
Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age
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.
Latest episodes

Jun 10, 2025 • 25min
249: Vedge Lit: Quit Lit for Your Plant-Based Practice - It’s Never Too Late to Go Vegan by Carol J Adams
Discover the joys of embracing veganism at any age! A compelling discussion on the transformative book 'Never Too Late to Go Vegan' reveals how late-life dietary changes can enhance well-being. Dive into personal stories that resonate and highlight the unique advantages older individuals bring to their plant-based journeys. The speaker encourages you to shift your mindset about timing and invites you to reflect on your own experiences. Plus, a fun challenge awaits that prompts you to explore how age can inspire your vegan choices!

Jun 3, 2025 • 20min
248: Defying Gravity - The Invisible Forces Shaping Your Vegan Practice
Explore how your surroundings shape your choices, particularly in veganism. Discover the invisible forces that guide everyday habits and cultural norms. Reflect on inherited beliefs and how they impact your journey toward a plant-based lifestyle. Learn the weight of both decisions and inactions, and how intentional changes can shift your trajectory. Engage with powerful journal prompts to evaluate what’s keeping you stuck and how to make empowering choices that align with your values.

8 snips
May 27, 2025 • 45min
247: Zero Waste, Plant-Based, and Other Delicious Decisions with Vojtech Vegh
Join Vojtech Vegh, a zero-waste vegan chef and founder of SurplusFoodStudio.com, as he takes listeners on a journey from a reluctant waiter to a culinary innovator. He shares transformative insights on preventing food waste, emphasizing that planning is key. Discover how to creatively repurpose scraps, turning carrot tops and watermelon rinds into culinary delights. Vojtech discusses the chef’s role in sustainability and how small mindset shifts can make low-waste cooking the new norm, both in restaurants and at home.

May 20, 2025 • 50min
246: Can Fast Food Save the Planet? Jonah Goldman of PLNT Burger
Jonah Goldman, the co-founder of PLNT Burger, shares his inspiring journey from childhood visits to animal sanctuaries to pioneering a plant-based burger chain. He discusses how PLNT Burger redefines fast food with a focus on joy, flavor, and sustainability. Goldman emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in attracting skeptics, why they avoid the term 'vegan,' and the innovative tools like a live impact calculator to track environmental savings. It's a compelling look at how delicious plant-based options can drive positive change.

May 13, 2025 • 31min
245: Neuroscience and Vegan Decisions: Pulling Back the Curtain on Your Brain
Why do we struggle to act on our intentions, especially when it comes to a vegan lifestyle? This discussion dives into the neuroscience behind decision-making and the resistance our brains create when we try to change. Listeners learn practical strategies to combat indecision, especially during moments of stress or fatigue. The importance of understanding psychological barriers and practicing self-compassion is highlighted. Get ready to embrace one decision at a time, and remember: you’re not broken; you’re human!

May 6, 2025 • 54min
244: Toastmaster to Hummus: Kimberly Winters on Finding Your Vegan Voice
Kimberly Winters, a vegan coach and host of "Did You Bring the Hummus?" podcast, shares her transformative journey from Toastmasters to the world of veganism. She discusses the importance of storytelling in spreading vegan ideas authentically and why every small choice counts. Kimberly provides practical tips for restaurants to be more inclusive and highlights the power of community in the vegan movement. She emphasizes overcoming fears in public speaking and the personal growth that comes with embracing a vegan lifestyle.

4 snips
Apr 29, 2025 • 24min
243: Spring Vegan Reset
Spring is here, and it's time to refresh your plant-based living! Discover how a little spring cleaning can boost your vegan journey. Audit your media and clear out anything that doesn't support your goals. Don't forget to free up kitchen space by letting go of animal-based cooking tools. Add inspiration to your home with fresh produce displays and herb gardens. Plus, simplify meal planning with easy frameworks. Align your living space with your values and watch your lifestyle transform!

5 snips
Apr 22, 2025 • 54min
242: The Vegan Transformation: The Emotional & Spiritual Shift of Going Vegan with Dr. Angela Crawford
Dr. Angela Crawford, a psychologist and author of 'The Vegan Transformation', discusses the deep emotional and spiritual shifts experienced when adopting a vegan lifestyle. She shares findings from her research, including the seven core transformations that align actions with values, fostering authenticity and purpose. Dr. Crawford explores how veganism enhances interconnectedness with all life and offers practical advice on navigating conversations with non-vegans. Her own journey from meat-eater to vegan educator adds a personal touch to this transformative discussion.

8 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 24min
241: Vague Vegan Problems
Feeling overwhelmed in your vegan journey? The discussion digs into the chaos of juggling life’s demands and the cloudy goals that keep you stuck. Learn why vague intentions hinder progress and how to convert them into clear, actionable steps. Michele shares her personal experiences and emphasizes that specificity is the key to achieving plant-based success. Plus, there’s a fun dip into travel plans and some great music recommendations. It’s all about moving from confusion to clarity!

Apr 8, 2025 • 56min
240: Struggling to Go Vegan? Try This 30-Day Challenge — with Cheryl Martinez of Veginner Cooking
In a delightful chat, Cheryl Martinez, founder of VeginnerCooking.com, shares her journey from a meat-loving family to a plant-based coach. She discusses how self-compassion can break down the overwhelm of going vegan. Cheryl provides practical tips for navigating cravings and social situations, ensuring you don’t feel alone in your transition. With a focus on community, she encourages listeners to join her empowering 30-Day Vegan Challenge, making the prospect of adopting a vegan lifestyle both accessible and exciting.