2022 — PLANTSTRONG Episodes — PLANTSTRONG Podcast

PLANTSTRONG Podcast

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Posts in 2022

#370: Neal Barnard, MD: Why He's Is Suing The Federal Government Over the New Dietary Guidelines

#370: Neal Barnard, MD: Why He's Is Suing The Federal Government Over the New Dietary Guidelines

Dr. Neal Barnard joins Rip to break down PCRM’s lawsuit against the federal government, the secret advisory panel, alleged conflicts tied to meat and dairy, and the renewed push for animal protein, full-fat dairy, and beef tallow.

These guidelines don’t just sit on a government website. They help shape what gets served in hospitals, military facilities, federal nutrition programs, and ultimately kids' plates in schools. That’s why this fight matters — and why we’re proud to have Dr. Barnard and his team leading it.

2022Ami MackeySeptember 10, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#369: Lisa Wargofchik - How to Make Healthy Choices Without Relying on Willpower

#369: Lisa Wargofchik - How to Make Healthy Choices Without Relying on Willpower

Healthy living becomes much easier when we stop renegotiating our choices every day. This week, Rip sits down with high-performance coach and author Lisa Wargofchik to explore how intentional routines can reduce decision fatigue, strengthen courage, and create more freedom

2022Ami MackeySeptember 3, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#368: Movement is The Fountain of Youth: Rip Esselstyn on Fitness, Fun, and Community

#368: Movement is The Fountain of Youth: Rip Esselstyn on Fitness, Fun, and Community

Rip Esselstyn and Matt Tullman discuss building physical activity into everyday life through sport, accountability partners, active family traditions, and simple preparation

2022Ami MackeyAugust 27, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#367: Menopause Is Not the End: Dr. Jessica Shepherd on Hormones, Plants, and Thriving in Midlife

#367: Menopause Is Not the End: Dr. Jessica Shepherd on Hormones, Plants, and Thriving in Midlife

Menopause is not the beginning of the end — it is a transition that deserves education, support, and better tools.

This week, Rip sits down with OB-GYN and women’s health expert Dr. Jessica Shepherd for a powerful conversation about perimenopause, menopause, hormones, sleep, sex, strength, and the role of plant-centered nutrition in supporting women through this transition.

Women can thrive in midlife and beyond and this episode explains how.

2022Ami MackeyAugust 20, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#366: What Your Cholesterol Numbers Aren’t Telling You: Dr. Daniel Chong Explains ApoB, Lp(a), Plaque, and Disease Prevention

#366: What Your Cholesterol Numbers Aren’t Telling You: Dr. Daniel Chong Explains ApoB, Lp(a), Plaque, and Disease Prevention

Dr. Daniel Chong joins Rip for a thoughtful, nuanced conversation about LDL, ApoB, saturated fat, calcium scores, soft plaque, stents, blood viscosity, and the protective inner lining of our arteries. Most importantly, he reminds us that food and lifestyle remain the foundation for creating an internal environment where health can flourish.

2022Ami MackeyAugust 13, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#365: Kendale Ritchey, DPM - A Podiatrist’s Own 30-Year Mystery Illness Solved with Plants — and the Devastating Effects of Diabetes on Your Feet

#365: Kendale Ritchey, DPM - A Podiatrist’s Own 30-Year Mystery Illness Solved with Plants — and the Devastating Effects of Diabetes on Your Feet

After nearly three decades of unexplained inflammatory pain, podiatrist Dr. Kendale Ritchey found unexpected relief through a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.

2022Ami MackeyAugust 6, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#364: Micah Yu, MD - The Joint Pain Wake-Up Call That Changed His Life

#364: Micah Yu, MD - The Joint Pain Wake-Up Call That Changed His Life

Rip Esselstyn talks with Dr. Micah Yu, a board-certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine physician, about autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, joint pain, gout, spondyloarthritis, and the powerful role of a whole food, plant-based diet.

2022Ami MackeyJuly 30, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#363: Melissa Mondala, MD -Why So Many Women Feel “Off” — and How to Feel Better

#363: Melissa Mondala, MD -Why So Many Women Feel “Off” — and How to Feel Better

Dr. Melissa Mondala joins Rip to explore the powerful connections between food, hormones, anxiety, autoimmune disease, perimenopause, metabolic health, and whole-person healing.

2022Ami MackeyJuly 23, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#362: Why You Eat When You’re Not Hungry — and How to Stop with Dr. Jud Brewer

#362: Why You Eat When You’re Not Hungry — and How to Stop with Dr. Jud Brewer

Rip sits down with Dr. Jud Brewer to explore why we eat when we’re not hungry, why willpower so often fails, and how awareness can help us break free from cravings and shame. This is a powerful conversation about brain wiring, habit loops, and building a more peaceful relationship with food.

2022Ami MackeyJuly 16, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#361: The Whole Truth: Nelson Campbell on the Hidden Agendas Behind Decades of Health Misinformation—and What to Do About It

#361: The Whole Truth: Nelson Campbell on the Hidden Agendas Behind Decades of Health Misinformation—and What to Do About It

Nelson Campbell joins Rip to uncover The Whole Truth in his new book about decades of health misinformation — and why the future of the plant-based movement depends on courage, clarity, community, and “heart-centered wholism.”

2022Ami MackeyJuly 9, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#360: Real 30, Real Food, Real Results: Meet Barbara Court - A Plant Strong Success Story

#360: Real 30, Real Food, Real Results: Meet Barbara Court - A Plant Strong Success Story

At nearly 75, Barbara Court is proving that it is never too late to get Plant Strong. After joining the Real 30 Challenge, she lost nearly 15 pounds, improved her A1C, increased her daily movement, and started consistently eating 30-plus different plants each week. Her story is funny, practical, inspiring, and a powerful reminder that progress does not require perfection — just perseverance.

2022Ami MackeyJuly 2, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#359: Dr. Kim Williams Breaks Down the New Heart Health Guidelines (and it's Great News for Plants!)

#359: Dr. Kim Williams Breaks Down the New Heart Health Guidelines (and it's Great News for Plants!)

Rip sits down with Dr. Kim Williams — past president of the American College of Cardiology — to unpack the latest AHA and ACC guidelines for treating dyslipidemia. The big takeaway? Lifestyle optimization is not a suggestion. Whole plant foods, movement, sleep, mindfulness, and avoiding harmful substances are now front and center as the clinical foundation for lowering cardiovascular risk.

2022Ami MackeyJune 25, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#358: How Terri Edwards Reversed Her Joint Pain, Lost 50 Pounds & Transformed Her Health with Comfort Foods

#358: How Terri Edwards Reversed Her Joint Pain, Lost 50 Pounds & Transformed Her Health with Comfort Foods

In this episode of The PlantStrong Podcast, Rip Esselstyn sits down with Terri Edwards of EatPlantBased.com to talk about the recipes and habits that helped her lose 50 pounds, improve her joint pain, lower her cholesterol, and completely change her life after discovering whole-food, plant-based nutrition.

2022Ami MackeyJune 18, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#357: What Your Doctor ISN'T Telling You About Food with Dr. Alan Desmond

#357: What Your Doctor ISN'T Telling You About Food with Dr. Alan Desmond

Rip sits down with gastroenterologist Dr. Alan Desmond to unpack the truth behind his bold new book, What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Food. From protein myths and fiber deficiency to bacon, cancer risk, type 2 diabetes, and longevity, Alan explains why the healthiest plate is overwhelmingly plant-based. This is the food conversation every patient deserves to hear.

2022Ami MackeyJune 11, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#356: How Well Do You Want to Age? with Scott Fulton

#356: How Well Do You Want to Age? with Scott Fulton

How Well Do You Want to Age? Rip sits down with longevity researcher and author Scott Fulton to talk about healthspan, brain health, function, purpose, movement, and the hidden blind spots that quietly shape how we age.

From grip strength and balance to fiber, community, and mindset, this episode is packed with practical tools to help you stay strong, independent, and vibrant for decades to come.

2022Ami MackeyJune 4, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#355: How Alternative Meat Could Replace Industrial Animal Agriculture with Bruce Friedrich

#355: How Alternative Meat Could Replace Industrial Animal Agriculture with Bruce Friedrich

What if the future of meat didn’t require animals at all? Author, Bruce Friedrich, explains in his new book, Meat: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity's Favorite Food―and Our Future.

2022Ami MackeyMay 28, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#354: Cancer. Heart Disease. High Cholesterol. Inside One Fire Department’s Wake-Up Call

#354: Cancer. Heart Disease. High Cholesterol. Inside One Fire Department’s Wake-Up Call

What happens when nearly 500 firefighters get full health screenings—and discover hidden risks they never saw coming? Rip sits down with leaders from the Colorado Springs Fire Department to unpack shocking findings, including elevated cholesterol, undiagnosed cancers, and widespread cardiovascular risk.

2022Ami MackeyMay 21, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan

#353: Why Fiber Sometimes Backfires (and How to Fix It) with Dr. Chris Miller

#353: Why Fiber Sometimes Backfires (and How to Fix It) with Dr. Chris Miller

Rip sits down with Dr. Chris Miller to unpack why some people struggle with fiber when transitioning to a plant-based diet—and what to do about it. From gut microbiome imbalances to fermented foods and smarter transitions, this conversation is a game-changer for anyone who’s felt bloated, fatigued, or discouraged.

2022Ami MackeyMay 14, 2026plantstrong, engine2, ripesselstyn, plant-based, vegan