Imagine driving down the highway. You look to your left, and a two-week-old calf is staring at you through the window. The person driving that calf is likely Jason Bolalek—founder of Destination Liberation. He works with dairy farmers in Vermont to surrender their male dairy cows instead of shooting them. Jason transports these calves to animal sanctuaries so they can live out their natural lives in peace. In this conversation, Jason reveals the realities of dairy farming on small, often family-...
Mar 03, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 115
Dr. Pamela Fergusson, RD, PhD, is a plant-based dietitian with 15+ years of experience that spans several continents. As a super mom of four, she takes a practical, evidence-based, and gentle approach to her consultations with clients, but when it comes to standing for what’s right, she’s not afraid to be vocal. She’s spoken out about dairy advertising to children in Canada, and she’s also written papers to educate other dietitians about working with transgender and non-binary clients. On top of...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 114
Ed Winters—also known as Earthling Ed—is the voice of reason. He represents a new generation of animal activism, one that is level-headed, thoughtful, and calculated. The arguments he presents in favor of going vegan help people understand the common sense behind not exploiting animals, and he always keeps his cool. He’s a YouTube sensation, nonprofit founder, professional orator, and vegan restaurateur in London. Give him thirty seconds to speak, and you’ll hang on his every word. What we discu...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 113
This week, we’re venturing into territory yet to be explored on this show … soap! We care so much about what we put into our bodies, but few think of what we use on our skin or inside our homes. Lisa Bronner, granddaughter to the iconic Dr. Bronner and spokesperson for the brand, joins us to geek out on all things clean, green, and Fair Trade. From what labels actually mean to how to choose the safest products for your family, Lisa is an encyclopedia of knowledge. Break out your favorite bottle ...
Feb 10, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 112
“Get that tofu and smash patriarchy!” Our guest today the prolific author, feminist, and activist Carol Adams. She’s written numerous books on the intersections between feminism and food culture, but her 1990 The Sexual Politics of Meat broke ground on the cross between the oppression of women and animals. This episode covers the mistreatment of dairy cows, objectification of women and animals, white supremacy, naturalizing violence, and more. Adams’ theories are both eye-opening yet relatable, ...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 112
Kimberly Barnes grew up watching the cooking shows with her grandmother. Today, she’s a self-taught food professional on the front lines of food justice. This is a conversation about basic human rights. It’s a conversation about race. And it’s a conversation about taking action. As a self-proclaimed “foodie,” we also lean into lighter conversation and talk about Kimberly’s love for food and her addictive grilled fruit kabobs. If you eat, you need to hear Kimberly’s message. What we discuss in th...
Jan 20, 2021•59 min•Ep. 110
Today’s episode is all about chicken. Mercy for Animals President and longtime animal advocate Leah Garces educates us on the current state of the chicken industry and how American consumption has changed throughout history. Her advocacy is unorthodox. She’s met with Perdue and countless other chicken farmers and companies to work with the ‘enemy’ and find a compromise to better the lives of animals. She details her work in Grilled: Turning Adversaries Into Allies to Change the Chicken Industry ...
Jan 13, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 109
Adam Sud is such an inspiration, we had to have him on the show again. Listen to his origin story in Episode 2, then catch up with Adam’s latest endeavors in this episode. Adam is currently heading a nonprofit and leading a groundbreaking study to determine the effects of a plant-based diet on addiction and recovery. He acts as a guiding light and offers a much-needed reminder that love is the cornerstone of motivation and life itself. We cover a ton of topics in just one hour—whether you’re int...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 108
There’s no sugar-coating in this episode. We sit down with the Vegan Hip Hop Movement founder Kevin Tillman to talk about racism, white privilege, and how to do better. Always patient and kind, Kevin explains the culture of hip hop and the intersectionality between this music and the vegan movement. We learn about vegan hip hop artists and identify ways to confront our taken-for-granted privileges to usher in a more just society. No matter your background, everyone can benefit from this direct c...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 107
Professional athletes know that competitions are won by the smallest margins, and our guest today is helping them win the advantage. As a registered dietitian seeped in research and the booming new field of nutrigenomics, Nanci works with individuals to pinpoint their exact needs to perform at their peak. She’s also a huge component of regenerative (animal-free) agriculture, and she gives us a thorough education during this conversation. Listen in to level up your life—even if you don’t plan on ...
Dec 23, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 106
Michelle Cehn and Toni Okamoto are going to lift you up! Co-authors of The Friendly Vegan Cookbook, their friendliness is truly infectious. The duo can make anyone look forward to (rather than dread) plant-based eating with their enthusiasm and helpful nutrition and cooking tips. In this episode, we discuss their own journeys to veganism, eating vegan on a budget, pressure cooking 101, and a lot more! Listen in and get inspired to eat your plants. What we discuss in this episode: - Toni and Mich...
Dec 16, 2020•58 min•Ep. 105
There’s a good chance you could be breathing wrong. While it may seem simplistic—yes, everyone can breathe—how we breathe plays a vital role in our health and our happiness. Reporter James Nestor—author of the best-selling new book, Breathe —sat down to chat with us about the power of breath. You don’t have to commit to meditation or a regimented breathing practice; all it takes is consistent breath in everyday life. Listen in to learn how to breathe better and improve your health in ways you ne...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 104
Robert Cheeke grew up as a skinny kid on a farm in rural Oregon. At 14, he was 89 pounds and a lithe runner. Today, Robert has blossomed into a 215 pound professional bodybuilder and a bestselling author. What changed? His diet. Robert is one of the leading professionals in vegan fitness, having both competed as a vegan athlete and educated himself on the intersection between plant-based nutrition and the science of getting swole. Despite his massive accomplishments, Robert is a friendly and rel...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 103
Eric Lindstrom once ate 68 chicken wings in one sitting. Today, he works full-time in animal advocacy and has written two books on veganism. What changed? The self-proclaimed carnivore adopted a plant-based diet over a bet with his wife. While he admittedly grumbled the whole time, what was intended to be a 30-day health kick turned into a lifelong passion. Once Eric discovered that he didn’t have to give up his favorite meaty, cheesy foods, he stopped grumbling and embraced the plant-based way ...
Nov 27, 2020•52 min
We’re talking about the scary C-word today … cancer. Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way or another, and regardless, there is always future risk. Fortunately, our guest today has made it her mission to help people reduce their risk and fight cancer through the power of nutrition. Alison Tierney is a plant-based dietitian specializing in oncology nutrition. She doesn’t just tell her clients what foods to eat (we all know vegetables are good for us) but why certain foods help preven...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 102
We’re guilty of only showing one side of our co-host, Alexandra Paul. We tout her as the remarkable Baywatch star, but her accolades stretch far beyond this mega hit and far beyond the screen. She’s a humanitarian, animal activist, and Ironwoman. She lives her values every single day, and she’s even received awards for her selfless efforts in the animal rights and human overpopulation movements. We chat about behind-the-scenes at Baywatch , Alexandra’s struggle and recovery from bulimia, getting...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 101
There’s a strong chance you may have read Gene Stone’s work without even realizing it. Our guest today is a prolific author and ghostwriter with over 50 titles under his belt. From the inaugural Engine 2 Diet book to the inspiring Do Something That Matters memoir of Toms Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, Gene’s work has enabled leading experts in the fields of health, philanthropy, and business to share their knowledge. In this episode, we discuss how his “helper” personality led to this career and ...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 100
Dr. Susan Levin is a dietitian on a mission. As the director of nutrition education for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Susan not only counsels clients, but conducts and presents research to push public policy in the plant-based direction. She is direct, knowledgeable, and most importantly, effective. In this episode, she shares the science behind why dairy is so bad for us and also gives us a glimpse into how the government and consumers are manipulated by milk’s marketing do...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 99
Cardiovascular disease is the global leading cause of death and was responsible for more than 15 million fatalities in 2016. What would you do to prevent yourself and your loved ones from becoming part of that statistic? Today’s guest, Dr. Joel Kahn , says it’s as simple as plant-based nutrition. Dr. Kahn is one of the world’s top cardiologists, a restaurateur, and is known as America’s healthy heart doc. He’s committed to making the world healthier through the preventative and healing power of ...
Oct 30, 2020•1 hr 1 min
When dieting doesn’t work, it’s time to stop dabbling in healthy eating. Dr. Joel Fuhruman is a highly respected physician who has made his mark by focusing on nutrition. He is the founder of the Nutritarian Diet which is based on whole, plant-based foods that have been scientifically shown to reduce cancer risk and extend longevity. In his seven bestselling books, you won’t find “cheat days” or “moderation,” and he explains why in this riveting episode. Fuhrman educates us on the fundamentals o...
Oct 28, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 98
“The worst thing that I have ever read about a serial killer doing to another human being is being done to animals, but on a mass scale.” Our guest today is an undercover animal investigator, and in today’s show, he reveals the unthinkable. From his decades-long undercover work in the companion animal and factory farms businesses, Pete Paxton educates us on the horrendous and bizarre abuse that gets passed off as “just another day on the job” in these industries. Our commerce-driven society has ...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 97
You don’t get to be 400 pounds overnight. You also don’t completely reverse your diet and become a plant-based expert overnight. Chuck Carroll has experienced both of these extremes, and today he joins us as a health and nutrition advocate and host of the Exam Room podcast. This is for everyone who has an addictive behavior—when moderation simply does not work. Whether it’s an addiction to Taco Bell—like Chuck—or to alcohol or heroine, it’s Chuck’s belief that you can’t cure it, but you can over...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 96
“Most doctors don’t want to believe that food is that powerful, but it is.” Plant-based dietitian Julieanna Hever stars in this episode to educate us about the healing and overall feel-good benefits of a thoughtful plant-based diet. She hits on all of her favorite topics in this hour-long mini seminar on nutrition—from chronobiology to macroconfusion to all of her fun acronyms to help you eat (and feel) the best. This conversation is just a taste of the knowledge she shares in her books—she lite...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 95
Most people have a favorite hairdresser or perhaps even a favorite barista … we have a favorite gastroenterologist. This is Dr. Angie Sadeghi’s second time on the podcast—she just has so much knowledge to share! Circle back and listen to Episode 3 for her full backstory, then give this show a listen to learn all about the gut microbiome, how to feed your “good” bacteria, the brain/gut connection, hidden causes of anemia, her opinion on probiotics, and more. Your gut will thank you. What we discu...
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 94
The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled in less than fifty years. If we are more informed about potential health consequences than ever before, why are more and more adults choosing unhealthy eating habits that lead to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease? Dr. Stephan Guyenet , who has spent more than a decade studying the neuroscience of body fatness, argues that most of us aren’t choosing our eating habits at all. His book, The Hungry Brain , dives into the idea that eating ...
Sep 25, 2020•53 min
Dr. Hana Kahleova is the Director of Clinical Research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Through this role, she’s authored over a dozen nutrition studies with a focus on diabetes and meal timing. The results could drastically change your life for good—whether you suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, or “normal” health issues that make you feel less than your best. In this episode, Dr. Kahleova educates us on the power of a plant-based diet, cold showe...
Sep 23, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 93
A vegan since the 80s, Brenda Davis is the Godmother of plant-based dietitians. In this conversation, she explains how she traversed the relatively new territory of not only being vegan, but being a vegan dietitian. We also go deep into diabetes, the effects certain foods have on the body, orthorexia, and more. Join this joyful discussion—you have your health to gain. What we discuss in this episode: - How to find your tribe when you feel like the only vegetarian/vegan - The removal of dairy as ...
Sep 16, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 92
Say it. Penis. Now that you have a few giggles out, let’s talk about prostate cancer. It’s the third most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death in the US. Bruce and Mindy Mylrea join us on the pod today to discuss how diet affects everything … down there. Both are former fitness professionals, and after Bruce was diagnosed with prostate cancer nine years ago, they dedicated their lives to learning more about diet and disease and helping others prevent, manage, and rev...
Sep 09, 2020•47 min•Ep. 91
Smart, relatable, and effective nutrition advice—that’s what you’ll hear on this episode. Special guest Cynthia Sass is a registered dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, and she’s done it all. She’s worked with professional sports teams, held staff writer and editorial positions at magazines like Shape and Fitness , written multiple NYT bestsellers, appeared on virtually every primetime talkshow, and runs her own private practice. This expert has nutrition dialed in, and...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 90
The woman behind Switch4Good is a force of compassion who has lifted herself out of pain, into greatness and is now working in pursuit of a kinder world. Dotsie Bausch is an Olympic medalist , two-time Pan American Champion, world record holder, mentor, renowned speaker , and founder of the Switch4Good non-profit. In this very special episode, she steps to the other side of the microphone to be interviewed by her co-host and friend, Alexandra Paul. Dotsie shares her incredible journey from the r...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 14 min
