The Plantwise Podcast with Brigitte Gemme

Seniors live longer than before, but on average they spend 13 years in poor health. Do you really want to spend your retirement popping pills and chasing doctor appointments? In this episode of the Plantwise Podcast, we dive into the newly published health guide for the older crowd: Plant Powered Seniors. Join the conversation with two of the co-authors, Vesanto Melina and Dr Charlyn Black to find out what a well-planned plant-powered diet looks like... and how much protein we actually need after 50. Get your copy of Plant Powered Seniors on Bookshop.org . Your purchase will support the Plantwise Podcast and independent bookstores... at no extra cost to you! Canadians can shop on booksellers.ca 🍁. 💚 Love this conversation? You'll be right at home in the Plantwise Book Club . This podcast is brought to you by the Plantwise Book Club : a welcoming community of curious people who want to learn from the top sources about plant-based nutrition and put what they learn into practice in their everyday lives. Learn more here .

I avoided talking about weight management for 10 years. I'm finally talking about it. Not because I had a dramatic transformation story to tell, I didn't lose 50 pounds, and I'm not selling anything. But because I'm a 48-year-old woman in perimenopause who has been intentional about weight maintenance for the past four years, and I've learned a few things worth sharing. In this video, I walk you through the 20 habits I actually use to stay at a healthy weight without dieting. They are about food, movement, and mindfulness. Some of them are obvious. Some are tactical. One of them connects to spirituality, and it might be the most important one on the list. What I cover: 🚗 How our society is rigged against healthy weight 🥦🫘The whole-food, plant-based eating patterns that keep me satiated ⚖️ Why I weigh myself every single morning — and why it's just data, not drama 👣 The movement habits that go way beyond the gym 🧘‍♀️ The mindfulness practice that puts space between impulse and action 💚 What I'm doing now to build a foundation before menopause changes the rules This is not a prescription. It's my honest experience as a healthy habit coach, plant-based nutrition educator, and real person navigating midlife with as much intention and as little guilt as possible. These habits are good for weight maintenance, but above all they are critical to keep chronic disease at bay. Join us at Cooking Club - it's free! https://brigittegemme.com/cooking-club/ Mindful Eating Circle (free): https://brigittegemme.com/mindful-meal/ Take your Healthy Habit Snapshot: https://brigittegemme.com/#snapshot 0:00 — Why I avoided this topic for 10 years 1:30 — The bigger picture: why weight management is so hard 4:10 — My personal story: perimenopause and paying attention 7:30 — The 20 habits overview 7:45 — FOOD 16:15 — MOVEMENT 18:30 — MINDFULNESS & AWARENESS 23:00 — What it all comes down to

On my 48th birthday, my mom reminded me that my grandmother died of a heart attack at the same age. That conversation sent me to review my cholesterol results... and changed what I put on my plate (a little bit). I already eat a plant-based diet, exercise regularly, and don't smoke. But new guidelines from the American College of Cardiologists have shifted the target for LDL cholesterol from 130 down to under 100 mg/dL. At 102 (in May 2025), I had work to do. So I made some small, deliberate additions to my diet. No meds, no overhaul, no yucky supplements! A retest just last week showed promising results. Here's what happened. ➡️ Join us to discuss Dr. Greger's Lower LDL Cholesterol Naturally with Food book: Kick-off event on June 25th (free): https://brigittegemme.com/lower-ldl-kick-off/ 📚 Plantwise Book Club: https://skool.com/plantwise 🧠 Download the Brain Health e-book: https://brigittegemme.com/brain-health-habits/ 🙌 Get support: https://brigittegemme.com/coaching/ 🍲 Learn more about the Healthy Vegan Cooking Club: https://brigittegemme.com/cooking-club/

Dr. Michael Greger — physician, bestselling author of How Not to Die, and founder of NutritionFacts.org — joins the Plantwise Book Club crew for a live fireside chat focused on how he reads and writes. In this conversation, we ask Dr. Greger how his team tracks thousands of new studies every day using PubMed alerts, a team of 100+ volunteers, and an increasing use of AI. He shares how he actively seeks out evidence that challenges his own positions — and the times he's had to reverse course (including a heartbreaking breakup with his favorite fruit). We also cover: 🔬 How NutritionFacts.org is building an AI-powered "Ask Dr. Greger" tool using retrieval-augmented generation 🥦 The strongest argument against a plant-based diet (his answer might surprise you) 💪 How much protein you actually need — especially over 65 🏥 Why making healthy food the default choice is the most effective behavior change strategy 📚 His deep-work routine: treadmill research days, month-long project blocks, and a nine-hour interview day 🍠 How fans started bringing him sweet potatoes at book signings Dr. Greger donates all proceeds from his books to charity, takes no corporate sponsorships, runs no ads, and sells no supplements. 📖 Currently in the Plantwise Book Club, we are doing a deep dive into How Not to Die. Join us: https://brigittegemme.com/plantwise-book-club/ 🌐 NutritionFacts.org for free, science-based nutrition information https://nutritionfacts.org 🎙️ Subscribe to the Plantwise Podcast for more conversations at the intersection of plant-based nutrition, evidence, and real life. #PlantBased #NutritionFacts #MichaelGreger #HowNotToDie #PlantwisePodcast #WFPB #PlantBasedNutrition #EvidenceBased

Dr. Michael Klaper was raised on a dairy farm, became a physician in 1972, and spent his first decade in medicine watching his patients get sicker. Then, he connected the dots: it's the food, doc! For the past 40+ years, he has been one of the most beloved voices in plant-based medicine, reversing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disease, and more thanks to the whole plant food diet. In 2017, he founded his not-for-profit Moving Medicine Forward to (finally!) bring nutrition education to medical schools across North America. He just published his book by the same name, and it's FANTASTIC! In this conversation we talk about: The "toxic red tide" of molecules that flood your bloodstream every time you have a cheeseburger Why most doctors know next to nothing about nutrition (and what that costs their patients) What it takes to change someone's diet in a clinical setting Whether the medical system can be redeemed And why Dr. Klaper is the happiest of doctors! Whether you are in the medical system as a patient or as a health professional, you'll LOVE this episode. Support Dr. Klaper's work by donating at http://movingmedforward.org/ Get your copy of Moving Medicine Forward: https://bookshop.org/a/114636/9781637748268 (while supporting the Plantwise Podcast at no extra cost to you!) -- Love this conversation? You'll be right at home in the Plantwise Book Club. Learn more here: https://brigittegemme.com/plantwise-book-club/

What if the real reason why we can't change our habits has nothing to do with willpower? Leo Babauta, creator of Zen Habits and one of the original voices on mindfulness and simplicity on the Internet, joins the Plantwise Book Club crew for a conversation that goes deep. We talk about the emotions hiding underneath our food choices, why "should" never works, and what happens when we stop running from discomfort and just… sit with it. Plus, Leo shares how he went from overweight, in debt, and smoking to running marathons, going vegan, and building a life aligned with his values. The real shift? Love. This starts with "pick a tiny habit and go from there" and goes much deeper. Recorded live as a fireside chat with the Plantwise Book Club during our deep dive into Leo's book Essential Zen Habits. 🔗 Leo's blog: http://zenhabits.net ✍️ Leo's new book-in-progress: http://zenofdoing.substack.com 📖 Leo's book Essential Zen Habits which was the Plantwise book of the month in February 2026: https://bookshop.org/a/114636/9781434105257 💚 Join the Plantwise Book Club: https://skool.com/plantwise/about/

Javant Benton's healthy journey started when a possibly lymphoma diagnosis shook him to his core. Pre-diabetes and high blood pressure ran in his family but he wasn't prepared for cancer. This health scare set him on a path of discovery that led to losing 80 pounds, reversing his chronic disease signs, and falling in love with whole food plant-based cooking. His Instagram is super inspiring! https://instagram.com/healthyveganeating/ and you can also follow him here on YouTube: http://youtube.com/@healthyveganeating Everything he does is oil free, refined-sugar free, and wheat free... and it all looks AMAZING! Javant's first cookbook, Make Your Own, is just coming out on March 17th, 2026, and it's a MUST HAVE! I hardly ever endorse cookbooks but I love everything about how Javant creates delightful meals from whole plant foods, and I know my Plantwise people are going to love it too. 📚 Get Javant's first cookbook, Make Your Own, from Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/114636/9780306836695 Your purchase using this link will support the Plantwise Book Club, at no extra cost to you. Also available in all bookstores. This podcast is brought to you by the Plantwise Book Club: a welcoming community of curious people who want to learn from the top sources about plant-based nutrition *and* put what they learn into practice in their everyday lives. Learn more and join us here: https://skool.com/plantwise/about/

Welcome to the first episode of the Plantwise Podcast! Host Brigitte Gemme sits down with legendary vegan advocate Victoria Moran, a 2024 Vegan Hall of Fame inductee, author of 14 books, and founder of Main Street Vegan Academy. In this wide-ranging conversation, Victoria shares: Why she'd be vegan even if it wasn't good for her health What it's like to age publicly as a vegan at 75 Her perspective on mortality ("We're all holograms passing through") The spiritual roots of veganism most people don't know about Her Ayurveda-inspired daily routine What's next for Main Street Vegan Academy The book she hopes to write next Whether you've followed Victoria for years or you're just discovering her work, this episode is a masterclass in living with purpose, compassion, and good sense. Mentioned in this episode: Plantwise Book Club https://brigittegemme.com/plantwise-book-club/ Creating a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran https://bookshop.org/a/114636/9780062515803 Main Street Vegan by Victoria Moran https://amzn.to/4r0yQsf Age Like a Yogi by Victoria Moran https://bookshop.org/a/114636/9781958972595 Main Street Vegan Academy https://mainstreetvegan.com/ Healthy Vegan Cooking Club https://veganfamilykitchen.com/cooking-club/ The Compassion Consortium https://www.compassionconsortium.org/ Join the Plantwise Book Club to go deeper and go from knowledge to healthy habits! Learn more: https://brigittegemme.com/plantwise-book-club/

Hi, it's Brigitte! After a year-long hiatus, I am back to the podcast microphone and eager to bring you deep conversations with some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking authors and creators from the plant-based world. The Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast is now the Plantwise Podcast, reflecting my channel's shift from vegan cooking education to a broader focus on lifestyle habits that foster healthy, long, and meaningful lives. Make sure to subscribe to catch my upcoming conversations with: Victoria Moran, vegan Hall of Famer and author of 14 books including Age Like a Yogi Javant Benton, creator of Healthy Vegan Eating and author of Make Your Own! Leo Babauta, creator of Zen Habits Dr. Michael Greger of NutritionFacts.org Dr. Michael Klaper and more! The Plantwise Podcast is the companion of the Plantwise Book Club, a welcoming community of plant-based people who want to turn knowledge into healthier daily habits. If you've been meaning to less time scrolling on social media and more time reading books that matters, it's the group for you! Learn more about the Plantwise Book Club: https://brigittegemme.com/plantwise-book-club/ .

This is a goosebumps episode! You're going to LOVE this conversation with Victoria Moran, a vegan icon for over 41 years, author of 13 books, and a recent inductee into the Vegan Hall of Fame. It's an honor to have Victoria in my kitchen to share her fascinating journey from being a solitary vegetarian in the 1960s Midwest to leading the Vegan Main Street Academy. We go deep into her connections within the vegan movement, her upcoming 14th book 'Age Like a Yogi: A Heavenly Path to a Dazzling Third Act', and her feature film project 'Miss Liberty'. Whether you’re interested in the health benefits of a plant-based diet, in the spiritual roots of yoga, or in the history of vegan activism, you're going to wish this episode was twice as long! 👉 Pre-order Victoria's new book Age Like a Yogi: A Heavenly Path to a Dazzling Third Act from your favorite bookstore, then send your receipt to assist@victoriamoran.com to unlock the cool pre-order bonuses, including a day-long workshop with her in January. Learn more about the Main Street Vegan Academy and connect with Victoria on her website . Watch the trailer to Miss Liberty: The Movie ! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Victoria Moran 01:30 Early Vegan Journey in the 1980s 03:24 Influential Figures in Veganism 04:16 Challenges and Innovations in Early Veganism 07:39 Historical Events and Influencers 08:55 Personal Reflections on Vegan History 12:10 Yoga and Veganism: A Personal Journey 16:27 Aging Like a Yogi: The New Book 25:48 The Intersection of Yoga and Veganism 28:15 Yoga and Dietary Choices 28:57 Western Yoga and Secular Influence 29:53 The Importance of Ahimsa 30:13 Personal Stories and Veganism 31:57 Health Benefits of Veganism for Older Adults 33:04 Secrets to Vibrant Aging 35:29 The Role of Exercise 38:27 Miss Liberty: A Film Project 43:25 Encouragement for New Vegans 49:55 Pre-ordering 'Aging Like a Yogi'

How difficult is vegan and sustainable eating, travel, and living in Japan? Come in and listen as Brigitte discusses the topic with sustainable travel expert and Hiroshima tour guide Joy Jarman-Walsh, one of the forces behind Japan's sustainable travel improvements. In this episode, we cover: - Joy's journey in discovering that it was possible to be vegan and thrive in Japan - Sustainability in Japanese tourism: What are positive trends in the industry? - Cultural insights on eating habits: Why is it so hard to modify items on the menu in Japan?! Curious to learn how you can adopt more sustainable travel practices and enjoy plant-based eating while exploring Japan? Tune in to gain valuable insights from Joy's extensive experience and innovative approaches to promoting sustainability and health through her work and daily life. Don't forget to subscribe for more discussions on healthy living, sustainability, and mindful travel. CONNECT WITH JOY Catch her show : https://youtube.com/@seeksustainablejapan and on your favorite podcast platform Medium blog: https://medium.com/@jjwalsh Tours of Hiroshima - feel free to book directly via Socials, Google Biz page, or book on Tours By Locals: https://www.toursbylocals.com/hiroshima-tour-guide-joy-j Consulting work - Inbound Ambassador: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Kjcc2Z4ta2CRU9t5 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjwalsh-inbound-ambassador/ Twitter: https://x.com/jjwalsh FB/Insta/Threads @inboundambassador Jump to sections that interest you most! [00:00:00] Introduction to Joy Jarman-Walsh [00:02:00] Joy’s Early Influence and Transition to Vegetarianism [00:06:00] The Shift from Vegetarian to Vegan in a Family Context [00:10:00] Challenges of Finding Vegan Food in Japan [00:18:00] Navigating Cultural Sensitivities in Japanese Dining [00:25:00] Sustainability in Everyday Japanese Life [00:30:00] Impact of Domestic and International Tourism on Local Cuisine [00:35:00] Vision for a More Sustainable Japanese Food Culture ----------------- Need a healthy stress-free vegan meal plan when eating at home? Download Planned & Plant-Based today, eat better next week: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/

Do you want to avoid suffering from swollen, achy, hot joints, feeling fatigue, or struggling with mobility? Or decrease your risk of cardio-vascular events? Those issues often associated with aging are not inevitable! Join Brigitte in conversation with Linda Tyler, author of The Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook and creator of GraciousVegan.com. Linda explains everything you need to know about what inflammation is, how it's related to the food we eat, and how a different way of cooking can bring big improvements into your life today and in the long term. Linda also shares her favorite recipes and practical advice for making anti-inflammatory cooking a part of your everyday life. Whether you're a seasoned vegan chef or just curious about plant-based eating, there's something in this episode for everyone interested in the health benefits of an anti-inflammatory plant-based diet. Connect with Linda on her website at https://graciousvegan.com on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracious_vegan/ and buy her cookbook: https://www.graciousvegan.com/cookbook-details-and-ordering

This is a can't-miss episode! Join me in conversation with Elaine Perlman, Executive Director of Waitlist Zero, an advocacy group committed to ending the kidney shortage in the United States. In this episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast, Elaine shares her deeply personal journey from embracing veganism and healthy plant-based living to becoming a kidney donor, gifting an organ to a stranger. Her transition to a plant-based lifestyle not only transformed her health but also fueled her passion for saving lives through organ donation. Elaine aims to pass critical federal laws in the United States, the End Kidney Deaths Act and the Honor Our Living Donors Act, to save lives and support donors across the nation. With over 90,000 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant, Elaine's advocacy work is more urgent than ever - and she needs your support. She also shares her experience in education, from teaching young students in New York City about healthy eating to mentoring adults transitioning to a healthier, plant-based diet. I love her approach to teaching about plant-based eating and kidney health, and anyone who is trying to nudge others towards doing the right thing will find lots to learn from Elaine. This episode is not just a talk; it's a call to action. Whether you're curious about plant-based living, concerned about kidney health, or intrigued by the idea of donating an organ to a stranger, Elaine's story offers valuable lessons and inspiring actions. Here is how one person's choices can ripple out to affect thousands of lives - we can all make a difference. Learn more: WaitlistZero.org Connect with Elaine: elaineperlman.com More about the campaign: EndKidneyDeaths.org

In this episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen podcast, host Brigitte Gemme talks with her guest, Deborah McNamara - a Vancouver-based counselor who is fascinated by the relationship between food and our connections with each other. Deborah discusses her experiences with helping adults make sense of their relationships with food and children, giving insights on treating food issues through the lens of relationships. As the author of the book 'Nourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids (and everyone else we love),' Deborah McNamara emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships through food, with adults taking the lead in caretaking to foster secure and healthy connections. Connect with Deborah MacNamara Get your copy of Nourished from your local bookstore, bookshop.org , or Amazon . Learn more about Deborah MacNamara's upcoming course: Gather to Eat -- Need to get organized to feed yourself and your loved ones really good food? Download Brigitte's healthy vegan 5-night dinner plan: Planned & Plant-Based . Find your own Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking

Learn about plant-based baking from the professionals! In this episode of the Vegan Family Kitchen Podcast, Brigitte Gemme interviews Natasha and Ed Tatton, owners of Whistler's BReD Bakery and authors of the newly published book BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads and Other Plant-Based Baking . We talk about: Replacing dairy and eggs with whole plant ingredients (no need for the middle bird!) Natasha and Ed's separate journeys toward veganism How the sourdough business grew organically Learn to sprout grains Hear business tips from seasoned bakery owners! Learn more and buy the book (includes links to shop local!): BReD: Sourdough Loaves, Small Breads and Other Plant-Based Baking Visit the Whistler (Canada) bakery: BReD Made by Ed ** Need to get organized to cook plant-based dinners at home on weeknights? Download Brigitte's 5-day healthy vegan dinner plan: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/

Most people could cook faster, waste less money and time, and be less stressed if they handle their grocery haul differently. In this podcast episode, Brigitte shares strategies for reducing food waste and cooking faster by properly storing groceries. Listen to the episode and try Brigitte's tips to get more organized in the kitchen, cook more efficiently, waste less food, time, and money, and find joy in cooking. LINKS TO RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Book: Flow in the Kitchen: Practices for Healthy Stress-Free Vegan Cooking (link to Amazon but you can order from any bookstore): https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Kitchen-Practices-Healthy-Stress-free-ebook/dp/B0BF83KQ1W/ The 10 vegetables I make sure to always have on hand: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/vegan-grocery-list-vegetables/ My 75 healthy vegan pantry staples: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/vegan-pantry-staples/ 5-day dinner plan to cook nutritious and delicious meals faster: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based Buy your kale and eat it too: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/cut-food-waste-vegan-meal-planning-habits/ Original version of this article: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/how-to-store-groceries/

Can there be such a thing as a blissful menopause? Every woman's experience will be different, but certain lifestyle and mindset shifts will make it a smoother ride. Brigitte's guest on the Vegan Family Kitchen podcast today is Anna Pelzer, a vegan menopause coach. She has some gentle guidance to help. In this thought-provoking conversation, Anna shares: Her journey from food photography to menopause coaching What she means when she suggests menopause can be a time of opportunity Actionable physical and mental health tips you can practice today Her own routine and stress-reduction strategies Based on Anna's past experience as a renowned vegan food photographer, we also touched on some behind-the-scene insight about the stress of social media for online creators. Struggling with menopause symptoms? Approaching menopause? You can connect with her for a free 30-minute consultation via her website Blissful Menopause , or connect on Instagram . Also tune in to her new podcast: The Vegan Menopause . ** Need a bit of help to eat more plants? Download Brigitte's 5-day healthy vegan dinner plan: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/ ** JUMP AHEAD: 01:20 Anna's Journey to Menopause Coaching 02:36 The Impact of Stress on Menopause 02:59 The Importance of Lifestyle Medicine 03:34 Understanding Menopause Symptoms 04:45 Menopause as a New Beginning 05:59 Setting Health Goals During Menopause 06:55 The Role of Plant-Based Eating in Menopause 08:04 Transitioning to a Healthier Diet 10:03 Stress Reduction Techniques 10:46 The Power of Mindfulness 12:43 The Importance of Body Connection 14:07 Embracing Menopause with a Positive Mindset 21:26 Personal Routine and Habits 26:47 Dealing with Hot Flashes 30:19 The Role of a Menopause Doula

Brigitte explores the idea of cooking as a form of spiritual nourishment and shares her current five rituals for a deeper and more meaningful cooking experience. These include expressing gratitude before cooking, deeply understanding the origins of ingredients, staying fully present during the cooking process, cooking with a community, and sharing the food with love. Brigitte also shares how these practices help her manage stress and appreciate the process of meal preparation. If you'd like to join Brigitte and her group every other Sunday in the kitchen, email her to introduce yourself at hello@veganfamilykitchen.com . You can also download useful templates and meal plan samples here: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/templates-and-printables/ 00:02 Introduction to Spiritual Cooking 01:07 The Power of Gratitude in Cooking 02:41 Understanding the Origins of Our Ingredients 04:38 The Importance of Being Present While Cooking 06:38 Cooking as a Community Activity 08:20 Sharing the Food We Cook 09:58 Invitation to Join the Cooking Club

With the charismatic Jean-Philippe Cyr, delicious and comforting vegan dishes are served with a side of self-deprecating humor... or is it the other way around? Jean-Philippe, a.k.a. The Buddhist Chef, just published his most recent English-language cookbook, The Buddhist Chef's Homestyle Cooking , and we chatted about: How being from a big Quebec family influenced his cooking journey What triggered his transition from restaurant chef specializing in meat to vegan YouTuber How to make tofu and tempeh delicious How he collaborates with large supermarket chains to create ready-to-eat vegan dishes And the social struggles of vegans! -- Struggling to decide what's for dinner? Download Brigitte's free Planned & Plant-Based one-week healthy vegan meal plan to get started with batch cooking and stress-free weeknights: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/

How to stay connected with our culinary heritage without sacrificing health? Let's talk about it with Karla Salinari, a.k.a. The Latina Health Coach and author of the recently published cookbook Abuela's Plant-Based Kitchen: Vegan Cuisine Inspired by Latin & Caribbean Family Recipes. Diving into Karla Salinari's inspiring journey, we learn about her Puerto Rican roots, growing up with a strictly vegan father at a time when plant-based diets were practically unheard of. As Karla navigated between Miami and Puerto Rico, her eating habits varied. It wasn't until university in NYC that she truly embraced a plant-based lifestyle. Connecting back to her roots, Karla adapted traditional Puerto Rican dishes with healthier, vegan ingredients. Today, Karla's mission is to help others reconnect with their culinary heritage without sacrificing health. She champions flavorful, aromatic Puerto Rican cooking that's naturally plant-forward. From rice dishes infused with fresh greens to using vegan alternatives, she proves food can be nourishing and rooted in tradition. You can connect with Karla Salinari on her website at https://www.KarlaSalinari.com and on Instagram https://instagram.com/thelatinahealthcoach/ Her book, Abuela's Plant-Based Kitchen, is available everywhere. Enjoy! ------------ Would you like to enjoy healthy stress-free vegan dinners next week? Download Brigitte's free Planned & Plant-Based one-week meal plan to get started: https://veganfamilykitchen.com/planned-plant-based/