“You can spend money on another rescue, but what’s that really going to do if poaching traps are taking life again and again?
If we don’t heal humans, we will never be able to heal animals.”

This powerful realization changed the path of our latest SANUSPLANET Podcast guest, Briana Evigan.

Many people know Briana as a Hollywood actress and dancer from films like Step Up 2 or series like From Dusk Till Dawn. Today she is the founder and CEO of The Abundant Village, focusing on the deeper roots of conservation — creating opportunities and a future for people.

Her message is clear: when people live in survival mode, protecting wildlife becomes impossible.

Abundant Village works to meet basic human needs — including food security, clean water, education, healthcare, and sustainable jobs — in communities living closest to wildlife ecosystems.

In this inspiring conversation, Briana shares her journey from Hollywood to conservation, the deeper causes behind poaching, and why empowering people may be the most powerful way to protect animals and the planet.

Briana is Damien Mander's wife. Damien is the founder of the International Anti Poaching Organization, later renamed Akashinga. We supported their cause with SANUSPLANET already. Today he works side by side with his wife Briana building The Abundant Village - one of the organizations we will focus on supporting! 

🌿 Listen now and discover why healing humans might be the key to protecting wildlife.