Tovar Cerulli

Date: 2016-02-24 | Duration: 2h 39m

Category: Nature & Outdoors, Health & Medicine

Episode Overview

Tovar Cerulli shares a deeply personal journey from decades as a vegan and vegetarian to embracing hunting and eating meat, driven by health concerns and a desire for a more direct connection to food. He discusses the challenges and learning curve involved in hunting, including acquiring skills with firearms and understanding animal behavior. Cerulli emphasizes the ethical dimension of hunting, highlighting the importance of respect for the animal and the concept of a “clean kill.” He contrasts this with industrial food systems and the detachment many people have from the origins of their meals. The conversation also explores the ecological role of hunting in managing wildlife populations, particularly deer, and the complexities of predator-prey dynamics. Cerulli reflects on how modern society has distanced itself from nature, often losing sight of the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment. He critiques both extremes—factory farming and idealized veganism—arguing for a nuanced approach that acknowledges biological needs and environmental realities. Throughout, Cerulli shares vivid stories from his experiences in the woods, conveying the emotional and spiritual aspects of hunting as a practice that fosters gratitude, responsibility, and a profound sense of place.

About Tovar Cerulli

Tovar Cerulli is a unique voice in the realms of environmentalism and sustainable living, known for his transformative journey from veganism to hunting. As the author of *The Mindful Carnivore*, he explores the ethical complexities of food choices and the profound connections between humans and nature. Cerulli's work has garnered attention for challenging conventional narratives around diet and conservation, making him a thought-provoking figure in contemporary discussions about our relationship with the environment. His insights, shared with a diverse audience in his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, invite listeners to reconsider their perspectives on nutrition and wildlife sustainability, sparking meaningful conversations about mindful consumption and ethical hunting.

Key Moments

– Veganism
– Vegetarianism
– Hunting Ethics
– Sustainable Food Systems
– Wildlife Management
– Nutritional Science
– Environmental Philosophy
– Animal Welfare
– Traditional Hunting Cultures
– Human-Animal Relationship
– Conservation Economics
– Hunting Education
– Predator Ecology
– Food Origins
– Spiritual Connection to Food
– Factory Farming
– Public Land Hunting
– Ethical Meat Consumption
– Animal Behavior
– Cultural Attitudes Toward Hunting
0:00:00 – Introduction and personal background on veganism
0:00:57 – 20-30 years as vegetarian and mostly vegan
0:01:52 – Environmental motivations for diet changes
0:03:06 – Nutritional needs and introduction of yogurt
0:03:51 – Ethics of eating eggs without harm
0:05:41 – Beginning hunting journey and learning process
0:07:17 – Taking courses and gaining hunting knowledge
0:10:31 – Adult learn-to-hunt programs in Midwest
0:12:45 – Understanding mature deer and natural cycles
0:15:26 – Vegetarians transitioning to hunting or raising animals
0:19:16 – Nutritional differences between vegan and vegetarian diets
0:22:11 – Personal story of plane crash and immune system
0:26:48 – Discussion on animal cruelty and natural food chains
0:31:35 – Deer overpopulation and forest impact in Canada
0:34:28 – Ethic of the clean kill in hunting
0:38:13 – Cultural attitudes toward killing fish versus other animals
0:41:54 – Human disconnection from food sources
0:45:09 – Backcountry camping and connection to nature
0:46:19 – Exhilaration of eating self-grown food
0:52:09 – Traditional hunting prayers and respect for life
0:54:12 – Hunting in predator-free environments like New Zealand
0:57:35 – Rejecting trophy hunting for meaningful meat consumption
1:00:43 – Awareness of food origins and connection
1:02:12 – Book review from a vegetarian perspective
1:06:16 – Plants and animals in natural food chains
1:09:40 – Historical context of hunting and slavery
1:12:16 – Complexity of predators worldwide
1:14:14 – Economic benefits of hunting in poor countries
1:17:15 – Critique of fenced-in trophy hunting establishments
1:21:52 – Comparison of hunting to popular culture references
1:25:11 – Personal meaning found in hunting experience
1:29:30 – Challenges and nerves in hunting large animals
1:32:01 – Political issues affecting hunting access
1:33:22 – Strength and danger of black bears
1:36:16 – Spiritual and equal status of animals
1:41:52 – Origins of modern veganism in 1944
1:44:07 – Impact of domestic cats on wildlife
1:50:56 – Ethical impulse behind hunting and meat consumption
2:02:26 – Critique of modern disconnection from nature
2:06:22 – Emotional complexity of hunting and killing animals
2:12:19 – Social bonding through sharing hunted meat
2:22:20 – Women as hunters and providers
2:27:33 – Hunter education seminars and outreach
2:33:40 – Emotional reactions to factory farm videos
2:35:16 – Challenges of feeding global population sustainably

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Eeeeee... really wanted to talk to you. I've read some of your stuff and I've seen some interviews with you online. Obviously a very intelligent, very thoughtful guy. You started out a vegan and Starting point is 00:00:57 So I spent basically 20 to 30 as vegetarian, mostly vegan that whole time. Starting point is 00:01:52 And then it became other issues, environmental, you know, all kinds of things. Starting point is 00:02:26 Yeah. Starting point is 00:03:06 nutritional needs in the long term. And once I started eating some yogurt, which is a big Starting point is 00:03:51 Wow. Well, eggs are an easy one because nobody has to get hurt. Starting point is 00:04:28 by a rooster. Starting point is 00:05:01 They clean your garden. Starting point is 00:05:41 started hunting to, and I was learning through email to my uncle and reading articles and poking around in the woods. Starting point is 00:05:57 Back in the 60s and 70s, we had all this young growth forest, you know, all these farm fields that were coming back into forest. Starting point is 00:06:24 So I was trying to hunt, but unsuccessful for several years. Starting point is 00:06:50 But a deer is a different experience. Starting point is 00:07:17 Did you take courses? Starting point is 00:07:46 I was totally clueless about firearms, about deer, about everything. Starting point is 00:08:16 and, you know, there's a lot of practice involved. Starting point is 00:08:42 About the woods, about firearms, about all kinds of things. Starting point is 00:09:32 long time before you actually shoot a deer it's probably the way to go i got a crazy crash course Starting point is 00:10:12 I easily could have wounded an animal. Starting point is 00:10:31 Wisconsin, Minnesota have really good programs, adult learn-to-hunt programs, Starting point is 00:11:01 I mean, there's weekend workshops being offered by folks I know not associated with Starting point is 00:11:35 Yeah. Starting point is 00:11:50 I mean...

Read the full transcript

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #765?

Tovar Cerulli was the guest on JRE #765. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #765?

On Joe Rogan Experience #765 with Tovar Cerulli, topics include Veganism, Vegetarianism, Hunting Ethics, and Sustainable Food Systems.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #765?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #765 with Tovar Cerulli is on the dedicated transcript page for this episode, with timestamps and in-page search.