PLANTSTRONG Podcast
People become curious about whole food, plant-based nutrition for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, or another chronic disease and you know (or you’ve been told) that this is your best shot at healing your body. You may be an athlete looking to maximize your performance and recovery with the power of plant-based nutrition, or you’re a parent who wants to escape the processed food aisle and start feeding your children real, nourishing foods. Perhaps you are concerned about climate change and the profound negative impact that animal agriculture has on...
Heidi Farina - She Ditched the Hustle Culture, Changed Her Diet & Reclaimed Her Life
In this inspiring episode, Rip sits down with Heidi Farina to hear how she went from college athlete and biotech manager, to full-time artist and plant-based advocate.
After experiencing deep personal loss and burnout during the pandemic, Heidi realized something had to give. What followed was a powerful transformation rooted in health, healing, and rediscovery.
Heidi opens up about her decision to embrace a whole food plant-based lifestyle, how it helped her reclaim her energy and creativity, and what it really took to step away from a life that no longer aligned with her values. <...
John Joseph on Destroying Monsters - Addiction, Redemption, and Hardcore Healing
Rip Esselstyn sits down with John Joseph—author, musician, and former frontman of the iconic hardcore punk band Cro-Mags—to explore a story of survival that defies belief.
John’s journey takes us far below rock bottom: addiction to crack cocaine, pills, and alcohol; a life of crime on the streets of New York; time spent in foster care and juvenile detention; and the devastating loss of loved ones to violence and substance abuse. But somehow, against all odds, John fought his way back—and now lives a life centered on service, discipline, and purpose.
Today, h...
Jan Brown - From Toxic Diet Culture to Food Freedom
From a childhood steeped in toxic diet culture and years of yo-yo dieting, to finding peace and purpose through a plant-based lifestyle—today’s guest, Jan Brown, shares her powerful story of transformation.
It all started with a post in the PLANTSTRONG Community Facebook group. Jan wrote:
“I grew up with a mom who was always dieting. I ate everything diet and low calorie, and yet I was the biggest kid in my class. My weight kept climbing once I was out of school, and anxiety and depression took over. I was on a vicious cycle of bin...Dominick Thompson - Eat What Elephants Eat for a Strong Body and Gentle Spirit
What if your plate could tell the story of your past—and shape your future? Author and plant-based advocate, Dominick Thompson, returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, Eat What Elephants Eat and explore his deeply personal journey of change.
Growing up on Chicago's West Side, Thompson became involved in the drug trade, leading to his imprisonment in his early 20s. It was in prison that he resolved to adopt a lifestyle that caused no harm to other beings. His mantra? “If it requires harm, then nahhh.”
His book, Eat What Elephants Eat, intertw...
Dr. Laurie Marbas and Brittany Jaroudi - Plant-Based 101: Your Guide to Mastering a Plant-Based Diet
Thinking about going plant-based but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve been at it for a while but could use a little extra guidance and motivation to stay the course?
Rip welcomes back plant-based physician Dr. Laurie Marbas and chef Brittany Jaroudi, the authors of Plant-Based 101: The Ultimate Guide for Mastering the Plant-Based Diet. Their new book is packed with practical tips on everything from getting started and cooking delicious meals to handling social situations with confidence.
They cover:
Finding Your "Why" – Dr. Marbas highlights the importance of identifying your personal moti...Victoria Moran - Age Like a Yogi and Embrace Your Third Act
What if aging wasn’t something to fear, but a journey to embrace?
In this inspiring episode, best-selling author and wellness advocate, Victoria Moran, shares her wisdom on aging with grace, purpose, and joy.
Drawing from her new book, Age Like a Yogi, she explores how plant-based living, yoga, and mindfulness can transform aging into a spiritual evolution, including:
How to shift your mindset around agingThe connection between plant-based living, yoga, and longevityCultivating joy and fulfillment at every stage of lifeVictoria redefines what it means to grow older, proving that every st...
Keith Jeffrey - A "Broc & Roll" Star from the Band, Atlas Genius
Ready to travel down under for some plant-powered rock? Today, we introduce you to Keith Jeffrey and his band, Atlas Genius!
Not only do they create incredible music, but they also embrace a plant-based lifestyle while touring the world. In this episode, we dive into:
Why three Aussie brothers ditched meat for veganismTheir favorite plant-based eats on the roadHow their lifestyle influences their music & ethicsThe world needs more broc and rock stars like Keith Jeffrey who aren't afraid to amplify their ethics and their music. It’s a conversation about passion, purpose, and makin...
Dusty and Erin Stanczyk -Eat, Move, Rest: The Blueprint for a Happy, Healthy, Plant-Based Family
Meet Erin and Dusty Stanczyk—a Nebraska couple who transformed their health and family life by embracing a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. After struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and acid reflux, they found inspiration from Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. and never looked back.
Now, at 38, they’re raising three plant-strong kids and sharing their journey on Eat Move Rest and in their new book, The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook. In this episode, they reveal three key pillars to thriving as a plant-based family and recipes from their colorful plant-based cookbook.
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Don Fries and Bev Bow - Rediscover Your Joy of Living with the Healthy World Vitality Plan
Imagine a world thriving on health and vitality through whole food, plant-based living. That’s the vision Don Fries and Bev Bow are turning into reality—and you’re invited to be part of it!
Their non-profit, Healthy World Vitality Plan, offers education, cooking classes, and small-group support sessions to help you rediscover the joy of living - all for just $40/year!
Take control of your health, make meaningful connections, and join a movement dedicated to compassion for all living beings!
Their Spring Intensive starts March 9th, 2025. To learn more and sign up visit: h...
Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. - The Proof Is In The Plants! Real Stories of Heart Disease Reversal
We're wrapping up National Heart Health Month with an inspiring conversation with Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., a true pioneer in heart health and a passionate advocate for the power of a whole-food, plant-based diet.
With decades of experience as Director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Reversal Program at the Cleveland Clinic Center of Prevention and Wellness, he’s seen firsthand how a whole foods, plant-based diet without added oil, sugar, or sodium can not only prevent, but actually reverse heart disease.
Dr. Esselstyn shares nine of the ways he has shown reversal of di...
