Turning adversaries into allies | Leah Garces | TEDxSeattle

Leah Garcés wants to eliminate chicken factory farming. The problem is, to make progress, she’ll have to collaborate with her adversary - the chicken farmer. In today’s polarized environment, an “us vs. them” mentality is rampant. Leah challenges that narrative reminding us that we can learn valuable lessons from unlikely allies and that bold, innovative changes to make our food system more sustainable can only happen when we work toward win-win solutions.
Special thanks to core the TEDxSeattle organizing team, 100+ volunteers, and our generous partners - without you, this experience would not be possible. Find out more about our talks, speakers, entertainers, activities, and year-round events at TEDxSeattle.com.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark in-depth discussion and connection in a community setting. These events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.
Leah is an activist and president of Mercy for Animals, one of the world’s largest farmed animal rights nonprofits. She spends her time advocating for a compassionate and sustainable food system that includes plant-based meat. She’s also the author of Grilled: Turning Adversaries into Allies to Change the Chicken Industry. Her work has been featured in many national and international media outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Buzzfeed, Vice Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune. She is a contributing author to Huffington Post and Food Safety News and serves on the advisory board of Encompass and Seattle Food Tech.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
Leah Garces is President of the nonprofit Mercy For Animals, one of the world’s largest farmed animal rights organizations and leads a team of 130 staff globally.
“At this point in the history of human society, we’re very polarized. My theory of change is that if we’re going to move the world to a better more compassionate food system, instead of trying to beat down the enemy, we need to sit down with them and have them join us.” On any given day, whether Leah is flying to meet with business executives to discuss moving their company to more plant-based offerings or speaking at a conference about her radical theory of change, she’s ultimately advocating for a win-win between corporate ideals and improving the lives of animals. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@TheUltrazone23]

The best thing to do when you want to abolish something is to provide an alternative that works just as well.

[@jessicasposhlife1346]

"Letting go of us vs. them" she is so right that this is the key to solving the problems in our world. We have to work together, see each other's points of view and give and take for solutions that will actually work.

[@MJ-vf1im]

...and that requires *both* parties to cooperate.

[@jessicasposhlife1346]

@@MJ-vf1im this is true. Sometimes when you are genuinely trying to understand someone else's point of view though, it does break down both of your barriers. It is definitely hard to do sometimes though. I have to admit that on some issues I am very strong in my beliefs and it is hard to sincerely try to understand how someone can be opposed to what I see as right. So it would be hard for me to initiate on those issues but it is possible for us to start having difficult conversations and find common ground this way.

[@sandra.helianthus]

​@@jessicasposhlife1346good point, yes it is not easy - even hard. But: yesss, it's the way to go, the only one promising actually, I guess.

[@StephanieElizabethMann]

Excellent. We can't work together when we stay enemies.

[@tammyleigh21]

Just watched the full Talk… wow wow wow… I love her heart!! and what she has learned is absolutely precious!! my type of gal! Absolutely love her!! ❤❤❤

[@selinaheaton]

Thank you Leah! You are an inspiration for all of us.

[@RiaR-yk8fq]

Well said. Thank you for being brave and standing up for something we can all benefit from.

[@paradoxplayground]

BLESS YOU AND MERCY FOR ANIMALS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL AND TIRELESS WORK!!!

[@valeriebardascino4970]

Thank you, Leah, for this eye-opening presentation. Well done!

[@brittanycerra]

Inspired. I wish everyone could see this talk!!

[@manujbhaskar9941]

Thank you Leah! That was very nice and thought provoking. I was able to associate even more because I remembered throughout what my Mentor in faith says. "We can overcome all differences through humanistic dialogue." Bravo Leah! Bravo 👍

[@nicecoolmarsha]

At first I thought her waist was SNATCHED SNATCHED, it’s still snatched tho

[@Meisure]

LMFAOOOO I thought the same thinggg and came to comment and now I’m here 😂😂

[@BobBurg]

BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT!...In so many ways, and on so many levels! Thank you, Leah, for everything you are, and for everything you are doing!

[@mikaelnielsen7374]

Incredible! Thank you, Leah!

[@sheenbean2]

I love the quality questions she asks

[@lynnrussell467]

Hemp! What a great idea! Hemp is more useful for so much of modern life and production! Can make a plastic replacement product, lightweight and basically indestructible, like for car bodies :-)

[@sinkler123]

great talk! i enjoy learning the hard cold facts from most TEDx talks, yet u mixed it with a personal heart warming story - and that made it have an even stronger impact.

[@zanettarose]

What cool timing! I just watched "Eating Animals". Craig's story is gut-wrenching and sadly not an anomaly at all. Important lessons all-around to be learned from our reliance on factory farms and unsustainable means of production. Good talk!

[@sohailahmedkhan8982]

Beautiful Leah

[@justaddmusclecom]

TedX is lit 🔥 tonight. Well played....

[@RobertAnderson-bi9xm]

Excellent Content and Message, Thank You!

[@Kenabukanyo]

This concept just crossed my mind yesterday .. I didn"t even see the clip or an article about it .. Ever before .. I guess it's just a coincidence . Either way .. I'm glad someone is speaking out loud about it .

[@seanhardy_]

brilliant talk

[@Moosa-zt1kw]

Beautiful and amazing Leah ❤️💞 Unexplicable! Like if u agree

[@lynnrussell467]

We can be friendly to others when we just be ourselves and share rather than compete

[@Moosa-zt1kw]

@@lynnrussell467 You are absolutely right

[@Nobody71090]

Top 3 tedtalk for me. Bravo 👏

[@yungdadi]

She is a dramatic sweetheart

[@ashley_z]

wonderful talk

[@dianaalexdaniel]

A Great Video 👍

[@danielcruz108]

Awesome speech!

[@tomsales]

Incredible Leah, congratulations! ;) A hug from a vegan animal rights activist, above all human beings.

[@MJ-vf1im]

All about saving chickens until the eight minute mark. You're welcome.

[@krishnakanth2562]

Nyc... 💖👏

[@hopeinhumanity.]

❤️

[@loverstothenature4250]

Great.....If i need to join with tedx what I need to do?

[@lorah3005]

👍 ✊

[@SOSSTSE]

We Are All In This Together. Help Humanity First.

[@thenotoriousman8473]

I don't know what type of enemies you have but mines, are DEFINITELY not inviting me to their home...

[@lynnrussell467]

We all can invite people to put homes to find solutions to our differences and meet communiy needs ...

[@lynnrussell467]

Invite others to our OUR homes, not "out" homes, sorry fr typo, or phone spelling ...

[@maiikofn_]

Je live je rend plus 2

[@sugarplumk2381]

So Creg Watts went into hemp? Good talk. It’s true that there are always options. I never thought I’d be vegan. People are becoming much more aware of farming practices. I’m glad you didn’t end up in Creg’s chicken shed 😂 😂😂

[@DylanCVlogTV]

You're either in the in group or the out group Might as well choose to be in the in group when it aligns with your morals and vision

[@veero8130]

What was the point of that talk? Didn't get it

[@smug8567]

Which brings up my next point ladies, and gentlemen; DON'T SMOKE CRACK!

[@jefflafferty7472]

Realizing people different than you are still people seems to be a heavy revelation here... but only if they become more like you. 😉

[@omeravsar1264]

Türkçe çevirisi yokmu

[@omeravsar1264]

Çevir ozaman ne diyür

[@omeravsar1264]

@my life is music sadece önemli çarpıcı konuşmaları çevirebilirsiniz

[@hebamadi265]

The title of this talk should be learning to put yourself in your enemy's shoes

[@nutsandcams]

Leah learned how to grow up as person after meeting a hard worker farmer.

[@thegodofyoutube266]

She clearly has a lot more to learn

[@lynnrussell467]

We all have much to learn, especially about bridging gaps and finding solutions ...

[@lillc.-foregroundbigc.-bac8897]

does anyone else find it uncomfortable to disclose that you are a vegetarian in public? its like everyone else begins to feel as though they either need to justify eating meat or feeling guilty for not being a vegetarian. Its a choice. maybe some vegetarians have become militant and now meat eaters are sensitive i dunno but i dont care its your life, its your choice. i actually avoid mentioning vegetarianism because people act this way towards you.

[@veero8130]

Haha yeah, same ^^" If it comes up I usually just say " I don't really eat meat." Usually ppl accept that more than saying " I'm a vegetarian "

[@liffidmonky1216]

I just entered here to say Luffy. XD

[@guloguloguy]

....IMHO: "Factory farming" IS Morally, and Ethically DEPLORABLE!!!!... I've gone nearly completely "vegan", as a Moral choice. One MUST learn to be "Empathetic" toward ALL living things!!!... Especially the animals that we would consume! I believe that KARMA" IS A REAL THING!!....

[@hebamadi265]

Please Democratic and Republican party members and leaders should watch this 🤣

[@zozaalshawky7963]

كم عربي يتعلم الانجليزية موجود هنا😍؟؟

[@fisherzissou9380]

Goku lifestyle

[@truesay9161]

Her details sucks but her big picture idea is beautiful

[@ijasikku1706]

*..കമന്റ് തൊഴിലാളീ കീ.......* Like from kerala,INDIA🇮🇳 3898

[@manarali6120]

حطووووو ترجمة وع تقهرون

[@creedbratton7635]

first

[@theyoutubebook1125]

Mr Faiez Hassan Seyal is more best speaker in whole world

[@thegodofyoutube266]

Except when you were growing up and this man is the only reason you were able to eat and survive

[@fionafiona1146]

Tofu? Having sustainable food production is not opposed to your eating but to the exploitation of resources that are finite. Your best possible health is not achieved tough cheap antibiotic filled chicken but tough a balanced diet and enabling you to afford that is still important when other aspects are augmented.

[@thegodofyoutube266]

fiona fiona Yes im sure she grew up eating tofu

[@fionafiona1146]

@@thegodofyoutube266 Is that bad? I use it in dishes where meat is hardly contributing to the taste ( chilli, curry, Bollionese) and still get over the WHO recommended 100g a week. And on its own, since many recepies allow for tasty combinations. (I should cut oil and carbs slightly)

[@thegodofyoutube266]

fiona fiona Congrats

[@GBBWAR]

i thought this was a tedtalk about overcoming anorexia

[@KateInSaltLake]

Good lord! Going from horrendous living conditions for animals to Frankenfoods isn't the answer! That's just going from the frying pan into the fire. Otherwise, she makes a lot of sense

[@aminaz1778]

Factory farming is cruel, eating meat is not, he could have raised his chickens in pastures

[@geo5954]

True

[@archenema6792]

@The Muckler As a lifelong long organic gardener, nothing is more hilarious than observing the transformation that gardening brings upon the vegetarian. Only one growing season is required to turn the most committed animal lover into the most committed rabbit killer. ;)

[@aminaz1778]

@The Muckler true but it's kinder, it's the normal and most natural thing, extensive agriculture has huge problems

[@RaechelleJ]

Yes 100%

[@orthodox1173]

Takes to long to get to point

[@truesay9161]

chicken regardless ... cheap and easy. .. only rich and people with the time and money can care about chicken treatment ... it’s wrong but a millions other things in life are too

[@ludwigvanbeethoven61]

Terrible presentation

[@traubd]

Plant based "alternative" is not food.

[@RaechelleJ]

I don't think she has been to a pasture raised farm before that's more environmentally friendly than cutting down forests for our plant base diets.

[@theyoutubebook1125]

Mr Faiez Hassan Seyal is more best speaker in whole world