What happens when one woman turns a love for animals into a sanctuary that serves both animals and people?
In this episode, Miyoko Schinner, award-winning chef, author, activist, and founder of Miyoko’s Creamery and Rancho Compasión, lays out the real story behind building a mission that lasts.
From two baby goats named Rufus and Reggie to a thriving 501c3 celebrating its 10th year, Miyoko shares the lessons, surprises, and daily work of living alongside more than 100 rescued animals in Northern California.
The Birth of Rancho Compasión
What began as a short-term favor became a long-term commitment. Miyoko explains how Rancho Compasión evolved into a sanctuary for all, a place where animals heal and people do too.
Through the Food and Friends program, children meet animal ambassadors, plant and harvest in a large organic garden, cook what they grow, and learn to see animals as friends, not food. As Miyoko puts it, when kids are empowered to give, they discover they
already have something valuable to offer.
The Power of Connection
A goose stands guard over a cow named Angel. A goat and a rescued calf choose each other. When animals live freely, they form their own bonds across species. These relationships challenge the labels of farm and pet and remind us that intelligence and affection are not confined to one kind of animal.
Food plays a role too. At summer camp, omnivore kids go back for seconds of salad, tofu, and vegetables when the food tastes good and they helped make it. The barrier is not the kids. It is lack of exposure.
Beyond Rescue: Educating for Change
Rescue alone will not end animal agriculture. Miyoko underscores the need for education, community programs, and realistic planning.
For anyone considering a sanctuary: budget for multi-year commitments, veterinary care, paid staff, feed, housing, and time off coverage. This is not a side project. It is a promise to living beings.
Healing Loneliness Through Food and Community
Miyoko sees a growing loneliness problem. Her answer is practical. Cook together. Eat together. Invite neighbors in. Community is built at the table, not on a device.
The Vegan Creamery
Miyoko’s latest book, The Vegan Creamery, shows how to make dairy-free milks, yogurts, and cheeses at home with whole-food ingredients. No coconut milk dominating the flavor. No added oils in the ice cream bases. Just clear methods and repeatable results.
Episode Highlights
[00:00] Introduction
[02:00] The humble beginnings of Rancho Compasión.
[05:30] The gift of empowerment for kids and their families.
[09:00] All animals have their own personality… when given the chance at life.
[12:00] The power of exposing kids to plant-based foods.
[13:30] Meet Fred… the official greater at the sanctuary.
[15:30] Animals are for life…not just as a whim.
[21:00] Working at a sanctuary is very emotional.
[24:30] Miyoko’s vegan travel.
[30:00] Living as an example of what is possible.
[32:30] Miyoko recommends starting a cooking club for all to enjoy.
About Miyoko Schinner
Miyoko Schinner is an award-winning chef, author, entrepreneur and speaker. The founder of Miyoko’s Creamery, she is often credited for bringing vegan cheese to mainstream audiences. She also founded Rancho Compasión, a non-profit farmed animal sanctuary and education center for school-age youth. She currently teaches a food systems course at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Among her many awards as an activist, cultural icon and food innovator, Miyoko was named to the coveted inaugural list of Forbes 50 Over 50, a “Game Changer” by Food and Wine Magazine, a Top 100 Female Founder by INC., and a “Vegan Revolutionary” by UN Women.
Miyoko is the author of seven cookbooks, including the bestselling The Homemade Vegan Pantry, the book credited for launching the vegan cheese revolution, Artisan Vegan Cheese, and her most recent, The Vegan Creamery (September 2025). She was featured in a 4-part Netflix series, You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, co-hosted the cooking show Vegan Mashup that aired for three seasons on PBS, and currently hosts a show on YouTube.
Miyoko has spoken all over the world including at TedX Athens, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Korea, as well as home in the US at industry conferences and companies such as Google, Dropbox, The Smithsonian, and more. She is regularly featured on podcasts and interviews.
Miyoko has three grown children and resides in West Marin with her dogs, cats, and the over 100 animals of Rancho Compasión.
Website: https://www.miyokoschinner.com/
Instagram handle: @miyokoschinner
LinkedIn handle: @miyokoschinner
About Cheryl Moss
Cheryl Moss is the host of the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shares uplifting stories from sanctuaries and highlights the work of vegan activists, ethical consumers, and animal welfare leaders. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, she is 
dedicated to ending factory farming and is working to raise $100,000 for Mercy For Animals to support underrepresented sanctuaries.
Beyond podcasting, Cheryl is a banking professional and an accomplished children’s author. A graduate of Main Street Vegan Academy, she promotes plant-based living through her books, Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle the Pig, which inspire young readers to embrace kindness, sustainability, and compassion for animals.
When not advocating, she enjoys Pilates, and spending time with her rescue dogs and grandchildren. Through her work, writing, and activism, Cheryl continues to inspire positive change for animals and the planet.
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