising the integrity of the content 0:12:49.784,0:12:52.034 or my own sanity. 0:12:52.034,0:12:55.875 I have to admit, I'm still unsure of how to achieve this. 0:12:55.875,0:13:01.683 This is one of the reasons I'm encouraging you to subscribe to the newsletter [br]or follow the Bite Size Vegan Telegram channel. 0:13:01.683,0:13:08.126 Telegram doesn't operate on an algorithm to decide for you if you really want [br]to be notified of Bite Size Vegan content. 0:13:08.126,0:13:09.280 You just are. 0:13:09.920,0:13:17.506 Same with the newsletter, aside from spam [br]folder and Gmail Promotions tab issues. 0:13:17.506,0:13:18.497 Google! 0:13:18.640,0:13:21.600 I've always erred on the side of integrity over reach, 0:13:21.600,0:13:26.560 though it is frustrating as my goal is to [br]reach as many people as I can about veganism. 0:13:26.560,0:13:32.383 But I also have to ensure that the message [br]I’m reaching them with isn't diluted. 0:13:32.383,0:13:38.130 So, my mantra has become: quality over quantity; substance over social media. 0:13:38.130,0:13:44.709 I want to thank everyone who has been so patient and supportive [br]during this time of transition for me and Bite Size Vegan. 0:13:44.709,0:13:50.316 To my family on Patreon, and independent supporters, [br]whose steadfast encouragement has been a rock for me 0:13:50.316,0:13:52.547 through uncertain and tumultuous times. 0:13:52.547,0:13:56.401 To everyone who's not given up on Bite Size Vegan 0:13:56.401,0:14:00.725 your belief in the importance of what I've set out[br]to do has spurred me onwards. 0:14:00.725,0:14:03.463 No matter what, I refuse to give up. 0:14:03.463,0:14:09.384 Everyone deserves to know the truth. [br]Our planet deserves our attention and care. 0:14:09.384,0:14:16.453 More than anything, the sentient beings in our animal [br]products industries deserve freedom and safety. 0:14:16.453,0:14:19.610 They deserve everything I have to give 0:14:19.610,0:14:22.400 and I intend to give them my everything. 0:14:23.200,0:14:25.793 I hope to have you along this journey with me. 0:14:25.793,0:14:32.694 To stay in the loop about new Bite Size Vegan content and updates, [br]remember to subscribe to the newsletter or follow the Telegram channel 0:14:32.694,0:14:34.944 for the most reliable notifications. 0:14:34.944,0:14:39.361 Now go live vegan, and I'll see you soon.