

Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age
Michele Olender
There has never been a more important time to be Vegan. Vedge Your Best is the only podcast aimed at teaching midlife women how to limit and eliminate the consumption of animal products without feeling deprived, overwhelmed or unsupported, even if no one you know is Vegan. Life Coach Michele Olender will show you how living Vegan is the superpower that will unlock your possibilities and give you the confidence to take on your next impossible goal, by doing it YOUR way. Vedge YOUR Best and there’s nothing you can’t do.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 26, 2025 • 22min
260: Permission to Be Bad: Master of None
What if the key to a vibrant life is embracing being bad at new things? Discover why midlife is the perfect time to throw out expectations of mastery and lean into the messy, awkward journey of learning. With powerful insights about the beginner mindset, listeners are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones without the pressure of perfection. Michele shares practical mindset tools and challenges everyone to pick something new to try, reminding us that joy comes from the process, not just the outcome.

5 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 27min
259: Not Enough Is WAY More Than Zero
What if small actions can lead to big changes? The discussion emphasizes how 'not-zero' actions can compound over time and motivate personal growth. Listeners learn to reframe procrastination as a normal response to overwhelm rather than failure. Social comparison is tackled, reminding us that our unique journeys matter. There's a challenge to embrace imperfection and celebrate tiny wins, especially when transitioning to a vegan lifestyle. Prepare for a fresh start this autumn with practical advice on making meaningful adjustments!

8 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 15min
258: The Road to Hell – Why Your Plant-Based or Vegan Intentions Aren’t Working
Feeling overwhelmed by your plant-based intentions? This discussion navigates the chasm between good intentions and actionable plans. It highlights how rules differ from strategies and why old habits resurface under stress. Plus, learn tips for handling unexpected food offers from friends. It’s not just about diet—these insights apply to decluttering, boundary-setting, and any meaningful behavior change. Remember, intentions alone won’t cut it; you need a roadmap to transform them into reality!

8 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 21min
257: How You Go Vegan Is How You Do Everything – Writing a Book in 30 Days Using the Vedge Your Best Coaching Method
Explore how embracing vegan principles can mirror personal growth and creativity. Discover the challenges of writing a book in 30 days and how to navigate the discomfort that comes with creative pursuits. Michele Olender shares her journey, focusing on vulnerability and confronting perfectionism. Learn how small daily actions lead to significant transformation and why the process holds more power than the finished product. This intriguing conversation encourages listeners to tackle their own delayed goals today!

7 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 21min
256: Does "Aging Gracefully" Just Mean “Shut Up”?
This discussion dives into the tension between gratitude and guilt, questioning if aging gracefully means silencing our struggles. It explores how toxic positivity can invalidate genuine feelings and how societal norms pressure us to downplay our pain. Through personal anecdotes, the conversation highlights the importance of embracing authentic journeys instead of idealized transformation narratives. It also champions the idea that caring about animal welfare and climate issues is vital, urging listeners to voice their concerns and fight for meaningful change.

8 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 15min
255: The Vegan Blame Game
Explore the emotional hurdles of adopting a vegan lifestyle. The discussion dives into the comfort of blaming ourselves and others for inaction. It emphasizes that knowledge alone isn't enough to spark change. You'll learn about a mindset shift that fosters creativity and compassion, allowing for a more forgiving approach to setbacks. The listener challenge encourages taking small, powerful steps instead of getting caught in blame. This enlightening conversation is all about finding the courage to start anew, time and again.

Jul 15, 2025 • 14min
254: Got Labels?: What If Your Food Told the Truth?
A new Swiss law requires clear labeling for animal products, revealing if animals endured painful treatments. This shift promotes awareness and invites reflection on food choices, especially for those reconsidering their diets. The discussion challenges the 'right to know' versus ignorance and encourages curiosity over guilt. Listeners are invited to investigate one animal-based product’s journey and assess its alignment with their values. Navigating veganism in social settings also highlights the importance of respectful dialogue around dietary choices.

10 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 46min
253: Plant-Based Cooking As An Act of Personal Liberation: Chef Day Radley from The Vegan Chef School
Chef Day Radley, founder of The Vegan Chef School in London, shares how plant-based cooking can be a pathway to personal liberation. She discusses the journey of individuals reinventing themselves through vegan cuisine, emphasizing that midlife is a perfect time to embrace new skills. Day highlights the importance of food choices in reflecting personal values, challenges the notion of calorie counting, and celebrates the creative potential within British food culture. Cooking, she argues, is a powerful tool for empowerment and activism.

4 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 20min
252: The Vegan We’re Waiting For (Might Be You)
Discover how small choices can create significant change as the host dives into the power of personal responsibility. Traffic serves as a metaphor for collective action, urging listeners to move from passive observation to active participation. Explore how doomscrolling stifles creativity and learn insights from We Are the Weather that emphasize daily actions. This engaging discussion encourages embracing achievable goals and taking meaningful steps in your plant-based journey, reminding us that every individual's intention truly matters.

8 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 23min
251: Well, Excuuuuuse Me…
The discussion revolves around the intriguing concept of 'excusitarianism,' where excuses are reframed as insights into our fears. Humor and curiosity are presented as tools to transform these excuses into opportunities for personal growth. Listeners are invited to laugh at their justifications and to view resistance not as an obstacle but as a path to self-discovery. The journey includes actionable steps toward adopting a healthier lifestyle, making it a fun exploration of how to embrace change.