"Do we need to consume animal products to be healthy?  No."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with the amazing Diana Goldman. Diana is the founder and creator behind the plant-based cooking brand Beantown Kitchen. From catering, to private cooking demos, to YouTube videos, to curating amazing recipes, Diana and Beantown Kitchen does a fantastic job of showing how simple and affordable plant-based living can be. We talk about why Diana went vegan overnight after a day of watching documentaries and researching, how she handled being the main cook for her omnivorous children, how she handles dinner parties and other social situations, and much more. Diana looks outstanding, her energy and passion for what she's doing is very evident, and I can't say enough about her food! (We enjoyed veggie burgers with pineapple chutney, two different cheese dips and chips, and some sort of graham cracker caramel nut dessert that was ridiculously good!)

"If there's anything I can do to stay with my family as long as I can, I want to do it."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with the spectacular Noelle Rhodes. Noelle is a fellow class of 2008 Hingham High grad, so we've know each other for some time. But I only learned this week that she has been plant-based for the past couple of years, so obviously I had to get her on the podcast! We talk about how the death of her grandmother from cancer sparked a family-wide awareness of plant-based diets, how eating plant-based has changed her relationship with herself, the struggles of dating as a vegan, and why it's so important to question everything. It was so nice to reconnect with Noelle and she is an amazing example of the power of living a plant-based lifestyle.

"When you're not eating the right things, you're not going to be connected with the earth and you're not going to be connected with yourself."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with the inspiring Josué Joseph. Originally from Haiti, Josué (JJ for short) now lives in the Boston area and has developed a following on social media through being open and honest about his journey in life. Specifically, Josué shares how he went from a junk food-eating unhappy guy to a raw vegan who feels he has finally found his place in the universe. We talk about why JJ became vegan, what a raw vegan diet has done for his physical and spiritual health, why being selfish is not always a bad thing, and why eating high vibrational foods like fruit is the key to truly connecting to yourself. When I first met JJ he gave me one of the realest hugs I've ever received. He's an amazing guy and his message of embodying and spreading love in a modern world that needs it is just awesome.

"I was a roofer for 25 years... I was an unconscious meat eater and drinker... if I can do it, anyone can do it."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with local wellness entrepreneur Dave O'Brien.  Over the past few months I've had numerous people suggest that I should get Dave on the podcast.  Through a mutual connection we were able to make it happen, and I'm so thankful that we did.  Dave is the founder of a local chain of juice bars/ wellness centers called The Green Light and also the founder of Dave's Raw Foods.  13 years ago, Dave was an unhealthy meat-eating booze-drinking roofer.  But after watching his father die of cancer, Dave had a health epiphany that has shaped the course of his life since.  A long-time vegan, at 52 years old, Dave is now a shining example of the power of a plant-based diet.  He's in incredible shape, he's mentally sharp, and his energy is infectious.  You can't help but want to push yourself to be healthier when you're around Dave.  We talk about everything from his personal health journey, to problems in our health care system, to cancer, and much more.  I cannot say enough positive things about Dave and his outlook on life and his passion for helping others.

"I want to feel and be my best self... and what I put into my body has a lot to do with that."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with the spectacular Natalie Blevins. Natalie and I have gotten to know each other through a previous podcast guest, my very close friend Peter Oswald (Episode 2), who she is in a relationship with. Natalie is a local Physician's Assistant and has recently adopted a plant-based diet. We talk about what life was like growing up on an orchard in rural Pennsylvania, why she chose a career in the medical field, what prompted her to start eating a more plant-centered diet, how she is able to listen to her body and take action on what it's telling her, and why she's always trying to learn and grow. Natalie is a ball of life, always high energy, always smiling, always positive, and always open to hearing other people's perspectives. She is an absolute pleasure to be around and I'm very fortunate to call her a friend... oh, and she's a kick-ass cook!

"Is a plant-based diet extreme?... Over 600,000 Americans each year will choose to have their chest cut open, instead of changing what they eat... that's extreme."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I address the most common questions I receive from listeners with regard to living a plant-based or vegan lifestyle. The questions I answer are:Where do you get your protein?Aren't I going to be deficient in things like iron?What the hell do you eat?Isn't eating plant-based expensive?It's impossible to stick with it while traveling right?My meat-eating, stogie-smoking, bud light-drinking grandpa is alive and kicking at 90, how do you explain that?Don't you think a plant-based diet is a little extreme?How could I ever give up burgers and cheese?

"There are plant-based and vegan companies that have a tremendous potential to change the consciousness of our country and our world... we're trying to be a part of that."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with Rhode Island native Frohman Anderson. Frohman is the co-founder of EverHope Capital, a private venture capital fund focused on supporting and scaling businesses that create a more sustainable and livable planet for current and future generations. We talk about how Frohman got started in entrepreneurship, how him and his younger sister started, grew, and sold a successful skincare company while still in school, why he became vegan, the unsustainable nature of animal agriculture, the enormous opportunity of the clean meat industry, and more. Frohman's knowledge and passion for making a difference in the world is very evident. I very much enjoyed getting to know him.. and I'm a huge fan of anyone who takes me out for local vegan tacos.

"To know that what I'm leaving in this world is something good... that I didn't harm anyone, I didn't harm the environment, and I left good vibes."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with the fabulous Ana Alarcón. Ana is a Boson-based fitness instructor, blogger, and influencer. We talk about what life and culture was like growing up in Mexico, how she struggled with diet and self image throughout high school and college, how she ended up in Boston, why she adopted a plant-based diet and how it's changed her relationship with food, what her daily regimen looks like, and much more. Ana is such an energetic and positive person and it's easy to see why so many resonate with her message. She is a shining example, especially for all the young girls out there, of what living a plant-based active lifestyle can do for your health and life.

"You can help people with such a big decision in their life and see how much it impacts them..."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with Alfred Schofield and Cameron Fischer, the founders of the Boston-based supplement company Vitalfit Nutrition. I connected with Alfred and Cam through a mutual friend and when I heard about their line of all plant-based supplements, I was curious to hear more. We talk about how Alfred and Cam decided on going into the supplement business, the shortcomings and lack of transparency of the supplement industry, how they went from an idea to an actual product, the very interesting approach to how they create their products, and the great extent to which they go to produce the very best products they can. This is an awesome episode about entrepreneurship and figuring it out as you go. Alfred and Cam are such great guys and what they're doing with Vitalfit is truly disruptive.

"I have 3 beautiful daughters... I want to stack the odds in my favor that I'm going to be around as long as I can for them..."On this week's episode of the Eat Green Make Green Podcast, I sit down with long time South Shore native Tom Fleck. Tom was gracious enough to squeeze in this interview a day before moving down to Miami. We talk about what life was like growing up as an overweight kid, how Tom found himself plagued by addiction at a young age, his lifelong battle with weight and health, and how he has come out the other side as a fit plant-eating endurance athlete and proud husband and father of three girls. This is a very moving and inspirational conversation about a rollercoaster of a life journey. Tom is a such an awesome guy and I truly look forward to keeping in touch with him and getting to know him more in the future.Plant Fit Summit Signup: http://bit.ly/egmgsummitSupport Pat's Pan Mass Bike Ride For Dana Farber & Children With Cancer: http://profile.pmc.org/PM0329