Practicing vegetarianism for health, environment, community and spirit

Having a meal with family and friends can be an experience of deep connectedness — or a table full of landmines. We’re jugging not only sensitive topics, but sensitive stomachs, palates and dietary choices. Your best friend is gluten-free, your brother’s boyfriend is lactose-intolerant, and your uncle only eats meat. It can make for a tricky menu!

Most of us are only one degree of separation from someone who identifies as some kind of vegetarian.

In this episode, we bring to the table Nashvillians who practice vegetarianism for religious and health benefits — as well as an expression of the world as we wish it could be.

But first, @ us!

Guests:

• Hemanth Rangarajan, IT professional, Hindu vegetarian

• Tewodros "Teddy" Manaye, software professional, vice president of Ethiopian Community Association in Nashville, Ethiopian Orthodox

• Cara Suvall, Assistant Clinical Professor of Law, Jewish vegetarian

• Mariah Ragland, owner, Radical Rabbit

• Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS, Buddhist teacher and pastoral counselor