Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age

273: Vegan Voyeurs

Nov 25, 2025

Thanksgiving is the perfect backdrop for exploring the idea of being a 'vegan voyeur.' Many people enjoy following vegan content without making the leap to a plant-based lifestyle. This discussion dives into behavioral science, revealing how our brains reward us for merely learning about change. It emphasizes the difference between celebrating ideas and taking action. With practical tips for small steps, listeners are encouraged to make tangible moves toward a vegan lifestyle, especially during the holiday season.

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INSIGHT

Information Feels Like Progress

Many people consume vegan content heavily without changing habits because learning gives a dopamine hit.
Michele Giannone explains that this 'vegan voyeur' phase is a normal part of behavior change, not failure.

INSIGHT

Cognitive Dissonance Is Normal

Competing desires create cognitive dissonance, which looks like failure but is actually the brain protecting safety and values.
Michele ties this to Prochaska's contemplation stage and calls the behavior normal and reparable.

ADVICE

Cast Small Votes For Identity

Cast small votes for the identity you want by taking tiny, real-world actions.
Michele recommends acting to create evidence that builds identity and sustains habits.

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It’s Thanksgiving week in the U.S.—maybe you’re driving to a family gathering, getting in a pre-pie walk, or just bracing yourself for the conversations ahead. Wherever you are, Michele invites you to pause and notice: are you a vegan voyeur? Someone who loves the idea of plant-based living, follows all the vegan doctors, and streams every documentary—but hasn’t quite stepped fully into the practice?In This Episode

Michele unpacks the idea of the “vegan voyeur”—and why it’s not a failure but a natural stage in any behavior-change journey. Drawing on research from behavioral psychology, neuroscience, and habit science, she explains how our brains give us a little dopamine hit just for learning about change, even before we act. We all do it: reading about fitness instead of moving, watching decluttering videos instead of cleaning, or binge-listening to inspirational podcasts instead of starting that project. It’s called vicarious learning, part of the contemplation stage described by psychologist James Prochaska’s Transtheoretical Model of Change. Behavioral economists call the internal tug-of-war cognitive dissonance—the tension between comfort and growth. And as BJ Fogg reminds us, we often “celebrate the idea instead of the action.” The good news? Readiness doesn’t come before action—it’s built through it.Takeaway / Challenge

This week—especially amid Thanksgiving travel, traditions, and turkey talk—notice where you might be a vegan voyeur, a researcher, or an eavesdropper. Then take one real-world step: make that saved recipe, order the vegan option, try a new non-leather belt, or plan a visit to an animal sanctuary. Action creates evidence, evidence builds identity, and identity sustains the habit.

Learning about veganism can change your life.

Living it changes the world.

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