After a serious health wake-up, Javant Benton (@healthyveganeating) rebuilt his life through whole-food, plant-based eating—without giving up flavor or familiarity. From oil-free Southern classics to protein-rich plant meals, this episode proves that lasting change comes from empowerment, not deprivation.
Read MoreWhat if your breakfast could keep you full until lunch—without cravings or energy crashes?
In this episode, Rip Esselstyn sits down with Molly Patrick of Clean Food Dirty Girl to explore her legendary “Hippie Porridge Bowl,” a plant-powered breakfast she spent nearly eight years perfecting. Packed with oats, lentils, millet, greens, seeds, and fruit, this nutrient-dense bowl delivers serious fiber, plant protein, and long-lasting energy.
Read MoreAt 43 years old, Charles Gassenheimer was 75 pounds overweight, drowning in statins, pre-diabetic, losing his memory — and staring straight down the barrel of bypass surgery.
Then he made one decision: to go all-in on whole-food, plant-based living. Today Charles is medication-free and running marathons faster than he ever has!
Discover what happens when plants become your finish line!
Rip visits with cardiovascular scientist and pharmacist Sachin Shah to explore heart health, the hidden risks of energy drinks, and a surprising condition called alpha-gal syndrome that actually makes you allergic to meat. It’s a powerful reminder to rethink medicine, prevention, and what truly heals us.
Read MoreRip talks with food policy leader Rachel Atcheson about how plant-based food policies are transforming schools, hospitals, and entire cities. From launching Meatless Mondays in New York City schools to reshaping hospital menus and lifestyle medicine clinics, this episode shows how real systems can change. It's inspiring, hopeful, and packed with wins.
Read MoreRip sits down with Jan Liband, a former college athlete whose path shifted after learning the true environmental cost of animal agriculture. Nearly 40 years of plant-powered living later, Jan shares how embracing new foods boosted his energy, recovery, and overall vitality — while challenging long-held protein myths and cultural norms around food, especially for men.
Read MoreJackie Akerberg is a plant-based cook and creator who has inspired hundreds of thousands by keeping things real in the kitchen and in life.
Jackie shares her journey to vegan living, how viral recipes built an incredible community, and why embracing imperfection might be the secret ingredient to long-term health and connection. We dig into protein, tofu, tempeh, squash, smart kitchen hacks, and even her recent vegan adventures abroad.
Read MoreFirefighters are trained to run toward danger — but too often, their own health is what’s at risk. In this episode of the Plant Strong Podcast, Rip Esselstyn sits down with fellow firefighter Andy Schaefer of Avon, Ohio, whose journey into plant-based eating began with a life-altering decision: donating one of his kidneys to his brother-in-law.
Read MoreAfter years on a strict keto diet, Jet Benitez watched his heart disease worsen — until a wake-up call led him to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. The results were astonishing: angina disappeared, he conquered record-breaking hikes, and his cholesterol numbers stunned his cardiologist.
Listen as Jet shares the raw, life-saving truth about changing his diet — and changing his life.
Joe Gagnon shares insights from his book Living Intentionally, a bold guide to finding clarity and purpose in today’s chaotic world. As an ultra-endurance athlete, CEO, and high-performance coach, Joe has tested the limits of what’s possible—whether running six marathons on six continents in six days or leading innovative companies. But his greatest discovery isn’t about crossing finish lines; it’s about the inner work of defining purpose, embracing discomfort, and creating habits that lead to a more grounded and fulfilling life.
Rip talks with James Beard award-winning author Andrea Freeman about the hidden politics behind the foods we eat and the communities they impact. Her research reveals powerful stories of resilience, inequity, and change within our food system. It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how we can create a fairer, healthier food future.
Rip talks with James Beard award-winning author Andrea Freeman about the hidden politics behind the foods we eat and the communities they impact. Her research reveals powerful stories of resilience, inequity, and change within our food system. It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how we can create a fairer, healthier food future.
This week’s Plant Strong Podcast features the remarkable journey of Chuck Carroll — from 10,000-calorie fast food days to becoming a champion for plant-based living. Today, Chuck opens up about his current battle with a mystery illness, reminding us that even when you’re doing everything right, chronic health challenges can still show up.
What happens when a company decides to put real food at the center of employee wellness? In this powerful episode, Rip sits down with the team at Central Garden & Pet, a 7,000-employee organization that has taken a radically forward-thinking approach to improving the health of its people.
Today, on what is a day of Thanksgiving here in the United States, we want to take a few minutes to honor three extraordinary men—Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Baxter Montgomery, and John Robbins—who we’ve recently lost. These weren’t just leaders in the whole food, plant-based movement—they were trailblazers, mentors, and fearless advocates for health and hope.
You know and love Dreena Burton for her cookbooks and recipes that have helped countless people thrive on a plant-based diet. Her new venture, Fascia Flo (fasciaflo.com), is all about unlocking mobility, easing pain, and moving with freedom as we age.
Dr. Sharma’s story is nothing short of remarkable. From his early path into medicine, to a shocking brain tumor diagnosis that shifted him from doctor to patient, Sunny’s personal journey forever changed the way he practices. Today, he helps patients heal with compassion, prevention, and the powerful pillars of lifestyle medicine — nutrition, movement, sleep, stress relief, and connection.
Read MoreAt just 46, Lauren Bernick was blindsided with a diagnosis of heart disease—and was told a heart attack was almost inevitable. Instead of accepting that fate, she transformed her life with a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.
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