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
Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 39min
Ep. 245: Desiree Nielsen - Plant Magic in Every Bite: A Celebration of Plant-Based Cooking
Do you believe in Magic?Well, you most certainly will after today’s episode with Desiree Nielsen, celebrating the upcoming release of her new book, Plant Magic, coming out April 23, 2024. This book busts the myth that a whole food plant-based diet is expensive, time consuming, restrictive, or boring. In fact, Desiree shares over 100 deeply flavourful and wildly delicious recipes for everyone who wants to eat more plants and feel good.In Plant Magic, Desiree shares approachable ways to incorporate plants into your meals, along with how to dial up your pantry and tricks for coaxing the best out of simple foods like beans, grains, and vegetables. Plant-based cooking doesn’t have to be expensive, time consuming, or restrictive. Whether you’re craving morning things, stuff on bread, one pot (or pan) dishes, salads, tasty noodles, really good sweets, or everyday tonics and potions, Plant Magic makes cooking and eating joyful. Full of tips and tricks, stories and easy ingredient swap-outs, Desiree shares delicious recipes for some of your favorite dishes that just happen to be plant-based. And, because Desiree is an accomplished Registered Dietitian, we also talk lasting behavior change, anxiety, self-doubt, and overcoming self-imposed food restrictions. Celebrate the joy of plant-based cooking and put a little magic in your life with Desiree Nielsen.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
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Apr 11, 2024 • 1h 33min
Ep. 244: Secrets to Longevity: Exploring the Nutritarian Diet with Dr. Joel Fuhrman
Dr. Joel Fuhrman discusses the Nutritarian approach to eating, emphasizing the power of micronutrients and phytochemicals in preventing diseases and promoting longevity. The conversation covers topics such as G-BOMBS in meals, eliminating salt, distinguishing true hunger from toxic hunger, optimizing nutrient intake, and the impact of body composition on long-term health.
Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 12min
Ep. 243: Dr. Michelle Loy - Using Art and Science to Heal Chronic Pain
Dr. Michelle Loy is a nationally recognized physician with board certifications in Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Medical Acupuncture, and Pediatrics. In her practice, Dr. Loy focuses on the whole person and uses evidence-based therapies from both modern medicine and time-tested traditional modalities including plant-forward culinary nutrition, yoga, acupuncture, pet therapy, and mind-body medicine to prevent and manage chronic medical conditions from allergies, joint pain, headaches and IBS, up to PTSD, eating disorders, anxiety, and cancer.Dr. Loy emphasizes nutrition, stress reduction, and community engagement for well-being, touching on narrative medicine and the future of therapies. She also highlights the significance of essential nutrients for mental health and promoting the transformative power of food as medicine. The conversation provides a comprehensive outlook on holistic health practices and personalized care. A strong proponent of family centered care, Dr. Loy treats patients of all ages from childhood, adolescence, to adulthood. She seeks for her patients to enjoy both years in life (longevity) and life in years (vitality). Through her approachable, compassionate, and mindful listening, she is committed to helpher patients and families find answers, foster a growth mindset, embrace their passions, and live a vibrant meaningful life.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 28, 2024 • 1h 28min
Ep. 242: Plant-Based and Less Waste - Carleigh Bodrug's Adventures in Scrappy Cooking
We all know that eating more plants is incredibly powerful not only our health, but the planet.A shocking 30 to 40 percent of the entire United States' food supply ends up in landfills, much of which stems from household waste. As you may have guessed, food waste is not a great thing for our environmental impact and, obviously, our wallets.That’s why we’re excited to share that one of the most anticipated cookbooks of 2024 is finally here - and it’s entirely PLANT-BASED and ZERO-WASTE.Meet PlantYou: Scrappy Cooking by our plantstrong pal, New York Times bestselling author and social media sensation Carleigh Bodrug, back for her third appearance on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast.Scrappy Cooking, shares how we can extend the life of some of our favorite foods, and turn some of these foods into the most mouth-water meals you can imagine! There’s even a “Got this? Make That!” section where she recommends recipes based on what you have in your kitchen. So, no longer do you have to stare at the ripened banana and go, “I guess I’ll toss it!” Nope. Just open the book and go to town on some fantastic recipes. Save money, reduce waste, eat healthier than ever before with Plant You Scrappy Cooking. Watch the Episode on YouTubeEpisode WebpageSPECIAL 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 21, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep. 241: Neal Barnard, MD - These Are Your Power Foods for Lasting Weight Loss
Dr. Neal Barnard discusses power foods for lasting weight loss, debunking myths about bananas, potatoes, and soy. He also debates the effectiveness of weight loss drugs and the importance of a plant-based diet for optimal health.
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Mar 14, 2024 • 1h 19min
Ep. 240: Linda Tyler - Your Guide for Reducing Chronic Inflammation
Learn about the impact of chronic inflammation on your health and how to combat it through a plant-based diet. Discover the benefits of anti-inflammatory foods like ginger, turmeric, and berries. Get inspired by delicious recipes from an anti-inflammatory cookbook to support your journey to better health.
Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 18min
Ep. 239: RAK Your Life with Dr. Rak Jotwani
Dr. Rak Jotwani - aka Dr. RAK - is a lifestyle medicine physician who has the all-too familiar story…working long stressful hours in the hospital, eating the standard American diet, and managing crippling depression. It got to the point where he couldn’t be present for his own wife and kids because he just felt so tired and overwhelmed. Dr. Rak shares his experiences with burnout in the medical field and the profound impact of meditation and a plant-based diet on his well-being. He now emphasizes the importance of whole food, plant-based nutrition and conscious living through his virtual lifestyle medicine practice, RAK Your Life.Dr. Rak highlights the pillars of his practice - roots, awareness, and kindness - focusing on finding your personal “north star,” becoming more compassionate, and making kind decisions that are both good for us and make us feel good. Instead of seeing change as a punishment, he sees it as an opportunity for improvement and THAT’s the medicine he practices daily now – helping others establish belief that they can make a change, that, yes, they can RAK their own lives. 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 29, 2024 • 1h 16min
Ep. 238: Elizabeth Winings DNP, APRN - Mental Health Breakthroughs Through Nutrition and Community
Explore mental health breakthroughs through nutrition and community with Dr. Elizabeth Winings at PLANTSTRONG retreats. Learn about the power of communication in promoting well-being, embracing a plant-based lifestyle for personal growth, and the role of nurse practitioners in mental health care. Dive into the impact of retreats and community support on wellness, and the initiative of lifestyle medicine at Jacksonville University.
Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 34min
Ep. 237: To Supplement or Not. That is the Question with Matt Tullman
Learn about optimizing health through plant-based diets and supplements with insights on essential nutrients like B12, vitamin D, and omega-3s. Discover the importance of personalized nutrition and tailored supplements to improve overall health. Explore sustainable practices, gut health, probiotics, and the journey of crafting top-tier supplement products.
Feb 15, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep. 236: Brittany Jaroudi is Breaking the Cycle of Family Illness...And You Can Too
Brittany Jaroudi battled family health issues but transformed her health with a plant-based diet. She shares her powerful journey and impact, offering online classes and cooking demos. The podcast discusses recipes with balsamic vinegar, mustard, and corn zucchini fritters. It also highlights the importance of positive attitudes and overcoming health challenges with a plant-based lifestyle.
