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 the planet. The problem? A whole food, plant-based diet can seem overwhelming, confusing, and, yes, expensive. You’ve been told it will make you deficient in something, or that you won’t get enough protein. You think it might be a boring way to live, or that it is so extreme you’ll alienate yourself from friends and loved ones. Well, here at the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, we’re not afraid to be extreme - extremely positive, extremely helpful, and extremely well-researched. Each week on the show, host Rip Esselstyn talks to medical experts, authors, athletes, and people just like you who are not just surviving on a plant-based diet, but THRIVING. As founder and CEO of PLANTSTRONG, Rip Esselstyn is a wellness advocate, former professional athlete, firefighter, and NY Times best-selling author renowned for his dedication to promoting vibrant health through plant-based nutrition and active living. Over twenty years ago, Rip rescued several of his fellow firefighters with whole, plant-based foods following the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. The results were so dramatic that Rip wrote the bestselling book,The Engine 2 Diet, to spread the word. His subsequent works, including Plant-Strong, The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet and The Engine 2 Cookbook, further solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the plant-based movement. Rip was also featured in the documentary Forks over Knives and served as an executive producer of The Game Changers film; a revolutionary documentary that shatters the myths about meat, protein, and strength. Rip’s mission and the mission of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast is to make plant-based living accessible and approachable, and to further the advancement of all things within the plant-based movement. We share the scientifically proven benefits of plant-based living and envision a world that universally understands, promotes, and prescribes plants as the solution to empowering your health, enhancing your performance, and restoring the environment. You won’t be weak if you’re eating strong food. PLANTSTRONG food. We welcome you wherever you are on your plant-based journey and we’re thrilled you’re here.
Episodes
We are turning up the heat and diving fork-first into a true celebration of the tropics—a culinary carnival of color, culture, and compassion!
Rip welcomes Ellen Kanner—a Miami native, award-winning writer, and the powerhouse behind the new cookbook, Miami Vegan.
This book is more than just a collection of recipes—it's a flavorful journey through the heart of Miami, infused with bold Latin and Caribbean influences, and reimagined th...
Let’s face it—choosing a plant-strong lifestyle can sometimes feel like swimming upstream. Whether it’s side-eyes at the dinner table, skeptical coworkers, or relentless comments from “nutrition experts” on TikTok, the pressure is real.
In this episode, Rip and his producer, Carrie Barrett, share that it's not just doable—it’s empowering.
Drawing on decades of personal experience and thousands of conversations in the PLANTSTRONG com...
Rip is joined by Brandi Doming, the creative force behind The Vegan 8 and the brand-new cookbook, Vegan Wholesome. Brandi’s plant-based journey began as a deeply personal mission—to support her husband’s health. What followed was a total transformation in their kitchen and a powerful ripple effect that’s now helping thousands of people embrace simple, nourishing, and oil-free plant-based meals.
Brandi shares how her fitness and danc...
What happens when a doctor realizes that pills weren’t healing her patients—but plants were? You have the makings of a wonderful interview with triple board-certified physician Dr. Regina Ragasa.
As a specialist in obesity and lifestyle medicine, Regina opens up about her transformation from a conventional doctor (aka - “drug dealer”) to a fierce advocate for whole food, plant-based nutrition.
You'll hear how a single conversation wi...
What if your next meal could change a life—starting with your own?
Rip sits down with Chef Kevin McGee, a 25-year veteran of plant-based living and the visionary behind the Urban Oak Initiative. From his Missouri roots and a former career in investment banking, to leading a nonprofit centered on food justice, Kevin shares a moving personal and professional journey grounded in compassion, health, and cultural heritage.
Listeners will ...
What if stress isn’t the enemy—but a secret ingredient for a longer, healthier life?
Rip is joined by Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist, physician, scientist, and author of The Stress Paradox, to explore how certain types of stress can actually help us thrive.
In this conversation, we’ll explore what she calls "good stress" and her five key stressors that can enhance our longevity and healthspan:
- Plant-based phytochemicals
- Intermittent ...
Rip sits down with Dr. Jules Cormier, a dynamic family physician from Shediac, New Brunswick, who has transformed his medical practice—and personal life—through the principles of lifestyle medicine.
A former sufferer of asthma, eczema, and chronic hives, Jules shares how a whole food, plant-based diet not only healed his ailments but also revitalized his family’s health and well-being.
Dr. Cormier integrates nutrition, exercise, and...
When a health scare and personal loss collided, Michelle Joy Kramer found a new path—one rooted in healing, purpose, and plants. A PLANTSTRONG retreat alum and concierge health coach, Michelle shares how she shifted from vegetarianism to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle, dramatically improving her health and inspiring others to do the same.
In this episode, Michelle reveals how she:
- Lowered her cholesterol and improved her hea...
Traveling while sticking to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle can be tricky—but it’s absolutely doable with the right mindset and tools.
In this episode, hosts Rip Esselstyn and his producer, Carrie Barrett, dive into the real-life challenges plant-based eaters face when away from home.
Their advice for restaurants? Don't be afraid to be FAB.
- Figure out what you can eat
- Ask for what you want
- Bring your own food
They brea...
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Rip sits down with Lucas McLawhorn—educator, cancer survivor, and founder of the plant-based food truck Well Fed Ed.
Lucas shares his powerful story of transformation, from the classroom to the kitchen, driven by a deep desire to serve and educate his community through healthy, plant-based meals. He opens up about his battle with cancer, the life-changing role nutrition played in his recovery...
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 l...
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...
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 weig...
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 ...
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 cook...
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 aging
- The connection between ...
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 veganism
- Their favorite plant-based eats on the road
- How their lifestyle influences their music & ethics
The ...
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 C...
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, an...
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...
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