

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

Sep 16, 2025 • 21min
263: Stoic Vegans?: 2,000-Year-Old Advice for New Vegans, Writers, and Everyone Else
Explore how Stoic philosophy can enhance your vegan journey while navigating life’s uncertainties. Reflect on the value of making choices aligned with your values, whether in veganism or writing. Discover how looking foolish can lead to growth and the importance of resisting short-term pleasures for long-term fulfillment. Personal challenges reveal true strength, emphasizing that honest effort trumps the pursuit of perfection. Enlightening insights for anyone seeking to live their truths!

Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 3min
262: Veg Jaunts & Journeys: How Kim Giovacco Built a Thriving Vegan Travel Community
Kim Giovacco, founder of Veg Jaunts and Journeys, has ignited the vegan travel scene with her small-group adventures since 2017. She shares how a simple birthday gift transformed into a thriving travel business, even through the pandemic. Kim highlights hidden gems like Berlin's vegan Christmas markets and unique plant-based safaris in Namibia. With 60% of her guests returning, she emphasizes community and compassion, inspiring listeners to embark on their own vegan adventures around the globe, all while enjoying delicious plant-based cuisines.

Sep 2, 2025 • 23min
261: Back To Vegan Month - A September Plant Based Reset
September is presented as the perfect time for a vegan reset, inviting listeners to rejuvenate their plant-based lifestyle. From restocking pantry essentials to exploring cruelty-free fashion and cosmetics, the discussion is packed with practical tips. Health habits, like revisiting supplements and check-ups, are essential for holistic well-being. Inspirational vegan books and community events keep the journey engaging. Plus, five starter pack ideas are shared to help everyone ease back into veganism this fall!

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.