At Expo West I expected a plant-forward food show… but what I found instead raised a lot of questions. In this episode of the Vegan Hacks Podcast , I break down the surprising presence of meat products and even beef tallow at what used to feel like a very vegan-friendly event. I also sit down with some incredible founders pushing plant-based innovation forward: • Liz Kang , Founder and Co-CEO of Mamame, creating bold tempeh chips • Madelyn Hadley , Founder of Madly Hadley, crafting clean-label v...
Mar 11, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 246
Will Animal Protein Dominate Expo West This Year? Next week, the natural foods world descends on Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim. The Super Bowl of natural foods In past years, it felt like a plant-based paradise — innovated alt-meats launching, vegan innovation exploding down every aisle. And yes… there will be new important, plant launches. There always are. But the bigger question this year: Is animal protein about to dominate the narrative? A Send a text...
Feb 27, 2026•33 min•Season 1Ep. 245
In this episode, we dive into the Vegandale festival backlash and rebrand, discuss growing concerns about vegan brands using non-vegan marketing or alienating the community, and tackle the uncomfortable but important conversation about wealth and privilege in vegan culture. Send a text
Feb 13, 2026•33 min•Season 1Ep. 244
Jason sits down with social media creator and vegan activist Anita Dollar (IG: @veg.anitadollar) for a relaxed but powerful conversation over lunch at Vromage in West Hollywood. They discuss influencing in the plant-based space, culture, and vegan activism both online and in real life. Send a text
Jan 30, 2026•37 min•Season 1Ep. 243
Jason hits the Fancy Food Show to eat snacks, absorb vibes, and take the temperature of vegan food culture. Featuring conversations with Bill Muir (aka Sgt. Vegan, @sgt_vegan) and Noah Hyams (@vegpreneur, @vegancuts) on the current state of veganism, the industry shakeout, and what’s actually worth paying attention to. Send a text
Jan 17, 2026•33 min•Season 1Ep. 242
This podcast is about how it is impossible to achieve vegan purity, even though some claim it! Join Jason as he takes an urban hike and rants into a microphone about the the state of vegan in 2026. Send a text
Jan 09, 2026•23 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Two restaurants. Two opposite decisions. One added dairy and eggs to their menu chasing “flexibility,” broader appeal, and short-term survival. The other went all in and committed to being 100% vegan . Send a text
Dec 26, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 240
A recent confession on Reddit went viral: someone admitted they were paid by a meat-industry group to infiltrate Reddit and other platforms pretending to be vegan, creating fake health scares and sowing doubt about plant-based diets. We break down the thread, what it reveals about industry disinformation, and why it matters for anyone who eats vegan or supports animal-friendly food. Also Jason breaks down the recent Miyoko's Creamery conflict. Reddit Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/comments/1...
Nov 28, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 239
Here is my speech from World Vegan Fest about my social media journey! I was nervous, never did anything like it before but I survived! Send a text
Nov 14, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 238
Today on the Vegan Hacks Podcast, we’re joined by Leonore , the certified vegan nutritionist and creator of Itadakihealthy, a coaching and content hub dedicated to helping people thrive on a plant-based diet in Japan. Originally from Germany and now based in Tokyo for over a decade, Leonore shares her journey of building a vibrant vegan community in a country known for its culinary traditions. We talk about how she helps clients find balance, stay healthy, and enjoy plant-based living in Japan’s...
Nov 06, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 237
At the World Economy Summit, Impossible Foods’ CEO argued that plant-based food has become “too political” and hinted at a future hybrid burger made with both beef and Impossible protein. Here is a link to the entire interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp9g-ZwajME&t=624s Send a text
Oct 27, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 236
Big moves, big bans, and big crashes in the plant-based world this week. Vegan Besties keeps the momentum going with their third location, proving that community and comfort food can still win in a shaky economy. Meanwhile, the EU just voted to ban words like “burger” and “sausage” from plant-based foods (because apparently people can’t tell tofu from a cow). And Beyond Meat’s stock? Yeah… it’s not looking good. Send a text...
Oct 16, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 235
In this episode, I take you through the highs and lows of being vegan in Tokyo — from hunting down plant-based eats in the land of green onion overload to navigating the challenges of dining with omnivores. Then we shift gears to the business world: Beyond Meat has announced a major restructuring plan. What does it mean for the future of plant-based meat? Is it a fresh start, or the beginning of the end for the category’s biggest name? Send a text...
Oct 03, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 232
Had a fascinating conversation with the founder and inventor of the soy milk-based Thrilling Bakon . David shared how his background in both food and science led to the creation of this unique and wildly popular vegan bacon—and opened up about the challenges of growing a plant-based business in a slow-burn market. more info here https://www.thrillingfoods.com/ Send a text
Sep 12, 2025•35 min
Yves Veggie Cuisine, a brand that kept vegan eating affordable and accessible for over 40 years is shutting down. Parent company Hain Celestial says they’re focusing on “more profitable brands,” leaving fans stunned and angry. In this episode, we unpack what Yves meant to the plant-based movement, why its quiet closure matters, and what this says about the future of vegan staples under big food corporations. Send a text...
Aug 29, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 244
We’re talking all things tofu with George Stiffman, tofu expert, founder of Soycery , and author of the groundbreaking book Broken Cuisine . From ancient tofu traditions to wild varieties you’ve probably never heard of, George takes us deep into the delicious, surprisingly epic world of soy. George's Tofu Buying Guide: https://tofutuesday.substack.com/p/the-best-way-to-get-ahold-of-chinese Folllow George at IG: @ georgethetofuguy IG: @ soycery Send a text...
Aug 15, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 243
New episode of Vegan Hacks Pod! I’m joined by the unstoppable Eunice Reyes — aka Rated V for Vegan, for a lively deep dive into the world of vegan influencing: the wins, the pitfalls, her adventures in vegan travel, and the unexpectedly strange canned meats lurking at your neighborhood Adventist store. Buckle up, you don’t want to miss this one! Send a text
Aug 01, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 243
In this episode, we talk about Besties Vegan Paradise blessing The Grove with its second location (bougie tourists, rejoice). We rant about Beyond Meat and Veggie Grill’s new collab — because who asked for a $27.99 steak filet at a fast casual spot? And yes, Jason airs out his extremely unnecessary beef with Moby. It’s plant-based pettiness at its finest. Tune in and snack along. Send a text
Jul 19, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 242
In this episode, we unpack Beyond Meat’s bold new product that intentionally doesn’t taste like meat, dig into the labor disputes and alleged union-busting at Rebel Cheese in Austin, and break down why Texas just banned lab-grown meat. It’s messy, it’s political, and it’s all plant-based. Send a text
Jul 04, 2025•34 min
Jason and Mike dive into the Sugar Taco fallout — the rise and messy collapse of a splashy vegan restaurant now accused of mismanagement, health violations, and financial impropriety. Plus, we unpack the controversy around Impossible Foods potentially adding real meat to its plant-based products Hollywood Reporter Article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sugar-taco-scandal-investors-health-violations-1236293402/ Send a text...
Jun 19, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 231
Jason and Mike take a trip to the land of flat-pack furniture and meatless meatballs — that’s right, we’re eating our way through IKEA’s plant-based menu. Grab an Allen wrench and a fork — let’s dive in. Send a text
Jun 06, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 230
Meati Foods launched their mycelium steaks and chicken cutlets with huge fanfare and with loads of funding, they were valued at over 650 million but their downfall was swift and dramatic they have recently requested a sale for 4 million dollars. What went wrong? Send a text
May 16, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 229
Jason and Mike talk about a company in crossroads: Loma Linda Foods , one of America’s oldest plant-based brands and its uncertain future. Send a text
May 08, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 228
Strife, family conflict, betrayal and sauce? We delve into the two conflicting narratives of how Bitchen' sauce was built and the way brands sell products by selling not just a product but a story. Send a text
Apr 25, 2025•31 min
Vegan Mike tries the mycelium steak made by Meati for the first time ever! Jason helps him cook it! Comedy ensues! Send a text
Apr 11, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 228
Two interviews! Clifford Armstrong of Northstar Seitan! and Chef Tony Hyde of Sattdown Jamaican grill! https://www.northernseitan.com/ @northernseitan Chef Tony Hyde @ sattdownjamaicangrill His book: https://www.amazon.sg/Day-Racism-Walked-My-Door/dp/B0DXR733C6#byline_secondary_view_div_1742004225896?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaahsPcG95fn_zxawv_u6n7uedtHLhkQ2MCacMGTDODaQHSzOpRpbWDt-7I_aem_4wTguzP0AxTjAuLwfvaaug Send a text...
Mar 28, 2025•33 min
Major vegan meat company Meati is experiencing a financial crisis, will it survive? Also an interview with Meati's CCO John Bortells. website: meati.com Send a text
Mar 13, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 234
Jason and Mike talk about how the major plant based meat companies market their products. Send a text
Mar 04, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 233
A new study was released that links trauma and lifestyle choice. Send a text
Feb 21, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 232
Jason and Mike discuss a new study that illuminates American's view of plant based meat. Send a text
Feb 07, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 231
