In today's episode, we welcome Dr. Ellen Langer, a pioneering researcher and the first woman to become a tenured professor of psychology at Harvard University. Often referred to as the "mother of mindfulness," Dr. Langer has spent over four decades revolutionizing our understanding of the mind-body connection.   The bestselling author of books like "Mindfulness," "The Power of Mindful Learning," and "Counterclockwise," Dr. Langer presents ideas from her latest work, "The Mindful Body,"...

Join us for an inspiring episode with Dr. Jim Loomis and Chef Caryn Dugan, the dynamic duo behind the YouTube show, The Doc & Chef. Dr. Loomis, Medical Director at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and the Center for Plant-Based Living, is a specialist in lifestyle medicine who turns complex concepts into easily digestible terms. Chef Caryn Dugan, known as St. Louis Veg Girl and the founder of the Center for Plant-Based Living, transforms nutritional expertise into...

In this episode, we are joined by Robert Cheeke, the trailblazing "godfather of vegan bodybuilding," New York Times bestselling author, and advocate for compassionate living. With his infectious enthusiasm and dedication, Robert discusses his altruism and his new book, "The Impactful Vegan," which provides practical advice for anyone aiming to make the most impact on behalf of animals and the planet.   “Yes, there's a diversity of approaches that are good to help reduce animal suffering,...

In a world where petrochemicals and other toxins pervade our clothing and impact our health, we’re thrilled to welcome Lydia Wendt, the visionary Founder and Design Director of California Cloth Foundry, to the show. Throughout her remarkable career, Lydia has worked with iconic designers and brands like Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, and Jones New York. A true pioneer in regenerative fashion, she launched CCF in 2014 to revolutionize the fashion industry through eco-friendly and ethical practices....

Today, we host a trailblazer in the world of sports and mentorship. With a professional basketball career that spanned the planet –  including a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters and a Euroleague MVP award – Joseph Blair, also known as The Vegan Coach, brings experience and wisdom to his role as assistant coach for the Washington Wizards.   Off the court, Joseph champions a plant-based lifestyle for its health benefits and its impact on the environment and animal welfare. He is outspoken...

Today, we delve into the transformative power of regenerative agriculture! Our guest, Thomas Locke, shares his inspiring journey from a corporate desk job to transforming his family farm in Windom, Texas, into an ecological health and biodiversity model. Discover how he's revolutionizing our food system through regenerative practices. Featured in the Netflix series, "You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment," Locke is on a mission to change consumer mindsets around food sourcing and equip the...

Our guest today is an expert on all things related to the penis and male reproductive medicine. Although many folks are uncomfortable talking about issues related to the penis, Dr. Arron Spitz normalizes important conversations around it and sexual health. He specializes in male fertility and is a board-certified urologist who has a broad practice that includes nutrition-sensitive intervention. He’s outspoken about common problems like erectile dysfunction and delivers important information...

Are you yearning for a healthier lifestyle but feel uncertain about where to begin? Join us in this episode as we delve into the transformative world of whole-food, plant-based living with our guest, Melissa Webster.   Melissa is a certified health coach, holistic nutritionist, and founder of Choosing My Health. She inspires her 70,000 YouTube followers to flourish through plant-based eating, driven by her own journey of overcoming chronic illness. Her fitness expertise, empathy, and...

If you’ve ever wondered how to make nutritious food taste amazing or what foods boost your health by supporting your gut microbiome, then you’re going to love today’s episode!   Our guest is Desiree Nielsen, a plant-based recipe developer, podcaster, author, and registered dietitian with a focus on plant-based nutrition and gut health. In her new book, "Plant Magic: A Celebration of Plant-Based Cooking for Everyone," Desiree offers a wonderful collection of creative recipes that make...

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Christopher Gardner, a renowned nutrition researcher and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. In this episode, Dr. Gardner shares his wealth of knowledge and valuable insights into nutrition science, from dissecting popular diets like ketogenic vs. Mediterranean to discussing his groundbreaking study on cardio-metabolic effects in identical twins randomly assigned to vegan or omnivorous diets, featured in the Netflix documentary "You Are What You Eat: A...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Rachael Hunter, a distinguished clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in psychology at Swansea University. Dr. Hunter joins us to delve into her groundbreaking research on "Plant-based Recovery from Restrictive Eating Disorders." Drawing from her wealth of experience working closely with individuals grappling with eating disorders, Dr. Hunter offers valuable insights into the transformative potential of plant-based diets in promoting recovery.   ...

Today, we're diving into the world of sustainable, mouthwatering cuisine with none other than the culinary visionary herself, Carleigh Bodrug.   Carleigh's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up on a farm where meat reigned supreme, she later discovered the alarming truth about red and processed meats being classified as carcinogens by the World Health Organization. This revelation, coupled with her personal experience of her father's battle with colon cancer, propelled her...

Our extraordinary guest today is a true adventurer at heart. From hang gliding to paragliding, from flying small planes to training for the US Olympic team as a luger, Caroline Paul’s life is a series of thrilling escapades.   As one of the first female firefighters in the San Francisco Fire Department, Caroline faced challenges head-on. Her autobiography "Fighting Fire" chronicles her remarkable 13-year journey with the department as one of 15 women out of 1500 men. She was also the very...

Today, we welcome back Dr. Melanie Joy, a renowned psychologist, author, and advocate for compassionate living. Dr. Joy is the president of Beyond Carnism, a non-profit organization exposing and transforming the invisible belief system that shapes our attitudes toward eating and torturing animals. Her groundbreaking concept, “carnism,” has sparked global conversations about the psychology behind meat consumption and its consequences.   Dr. Joy is also the author of 6 books, and she appeared...

Ever wonder why some people who get exposed to colds or the flu get really ill while others experience mild symptoms or don’t get sick at all? Fortunately, today’s guest is here to provide answers to this mystery. An authority on the microbiome, Dr. Robynne Chutkan, is here to tell us all about the remarkable flora residing in our intestines and how feeding it the right foods can promote health, prevent disease, and even help us with our weight. Dr. Chutkan is a board-certified...

Humans are the dominant species on the planet, but we have lost sight of our connection to, and dependence on, an ecosystem that we have pushed dramatically out of balance and to the brink of collapse.   Today’s guest, Gerard Wedderburn-Bisshop, is an Australian environmental scientist, and he is passionate about highlighting the influence of our food systems on climate change. Gerard is currently the executive director of the World Preservation Foundation, but for three decades, he...

Around the world, there are tens of billions of non-human animals trapped in the barbaric system of industrial animal agriculture. And unfortunately, that number is increasing. It’s a severe problem, not just for the suffering animals, but for human health and the health of our planet.    Fortunately, there are people dedicating their lives to tackling this issue. And today, we’re joined by one of these remarkable individuals.   Lewis Bollard is a dedicated animal advocate making...

We are very excited to welcome back to the show one of the most visionary minds of our time. He’s an Oscar-winning filmmaker, an award-winning photographer, and a passionate environmental activist. Through his lens, he has captured not only the beauty of our world but also the urgent need to protect it.   From his groundbreaking documentary “The Cove,” which exposed shocking animal abuse in Japan, to his awe-inspiring projects like “Racing Extinction” and “The Game Changers,” Louie Psihoyos...

Our remarkable guest today is scientist and acclaimed author Dr. Marion Nestle. She’s a Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University and founder of the field of food studies. She’s THE authority on food politics – in fact, she wrote the book on it – and for decades, she has been a transformative figure, working to improve our dietary choices while exposing corporate greed and injustice inherent in the food industry.   Dr....

Over 150 million women around the world are on the birth control pill. And while “the pill” has given women the ability to control their fertility, there are things that every woman should know about its effects, short-term and long-term.    Our guest today - professor, research psychologist, and author Dr. Sarah Hill -  is here to discuss her must-read book This Is Your Brain on Birth Control: How the Pill Changes Everything, where she sheds light on all the ways hormonal birth control...

Today’s exciting guest is a pioneer whose name is synonymous with environmental advocacy – he’s truly the godfather of celebrity environmental activists. In fact, he’s been fighting for the planet for 53 years, and he really practices what he preaches.    Ed Begley Jr. came to prominence as Dr. Victor Ehrlich in the groundbreaking hit series St. Elsewhere, which earned him six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. He has appeared in high-profile films...

Our guest today, Erin Ireland, is a legend in the Vancouver food scene, first as a food reporter and purveyor of good taste and now as the owner of a renowned vegan bakery in East Vancouver.    When she learned about the cruelty and environmental destruction caused by animal agriculture, she dared to convert her successful nonvegan business – To Die For Foods – into the thriving vegan storefront bakery – To Live For Bakery & Café – with a loyal, passionate following. Now, she’s showing...

Our guest today is living proof that anyone can change their life. Alishea Basson was a mom of four and creeping into dangerous territory in regard to her health by the time she was 30 years old. Severely overweight and plagued with seizures and high blood pressure, Alishea decided she couldn’t live with her emotional eating self any longer. She educated herself on how to eat healthfully and exercise, eventually adopting a whole food, plant-based diet. While her family didn’t support this...

At the age of 47, our guest today, marathoner, author, and world record holder Dr. Ruth Heidrich, received the terrifying news that she had stage 4 breast cancer. After answering an ad to participate in a cancer and diet research study conducted by Dr. John McDougall, she immediately chose to adopt a whole food plant-based diet and forgo chemotherapy and radiation. Two years later, she was in remission and became the first vegan to complete the Ironman Triathlon.    Dr. Heidrich has since...