PLANTSTRONG Podcast
People become curious about whole food, plant-based nutrition for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, or another chronic disease and you know (or you’ve been told) that this is your best shot at healing your body. You may be an athlete looking to maximize your performance and recovery with the power of plant-based nutrition, or you’re a parent who wants to escape the processed food aisle and start feeding your children real, nourishing foods. Perhaps you are concerned about climate change and the profound negative impact that animal agriculture has on the planet.
The problem? A whole food, plant-based diet can seem overwhelming, confusing, and, yes, expensive. You’ve been told it will make you deficient in something, or that you won’t get enough protein. You think it might be a boring way to live, or that it is so extreme you’ll alienate yourself from friends and loved ones.
Well, here at the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, we’re not afraid to be extreme - extremely positive, extremely helpful, and extremely well-researched. Each week on the show, host Rip Esselstyn talks to medical experts, authors, athletes, and people just like you who are not just surviving on a plant-based diet, but THRIVING.
As founder and CEO of PLANTSTRONG, Rip Esselstyn is a wellness advocate, former professional athlete, firefighter, and NY Times best-selling author renowned for his dedication to promoting vibrant health through plant-based nutrition and active living.
Over twenty years ago, Rip rescued several of his fellow firefighters with whole, plant-based foods following the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. The results were so dramatic that Rip wrote the bestselling book,The Engine 2 Diet, to spread the word. His subsequent works, including Plant-Strong, The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet and The Engine 2 Cookbook, further solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the plant-based movement. Rip was also featured in the documentary Forks over Knives and served as an executive producer of The Game Changers film; a revolutionary documentary that shatters the myths about meat, protein, and strength.
Rip’s mission and the mission of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast is to make plant-based living accessible and approachable, and to further the advancement of all things within the plant-based movement. We share the scientifically proven benefits of plant-based living and envision a world that universally understands, promotes, and prescribes plants as the solution to empowering your health, enhancing your performance, and restoring the environment.
You won’t be weak if you’re eating strong food. PLANTSTRONG food.
We welcome you wherever you are on your plant-based journey and we’re thrilled you’re here.
Latest episodes
Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 38min
Ep. 294: Victoria Moran - Age Like a Yogi and Embrace Your Third Act
What if aging wasn’t something to fear, but a journey to embrace? In this inspiring episode, best-selling author and wellness advocate, Victoria Moran, shares her wisdom on aging with grace, purpose, and joy. Drawing from her new book, Age Like a Yogi, she explores how plant-based living, yoga, and mindfulness can transform aging into a spiritual evolution, including:How to shift your mindset around agingThe connection between plant-based living, yoga, and longevityCultivating joy and fulfillment at every stage of lifeVictoria redefines what it means to grow older, proving that every stage of life holds new opportunities for fulfillment. Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTube
Mar 20, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 293: Keith Jeffrey - A "Broc & Roll" Star from the Band, Atlas Genius
Ready to travel down under for some plant-powered rock? Today, we introduce you to Keith Jeffrey and his band, Atlas Genius!Not only do they create incredible music, but they also embrace a plant-based lifestyle while touring the world. In this episode, we dive into:Why three Aussie brothers ditched meat for veganismTheir favorite plant-based eats on the roadHow their lifestyle influences their music & ethicsThe world needs more broc and rock stars like Keith Jeffrey who aren't afraid to amplify their ethics and their music. It’s a conversation about passion, purpose, and making choices that align with who you are.(Plus, stick around till the end—we’re playing one of my favorite Atlas Genius tracks!)Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTubeSPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com Upcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
Mar 13, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep. 292: Dusty and Erin Stanczyk -Eat, Move, Rest: The Blueprint for a Happy, Healthy, Plant-Based Family
Meet Erin and Dusty Stanczyk—a Nebraska couple who transformed their health and family life by embracing a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. After struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and acid reflux, they found inspiration from Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. and never looked back.Now, at 38, they’re raising three plant-strong kids and sharing their journey on Eat Move Rest and in their new book, The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook. In this episode, they reveal three key pillars to thriving as a plant-based family and recipes from their colorful plant-based cookbook. Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTubeSPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com Upcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
Mar 6, 2025 • 1h
Ep. 291: Don Fries and Bev Bow - Rediscover Your Joy of Living with the Healthy World Vitality Plan
Imagine a world thriving on health and vitality through whole food, plant-based living. That’s the vision Don Fries and Bev Bow are turning into reality—and you’re invited to be part of it! Their non-profit, Healthy World Vitality Plan, offers education, cooking classes, and small-group support sessions to help you rediscover the joy of living - all for just $40/year!Take control of your health, make meaningful connections, and join a movement dedicated to compassion for all living beings! Their Spring Intensive starts March 9th, 2025. To learn more and sign up visit: hwvitality.com Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTubeSPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com Upcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
Feb 27, 2025 • 56min
Ep. 290: Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. - The Proof Is In The Plants! Real Stories of Heart Disease Reversal
Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. is a trailblazer in heart health and director at the Cleveland Clinic's cardiovascular program. He shares inspiring stories of patients who have reversed heart disease through a whole-food, plant-based diet. The discussion highlights the critical role of nutrition in transforming heart health, critiques traditional medical approaches, and covers the link between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular issues. Dr. Esselstyn emphasizes the harmful effects of oil on heart health, making a compelling case for dietary change.
Feb 20, 2025 • 1h 34min
Ep. 289: Joel Kahn, MD - Test, Don't Guess When It Comes to Your Heart Health
Dr. Joel Kahn, a cardiologist and advocate for plant-based nutrition, discusses the alarming statistics surrounding heart disease and the need for proactive screenings. He emphasizes the power of a whole food, plant-based diet in reversing heart disease and shares his personal journey with nutrition. Dr. Kahn also highlights watercress as a nutritional powerhouse, the importance of coronary artery calcium scans, and offers insights into heart health for menopausal women. This lively conversation is packed with practical tips to improve cardiovascular well-being.
Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 34min
Ep. 288: Dr. Columbus Batiste - It's Time for a SELFISH Health Revolution!
Dr. Columbus Batiste, an interventional cardiologist and author, advocates for prioritizing self-care in his insightful conversation. He introduces the seven pillars of heart health, emphasizing the importance of spirituality, nutrition, and love. Stress's detrimental impact on health and the link between emotional well-being and cardiovascular issues are explored. Batiste shares personal anecdotes about his father's battle with diabetes, illustrating the importance of nutrition and lifestyle medicine. He encourages listeners to embrace self-care, laughter, and community support for overall wellness.
Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 14min
Ep. 287: Robert Ostfeld, MD - Can Plant-Based Diets Boost Heart Health and Your Bedroom Performance?
Over the course of his 20-year career at Montefiore in New York, Dr. Robert Ostfeld has been instrumental in moving medicine forward by implementing innovative dietary programs that not only provide plant-based meal options for patients but also educate healthcare professionals about the importance of nutrition in preventing heart disease.Today, he catches us up on the amazing initiatives at this forward thinking hospital and shares updates on their innovative cardiac wellness program, which now encompasses various clinical trials examining the effects of dietary choices on erectile function and overall heart health, particularly highlighting a groundbreaking study that compares plant-based diets with animal-based diets regarding their impact on erectile function.Dr. Ostfeld also answers audiences’ burning questions about cholesterol management, the nuances of coronary calcium scoring, and the implications of emerging research on lipoprotein(a) and lipoprotein B. Dr. Osfeld emphasizes that lifestyle changes, including adopting a plant-based diet, exercising, and managing stress, are crucial for heart health, especially in high-risk populations and post-menopausal women.This episode not only celebrates advancements in preventive cardiology but also aims to empower listeners with the knowledge and tools they need to take charge of their heart health. The mission is clear: a commitment to spreading the good news about plant-based eating as a powerful means to improve health outcomes, particularly concerning matters of the heart. Episode Webpage and ResourcesWatch the Episode on YouTube
Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 19min
Ep. 286: Chef Bailey Ruskus - The Ultimate Guide to Breaking Up With Dairy
Are you struggling to break up with dairy? It's the most common thing we hear at PLANTSTRONG. I can live this lifestyle, but I just can't give up cheese and milk! Well, now you don't have to with this wonderful new book by Chef Bailey Ruskus. In Breaking Up With Dairy, Chef Bai not only shares her own difficult and eye-opening journey of breaking up with dairy, but she also includes more than 100 unbelievable plant-based dairy recipes for all of your favorites such as milks, coffee creamers, and sauces, to gourmet-quality cheeses, and yep - even milkshakes. This book is proof that breaking up may be hard to do, but it’s so worth it. From understanding the dairy industry's hold on our eating habits to practical tips for transitioning to a dairy-free lifestyle, this episode is filled with encouragement and actionable advice as you navigate the through the stages of grief. It's time to stop worshipping at the "church of cheeses" and discover a healthier, more compassionate way to enjoy your favorite foods.Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTubePre-Order Breaking Up With Dairy Bailey is embarking on a National book tour in partnership with Williams Sonoma for Breaking Up With Dairy and will be in city near you! Click here to meet her on tour.SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com Upcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
31 snips
Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 48min
Ep. 285: Dr. Matthew Nagra - Cutting Through the Nutrition Confusion and Debunking Diet Myths
Dr. Matthew Nagra, a plant-based naturopathic doctor, navigates through common nutrition misconceptions with evidence-based insights. He tackles the toxicity argument against plants, debates between plant-based meats and real meat, and clarifies the persistent egg controversy. Nagra also explores the health impacts of dietary oils, creatine supplementation, and the roles of gluten and cholesterol. This enlightening conversation encourages embracing whole, nutritious, and plant-based foods for optimal health.
