Can a person raised in ranching culture have a change of heart so profound that it transforms not only their life, but the lives of countless animals?
In this inspiring and deeply personal conversation, Victoria Moran speaks with Renee King-Sonnen, founder of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary and author of the memoir Rowdy Girl: Confessions of a Vegan Cattle Rancher. Renee shares the remarkable story of how she went from life on a Texas cattle ranch to becoming one of the most recognized voices in the animal rights movement.
What began with a growing awareness of the individuality and emotional lives of the cattle in her care led Renee and her husband to make an extraordinary decision: save their herd from slaughter and transform their ranch into a sanctuary. Their story captured national attention when it aired on CBS Evening News and continues to inspire people around the world to rethink their relationship with animals.
Renee reflects on the challenges of questioning long-held beliefs, the power of compassion to create unexpected change, and the movement she has helped build through Rowdy Girl Sanctuary. This episode is a testament to the fact that no matter where we begin, it is never too late to align our lives with our deepest values.
✨ In This Episode
How Renee's life changed from cattle ranching to animal rescue
The pivotal moments that led her to embrace veganism
Saving a Texas cattle herd from slaughter
The national attention that followed their transformation
What ranching culture taught her—and what she had to unlearn
The mission and impact of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary
The story behind her new memoir, Rowdy Girl: Confessions of a Vegan Cattle Rancher
Why compassion has the power to change hearts, families, and communities
👤 About Our Guest
Renee King-Sonnen is the founder and executive director of Rowdy Girl Sanctuary. She became an international voice for animal protection after helping transform her family's Texas cattle ranch into a sanctuary for farmed animals. Her story gained widespread attention following a CBS Evening News feature in 2016 and helped propel Rowdy Girl Sanctuary into the forefront of the animal rights movement. A sought-after speaker and activist, Renee shares her journey in her memoir, Rowdy Girl: Confessions of a Vegan Cattle Rancher, published by Bloomsbury in June 2026.
🔗 Connect with Renee
Website: https://rowdygirlsanctuary.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rowdygirlsanctuary
Instagram: instagram.com/rowdygirlsanctuary
TikTok: tiktok.com/@rowdygirlsanctuary
📖 Also Mentioned
Renee is currently traveling on a nationwide book tour for Rowdy Girl: Confessions of a Vegan Cattle Rancher. Watch for appearances at VegFests, conferences, bookstores, and special events across the country.
Subscribe, rate, and review the Main Street Vegan Podcast to help more people discover the joy of living with vitality, spirituality, and compassion.
