Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

20 - Jane Velez-Mitchell is Speaking Up for the Voiceless May 01, 2019

Show notes

Activism is often marked by speaking up for the voiceless, and that starts by bearing witness to suffering.

These are two of the cornerstones of Jane Velez-Mitchell's mission with Jane UnChained, a digital news network dedicated to reporting on animal rights, climate change, food justice, and living cruelty-free.

Jane is a former news anchor, two-time Emmy winner, and four-time author with two New York Times Best Sellers to her name, including iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life.

Her news network has grown to 70 global contributors who provide breaking animal rights news, live coverage of demonstrations, and daily Lunchbreak Live recipes.

She joins us today to dig into the social conditioning of our diets, her story of overcoming addiction, and the importance of breaking social contracts for a more compassionate world.

What we discuss in this episode:

- How social conditioning impacts our diet

- The power of bearing witness and Anita Krajnc's Save Movement

- The two words from Howard Lyman that convinced Jane to make the switch for good

- Jane's story of addiction and overcoming alcoholism

- The cycle of addiction, why we attach our happiness to what we consume, and why diets don't work

- How animal agriculture affects climate change, and why the media is afraid to cover it

- The origins of Jane UnChained and how it grew to over 70 contributors

- Why you need to tune into Lunchbreak Live and an absolutely delicious vegan cheese and cranberry pastry recipe

- Breaking the social contract by confronting a lack of compassion when you see it

- Follow Jane on Instagram at @janeunchainednews or on Twitter at @JVM, and on the Jane UnChained website at janeunchained.com.

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

19 - Dominick Thompson: On the Masculinity of Compassion, Empathy, and Intention Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

Society has perpetuated the idea that masculinity is connected to animal consumption and preying on the weak.

Luckily, there are men like Dominick Thompson actively challenging that belief.

After going to prison more than seventeen years ago, Dominick had an epiphany about what it means to cause harm in the world.

He is now a social entrepreneur and activist with an online wellness program, vegan clothing line, and upcoming food product line.

Dominick joins us today to discuss the realization he made in prison, the similarities between our culture's treatment of prisoners and animals, and why we must redefine masculinity as a compassionate trait.

You don't want to miss this inspiring episode.

What we discuss in this episode:

- How films like The Game Changers and men like Dominick are challenging the connection between meat and masculinity

- The story of Dominick calling out Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on Instagram: Why it's important to be assertive and come from a place of love

- Why society celebrates preying on the weak as being manly

- Our experiences with family members in prison, and how Dominick was able to stay optimistic

- The memory that came to Dominick during his first week in prison: How it encouraged him to stop eating meat and inspired his new mantra

- How conditions faced by prisoners compare to our treatment of animals

- The treatment of dairy cows: How researching the dairy industry led Dominick to quit all animals products "cold tofurkey"

- Eat What Elephants Eat: Dominick's online food program that seeks to make plant-based eating accessible no matter who or where you are

- The transformation Dominick saw after switching for good that made him feel like a real-life superhero

- Follow Dominick on Instagram at domzthompson or on Twitter at @DomzThompson. Check out Eat What Elephants Eat at eatwhatelephantseat.com and Crazies and Weirdos at craziesandweirdos.com

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

18 - Marc Bekoff: On Compassionate Conservation and the Emotional Lives of Animals Apr 17, 2019

Show notes

How does compassion play a role in ecological conservation?

In what way does our treatment of animals impact the way we treat ourselves and the planet?

Marc Bekoff is an animal behaviorist who argues that turning away from human exceptionalism and theoretical prejudices are the keys to expanding our compassionate footprint and making our conservation efforts more effective.

As the author of more than 1,000 essays and 30 books, Marc is a leading voice in the fields of ecology, animal behavior, and cognitive ethology.

Among his many accomplishments, he, with Jane Goodall, is a co-founder of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and he was the first American to win his age class at the Tour du Haut Var bicycle race.

Marc joins us in this episode to discuss empathy, dissonance and connecting with who nonhuman animals are.

What we discuss in this episode:

- What it means to rewild yourself, connect with nature, and acknowledge nonhuman animals for who they are

- How overstimulation has made us discontent and disconnected from the natural world

- What happens to your brain when you go outside? How nature affects your mood and mind

- It's who we eat, not what we eat: How diet impacts our connection to the world

- How we use convenience and nonhuman animals' perceived utility to create cognitive dissonance

- Is there a connection between intelligence and suffering? What cognitive ethology teaches us about animals' emotional lives

- The importance of spending time with "food animals": animal personalities, Kappurot, and a story from Marc's Animal Manifesto

- Do bees get depressed and do elephants mourn? Marc explains animal emotions and why they act the way they do

- Marc's insights about domestication, animal advocacy, and diet

- Follow Marc on Twitter at @MarcBekoff or on his website at marcbekoff.com

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

17 - Chef AJ Shares How She Lost 50 Lbs and Food Addiction Apr 10, 2019

Show notes

Not many people can say they've played the flute for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, worked as an executive pastry chef, and been vegan for more than 40 years.

Chef AJ, a culinary instructor, YouTube host, and author of Unprocessed and The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss, can say all of that and more.

Although she has a background in comedy and a long track record of ethical eating, there's nothing funny about food addiction.

Even as a vegan, Chef AJ struggled with overeating sugar and under-eating vegetables.

She joins us in this episode to share how she turned to whole foods, lost 50 pounds, managed her addiction to sugar, and changed the course of her health.

**What we discuss in this episode:**

- Chef AJ's experience with disordered eating and treatment

- Chef AJ's philosophy of eating and the difference between fullness and satiety

- What makes processed foods more addictive?

- How Chef AJ turned her discovery of pre-cancerous polyps into a health opportunity

- What makes a food addict and what are cravings?

- How anxiety and sugar are connected

- What is taste neural adaptation and how long does it take for taste buds to adjust to new diets?

- Why you need to be eating vegetables for breakfast

- How you should be eating the fat in your diet

- Follow Chef AJ on YouTube at ChefAJ, on Instagram at @therealchefaj, on Facebook at facebook.com/chef.aj1, or on her website at chefajwebsite.com. Watch her Tonight Show appearance here!

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

16 - Tracye Lynn McQuirter: Food Justice, Nutrition, and Enjoying Veganism for Life Apr 03, 2019

Show notes

Despite the growing acceptance of plant-based nutrition in the mainstream, there are still major disparities in health, food access, and nutrition education for certain demographics.

Thirty-year vegan, best-selling author, and public health nutritionist Tracye Lynn McQuirter has spent decades teaching people how to be vegan for life while advocating specifically for African American women and girls.

The author of By Any Greens Necessary and Ageless Vegan joins us to discuss health inequalities, food justice, and some of her delicious vegan recipes.

You'll learn the connection between food and racism, how chronic disease is exacerbated in black communities, and this nutritionist's tips to switch for good.

What we discuss in this episode:

- The plate of black America and how Dick Gregory, comedian and activist, started Tracye on her path to veganism

- Why Tracye decided to start filling the gap in nutrition literature for black women

- What's in Tracye's Vegan Starter Guide?

- Health disparities between races, and what exacerbates them

- What is food racism?

- How the USDA pushes dairy products onto people of color despite their higher rates of lactose intolerance

- The mental shift you need to make to start eating plant-based

- Follow Tracye at byanygreensnecessary.com, on Twitter at @byanygreens, and on Instagram at @byanygreens. Download her free guide at africanamericanveganstarterguide.com

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

15 - Nik Tyler: Compassion Is a Journey with MFA Celebrity Relations Manager Mar 27, 2019

Show notes

Our diets are forever evolving and never perfect, but if we allow ourselves to have compassion and understand the journey, we can get to a healthier place.

Nik Tyler lives this philosophy daily.

He's an actor, vegan, and the Celebrity Relations Manager for Mercy for Animals, the leading farm animal protection non-profit organization.

Nik was raised as a vegetarian, taught to honor the Jainism belief of ahimsa or to do no harm.

However, he still struggled with sugar and vegan "junk" food, and it took time for him to practice compassion toward himself and his body.

A once outspoken animal activist in college, Nik continues to advocate for the vegan lifestyle, but with a bit more tact.

He has come to understand that compassion is inherent in all of us, but we each need time to realize and act upon it.

The most effective traits of an activist are patience and the ability to listen, according to Nik.

Nik is both insightful and playful, and this conversation was a true gem. We hope you find inspiration from this episode, but enjoy a few laughs as well!

What we discuss in this episode:

- Jainism & Ahimsa

- Growing up as a vegetarian

- Sugar addiction & reboots

- Most effective forms of activism

Follow Nik Tyler on Twitter @niktyler

Follow Mercy for Animals

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

14 - Bianca Taylor: On Self-Love, Purpose, and Plant-Powered Strength Mar 20, 2019

Show notes

How can a vegan lifestyle help heal your mind, body, and spirit?

Before becoming a personal trainer certified in plant-based nutrition, Bianca Taylor started her fitness journey as a bikini bodybuilder.

Searching for purpose and a sense of control, she instead found herself dealing with depression and a broken relationship with food.

One small realization started an avalanche of change.

Bianca used the power of plants, with some professional guidance, to reignite her passion for food, health, and strength.

Now she helps other women do the same.

She has trained with a range of different athletes and uses her platform to coach plant-fueled fitness.

You don't want to miss this emotional episode about purpose, compassion, and self-love.

What we discuss in this episode:

- The childhood tragedy that left Bianca searching for purpose.

- Busting the myth that happiness and worth are tied to your appearance.

- The realization that lead Bianca to a vegan diet and a lifestyle of compassion.

- Bianca's physical and spiritual transformation after switching for good.

- Gaining muscle and building confidence as a vegan.

- What Bianca tells her clients who are struggling with their relationship with food.

Follow Bianca Taylor on Instagram at @biancataylorm or @biancataylorfitness, find her on the Bianca Taylor YouTube channel, tune into her podcast on iTunes, or check out her website at biancataylorfitness.com.

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

13 - Matthew Prescott: Save the World with Every Bite Mar 13, 2019

Show notes

When you hear about the rapid decline of our resources, coupled with the growth of our human population, do you wonder what you can do to help save the planet?

Matthew Prescott, author of Food is the Solution: What to Eat to Save the World, joins us to talk about a very convenient truth: the world can be saved with every bite.

As the Senior Director of Food and Agriculture of the Humane Society of the United States, and as a speaker invited to TEDxUCLA and Talks at Google, Matthew's advocacy has lead to changes on individual plates, and in major food companies.

You'll learn how we can all do more with less, how eating locally is not always eating ethically, and why we need all forks on deck to save the world.

What we discuss in this episode:

- The inefficiency of our food system.

- Why saving the planet is easier than you think.

- Busting the myth that we need to get our protein through animals.

- The resources that really go into making a breakfast sandwich.

- Why locally-sourced foods don't cut it.

- Why changing your diet is more convenient than limiting yourself to the same bland foods.

- Matthew's suggestions for the first steps toward going vegan.

Follow Matthew Prescott at matthewprescott.com, on Twitter at @MatthewPrescott, or on Instagram at @MattPrescott.

Connect with Switch4Good

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2toqAmlQpwR1HDF_KKfGg

12 - Robbie Balenger is Running Across America! Mar 06, 2019

Show notes

You've heard all the myths surrounding plant-based diets: it's not sustainable as an athlete, or easy when you travel, or fun if you're a foodie.

Robbie Balenger is about to bust all of those myths in one 3,000-mile run across the United States.

Robbie first laced up his shoes six years ago to alleviate his stress as a restaurant manager. Since then, his career and running paths have coalesced into a passion for endurance athleticism powered by plants -- and vegan ice cream.

He joins us to chat about his journey to plant-based wellness, how he plans to fuel his body over the seventy-five-day excursion, and how he hopes to inspire other people to thrive while eating ethically.

He hits the pavement March 15th in Huntington Beach, sponsored by Switch4Good and NadaMoo!

What we discuss in this episode:

- How Robbie turned to running to deal with stress.

- Robbie's journey to a plant-based diet with an ethical focus.

- The motivation behind Robbie's transcontinental attempt.

- Slaying myths about travel, being a foodie, and being a plant-based athlete.

- Robbie's nutrition plan.

- How Robbie suggests people transition from one lifestyle to another.

Follow Robbie Balenger at plantpoweredmission.com or on Instagram at @robbiebalendger.You can also track his progress at switch4good.org and nadamoo.com

Connect with Switch4Good