Plant-Powered People Podcast

Latest Episodes:

87. 200 Pound Weight Loss Journey & Addiction Recovery With Adam Sud Jan 01, 2023

Show notes

Today, Adam Sud is a plant-based coach who has helped hundreds of people reclaim their health - but it wasn't always that way. Adam spent years of his early adulthood addicted to fast food, suffering from substance abuse, severe depression, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, severed relationships, and more. Along with his amazing story, he shares meaningful insights and his best tips for reclaiming our health in a sustainable way.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide, addiction, and topics related to severe depression.

Show Notes:

Adam's experience growing up as a 7th generation Texan in the 80s-90s
The experiences that impacted Adam growing up and how that affected how he thought about himself
How Adam developed a problematic relationship with food
How Adam's ADHD diagnosis led to substance abuse
Adam's experience with Adderall and the social, physical, and mental implications
How Adam became addicted to Adderall, and how that addiction shifted to fast food
How a 7-day retreat by Rip Esselstyn planted the seed for a shift towards a healthy plant-based lifestyle
The moment that changed everything for Adam and became a turning point
The power of words, their long-term impact, & the importance of compassionate language
Adam's experience with rehab & the power of the diagnoses he got while there
How Adam's plant-based journey began with a hamburger
How to re-program your dopamine system to want healthy foods
The mindset that allowed Adam to achieve sustainable positive change
The importance of creating a system that works for you when trying to make a positive lifestyle change
The simple meal plan that helped Adam reverse type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more
What Adam believes addiction recovery should actually be about, and how plant-based nutrition plays a role in that
What Adam wants people to understand about making healthier choices
Diet culture vs. nutrition
Healthy/unhealthy food choices vs. healthy/unhealthy food patterns
The problem with considering certain foods good/bad
The outlook towards habit change that gives you permission to start over
Why you don't need to challenge yourself with massive or radical goals in order to create positive habits
The mindset that is key for lasting habit change
How to get yourself into a positive feedback loop when trying to make changes in their life
How to help people experiencing depression, substance abuse or addiction issues
Thanks to our sponsors Plantbasedmealplan.com with PawCo Food (get 50% off your first box at here).

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86. Vegan Baking with The Great British Bake Off's First Vegan Contestant, Freya Cox Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

Freya Cox was the first vegan contestant on The Great British Bake Off, showing the world that vegan baking can be as good—and even better—than baked goods made with animal products. On this episode, she shares the details of her new book Simply Vegan Baking, and she dishes out lots of plant-based baking tips for fellow home bakers!

Show Notes:

How Freya became a vegan baker
The meal that got Freya to go vegan
Freya's impulsive application to The Great British Bake Off
Freya's tips for vegan bakers who want to be on the show
How Freya prepared for the show while balancing work, school, and taking care of her animals
How Freya's vegan morals prevailed even when baking challenges would have been easier made non-vegan
How Freya's experience on the show influenced her career and ignited the drive to write her cookbook
The recipe that took Freya the most tries to make into a vegan replica
Freya's favorite vegan baked good recipe from her cookbook and the show
The impact that Freya had on others on The Great British Bake Off
A peek behind the scenes of the show
Freya's biggest struggles with vegan baking both at home and on the show
The practical tips for common vegan baking substitutes like aquafaba, cream or tartar, and more
The secret to making amazing vegan meringue
Why egg replacements rarely work the same as eggs and what to do about it
What you need to look for in vegan butter
Why Freya always uses soy milk as plant-based milk in cakes
How to pick the right plant-based milk for your recipe
Tips for using agar-agar as a vegan gelatin substitute
What's next for Freya's vegan baking career
Thank you to our sponsor Caraway Home (check out their cyber season event)

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85. Blue Zones & How to Add 10 Years to Your Life with Dan Buettner Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Dan Buettner is an award-winning journalist and producer at National Geographic who has spent most of his life identifying and studying "blue zones" - the 5 areas of the world where people live the longest, with the lowest disease rates. Today he's telling us all about how a plant-based diet ties into their health and longevity.

Show Notes:

Dan's unique stories from his many quests and expeditions with National Geographic
Dan's experience with archeological expeditions
What is a blue zone?
How Dan discovered the 5 blue zones and why they got the name "blue zones"
The characteristics the people in blue zones
Carbohydrates: the confusion and why you shouldn't be afraid of them
The difference between good and bad carbohydrates
How the Standard American Diet came to be
How the Standard American Diet ended up including so much added sugar
Why it can be so difficult to make diet changes even when we know something is bad for us
The role our environment and community play in our health
Blue zone-like habits that you can incorporate into your life without travelling anywhere
Why Dan transitioned into a plant-based lifestyle as a result of studying blue zones
How to make it easier for others to make more plant-based diet choices
The importance of surrounding yourself with people that inspire your health goals
Some simple guidelines for adopting a healthier, plant-based lifestyle
A little challenge for you to start incorporating healthy, delicious recipes into your life long-term
Evidence-based tips to get young, picky eaters to eat vegetables
Healthy cultural ways of eating that we should take note of
About Dan's new book
Thank you to our sponsors Caraway Home and Yai's Thai (use code PLANTPOWER at checkout for 20% off at yaisthai.com)

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84. Mastering Diabetes with Robby Barbaro Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

Robby Barbaro is a diabetes coach, educator, author, and international speaker who has been living with type 1 diabetes for more than twenty years. He now helps countless people improve their insulin sensitivity and gain more control over their metabolic health through Mastering Diabetes, and we're excited to chat with him today!

Show Notes:

Robby's journey with type 1 diabetes
Robby's experience with acne, plantar fasciitis, and more
How Robby decided to turn to nutrition and lifestyle to help his diabetes
Robby's experience with the ketogenic diet and other diets
The plant-based diet that helped improve Robby's insulin sensitivity by 900%
Why it is so important to improve insulin sensitivity
The 4 components of the "Mastering Diabetes" plant-based method
How to set yourself up for long-term success
What you can do to become more insulin sensitive
A simple explanation for what insulin resistance is
How does eating different types of fats affect our bodies?
Suggested ratios of carbs, fats, and protein in an insulin-sensitivity-improving diet
What you should know about coconut oil
How animal products impact someone who is living with diabetes
The difference between insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes
The tests that you should get if you're living with any form of diabetes
The importance of accountability for the things that matter to you
Robby's tips for how to start making positive changes
Examples of plant-based shifts to make in your breakfast and lunch meals
How removing foods from your diet can change your taste buds
How physical activity impacts your insulin sensitivity
The signs of type 1 diabetes and when to get checked out
Thank you to our sponsors Caraway Home and Yai's Tai (use code PLANTPOWER at checkout for 20% off at yaisthai.com)

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83. Introducing Season 5! Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Get a sneak peek at what's to come this season on the Plant Powered People Podcast, plus get to know Michelle and Toni beyond podcast interviews!

Show Notes:

Learn the new direction Toni and Michelle are taking with the podcast
A sneak peek of who to expect on the next episodes!
Exciting and in depth updates from Toni and Michelle
How Toni and Michelle have been growing their businesses
Proud friend moment- what Toni is proud of Michelle for
Knowing when to get support in your business
The benefits of therapy, business coaching, and self-care
The importance of learning new things, and what Michelle and Toni are learning
Toni's exciting gardening updates
How Toni is creating healthy habits
What Toni and Michelle are loving lately
We're going there: bidets and reusable toilet paper
Why you should pick up some passionfruit and rambutan
Toni's favourite recent musicals
How Fitbit is helping Toni stay active
How Michelle has been making bubble tea at home
Thank you to our sponsors Caraway Home (carawayhome.com/plantpoweredkitchen or use code plantpoweredkitchen at checkout) and Yai's Tai (use code PLANTPOWER at checkout for 20% off at yaisthai.com)

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82. How to Organize Your Fridge & Pantry Like a Pro With "Fridge Love" Author Kristen Hong Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

How do you reduce food waste, motivate yourself to cook healthy food at home, and keep your kitchen clean? Kristen Hong, author of Fridge Love and expert at organizing fridges and pantries is on the show to share her best tips for making food storage easy and fun!

Show Notes:

How Kristen got into organizing fridges and food saving
What is a nutritarian?
The amazing benefits that you can expect once you start organizing your kitchen
How setting aside 15 minutes per week to organize your fridge can change the way you eat and reduce food waste
How you can unlock a new way of thinking about food and your fridge
How to get started with organizing your fridge
How to bring intention into your fridge
How to start organizing with what you already have at home
When to upgrade your storage containers
The benefits of "buy nothing" groups
What to think of and do before you get started organizing your fridge
Tips for deep cleaning your fridge
The importance of showcasing your produce & avoiding putting it in the crisper drawers
Best ways to store produce for maximum shelf life
Container recommendations for fridges and freezers
How Kristen navigates having an omnivore fridge while being vegan
Tips for organizing your pantry & creating one if your kitchen doesn't have pantry
The importance of recognizing what works best for you when organizing your kitchen
Thank you to our sponsors Maxine's Heavenly (use discount code PLANTS25) and AMARA

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81. How to Turn Your Dad Vegan With Harley Quinn Smith Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

How can you convince your family to go plant-based with you? Harley Quinn Smith is an actress and outspoken vegan lifestyle advocate who did just that through leading with kindness and compassion, and she's here to share her story with us!

Show Notes:

Harley Quinn's journey from being a musician to becoming an actress
How Harley Quinn gradually went vegan and started to bring her father on board
What it was like adopting a bunny from the shelter & helping her heal from trauma
How Harley Quinn's dad went vegan after suffering a heart attack
Sharing graphic images of animal cruelty vs. leading with compassion when talking about veganism
How Harley Quinn's dad inspired others to make lifestyle changes after his heart attack
The importance of knowing your audience when you're talking about becoming plant-based
What it's like to have a family that is also vegan
Why and how Harley Quinn started her podcast with her dad
The journey of Harley Quinn's boyfriend going from eating a lot of meat to becoming a pescatarian
The power of going to farm sanctuaries
Thank you to our sponsors Maxine's Heavenly (use discount code PLANTS25) and AMARA (use discount code PLANTPOWER)

Resources:

Harley Quinn's Instagram

80. Theme Parks as a Vegan & How to Navigate Them Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

How do you find the best vegan snacks at a theme park? Russell Heiman, aka @rollercoastervegan travels the world adding to his 590+ list of roller coasters ridden, and they find the best vegan snacks in the process. They're on the show to talk about their best theme park tips!

Podcast website: http://plantpoweredpodcast.com

Show notes: https://plantbasedmealplan.com/ep-80

Show Notes:

How Russell conquered their fear of heights through roller coasters and unlocked a new passion
Russell's journey to becoming plant-based
How to find good vegan food at theme parks
How to plan out a trip to a theme park, near or far
Vegan food options at Disneyland
Maintaining vegan values & theme parks that have live animals
What to do when your family plans a trip to a theme park with live animals
Some of the best theme parks to visit worldwide
The different types of rides and roller coasters around the world
Tips for staying safe & healthy during theme park visits
Tips for sticking to a budget while on a theme park trip
How to find discounted admission & bulk deals for theme parks
Tips for making waiting in line fun & productive
Spooky abandoned theme parks & what happens to them
Russell's Instagram
Thank you to our sponsors Maxine's Heavenely and Caraway home/plantpoweredkitchen or use plantpoweredkitchen
Thank you to our sponsors Maxine's Heavenly (use discount code PLANTS25) and Caraway Home (use discount code PLANTPOWEREDKITCHEN)

Resources:

79. Fire Station Goes Plant-Based with Rip Esselstyn Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

How can you improve the health of an entire fire station? Rip Esselstyn joined the fire department after 10 years as a professional plant-based triathlete, and that's exactly what he did! Now, Rip empowers the masses to take control of their health through his books, podcast, food brand, and more.

Show Notes:

The Esselstyn family's journey from consuming the Standard American Diet to becoming leaders in the healthy plant-based living space
Learning to cook tasty plant-based meals
The evolution of plant-based resources
How & why Rip got into firefighting after being a professional athlete & communications graduate
The lifesaving event that led Rip to start helping firefighters eat healthier & plant-based
What it's like to be a firefighter & the kinds of calls they get
The contrast of witnessing the consequences of poor diet choices while his father's work focuses on reversing them through plant-based nutrition
Rip's shift from saving fire victims to helping firefighters live healthier lives
The amazing benefits that Rip's friend experienced after 28 days of healthy plant-based eating
How small group challenges can influence us to live healthier
Simple & healthy meal ideas from the fire station
A summary of what Rip's books are about & who they're for
Thank you to our sponsors Maxine's Heavenly (use discount code PLANTS25) and Karviva Beverages. Note: most Karviva drinks are fully vegan, but they have a few that aren't. Their Ace sport drink line is not vegan).

Resources:

78. How Sprouting Will Change Your Health & Your Life Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

Imagine eating dozens of vegetables worth of nutrients, but only within a few bites? That's what you can do when you eat sprouts! Doug Evans, serial entrepreneur and author of "The Sprout Book" is here to tell us everything there is to know about sprouting.

Everything you need to know about sprouts
Growing your own food at home with sprouts
How Doug's family history of illness influenced his journey
How meeting a vegan lady sparked his "cold cucumber" moment
Doug's philosophy around making diet changes
How moving to the desert changed Doug's access to fresh food
The shocking nutrient density of sprouts
How to grow your own sprouts in the space of a shoebox
How sprouting reduces the risk of contamination
Why sprouts are so much more expensive at the grocery store
The nutritional benefits of broccoli sprouts vs full grown broccoli
How to start sprouting with seeds, jars, and cheesecloth
The best seeds to sprout for beginners
The best ways to make sprouts delicious & Doug's signature sprout dish
How to get creative with your sprouts
The amazing environmental benefits of sprouting vs. farming full vegetables
How sprouts can help give access to food in even food deserts
Thank you to our sponsors Maxine's Heavenly (use discount code PLANTS25) and Karviva Beverages. Note: most Karviva drinks are fully vegan, but they have a few that aren't. Their Ace sport drink line is not vegan).

Resources:

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