Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age

Michele Olender
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Dec 9, 2025 • 44min

275: Cut, Char, Season: Chef Ed Harris on Making Vegan Food Unforgettable

Chef Ed Harris, an award-winning plant-based chef and culinary consultant, shares his journey to veganism and culinary innovation. He discusses how charring and cutting techniques can elevate the flavor of vegetables, turning everyday meals into memorable experiences. Chef Ed also reflects on his time competing on Food Network, the intense focus required in cooking shows, and the importance of ingredient integrity in dishes like falafel. With a contagious enthusiasm, he emphasizes the need for bold flavors and the potential of plant-based cooking.
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Dec 2, 2025 • 23min

274: The Weakest Link in Your Vegan Practice

Discover how your vegan journey is hindered by its weakest link. Michele dives into the Theory of Constraints, illustrating how a single bottleneck can stifle progress. Using a car factory analogy, she explains that even micro-constraints like social discomfort or perfectionism can impact your choices. Learn how to identify your personal constraints and address them effectively. Plus, get inspired by Michele's own visibility challenge and actionable tips for overcoming your hurdles. It's all about finding clarity and momentum!
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Nov 25, 2025 • 21min

273: Vegan Voyeurs

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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Nov 18, 2025 • 20min

272: When Facts Backfire - Behavioral Science, Vegans, and the Holidays.

Explore why facts often backfire, triggering defensiveness in conversations about veganism. Discover the importance of identity and belonging in shaping responses to dietary choices. Learn Gleb Tsipursky's eGRIP framework, emphasizing curiosity and rapport over raw data. Michele shares a powerful question to open minds and the art of using humility in dialogues. Delve into practical examples and a holiday challenge to practice curiosity, fostering more compassionate discussions around food during family gatherings.
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Nov 11, 2025 • 16min

271: Waiting to Vedge Your Best?

Many of us fall into the trap of waiting for the perfect moment to start our journeys, influenced by diet culture. The host dives into why this mindset leads to cycles of perfectionism and guilt. Instead of waiting, she encourages listeners to make small, compassionate changes now, especially during the holiday season. Embracing the uncomfortable feeling of being unmoored can actually signify positive change. It’s all about reframing veganism as a lifelong practice filled with values rather than an end goal.
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Nov 4, 2025 • 58min

270: From Veganuary to Everyday - Angela Yvonne and VeganPopEats.com.

Angela Yvonne, a journalist and the creator of Vegan Pop Eats, dives into the journey from Veganuary to everyday veganism. She argues that veganism needs a fresh PR approach, focusing on inviting people in rather than policing choices. Angela introduces her flexible "3 M's" for plant-forward living, shares budget-friendly vegan cooking tips, and highlights how your neighborhood influences food options. With a goal to shift perceptions, she emphasizes the cultural richness of a vegan lifestyle beyond just food.
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8 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 23min

269: The Vision Thing — Back to Your Vegan Future

Michele explores the concept of vision and its power to help us grow, even when life feels stagnant. She discusses how our past strategies can hinder future possibilities and challenges listeners to confront limiting beliefs about food. With humor and a nod to Back to the Future, she encourages playful experiments to spark change in our diets. A challenge prompts listeners to articulate their default and invented futures, emphasizing that the future is a blank canvas ready for creative reinvention.
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Oct 21, 2025 • 47min

268: Angry Vegan to Leading with Love: Kate Galli on Protein, Muscle & Mindset

Join vegan health coach Kate Galli as she shares her journey from an 'angry vegan' to a compassionate leader in plant-forward nutrition. Discover her 5-S Protein Strategy for easy meal prep, and learn why mindset is key for sustainable change. Kate emphasizes that muscle is metabolism, especially for women in midlife, and discusses how to combat overwhelm by focusing on what you can control. With practical tips and a focus on gratitude, Kate inspires everyone to embrace a loving and balanced plant-strong lifestyle.
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Oct 14, 2025 • 16min

267: The Mad Libs Method of Turning Overwhelm into Clarity

Feeling overwhelmed? Explore a creative tool inspired by Mad Libs that transforms vague frustrations into actionable steps. Discover why specificity matters and how it can reduce mental fog. Tune in for a practical fill-in-the-blank scaffold template to help define your issues. Michele illustrates the concept with plant-based living examples, guiding you from generic concerns to clear goals. Plus, take the listener challenge to tackle one stuck area and gain clarity on your journey!
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5 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 21min

266: Moderation - Decision or Excuse?

Explore the fine line between moderation as a strategy versus an excuse. Discover how vague moderation can lead to decision fatigue and moral licensing. Learn to set clear, values-based boundaries in your choices. Gain insights from behavioral science and coaching strategies to bridge gaps between intention and action. Michele challenges listeners to redefine their approach to moderation, encouraging concrete decisions and the tracking of progress. Don't just float along—take control and commit to your goals!

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